OOTS #1153 - The Discussion Thread

[Synesthesy]

There is a common belief that if you pursue someone enough, they will relent. Don't get me wrong, we share a boat - but something like half the "how we got married" stories I've heard, in fiction and in life, are about reacting to "they don't love you" by penning in the word "...yet."

So, It can really warm my heart to see someone's perpetual rejection in a story such as this, as long as they stay rejected throughout the story.

I could tell a very very long story here


However back on oots, how much strong do you think Sigdi is? She must be very high level to say that to a powerfull cleric and mean it....

[MReav]

I wonder if that threat was in part a comeback against Hilgya's passive-aggressive commentary on Sigdi's parenting skills (claiming she dropped Durkon repeatedly).

[MartianInvader]

Wow! Sigdi punched someone's tooth out just for proposing! I never realized she was Evil!

[MReav]

I could tell a very very long story here


However back on oots, how much strong do you think Sigdi is? She must be very high level to say that to a powerfull cleric and mean it....

You don't need to be high level to coup-des-gras someone.

Edit: Alternatively, Hilgya is a PC in an evil campaign and Sidgi acquired the status of 'personal rival'.

[chiefwaha]

'Ma rollin' a natural 20 on 'er intimidation check.

Pretty sure Intimidation is both a fighter skill and a mom skill, might not have needed a 20.

[Lord Torath]

Ah, Rich, that was great! I love Hilgya's expression at Sigdi's casual defense of her son! Haley's right; Sigdi's awesome!

Thanks!

[tcrudisi]

I do not believe Sigdi will be upset that Hilgya took Kudzu into battle. Sigdi's a warrior. I bet she even took Durkon into battle once or twice when the circumstances were bad. The best place for Kudzu to be is in his mom's arms.

[Paschendale]

Grandma Sigdi does "scorn" type damage

[Fyraltari]

She left Kudzu with one of the highest level clerics in the vicinity, in a town for all they know is overrun by vampires. Probably the safest place he could possibly be.

Oh, my if only there was a temple the vampires couldn't get in earlier with people in it that could take care of a baby. But really what are the odds of that?
Also they know the town isn't overrun with vampires because the bad guys can only have so many quick-raise spells prepared and they need to actually kill people to get vampires.

coup-des-gras someone.

I both admire and hate you for that joke. Well done.

[tcrudisi]

Wow! Sigdi punched someone's tooth out just for proposing! I never realized she was Evil!

Since when do you have to be evil to punch someone once?

[nocoolnamejim]

Since when do you have to be evil to punch someone once?

Punching someone once....killing by burning someone alive...

Basically the same degree of badness am I right? :-)

[SaintRidley]

I believe that's what's meant by speaking softly and carrying a big stick.

[woweedd]

Sidgi remains the best parent, and, by far, best grandparent, we've seen so far.

[Fyraltari]

I do not believe Sigdi will be upset that Hilgya took Kudzu into battle. Sigdi's a warrior. I bet she even took Durkon into battle once or twice when the circumstances were bad. The best place for Kudzu to be is in his mom's arms.

As a warrior, Sigdi knows the battlefield is no place for a non-combattant. Ans no she never took Durkon into battle because she was retired after losing her arm, before he was born, and even if she hadn't I'd bet diamonds against pebbles that she would have left Durkon's at one of her friends'.

[Peelee]

She left Kudzu with one of the highest level clerics in the vicinity, in a town for all they know is overrun by vampires. Probably the safest place he could possibly be.

Until that cleric willingly went into battle against said vampires with the baby strapped to her chest.

If you still think that's the safest place for a baby, I have one hell of a lot of bridges to sell you.

[Verappo]

The issue isn’t that she didn’t have the right to say no. It’s that she didn’t have the right to vent her toxic femininity by committing violence on someone who literally did nothing but apologize and then make a heartfelt if misguided proposal. Failing to read the room isn’t a crime. Murder is.

The way I see it there were two issues. One issue is that Durkon thought he was doing the right thing by proposing, and he wasn't. Which is something I'm glad Sigdi made Durkon understand. The main character learned something

The other issue is Hilgya's evil action, which was also called out by Sigdi, which I am also glad about, as I mentioned. The secondary character was warned and will not hurt Durkon again.

Both issues were handled at the best of Sigdi's capabilities, and I'm glad it was made clear that Hilgya's "punishment" (or promise of a punishment) wasn't for rejecting the proposal, but for hurting Durkon. For a comic meant to be read by us the distinction is very important.

I'm not sure toxic femininity is a thing. Benevolent sexism (Durkon making sure Hilgya isn't "dishonored" by lack of marriage) is. Which like, it's fine that Durkon did that, he was acting at the best of his knowledge and acording to societal standards, but I'm glad Sigdi corrected him

[Psyren]

I'm still not cool with Hilgya but this is a good enough comeuppance for now.

Okay, drama over, let's get back to the unimportant stuff - like vampires trying to enslave the council so they can end the world.

[MReav]

I both admire and hate you for that joke. Well done.

Didn't know I made one. I just was saying I wouldn't put it past Sigdi to stalk and murder Hilgya in her sleep if she messed with Durkon again.

[monomer]

Oh, my if only there was a temple the vampires couldn't get in earlier with people in it that could take care of a baby. But really what are the odds of that?
Also they know the town isn't overrun with vampires because the bad guys can only have so many quick-raise spells prepared and they need to actually kill people to get vampires.

I both admire and hate you for that joke. Well done.

If all you're relying on is a passive defense, you can reasonably assume that they would be able to get through sooner or later, and since there is no one in the temple that could defend against a vampire, leaving him there is not definitely safer than keeping him with a high-powered cleric.

[hamishspence]

This reminds me a lot of O-Chul's comment to Belkar:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0666.html

and Bandana's comment to Andi:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1079.html

comboing forgiveness of sorts, with a well-pointed threat.

[Alias]

Sigdi has Frightful Presence, huh? I thought only dragons get that.

Dragons and mother-in-laws (Yeah, I know they aren't married, but mother of the father is close enough).

[Fyraltari]

Didn't know I made one. I just was saying I wouldn't put it past Sigdi to stalk and murder Hilgya in her sleep if she messed with Durkon again.

Oh. Since you are from Québec I assumed you were poking fun at how english speakers pronounce "coup-de-grâce" as "coup de(s) graisse(s)".

I don't think Sigdi would murder someone in their sleep, really.

[pendell]

All I can say is that this strip is full of win. And yes, Grandma is super-cool.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[TerrickTerran]

Been a while since I really got a laugh out of an OOTS but this one sure did it.

[Peelee]

If all you're relying on is a passive defense, you can reasonably assume that they would be able to get through sooner or later, and since there is no one in the temple that could defend against a vampire, leaving him there is not definitely safer than keeping him with a high-powered cleric.

Yes, the front line of battle againzt those same vampires immediately is much safer for a toddler.

[The_Weirdo]

So Hilgya didn't harm Sigdi and they both reached an... Understanding.

Seems cool. Guess Kudzu will get to have both parents and a granny in his life, after all.

An awesome granny.

[Oko and Qailee]

This is all fair.
I'm glad Sigdi didn't side with Durkon completely in backing up the marriage proposal. Hilgya reserves the right to choose, especially since the first time around she couldn't. This is a good step forward for Durkon developing those people skills he'll need to approach Redcloak.

And still Sigdi made sure to estabilish that the evil act itself wouldn't be repeated, so that's fair too. I'm glad the comic found a way to reconcile Hilgya's refusal of the proposal and the implications of her alignment (and actions) so elegantly

Honestly yes.

Hildya had every right to be angry with how Durkon handled the situation, he didn't have tact and was being insensitive and awkward even though I don't think that was his intent. Her response though was way overblown. Hitting him in response or similar is tolerable, but full blown murder is way too far.

I feel like this is a good resolution. Hilgya doesn't get a pass, but Sigdi makes it clear to Durkon that he shouldn't try to press the issue.

Also, Sigdi is easily one of my favorite characters. She is awesome.

[Worldsong]

If all you're relying on is a passive defense, you can reasonably assume that they would be able to get through sooner or later, and since there is no one in the temple that could defend against a vampire, leaving him there is not definitely safer than keeping him with a high-powered cleric.

While I agree that a passive defence won't hold up in the long run technically they did have an active defence in the form of the OotS&co. If the temple came under attack to the point where its defences could actually be breached the OotS had most likely already failed which would also mean Hilgya had already failed which would mean the child strapped to her chest would already have ended up in the category of 'casualties of war'.

EDIT: to support this, passive defences tend to mostly be a problem over long periods of time. In this case long period of time isn't much of an issue since the fate of the world will already have been decided at that point.

[Kish]

She left Kudzu with one of the highest level clerics in the vicinity, in a town for all they know is overrun by vampires. Probably the safest place he could possibly be.

Considering "leaving him there" somehow resulted in him being literally used as a shield by the head vampire, I think there may be something wrong with the premise.

[Fyraltari]

If all you're relying on is a passive defense, you can reasonably assume that they would be able to get through sooner or later, and since there is no one in the temple that could defend against a vampire, leaving him there is not definitely safer than keeping him with a high-powered cleric.

Ah, yes the vampires that gave up after thirty second would surely get through eventually. Also, the rest of the Clergy will get back to the temple in a few hours to begin their work day. Also also they plan on blowing up hte world, not forcing doors.

Yes, the front line of battle againzt those same vampires immediately is much safer for a toddler.

You'd think this would be obvious and yet.