Order of the Stick

Greatatlantic · 2010-11-16T22:11:35.000Z

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0131.html

The first time we learn about Haley’s father being held by Tyrannia.

However, Tyrannia was brought up much more recently and we knew Haley was on the lookout for it.

rhinohelix · 2010-11-16T22:58:05.000Z

So much continuity. So much plotting. It makes me forget the face of my father.

nixon66 · 2010-11-17T08:38:16.000Z

And again it’s little things like this that make me love this series. I really need to start getting the TPB’s of these. I keep putting it off, but would love to have them to read, or some of the non-web ones would be fun to get as well. One of these days…

Rasputin · 2010-11-17T09:10:29.000Z

Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

Drastic · 2010-11-19T08:11:40.000Z

Yes, Apparently. Heh, poor Elan. Is this the first time a callback was explicitly explained in-strip?

Pjerrot · 2010-11-19T08:35:19.000Z

Ahh, there goes the dropping of the last shoe.

Rimbo · 2010-11-19T10:07:49.000Z

Oh, poor Elan!

Sebmojo · 2010-11-19T16:29:48.000Z

thrasymedes:

OK, I am now willing to bet (nothing substantial, just my pride) that Tarquin turns out to be a good guy! And all this stuff is just audience misdirection… I’m sure of it!

Hee hee.

thrasymedes · 2010-11-19T18:04:07.000Z

I may have been slightly wrong. There’s a first time for everything. :P

Tortilla · 2010-11-22T06:18:47.000Z

On a rooftop, no less. Exquisite!

I really really like Tarquin, especially when he’s interacting with (and contrasting with) Elan . All of Elan’s whimsy grounded in a type A logical mind. What fun!

AaronSofaer · 2010-11-22T07:52:14.000Z

Not to mention the fact that they’re both so totally trope-aware, which makes it all the more awesome.

Rimbo · 2010-11-22T10:47:13.000Z

OK yeah, no way a Lawful character would’ve challenged his father to a battle right then and there.

(Yes I’m dense, thank you)

rajah_sulayman · 2010-11-22T10:52:30.000Z

Rimbo:

OK yeah, no way a Lawful character would’ve challenged his father to a battle right then and there.

Why not? Wouldn’t a challenge to a duel be exactly how a Lawful character would confront someone?

Tortilla · 2010-11-22T10:55:40.000Z

A lawful character would issue a challenge, then give a reasonable amount of time for the issues of seconds, venue, and weaponry to be discussed. Possibly even notified the authorities to ensure the duel was done in accord with local law.

Tankero · 2010-11-22T11:00:21.000Z

The fact that he issued a challenge rather than attacked without warning is the sign of a lawful character.

Drastic · 2010-11-22T11:02:41.000Z

What? No, it’s the sign of a dramatic character. Just attacking without preamble banter isn’t exquisite at all!

Tankero · 2010-11-22T11:05:07.000Z

Okay, but there’s no “Theatrically-minded/Good” alignment!

Tortilla · 2010-11-22T11:06:18.000Z

Technically, there’s no chaotic good alignment anymore either, so let’s not overthink it :)

Miramon · 2010-11-22T11:09:35.000Z

Yes, this has nothing to do with traditional D&D alignment. Both Elan and his father are dyed-in-the-wool Flynn/Rathbone swashbuckling types, and so they have to do whatever is dramatically appropriate, trumping trivial matters like alignment.

Technically, maybe Elan is CG and his dad is LE, but that is hardly relevant to this situation.

Rimbo · 2010-11-22T11:53:13.000Z

Isn’t OOTS 3.5 ed? Does 3.5 ed no longer have alignment?

Anyway, the reason I say “Chaotic” is two reasons. First, his Dad is a legal, lawful ruler of the Empire of Blood. A Lawful character does not merely walk into Mordor^H^H^H^H^H^H^H slay anyone he happens to think is Evil.

Secondly, he’s doing so on his own. He isn’t being a team player or anything. Related to the above, but different. I imagine a Lawful person would be more inclined to get his friends and do it as a team, rather than challenging right then and there.