OOTS #735 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Katana_Geldar]

Yay! Another ESB reference FTW!

[Mystic Muse]

So......many.......references.

[Ganurath]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Lawful Evil is my favorite alignment.

[Jokasti]

Awesome. Tarquin continues to shine.

[goldgecko4]

The first few panels? Excellent. Indicative of every cleric ever. AND THEN they do a Tarquin Turnabout? Love it in every possible way.

[Defiant]

Last panel has the paper as transparent. Was that intentional? As if some sort of magic message delivery that somehow disappears upon delivery?

[amanamana]

The paper is transparent in the last one...

Nice comic, though.

EDIT: Damn these Canadian ninjas!

[A Rainy Knight]

I've loved Tarquin since we first learned his identity. This just seals my man-crush on him. :smalltongue:

[Temotei]

Treevenge. :smallamused:

[Fish]

No odds on who they'll end up fighting.

[Vemynal]

this comic is made of pure win.

Love Tarquin, seriously in line for my new favorite character

[derfenrirwolv]

Bahahah.. like i said, its lawful evil, the verdict will be whatever tarquin wants it to be.

[Roc Ness]

Woah. Don't mess with Tarquin...

[dps]

Well, that trial took an interesting turn.

[AlterForm]

I bet this comic made a lot of nerds squee, myself included. OotS + ESB = awesomesauce.

[Ted The Bug]

Loved this one, Tarquin once again shines.
But what are these references to?

[Hann]

This deal keeps getting worse all the time!


The comic, on the other hand, is going in the opposite direction.

[Starscream]

Any more Star Wars references combined with the RPG jokes, and this strip will turn into Darths & Droids.:smallbiggrin:

Love it. Two geeky pastimes for the price of one.

[Yendor]

Oh, well played, Tarquin. That is some impressive evil right there.

Wait, why does Gannji have his crossbow in the last panel?

[WarBrute]

These was not a single panel in this comic comic I disliked. All of it was pure awesome :smallbiggrin:

[Inhuman Bot]

Unsurprised, really. Hopefully our intrepid bounty hunters can get out of this one, though. :smalltongue:


I'm a little surprised that Durkon didn't piss of Malack in the second last panel or something, though. :smalltongue:

[Draconi Redfir]

wasent kilkil pink at some point? maby im just thinking of that one guys Avatar....

[Fargazer]

More star wars references! Yes! Though now I am worried about just how attached these bounty hunters will become to the overall plotline.

[Gift Jeraff]

Hey! Gannji's not Lando! Everyone knows O-Chul is, and Hinjo and Lien are Admiral Akbar and Nien Nunb--respectively!

But in all seriousness, I feel as though this strip solidifies that Tarquin's not going to be a helpful villain and Gannji & Enor are going to help the Order somehow. Also curious to find out more about Malack's god[s] and adventuring days. :smallbiggrin:


wasent kilkil pink at some point? maby im just thinking of that one guys Avatar....
In this and the one other strip he appeared in, Kilkil is a darker shade of orange than other kobolds--this might imply a red dragon bloodline.

[Deth Muncher]

Heh. I do love Tarquin. Drama demands that he face off against his son later on, but until that point, I will continue to love Tarquin.

[Eldrys]

Go Tarquin!(and treevenge!)

Wouldn't the process of making paper make it revenge from the dwarves.

[The Vanishing Hitchhiker]

Treevenge. Yes. Just... yes.

And oh, Tarquin, how magnificent.

[frogman55]

Go Tarquin!(and treevenge!)

Wouldn't the process of making paper make it revenge from the dwarves.

Being made paper was the dwarves' revenge. Giving them tiny painful cuts that catch on pants pockets when you try and get your keys is the tree's revenge. Like Montezuma. Sorta of.

[Inkling]

Well, THEY all seem to be getting along rather nicely...

[Acero]

this is going to be fun...

Tarquin's handwriting is amazing!

[DougTheHead]

Treevenge? I think I have a new name for my next Z-list horror movie.

[Porthos]

LOLed for real at that last panel. :smallbiggrin: :smallcool:

[ExtravagantEvil]

This was a great comic, one cannot deny the badass that Tarquin is, thanks to his zealous love of the dramatic. Well played, Colin approves this comic, and gives it a reccomendation to the college of its personal choice.

[Orzel]

Treevenge!

[Acero]

Wait, when khil-kil claimed that he lost the paperwork, he admitted that bountyhunting papers exist...

[derfenrirwolv]

Treevenge? I think I have a new name for my next Z-list horror movie.

It was already made, but i don't think it qualified for the z listing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Happening_%282008_film%29

[Defiant]

Wait, when khil-kil claimed that he lost the paperwork, he admitted that bountyhunting papers exist...

Yeah, I don't think anybody cares... :smallamused:

[Bongos]

Ah the saga continues....you'd think they would get a little leniency for bringing the son to him in the first place.

Oh well, who's still in for Tarquin not evil? hmm? Speak up now.

[Zevox]

Heh, more Star Wars references. Ah, but I love them.

Now, I wonder if we'll later get Tarquin giving him another message: "Another alteration: didn't pray hard enough." :smallwink:

Zevox

[BobVosh]

Wait, when khil-kil claimed that he lost the paperwork, he admitted that bountyhunting papers exist...

He admitted paperwork was submitted, but not that it was legitimate (might have been forged) or even that it was correctly filled out (it really wasn't, the wrong people were brought in)

Treevenge is what I'm going to call every paper cut from now on.

[Defiant]

I'm sorry, but it seems I failed my Knowledge: Star Wars check... where's the Star Wars reference? (and to what exactly)

[Dusk Eclipse]

I am torn due this comic... on one hand, some of my favorite characters ever :see sig: but I can't deny that Tarkin has style (to be expected look at his soon).... either way I enjoyed the ....dualism (because I lack a better word/expression) in this comic.

The adventuring cleric=healbot jabs are quite amusing and also treevengenge:smallbiggrin:

[Optimystik]

This is getting better and better. :smallbiggrin: So Elan's dad is a Papa Wolf, eh?


I'm sorry, but it seems I failed my Knowledge: Star Wars check... where's the Star Wars reference? (and to what exactly)

"Pray I do not alter it any further." - Vader quote

[Defiant]

"Pray I do not alter it any further." - Vader quote

Haha, nice! :smallbiggrin:

[zmasterofjersey]

Wow, this was just too perfect, this is BY FAR my favorite story arc of the comic.

[Excise]

Perfect Cleric discussion. Any healer will sympathize with them.

[Nevitan]

Freaking awesome!

[eras10]

Why does the reptilian bounty hunter refer to "twelve thousand gold" when back in #724 they agree on eight thousand? Is this a reference to or implication of some sort of off-panel interaction or additional bargaining? That might also explain why Tarquin is so irritated?

Or is it a mistake?

Or something else I haven't thought of?

[Ormur]

Judging by the Lawyers' reactions, "I lost the paperwork" seems to be a pretty common euphemism for somebody important wanting people to die. But of course that's pretty easy to do if you have a justice system where lack of evidence in favour of any defendant results in certain death.

[Solara]

I'm sorry, but it seems I failed my Knowledge: Star Wars check... where's the Star Wars reference? (and to what exactly)

I'm sorry sir, I'm going to have to ask you to hand in your Nerd card.

[Defiant]

I'm sorry sir, I'm going to have to ask you to hand in your Nerd card.

*sob*

But everyone rolls a 1 sometimes! And I put all my ranks in Knowledge: Star Trek!

[Forrestfire]

I love the continuation of the star wars theme and, in fact, the whole strip!:smallbiggrin:

EDIT: Hey cool. I got on page 2.

[Shatteredtower]

That made it worth coming home.

[ChowGuy]

Wait, when khil-kil claimed that he lost the paperwork, he admitted that bountyhunting papers exist...

Hearsay. Any court would/should hold that unless the document can be produced and entered into evidence for examination, it cannot be taken into consideration. Sure it's a "technicality" but it's one that defense lawyers pounce on like ducks geese on a demon roach. so, yeah, sauce for the gander...

[derfenrirwolv]

Hearsay. Any court would/should hold that unless the document can be produced and entered into evidence for examination, it cannot be taken into consideration. Sure it's a "technicality" but it's one that defense lawyers pounce on like ducks geese on a demon roach. so, yeah, sauce for the gander...

and would be responded to with "Do you remember handling such an agreement between my client and the state?" He can't have misplaced the paperwork unless he KNOWS there's paperwork to misplace.

[abbott.e]

Hearsay. Any court would/should hold that unless the document can be produced and entered into evidence for examination, it cannot be taken into consideration. Sure it's a "technicality" but it's one that defense lawyers pounce on like ducks geese on a demon roach. so, yeah, sauce for the gander...

Yup, Pics, or it didn't happen.

[HeseMCMXCI]

In this and the one other strip he appeared in, Kilkil is a darker shade of orange than other kobolds--this might imply a red dragon bloodline.

And that suggests a very, very nasty backstory... i wish the kobold was the male...

[Katana_Geldar]

and would be responded to with "Do you remember handling such an agreement between my client and the state?" He can't have misplaced the paperwork unless he KNOWS there's paperwork to misplace.

Your point is? He DOES remember, the thing is he hasn't got the paperwork.

[Martok]

Heh. This was indeed an awesome strip. Love the clerics bantering (and the "Treevenge" comment), and Tarquin reveals himself to be just as (evilly) awesome as we expected him to be.

Also: Star Wars reference FTW!





*sob*

But everyone rolls a 1 sometimes! And I put all my ranks in Knowledge: Star Trek!
LOL. :tongue:

[Memplejemple]

I don't like that Tarquin is petty. I guess this is what makes him evil, but pettiness is never attractive. I like my villains of big, if evil, heart.

[KoboldRevenge]

everything that has conspired has done so by my design! :smallwink:

[Steward]

Hey, guys, can you clear something up for me? In this comic, Jones said that he wants to change their plea to Guilty; I thought he already said that in the previous comic?

[Volthawk]

Hey, guys, can you clear something up for me? In this comic, Jones said that he wants to change their plea to Guilty; I thought he already said that in the previous comic?

The previous comic was of a different trial.

[Renegade Paladin]

everything that has conspired has done so by my design! :smallwink:
I'm afraid I have to revoke your nerd card. That's not even close. :smalltongue:

[Peanut Gallery]

I laughed. Long and hard. God I love lawful evil.

[dsavereide]

*sob*

But everyone rolls a 1 sometimes! And I put all my ranks in Knowledge: Star Trek!

That made me laugh almost as much as the strip. My Star Wars is a bit weak as well. But we should be moving on to Gladiator next.

[Glome]

So I guess the 114% conviction rate includes 14% of lawyers who piss the judge off as well.

[Twilight Jack]

I hate to nitpick, but I could swear it was only 8,000 gp. Does anyone have the goods on the extra 4k?

[dsavereide]

I just occured to me...
How much does Tarquin already know? Has he worked out that it was Elan's friends that were looking for him through the bounty hunters?

In that case, is he planning to bring Elan to the dark side by setting up a revenge killing? For example, if they have helmets in the arena that are only removed after they're dead. A little prodding might set Elan off. (Of course, that depends on him not knowing Elan very well).

He might reason that once Roy and company are dead, there's no more reason for Elan to go running off.

[Crod]

This is getting better and better. Thank you Giant you made my day. Very nice one.

[Darthteej]

It's hard not to see all of the threads colliding, and conflict balls thrown around. I think hijinks are going to ensue!
:biggrin:

[AxeD]

Cleric humour is awesome! Also Tarquin is one evil SOB.

Nice to see him continuing the Star Wars references - What's next? Enor and Gannji escape from the arena of death by dropping the grille/gate on the Grey Render that's trying to eat them?

[nosignal]

This comic is getting better all the time. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWM5IKWfok0)

[Nimrod's Son]

I think we're probably done with the Star Wars references for the time being.
Man, I've never been so happy to be wrong.

(A couple of possible mistakes, though, along with the 12,000 thing: Shouldn't Durkon be saying "halfway 'cross tha world", not "that"? And is Gannji supposed to have his crossbow in the last panel? Seems odd they'd give him his weapon back before cuffing him and leading him off...)

[Jokasti]

"Double-crossing son of mongoose" Mongeese and serpents (Lizardpeople) are mortal enemies.
Also, we get to see the third dimension again, nice tidbit.

[Umael]

And this, people, is why it takes to so long for the comic to update. Because Rich Burlew makes sure that the quality is that good.

[factotum]

I'm amazed nobody has yet said that somehow this proves Tarquin isn't evil...have I come to the right forum?

I think the 12k is an error, but I think this strip is generally awesome enough for the Giant to be forgiven a small typo. :smallbiggrin:

[Killer Angel]

Decisely, this is one of the funniest way I've ever seen, to screw up someone: the ESB reference is pure gold.

[Leolo]

I'm amazed nobody has yet said that somehow this proves Tarquin isn't evil...have I come to the right forum?

I think the 12k is an error, but I think this strip is generally awesome enough for the Giant to be forgiven a small typo. :smallbiggrin:

I think it is more like a first response to the lost paperwork. Like telling the cops that there was some expensive art object in your house after it is robbed. Without paperwork no one knows how much it was.

At first the bounty hunter simple do not realize that this might be a threatening situation and tries to get something out of it.

[JonestheSpy]

Great strip.

I'm really hoping that Enor and Ganjji join O-Chul and Celia in the ranks of almost-OotS members.

[Lupusater]

Tarquin is great, but we now have found his main flaw: pride, a lot like Nale, who can't stand to be denied, Tarquin doesn't want his power to be challenged, especially in front of his son.
As an add, I'm also loving Malack more with every comic he's in, and Rodriguez's panicked plea was hilarious.

[SwordsageErrant]

Evil? Possibly. A completely badass man who uses whatever means necessary to defend those he cares for? Absolutely. :smallcool:

[Yendor]

I'm amazed nobody has yet said that somehow this proves Tarquin isn't evil...have I come to the right forum?

Um... he's fighting extortion! Extortion is evil, and by fighting it, that totally makes him not evil! Really!

Not really.

[iTookUrNick]

Tarquin is great, but we now have found his main flaw: pride, a lot like Nale, who can't stand to be denied, Tarquin doesn't want his power to be challenged, especially in front of his son.
As an add, I'm also loving Malack more with every comic he's in, and Rodriguez's panicked plea was hilarious.

All that. Plus, awesome comic. Perfect update. It ranks at least best of the story arc (so far. There may be more where it came from :smallsmile:).

[The Pilgrim]

So, looks like we are bound to see some Roy+Belkar+Enor+Gannji arena action!

[mjames]

Hooray for new comics and for cleric respect across alignments.

[Skycroft]

I'm amazed nobody has yet said that somehow this proves Tarquin isn't evil...have I come to the right forum?

Nah, he's totally evil. But I don't care, because that was awesomely evil. Vader quote for the win.

[kerberos]

Ah the saga continues....you'd think they would get a little leniency for bringing the son to him in the first place.

Oh well, who's still in for Tarquin not evil? hmm? Speak up now.

Well the bounty hunters are evil, so Tarquin is actually just fighting the good fight. So clearly he's not Evil, just pragmatic in a colourful way.

[Santiago]

Oh snap! Go Tarquin!

[Secris]

It's like the Team Cleric comics, but better! Plus the mini-joke of treevenge and Tarquin's treachery, I feel safe saying this is one my favorite comics in recent memory. Still, I don't think anything will ever beat 327 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0327.html) in my mind.


Evil? Possibly. A completely badass man who uses whatever means necessary to defend those he cares for? Absolutely. :smallcool:

He's not defending anyone by screwing over the bounty hunters, they wouldn't care about Elan at all if they just got their bounty and went on their way. It was clearly a matter of pride.

[The MunchKING]

I'm sorry, but it seems I failed my Knowledge: Star Wars check... where's the Star Wars reference? (and to what exactly)

Lando: That wasn't part of the deal! You said they'd be left here in Cloud City!

Darth Vader: I've altered the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.

Lando: This deal's getting worse all the time.

[The MunchKING]

I hate to nitpick, but I could swear it was only 8,000 gp. Does anyone have the goods on the extra 4k?

He tried to extort him for the extra with a thermal detonator (extra spicy).

[Ave]

Wait, when khil-kil claimed that he lost the paperwork, he admitted that bountyhunting papers exist...

Papers in general, yeah. They do.
This particular one 'may' have existed at some point and in some plane of existence, but here and now, it is nonexistent.
The judge asked it 'here and now'.

[Ave]

Well the bounty hunters are evil, so Tarquin is actually just fighting the good fight. So clearly he's not Evil, just pragmatic in a colourful way.

Haha, try to say that with a straight face. Tarquin filed the bounty in the first place.
It is pretty sure Roy and the bounty hunters will meet in the arena.

[HMS Invincible]

I thought the thermal detonator thing was a joke; Tarquin took it that seriously?

[LuPuWei]

...
But in all seriousness, I feel as though this strip solidifies that Tarquin's not going to be a helpful villain and Gannji & Enor are going to help the Order somehow. Also curious to find out more about Malack's god[s] and adventuring days. :smallbiggrin:
...

Amen!

Tarquin and Malack are both made of win so far, and I'd love to see them in action 'cause I'm sure they'd just be Epic in battle.

I was also wondering, would it be unrealistic to consider that maybe Tarquin is not just aware of Girard, but of the Gates as well? Maybe, that's his thing, he's Evil, and he'll be just the latest to join in the bid for control of the gates- maybe even gaining Elan and the OotS's confidence so he can use them along the way... That would also give Tarquin an amazing Star Wars-esque redemption opportunity at the end of the strip, or this story arc...

[Leolo]

A little question: Who is this girl holding hands with a tiefling/demon/whatsoever in the art object in panel 2?

She looks familiar to me.

[DreadArchon]

Ah, there we go. How do you kill off fan-favorite characters written as expendable while forcibly reminding the audience that another fan-favorite is an antagonist?

Have the latter kill the former!

Masterful. :smalleek:

[Morph Bark]

Tarquin clearly is quite the Lawful Dramatic (or Dramatic Evil) witty bastard, sure is. :smallamused:

[kerberos]

Haha, try to say that with a straight face. Tarquin filed the bounty in the first place.
It is pretty sure Roy and the bounty hunters will meet in the arena.

Well the bounty wasn't evil, just those particular bounty hunters. When Tarquin discovered this he was of cause horrified and took steps to take these vile creatures of the street. Why is colourful pragmatism so misunderstood?

[suszterpatt]

Not gonna lie, I actually giggled loudly at Tarquin's note. Well played.

[AlfredAmeoba]

Good one! I love the notification about clerics. Get some AC, dammit! :smallsmile:

[factotum]

He tried to extort him for the extra with a thermal detonator (extra spicy).

But he tried to get 50k, and then, when Tarquin pointed out he was only holding a can of soup, he said "We'll take the 8". 12k was never mentioned at any point.

[borg286]

A little question: Who is this girl holding hands with a tiefling/demon/whatsoever in the art object in panel 2?

She looks familiar to me.
It looks like a basin below them, so I take it as a worshiping area for Malack. The girl seems too generic to be anyone in particular. I'm sure it's foreshaddowing a reveal of Malack's religion and it's interaction with the plot.

I just noticed that Malack's text balloons have wavy connectors implying his hissy voice.

[Calmness]

"treevenge", what the hell Durkon.

[Volstag]

Yup, Tarquin is awesome!

[Kislath]

So, if a dwarf gets a papercut in the middle of the forest, and there's no one around to hear him scream...

[Murdim]

I think I'm rooting for the Empire (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RootingForTheEmpire). Which is fitting, in more than one way.

[Skaven]

Gannji is awesome, I hope he joins the order or at least makes it out alive :<

Hmm, come to think of it, Nale needs a rogue.

[sihnfahl]

I hope he joins the order or at least makes it out alive
Remember, going in there is a Life Sentence. He's not coming out unless Tarquin shows that he's capable of extending mercy.... *snerk* As if.


Hmm, come to think of it, Nale needs a rogue.
Sabine's the rogue. Sorry.

[CoffeeIncluded]

I don't think Elan's going to like this much...

[gosh]

Ooh.. Tarquin's darker side shows. And the Empire Strikes Back references just keep getting funnier!

[sihnfahl]

I don't think Elan's going to like this much...
Are you kidding? He's going to love it! A fight scene leading up to a happy reunion?

[RndmNumGen]

I believe that this should remove any doubt if Tarquin is Evil or not.

[hamishspence]

It did for me- I now consider him LE with, at most, slight LN tendencies, rather than "Could be LE or LN".

[Gitman00]

And Tarquin's bastardry continues to mount...

[filkin]

Is it just me, or is the statue altar remeniscent of the statues in Palpantine's office in the prequels?

[Hypothetical]

Revenge is a dish best served by Court Order, and carried out by people with sharp objects that you have met.

[valce]

Re: 12k instead of 8k.

In the strip he demands 50k gold with a can of tomato soup, there's no suggestion of any extra haggling so either A) The Giant made a mistake or B) the bounty hunter was pressing his luck to try to squeeze a little more gold out of the deal.

Option B seems to be in-character, option A is clearly preposterous :P

-V

[WWBelkarD]

Wow. This coincides well with the new ImprovEverywhere mission.

I loved Kilkil's line in the last panel. Priceless.

[sihnfahl]

I figured the bounty hunter was pressing his luck to try to squeeze a little more gold out of the deal. It seems to be fairly in-character for him :P
Except the paperwork that would have cleared him would also have proved he was lying.

[Lkctgo]

Ah, Malack seems nice.

[Mauve Shirt]

I like the punchline of this one. :smallbiggrin:

[The Glyphstone]

It looks like Kilkil....
made a clerical error.

:smallcool:*puts on darksun goggles*:smallcool:

YEAAAAAAAAAAAH!

[Swordpriest]

So, Tarquin's just a small-minded, petty-spirited, vindictive jackass like Nale? No bravura to his evil, just nasty little backstabbing tricks with lawyers rather than having the backbone to either overlook an unimportant matter of a couple of gold to some useful riffraff, or to just chop the bounty hunter's head off on the spot if he offends him?

Ah, well, and I was just starting to like the guy. At least if he dies in this sequence now, I won't regret it. :smallbiggrin:

My predictions, which aren't really predictions, just a few general guesses about what might happen ....

Either Enor and Gannji will die in the arena to Belkar, or they're going to help the OotS escape from this situation as a matter of mutual self-preservation. I wouldn't mind seeing them replace Belkar in the Order when he dies (which is likely to be soon), but they seem too concerned with getting yummies and avoiding pointies to join an epic quest, so I have massive doubts that'll happen.

[hamishspence]

Maybe this apparent moment of spite is part of a Cunnin' Plan which requires Roy & Belkar to fight Gannji & Enor in the arena- which he put into action the moment he heard of the brawl?

Still evil- but perhaps a bit more Magnificent Bastard than Smug Snake.

[Morph Bark]

You know, this actually makes me wonder if Tarquin used to be a little boy with no father who turned emo over the loss of his wife... he might actually have done the latter just to be dramatic.

[JoeSkull]

Well, I like Tarquin more.

And I just assumed that the bounty hunter was referring to the original bounty of Nale, which may have been 12k, which was technically the bounty he was working.

[rman]

You know, this actually makes me wonder if Tarquin used to be a little boy with no father who turned emo over the loss of his wife... he might actually have done the latter just to be dramatic.

Or if you are really evil you kill your father for all the drama you know you are going to get later.

[Darcy]

Well, I like Tarquin more.
Me too. To me this really solidifies him as a tyrant, and I love him for it. That's how a proper iron-fisted ruler behaves!

[didub]

This is awesome! I cannae wait ta see tha epic arena duelings! Level 13+ characters going up against a regular gladiator arena? Especially Roy and Belkar. This could be some of the best fighting since Azure city was taken.

[Nilan8888]

Treevenge? I think I have a new name for my next Z-list horror movie.

It's already been done, actually. Friends of mine back home (well sort of -- I'm more good friends with the brother of the writer, I don't actually know the director Jason Eisner) has a 15-minute short "Treevenge" that you can find on YouTube. I'll refrain from direct linking since I don't know how the Giant feels about that sort of advertisement.

Short synopsis: The Christmas Trees have had enough of us humans and our morbid traditions

FYI, these are the same people making the full-length feature "Hobo With a Shotgun" starring Rutger Hauer, off their winning fake trailer for the Tarintino/Rodreiguez Grindhouse competition. Thier previous amateur credits that are probably not available online are "First of Death" and "The Teeth Beneath".

CAUTION: Everything's cool in Treevenge until the last 5 or so minutes. And then... eeeew.

[FoE]

Heh. The comiserating between clerics was pretty amusing. And that joke at the end sold it. :smallbiggrin:

Of course, you know that the big gladiatorial battle will be the centerpiece of Tarquin's celebration, right?

[Forever Curious]

This comic had so much win. Enough said.

[deuxhero]

Whatever his alignment, it is surely "awesome" on at least one axis.

[Badgercloak]

Great comic, thanks Giant!

[Barlen]

Re: 12k instead of 8k.

In the strip he demands 50k gold with a can of tomato soup, there's no suggestion of any extra haggling so either A) The Giant made a mistake or B) the bounty hunter was pressing his luck to try to squeeze a little more gold out of the deal.

Option B seems to be in-character, option A is clearly preposterous :P

-V

or C) He was trying to trip KilKil up by making him admit they had paid him 8k (Expecting KilKil's response" 12K?!? it was 8k!!)

Also I loved Malak's quote "A perpetual struggle to maintain the hit points of four or five nigh suicidal tomb robbers determined to deplete them at all costs". Perfectly sums up that role.

[lothos]

Yes, as others have already said, pure Win.
What a great comic. Treevenge and the last panel.... plus the cleric's lament.

[Vaille]

I knew I'd have to pay a price for not seeing The Empire Strikes Back for such a long time. I didn't get the last panel until I looked it up.

[Faramir]

Well, I like Tarquin more.

And I just assumed that the bounty hunter was referring to the original bounty of Nale, which may have been 12k, which was technically the bounty he was working.

Nope - 35K alive, 10k dead:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0715.html

But the nitpicking (not to deny that it's fun) aside, this was a great strip!

[Blaznak]

Excellent! The plot thickens...

[Lupusater]

I've just noticed that in this strip Malack smiles for the first time since he's been introduced.

[Barstro]

I am impressed that Tarquin writes his notes center-justified. That takes skill and planning.

[Doug Lampert]

*sob*

But everyone rolls a 1 sometimes! And I put all my ranks in Knowledge: Star Trek!

"There is no roll, only know, or know not."

At least that's true if you take 10 like a sensible player presented with something easy.

In any case, roll of a 1 doesn't autofail skill checks, so a TRUE geek would make the check even with a roll of 1.

[CrimsonAngel]

Just because you have a healer in the group dosen't mean you can run off into mobs of enemies. :smallsigh:

[Bongos]

I see some serious hijinks in the arena to come. The bounty hunters and the adventurers, leading an uprising? Plotting on an escape together? Who knows, hilarity surely to follow.

[Cire II]

Amazing, simply amazing strip, Mr Rodriguez looks terrified of the judge.:smallbiggrin:

[Nave Senrag]

Two words: Point Tarquin

[sol-decentguy]

Aaaaah the plight of clerics, saving semi suicidal heroes one cure wounds at a time. I never ceases to amaze me how the law is represented and carried out by lawyers with big shiny shoes and jokes

[GalenDev]

Tarquin is awesome. I know I'm going to be yelled at for even suggesting this, but I feel he is proof that Evil does NOT equal Bad Guy (just like Good does not equal Good Guy... I'm looking at you, Miko). Hell, even Mallack seems to be on the level... kinda. He's creepy as all hell, but he had no problem healing V after everything happened, and he seems to have much to talk about with Durkon despite their alignment differences.

And yes, the ESB reference at the end was phenomenal. Almost kinda not-quite a Brick Joke, but it worked beautifully.

[hamishspence]

It's been mentioned a few times.

While it's possible Tarquin will turn out to be the party's Evil Ally (just as Miko was its Good Enemy) this may depend on how Roy & Belkar's stint in the arena turns out, what he knows about Girard- and whether he will play fair with the party or not.

[Nilan8888]

While it's possible Tarquin will turn out to be the party's Evil Ally (just as Miko was its Good Enemy) this may depend on how Roy & Belkar's stint in the arena turns out, what he knows about Girard- and whether he will play fair with the party or not.

As an evil ally, it may merely depend on what he WANTS.

For instance, this may be in story just a measure by which we see what the OOTS is willing to live with. It might be that, once he knows about the Snarl, Xykon, everything, Tarquin may be totally willing to help out and NOT stab the OOTS in the back. He just functions as an ally who also happens to be evil.

The expected trope would be that he might start helping them and then, at the last moment, betray them to take over a gate himself -- which is essentially what Nale's doing.

But maybe Tarquin has everything he wants already. Maybe he might just want to help out his son and, as long as he keeps what he has and gets to run his Lawful-Evil empire, he'll be totally fine with the OOTS's goals. You can be evil and be just satisfied with the power you have. Tarquin saying "I'm not going to let my son die at the hands of Xykon and I'm not going to let the world be rules under his thumb AND I'm not going to take over the world through the Snarl" doesn't actually make him good. It just means he's refraining from certain evil things while he indulges in OTHER evil things.

Xykon apparently enjoys some of the same things as Tarquin, like gladitorial combat. But there might be a key difference in that Xykon would like to rule the world and maybe Tarquin would rather not. Or maybe not rule the world using the Snarl (which is playing with fire).

Maybe this is all setup for Tarquin to become an adversary of the OOTS. Or maybe its a difficult question on the ends justifying the means. Tarquin is evil and causing others suffering. But he is also a valuable ally who maybe wants this Gate/Snarl situation resolved in exactly the way the OOTS and the Paladins want it resolved. So do you work with him, maybe save the world and leave the victims of the EOB to thier fate knowing you could have helped, or do you work against Tarquin instead, help out these people and jeapordize the Gate/Snarl situation and possibly make it much worse than it was before?

[hamishspence]

Sounds like a lot of interesting future plot threads.

[oddtail]

I doubt this will happen, but I really hope for something like this: the bounty hunter (I will never remember his name, it seems) fights Belkar in the arena and kills him. Thus, he fulfills the prophecy. Then he and Roy somehow espace the arena or whatever, and the bounty hunter joins Order of the Stick, because:

1) Roy acknowledges that the bounty hunter had no choice but to kill Belkar, and it was a fair fight anyway;
2) Roy needs a party member to replace Belkar;
3) Belkar got killed, so the bounty hunter is more than fit to replace him in terms of level/skill/sheer killing power; also, he can't be a WORSE party tracker than Belkar.
4) The bounty hunter may or may not be evil, but he can't be as bad in Kilonazis as his predecessor, no matter what (also, the theme of "a non-good party member" would be continued).
5) People in the forums love the bounty hunter, so he'd be entertaining to add to the party.
6) EDIT: also, the bounty hunter's and Roy's personalities would clash in new, entertaining ways.

Everybody wins! Except, y'know, Belkar. But he's gonna get offed anyway ;P

[rewinn]

Hearsay. Any court would/should hold that unless the document can be produced and entered into evidence for examination, it cannot be taken into consideration. Sure it's a "technicality" but it's one that defense lawyers pounce on like ducks geese on a demon roach. so, yeah, sauce for the gander...

Except ... it's a LAWFUL EVIL court.

If the court rules demand the paperwork, then a LAWFUL judge will not be happy with anything else especially including hearsay. In an EVIL court, if the judge ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy (pls note reaction of the lawyers ...).

This seems to be one of those court systems that value finality over fairness. :smallfrown:

EDITTED: To continue with the Star Wars theme AND accomodate Beklar's fate, wanna bet that Belkar ends up encased in a block of carbonite, thereby breathing his last?

[suszterpatt]

Two words: Point Tarquin
*golf clap*

[ifly6]

Why does the reptilian bounty hunter refer to "twelve thousand gold" when back in #724 they agree on eight thousand? Is this a reference to or implication of some sort of off-panel interaction or additional bargaining? That might also explain why Tarquin is so irritated?

Or is it a mistake?

Or something else I haven't thought of?

The original bounty was 12 thousand gold. But becasue he used the "made in bad spirit" argument he only earned 8000 and Tarquin doesn't like getting cheated or something like that.

[Thalnawr]

The original bounty was 12 thousand gold. But becasue he used the "made in bad spirit" argument he only earned 8000 and Tarquin doesn't like getting cheated or something like that.

Not really. The ALIVE bounty was 35000 gold, plus 5000 per associate. The DEAD (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0715.html) bounty was 10000 for Nale, and quite possibly could have been 1000 per dead associate. In a round-about way, they did bring back news that Nale and Co are dead (according to Elan).

[Particle_Man]

Awesome! I agree that Tarquin is LE (using the courts instead of a certain CE lich just blowing them up).

As for what Tarquin will do, obviously he will do whatever is Dramatically Appropriate. He is just as bound by drama, tropes, and narrative conventions as Elan.

Trouble is, that doesn't help me predict what he will do, since there are a variety of trope roles he could fit at this point.

[geekwraith]

It looks like Kilkil....
made a clerical error.


Win. This made me laugh almost as much as the comic.

[B. Dandelion]

I agree with the poster who said this does make Tarquin look petty, especially given that paying off the bounty hunters in the first place served to make him look like an honorable person who was convinced to uphold the spirit of the law, not a weak person who was subject to extortion. That he's using Elan as an excuse here proves he's being deliberately two-faced, not affably evil. He couldn't show this side of his personality in front of Elan, he had to pay off the bounty hunters for the sake of seeming "fair", and resented it, and so to retaliate he arranged for their deaths behind his son's back. He's not a genuinely even-tempered guy who can be merciless when the occasion calls for it, he's a spiteful and paranoid person who can put on a charming facade.

I've wondered before if the bounty hunters were destined to wind up in an Enemy Mine with Roy, now I'm almost certain. We haven't had one of those yet, so I'm looking forward to it.

Also the strip was hilarious, as others have noted. :smallbiggrin:

[Dancing_Fox]

. . . and the bounty hunter joins Order of the Stick, . . .

Everybody wins! Except, y'know, Belkar. But he's gonna get offed anyway ;P

Everybody? What about the big blue dragon? I don't see anyone offering him a free pass to OOTS, unless they're doing a "2 for 1" offer on new recruits. People are speaking like there is only one bounty hunter.

So he's dead in an arena or cut loose from his best buddy. Not a win for him!

Oh, yeah, and good point whoever said the "yummy vs pointy" balance was all wrong for them to join OOTS. Help in a moment of need as goals align, maybe. Permanent members, no.

[sihnfahl]

That he's using Elan as an excuse here proves he's being deliberately two-faced, not affably evil.
What evidence do you have that it's an excuse and not a legitimate grievance for someone who's LE?

[Swordpriest]

Oh, yeah, and good point whoever said the "yummy vs pointy" balance was all wrong for them to join OOTS. Help in a moment of need as goals align, maybe. Permanent members, no.

Not to be immodest, but I think it was I who first pointed out the yummy vs. pointy balance as regards the OotS membership for them. :smallwink: Unless, of course, I was ninja'ed, which wouldn't surprise me either. :smallredface:

[B. Dandelion]

What evidence do you have that it's an excuse and not a legitimate grievance for someone who's LE?

Poor choice of words, perhaps. What I mean is that he didn't let on to Elan that this upset him, when it clearly did. This "legitimate" grievance is not one he's willing to own up to in front of his son, proving that he's two-faced, presenting a deliberately false image of himself for Elan's benefit.

[krossbow]

Bah, long and short of it: You DON'T talk back to a powerful military figure. And furthermore, don't expect them to play nice if you suddenly find YOURSELF in a position of weakness.

[sihnfahl]

What I mean is that he didn't let on to Elan that this upset him, when it clearly did.
Tarquin's a proud man ... and Elan's Dad.

What father wants to look weak in front of his son?

[B. Dandelion]

Tarquin's a proud man ... and Elan's Dad.

What father wants to look weak in front of his son?

So to prove that he's not weak, he pays the guy off in front of his son and has him clubbed while Elan's back is turned? Oh... kay?

Besides which, it's only his own rampant paranoia that would make him think he had looked "weak" in the first place. Gannji didn't threaten him, he pointed out that the notice hadn't been made in good faith when it didn't mention Nale had an identical twin. That's an appeal made to his Lawful nature, and Tarquin's acceptance of it does nothing to hurt his reputation.

What kind of pride sees insults at every turn? He's proud the way Nale is proud -- and of course, he's not only Nale's dad, but self-admittedly the reason Nale turned out the way he did.

[Tobimaro]

Perfect Cleric discussion. Any healer will sympathize with them.

Yep. Been there, healed that. :smallbiggrin:

And nice twist courtesy of Tarquin. A vindictive Lawful Evil person is not to be messed with.

[Morgan Wick]

I, too, originally got on the "12k = original bounty" bandwagon.


While it's possible Tarquin will turn out to be the party's Evil Ally (just as Miko was its Good Enemy) this may depend on how Roy & Belkar's stint in the arena turns out, what he knows about Girard- and whether he will play fair with the party or not.

Belkar is already the team's Evil Ally. Well, for certain definitions of "ally"...

[BriarHobbit]

Wow! This was a great episode. The dwarvish name for paper cuts, the Star Wars quote and the little note from Elan's Dad. Just wonderful.

[Voyager_I]

So to prove that he's not weak, he pays the guy off in front of his son and has him clubbed while Elan's back is turned? Oh... kay?

It's more that he didn't want to go all "Evil Overlord" on the uppity bounty hunters in front of his good-aligned son, but at the same time he wasn't about to let them get away with that kind of impudence.

Fortunately, being the head of an oppressive bureaucracy has its perks.

[factotum]

Tarquin is awesome. I know I'm going to be yelled at for even suggesting this, but I feel he is proof that Evil does NOT equal Bad Guy

I think that would all depend on whether you were in his way or not! As an Evil character his natural reaction to an obstacle would be to destroy it, regardless of who or what it was--and I doubt the bounty hunter is currently thinking how cool Tarquin is or what a nice person he turned out to be... :smallbiggrin:

[abbott.e]

I doubt this will happen, but I really hope for something like this: the bounty hunter (I will never remember his name, it seems) fights Belkar in the arena and kills him. Thus, he fulfills the prophecy. Then he and Roy somehow espace the arena or whatever, and the bounty hunter joins Order of the Stick, because:

1) Roy acknowledges that the bounty hunter had no choice but to kill Belkar, and it was a fair fight anyway;
2) Roy needs a party member to replace Belkar;
3) Belkar got killed, so the bounty hunter is more than fit to replace him in terms of level/skill/sheer killing power; also, he can't be a WORSE party tracker than Belkar.
4) The bounty hunter may or may not be evil, but he can't be as bad in Kilonazis as his predecessor, no matter what (also, the theme of "a non-good party member" would be continued).
5) People in the forums love the bounty hunter, so he'd be entertaining to add to the party.
6) EDIT: also, the bounty hunter's and Roy's personalities would clash in new, entertaining ways.

Everybody wins! Except, y'know, Belkar. But he's gonna get offed anyway ;P

I don't know why anyone is concerned about Belkar's imminent demise, this is D&D, as long as there are still Clerics and diamonds in the world, death doesn't have to last forever.
And I'm sure that since Belkar's Damascene Epiphany he's been of enough benefit to Roy to be worthy of a resurrection.

[Francis Davey]

On the question of the size of the bounty, I notice that there is a gap between #724 and #725, could it be that as a result of further negotiation or extortion (or something else - an intervention by Elan perhaps) the agreed sum rises from 8,000 to 12,000 gold pieces? Its possible there is some off-screen action (that may or may not turn up in a bonus strip) that explains better the discrepancy and the reason behind Tarquin's reaction (the repudiation of the bounty hunters in the trial).

The Giant is pretty good at explaining when mistakes are made (eg on Durkon's age). The fact that nothing has been said may suggest that this is for some perhaps unfathomable reason there for a reason.

The original bounty would have been 35,000 + 5,000/follower = 45,000 so that doesn't help us. Its possible this is just the "dead" amount (though I don't see that anyone has a reason for Sabine being dead) which is the only other explanation so far offered that makes sense.

Or maybe there's a 50% additional sum owed for some bureaucratic reason. Its that kind of place.

[hamishspence]

Belkar is already the team's Evil Ally. Well, for certain definitions of "ally"...

Belkar's a Token Evil Teammate. An Ally is someone who's not in the party- but whose resources are being put to use to help the party.

A bit like Shojo in that respect.

Is it at all feasible that Tarquin could play a similar role to Shojo, for the party?

[LuPuWei]

Alot of people are pointing out Gannji's crossbow in the last pannel.

I believe he has it back because, well, an arena fight with weapons is much more fun to watch (presumably). So when they pack him up to ship off to jail, he'll have his "Accessories all Included".

[B. Dandelion]

It's more that he didn't want to go all "Evil Overlord" on the uppity bounty hunters in front of his good-aligned son, but at the same time he wasn't about to let them get away with that kind of impudence.

Fortunately, being the head of an oppressive bureaucracy has its perks.

The question is WHY he can't let them get away with it. Because it's bad for PR, or because he was seriously pissed off about it? Paying them in public only to shiv them in private means the message he's letting out in front of other people (including but not limited to Elan) is NOT that of the iron-fisted tyrant. Backstabbing them in the dark is something he has no motive to do UNLESS he's taken the whole thing personally -- which to me speaks to insecurity and weakness. It's a disproportionate retribution against a petty and quasi-imagined slight... now where have I heard THAT before?

[Garwain]

Just a few thoughts:

1) I bet Tarquin will try to win Elan over to the evil side by making him decide which of his friends will battle to death. Ofcourse Nale refuses and fights his father.

2) I really wonder why the bounty hunter did not receive a copy, a receipt or something else in this paper-loaded bureaucracy.

3) Where is our blue halfdragon? Is he convicted as well?

4) treevenge is epic win

5) Just wait untill Tarquin learns about a superpower being that can be controlled to rule the world. No more petty Empires with figureheads, but actual power...

[The MunchKING]

I don't know why anyone is concerned about Belkar's imminent demise, this is D&D, as long as there are still Clerics and diamonds in the world, death doesn't have to last forever.
And I'm sure that since Belkar's Damascene Epiphany he's been of enough benefit to Roy to be worthy of a resurrection.

Where do you get that though? In comic Roy has said he's pretty much running the clock out on Belkar so he can die and not be their problem anymore.

Well not exactly, like that. But he knows the prophecy and said he intends to leave Belkar to his afterlife.

[hamishspence]

Sounds about right- he didn't say it exactly as "I won't resurrect him" but "Pretty soon, Belkar's fate will be someone else's problem. Someone bony with a black robe and a big scythe" strongly implies it:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0666.html

[oddtail]

I don't know why anyone is concerned about Belkar's imminent demise, this is D&D, as long as there are still Clerics and diamonds in the world, death doesn't have to last forever.
And I'm sure that since Belkar's Damascene Epiphany he's been of enough benefit to Roy to be worthy of a resurrection.

To me, it's the phrasing of the prophecy.

"Belkar will draw his last breath - EVER [emphasis mine] - before the end of the year".

Sure, there's any number of ways this could be averted, but it would only fit the Star Wars theme in that it would be "true from a certain point of view". In other words, an ass-pull, a cop-out, a huge twisting of facts. The only way it could be his last breath ever, and he could stay alive (sort of) would be if he was undead or, for some reason, not needing to breathe (hmm... maybe some kind of Vader-like breathing apparatus? ;) ).

So... if there's no cheap trick to prevent him from doing so, the Oracle's words seem to indicate that Belkar will die, you know, permanently.

[Prowl]

As someone who has played many a healing class in D&D-like settings, I have to say that Malack's description of the role "a perpetual struggle..." is spot-on PERFECT.

[Sky_Schemer]

It looks like a basin below them, so I take it as a worshiping area for Malack. The girl seems too generic to be anyone in particular. I'm sure it's foreshaddowing a reveal of Malack's religion and it's interaction with the plot.

There's a full view of it in #718 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0718.html).

[rewinn]

To me, it's the phrasing of the prophecy.

"Belkar will draw his last breath - EVER [emphasis mine] - before the end of the year".
.... if there's no cheap trick to prevent him from doing so, the Oracle's words seem to indicate that Belkar will die, you know, permanently.
Cheap trick ... or clever plot twist?

[kerberos]

Cheap trick ... or clever plot twist?

I can't think of a way to make Belkar stay in the comic that won't seem cheap. The point that he's going to die so get the hell over it has been hammered out so painstakingly that I just don't see any way around it, more than that I don't think that it's meant to be avoided, I think Belkar will die, period. It might be near the end of the comic, it might be the very last panel of the comic (doubtful) but he'll die and he'll be gone. May his soul rest in peace cheap whisky and cheaper hookers *takes of hat*.

[Nimrod's Son]

So to prove that he's not weak, he pays the guy off in front of his son and has him clubbed while Elan's back is turned? Oh... kay?

Besides which, it's only his own rampant paranoia that would make him think he had looked "weak" in the first place. Gannji didn't threaten him, he pointed out that the notice hadn't been made in good faith when it didn't mention Nale had an identical twin. That's an appeal made to his Lawful nature, and Tarquin's acceptance of it does nothing to hurt his reputation.
That's not the "extortion" Tarquin's talking about. Gannji appealed to his lawful nature and Tarquin acquiesced; if Gannji had accepted the offer of eight grand he wouldn't be in this mess now. But no, he had the nerve to effectively say, "That's not enough, give me more or I'll kill you" right to Tarquin's face, in front of the long-lost son he knows full well Tarquin is meeting for the first time. Not a smart move, regardless of the fact he was only bluffing, and THAT'S what Tarquin's sent him to the arena for.


Alot of people are pointing out Gannji's crossbow in the last pannel.

I believe he has it back because, well, an arena fight with weapons is much more fun to watch (presumably). So when they pack him up to ship off to jail, he'll have his "Accessories all Included".
It would make a LOT more sense to arm them only when they get to the arena, so they're less likely to kill guards and escape on their way there.

Probably also not a good idea to let prisoners fight with crossbows at all, knowing there are going to be high-ranking officials present at the games. :smallwink:

[Bongos]

Well Gannji only did it to keep the theme going. Since Tarquin started it, he should appreciate Gannji's effort. Actually Tarquin has now continued the theme and I believe it may be Gannji's turn to reciprocate with a Star Wars theme continuing antic.

[LuPuWei]

Probably also not a good idea to let prisoners fight with crossbows at all, knowing there are going to be high-ranking officials present at the games. :smallwink:

Meh, they'll probably have enchantments to ward against that. They're running a class establishment after all.



It would make a LOT more sense to arm them only when they get to the arena, so they're less likely to kill guards and escape on their way there.


This is a good point, but again they're an Evil Empire- perhaps it grates on their bloated egos...:smallconfused:

[B. Dandelion]

That's not the "extortion" Tarquin's talking about. Gannji appealed to his lawful nature and Tarquin acquiesced; if Gannji had accepted the offer of eight grand he wouldn't be in this mess now. But no, he had the nerve to effectively say, "That's not enough, give me more or I'll kill you" right to Tarquin's face, in front of the long-lost son he knows full well Tarquin is meeting for the first time. Not a smart move, regardless of the fact he was only bluffing, and THAT'S what Tarquin's sent him to the arena for.

See, now, I've never taken that seriously, and if that is what Tarquin was talking about, he's severely confused the issue by saying Gannji extorted him rather than ATTEMPTED to extort him. It also seems a little weird that he would be fuming over the fact that Gannji tried to pull a fast one over on him in front of his son -- and LOST, because Tarquin called his bluff. Tarquin came out of that encounter smelling of roses, what does he have to complain about? It comes back again to him being personally wounded by the incident, reaping a net positive PR but then secretly going after guys for entirely personal reasons. That still sounds petty and thin-skinned to me.

Not that I don't like the guy in his own perverse way, but I'm also very fond of Nale. He's just also a lot of fun to hate.

[Nimrod's Son]

That still sounds rather petty, since we still have the issue that he can coup no deterrent PR value from the stunt, he's just going after guys for entirely personal reasons.
Of course he's petty; lots of great villains are. I never said I admired him for it, but this strikes me as exactly the kind of person Tarquin is - anyone who messes with him, no matter how slight the offence, gets crushed.

(It's also possible that he too didn't really take it that seriously, and would have let it slide. But then he found out that Kilkil was about to testify on Gannji's behalf - at which point he saw a perfect chance to take revenge anyway, just because.)

[Scarlet Knight]

As someone who has played many a healing class in D&D-like settings, I have to say that Malack's description of the role "a perpetual struggle..." is spot-on PERFECT.

And now we know why no one ever wants to play a cleric....:smallsmile:

[Fable Wright]

To me, it's the phrasing of the prophecy.

"Belkar will draw his last breath - EVER [emphasis mine] - before the end of the year".

Sure, there's any number of ways this could be averted, but it would only fit the Star Wars theme in that it would be "true from a certain point of view". In other words, an ass-pull, a cop-out, a huge twisting of facts. The only way it could be his last breath ever, and he could stay alive (sort of) would be if he was undead or, for some reason, not needing to breathe (hmm... maybe some kind of Vader-like breathing apparatus? ;) ).

So... if there's no cheap trick to prevent him from doing so, the Oracle's words seem to indicate that Belkar will die, you know, permanently.

Well, you never know. After his soul goes to the abyss, for all we know, it could become a demon and not need to breathe. And then he rejoins the adventuring party.

[Darcy]

Or help them from the "other side" and take down the IFCC?

DUN DUN DUN

[Kish]

I don't know why anyone is concerned about Belkar's imminent demise, this is D&D, as long as there are still Clerics and diamonds in the world, death doesn't have to last forever.

Because the Oracle said last breath ever.


And I'm sure that since Belkar's Damascene Epiphany he's been of enough benefit to Roy to be worthy of a resurrection.
That would seem to be news to Roy. Or, in fact, any of the Order who aren't Belkar. He has been conspicuously not fooling anyone.

[jidasfire]

What with so many major characters in this arc going to the arena, I'm starting to wonder if we're going to see Roy lead a Spartacus-esque revolt down in the pit. Moreover, since Gannji and Enor are continuing to stick around and stay close to at least some of the heroes, it seems like they weren't just an entertaining means to an end, but set to play at least a somewhat significant role in this arc. Hard to say what that is yet, but my initial guess is begrudging allies of the heroes when things in the EoB get ugly, as they inevitably must.

[cc_kizz]

…

(It's also possible that he too didn't really take it that seriously, and would have let it slide. But then he found out that Kilkil was about to testify on Gannji's behalf - at which point he saw a perfect chance to take revenge anyway, just because.)

Exactly! Did he plan that the bounty hunters would bump into Roy and start a brawl where the fuzz would have to be called in and then have to face trial over whether or not there was a legitimate bounty?

I can also imagine Tarquin not wanting those papers to be part of public record, and perhaps for whatever reason had them (or destroyed them). When Kilkil asked about them and the reason for needing them, Tarquin gave him the note instead. That's my little thought.

I was not disappointed to see the note from Tarquin. That was a great moment. It was sly and just totally felt in character for Tarquin (or someone with his history).

[Yendor]

Exactly! Did he plan that the bounty hunters would bump into Roy and start a brawl where the fuzz would have to be called in and then have to face trial over whether or not there was a legitimate bounty

It's possible Tarquin had the fuzz tail them, hoping to find some excuse to haul them in.


That would seem to be news to Roy. Or, in fact, any of the Order who aren't Belkar. He has been conspicuously not fooling anyone.

Indeed. And when the time comes, I have little doubt the Giant will feel obliged to drive the point home emphatically.

[Katana_Geldar]

It's possible Tarquin had the fuzz tail them, hoping to find some excuse to haul them in.


And that would explain why the bar brawl was interrupted so promptly.

[Shale]

Indeed. And when the time comes, I have little doubt the Giant will feel obliged to drive the point home emphatically.

He's already had Roy say it outright (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0666.html). How much more emphasis do we need?

[Yendor]

He's already had Roy say it outright (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0666.html). How much more emphasis do we need?

With so many people still arguing, I'm thinking we need an explicit statement they have absolutely no intention of raising Belkar, ever, in words of no more than two syllables, plus a sworn affidavit. That won't stop everyone, but it's a start.

[factotum]

Of course he's petty; lots of great villains are. I never said I admired him for it, but this strikes me as exactly the kind of person Tarquin is - anyone who messes with him, no matter how slight the offence, gets crushed.


Well, Nale was raised by the guy, after all, and taking over-the-top revenge for petty slights is pretty much what he does--he must have got it from somewhere!

[Nilan8888]

That's not the "extortion" Tarquin's talking about. Gannji appealed to his lawful nature and Tarquin acquiesced; if Gannji had accepted the offer of eight grand he wouldn't be in this mess now. But no, he had the nerve to effectively say, "That's not enough, give me more or I'll kill you" right to Tarquin's face, in front of the long-lost son he knows full well Tarquin is meeting for the first time. Not a smart move, regardless of the fact he was only bluffing, and THAT'S what Tarquin's sent him to the arena for.


Buuuut... it was pretty clear he was holding a tomato soup in his hand and that it wasn't a Thermal Detonator. And the moment it was pointed out Gannji didn't try to hide the fact at all. It doesn't seem to have been a serious attempt: if it was he could have asked for a lower amount or done several other things.

Someone said here that Tarquin called Gannji's bluff by pointing out he was holding a can of tomato soup. That's not even calling his bluff -- it's just pointing out what Gannji was clearly not trying to hide. If it had been calling a bluff Tarquin would have ahd no way of actually knowing what Gannji held in his hand, because Gannji wouldn't be letting people see what he had there.

It was, again, just a joke following the rule of funny. It's the 8 thousand, or an extra amount Gannji bilked out of Tarquin in a forthcoming Bonus Strip, that must be being referred to here. To harbor resentment over the Booussh reference is even MORE petty than if he were angry over having to fork over the 8 thousand.

[rewinn]

To harbor resentment over the Booussh reference is even MORE petty than if he were angry over having to fork over the 8 thousand.

Evil Overlords stay that way by frightening everyone who might even think of crossing them in the smallest way. It's actually very rational for them to seek petty revenge.

[Darcy]

Evil Overlords stay that way by frightening everyone who might even think of crossing them in the smallest way. It's actually very rational for them to seek petty revenge.

And folks who won't think about crossing him are none the wiser. Only other bounty hunters & suchlike will really find out. Word probably gets around that when you bring in the wrong guy and demand to be paid anyways, paperwork has a way of getting "lost."

[Nilan8888]

It will be interesting to see what Tarquin's reaction will be to knowing Roy and Belkar are in jail. He must know Gannji ran afoul of someone, but he might see fit to assume it was something unconnected to Elan. My suspicion is that he will be willing to pull strings to get Roy and Belkar released early from thier sentences, but won't be willing to do it at the drop of a hat, and will make it clear the OOTS is indebted to him for it.

This may or may not be a plan already in the works. Tarquin might have just assumed Gannji ran afoul of something unconnected to the current bounty, or he might have either looked into it or, as was stated elsewhere, had Gannji tailed for just this purpose. In which case he'll already know friends of his sons are in jail.

I highly doubt Tarquin has any interest in keeping Roy and Belkar in the gladitorial arena and will get them released. But not before they've had a fight or two, maybe so he can get a sense of how some of these guys stand up in a fight as well as the aforementioned indebtedness to him.



Evil Overlords stay that way by frightening everyone who might even think of crossing them in the smallest way. It's actually very rational for them to seek petty revenge.

True. I'm just establishing that the alternative to how petty it is to get revenge on Gannji for the 8,000 payment is something even MORE petty.

Tarquin's acting reasonably given that he's evil, sure. But I don't think it's proper to presume that this is forseeable behavior from your average person, or that Gannji should have known better than to make his little Star Wars reference, which was not a bluff, and pretty harmless.

[snikrept]

With so many people still arguing, I'm thinking we need an explicit statement they have absolutely no intention of raising Belkar, ever, in words of no more than two syllables, plus a sworn affidavit. That won't stop everyone, but it's a start.

Belkar? You mean that chaotic neutral halfling?:smallbiggrin:

[Belsirk]

To me, it's the phrasing of the prophecy.

So... if there's no cheap trick to prevent him from doing so, the Oracle's words seem to indicate that Belkar will die, you know, permanently.

First time posting there since i begin to read the webcome at number 100 (a long time ago.... ) and just saying:

Which sexy shoeless god of war would return to the life when he has the option to do a eternal slaughter on the afterlife?

[Mortizal]

Belkar? You mean that chaotic neutral halfling?:smallbiggrin:

Well said!

[rewinn]

I highly doubt Tarquin has any interest in keeping Roy and Belkar in the gladitorial arena and will get them released. But not before they've had a fight or two, maybe so he can get a sense of how some of these guys stand up in a fight as well as the aforementioned indebtedness to him.
... not entirely unlike Shojo's little plan for getting the Order before him, perhaps.


I don't think it's proper to presume that this is forseeable behavior from your average person, or that Gannji should have known better than to make his little Star Wars reference, which was not a bluff, and pretty harmless.

It was a learning experience for Gannji! But, as is so often the case, he may not enjoy his new-found knowledge for long. It sucks to be made an example but he may take pride in having contributed to the sum total of human knowledge.

[LuPuWei]

... not entirely unlike Shojo's little plan for getting the Order before him, perhaps.

Omg, that might be it! Remember the Scry-eye? Well, we could never be sure it was Girard himself, and just like Shojo had scried in place of Soon, for all we know, Tarquin is scrying in place of Girard (cause he's got girard locked up somewhere or something..)

And if you recall the only OotS member noticed by the Scry-Eye, was The Scruffster.... We'll have to see what tarquin says when he meets the cat...

[Gift Jeraff]

Tarquin is scrying in place of Girard (cause he's got girard locked up somewhere or something..)

The scrying eye was green...

Elan's dweomer is blue...Nale's dweomer is yellow...Blue and yellow make green!

[RndmNumGen]

The scrying eye was green...

Elan's dweomer is blue...Nale's dweomer is yellow...Blue and yellow make green!

It's a possibility. I don't really think we have any evidence for who it belongs to other than it not being Girard(who is purple)

[FeanorFireHeart]

Since the "trap" was also suppose to alert Serini, it could be her or someone from her gate.

[ifly6]

That might be true, but Halfling Women don't cast scrying spells unless they are a mage or something like that, but Serini doesn't look like a Mage to me...

[FeanorFireHeart]

she was a thief/rogue type, but she did entertain the idea of cross classing to a paladin, why not as a spell casting class instead?:smallsmile: then again who knows

[LuPuWei]

The scrying eye was green...

Elan's dweomer is blue...Nale's dweomer is yellow...Blue and yellow make green!

Wisely deduced! I think we have our proof people! Gift Jeraff's Divine Identification by Colour.

(Of course, Haley says- :haley: - With that armour? Not likely.... (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0003.html))

Think about it- that's why the wry half-smile with the mention of Girard. And he won't know for sure at the arena match either, 'cause Scruff's not with Belkar. Durkon's true calling in this strip? Dwarf of Greater Cat Transportation...

[Voyager_I]

At least the "Tarquin is LN" arguments have finally been laid to rest.

[Nimrod's Son]

And if you recall the only OotS member noticed by the Scry-Eye, was The Scruffster.... We'll have to see what tarquin says when he meets the cat...
Mr Scruffy was the only member of the Order to see the eye; we have no way of knowing how many members of the Order the eye saw. Very likely it looked up from Mr Scruffy and watched the rest of them as they walked away.

[factotum]

Not to mention that white cats are hardly going to be uncommon, are they?

[Alagaesian]

And now that Tarquin has been proven evil, we can wonder why he is being so nice to Elan.

Suspecting that Tarquin was evil all along, I always thought that the festival was going to be a tool used to draw Nale out of the shadows. What works better to lure him into a trap than proclaiming the arrival of his nemesis under a false sense of security? Or, if Nale really is dead and therefore won't show up, it leaves Elan completely unaware that his father is not-so-trustworthy chessmaster.

After Nale is killed and his overly-complicated plan of revenge thwarted, Tarquin is in a prime position to have Elan run into an 'accident'. This leaves him without any family members that might kill him to take his title. He will be the MOST POWERFUL WARLORD OF ALL TIME FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE! MUAHAHAHA!

This also might explain why his wives keep dying off mysteriously. He falls in love with someone and marries her, but after a while, he becomes paranoid and suspects that she was hired by Nale as an assassin...or is simply working alone to take his money and power. So he arranges for her death to save himself.

[Bongos]

Not to mention that white cats are hardly going to be uncommon, are they?

I would assume that white cats in the middle of the freakin' desert are extremely uncommon.

[factotum]

I would assume that white cats in the middle of the freakin' desert are extremely uncommon.

And when Tarquin sees Mr. Scruffy in the middle of a city he's going to know it's the same cat how, exactly? That was the point I was making!

[LuPuWei]

And when Tarquin sees Mr. Scruffy in the middle of a city he's going to know it's the same cat how, exactly?

He'll use the Force. Duh.

[BillyJimBoBob]

Dunno if this has been pointed out yet, but shouldn't Durkon's text in the third panel be "[...] yer dragged halfway 'cross tha world."?


So, Tarquin's just a small-minded, petty-spirited, vindictive jackass like Nale?It's been fairly well established that Nale and Elan inherited all of the character traits of their father and mother, mixed well. So there is no surprise that Tarquin is "a small-minded, petty-spirited, vindictive jackass like Nale", since Elan is not.


Also I loved Malak's quote "A perpetual struggle to maintain the hit points of four or five nigh suicidal tomb robbers determined to deplete them at all costs". Perfectly sums up that role.Thank God for 4e, where that role has been spread around a bit.

Of course, in 3.5 I've seen many char ops discussions about how Clerics shouldn't be healing at all in combat, as they are so CoDzilla that their spells are better served buffing and SoS/SoD-ing. I do have to wonder how these groups survive, as my groups (admittedly not optimized at all) are not able to avoid damage which requires healing in combat to avoid death. And drinking potions both loses a round for the drinker and exposes one to AOO.


I would assume that white cats in the middle of the freakin' desert are extremely uncommon.Tell that to the Egyptians...

[RndmNumGen]

And now that Tarquin has been proven evil, we can wonder why he is being so nice to Elan.

Suspecting that Tarquin was evil all along, I always thought that the festival was going to be a tool used to draw Nale out of the shadows. What works better to lure him into a trap than proclaiming the arrival of his nemesis under a false sense of security? Or, if Nale really is dead and therefore won't show up, it leaves Elan completely unaware that his father is not-so-trustworthy chessmaster.

After Nale is killed and his overly-complicated plan of revenge thwarted, Tarquin is in a prime position to have Elan run into an 'accident'. This leaves him without any family members that might kill him to take his title. He will be the MOST POWERFUL WARLORD OF ALL TIME FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE! MUAHAHAHA!

This also might explain why his wives keep dying off mysteriously. He falls in love with someone and marries her, but after a while, he becomes paranoid and suspects that she was hired by Nale as an assassin...or is simply working alone to take his money and power. So he arranges for her death to save himself.

Tarquin could also, you know, actually care about his son. Just because he is Evil doesn't mean he wants to kill everybody in the world. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AffablyEvil)

[Obani]

Tarquin could also, you know, actually care about his son. Just because he is Evil doesn't mean he wants to kill everybody in the world. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AffablyEvil)

I agree with Mr. NumGen here. Tarqin was even nice to Nale until THAT son turned out to be crazy...

[Bongos]

And when Tarquin sees Mr. Scruffy in the middle of a city he's going to know it's the same cat how, exactly? That was the point I was making!

What are you talking about? How could anyone not recognize the Scruffinator?!

As for the Egyptians, if they make their cats live all by themselves in the middle of the desert, instead of those fancy pyramids, they should be reported to the SPCA.

[factotum]

You do realise that house cats were originally desert creatures, right?

[abbott.e]

To me, it's the phrasing of the prophecy.

"Belkar will draw his last breath - EVER [emphasis mine] - before the end of the year".

Sure, there's any number of ways this could be averted, but it would only fit the Star Wars theme in that it would be "true from a certain point of view". In other words, an ass-pull, a cop-out, a huge twisting of facts. The only way it could be his last breath ever, and he could stay alive (sort of) would be if he was undead or, for some reason, not needing to breathe (hmm... maybe some kind of Vader-like breathing apparatus? ;) ).

So... if there's no cheap trick to prevent him from doing so, the Oracle's words seem to indicate that Belkar will die, you know, permanently.
You may speak the truth, but you neglect the rule of funny, how can Rich kill off the source of so much humour. I think Belkar will somehow be around for a good long while yet, it wont be an asspull, but it will be something no-one expects (as is Rich's way).

[Bongos]

You do realise that house cats were originally desert creatures, right?

Do you think Mr. Scruffy looks like a feral desert cat?

[the_tick_rules]

The plight of the heal-bots is a troubled one indeed.

[Killer Angel]

Do you think Mr. Scruffy looks like a feral desert cat?

Sooner or later, all the cats show something feral...