OOTS #732 - The Discussion Thread

[John Cribati]

Durkon and his subtle awesomeness were missed. I thank you for remedying this.

[onthetown]

{Scrubbed}

Why would somebody join just to say they're leaving?

Anyway, awesome strip. I loved the joke at the end about the plot lengths.

[derfenrirwolv]

So how long before Durkon needs detect magic or some other cantrip?

[Martok]

If getting papers was that easy, why didn't they just do that in the first place?

Probably because it simply never occurred to them.

From what we've seen thus far, most cities/nations in the OOTS-verse appear to have fairly lax standards when it comes to requiring papers. Given that, it's not unreasonable that the Order wouldn't have thought to investigate the need for papers while visiting the Empire of Blood (who happen to be stricter than most in this regard).

[brionl]

{Scrubbed}

Dude, you're reading too much into it. Sometimes an Evil Empire is just an Evil Empire.

[Raistlin1040]

I think they're called 'Orisons'. Also more Durkon is always appreciated.

[Katana_Geldar]

Durkon sure is Lawful

And cats are LOUD when they want attention and when they scratch at doors.

[Saphy]

squeee yay! :D

Mr. Scruffy and Durkon to the rescue!

[Agi Hammerthief]

damn that place is lawful
poster, bow and dagger still lying around like that.

[Secris]

damn that place is lawful
poster, bow and dagger still lying around like that.

I imagine Durkon picked them up on the way out.

[Bongos]

Och, not again!!!

[veti]

The last 2 strips puts current politics in this entertaining comics and this is just sad. I happened to be supportive of the recently signed law in that other desert state and this truly turns me off as a reader. I think that these were the last strips for me and I won't be coming back. I'll probably be scorned and yelled at in this forum, so be it.

Laughed at, more like.

You need a particularly jaded reality filter to see this strip as commenting on anything that could be called "current politics". All countries I've been to (about 30, at last count) have required paperwork on entry for as long as I can remember. That's hardly "current politics". The joke, in this instance, is that this requirement is not usually the case in most D&D worlds. (But the intensely lawful Durkon sees nothing wrong with it.)

[Kranden]

Woo Durkon solo quest

[silvadel]

If it is a jab at anyones laws it would be Mexico's.... The AZ law wouldnt allow for carding everyone who happened to be there.

And at any rate I dont think it had anything to do with anything regardless. As freud said "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

[tomandtish]

Laughed at, more like.

You need a particularly jaded reality filter to see this strip as commenting on anything that could be called "current politics". All countries I've been to (about 30, at last count) have required paperwork on entry for as long as I can remember. That's hardly "current politics". The joke, in this instance, is that this requirement is not usually the case in most D&D worlds. (But the intensely lawful Durkon sees nothing wrong with it.)

Other part of the joke might also be the slight reversal of the procedure. Usually you have to have papers when you get to the new location (passport, etc.). They may then be stamped, but you still had them. Here you are paperless until you get there, then you give the guy at the gate whatever information and they let you in.

“Name?”

“Thronax the Destroyer”

“Race and Age?”

“Demon. 2,476.”

“Reason for entering?”

“Searching for souls to devour”.

“OK Sir. Here’s your papers. Have a nice day.”

I wonder if they would let Durkon in if he told the truth.
“Reason for visit?”

“Well, I was here without papers, but learned I had to have them after my friends were arrested, so I snuck back out so I could come in properly with papers so I can rescue my friends”.

“…. I’ll put ‘business’”.

[Venerable]

Y'know, this comic highlighted something a bit subtle: the evolution of Rich's use of color. Go back and look at the first twenty strips. Everything was bright, high-contrast colors. Now compare to the last twenty twenty strips. Each strip has its own particular color palette, and the colors of each strip are tastefully chosen.

It's a subtle thing, but it elevates the comic from the rest and deserves some recognition. Well done, sir. claps

[HealthKit]

Huh, I wonder how they got into the city without any paper work to begin with...

EDIT: and what's the logic in leaving Scruffy behind? Why not take him with you?

[Katana_Geldar]

Other part of the joke might also be the slight reversal of the procedure. Usually you have to have papers when you get to the new location (passport, etc.). They may then be stamped, but you still had them. Here you are paperless until you get there, then you give the guy at the gate whatever information and they let you in.

“Name?”

“Thronax the Destroyer”

“Race and Age?”

“Demon. 2,476.”

“Reason for entering?”

“Searching for souls to devour”.

“OK Sir. Here’s your papers. Have a nice day.”

I wonder if they would let Durkon in if he told the truth.
“Reason for visit?”

“Well, I was here without papers, but learned I had to have them after my friends were arrested, so I snuck back out so I could come in properly with papers so I can rescue my friends”.

“…. I’ll put ‘business’”.

Done this sort of thing with my players.

[sol-decentguy]

And so begins the diplomatic journey of our favorite dwarf, episode 1 getting the papers

[Juhn]

Considering how avidly this community avoids discussion of real-world politics of any stripe, I strongly doubt that this is a reference to the law in question.

[Sharoth]

~laughs~ Oh. This one was a good one. ~smiles~ Thank you Rich for brightening my bad day (, week, month, year?).

[SaintRidley]

And Durkon demonstrates his heretofore known resourcefulness and wisdom.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

YAYYYYYY!!!!
Durkon LIVES!

[jolus]

Hm, did Durkon Stone Shape the right wall here?

[SolkaTruesilver]

Damage control to the 4th Wall are on the way.

They'll need backup.

[Beorn080]

If everyone has paperwork, then there should be a database, since no bureaucrat can resist all that extra filing. Perhaps they will look Girard up?

[Crystalline]

Durkon to the rescue!!

I'm excited!
And now we know the plotline will be 20-30 strips long. WOW THAT'S A LOT!

[Mastikator]

Using a strip to say how many more strips there are left kind of seems like filler to me. But at least it's moderately fast update.

[Ted The Bug]

The last 2 strips puts current politics in this entertaining comics and this is just sad. I happened to be supportive of the recently signed law in that other desert state and this truly turns me off as a reader. I think that these were the last strips for me and I won't be coming back. I'll probably be scorned and yelled at in this forum, so be it.

Seems like more than just scorned and yelled at...Rich is simply writing about getting basic papers to enter a city, similar to those used in many borders of peaceful nations. These questions are identical to those I was asked when walking from Upstate NY to Canada, and driving from Belgium to Germany, and different from those I was asked when leaving Mexico. They're not unique, they're not referring to any specific laws other than the basic premise of people going from place to place. That would be like saying that since the cops play a role in the past two strips, Rich is bringing up the Rodney King riots.
These have as much do to with the Arizona law as they do with the situation in Israel: they both involve borders and people moving from one land to another. Linking it to the Arizona law (and the issue of US immigration in general) is adding politics where none are involved. All the strip is saying is that you need to carry papers in this nation if you are arrested (just like in certain European nations without immigration issues). It's not saying that law is good, bad, or indifferent. Long story short: unless Rich *actually* has a comic where Durkon gets deported or Roy can't afford decent healthcare or Belkar is drafted, there is no need to view something as a political statement. When Durkon heals someone, it could be viewed as a party member healing an ally, or as a socialist giveaway. Likewise, when Miko goes ballistic on Belkar, is it subtle propaganda that the police are too zealous, or is it simply Miko being Miko? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, don't say it's a toucan because they're both birds.
/2cents

Oh, right, the strip. Not sure why, but I loved the look of panel 9.

[Katana_Geldar]

Some people just see what they want to see...