Belkar's present

[Shanty Man]

What is it?
I think it's a cuddly toy,
Because his reaction would be funny

[Alysar]

Something tells me that we're going to get some plot mileage out of that gift.

[Haven]

What is it?
I think it's a cuddly toy,
Because his reaction would be funny


It'd give Scruffy something to play with after he gets bored with the string, at least.

On the other hand, Roy's specific wording makes me think that the box, itself, is the gift. It could be a box of holding, but maybe it's just a regular ol box. It's a pretty nice one, though.

[Raging Gene Ray]

I said in the comic thread that Belkar might likely consider the gift unimportant and throw it away in front of the family. After that, he'd either die or get in some sort of problem that the gift could have prevented.

[Antrozous]

It could be a set of +20 daggers or a pair of Boots of Wisdom. It could be sand. Does it matter? The fact that someone gave him something voluntarily is an Epic moment in itself.

[Platinius]

cookies, perhaps?

[Raging Gene Ray]

I got it! A note saying "Thanks for rescuing my lousy, no-goodnik husband. Now I get to work for years and years to support his gambling and whoring. To show my ENDLESS gratitude, here's a decaying animal carcass."

[Starscream]

It's a "Get out of prophesy free" card! Belkar won't die after all!

Nah, it's clearly a bunny suit. Because Belkar in a bunny suit would be hilarious.

[Grunthos]

What's in the bawwwwwx?!?

[Mercenary Pen]

Deck of many things (negative effects only) or a cursed item, I reckon.

[Slayn82]

Maybe its a delicious cake?

[Watcher]

I bet it will be revealed in 2 or less strips.

[Forbiddenwar]

I bet it will be revealed in 2 or less strips.

bet 10 gp it will NEVER be mentioned again online (though it might be in a bonus strip) and we will never know what it is/was.

[Prak]

It could be a set of +20 daggers or a pair of Boots of Wisdom. It could be sand. Does it matter? The fact that someone gave him something voluntarily is an Epic moment in itself.

It is, and then the fact that it was handed to him while $#@%ing and moaning about how no one's going to thank him, then doesn't understand, and then is so ungreatful...

ugh... it's like looking at me, if I were short and had no social filter...

I hope it is an item that gives wisdom, then maybe one of my favorite characters will have the sense Ao gave a gnat...

[Spiky]

I got it! A note saying "Thanks for rescuing my lousy, no-goodnik husband. Now I get to work for years and years to support his gambling and whoring. To show my ENDLESS gratitude, here's a decaying animal carcass."

So...food? Awesome!! The Belkster will love it!

[The Extinguisher]

Maybe it's a brick

Or a basketball

Or maybe it's a walrus in a top hat.

[Psychonaut]

I got it! A note saying "Thanks for rescuing my lousy, no-goodnik husband. Now I get to work for years and years to support his gambling and whoring. To show my ENDLESS gratitude, here's a decaying animal carcass."

Hm... y'know, Mr. Scruffy is mysteriously absent from this strip...

*cue rampage that makes the "sexy shoeless god of war" moment look like child's play*

[Kaytara]

Maybe it's sunscreen.

[Dark Faun]

What I love about the present is that the old man's wife sent him to give it, hinting either that he didn't want to give it to him or that she's too snob to be seen giving something to a halfling. :smallbiggrin:

Sunscreen would be a good idea. :smalltongue:

[BatRobin]

Hm... y'know, Mr. Scruffy is mysteriously absent from this strip...

*cue rampage that makes the "sexy shoeless god of war" moment look like child's play*

Like, what a child does, or the Chucky movie?



(It's probably some sort of Exploding Runes. XD)

[Shanty Man]

Maybe its a delicious cake?

Mmmmm delicious cake!

[Kaytara]

What I love about the present is that the old man's wife sent him to give it, hinting either that he didn't want to give it to him or that she's too snob to be seen giving something to a halfling. :smallbiggrin:

Considering that the old man saw exactly how Belkar dispatched that particular slaver, I'm betting it's the former at least. :D

[Prak]

Considering that the old man saw exactly how Belkar dispatched that particular slaver, I'm betting it's the former at least. :D

you can also consider the fact that the man heard the entire exchange, and knows Belkar was friends with the slaver and only attacked because they were going to eat a cat. Depending on how much the man is comfortable assuming, he likely sees Belkar as a dangerous psychopath who killed a friend and pissed down his neck for no reason, or someone who's only interested in protecting his own hide and that of those he considers "his "people""
Speaking as a person who actually holds the later philosophy, people tend to not look upon you very well when they know you don't give two tugs of a dead dog about them unless they're your friend.

[JonahFalcon]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZMdFwon2pfg/SQmTlzcnqxI/AAAAAAAAHZw/ySVrEXI_HW8/s400/igotarock.jpg

[BatRobin]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZMdFwon2pfg/SQmTlzcnqxI/AAAAAAAAHZw/ySVrEXI_HW8/s400/igotarock.jpg

I take mine back, this is it.

[Prak]

I take mine back, this is it.

He's a halfling, a rock could, conceivably, be a good thing to give him (granted, I'm specifically thinking "+4 disrupting, goblinoid bane halfling skip rock of Gravestrike"...)

[BatRobin]

:belkar: I got a rock! :smallamused: Now to hit someone in the head with it.


*Durkon runs off*

[Bibliomancer]

:belkar: I got a rock! :smallamused: Now to hit someone in the head with it.


*Durkon runs off*

20 ft. move speed, x3 when running.

Still in range.

It will either be something that leads to his death, a way out that he doesn't take, something we never see again as a one time gag, or something interesting not covered in the above options. Whatever it is, it will be interesting.

[Maximum Zersk]

Mmmmm delicious cake!

The cake is a lie!

[Bibliomancer]

The cake is a lie!

Do not attempt to eat the cake, for that is impossible. Instead, realize that there is no cake, and what you wish to eat is yourself. Then, hopefully, realize how futile that would be and go hunt an Agent.

[rewinn]

Considering that the old man saw exactly how Belkar dispatched that particular slaver....
... Saw Palmetto?

Perhaps when the wife heard the old man's description of the aftermath, she concluded Belkar had a "man's problem".

[Prak]

well, and to reply to Roy's line towards the end...

No, it's really not more complicated than that, Roy, Belkar has summed up the situation perfectly.

He went on a rampage, as he wanted to, and because "bad people" were killed and "innocents" were saved, he gets a reward.

[Lupy]

I'm thinking that it will be something a normal person would appreciated, like a cake, and Belkar won't like it, or something to protect him from the sun.

[Bibliomancer]

well, and to reply to Roy's line towards the end...

No, it's really not more complicated than that, Roy, Belkar has summed up the situation perfectly.

He went on a rampage, as he wanted to, and because "bad people" were killed and "innocents" were saved, he gets a reward.

Technically speaking, he didn't go on a rampage. If he did, he would have killed that civilian and been reprimanded. However, it does demonstrate that the line between "justified" killing and murder is incredibly thin and depends on who's watching.

[Shanty Man]

Do not attempt to eat the cake, for that is impossible. Instead, realize that there is no cake, and what you wish to eat is yourself. Then, hopefully, realize how futile that would be and go hunt an Agent.

I know this cake doesn't exist.

I know that the playground is telling my brain that the cake is chocolaty and yummy and crummbly and delicious, and you know what?

Ignorance is bliss!

[DarkDain]

Ya know, just the other day i was thinking 'its so unfair that belkar never gets anything, Roy gets a new sword and might still have the jumping ring, Hayley got several different sets of armor, a new bow, magic rings (she'd rather sell them than share them) and a knife, Elan got the rapier and armor change, V...eh V doesnt even use a staff, V doesnt want anything. (on second thought, V got spells.) No one cares about durkon. But poor belkar :( and now someone gave him something! YES! JUSTICE!

Anyways... With any luck it will be a pokeball that summons a war dog mount ^_^

[Slayn82]

Well, if it's the cake, i hope Belkar enjoys every piece of it. You know, it can be his last one.http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0329.html

[Fingolfin]

I think it will be something along the lines:

"Do you know what I have prepared this morning?" :smallsmile:

[JonahFalcon]

Maybe it's the same gift the Marbles gave Babs Johnson. :smalleek:

[La Chatte Noire]

Well, if it's the cake, i hope Belkar enjoys every piece of it. You know, it can be his last one.http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0329.html

Usually it's a case of cake OR death. Maybe this time it's both?

[Katana_Geldar]

Belkar's probably not got many presents.

Maybe it's a hat. He would look funny in a hat.

[Acero]

it was a gun that belonged to checkrov

[Ted The Bug]

Belkar's probably not got many presents.

Maybe it's a hat. He would look funny in a hat.

He most certainly does. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0063.html)

[Sewblon]

Its either sunscreen, a toy for Mr.Scruffy, poison for Belkar's daggers, or a copy of Redemption Through Death in Three Easy Steps.

[Lvl45DM!]

Quote
Katana_Geldar
Belkar's probably not got many presents.

Maybe it's a hat. He would look funny in a hat.

Ted The Bug
He most certainly does.

actually i think he looks kinda fly (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0377.html)

[Wakama]

What if its Xykon´s phylactery :smallwink: dun dun DUN

[The Dark Fiddler]

What if its Xykon´s phylactery :smallwink: dun dun DUN

I know you meant this as a joke, but I think sounds unreasonably reasonable* for a joke theory.

*Reasonable isn't really the right word, but I can't think of it, so that's what I'm using.

[Zanaril]

What if its Xykon´s phylactery :smallwink: dun dun DUN

"My son found this washed up on the beach a few days back. I know you adventurin' types be having some use for magical oranaments, so you may's well keep it."

[Rhydeble]

I'm hoping its a wisdom item, for some spellcasting belkar goodness.

Run Vaarsuvius, RUN


wait, I choose the cake idea

[Kaytara]

What if its Xykon´s phylactery :smallwink: dun dun DUN

Possible, but an impossibly unlikely coincidence like that would be seriously lame. I do not think the phylactery will be found by anyone just stumbling upon it. My own pet theory involves the IFCC sending Qarr to get their hands on it. It's the only scenario that doesn't involve one-in-a-million chances, since we already know the IFCC know what happened to it.

[Lvl45DM!]

And the OOTS ends by Quarr gaining ultimate arcane power!!! MUWAHAHAHA!

[recluso]

What about some other sort of art upgrade? Like boots?

The box is too small for an hat big enough to prevent sun burn.

[AlfredAmeoba]

A note saying "guess what spell i cast on this after intercepting the gift"

[Dark Faun]

Considering that the old man saw exactly how Belkar dispatched that particular slaver, I'm betting it's the former at least. :D
I had completely forgotten this. Thanks for reminding me. :D


My own pet theory involves the IFCC sending Qarr to get their hands on it. It's the only scenario that doesn't involve one-in-a-million chances, since we already know the IFCC know what happened to it.
Aren't the IFCC interested in Xykon actually getting his phylactery back though, since he'll go bother the Order at the next gate only once he has found it? :smallconfused:

[Prak]

a thought I just had...

Perhaps the man is secretly Ares in disguise and the box contains the Anarch Razors**

...Belkar is, after all, the sexy shoeless God of War.



(**item from Dragon meant to simulate Krato's blades)

[Starscream]

Aren't the IFCC interested in Xykon actually getting his phylactery back though, since he'll go bother the Order at the next gate only once he has found it? :smallconfused:

They aren't exactly on Xykon's side. They (grudgingly) admit they were even rooting for O-Chul to successfully destroy him.

I figure it's because their goal for the characters is conflict. Xykon is too powerful. If he faces the Order directly, he will win hands down. This phylactery thing is exactly the sort of stall they need to cause a stalemate between the good guys and bad guys so that the Linear Guild can come out ahead.

[Fragenstein]

C'mon, we can't have a thread dedicated to Roy's belt (girdle... it'll always be a girdle to me, Roy), without one for speculation regarding the Bitterleaf Box. So what's in it?

I'm guessing either...

An Ingot of Finchilium

William Shatner's Severed Head

or...

COOKIES!


My money's on cookies, but then my money has always been a little boring.

[Werbaer]

C'mon, we can't have a thread dedicated to Roy's belt (girdle... it'll always be a girdle to me, Roy), without one for speculation regarding the Bitterleaf Box.
Really? Belkar's present (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129370)

[Fragenstein]

Awwww! :smallmad: Four days and no activity, though. No wonder I missed it. But since it doesn't look like anyone guessed Shatner's Severed Head, I feel somewhat vindicated.

However, it DID have cookies listed, so I'll have to change my money tooo....

What came out of Mr. Scruffy's butt that morning!

[Asta Kask]

A periapt of Wisdom, causing him to mend his ways as he sees how he has wasted his life on anger and hate.

[Meshakhad]

I don't think that it will be something worthless, as that would negate the point of the gift. At the same time, I don't think it's just a useful magic item (eg Gloves of Dexterity), as otherwise Rich would have revealed it. I very much doubt that it's an obviously powerful item, or a major plot device, as it wouldn't make sense for a random NPC to have one.

A few possibilities:
[spoiler]An item that is not a traditionally useful or desired item, but one Belkar immediately appreciates, and has desired for some time. It could be nonmagical, or a really cheap magic item (a Quaal's feather token, for example). It might simply look really cool.

An item that is useful for Mr. Scruffy (who is for all intents and purposes Belkar's animal companion) - perhaps a collar that enlarges an animal for a few minutes per day. Ties into the above.

An item that has some obvious value, but only becomes really useful later on.

A magic item that is obviously useful and potent, but will require a change in Belkar's "playstyle". A holy weapon is out, of course, but perhaps something else?

A cloak of endure elements or the like.[/quote]

The gist is that I think Belkar will really like the item.

[Balmas]

Don't be silly, it's obviously a deus ex machina device.

[Gullara]

Mmmmm delicious cake!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm donu- I mean delicious cake.

[veti]

you can also consider the fact that the man heard the entire exchange, and knows Belkar was friends with the slaver and only attacked because they were going to eat a cat. Depending on how much the man is comfortable assuming, he likely sees Belkar as a dangerous psychopath who killed a friend and pissed down his neck for no reason, or someone who's only interested in protecting his own hide and that of those he considers "his "people""

And considering that, the gift has gotta be something pretty cool. What, would you give a gag gift to a psycho like that?

But that doesn't mean it has to be massively valuable or magical. A nice comb for Mr Scruffy, perhaps. Or a sun hat for Belkar himself. Both would be sincere gifts that Belkar would appreciate, but make bugger all difference in combat.

[Gullara]

And considering that, the gift has gotta be something pretty cool. What, would you give a gag gift to a psycho like that?

But that doesn't mean it has to be massively valuable or magical. A nice comb for Mr Scruffy, perhaps. Or a sun hat for Belkar himself. Both would be sincere gifts that Belkar would appreciate, but make bugger all difference in combat.

A sun hat would make for a good art upgrade.

[Optimystik]

A sun hat would make for a good art upgrade.

I'm not so sure about Belkar and the hat look. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0377.html) I think he can pull off a hood (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0107.html) though.

[Prak]

An item that is not a traditionally useful or desired item, but one Belkar immediately appreciates, and has desired for some time. It could be nonmagical, or a really cheap magic item (a Quaal's feather token, for example). It might simply look really cool.
I could see that, Belkar seems the type to maliciously use a tree token.


A magic item that is obviously useful and potent, but will require a change in Belkar's "playstyle". A holy weapon is out, of course, but perhaps something else?
Well, not necessarily. If you mean "Holy" as in "Good aligned," well, yeah. But if you mean the more colloquial use of "holy," meaning the item is sanctified to a god, there (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares) are (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enyo) plenty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki) of (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythnul) gods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shar_%28goddess%29) for (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobog) Belkar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaVeyan_Satanism#Fundamental_individualism) to (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_%28mythology%29) weild (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apep) items (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dragonlance_deities#Hiddukel) sanctified (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baphomet_%28Dungeons_%26_Dragons%29) to (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karaan).

[Kish]

The only one of the religions you linked to exist in the OotS universe (still, after Ares got eaten) is Loki, and I suspect Durkon would have something to say about that.

The image of Belkar with a dagger sanctified by Redcloak is amusing, but I doubt very much Belkar's present is an unholy weapon.

[Prak]

The only one of the religions you linked to exist in the OotS universe (still, after Ares got eaten) is Loki, and I suspect Durkon would have something to say about that.
"Eh, Durkon says a lot of things."
I do particularly like the link on Belkar's name, though, it's possibly the most fitting. Karaan may exist and just be obscure, he's a non-setting specific diety in D&D, along with Baphomet.


The image of Belkar with a dagger sanctified by Redcloak is amusing, but I doubt very much Belkar's present is an unholy weapon.
actually, I find the image of Belkar slaying Redcloak or his patron with such a weapon even more amusing.

[Gullara]

I'm not so sure about Belkar and the hat look. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0377.html) I think he can pull off a hood (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0107.html) though.

You're probably right, I was just thinking that I don't think he has had an art upgrade, has he?

[Scarlet Knight]

Ya know, just the other day i was thinking 'its so unfair that belkar never gets anything, Roy gets a new sword and might still have the jumping ring, Hayley got several different sets of armor, a new bow, magic rings (she'd rather sell them than share them) and a knife, Elan got the rapier and armor change, V...eh V doesnt even use a staff, V doesnt want anything. (on second thought, V got spells.) No one cares about durkon. But poor belkar :( and now someone gave him something! YES! JUSTICE!

Anyways... With any luck it will be a pokeball that summons a war dog mount ^_^

Wait , a gol darn minute! Belkar got the best present: He got Mr. Scruffy!

[Moriato]

A box? Is it steel? Are there locks? Is it filled with a pox?

[Manicotti]

A box? Is it steel? Are there locks? Is it filled with a pox?

How delightful! A pox!

[The Rugi]

You know, I always did wonder why Durkon or Vaarsuvius never casted Owl's Wisdom on Belkar ever again. Seems like a pretty effective chill pill if you ask me, and lasts for a fairly long time. Well actually, it was probably never casted ever again for the sake of plot and for the sake of funny, but still...

As for Belkar's present, any of the aforementioned suggestions would be nice, but I doubt it'll be anything really that interesting. Probably Belt of Agility or something like that. Sure, why not, more belts.

[Mercenary Pen]

How delightful! A pox!

Because Belkar needs somebody to infect him with a horrible disease...

Oh sorry, Greater Mark of Justice... I forgot.

[Turkish Delight]

What's in the bawwwwwx?!?

Huh. Now I can't seem to imagine anything being in the box but Mr. Scruffy's severed head. As mentioned earlier, he isn't in this comic.

[Moriato]

How delightful! A pox!

I was hoping that someone would finish that. Thank you, you made my day.