OOTS #689 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Elfin]

Belkar. :smalltongue:

[247reader]

Oh, Belkar... Really doing his part for the team, these days, even if just for his own reasons.

[TengYt]

A sneaky jab at the "morally justified" threads, perhaps? :smallbiggrin:

[Mando Knight]

...So Belkar will get put in ever-increasing amounts of danger until he finally dies...

[silvadel]

Uhoh -- if he is out of spice -- how long till he croaks? And how long till he has severe withdrawl?

[Deepkicker]

I look forward to the next few strips- seeing Bellkar dangling before the maw of a gigantic worm is something I didn't realize I really wanted to see until now.

Also, good old Durkon remembered to bring the cat.

[Acero]

not exactly a funny strip, but it gets the story moving...

they're gonna need a big stick :smallamused:

wait.... where is the worm's nose?

[X2]

Yeesh... A ton of excellent comics before this, but now... Meh

5/10

[Ridureyu]

That sounds so much like an actual cpnversation that could take place in a game that it's awesome.

[Haven]

That sounds so much like an actual cpnversation that could take place in a game that it's awesome.

Very true.

Also: V carrying Durkon is weird.

[CoffeeIncluded]

...Oh boy.

Oh Belkar. Belkar, Belkar, Belkar. :smalltongue:

[Porthos]

I get the impression that Rich is mocking the rash of morality themed threads that have plauged the forums recently.

And even if he wasn't, that's how I'll choose to interpet this strip. :smalltongue:

[omglolnub]

Very nice, Belkar almost had me going there for a moment.

It's also nice to see V tackle yet another problem without blasting it to bits and instead actually thinking.

[Sila Prirode]

And here was I expecting a big ol' showdown that would span at least 5 comics :smallbiggrin:

[Flickerdart]

Maybe V can get the worm in some sort of more permanent enchantment, and it and Blackwing must compete for their master's affection. There can be only one familiar!

...can there be only one familiar? I'm sure someone's figured out how to have like 20 of them.

[PirateMonk]

How are they going to stay on the worm without hooks?

[Woodsman]

And here was I expecting a big ol' showdown that would span at least 5 comics :smallbiggrin:

Agreed whole-heatedley.

I love Mr. Scruffy as Durkon is carrying him.

[Porthos]

A sneaky jab at the "morally justified" threads, perhaps? :smallbiggrin:

Well, I'm not so sure how sneaky it is, but, yeah. I'm in total agreement with you here.

...

Cue the "Wait, Belkar agreed with doing it, while mocking it. Therefore it really is evil" threads in three... two... one... :smallamused:

[Aethir]

Man, good click timing for the day. Excellent strip, and I honestly can't wait to see how many people are gonna post this as a 'This is how Belkar is going to die!' thread.

[KBF]

Jab or no jab, this strip was hilarious because it flows so well. Like a real conversation.

Also it's a pretty epic jab.

[ravage]

hehe nice one

[grassy]

not exactly a funny strip, but it gets the story moving...

they're gonna need a big stick :smallamused:

<insert joke about my penis being large here>

[Ridureyu]

Well, I'm not so sure how sneaky it is, but, yeah. I'm in total agreement with you here.

...

Cue the "Wait, Belkar agreed with doing it, while mocking it. Therefore it really is evil" threads in three... two... one... :smallamused:

Well, the thread DOES provide incontrovertable proof of Miko's innocence, after all.

[LuisDantas]

What a great use of Belkar - by highlighting how much he doesn't fit. :)

[Mr. Mud]

Awesome comic! Worth the wait :smallbiggrin::smallamused:.

[Thufir]

And all of a sudden, my accidentally staying up too late is worth it. :smallcool:

[FalconerLombard]

"Dangle Away!"

That made laugh enough to come out of lurking.

[Kroy]

Dangle away man. Dangle away!:smalltongue:

[Red XIV]

Poor Mr Scruffy, Durkon clearly has no idea how to hold a cat.

[Porthos]

Well, the thread DOES provide incontrovertable proof of Miko's innocence, after all.

To quote a certain poster on this board:

This strip proves that Roy is Chaotic Evil and should Fall. :smalltongue:

For people who don't know what I am talking about, one of Ridureyu's running gags is to jokingly mention how various members of the OOTS should Fall for their various actions. Thus I am going along with the running joke. ;)

[BatRobin]

Oh man, this is better than "cart o' gophers".

But Elan's line in the beginning got to me. He's getting more and more competent, eh?


Also, to Belkar...


That's what she said. :smallamused:

[Ridureyu]

To quote a certain poster on this board:

This strip proves that Roy is Chaotic Evil and should Fall. :smalltongue:

For people who don't know what I am talking about, one of Ridureyu's running gags is to jokingly mention how various members of the OOTS should Fall for their various actions. Thus I am going along with the running joke. ;)

Wait, didn't I say that?

(EDIT) oh duh, spoiler text.

[BatRobin]

Can Rideryu read white text?

[Ridureyu]

hukt on fonix wurkt fer mee!

[Porthos]

Wait, didn't I say that?

Nah, you just pointed out how Miko was totally innocent. You forget to mention how evil Roy was this time. :smallwink:


Can Rideryu read white text?

Pssst:

Yes he can. This is part of a long standing joke between us. :D

[BatRobin]

Oh, gotcha. See, I can write in white too!



:biggrin:

[Silverraptor]

I didn't know this was up for 40 minutes.

Atleast Belkar is a good sport about these kind of things.

[Dark Faun]

Can't say Belkar's humor has been entertaining me lately.

I'm surprised someone with a Strength penalty like V could carry Durkon and his heavy plate armor.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Oh, and Durkon, that is not how you hold a cat. You hold a cat like that, it'll jump out of your hands and likely scratch you. And cat scratches take a while to heal; I have one on my right hand right now that's been there for almost 2 weeks. (Though it's almost gone.)

You hold a cat by cradling it against your body, supporting its hindquarters as you do so.

[Shale]

That's the hardest I've laughed at OotS in a long time. Well freaking done, good sir.

[SolarComms]

Soooooo maybe I am looking too deep into this... but does any one else see huge "Dune" Reference approching??

[Hann]

I literally laughed out loud when I read the Grandma Bitterleaf bit.

[Lvl45DM!]

So ive been thinking
the spice
the eyes
christopher walken!
Its a Dune reference!

[Otter]

I literally joined as a forum member so I could say,
Nice Air Jordan, Rich!

[thubby]

good to know belkar is at least consistent in his disregard for the safety and continuance of life, even his own.

[the_tick_rules]

I thought belkar only liked cruelty when it happened to others? Who knew?

[whitemane]

ROFLMAO!!!! Belkar is awesome... He has a purity that totally rocks!!!

[chiasaur11]

Good to see that Belkar knows his place.

It's almost a minor redeeming feature.

[Teatime]

I lol'd harder at the Grandma Bitterleaf comment than I have at this comic in a long time. Good stuff. :smallsmile:

[EleventhHour]

Appearntly Roy kept the +20 Ring of Jumping.

And didn't consider that the Worm might have a tongue of some sort.

...Or did he?

Dun, dun, dun...

[holywhippet]

What exactly is Mr Scruffly upset about? Being held like that? Being held by Durkon? Or is he annoyed at flying through the air?

[Owl]

Soooooo maybe I am looking too deep into this... but does any one else see huge "Dune" Reference approching??

Approaching!? It couldn't possibly be any more blatant right now unless Rich decides to add lots of footnotes and labels spelling the whole thing out.

[Mauve Shirt]

Heehee. I'm pleased with the Weapon Of Choice reference. :smallbiggrin:

[ThePhantasm]

LOL at Belkar. He doesn't just dish it out - he can take it too. :smallbiggrin:

[gamerboy6000]

Belkar is never going to pull the good act off at this rate.

[thescaryworker]

I can't believe it took me this long to realize that this was a reference to Dune:
- Spice
- Blue eyes
- Giant worms (which are attracted to spice and even stylized like the worms from Dune)
- "Saturated with spice"

Perhaps Belkar will get to see the future or become an unusual version of the kwisatz haderach (sic).

[John Cribati]

I was going to ask how Roy jumped so high, then I remembered the Belt of Giant Strength probably applies to his legs as well. And unless he lost it when he died and/or Belkar looted his corpse (the latter a distinct possibility), Roy still has the Ring of Jumping +20.

[Ted The Bug]

Am I the only one who wonders how Roy jumped so high and climbed so quickly? Doesn't seem to be a very climbable surface...

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

I wanna say that I feel that this sudden Dune hook is sorta jerking the wrong way. This isn't what I feel OotS is about. I mean, the last few strips have had some sweet punchlines, and great dialogue, but I just think that OotS works better when not playing directly off of other sources.

Then again, this is Rich's comic, not mine, so he can do what he likes. He definately hasn't lost me as a reader!

[Squark]

Amazing. Although I kind of wish Belkar was doing a little better at his masquerade; I kind of liked the idea of him being not obviously evil.

[Doctor Xerox]

Very nice comic. I liked the continued attention payed to Mr. Scruffy, getting angry at being held badly/flying/approaching the massive worm.

But I'm mostly posting to point out the typo in panel 7, where Roy says "atttracted."

[Zevox]

Oh man, that joke in panel three made me laugh more than any joke has for a good while.

:haley: Awesome! Now we can just hightail it out of here while it stares lovingly at us.
:belkar: Just like when we dropped Grandma Bitterleaf off at the nursing home!

Great strip.

Zevox

[Jagos]

Are we sure Belkar's not going back to his Chaotic Stupid self...?

[Obrysii]

Forgive my ignorance, but when did V learn the Fly spell? Or cast it, for that matter?

[Tobimaro]

Is it ethical to use Belkar as a lure? So many ethical questions to answer...

Wait a minute. This is Belkar Bitterleaf we are talking about. Never mind. :smallbiggrin:

[Kish]

Are we sure Belkar's not going back to his Chaotic Stupid self...?
As several of us said in the "Old or New Belkar?" thread, when did he ever leave it?

[AxeD]

Eh, didn't find it too funny. Just glad that we got an update a bit sooner than I expected.

For those wondering why Mr Scruffy might be unhappy with Durkon carrying him, I think it might have to do with the fact that Durkon: (1) smells like stale beer, (2) has a beard that is so wild and untamed that Mr Scruffy probably thinks he's being pressed against some sort of wild animal, and (3) all cats are bastards.

I like them, but they all hate me.

EDIT: By the way, does anyone know how Roy managed to jump so high?

[Draz74]

I haven't LOL'd that much at a strip in a long, long time. Another excellent punchline zing by Belkar!


Forgive my ignorance, but when did V learn the Fly spell? Or cast it, for that matter?

I think 507 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0507.html) is the first time we saw that (s)he knew the spell Fly. Probably learned it during the six months of off-screen time while Roy was dead and didn't realize how time was passing.

As far as casting it, though ... what we're seeing isn't Fly, it's Overland Flight. Which most wizards prepare and cast every morning, starting at about 11th level. V started flying without visibly casting anything first as early as 585 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0585.html), and has done so many times since (throughout the fight with the Black Dragon, and until Xykon dispelled the spell).

[Aaron]

Go Belkar!!! Be the live bait!:smallbiggrin:

[Faramir]

I haven't LOL'd that much at a strip in a long, long time. Another excellent punchline zing by Belkar!



I think 507 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0507.html) is the first time we saw that (s)he knew the spell Fly. Probably learned it during the six months of off-screen time while Roy was dead and didn't realize how time was passing.


She probably acquired the spell for his book as part of the boon from Lord Shojo.

[Katana_Geldar]

Eh, didn't find it too funny. Just glad that we got an update a bit sooner than I expected.

For those wondering why Mr Scruffy might be unhappy with Durkon carrying him, I think it might have to do with the fact that Durkon: (1) smells like stale beer, (2) has a beard that is so wild and untamed that Mr Scruffy probably thinks he's being pressed against some sort of wild animal, and (3) all cats are bastards.

I like them, but they all hate me.

EDIT: By the way, does anyone know how Roy managed to jump so high?

Also, Durkon does not know the right way to hold onto a cat. You hold a cat over your shoulder unless you have a bag or box to put it in.

great strip, and this is more dune stuff?

[ThreadKiller]

For those wondering why Mr Scruffy might be unhappy with Durkon carrying him, I think it might have to do with the fact that Durkon: (1) smells like stale beer, (2) has a beard that is so wild and untamed that Mr Scruffy probably thinks he's being pressed against some sort of wild animal, and (3) all cats are bastards.

I like them, but they all hate me.


Hmm, I thought Mr. Scruffy was hissing at the worm, but that makes sense too. Towards the end, when Mr. Scruffy was on the ground, he stayed right by Belkar.

Thanks for the new comic, Rich!!! :smile:

[CoffeeIncluded]

Or, as I said before, cats do not like being held like that.

[Katana_Geldar]

Mr Scruffy looks as if he was struggling, the way cats do when they are held uncomfortably and want to get down.

[pflare]

I like new V casting useful spells that don't necessarily kill

[AutomatedTeller]

This comic inspired me to find and watch a video of Christopher Walken dancing....

[Fridesgerte]

This comic inspired me to find and watch a video of Christopher Walken dancing....

I'm almost afraid to ask, but did you find one?:smalleek:

[Shale]

Naturally (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZbckwYY9r4).

[Aerodynamik]

The reference to the Fat Boy Slim video was brilliant. For anyone who doesn't understand what Elan's talking about in the first panel, follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZwZiU0kKs

[Lerky]

"your the nuts-est of them all!"
that line had me in hysterics! It MUST be on a tshirt!

[Scarlet Knight]

I want a Grandma Bitterleaf flashback comic!

[Darius1020]

Ah Belkar's family, i can't wait to hear more of their hijinks

also, why are Roy, Haley and Durkon mad that Belkar is complying?

funny strip nonetheless

[Kalbron]

At least you can say that Belkar has moral consistancy!

[Zienth]

Interesting reaction by Belkar. There once was a time when he'd have believed that it was wrong to do to him what he'd happily to to others. Now at least he realizes that what's good for the goose is good for the gander. He may be making real progress. I'm not saying he's gone over to the light side, but I think he's a little less sociopathic.

[Hurkyl]

also, why are Roy, Haley and Durkon mad that Belkar is complying?
Probably part of the reference to the mock-morally justified threads.

[ideasmith]

Perhaps Belkar will get to see the future or become an unusual version of the kwisatz haderach (sic).

In this context, it should probably be spelled 'quasit's hatrack'. Or something like that.

[Memplejemple]

Not really that amusing as a comic. Also, I find the solution of holding Belkar in front of the worm implausible, but I'll have to withhold judgment on that until the Giant resolves it.

There hasn't been a rib-splitter comic in awhile. I remain optimistic.

Anyway, good use of Charm Monster.

[Dienekes]

Heh, first time I actually gave a good laugh at a comic in awhile.

2 great comments from Belkar

[Dexam]

:roy: "Okay, now did anyone remember to bring a 10 foot pole? ... Anyone? Crud."

:vaarsuvius: "Bugsby's Halfling-dangling Hand."

:roy: "... where did you get that spell from?" :smallconfused:

:vaarsuvius: "Open source."

:durkon: "More importantly, why d'ye have it prepared?" :smalleek:

:vaarsuvius: :smallredface:

[Blaznak]

Too funny!
Grandma Bitterleaf? Wow... do I smell Spin-off Webcomic here?
Belkar trying to go with the Politically Correct? Did that make him a PC PC? Hee hee!

[Herald Alberich]

I wanna say that I feel that this sudden Dune hook is sorta jerking the wrong way. This isn't what I feel OotS is about. I mean, the last few strips have had some sweet punchlines, and great dialogue, but I just think that OotS works better when not playing directly off of other sources.

I doubt it'll last much longer. The only thing Dune-related in this strip that doesn't follow directly from the previous one is the idea of riding the worm, and if you were an adventuring party with a Charmed purple worm, isn't that what you'd do? :smalltongue:

Edit:

:roy: "Okay, now did anyone remember to bring a 10 foot pole? ... Anyone? Crud."

:vaarsuvius: "Bugsby's Halfling-dangling Hand."

:roy: "... where did you get that spell from?" :smallconfused:

:vaarsuvius: "Open source."

:durkon: "More importantly, why d'ye have it prepared?" :smalleek:

:vaarsuvius: :smallredface:

Hah, nice. A regular Bugsby's Grasping Hand would work, or I was thinking that if V can lift Durkon, he can certainly hold Belkar in front of the worm and fly backwards. I doubt he'd be eager to do that, though.

And I'm glad to see Durkon thought of Mr. Scruffy, even if he has no idea how to hold a cat. Can't fault him for never learning that.

[Rev. George]

Anyone else notice the Irony of Belkar consuming the spice?

The spice expands consciousness, The spice extends life....

Maybe he'll get a level of Psion before he kicks it...

-+G

[Generic Name #6]

Wow, I was expecting the sandworm to be a one-off gag. Best part of the comic was "Talk without rhythm and you won't distract the worm".

[Tiktakkat]

I think Mr. Scruffy is hissing at Roy for hoisting Belkar up by his scruff.
Belkar is obviously displeased by being held aloft, and Mr. Scruff is joining in the objection.
Note how Mr. Scruffy is looking up at Belkar in the last two panels, checking to see how he is, and noting that Belkar is not really upset?

Further proof of what Mr. Scruffy really is. :smallwink:

[Shale]

Grandma Bitterleaf, polymorphed?

[The_Weirdo]

Whee! First time I managed to add the first example of Order of the Stick to a TVTropes page! And as a subversion, no less!

What the hell, hero?

[Martok]

Hee! This thread was full of pure win in so many ways.

I cracked up at Elan's Christopher Walker comment (loved the reference to "Weapon of Choice", btw!). However, once again, Belkar stole the show. :smallbiggrin:

[lothos]

Great Comic. Loved the gentle poke at the "Morally Justified" threads....

The details are great in OOTS aren't they ? And it's great we have a community here in the forums that appreciates the details. I too liked the way Mr. Scruffy hissed when picked up. I guess Durkon really is the "Anti-druid". Not only hates trees, but Animals dislike him... or perhaps it is just that he doesn't know how to hold a cat :-)

Clever Dune references too beginning 2 strips ago. I truly didn't see that coming, but appreciate it very much.

So do they get XP for defeating this worm ? I'm not totally clear on how that works in 3.5 edition, but since it is under V's charm for now, does that count for XP ? All building up for higher levels when they next battle Xykon ?

[Covenantwgw]

I'm a bit curious as to why Haley, Roy, and Durkon look so annoyed. You would think that with Belkar more or less consenting to being used in such a manner at least one of them would crack a smile. Maybe they were hoping for a different reaction from the Halfling and were disappointed?

[Zienth]

I'm a bit curious as to why Haley, Roy, and Durkon look so annoyed. You would think that with Belkar more or less consenting to being used in such a manner at least one of them would crack a smile. Maybe they were hoping for a different reaction from the Halfling and were disappointed?

What's the fun in dangling a halfling in front of a purple worm if the halfling's ok with it? :smallyuk:

[centuriancode]

Perhaps Belkar will get to see the future or become an unusual version of the kwisatz haderach (sic).

The kwisatz haderach? The whole point of that was thinking like both a man and a woman at the same time to gain unique understanding. When did Belkar master thinking, never mind gender?

[SinsI]

Belkar's words are surprisingly correct.
Durkon and Roy moved one more step towards Evil alignment, and Haley is already Neutral at best.

[silvadel]

Enough time without an answer for me to try again:

Dune experts:

If he is out of spice -- how long till he croaks? And how long till he has severe withdrawl?

[neoseph7]

The kwisatz haderach? The whole point of that was thinking like both a man and a woman at the same time to gain unique understanding. When did Belkar master thinking, never mind gender?

It wasn't simply to think like both genders. The Bene Gesserit Reverend Mothers (Their high level units) were capable of calling on the wisdom of all their female ancestors, a powerful gift in the storyline. And then all Bene Gesserit IIRC were female, with men unable to achieve this state. The KH was a male who could communicate with all of his ancestors, male and female in the way the Reverend Mothers could.

Somehow, I doubt this comic is going to riff on Dune any further. It just doesn't have the potential for funny IMHO. Unless of course the Giant is a big Dune fan. In which case it could go either way.

What I would like to know is how a worm (which is supposed to be a vermin type creature) was magically charmed? Are sandworms in fact magical beasts? But then, Charm Monster as a spell name is pretty self explanitory for D&D virgins (it's Charms Monsters, der... maybe that means it creates a cloud of pineapple juice:smalltongue:).


Dune experts:

If he is out of spice -- how long till he croaks? And how long till he has severe withdrawl?

From a single source of that quantity that didn't outright kill him? He'll have withdrawl in the morning, but it wont kill him.

[Kish]

I doubt purple worms are classified as vermin.

I could be wrong.

[Porthos]

I'm a bit curious as to why Haley, Roy, and Durkon look so annoyed. You would think that with Belkar more or less consenting to being used in such a manner at least one of them would crack a smile. Maybe they were hoping for a different reaction from the Halfling and were disappointed?

Your approval fills me with shame. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0171.html)

Pretty much sums it up, I think. :smalltongue:


Belkar's words are surprisingly correct.
Durkon and Roy moved one more step towards Evil alignment, and Haley is already Neutral at best.

Annnnnd we're off to the races! :smallamused: :smalltongue:

*breaks out the popcorn* http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a35/BuckGodot/Icons/popcorn.gif

[Porthos]

Are sandworms in fact magical beasts?

Indeed they are. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/purpleWorm.htm) Well, Purple Worms are, at any rate. :smallsmile:

[Ceaon]

I like the new party dynamics. The group seems to be much more... functional. V carrying Durkon, Roy giving Elan a bit of credit for his (ridiculous) idea, Haley screaming awesome at V's spell...

[Skeppio]

What's the fun in dangling a halfling in front of a purple worm if the halfling's ok with it? :smallyuk:

On the plus side, Belkar seems to have realized that the party only has a token amount of concern about his welfare and that they are justified in this.

[lothos]

Annnnnd we're off to the races! :smallamused: :smalltongue:

*breaks out the popcorn* http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a35/BuckGodot/Icons/popcorn.gif

Save some for me. I'll hide under a mountain of popcorn until this is all over. I groaned when I realised how many "morally justified" threads this is going to spawn......

[Pilot3lite]

Save some for me. I'll hide under a mountain of popcorn until this is all over. I groaned when I realised how many "morally justified" threads this is going to spawn......

Right you are, save me a space underneath:smalltongue:

[Iranon]

Eek... Belkar managed to give me warm fuzzy feelings while remaining completely in character! This should not happen! :smalleek:

Situations like this put his sociopathy in perspective; amused approval when others play rough with him make him appear a lot less hateful. Positively heartwarming!

[Porthos]

Save some for me. I'll hide under a mountain of popcorn until this is all over. I groaned when I realised how many "morally justified" threads this is going to spawn......


Right you are, save me a space underneath:smalltongue:

*passes a couple of bags of popcorn to both lothos and Pilot3lite*

...

The sad/funny thing is that the main thread that spawned all the others hasn't even seen any action in over two weeks. :smallamused:

Admittedly the Redcloak thread (which is pretty much its spiritual cousin) is still seeing some action, but even that's petering out, interest-wise.

So the whole "morally justified" thing had all but died out. For now, at least.

...
...

On the flip side though, we've been getting a fair number of Belkar threads recently. Though not so much about ethics, per se, but still choking the board a fair amount.

So I guess we'll just have to wait and see if this strip resuscitates the whole debate or not. :smallwink:

*goes back to munching popcorn*

[hamishspence]

Eek... Belkar managed to give me warm fuzzy feelings while remaining completely in character! This should not happen! :smalleek:

Situations like this put his sociopathy in perspective; amused approval when others play rough with him make him appear a lot less hateful. Positively heartwarming!

Yes- the last time (Azure City, when Haley disguised him as Shojo) he seemed more disgruntled than amused.

[HandofShadows]

Great comic and win for everyone in this one.

[Adeptus]

Loving the Dune theme Giant :elan:

[Omergideon]

Well well well, The worm itself appears to be of more importance than a single fight. I think the last strip retroactively gains a half star score for that. I was expecting a one or 2 strip fight to kill the thing and then everybody moving on. However this was a very pleasent suprise.

The Good:
1) I always start with the artwork because it is always that good nowadays. Consistent in all respects. The background of course, but I think the worm and characters themselves stay to scale with each other which is a wonderful little thing. However the best artistic details are that the tiny figures are still detailed out properly. This I like. I mean there are even shadows cast by the segments of the worms.
2) The plot of the strip is also a decent one. Whilst nothing momentous it represents a very different tack for the party. They enact a pretty simple plan but an effective one. Everybody cottons on to it, and it works so far quite seemlessly. Dare I say it but the order appear to be competent, as they did when the slavers attacked. Whilst their failures were amusing this makes a good change, and makes it far more believable that they could be trying to save the world.
3) Character details. Mr Scruffy hissed. The joke about Roy jumping on things. Belkar's comment about Grandma Bitterleaf. Elan's plan as well is very, very Elan. And Roy responds in a far more positive way than normal. V figures out the plan quickly and does not call it foolish, but offer constructive comments. Basically we got to see the growth of all the characters in recent months condensed into one short scene, or at least see a minor character moment. Even Durkon carrying Scruffy can be seen as connecting him to Belkar the way very recent strips have.
4) And as for the final panels......wow. If it is a jab at the readership of the comic then good on the Giant. If it is joining in the joke then even better. Either way I found them to be one of the funnier comic "punchlines" for a while now. It even highlights especially Belkar's character development. Once upon a time he would have reacted to that with genuine anger, not amusement.
5) Finally, the little jokes in the comic were good enough. None truly gutbusting but amusing enough to get me by.

The Bad:
1) Whilst something of import did happen the whole worm riding thing is still very dunelike. Wether a strength or a weakness for some is personal, but I am not a fan of such long winded ...... no extended references. I prefer the short ones. So if this indicates a long standing dune reference I am less than happy.
2) As for the importance of the worm......well aside from using it as a ride and getting the Dune reference in again I do struggle to see where it may go from here. As a 1 comic plot it works but not as a extended one.
3) As I mentioned with the plot entry it was serviceable. Again this will be a strip that works better in it's place with others, but taken indiviually whilst the agreement and competence of the order is good, nothing big happens that I can see. Thus the strip lacks a certain sense of the compelling it could otherwise have had.


So overall we have a strip that adavnces plot in a way that may or may not be good but not in any truly major ways that I can see. However compared to last time the jokes were funnier and more character based, with better insights into the party and how the dynamics have changed recently as well. So better than last week, but still not great. However it works and achieves what it set out to achieve.

3.5 Stars.

[Sewblon]

Is Belkar trying to tempt Roy into becoming Evil now? Risking a teammate's life so you can get a free ride on a giant worm sounds pretty evil.

[hamishspence]

chances are, by the time they reach the destination- the spice saturation will have ended and Belkar will be in no danger.

It's not like taking risks with Belkar hasn't been done before- the Shojo masquerade, to un-dominate Thanh the Paladin.

And he has even consented- after a token protest.

[Selene]

The reference to the Fat Boy Slim video was brilliant. For anyone who doesn't understand what Elan's talking about in the first panel, follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZwZiU0kKs

Ok, I love Christopher Walken, right, but that was HORRIBLE music and I hope to never hear it again. :smallyuk:

[Onyavar]

I wanna say that I feel that this sudden Dune hook is sorta jerking the wrong way. This isn't what I feel OotS is about. I mean, the last few strips have had some sweet punchlines, and great dialogue, but I just think that OotS works better when not playing directly off of other sources.

Then again, this is Rich's comic, not mine, so he can do what he likes. He definately hasn't lost me as a reader!

Seconded.

This is not a Dune reference anymore. This is switching the setting to Arrakis (for two comics now), this is mixing two universes. We don't know anymore which rules are applicable - what can we assume that the spice drug does? All those things described in Dune? Here are too many Dune elements, I wonder if the order next encounters Fremen or Bene Gesserit...

All those Dune fans out there might be annoyed by this mixture. You don't "Charm Monster" a sandworm. You don't jump on it like that. You don't steer it this way. And all those D&D fans out there might be annoyed too, for obvious reasons.

Please leave this kind of universe-mixing to the fanfics!

[hamishspence]

I can live with it. "thunderherders" which are like purple worms, but mostly smaller, and sand-burrowers rather than rock-burrowers, certainly exist in some D&D settings- Faerun in particular, but possibly Eberron and Greyhawk.

The presence of a spice that attracts worms isn't that much of a problem for me.

And as a Dune fan, I have no problem with this.

[Daibhid C]

Seconded.

This is not a Dune reference anymore. This is switching the setting to Arrakis (for two comics now), this is mixing two universes. We don't know anymore which rules are applicable - what can we assume that the spice drug does? All those things described in Dune? Here are too many Dune elements, I wonder if the order next encounters Fremen or Bene Gesserit...

All those Dune fans out there might be annoyed by this mixture. You don't "Charm Monster" a sandworm. You don't jump on it like that. You don't steer it this way. And all those D&D fans out there might be annoyed too, for obvious reasons.

Please leave this kind of universe-mixing to the fanfics!


I disagree; the Dune references are still references. The worm isn't a sandworm, it's a D&D monster called a Purple Worm, with a dash of sandworminess for humorous effect.

If it comes to that, the thri-keen were "world-mixing" as well, just within D&D; they're from Dark Sun, aren't they?

Basically, this desert appears to have elements of every desert-world ever. I confidently predict their next encounter will be with a society of extremely logical elves.:smallbiggrin:

[hamishspence]

Now that's an interesting thought...

We've already had one Star Trek reference in SoD from the demon roaches.

and Thri-keen are present in othe D&D worlds besides Athas, the Dark Sun world. Faerun, for example.

We don't know for certain that they are thri-keen (there were suggestions that they could be the bug-folk from early D&D) but at the moment it seems like the most plausible possibility.

[Onyavar]

I confidently predict their next encounter will be with a society of extremely logical elves.:smallbiggrin:

Oh.

My bet is on a town where psionic knights are racing on chariots pulled by flying fire elementals. Oh, and in charge is another purple worm, but he will be fat, short and having a personal harem. :smallsigh:

Edit: And since Spiced Belkar can control the force, he will win the pod race.

[Weimann]

Belkar might be evil, but at least he's not a hypocrite about it.

[Lvl45DM!]

You know i cant think of a strip but im almost certain that he USED to be a hypocrite about it
maybe he just thinks itll be mad fun and not dangerous its not like the charmed worm will eat him anyway

[LuisDantas]

Why, of course he is a hypocrite. That's what his "fake character development" amounts to, after all.

He is just not always succesful at that. Here, he failed. And he is all the better for it, really.

[Lvl45DM!]

Wait
he failed at faking by being sincere? which was less hypocritical than he was before?

[hamishspence]

Early on, he was the sort of person that would have meant, what he said in that strip- hypocritical, because he never thinks much about the ethical implications of using people.

Now, he understands himself better- he knows his earlier behaviour was hypocritical- and when he tries to do it again- he can't keep it up for long.

[Lvl45DM!]

Oh so you think hes reformed abit and instead of caring for himself over others he just doesnt care about anything except scruffy?

[hamishspence]

He cares about himself- he just recognizes now that the Order's behaviour to him is not that different from his to them- so he can't justly complain.

As he put it earlier "stupid entirely justified comuppance"

[Nimrod's Son]

He's been expressing similar sentiments (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0579.html) since before his little power meeting with Shojo, though.

[Pronounceable]

Actually, Belkar's so positive about this because it'll be totally awesome. How many halflings have been dangled in front of a purple worm before?

[Lvl45DM!]

Same amount that hit wights in the face with pineapples:smallamused:

Hmm but Nimrod its not exactly the same and is more of a case of funny trumps character
*facepalm* which this strip obviously is

[HOLEkevin]

Hunh. Not very many evil people are heroically anti-moral. Belkar truly is one in a million.

[factotum]

This is not a Dune reference anymore. This is switching the setting to Arrakis (for two comics now), this is mixing two universes.

So? It's not like he hasn't done it before...the major shout-outs to Final Fantasy during Elan's escape from Cliffport being a major example. I mean, that even introduced the concept of airships to the Stickworld, and it's somewhat odd we've never seen THOSE again considering there were supposed to be regular airship services between Cliffport and other major cities!

[Hezus]

Oh, the Dune references.... will they ever stop? :smalltongue:

[Ian Pikklock]

„It involves jumping on it…”
I don’t exactly know why, but after reading that line I can’t stop laughing. :smallbiggrin:

And Hurray for the the Dune references ! :smallsmile:

[TehSheen]

So many dune references. Win.

[bluewind95]

I quite loved the Dune references. And laughed at the last few panels, too.

[Sijo]

Man, no matter how many times I try, not only I don't find Belkar funny, he always annoys me. I'm going to simply skip his dialogue from now on... it isn't like I would be missing on anything important. :smallannoyed:

Regarding the purple worm: How come the OOTS never tried charming monsters before? And how long does a charm spell last anyway? Let's hope they arrive at their destination soon now.

[hamishspence]

V did use Suggestion on one- getting benefits rather better than Charm- thanks to the way it was phrased.

Maybe V has had the spell, but not seen a reason to use it before- maybe being the type to prefer blasting monsters, to more subtle methods.

[Big Hungry Joe]

Awful big for a Purple Worm -- aren't they only 5 feet in diameter or something? Although that may be my 1st Editiony-ness talking.

Or perhaps Belkar managed to summon a Old Man of the Desert. Again it is the legend!

[hamishspence]

they can be Advanced to Colossal Size.

[Z-dan]

I must say, I'm not overly impressed by the latest arc... or, rather, I am but it's not the direction I wanted to see OOTS taking...
It's funny and all, and whilst Dune references are great it feels wrong to make it a major part of the plot. I know we've had Final Fantasy characters before, but they were just a throwaway gag and didn't have any real bearing on things- and aren't too far away from the setting OOTS is in anyway. I'm particularly disappointed in the use of a Christopher Walken reference when there hasn't been any need to refer to any modern-day people before... And, of course, there's the fact that the Giant has said that he hasn't read Discworld because, and I quote, "I consciously avoid it so that I can be sure that my ideas aren't being influenced."
For someone who is so careful to avoid his ideas being influenced, this is a pretty major influence in the plot...
Regardless, I still enjoy OOTS and will continue to read, and am more than happy to wait for the delays in updates- I'll just be disappointed if we continue to have major references as opposed to throwaway gags

[hamishspence]

There was the reference to Led Zeppelin lyrics in War & XPs- but that was a bonus strip.

[JosephHeller]

It seems rather silly to be getting indignant about "too many Dune references", and then, in the next breath, complaining that "that's not how Dune works". Or is it just me?

[Ikialev]

Worms don't have noses!

[EleventhHour]

Worms don't have noses!

Niether do the humans!

:smallbiggrin:

[Eloel]

I liked the *hiss* from Scruffy :smallsmile:

[deworde]

It seems rather silly to be getting indignant about "too many Dune references", and then, in the next breath, complaining that "that's not how Dune works". Or is it just me?

Well, the kind of people who try and fit everything into its "universe" are the kind of people who obsess over the details of that universe. So it's logically consistent if you accept the basic insanity of applying this thinking to OOTS.

I'll admit, my first thought on Roy attempting to use Belkar as live bait was... "yeaaaah, that's a little out of character". I mean, sure it's Belkar, but if he gets swallowed, won't we get more agonising like when Roy left Elan in the hands of the bandits? And nobody wants that.

[Draz74]

It's funny and all, and whilst Dune references are great it feels wrong to make it a major part of the plot. I know we've had Final Fantasy characters before, but they were just a throwaway gag and didn't have any real bearing on things- and aren't too far away from the setting OOTS is in anyway.
I highly doubt the Dune elements will end up having "a real bearing" either. Two strips is way too fast to draw conclusions. This just gets the Order near Girard's Gate almost as fast as a Wind Walk spell would have (without the "it's windy" lame fiat), and with a few more jokes along the way to slow down the beginning of Book 5. I'm willing to bet the Dune stuff won't go any further than that.


I'm particularly disappointed in the use of a Christopher Walken reference when there hasn't been any need to refer to any modern-day people before...
:smallconfused:

What part of "Vin Diesel" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0119.html) did you not understand? Or "Patrick Swayze" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0290.html)? I'm sure there are many more.


And, of course, there's the fact that the Giant has said that he hasn't read Discworld because, and I quote, "I consciously avoid it so that I can be sure that my ideas aren't being influenced."
For someone who is so careful to avoid his ideas being influenced, this is a pretty major influence in the plot...

That is indeed an odd double standard. But if it offends you, you could look at it as a compliment to Discworld -- "it's more pervasive and sticks in your mind better than FF or Dune"?

[Jroch]

NOTE: Please excuse my idiocy below. I mis-read Roy as saying this rather than Elan.


I searched through all the pages of this topic and didn't see anyone mention this yet:

They Fatboy Slim lyrics (which in turn reference Frank Herbert's "Dune") are completely incorrect. Here's the correct quotation:

Walk without rhythm, and it won't attract the worm.

With all the geek credentials here I'm surprised no-one pointed this out already.

[Shale]

I think I speak on behalf of everyone else here when I say...

THAT'S THE JOKE.

[Jroch]

I think I speak on behalf of everyone else here when I say...

THAT'S THE JOKE.

Okay, I'll bite. How is it funny?

Addendum: Ignore me, please? I mis-read who was saying what in the comic.

[Porthos]

Okay, I'll bite. How is it funny?

It's funny because Elan misremembered the line. Elan thought by talking (instead of walking) to the worm, he could get away.

PS: The Fat Boy lyrics use Walking, not Talking. Just so you know. :smallsmile:

[DBear]

Haley's statement in panel 4 is pure win.:smallbiggrin:

[Porthos]

Seconded.

This is not a Dune reference anymore. This is switching the setting to Arrakis (for two comics now), this is mixing two universes.

Errrr... Cite Evidence, please? :smallsmile:

This isn't exaclty the first time that Rich has done an extended parody/satire/allusion, you know.

Or did you miss all of the Cop/Buddy Movie allusions in the Cliffport arc? :smallwink:

And while it was a bonus strip in WaXP, I hardly think that OotS could be accused of crossover to the Star Wars universe when <SPOILERS REDACTED> made a cameo appearance.

It's pretty obvious that you love Dune. You really should just take a deep breath, relax, and just enjoy the show. It's still OotS. And it's still DnD (as much as OotS has ever been DnD). If you must justfy it, then here's how: All Rich is doing is following a time honored tradition of stealing incoperating ideas/concepts from other works of art into his campaign world.

I can't tell you how many times I've sat around the table and played through allusions (subtle and not so :smallwink:) to various books/movies/whathaveyou. Sometimes very contradictory ones simultaneously. :smalltongue:

It happens, and it's part of a Time Honored Tradition of DnD. Nothing more, nothing less. :smallsmile:

[Mordokai]

I like the new V. Nice to see he's turning more into a team player, rather than "I have all the answers, I can do everything alone" sort of guy. Lets see where this takes him and what will happen before the fiends come to collect their due.

[Herald Alberich]

And I say again, besides the Walken misquote I don't see any Dune reference that wasn't just carried over from the last strip. Belkar still has blue eyes and the worm is still attracted to the spice, but the stuff's effects don't have to go any farther than that.

And it's a Charmed Purple Worm. You're adventurers in a hurry. What would you do? It doesn't have to be a Dune reference just because they're riding the thing.

[Porthos]

I'm particularly disappointed in the use of a Christopher Walken reference when there hasn't been any need to refer to any modern-day people before...

I think you're reading a different comic than the rest of us. :smalltongue: Considering that this comic has referenced everything from Janet Jackson (her infamous wardrobe malfunction) to the Beatles, to Rachael Ray. To name just a few.

Referencing Pop Culture has been a part of this strip from (almost) the very beginning. So I must say I find it a little odd that it's Christopher Walken (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ChristopherWalken) that sent you over the edge. :smallwink:

[The MunchKING]

Maybe V can get the worm in some sort of more permanent enchantment, and it and Blackwing must compete for their master's affection. There can be only one familiar!

...can there be only one familiar? I'm sure someone's figured out how to have like 20 of them.

I suppose if V took a level of Sorcerer.

She could get an Animal comapnion if she took levels of Druid or ranger...

[Herald Alberich]

I suppose if V took a level of Sorcerer.

She could get an Animal comapnion if she took levels of Druid or ranger...

You're not normally allowed to have more than one familiar, even if you have levels in both Wizard and Sorcerer (or other classes that grant them). There might be some esoteric way to allow it, but considering a major joke has been that everyone forgets their familiars anyway, perhaps not.

He could get an animal companion, yes. He'd need a lot of levels before he could try for a purple worm, though, I'm thinking.


Regarding the purple worm: How come the OOTS never tried charming monsters before? And how long does a charm spell last anyway? Let's hope they arrive at their destination soon now.

Charm Monster lasts a day per caster level. They've got about two weeks before it wakes up and tries to shake them off. Forget Gerard's Gate; they could probably make a scenic tour of the continent in that time.

[The MunchKING]

I think 507 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0507.html) is the first time we saw that (s)he knew the spell Fly.

Didn't she have flight back in the Air-section of the Dungeon? She was complaining it sucked and Drizzle was saying he had a cool version grandfatered in from 3.0

[The MunchKING]

Right you are, save me a space underneath:smalltongue:

*Starts selling Popcorn gernades, straight from my TfOS wholesaler*

[t_catt11]

Oh dear God... the Belkar tirade (and end result) was EPIC!

[Mc. Lovin']

Holy Belkar jokes batman! We sure are getting a lot lately. Although they are good so, it doesn't matter all too much

[factotum]

Didn't she have flight back in the Air-section of the Dungeon? She was complaining it sucked and Drizzle was saying he had a cool version grandfatered in from 3.0

Then Haley wouldn't have needed to ask why V hadn't bought a Fly spell back in town, would she? Even the version that only lasts a few minutes would have been better than nothing at all!

[Gamerlord]

:smalltongue: Follow the carrot my little worm friend!

[Slayn82]

Well, if the Spice is made from feromonies, this travel could end in a big disaster, with the order atracting other Worms like a mating season. With the use of a few well placed illusions, i guess the order could use them as an powerfull army. Or if V had acess to Magic Jar spell, he could send his familliar soul to possess the Purple Worm. So, there are more relevant possibilities spawning from this encounter.

Anyway, the chances of finding a giant worm in a desert in the average D&D campaign are pretty good, because, seriously, that scene in Dune is pure win.:smallwink:

[Majorman]

Worm riding... "Dune" references continue. Please, I need more.

Belkar is the gratest carrot in the world! I would follow him anywhere, smelling of spice or not!

[AyuVince]

Wow... I have the weird feeling that the OotS forum has been taken over by /b/. More work for Roland, I guess.

Nice mount you got yourself there, Roy. I wonder how long this will work, sooner or later he's going to tire from dangling Belkar.

[Nilan8888]

This is not a Dune reference anymore. This is switching the setting to Arrakis (for two comics now), this is mixing two universes. We don't know anymore which rules are applicable - what can we assume that the spice drug does? All those things described in Dune? Here are too many Dune elements, I wonder if the order next encounters Fremen or Bene Gesserit...

All those Dune fans out there might be annoyed by this mixture. You don't "Charm Monster" a sandworm. You don't jump on it like that. You don't steer it this way. And all those D&D fans out there might be annoyed too, for obvious reasons.

Please leave this kind of universe-mixing to the fanfics!

Ok, maybe my view is slanted on this since I love Dune. So I'm all for the references. And whatever Mr. Berlew is doing, it's done in fine taste and it's certainly not ripping off the Dune universe in any substantial way.

All that said... am I the only one that finds it a little ironic that people complain about refererences to a Fantasy/Sci-Fi genre in a comic that is ITSELF a reference to a Fantasy/Sci-Fi genre?

I mean, this strip was created and still continues to be a huge references to D&D. In fact, extremely DETAILED refernences, far more so than this Dune content. So... at what point is it ok to reference D&D and everything, but if you reference another work -- that just becomes too much?

In my opinion OOTS is doing with Dune what OOTS has always been doing with it's material: using it well. Whether it's Dune or D&D, a novel about Arrakis or including Drizzt Do'Urden or a gaming system, it's really all the same to me.

And I'm loving it.

[Scarlet Knight]

If you must justfy it, then here's how: All Rich is doing is following a time honored tradition of stealing incoperating ideas/concepts from other works of art into his campaign world.

I can't tell you how many times I've sat around the table and played through allusions (subtle and not so :smallwink:) to various books/movies/whathaveyou. Sometimes very contradictory ones simultaneously. :smalltongue:

It happens, and it's part of a Time Honored Tradition of DnD. Nothing more, nothing less. :smallsmile:

So true. It also makes good gaming because mixing worlds keeps the characters from meta-gaming when they recognize the source.:smallsmile:

[Larocs Macalar]

The title of the comic has its fun. For a moment, i believed in belkar when he said he doesnt want to be the bait. i thought: belkar said in the last comic he lives in the edge and then i see he saying that it isnt going to be the bait.:smalleek:. i got crazy and he smiles of my face. that spice really mixed with his head.

Oh! and y scruffy made that "hiss" before landing?

Now we have new words from belkar: nuts-er and nuts-est.
lol

[fangthane]

Yowza. That's one heck of a large Worm.

Assuming it's purple, the SRD only gives size-up notes to Colossal but that thing's definitely larger. Colossal would only give the worm a 50% linear space increase (20'-30') indicating a 60k pound weight and a body diameter of about 8 feet. Based on panel 2, its diameter appears to be roughly 6 Roys or thereabouts; call it about 35 feet to round it off and that worm has to be Colossal++++ or thereabouts*.

In any case... That's one scary worm. Especially the save DC on the poison if it really is Colossal++++. Whew.

*1.5^4=5, 5 times the 7.5' diameter at Colossal size yields a diameter consistent with what we saw in panel 2.

[hamishspence]

Colossal creatures can have Space values other than 30 feet. The biggest I've seen so far is 60 by 60.

the Huge purple worm in the War of the Dragon Queen set (see the WoTC site) only has the first few feet showing- a bit like this one.

Maybe a 60 by 60 ft base, showing just the head and upper neck?

The Giant is also known to vary monster sizes- this could be an example.

"Colossal+" creatures (of which the epic dragons are the only examples) actually have the same Space, but higher Reach values and breath weapon ranges.

[pendell]

To all those who believe this is a one-shot joke ...


I simply don't believe that Belkar can saturate his body with so much of a substance that it
causes an actual physiological change -- eye color -- without it having some kind of impact
further down the line. Maybe in this world withdrawal won't kill him like it would on
Arrakis, but I strongly doubt we've heard the last of this.



Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Doug Lampert]

So do they get XP for defeating this worm ? I'm not totally clear on how that works in 3.5 edition, but since it is under V's charm for now, does that count for XP ? All building up for higher levels when they next battle Xykon ?

Game rules, they CLEARLY get full XP, they've defeated it and overcome the obstacle it represented.

That said, I've had at least two internet discussions with people who specifically claimed that in 3.x they killed a monster rather than sneak by it since they wanted full XP. This despite the fact that in 3.0 and 3.5 sneaking by something rather than fighting it was the EXAMPLE given in the DMG of something that gave full XP for defeating the obstacle. So lots of people who actually play the game have missed this minor detail that killing isn't required to get XP.

[Aron Times]

You get XP for overcoming challenges. In this case, the challenge was to not get killed by the purple worm. V's Charm Monster basically overcame this challenge, so the party gets full XP.

[StClair]

and there's the reference I was tempted to make last strip.
*applauds*


("walk without rhythm", FYI)

[Kish]

To all those who believe this is a one-shot joke ...


I simply don't believe that Belkar can saturate his body with so much of a substance that it
causes an actual physiological change -- eye color -- without it having some kind of impact
further down the line. Maybe in this world withdrawal won't kill him like it would on
Arrakis, but I strongly doubt we've heard the last of this.



Respectfully,

Brian P.
GI Joe can pop up next to Elan and Vaarsuvius and disappear again, uncommented, but if Belkar's eyes are blue, that means something lasting?

Well, we'll see.

[LuisDantas]

Hunh. Not very many evil people are heroically anti-moral. Belkar truly is one in a million.

Are you sure? I thought the opposite, really. There is a reason why Vlad Tepes is a national hero in Romania to this day - and he is not an exception, but rather the rule. Most real-life dictators see themselves as anti-heroes. Even the classic greek definition of hero basically doesn't care about morality at all.

[HandofShadows]

Are you sure? I thought the opposite, really. There is a reason why Vlad Tepes is a national hero in Romania to this day - and he is not an exception, but rather the rule. Most real-life dictators see themselves as anti-heroes. Even the classic greek definition of hero basically doesn't care about morality at all.

Unfortunally true. Some people in Russia still sing the praises of Stalin even though he killed something like 40 MILLION of his own people.

[Eric O'Really]

hehe, theyre riding the worm. :smallbiggrin:

shame on everyone, who didn't see that coming, because if you didnt, you never have seen dune. :smallamused:
if you didnt, watch that movie. and not one of the newer versions. get the awesome version with patrick steward from the 80's.

[Tundar]

One word: Hillarious

"Ethnically acceptable" - those words coming from Belkar's mouth is just plain hillarious.

[Wolf_Plague]

hehe, theyre riding the worm. :smallbiggrin:
Kinda expectable, but still cool. I wonder if Worms will participate in coming battle with Xykon.


s of Stalin even though he killed something like 40 MILLION of his own people.
Err... you got this number wrong. 40kk was about one third of whole populace of USSR in '20-'30s:smallwink:

[warmachine]

The odd thing is why Belkar said he could be dangled in front of the worm. He's a supremely selfish person. Even with his new, enlightened attitude, he isn't going to risk being eaten without concessions first.

It seems the spice has addled his brain.

[Dark Faun]

I think it's because he "knows" that the others (or at least Roy) won't let him die.

He's gravely mistaken.

[factotum]

I think it's because he "knows" that the others (or at least Roy) won't let him die.

He's gravely mistaken.

Actually, I don't think he is. While they won't mourn much when Belkar *does* shuffle off the mortal coil, I don't think they're going to actively try and kill him, or NOT rescue him if he's in mortal danger. We know how Roy reacted when someone else suggested doing the same thing with Durkon back in OtOoPCs, and I assure you, it wasn't a positive reaction.

[Dark Faun]

I agree that Roy, Durkon and Elan wouldn't let Belkar be slaughtered if they could do something to prevent it. But I'm not so sure about Haley and Vaarsuvius. Especially Haley.

But keep in mind Durkon is a close friend to Roy who pulls his weight regularly with only occasional "TREES BE ATTACKIN'!" issues whereas Belkar has been, to quote Haley in #570 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0570.html), on the fence between asset and liability (not to mention between vaguely reliable ally and wanton murderer who helps slavers if left unchecked).

[Beren]

Enough time without an answer for me to try again:

Dune experts:

If he is out of spice -- how long till he croaks? And how long till he has severe withdrawl?

I don't think that's going to happen. Given what the Giant's interpretation of "fair use" seems to be according to this post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5728665#post5728665), he's already stretching it by making Dune references two comics in a row. Having Belkar suffer long-term consequences from spice withdrawl seems over the line.

[FoE]

Seemed sort of anticlimactic.

[Nightfall]

Perhaps already mentioned (I didn't bother to wade through seven pages to find out), but I liked the "Hissss!" Mr. Scruffy lets out while in Durkon's arms. Not sure if he's hissing at the worm or the dwarf, but my money's on the dwarf.

[Lkctgo]

Belkar likes being dangled? BRAIN BLEACH NOW.

[factotum]

But keep in mind Durkon is a close friend to Roy who pulls his weight regularly with only occasional "TREES BE ATTACKIN'!" issues

He is NOW, but he most certainly wasn't back in OtOoPCs when Roy was less than subtly asked if he'd allow him to get killed--he was a cantankerous dwarf with a death wish. So, when Roy refused outright to countenance any such thing, it was nothing to do with any friendship, it was because it was WRONG. The same would apply to letting Belkar get killed.

[Dark Faun]

Ah, okay, thanks. :D

[SlippingStar]

... I feel REAL immature, but after Belkar urinating on the bug-leader, the sand-worm really strikes me as demented-penis-like, because of the way Rich drew it. xD

[Larocs Macalar]

... I feel REAL immature, but after Belkar urinating on the bug-leader, the sand-worm really strikes me as demented-penis-like, because of the way Rich drew it. xD

OMG, please say me u didnt write that!!!:smalleek:

Anyway, i dunno how they r going to move. first i thought that belkar will run to the worm follow him, then i saw belkar height....

only if V cast fly or levitate on him... i think.:smalltongue:

[Kish]

OMG, please say me u didnt write that!!!:smalleek:
Me U didn't write that. SlippingStar did.