OOTS #781 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[BladeofOblivion]

That is touching and horrifying at the same time. Good Show!

[RMS Oceanic]

I liked the banter between Belkar and Vaarsuvius in this one.

Also the ending. :smallsmile:

[SadisticFishing]

Ended their sentence with a semicolon is the best line in the comic, I think.

[Starknight]

Mr. Scruffy and Belkar, BFF. AWWWWW.

Don't make fun of Mr. Scruffy.

[Hefty Lefty]

Not sure I get Belkar's first comment... the prisoner didn't end with a semi colon...

Or is he saying "semi" "colon", because all his guts spilled out? In that case, very witty! :smalltongue:

PS. Any comic with Mr. Scruffy is a great one

[Lvl45DM!]

Hahah!
ok in order
Tee hee "not the only one to end their sentence with a semi colon"
Wise choice not getting disemboweled Mr guard
Daw, cute with the kitty
ROFL Belkar and V playing off each other
Cute reference to the Batman wizard
DAWWWWWWWW Cute with the Kitty
:smalleek: bad idea
...
:smalleek::smalleek::smallyuk:


9th panel just might be the 4th cutest thing in this comic...nah 3rd

[Blas_de_Lezo]

Thank you Giant! :smallamused:

[sam79]

Awesome. Always love the banter between V and Belkar.

[0tt3r]

Another very funny comic. We are getting ever closer to Roy's battle!

Bonus action... haha

[PsychedelicBard]

I vote for "Belkar is a bad influence on the cat". :smallamused:

Great comic as always.

[Yana]

Of course, now that Belkar has outright stated that he and Mr. Scruffy are pals to the end, he pretty much has to die. :smalltongue:

[suszterpatt]

Reminds me of http://xkcd.com/231/


And yes, the exchange between Belkar and V was great. :)

[BisectedBrioche]

So V does care about Belkar...



...'s cat! :smalltongue:

[ref]

Those two took the chance to exchange some name-calling without saying openly they know each other.

[Engine]

Now we know that a Evil character could be really, really, reeeeeeeaaaaly cute.:smallbiggrin:

[Azuyomi244]

D'awwwww
That was both hilarious and adorable!

[Psyren]

Ended their sentence with a semicolon is the best line in the comic, I think.

I think all three of the previous comic's end panels were just a lead-in for that joke. :smalltongue:

And I just got a profound chill of foreboding for Belkar. Damn you Giant for making me halfway care about his fate!

[yldenfrei]

Blast that 9th panel! If Belkar ends up dying during this gladiator arc, I think I'm going to cry. And I don't even like Belkar THAT much. :smallfrown:

[Lvl45DM!]

And its a call back to http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0622.html when Belkar says that "we're in this together, to the top or bust till the very very end"
i didnt see how cute it was first time around

[G-Man Graves]

Ha. Dead humans. Gotta love the dynamic duo.

[Strengfellow]

Well thats cats for you evil, bloodthirsty, serial killers. Belkar can relate to that.

[archon_huskie]

Now for me, I have Law on the top (North) of the alignment chart and Chaos on the south. Good is on the Left and Evil on the Right.

So I am assuming that for the joke to work, Evil is supposed to be on the South side?


(cool) first time on the first page

[Psyren]

And its a call back to http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0622.html when Belkar says that "we're in this together, to the top or bust till the very very end"
i didnt see how cute it was first time around

The heartwarming was sort of lost in the sea of Belkar's flagrant misogyny and Jenny's sluttiness.

[Jay R]

I guess my question is, what does the gore add to the comic?

One comic later, we have the answer. It added a semicolon pun.

[Mastikator]

Can't really say I have any sympathy for the guard. To be honest I think Belkar might actually enjoy being a gladiator slave.

[Lvl45DM!]

The heartwarming was sort of lost in the sea of Belkar's flagrant misogyny and Jenny's sluttiness.

The dude made his own sandwiches. Where is the misogyny?

[Miaow]

I love the alarmed look on Mr. Scruffy's face in panel 8 as he realizes he's being carried away from Belkar. And then we get the touching moment in panel 9 as Belkar reassures him that everything will be ok.

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!

Nice perspective in panel six.

And Elan finally let slip in the last panel that they know Belkar. The cat's out of the bag.

[Edhelras]

It's almost more graphic when you don't actually see it...

[Kaytara]

Awesome. XD I love the third- and second-to-last panels. XD Belkar's seriously, completely not-amused expression just says it all. "

The banter between V and Belkar was win. :D I've really missed their interactions.

"I was watching it for a... for an acquaintance of mine." What the hell was V about to say? "Friend"? XD

[random11]

Well, at least that action means that there is no reason to release the dinosaur this round... :smallsmile:

[Saph]

That was awesome. Best comic for a while. I loved Bugsby's Cat-Retrieving Hand, and the last three panels were hilarious. :smallbiggrin:

[KoboldRevenge]

he really Wuvs that kitty!

[Killer Angel]

It's natural to be prepared, for a vulcan-in-fantasy drag! :smallbiggrin:

Excellent comic, as always. :smallsmile:

[Mr. Snuggles]

"Here kitty kitty kitty Don't hurt us" is either a run-on sentence or else Don't has become a proper noun in OOTS-world.

[Psyren]

Oh, it's also nice to see Schrodinger's Wizard get some official backing.

"At least I managed to have the spell prepared."

[Aimbot]

OK. Belkar has said "... to the end."


He has five strips left amongst the living, eight tops. :smalleek:

[fibonacciseries]

I laughed :smallbiggrin:, laughed again :belkar::vaarsuvius:, awwwww'd :smallamused:, and then laughed one more time :smallbiggrin:. Truly an awesome strip.

On the other hand, now I'm very worried that Belkar won't live to see Mr. Scruffy again. Is he even going to fight again today? The guard did tell him to get back to the catacombs, but he may come back later.

[Gaius Marius]

Now I am sure Belkar will die :smalleek:

I mean.. Come on, Belky, I thought you were more Genre-Savvy than that?! You DON'T do an emotional speech to your only loved one about how "you will always be with him" minutes before going to a fight to the death.

[TheSummoner]

Its a shame that (what appears to be) the same guard who was smart enough to "not get disemboweled over this" made the mistake of taunting the more dangerous of the halfling/cat duo...

[Yendor]

Its a shame that (what appears to be) the same guard who was smart enough to "not get disemboweled over this" made the mistake of taunting the more dangerous of the halfling/cat duo...

Apparently he's getting re-emboweled.

[bengator]

The dialog between Belkar and V was classic. Real old school stuff! Kudos.

[Firemeier]

Belkar's gladiator match has paid off greatly :smallbiggrin:
And in a completely different way than everyone seemed to be expecting.

[Barstro]

Its a shame that (what appears to be) the same guard who was smart enough to "not get disemboweled over this" made the mistake of taunting the more dangerous of the halfling/cat duo...

How was he to know? He was afraid of a cat who could kill with a single swipe. The short guy is just some prisoner with a rusty dagger who refused to even fight the commoner.

I don't see why everyone thinks Belkar is evil. After all, aside from helping this one guardsman get a final meal, he also helped Buggy-Lou get a final drink. The man's a humanitarian. Look at those kind eyes in panel 9.

[Aimbot]

My interest in this strip will plummet once Belkar kicks it. By far the most consistently funny cast member.

[Barstro]

I think V almost said "friend" in panel 6.

[dps]

Apparently he's getting re-emboweled.

Actually, double-boweled.

[Particle_Man]

Now I feel a little sad for Belkar's doom, but only because Mr. Scruffy will be heart-broken.

[Lurkmoar]

This comic has taught me never mock the love of a cat to his caretaker. He fight force feed you intestines that his cat gave him as a gift.

...I think.

Nice strip anyway. :smallsmile:

[Ninjaman]

I think V almost said "friend" in panel 6.

this will not end up good.

[suszterpatt]

Now I am sure Belkar will die :smalleek:

I mean.. Come on, Belky, I thought you were more Genre-Savvy than that?! You DON'T do an emotional speech to your only loved one about how "you will always be with him" minutes before going to a fight to the death.
Hear hear. The Belkster's a goner.

[faustin]

And, by popular demand, the gore scene was kept away from reader´s sight.:smallsmile:
I suppose, at this point, it´s impossible Tarquin doesn´t know that Belkar (and by extension Roy) are both in Elan´s team.

[The Pilgrim]

Looks like we have heard Belkar's last words... or close to.

I mean, "You and me to the end"? Come on! what's next? "Don't worry Mr Scruffy, we are gonna retire after the gladiator show is over"?

[Thefurmonger]

I don't see why everyone thinks Belkar is evil. After all, aside from helping this one guardsman get a final meal, he also helped Buggy-Lou get a final drink. The man's a humanitarian. Look at those kind eyes in panel 9.

Belkar has said he was CE in comic before.

[Phishfood]

Love it. This is somewhere on my top whatever list.

[The Pilgrim]

Now for me, I have Law on the top (North) of the alignment chart and Chaos on the south. Good is on the Left and Evil on the Right.

So I am assuming that for the joke to work, Evil is supposed to be on the South side?

The alignment right south of (True) Neutral is Chaotic Neutral. Would make sense as the cat was the pet overlord of a CG Lord, and Belkar is CN with Evil tendencies CE.

[Pantler]

Kinda similar to #685 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0685.html). Decent, though.

[Hardcore]

Good insults from both Belkar and V.
Like "Bonus Action" too. The General must get his moneys worth from this Arena fight:)

[HandofShadows]

If you want to live a long time, do NOT make fun of a halfling and his cat. Your end will be.. untidy. :smalleek:

[Grommen]

Its a shame that (what appears to be) the same guard who was smart enough to "not get disemboweled over this" made the mistake of taunting the more dangerous of the halfling/cat duo...

Wonder if he has the guts to do it again? :smallbiggrin:

[faustin]

I don't see why everyone thinks Belkar is evil. After all, aside from helping this one guardsman get a final meal, he also helped Buggy-Lou get a final drink. The man's a humanitarian. Look at those kind eyes in panel 9.

Belkar isn´t a "humanitarian". He prefers kobolds.:smalleek:

[Roderick_BR]

All together now: Awwwwwwweewwwawwww...
And if this doesn't confirm that Mr.Fluffy is Belkar's animal compantion, nothing will.

[Giggling Ghast]

A "semicolon"! Nice! :smallbiggrin:

One reference I didn't get, however — BUGSBY?

[Gilmiril]

Now for me, I have Law on the top (North) of the alignment chart and Chaos on the south. Good is on the Left and Evil on the Right.

So I am assuming that for the joke to work, Evil is supposed to be on the South side?
No, you don't actually need to place the alignments on a compass for the joke to work. Something going/being south (http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/55/messages/577.html) is a common expression simply meaning that something is going bad or is worse than something else.

[Calmness]

Vulcan in fantasy drag. That's a good one.

[berrew]

A "semicolon"! Nice! :smallbiggrin:

One reference I didn't get, however — BUGSBY? I assume it was just a play on all of the AD&D "Bigby (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigby_%28Greyhawk%29#Spells)'s hand" spells.

[wzeller]

One reference I didn't get, however — BUGSBY?
Copyright issues preventing it from saying Bigby. See this link for a bunch of Bigby spells. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigby_(Greyhawk)#Spells) (The guy really liked to work with his hands, though I don't picture them having many callouses.)

Excellent comic.

Belkar may not be sealed in his tomb just yet. He's talked to Mr. Scruffy that way once before, as linked to in previous posts here, what with "to the top of the heap, blah blah blah." It's almost traditional for signals of impending death-by-trope to come in threes.

I figure he'll be reunited with Mr. Scruffy once more and say something like, "See? I told you! Nothing to worry about. Right to the very end" and then get killed before he can put a period on the end of that sentence.

w

[krko]

Belkar has said he was CE in comic before.

Sarcasm, you missed it.

[Kato]

Hehehe, Fantasy vulcan. Well, it's not that new but it wasn't used in-universe yet.

Also, that guard totally had it coming. Well, I hope Belkar makes it extra gruesome.

And finally: We got a new Crowning Moment of Heartwarming for OotS' tv tropes page. Awwwww

[Quithlin]

Richard, you are brilliant!

I'm so glad the role-playing world has attracted an enthusiast with your wit! You could be delighting any community.

[Morph Bark]

Belkar and character development? Oh my!

[TheRiov]

Of course, now that Belkar has outright stated that he and Mr. Scruffy are pals to the end, he pretty much has to die. :smalltongue:

Yeah. Going to miss Belkar when he's gone. :(

[JonestheSpy]

Love Belkar's completely blank look in the 2nd to last panel, followed by the description of graphic violence. And the Batman-wizard joke was pretty funny too - makes me think RB might be reading the gaming forums here.


Reminds me of http://xkcd.com/231/



It's just so true.

[ricorum]

So cute with Mr. Scruffy. It does end up somewhere south of neutral...

[H Birchgrove]

Awesome sauce!

[oskeladden]

One reference I didn't get, however — BUGSBY?

A reference to Bigby, as othes have said. There've been jokes about Bugsby's hand spells before:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0624.html

[phoamslinger]

Yeah. Going to miss Belkar when he's gone. :(

no, I'm going to miss the comic when Belkar's gone. he's the character I most relate to, rpg wise.

and he likes cats.

[brionl]

And, by popular demand, the gore scene was kept away from reader´s sight.:smallsmile:
I suppose, at this point, it´s impossible Tarquin doesn´t know that Belkar (and by extension Roy) are both in Elan´s team.

What? But they were so smooooooth! There's no way he could have guessed anything. :smallbiggrin:

[Boogastreehouse]

Yeah I really thought that the gladiator plot was a fake-out, and Belkar wasn't going to die 'till later, but now I'm convinced.

[Seraphem]

Now I feel a little sad for Belkar's doom, but only because Mr. Scruffy will be heart-broken.


Same here. middle of this comic just gave me a big old D'AAAAAWWWWWW, they really do care for each other. Then the last panel had me hollowing in laughter for a few minutes. Can't wait to see how Roy's battle turns out.

[Dr.Epic]

Is a cat the good influence, or Belkar a bad influence? Either way, it's all neutral.:smallbiggrin:

[enh]

Ended their sentence with a semicolon is the best line in the comic, I think.

The Giant very nearly owed me a new keyboard for that one. Was drinking coffee when reading the first panel. Snorked it everydamnwhere.

[Vectner]

My cat does the same thing when I leaver her. I have to talk to her and calm her down. Such a cute thing.

Belkar is full of awesome win as well. That poor, snarky guard should count his blessing it's someone else's intestine he's being forced to eat.

[MoonCat]

Thoughts along the strip:

:smallcool: THERE'S A NEW OOTS!!! (I usually do that)

:smallbiggrin: I love V and Belkar. And I've missed the Bugsby jokes. Ha-ha, I love this, especially as it's early.

:smallfrown: This is the first time I have ever cried for OoTS (I've seen strips that I understand if people cry about them, but, for instance, Roy meeting his brother didn't get me like this strip at all). Before I figured that if Belkar died, it would be part of the plot, and you'd find a way for it to work. Now Belkar cannot die. Please?

:smallannoyed: Stupid guard, something will make him pay.

:smallamused: Great ending Giant, except my keyboard has tear stains on it now. You owe me a new keyboard too.


All together now: Awwwwwwweewwwawwww...
And if this doesn't confirm that Mr.Fluffy is Belkar's animal compantion, nothing will.

Errr...

[Juggling Goth]

The "semicolon" line makes me happy in my geek parts.

My geek parts that are all safely on the inside, and not, say, spilled in the sand by a cat.

[Barstro]

Love Belkar's completely blank look in the 2nd to last panel, followed by the description of graphic violence.

I think that it's more contemplative. "Explain that I'm totally awesome for loving a killer cat like that" vs "show him some ultra-violence for mocking me like that". Character growth lost, much to our joy.

[Hydro]

Good comic.

[ThePhantasm]

I have the feeling these are the final Belkar moments, and the Giant is throwing a few more memorable Belkar quotes our way before he is gone. :smallfrown:

[MoonCat]

I have the feeling these are the final Belkar moments, and the Giant is throwing a few more memorable Belkar quotes our way before he is gone. :smallfrown:

That would make sense, except it shouldn't happen. :smallfrown:

And these little saddies do not express my feelings enough.

Do you think Roy'll deliver the final blow?

[Prowl]

This strip clears up any ambiguity - Belkar is indeed Mr. Scruffy's humanoid companion. I wonder if that grants him bonuses?

[QDI]

Excellent comic!

I don't think Belkar's end is that near. It would make no sense to kill him right after that.

We need a relief, then the time to see it coming, then a long fight with Belkar and his cat against torrents of ennemies.

[NegativeFifteen]

The morals of the story:
A: Don't mess with Belkar and his cat
B: Don't question the spells Vaarsuvius comes up with.

[Goosefeather]

I wonder, might Belkar's eventual death turn out to be a heroic sacrifice, to save the life of Mr. Scruffy? Or might they even go down together, in a heroic last stand? "You and me, to the end", after all - and after this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0622.html), that's the second time Belkar has said something similar to Mr. Scruffy. Something is definitely being foreshadowed here!

[MoonCat]

You know, I'm really going to look forward to the commentary in the next compilation.

[Orzel]

Where do I get a South of Neutral T-Shirt?

[MoonCat]

You know, two of the last three strips have had another mention of being evil, is the Giant trying to tell us something? :smallwink:
Hopefully he isn't trying to fit in as many Word of Gods through Belkar as possible before Belkar wo';t be capable of speaking.

[silvadel]

I only hope that this is getting so overplayed that Rich will dodge the obvious.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Okay, that was really funny. Perfect setup and execution.

[Slayn82]

Well, i thought it would be actually BUBSY's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubsy) cat-retrieving hand, for once.

[MoonCat]

I only hope that this is getting so overplayed that Rich will dodge the obvious.

Seems like something Rich would do, except that you can only keep dodging. But it does have a likelihood, and I sincerely hope it happens.

[MammonAzrael]

Oh god. This was a very touching moment for Belkar, but also rang with thoughts of his impending doom. Him and Mr. Scruffy to the end? :smallfrown:

Great strip. :smallbiggrin:

[warmachine]

I would say it's probably an offence to assault a guard, even during a tournament, but I suspect the audience think it's funny. Methinks the residents of the city are bad, bad people.

[Hiro Protagonest]

Now we know that a Evil character could be really, really, reeeeeeeaaaaly cute.:smallbiggrin:
You forgot about Thog!:smalltongue:

Sarcasm, you missed it.
I think not. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0489.html)

This strip clears up any ambiguity - Belkar is indeed Mr. Scruffy's humanoid companion. I wonder if that grants him bonuses?

Cookie for you!

[Timeless Error]

Awwwwww...

Also, that's a pretty scary foreshadowing. Belkar probably won't last long after this.

[Crod]

I think this is one of the top ten strips of the comic!

[ThePhantom]

Nice strip.

[grimbold]

that friends to the end thing makes me a little worried about belkar dying soon

[Lord Loss]

That was really sweet... until, you know, the last panel... :smalleek:

[Hiro Protagonest]

"Here, kitty kitty kitty Don't hurt us", is one of my favorite lines. Right up there with "guess what spell I prepared this morning" and "BESIDES, I GOT A 9 THIS TIME. YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THE BOOTS ADD FIVE.

[Brand]

All I have to say is...BEST COMIC EVER! I was totally cracking up at the last panel. I love Belkar and his kitty. :smallsmile:

[ERROR]

Heh, semicolon. It's even funnier (For me, at least) if you take "sentence" to mean prison sentence.

Also, Crowning Moment of Heartwarming.

[silversaraph]

Not sure I get Belkar's first comment... the prisoner didn't end with a semi colon...

Or is he saying "semi" "colon", because all his guts spilled out? In that case, very witty! :smalltongue:

PS. Any comic with Mr. Scruffy is a great one


I'm glad I'm not the only one who looked through the past few comics to find the semicolon!

edit:
Heh, semicolon. It's even funnier (For me, at least) if you take "sentence" to mean prison sentence.

Plus ten pun points for noticing that!

[Goryo]

My interest in this strip will plummet once Belkar kicks it. By far the most consistently funny cast member.

I concur.

After 781 strips of lurking I finally feel compelled to register, just to agree with this.

This comic certianly seems to seal Belkar's fate. Even if this is one of Rich's famous misdirections and Belkar doesn't die in the arena (and with such obvious foreshadowing of imminent doom, I wouldn't be too surprised), he's due to die soon. If he does leave the stirp permanently (i.e. not just 'draw his last breath' but doesn't hang around as some sort of undead etc.) that would be huge mistake. I'm sure that Rich won't read this, or care, but Belkar has always been by far the best thing about the Order of The Stick IMO. :smallfrown:

[Zigg'rrauglurr]

"Hey! If you touch my cat, that prisoner guy won't be the only one around here who ended their sentence with a semicolon"

It's been a long while since I actually Laughed Out Loud at a OOTS comic, but the first panel was SO much fun.

The witty exchange between V and Belkar was great too.

Truly heartwarming moment with Mr Scruffy. Specially his "meow"'s of desperation (I have a siamese cat who gets really sad when I go to work, and really happy when I come back, so I actually have a sound effect to go with that panel)

The "bonus action" was totally deserved by the guard.

As someone posted the Idea, I believe I will make a shirt for me,
" South of the neutral alignment
&
Dealing with the ventral planes"

[rewinn]

"Here, kitty kitty kitty Don't hurt us", is one of my favorite lines

Definitely t-shirt worthy.

Depending on the type of cats you live with :smallamused:

[aart lover]

heh heh, semicolon:smallamused:

[Particle_Man]

My cat also cries and needs to be stroked when I go to work.

I am a cohort to my cat. It all makes sense now! :smallsmile:

[faustin]

I propose a new threath to debate who should replace Belkar in the Order in case of permanent decease.
Possible candidates:

1) O-Chul
2) Thog
3) Enor
4) Kratos

[Boogastreehouse]

I propose a new threath to debate who should replace Belkar in the Order in case of permanent decease.
Possible candidates:

1) O-Chul
2) Thog
3) Enor
4) Kratos

5) Mr. Scruffy

[the_tick_rules]

memo: Don't mess with the scruffy.

[Djibril]

Every-panel-is-a-masterpiece!

[SGNenets]

My reaction as I was reading the first half of the comic: :smallbiggrin:

My reaction to the 4th last panel: :smalleek:...:smallfrown:

I guess that's it for Belkar then, huh? I was in the "Belkar won't die in the arena" camp, but I guess it can't NOT happen now...At least the chance of his death being kickass has risen along with his chance his demise being imminent.

On a more positive note, loved all the jokes in this strip. Especially the recurring Bugsby's *insert random hand action here* spells :smallcool:

Also, am I the only one who actually got a heartwarming feeling at V - Belkar interaction? I dunno, maybe its because we've had them go at each other forever now, but it just feels like a twisted, roundabout way of them showing their respect for each other at this point.

[t209]

Belkar is turning towards Chaotic Neutral because of the cat. I think Miko (The headless (now 50-50) paladin) is key part on Belkar turning towards not evil. If she didn't kill Shinjo, then the cat will still be with Shojo and belkar will be more evil.

[Blaznak]

For some reason the "Pinky and the Brain" theme song runs through my mind. "Its Belkar and the cat...."

[Metool2]

Hahaha, you didn't even need that last panel! I'm serious, I burst out laughing at the penultimate panel just because I KNEW how boned that guard was. XD.

I'll miss the little goober when his time comes. He's as unique as it comes.

[Shale]

Belkar is turning towards Chaotic Neutral because of the cat. I think Miko (The headless (now 50-50) paladin) is key part on Belkar turning towards not evil. If she didn't kill Shinjo, then the cat will still be with Shojo and belkar will be more evil.

Yeah, real Neutral of him, feeding an uninvolved guard a recently dead man's intestines.

[HappyBlanket]

Belkar is turning towards Chaotic Neutral because of the cat. I think Miko (The headless (now 50-50) paladin) is key part on Belkar turning towards not evil. If she didn't kill Shinjo, then the cat will still be with Shojo and belkar will be more evil.

Turning towards CN? Debatable. And that's probably being generous.
Haley's comment is in regards to Belkar and Mr.Scruffy together. Belkar is still fairly rooted in the deep end of the alignment pool.

[Yendor]

Yeah, real Neutral of him, feeding an uninvolved guard a recently dead man's intestines.

Aw, but the jowwy widdle halfwing wuvs his widdle cat. That makes it all better, right? :smalltongue:

[Sutremaine]

Mr Scruffy's never going to see Belkar again. :(

[Narren]

Yeah, real Neutral of him, feeding an uninvolved guard a recently dead man's intestines.

Well, he didn't feed him his OWN intestines. That's progress, right?

[stimepy]

Well, he didn't feed him his OWN intestines. That's progress, right?

Very much so :smallbiggrin:


Definitely one of the top comics of this arc in so many ways! Though I wish there was another way to translate "Not long for this world" and "draw his last breath ever."
Though technically if he ends up on a new world that doesn't require him to breath then maybe.....

[Almaseti]

Yeah, I thought it was pretty cute, and the exchange between V and Belkar was really funny. It's kind of their relationship in a nutshell, and I think when Belkar actually dies, V at least is going to miss him more than s/he expected.

[Deuce]

I wonder, might Belkar's eventual death turn out to be a heroic sacrifice, to save the life of Mr. Scruffy? Or might they even go down together, in a heroic last stand? "You and me, to the end", after all - and after this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0622.html), that's the second time Belkar has said something similar to Mr. Scruffy. Something is definitely being foreshadowed here!

I'm hoping for a Butch and Sundance kind of ending.

And I hope the pile in the end makes the SSGoW heap look like a molehill.

[Cerlis]

The morals of the story:
A: Don't mess with Belkar and his cat
B: Don't question the spells Vaarsuvius comes up with.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0020.html

you should know this already :P

[Corian]

Just a thought... would Belkar's exchange (of taunts) with Vaarsuvius count as "catching her eye"? Because hir is very much being treated like a noble(wo)man right now. I know it's grasping at straws, here, but "catching the eye" is pretty generic. Not "amorous advances" though. Oh, well. More to come, I'm sure.

[CelestialMagpie]

Excellent comic!

I don't think Belkar's end is that near. It would make no sense to kill him right after that.

We need a relief, then the time to see it coming, then a long fight with Belkar and his cat against torrents of ennemies.



which will result in the death of Mr. Scruffy :smallfrown:

[Nightfall]

Well thats cats for you evil, bloodthirsty, serial killers. Belkar can relate to that.

Obviously you must have been a mouse in a past life. :smallwink::smallbiggrin:

[Herald Alberich]

Just a thought... would Belkar's exchange (of taunts) with Vaarsuvius count as "catching her eye"? Because hir is very much being treated like a noble(wo)man right now. I know it's grasping at straws, here, but "catching the eye" is pretty generic. Not "amorous advances" though. Oh, well. More to come, I'm sure.

I'm thinking you're placing way too much stock in the warden's speech, here. Just because he was describing the plot of your average generic gladiator movie doesn't mean OotS is bound to follow that plot. We'll get a couple more gags out of it, at most.

[Messenger]

This is just way too awesome. The dialogue had tons of witty lines. The reunion of Belkar and Mr. Scruffy was simply heartwarming.

My alignment must be going a little south as well. The evisceration in the last update bothered me but the idea of Belkar torturing a guard with the intestines now didn't.

If Belkar is CE and Mr. Scruffy is CN and they're meeting halfway... What is between Neutral and Evil, anyway?

[Bleak Ink]

I have a huge grin typing this; the V-Belkar banter, Mr. Scruffy's devoted wrath, Belkar’s oddly paternal behavior.. it was very heartwarming, and to my sick sense of humor and internet-desensitized brain the last panel was laugh-out-loud funny, not disturbing. One of my favorite strips, I’d say.

[JonestheSpy]

Yeah, real Neutral of him, feeding an uninvolved guard a recently dead man's intestines.

I think a better sign of his drift away from crazy evil was in the last strip, with the wonderful "Are you sure it's OK to kill this guy? Everyone usually gets upset" bit. You know, not exactly un-evil, but at least taking other people's views into account before he does something.

And besides, the guard was asking for it.

[snikrept]

"I am a wizard. Being prepared comes naturally" More signs Vaarsuvius is beginning to embrace the Batman mentality over MOAR EXPLOSHUNS?

[Lither]

Interesting comic. Can't say any other comic has made me hate Belkar more.

[Agi Hammerthief]

"I am a wizard. Being prepared comes naturally" More signs Vaarsuvius is beginning to embrace the Batman mentality over MOAR EXPLOSHUNS?
it sounds like a player that doesn't write down the spells that where prepared in the morning

[Messenger]

I think a better sign of his drift away from crazy evil was in the last strip, with the wonderful "Are you sure it's OK to kill this guy? Everyone usually gets upset" bit. You know, not exactly un-evil, but at least taking other people's views into account before he does something.

And besides, the guard was asking for it.I think that's more in keeping with what Lord Shojo (real or imagined) taught him than about Good and Evil. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0606.html)

[joela]

Is it me, or did Elan just name Belkar (whom he's not suppose to know?) while sitting next to Tarquin?

[factotum]

I think that's more in keeping with what Lord Shojo (real or imagined) taught him than about Good and Evil. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0606.html)

I agree. The whole point of Belkar's fake turn to the light side is that he (sometimes) considers what he's doing before killing people--remember Crystal at Pete's house? It doesn't make him any less evil--for instance, he was quite willing to go along with Buggy Lou's plan to kidnap all the people from the caravan until Mr. Scruffy got threatened, and then, rather than just requesting that his "old friend" return the cat, he ripped his head off and urinated down his neck. These are not deeds that scream "Chaotic Neutral" to me...

[Firemeier]

I'm thinking you're placing way too much stock in the warden's speech, here. Just because he was describing the plot of your average generic gladiator movie doesn't mean OotS is bound to follow that plot. We'll get a couple more gags out of it, at most.

But wouldn't it be funny, if it came true in a very twisted way? Maybe Belkar accidentally inspires a slave revolt, when all he wants is a pastrami sandwich and tuna for his cat, or something. :smallamused:

It might be worth checking on the warden's speech again, after this story-arc is finished.

[Kobold-Bard]

D'aaaaaaaaawwwww.......sort of.

[Pandabear]

hahahahaha! lolfest from the first to the last panel. That made my day! :smallbiggrin:

[Collen]

That was actually pretty cute, besides the fact that a dead guy's colons are lying somewhere offscreen.

[Gnoman]

Is it just me, or does V seem much less intolerant of Belkar since the Darth V arc? It may be the fact that they haven't interacted much since then, but the banter in this strip seemed much less adversarial than the "I prepared explosive runes this morning" days. I wonder if, having gone way south of Neutral itself, V may understand Belkar a lot more.

[Themrys]

Is it just me, or does V seem much less intolerant of Belkar since the Darth V arc? It may be the fact that they haven't interacted much since then, but the banter in this strip seemed much less adversarial than the "I prepared explosive runes this morning" days. I wonder if, having gone way south of Neutral itself, V may understand Belkar a lot more.

More likely, V understands Belkars desire to keep Mr. Scruffy safe. Belkar didn't display any evilness in the arena (that is, until Mr. Scruffy was safe), which may be a factor.

The explosive runes days were a consequence of Belkar's forced kiss -V seems to be done with revenge now.

[Particle_Man]

Well, there is an outer plane between the Abyss and Limbo for CE(N) folk. :)

That said, I wonder if Belkar might be able to work his way up the ladder from the other side and become a demon of note in the strip.

[Raistlin82]

Ouch...
After witnessing Belkar's tender moment with Mr Scruffy... NOW I believe his end his near and the gladiator games could be his final chapter.

[Hiro Protagonest]

And I hope the pile in the end makes the SSGoW heap look like a molehill.

This, this is what I'm hoping for. And I want them to be all bad guys.

[weckar]

This, this is what I'm hoping for. And I want them to be all bad guys.Tarquin on top.

[Cerlis]

More likely, V understands Belkars desire to keep Mr. Scruffy safe. Belkar didn't display any evilness in the arena (that is, until Mr. Scruffy was safe), which may be a factor.

The explosive runes days were a consequence of Belkar's forced kiss -V seems to be done with revenge now.


There is a sexually satisfied muskrat that disagrees with your assessment

-------------

actually, when someone here said Belkars paternal instince, that made me think that if Belkar truely dies, V will probably be taking care of Mr. Scruffy as a pseudo replacement to his lost children, and out of respect for Belkar.

[Jay R]

Belkar is turning towards Chaotic Neutral because of the cat.

As far as I'm concerned, Belkar's alignment is now officially Somewhere South of Neutral.

[Quote]

My interest in this strip will plummet once Belkar kicks it. By far the most consistently funny cast member.

I am also a 770+ Lurker of the Stick.

Only to register with doom and gloom seemingly so pending.

I cannot say with certainty I would continue to follow the comic without Belkar and the Scruffinator. They are too inseparable now. Tis a rarity that any of the other characters garner my whole interest. Belkar alone made me follow this strip for who knows how many years now.

Too many good memories exist of Belkar being himself and cheering me up on a terrible day when a new comic was up. No other character brings me out of a funk like he does.

Rich, I applaud you for your tireless devotion and love for the Stick. I know the comic will go on with or without the "Shoeless god of war". Myself, I would be too saddened to continue.

(yeah, I know what can I say. Fictional avatars in pixel form with a penchant for mayhem and comedy make me very happy. Don't judge)

[Morquard]

Instead of a south of neutral t-shirt I much rather would have panel 9 on one (minus background and bubbles), with "You and me to the end"

Well I have a cat, I just find that incredibly cute and so true.

[Warren Dew]

Is it just me, or does V seem much less intolerant of Belkar since the Darth V arc? It may be the fact that they haven't interacted much since then, but the banter in this strip seemed much less adversarial than the "I prepared explosive runes this morning" days. I wonder if, having gone way south of Neutral itself, V may understand Belkar a lot more.
It's more an issue of Vaarsuvius becoming generally a wimp since the Darth V arc.

[MonkeyBusiness]

So V does care about Belkar...



...'s cat! :smalltongue:

Yes, I loved this too! The other lines were laugh-out-loud funny, but the way V almost says, "my friend" was big-dopey-grin-worthy, and just as cute as the kitty. Like him or not, Belkar is a companion.

[Vercon]

Does V's move to the dark side move her/him more into the lust side of Belkar's proto-brain? Care for the cat might if not. V will have to do all kinds of negative reenforcement if they all get out of this alive.

[Strife Warzeal]

Does V's move to the dark side move her/him more into the lust side of Belkar's proto-brain? Care for the cat might if not. V will have to do all kinds of negative reenforcement if they all get out of this alive.

A few cups of Explosive Runes™ Brand Coffee should fix that right up.

[Belsirk]

A few cups of Explosive Runes™ Brand Coffee should fix that right up.

Maybe.. sand explosive runes!:smallyuk:

[Forum Explorer]

Does V's move to the dark side move her/him more into the lust side of Belkar's proto-brain? Care for the cat might if not. V will have to do all kinds of negative reenforcement if they all get out of this alive.

There is now offically three views in Belkar's brain. Lust, Hate, and Cat. :smallbiggrin:

I don't think Belkar will die in the arena. He will die once Tarquin tries to threaten Mr. Scruffy and Belkar proceeds to solo the Empire of Blood before getting taken out by YikYik's cousin.

[Hardcore]

Belkar is a goner, but I wonder how he will go; I can't believe anything but an Allosauros can kill him.

[Shreav]

Great comic. It seems like a good set-up for a "shock" Belkar death ...

[otakufan]

If Belkar is CE and Mr. Scruffy is CN and they're meeting halfway... What is between Neutral and Evil, anyway?
Pandemonium. :smallbiggrin:


As far as I'm concerned, Belkar's alignment is now officially Somewhere South of Neutral.
Belkar declared himself Chaotic Evil back when he and Delusion-Shojo were having their little chat in Greysky.

[LuPuWei]

Really loved this one! Thanks, Rich...

[Jay R]

Is it just me, or does V seem much less intolerant of Belkar since the Darth V arc?

Tarquin is listening. The banter in this strip is as far as they can go without admitting they know each other.

[MoonCat]

Is it just me, or does V seem much less intolerant of Belkar since the Darth V arc? It may be the fact that they haven't interacted much since then, but the banter in this strip seemed much less adversarial than the "I prepared explosive runes this morning" days. I wonder if, having gone way south of Neutral itself, V may understand Belkar a lot more.

And don't forget, if Belkar is acting less evil amongst the team, V probably won't want to be the one who starts bugging him, not when V's guilt probably already had him worrying about how he looks in the eyes of the party.

[rewinn]

Is it just me, or does V seem much less intolerant of Belkar since the Darth V arc? It may be the fact that they haven't interacted much since then, but the banter in this strip seemed much less adversarial than the "I prepared explosive runes this morning" days. I wonder if, having gone way south of Neutral itself, V may understand Belkar a lot more.

V is maturing.

This is no doubt in large part to the whole Darth V arc, but other experiences (such as the run-in with Miko and above all the divorce) seems to have helped V grow a little more compassionate and tolerant. Growth happens!

Not that they will ever stop picking on each other (as V's use of Belkar to steer the sandworm shows), but it seems to be an affectionate, almost sibling sort of thing, expressed in their particular and peculiar vocabularies.


I'm hoping for a Butch and Sundance kind of ending.

And I hope the pile in the end makes the SSGoW heap look like a molehill.

I'm thinkin' Bon Jovi's "Cut Down In A Blaze Of Glory": (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o)

"I ain't looking for forgiveness
But before I'm four foot deep
I got to ask a favor
Before my final sleep

'Cause I've lived life to the fullest
Let me die like all the gods
Let me make my final moment
Piling up a stack of bods

Cut down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the score
I'm going out in a blaze of glory
A Sexy
Shoeless
GOD OF WAR!"

[Djibril]

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone http://images.creatureworld.net/items/four_leaf_clover_gumball.png

[scienceguy8]

That was actually pretty cute, besides the fact that a dead guy's colons are lying somewhere offscreen.

I'm pretty sure the human body only has one colon. Let's say large intestine, small intestine, colon, and appendix. Those particular organs seem plenty spill-able.

[Guywiththecoat]

Belkar hasn’t done anything particularly vile lately to piss off any of the other party members. This fact combined with V’s newfound tolerance leads me to believe that they will raise him from the dead if he dies in the arena and as long as the cat lives, he has a reason to want to return. The oracle said Belkar would die soon, he didn’t say that he wouldn’t be raised soon after.

[Herald Alberich]

Belkar hasn’t done anything particularly vile lately to piss off any of the other party members. This fact combined with V’s newfound tolerance leads me to believe that they will raise him from the dead if he dies in the arena and as long as the cat lives, he has a reason to want to return. The oracle said Belkar would die soon, he didn’t say that he wouldn’t be raised soon after.

Yeah, he actually did.


Belkar will draw his last breath--ever--before the end of the year.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0572.html

[Red XIV]

I'm pretty sure the human body only has one colon. Let's say large intestine, small intestine, colon, and appendix. Those particular organs seem plenty spill-able.
Actually, the colon and the large intestine are mostly the same thing. The cecum is also part of the large intestine, but it's quite small and serves to connect the small intestine to the colon.

[Burner28]

Guards... do not make fun out of people like Belkar..Ever.:smalltongue:

[Phishfood]

Guards... do not make fun out of people like Belkar..Ever.:smalltongue:

The problem is....there are no survivors to spread that advice ;)

[Valley]

If Belkar is going to die the real question is, when he does die, how big will the explosion be? Remember that scene in the first Lord of the Rings movie? I think it will be bigger than that.

I mean, will the city be left standing...will there be a crack in the planet?

Will they talk about the year the land was destroyed by fire and brimstone?

Will Belkar become a GOD?

Would they even allow him into...where ever he will go after he dies? Would the balance between good and evil be unbalanced?

And how about Mr. Scuffy? Will he become the buzzsaw of death, killing all who dared to help kill Belkar, a living weapon mowing down the public, making the streets run red with blood?

Just asking..

[Morquard]

First what explosion in the first LotR movie are you talking about?

Second, No Belkar won't become a god, he'll simply die and noone outside a few people will care.

Third, Mr. Scruffy is a cat... that means once his can-opener dies he'll find a new one.

[Valley]

First what explosion in the first LotR movie are you talking about?


When Sauron got his fingers sliced off in the battle and lost the ring.

[stimepy]

Third, Mr. Scruffy is a cat... that means once his can-opener dies he'll find a new one.

While this may be true for most cats, I don't think most cats would go disembowel someone threatening it's owner. Especially when the current can opener is doing just fine.(Thinking of V here.)

Though the cat may just disembowel you cause, well your soft and squishy... (What it's like a ball of yarn!)

[Morgan Wick]

Reminds me of http://xkcd.com/231/

Who would have guessed that Belkar would ever remind someone of that comic?

[Koshiro]

Belkar is turning towards Chaotic Neutral because of the cat.
I don't think so.
Evil people do not have to be mean towards everybody. Evil people can have friends and loved ones. Evil people just don't respect other living beings in general.

[hamishspence]

Indeed, it's quite possible to have an Evil character who only has an extreme disrespect for a certain subset of living beings, and respects all other living beings in general.

A character who is extremely prejudiced against, one group- with no qualms about robbing, murdering, torturing them, but kind and respectful to everyone else, can still qualify as evil.

That group might not have to include innocents for the character to be Evil- a vigilante who only robs, tortures, and kills villains, might still qualify as Evil, if the evil act of torture is committed routinely enough.

[Themrys]

Belkar sometimes acts less evil because of the cat (for example when the slavetrader ant-people attacked Mr. Scruffy, Belkar killed them, which looked like he wanted to help the slaves), but I don't think he has changed.

Mr. Scruffy just helps to keep Belkar armed at the bad guys, but that's mere concidence.