Order of the Stick

Miramon · 2013-08-12T16:09:02.000Z

Heh. An interesting conversation, no doubt.

Tin_Wisdom · 2013-08-13T09:03:30.000Z

OK, so Tarquin – as alluded to back in 882 – has had an army all queued up. Why? Did he somehow know about the world on the other side of the rift? Did he feel that he would need a massive force to deal with the lich?

Dave_Markell · 2013-08-15T07:49:54.000Z

The new Stick Tale from the Kickstarter drive is out–Haleo and Julelan. It’s hilarious. I hope Rich someday collects them all in book form for those who missed the drive.

Tin_Wisdom · 2013-08-15T08:01:48.000Z

Although I (as a backer) would have no problem with that, it would devalue the whole idea of them being “exclusive” to Kickstarter patrons.

I see the link in my inbox, but I can’t allow myself to start reading a 25-page OotS comic at work; that would end in tears.

Dave_Markell · 2013-08-15T08:11:31.000Z

Tears of hilarity! Read it!

More seriously, I see your point about exclusivity, but we would have gotten them years before anyone else, so I wouldn’t be upset.

Dejin · 2013-08-17T23:10:59.000Z

911 Operation Desert Inform

Pjerrot · 2013-08-18T03:10:24.000Z

Well, it seems like it’s time for the direct approach - info-wise.

We saw Xykon, but Nale didn’t. I wonder if Tarquin knows anything about him.

Xykon and Tarquin both want to conquer the World. But Tarquin are more the chess player - thinking ahead - gathering info.
This little adventure to the pyramid was mainly to see what his sons are like in action.
Xykon plans to live forever, but Tarquin need to establish a dynasty.

So I really hope Xykon wil be discussed.
Asking for V to turn up, and spilling the beans are maybe asking for too much.

Naniad · 2013-08-18T17:04:41.000Z

Does Tarquin want to conquer the world? I thought be pretty much was just going to keep doing what he’s doing now and eventually rule the continent until Elan or someone else kills him. Though admittedly someone else conquering the world would throw a wench into whatever plans he had so Xykon would be a threat either way to him.

Miramon · 2013-08-18T18:24:43.000Z

Naniad:

Does Tarquin want to conquer the world? I thought be pretty much was just going to keep doing what he’s doing now and eventually rule the continent until Elan or someone else kills him. Though admittedly someone else conquering the world would throw a wench into whatever plans he had so Xykon would be a threat either way to him.

Throw a wench into the plans? I don’t think Elan or Nale could possibly let that one slide…

Naniad · 2013-08-18T22:58:48.000Z

Ha! You know what I’m sticking with it. Yes a wench will be thrown about at some point!

Dejin · 2013-08-19T01:33:19.000Z

I went back and reread some of the old comics and ran into something which made sense at the time, but doesn’t seem to make sense given what we now know. In 698 the team has been mislead by Girard to look for the gate in the wrong place. He sets a trap for the Paladins, setting of explosives. The OOTS continues to explore just in case, and then just as they are leaving an eyeball shows up but they’ve already left and all it sees is Belkar’s cat.

At the time, I presumed the eyeball was from Girard. But given what we know now, Girard and all his crew was already dead at that point. So whose eyeball was it? Or is this just some automated spell triggered for a dead owner? Any thoughts on what’s going on in strip 698?

strategy · 2013-08-19T02:51:35.000Z

Next one is up.

I just love Tarquin as a villain. Hope he doesn’t end up with the same fate as Malack any time soon.

Tin_Wisdom · 2013-08-19T05:55:14.000Z

Naniad:

Does Tarquin want to conquer the world? I thought be pretty much was just going to keep doing what he’s doing now and eventually rule the continent until Elan or someone else kills him. Though admittedly someone else conquering the world would throw a wench into whatever plans he had so Xykon would be a threat either way to him.

No, Tarquin recognizes his place in the narrative, and he realizes that he is not a character who would be placed in a world-leader position… at least not for long. His offhand comment about not going up against Xykon (in 912) is telling: “I hardly want someone else using these Gates to rule the world, but everyone knows when villains fight villains it’s a toss up.”

As his long explanation to Elan said, he knows he can’t “win”… but he’s more than happy to exist in power and luxury until the day that he is defeated. Making a play to rule the world would simply hasten that eventual reckoning.

Dejin:

At the time, I presumed the eyeball was from Girard. But given what we know now, Girard and all his crew was already dead at that point. So whose eyeball was it? Or is this just some automated spell triggered for a dead owner? Any thoughts on what’s going on in strip 698?

Maybe the three fiends? Perhaps Nale (or rather Sabine and/or the Drow)?

I’ve lost the bubble on why Nale was in Tarquin’s city again… was he there because the Order was there, or was he there before they arrived?

Dejin · 2013-08-19T10:34:51.000Z

Tin Wisdom:

Maybe the three fiends? Perhaps Nale (or rather Sabine and/or the Drow)?

I’ve lost the bubble on why Nale was in Tarquin’s city again… was he there because the Order was there, or was he there before they arrived?

Waltzer out on Broken Forum pointed out this post by Rich on the OOTS forums specifying that it was Zz’dtri’s eye and that Nale was keeping tabs on them.

Greatatlantic · 2013-08-20T23:24:02.000Z

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0913.html

Mostly more exposition and family angst.

Right now, the Order of the stick is stuck trying to figure out whether to take Tarquin up on his offer to teleport them to the next dungeon.

Dave_Markell · 2013-08-20T23:43:38.000Z

Woah.

strategy · 2013-08-21T00:11:31.000Z

Okay…

Well, it looks like Rich is beginning to wrap up some of the loose ends in the storyline. Although, the question is whether he’ll make sure this is permanent. There are certain interests who might have other ideas, after all.

Dejin · 2013-08-21T00:38:13.000Z

Greatatlantic:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0913.html

Mostly more exposition and family angst.

Right now, the Order of the stick is stuck trying to figure out whether to take Malack up on his offer to teleport them to the next dungeon.

Greatatlantic you have your names confused! Unfortunately Malack is not going to be transporting anyone anywhere any time soon.

I do wonder if Malack is resurrectable. Based on what they said about resurrecting V in the #911, I suppose Tarquin just needs to find some of Malack’s ashes. Or can undead be resurrected?

Kevin_Perry · 2013-08-21T01:18:02.000Z

Wow. Utterly logical of Tarquin, and yet still a surprise. Well done, OOTS.

Kevin_Perry · 2013-08-21T01:22:08.000Z

Dejin:

I suppose Tarquin just needs to find some of Malack’s ashes. Or can undead be resurrected?

Durkon offered to resurrect Malack several dozen strips ago, when he first discovered Malack’s condition. Malack told him even if he wanted that, it would return him to life– in his own words, to a ignorant barbarian shaman, someone he had not been for hundreds of years. So even if offered, Malack would refuse the resurrection.