What's Going To Kill Belkar?

[Schroeswald]

He explicitly says this in the NCFTPB commentary (that it's Roy's book). So yes, 1 for the gang and then 1 for each.

NCFTPB may be more Roy’s book than the others, but the first half of OOTS is his story more than anyone else’s, it’s not til later in DSTP that others start getting more equal footing to him (though still no one is anywhere close).

[knag]

NCFTPB may be more Roy’s book than the others, but the first half of OOTS is his story more than anyone else’s, it’s not til later in DSTP that others start getting more equal footing to him (though still no one is anywhere close).

Roy appears in about 170 more strips overall than V. Even in DStP, ostensibly V's book, Roy appears in 66 strips to V's 60. In WXP, supposedly Haley's book, Roy appears in 88 strips to Haley's 79. In UD, with the title explicitly referencing Durkon, Roy appears in 129 strips and Durkon only 116. BRitF is the only book where the "focus" character has more appearances than Roy (169 for Elan, 141 for Roy). Not that this is a revelation, but you are absolutely right. The overall story is about Roy Greenhilt.

[woweedd]

Roy appears in about 170 more strips overall than V. Even in DStP, ostensibly V's book, Roy appears in 66 strips to V's 60. In WXP, supposedly Haley's book, Roy appears in 88 strips to Haley's 79. In UD, with the title explicitly referencing Durkon, Roy appears in 129 strips and Durkon only 116. BRitF is the only book where the "focus" character has more appearances than Roy (169 for Elan, 141 for Roy). Not that this is a revelation, but you are absolutely right. The overall story is about Roy Greenhilt.

Well, it's not ONLY about him: OOTS is an Ensemble Cast, yet another concept Tarquin can't grasp. But, yes, Roy is the one the spotlight turns to most often.

[D.One]

Draw last breath ever + not fund IRA + savor next birthday cake + not long for the world = Belkar will become unaging (thus rendering the birthday cake and the IRA kinda moot), and will move to another world, but before that he'll use his newly discovered drawing talent to draw a dragon breathing fire.

[Jasdoif]

Draw last breath ever + not fund IRA + savor next birthday cake + not long for the world = Belkar will become unaging (thus rendering the birthday cake and the IRA kinda moot), and will move to another world, but before that he'll use his newly discovered drawing talent to draw a dragon breathing fire.

And after that, he dies.

[Peelee]

And after that, he dies.

/cue Alanis Morissette

[Fyraltari]

At this point, I'm half expecting Belkar to slip on a patch of ice on the North Pole and bump his head on a random rock and die of the head trauma.

[hroþila]

/cue Alanis Morissette

I get it, because Belkar oughta know.

[Jasdoif]

I get it, because Belkar oughta know.

You mean....Roy was there to remind him of the mess he left when he went away?

[hroþila]

You mean....Roy was there to remind him of the mess he left when he went away?

This is perfect.

[D.One]

Will we ever get to know Rakleb, the jolly and gentle giant?

[Quebbster]

This is perfect.

Just missing a cross-eyed bear. I suppose the dead owlbear is Close enough.
maybe it wasn't fair to remind you of that?

[Jasdoif]

Just missing a cross-eyed bear. I suppose the dead owlbear is Close enough.

The bear was in Start of Darkness, and Redcloak did deny it, and it was not fair.

[KorvinStarmast]

The bear was in Start of Darkness, and Redcloak did deny it, and it was not fair.

*golf clap* nicely done.

[gatemansgc]

pretty sure multiple people have suggested it already but i think he's going to be annihilated after trying to stab the snarl. because it's a 100% belkar way to die.

[woweedd]

pretty sure multiple people have suggested it already but i think he's going to be annihilated after trying to stab the snarl. because it's a 100% belkar way to die.

I'm definitely going for some great act of self-sacrifice to save the world, possibly with his final words being "It...doesn't...hurt?" as his Protection From Evil clasp burns out around him.

[KorvinStarmast]

I'm definitely going for some great act of self-sacrifice to save the world, possibly with his final words being "It...doesn't...hurt?" as his Protection From Evil clasp burns out around him.

Neat idea.
I have a different idea.
He gets grappled by the Snarl.
He ends up in/on the world inside the snarl.
And there's nobody else there, on the beach. Belkar is sitting on a oversized kitty litter box (the beach) but Mr Scruffy is still back in OoTS world.

Belkar either dies of raw melancholy, missing the only friend he's ever had, or he dies of sheer boredom. One thing about Belkar that Rich has portrayed throughout OoTS: he gets bored easily.

[woweedd]

Neat idea.
I have a different idea.
He gets grappled by the Snarl.
He ends up in/on the world inside the snarl.
And there's nobody else there, on the beach. Belkar is sitting on a oversized kitty litter box (the beach) but Mr Scruffy is still back in OoTS world.

Belkar either dies of raw melancholy, missing the only friend he's ever had, or he dies of sheer boredom. One thing about Belkar that Rich has portrayed throughout OoTS: he gets bored easily.

Hm...Seems more tragicomic then anything. I feel like, given the direction of his undeniable character development. Belkar's only fitting end is to go out saving the rest of The Order, probably the rest of the world. We met him as an utterly selfish opportunist,who, however outwardly-charming he may have been, would stab a baby if he thought he'd get something out of it: By the end, he sacrifices his life to save his friends and/or the world, demonstrating courage and loyalty that would have been unthinkable to the Halfling we first met.

[Rrmcklin]

He changes so much he fundamentally becomes a different person and the old Belkar is effectively dead and gone, heck he's halfway there already.

The Oracle was very clearly being literal, not metaphorical. Why would he enjoy taunting Belkar with the fact that he'll become a better person, as opposed with him being super dead?

[woweedd]

The Oracle was very clearly being literal, not metaphorical. Why would he enjoy taunting Belkar with the fact that he'll become a better person, as opposed with him being super dead?

To be fair, I could see The Oracle playing word-games for the sale pf giving Belkar that impression. Not like he'll know once he leaves anyway. Mind you, the larger problem with that idea is that, even if Belkar does reform utterly and completely, he'll still be "the halfling" and "your friend". The Oracle didn't always address him by name in saying he'll die.

[Rrmcklin]

I have to be honest, even if you love Belkar, I still don't get why so many people are trying the same old tricks to wiggle out a way to Belkar isn't really going to die.

If this was a story about "fighting fate" or whatever that have a point, but nothing else in the story has shown that inclination. Why would it suddenly do so for this particular predication?

[RowenMorland]

Maybe instead of being killed by the Snarl he will become one with it.

[woweedd]

Maybe instead of being killed by the Snarl he will become one with it.

How? Also, wha?

[D.One]

Entangled in threads of reality raw
He'll merge in a knot and be rid of them all
Away from this world, away from this life
He'll cut the beyond with the edge of his knife
In peace, soul and mind, he'll be present no more
Thus departs sexy shoeless god of war.

[KorvinStarmast]

Entangled in threads of reality raw
He'll merge in a knot and be rid of them all
Away from this world, away from this life
He'll cut the beyond with the edge of his knife
In peace, soul and mind, he'll be present no more
Thus departs sexy shoeless god of war.

I think it scans better as
Farewell sexy shoeless god of war

But I like it anyway!

[D.One]

I think it scans better as
Farewell sexy shoeless god of war

But I like it anyway!

It fits better, I agree. Anyway, haven't really found a phrasing for that last line with a rhythm that satisfies me yet.

[Malroth]

I've always suspected He'll die to a cheesy Optimized Kobold.

[D.One]

I've always suspected He'll die to a cheesy Optimized Kobold.

If he has to die to anything cheesy, it must be to a hobgoblin. It would be a gouda death.

[Darth V]

New crazy crackpot theory: Belkar dies of alcohol poisoning. Halflings just can't handle dwarven beer, but nobody of the order knows this yet...
Given that Belkar can't even keep up with the speed and volume of dwarven binge drinking counting when there's only bog-standard tankards of moose urine involved, just imagine what the real stuff might do to a fragile halfling single liver...

[KorvinStarmast]

New crazy crackpot theory: Belkar dies of alcohol poisoning. Halflings just can't handle dwarven beer, but nobody of the order knows this yet...
Given that Belkar can't even keep up with the speed and volume of dwarven binge drinking counting when there's only bog-standard tankards of moose urine involved, just imagine what the real stuff might do to a fragile halfling single liver...

... more kissing of an elf seems to be where this idea leads, before liver failure ...