Noob Question

[My2Cents]

Hi. I'm fairly new to the comic. I've just finished reading up to 727.
This question may have been asked before, if so I couldnt find it on the forum.

Why is Tsukiko a Mystic Theurge when a Pale Master matches her personality so much better? I mean, I'm pretty sure "Unhealthy fascination with the undead" is in the class description.

[the Riddler]

Same reason Miko is a Monk/Paladin instead of a Samurai. :smallamused:

[Jair Barik]

Same reason Miko is a Monk/Paladin instead of a Samurai. :smallamused:

Basically because pretty much everything in the comic comes from core. The things that don't come from core are generally the but of a joke (e.g. Tsukiko's lightning spells, The acid breathing shark, the three Xykons and the dashing swordsman)

[The Pilgrim]

Because a Mystic Theurge, unlike the Pale Master, is both an Arcane and Divine Magic.

And that has some major implications in a Plot that revolves around a certain ritual that requires both an Arcane and Divine caster.

[hamishspence]

True Necromancer would have fitted the question better- arcane + divine + undead specialist.

Plus, it comes out of the same book (Tome and Blood) that seems like the most likely source of Tsusiko's spells.

The reason it seems likely, is that the spells are named the same way as in Tome & Blood- later books name them differently.

I.E. they're called Electric Orb, Lesser Acid Orb, as per T&B.

Not Orb of Electricity, Lesser Orb of Acid, as per Complete Arcane & Spell Compendium.

[Ancalagon]

A) It does not matter what exact class reflects the ability of a character. Most important is the plot and the character, no the class.

B) Everything that is open game content can be used in a longer term, everthing that is not open game content can be used as satire. For a short joke. That would cover the beholder or the other non-core stuff we have seen so far.

In the end, it could be as simple as B). What you can find on this site http://www.d20srd.org/ is ready to get used as longer lasting background or be part of a recurring character, everything else from any other book - can't.

[hamishspence]

Tsusiko is a recurring character- and her Orb spells are in a book, but not the SRD.

That said, they may only be a "short joke" since we haven't seen them since.

[Ancalagon]

Tsusiko is a recurring character- and her Orb spells are in a book, but not the SRD.

Those orbs appear how often?
In contrast to her being a Mystic Theurge or her entire character?

Which of the two is open game content and which is closed?

[hamishspence]

It's both "part of a recurring character" and (so far) a "one shot joke" at the same time- which was the point I was making.

In Tsusiko's case, we've seen a recurring character exhibit noncore material- once.

[Ancalagon]

Feeling like splitting hairs again? ;)

The material with the orbs appeared once and never again.

The section of Tsukiko that DOES appear often as relevant (which is the MT-class) is open material.

I thinkt he point you were making is true but... somewhat... hum... pointless? ;)

[KoboldRevenge]

Noob, really? Do you really want things to get that video gamey? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0619.html) :smallamused:

[My2Cents]

Considering the only reason I get this comic is NWN...

[Procyonpi]

1. Because Rich said so
2. Because more people have heard of Mystic Theurges than Pale Masters (Including me, before reading this thread).
and
3. Because, as has already been mentioned, Rich tends to stick to core.

[hamishspence]

Yes, I know I'm nitpicking- but the point I was trying to make was that the hypothesis came in two parts:

Part 1:


B) Everything that is open game content can be used in a longer term, everthing that is not open game content can be used as satire. For a short joke. That would cover the beholder or the other non-core stuff we have seen so far.

In other words- non-open game content will only ever be used as satire for a short joke:

Part 2:

In the end, it could be as simple as B). What you can find on this site http://www.d20srd.org/ is ready to get used as longer lasting background or be part of a recurring character, everything else from any other book - can't.

In other words- no recurring character will exhibit non-open game content material.

The second part can be disproved by Tsusiko's use of orbs. Which appear in two strips:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0518.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0519.html

The first part is harder to disprove.

Some possible evidence against it, is Redcloak's ability to animate the ancient silver dragon as a zombie. As written in the MM, zombies double their hit dice, and max out at 20 HD- hence, you can only animate a creature of 10 HD or less, as a zombie.

An ancient silver dragon has a lot more than 10 HD.

If Draconomicon is in use, however, dragons can be animated as zombie dragons, which don't double their hit dice when animated, and don't have a maximum.

We know it's Ancient from the bonus strip in Paladin Blues, immediately after the fight.

It's possible The Giant is using a homebrew version of the zombie template, so the presence of an ancient silver dragon isn't proof that non-core material is being used without a joke, or lampshading. However, it is suggestive.

[Niknokitueu]

possible The Giant is using a homebrew version of the zombie template, so the presence of an ancient silver dragon isn't proof that non-core material is being used without a joke, or lampshading. However, it is suggestive.
Well, how's about this then: In order to avoid being SUED, Rich made a homebrew version (or just plain ignored the open source rules restrictions), which just happens to bear a resemblance to a method laid out in a non-open-source book. Works for me, and avoids unnecessary legal complications.

As an avid non-player of AD&D 4th ed (or even 3rd ed, if it comes to that), I had no problem believing that such a monster could exist. Whilst ignorance of the rules is not a good defence, things will occasionally accidently mimic (or can be percieved as mimicing) copyrighted material. It is, unfortunately, unavoidable.

So as long as Rich keeps trying to only use open-source stuff for his serious work, he should be fine.

Beyond that, everyone makes mistakes, and not everyone will have read all the associated IP material.

Have Fun!
Niknokitueu

[The Pilgrim]

The second part can be disproved by Tsusiko's use of orbs. Which appear in two strips:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0518.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0519.html


Don't forget #522
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0522.html

[hamishspence]

Good point- should have been "at least two strips".

I'm guessing that OoTS itself might fall under "fair use" which overrides the Open Source rules- hence, if it's in a D&D book, it can appear in OoTS.

If Tsusiko gets into more fights, I predict the orbs will be seen again.

As to "only open source content can appear as recurring characters" there's a webcomic where a beholder is a main character (YAFGC), is called a beholder in the strip, and it doesn't appear to be a problem.

[TriForce]

also: a good reason she is mystic theurge and not a true necromancer, is becouse hinjo would never let a true necromancer fight in the battle, but a mystic theurge isnt too unlikely

[Ancalagon]

I'm guessing that OoTS itself might fall under "fair use" which overrides the Open Source rules- hence, if it's in a D&D book, it can appear in OoTS.

Maybe. But as soon as money is made from it (as... selling books) I would not really count on it. In fact, if I was the IP holder I surely would say it is NOT ok.