OOTS #998 - The Discussion Thread

[DataNinja]

Hey, remember Loki was the one with enough common sense to NOT taunt the god-killing abomination.

[Shining Wrath]

Holy crap!

I mean, holy crap at everything, but most importantly... How did a comic with this art and writing come out in three days!?

Rich Burlew, you are hereby promoted to Overdeity. Step aside, Ao.

Regarding the strip itself... The thing about the gods not hearing Roy, well, I was disheartened by it, at least after I stopped laughing hysterically. I really like Roy, and I think he delivered that speech very well, so it's a true shame if none of the gods heard him. I'm hoping one or more of the gods was just watching (maybe they recorded it on the TeeVo? ) and it ends up changing their vote so that what would've been a one vote lead for destroying the world becomes a one vote lead on giving the mortals one last chance to fix everything. But I recognize that Rich probably has something planned that's simultaneously more logical and more unpredictable for us as an audience, and that will be more satisfying than anything I can come up with. Because he's an amazing author, and we are mere peons basking in the glory of his craftsmanship.

Hoping it's not a violation of rules to speculate upon this, but I think Rich had this entire sequence more or less ready to go before publishing the first strip, because he knew that waiting a long time to see the next episode would be agonizing to his readers. It's also likely that this particular scene has been bouncing around in his brain for years; this is a climatic moment.

[Broken Crown]

Well. Hel stands to clean up here in the souls department if the world is destroyed, what with all the worshippers of the Northern Gods who won't be dying honourably in battle. A "yes" vote by Durkon is looking likely.

Yet I can't help but think that Hel's big scheme involves more than just having her representative show up and cast a vote at Godsmoot (even if it turns out to be the deciding one). We shall see.

Anyway, another great update. Thanks, Giant!

[Shining Wrath]

I wonder how Odin chose which god would speak for each side? I assume it came down to Odin's choice.

[Chadamantium]

Ooo a three pager.

Poor Roy, he tries

[Elenna]

I'll second the hope that Roy's speech will be useful.

Also, are the gods just not commenting on the world inside the Snarl?

[Kilo24]

I think this is the outcome the Dark One wants. Stong Arm the Gods into rebuilding the world is exactly what is happening here, so Redcloak may not even be required for the plan as presented anymore. That being said maybe the Dark one wants to destroy the other gods and build his own world the the old ones place. I wonder how Redcloak would react to the possibility that he is just a puppet for petty revenge.

The important difference here is that the Dark One would have leverage in the prior case that he doesn't in this one. If the world gets remade without him having that leverage (especially if it comes out that his divinely sanctioned priest is the one trying to control the gates - which is something that Roy might divulge), I doubt that the other gods will give him all the influence he thinks he deserves.

[blunk]

Well, it confirms that the gods agree with the general gist of the story we've been told, at least.

Yeah. And since the forum doesn't get advance information as a rule, I'm guessing there'll be some in-comic confirmation in the next few strips.

[DR27]

Why didn't Roy bring up the world in the rift?! It seems to me that the gods themselves don't fully understand what is happening. Even if the gods can't hear him, I would expect him to mention it in his rousing speech.

[Doug Lampert]

Why didn't Roy bring up the world in the rift?! It seems to me that the gods themselves don't fully understand what is happening. Even if the gods can't hear him, I would expect him to mention it in his rousing speech.

Roy: "Hey, I'm the mortal asking you to give me more time to fix the problem, but there's a planet in that rift, I have no idea how it got there or what it means, but it may be important. Anyway, like I was saying, I'm totally able to solve the problem and will do so if you give me some more time, I understand what needs to be done and I'll do it. Except for that planet thing, it's got me totally baffled. Hope it's not too relevant to what I need to do or whether I'm actually able to solve the problem."

Loki: "Screw it everyone, I'm changing my vote to Yes."

I assume you have something else in mind, just what about the planet do you think he SHOULD be saying about the planet?

[Hazetar]

Also, gods of different pantheons do not meet in person anymore, lest any debates or squabbles turn into Snarl Jr.

Theory that Monster In The Darkness is Snarl Jr. is disproved then. Or... Not?

it was called with only 3 days notice, which should be around the time Xykon apeared at kraagors gate i think thats too mcuh a coincidence

Agreed. And how awesome they finnaly decided to act... Sigh. Next time try to do something before the "KRAAAAAAAKOOOOOOOM" noise!

In OOtS universe the year is 1185. I'm right? Let's read this stip again then.

Panel 6. The Orlace says that he is going to die again on March 26, year 1187... So I think gods will not destroy the world. But I can't wait to see what will happen next!

And I hope if Durkula will vote for "Yes" for destroying the world, Roy will not start rambling:

Durkon! What the heck!? This is not the right way!

And finnaly will be reacting like he should be. This strip basically allowed this kind of stiuation to occur.

Btw. Anyone knows what is happening at the places where other rifts are located?

[happycrow]

Why would Loki vote yes? I mean, seriously, where's the fun in that??

[DR27]

I assume you have something else in mind, just what about the planet do you think he SHOULD be saying about the planet?

Actually, your speech is quintessential Roy. I totally think he would say something like that.

If I was pressed, I would expect Roy to include it in his speech because the gods think that they know what will happen, and the fact that they don't know about the world within the rift implies that they don't know as much as they think they do. That perhaps, the Snarl is more powerful now, or no longer exists, and re-creating the world is not an option or unnecessary - saving this one is the preferred option.

Basically, Roy can (futility, they can't hear him) try do two things: 1) instill confidence in his ability to save the world, and 2) sow doubt that the gods can actually remake the prison.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

So, the gods can only hear each other, and not the people. Sounds like politics here on Earth.


Don't Ban me Bro...

[The Pilgrim]

Hoping it's not a violation of rules to speculate upon this, but I think Rich had this entire sequence more or less ready to go before publishing the first strip, because he knew that waiting a long time to see the next episode would be agonizing to his readers. It's also likely that this particular scene has been bouncing around in his brain for years; this is a climatic moment.

Well, after all those years, I'm more on the opinion that multiple-comic updates are due to the fact that The Giant always delivers a punchline at the last panel of the update. When the plot gets too convulted than he can't get a punchline in the last panel of a page, he waits until drawing the next one and posts them all in one go.

[Svata]

I must be blind, I only realized today that the High Priest of Odin is in fact a woman. I also love all the other bodyguards, the Giant really did a great job with them. The Clerics too.

So you're a Cleric of Hoder?

Why would Loki vote yes? I mean, seriously, where's the fun in that??

Way more fun having a world full of people that you know than a world you don't. Even chaotic gods have schemes.

[The Giant]

Why didn't Roy bring up the world in the rift?! It seems to me that the gods themselves don't fully understand what is happening. Even if the gods can't hear him, I would expect him to mention it in his rousing speech.

In-comic Answer: Roy has no reason to think that the gods don't already know about the other planet. Just because he didn't know—and Shojo didn't know—doesn't mean that the gods don't know. Whether they know or not, it is not unreasonable for Roy to assume that they do and just weren't sharing.

Out-of-comic Answer: There is only so much room I am willing to spend on a speech that ultimately really only matters for what it says about Roy. I chose to focus on the emotional aspects that Roy might speak about rather than having him bring up something the audience already knows to people who can't hear him anyway. This strip had enough words already.

[Faltenin]

Hmmm... I wonder what Hel will ask for in exchange for her unexpected last-minute swing vote...

[Lissou]

So, the souls wouldn't be destroyed. And they would create a new world, in which Goblins may have an equal voice (making Redcloak a winner as well). I know what his God would vote, but considering he's not here, he may not be invited to pitch in at all.

I'm kind of rooting for world destruction now. I mean, not quite as good as "the goblins get better rights in this world, not the next one" but still not too bad. In a world where the afterlife exists and everyone knows it, death just isn't completely as bad.

Now, the big problem is the alignment afterlives. They could end up separating families, friends, loved ones in general. If they're not allowed to visit, that part definitely sucks.

Either way, I don't think the comic is going in this direction. Whatever direction it's going, I'm sure it will be great, and I know the story ends well... for some, but I'm still worried about my favourite character and his entire race.

I was surprised that only 2 Gods said their piece, but having all of them speak would take way too long I guess.

[VanFanel]

Hey, but did anyone comment about the strip title? It immediately made me think about Phil. No, not the lawyer!

[Lord Raziere]

Huh.

I am not surprised by any of this in the least for some reason. I mean, of course the gods are out of touch with people, of course the argument against destroying the world sounds like an irresponsible person trying to procrastinate, of course the only person actually caring about the lives on the ground is the guy that has actually lived among people. Won't be surprised when the vote somehow doesn't destroy the world though.

[SoC175]

"The Gods can only hear each other."

Too bad they don't have the remote sensing divine ability that 3.x deities normally have

[Morcleon]

In panel 9 (when the gods' images are being summoned), it should be either "proxy" or "proxies".

[Heenett]

Loki - technically the evil god - being the one defending the mortals was a genious touch, and something typical of Rich nowdays. Loved it!

[Ralanr]

Why would Loki vote yes? I mean, seriously, where's the fun in that??

A constantly increasing supply of people to play tricks on vs playing tricks on the same guys for all eternity.

Or he's just a high stakes kind of guy.

[Anarion]

Well, at least Roy didn't get them kicked out of the place. That might end up mattering.

This strip had enough words already.

I, for one, look forward to the extended monologues in this comic. So many witty asides. <3

[Malfarian]

Where is HPoH? Durkula may have just walked through the center and away for some other purpose.

I suspect Xykon already has the final gate under his command, which is why they're not waiting.

First panel there's an orc, so perhaps Dark Lord is there?

This is an amazing story, I'm just loving it and while I KNOW there wont be an update in under 24 hours, I'm sure I"ll check back 6 more times before then.

Mal

[Malfarian]

Which god will proclaim "Make OOTS Great Again!"?

[Gnoman]

What I like about this strip is that it confirms that the gods knew about the rifts and the gates the entire time - they just decided to let the mortals try to handle it.

[DaggerPen]

Huh

You know, I'm actually really surprised that destroying the world won't destroy the souls of everyone in it. I'd always figured that the permanent destruction of the immortal souls of all their followers was the main thing stopping the gods from just hitting the reset button.

Nice speech though, Roy