Things You Never Noticed VI: The Undiscovered Detail

[Vinyadan]

Also Belkar is most likely actually reading Dune .

On the somewhat unrelated topic, I never noticed that Durkon is creating a clock with magic.

Me neither. What sort of spell is that?

[ella ventic]

I always assumed that was a compass... though it does look like a clock, doesn't it! Two hands, and it's vertical, not flat. Hm. Is there a direction-finding spell that clerics can get?

[Aveline]

I always assumed that was a compass... though it does look like a clock, doesn't it! Two hands, and it's vertical, not flat. Hm. Is there a direction-finding spell that clerics can get?

Roy already has a navigation tool, the sextant. Reading one's direction from the sun using a sextant requires the user to know the precise time of day, so I think it's a clock.

[b_jonas]

Hm. Is there a direction-finding spell that clerics can get?

There is. Locate Object, a divination spell that both clerics and wizards get. There's a higher level divination spell Find the Path, which shows the right path rather than the direction of the target as the crow flies. Durkon tries to cast that one in Windy Canyon in #837, but fails, probably because of some divination blocking effect.

[Jasdoif]

Roy already has a navigation tool, the sextant. Reading one's direction from the sun using a sextant requires the user to know the precise time of day, so I think it's a clock.

Could be an astrolabe. And that was today's entry in "words I only know about because of Sid Meier's Pirates!."

[Peelee]

Could be an astrolabe.

I didn't know they could be flat. Prince of Persia:
Sands of Time for me.

[Kish]

My astronomy teacher described an astrolabe as an armillary that an elephant sat on.

[Laze]

I wonder if Durkon can make any astronomical tools, why would Roy spend so much time trying to get a sextant

[martianmister]

I wonder if Durkon can make any astronomical tools, why would Roy spend so much time trying to get a sextant

It's probably just a clock.

[jwhouk]

I'd have to think that "Tell Time" would be the equivalent of a cantrip for either wizards or clerics.

[Caractacus]

Belgium! You are right.

He could wear it backwards and always face the camera fourth wall...

We only know that one of the other characters has noticed when they suddenly say "Ghent!" and go all pale...

[Jasdoif]

I wonder if Durkon can make any astronomical tools, why would Roy spend so much time trying to get a sextant

I guessed the spell was telekinetically holding the tool in the air so it wasn't adversely affected by the motion of the worm under it; not that Durkon created the tool. I'm...not sure what cleric spell would serve that purpose, though.

[Aveline]

I guessed the spell was telekinetically holding the tool in the air so it wasn't adversely affected by the motion of the worm under it; not that Durkon created the tool. I'm...not sure what cleric spell would serve that purpose, though.

In my reading, the purpose is to tell the time so Roy could make effective use of the sextant, and that it's merely a timekeeping spell that looks like a clock so Rich wouldn't have to spend words explaining what the spell is, or how Roy is using a sextant without a timepiece.

Edit: I parsed your message poorly, so mine's not really an answer to your question.

[Laze]

I guessed the spell was telekinetically holding the tool in the air so it wasn't adversely affected by the motion of the worm under it; not that Durkon created the tool. I'm...not sure what cleric spell would serve that purpose, though.

I don't think that's the case, because the tool disappears in the next panel

[Laze]

For some reason, the fact that the poem in BRiF is a reference to one of the most famous English poem of all time, went completely over my head. I get it only on the second reading.

[Ron Miel]

For some reason, the fact that the poem in BRiF is a reference to one of the most famous English poem of all time, went completely over my head. I get it only on the second reading.

Offhand, I can't recall a poem in BRitF. Which page do you mean?

[Laze]

Offhand, I can't recall a poem in BRitF. Which page do you mean?

I don't have a physical copy, it's right after THE END. It's page 364, I think. The one about Blackwing.

[Lord Torath]

For some reason, the fact that the poem in BRiF is a reference to one of the most famous English poem of all time, went completely over my head. I get it only on the second reading.

It's a parody of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven".

Here's another parody: The Raven: Christmas Edition.

[Ron Miel]

So it's in the print edition, not online?

That would explain why I haven't seen it.

[Rogar Demonblud]

It's also in the pdf.

The bonus content generally more than makes it worthwhile to get the books.

[Werbaer]

it's right after THE END. It's page 364, I think. The one about Blackwing.

"Quoth the Familiar". 5 pages.

[danielxcutter]

Not exactly something directly in-comic, but in the discussion thread for 1109, people mentioned that V didn't mention Belkar when talking about the Symbol of Death because he while he's not as tough as Roy, the other three members make better comparison points since they're even squishier.

The thing I realized is that this is likely why V doesn't mention Hilgya either; as a fairly high-level dwarf Cleric she's not exactly too squishy either, especially compared to the Wizard-With-A-Con-Penalty Vaarsuvius.

[martianmister]

Not exactly something directly in-comic, but in the discussion thread for 1109, people mentioned that V didn't mention Belkar when talking about the Symbol of Death because he while he's not as tough as Roy, the other three members make better comparison points since they're even squishier.

The thing I realized is that this is likely why V doesn't mention Hilgya either; as a fairly high-level dwarf Cleric she's not exactly too squishy either, especially compared to the Wizard-With-A-Con-Penalty Vaarsuvius.

I think s.he has listed only the people s.he care about.

[Rodin]

Re-reading the Durkula/Order fight sequence again, I noticed that Durkon remains silent during the fight, even when asked directed questions by Durkula. The first time I read this, I just assumed that he was at a loss for words and/or declining to respond in order to offer up as little information as possible. However, reading back through, when Durkon asks for one more memory in exchange for Durkula not killing Hilgya's baby, he says that he will not utter a word until after the fight is over. It takes Durkula firmly stating "the battle is over, explain this!" before Durkon will answer.

In other words, Durkon sticks by his word and doesn't respond in order to protect the baby. He also uses this as an excuse to ignore Durkula's questions and force him to take in the fullness of the memory unaided. It's only after it's had time to sink in that he explains.

...Durkon, you are one magnificent bastard. And so is your son.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Also, Durkon is incredibly Lawful. He gave his word, he kept it.

[danielxcutter]

The cleric with dark skin is the one who tells Roy about Veldrina.

[Peelee]

Spoiler: Don't Split the Party print-only content

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In the deleted scene where the Thieve's Guild assaults Grubbwiggler's castle, Bozzok mentions that he, Crystal, and Haley can't do much damage against a golem on the roof. Which I only now realized clearly foreshadows Haley's later difficulty with Crystal golem.

[danielxcutter]

Spoiler: Don't Split the Party print-only content

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In the deleted scene where the Thieve's Guild assaults Grubbwiggler's castle, Bozzok mentions that he, Crystal, and Haley can't do much damage against a golem on the roof. Which I only now realized clearly foreshadows Haley's later difficulty with Crystal golem.

Maybe that's where he got the idea.

[Gift Jeraff]

Northerners living in constant fear of Hel in the previous world makes sense if they had little to no access to magic. Disease would have been a much more serious concern in that world than in the current one.

[danielxcutter]

Northerners living in constant fear of Hel in the previous world makes sense if they had little to no access to magic. Disease would have been a much more serious concern in that world than in the current one.

That... is actually a very good point. I wonder if Rich thought of that himself?