OOTS #789 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[MoonCat]

Oh, oh gods Giant.

[dracoslaad]

That, sir, was incredible. Many people predict the elf is a disguised Linear Guild member, but I don't think anybody saw that coming. I tip my hat to you.

Edit: Mind you, I'm willing to see anybody prove me wrong and prove how clever they were.

[Gift Jeraff]

:smalleek: Biggest surprise in a long while.

EDIT: I think one of the biggest points against a Linear Guild prequel book was that it would have to spend some time focusing on Yikyik and Zz'dtri--two very minor characters. If this isn't just another build-up to a punchline, I guess this would solve that?

[Lycar]

Well drizzt! :smalleek:

I didn't see that one coming...

[Ted The Bug]

Well, well, well...that's about all I have to say. Wow.

[Shale]

Did not see that coming.

Now, I wonder where Nale's been hiding....

[CoffeeIncluded]

Haley!

Oh man, this isn't looking good... :eek:

[MoonCat]

WHAT LEVEL ARE SPELLS OF STONE TO FLESH!

We cannot lose Haley.

[Kaeso]

Well, that was the last twist I saw coming, and neither did all the other Playgrounders I suppose. Good job there, Giant!

[Pronounceable]

This almost makes Nale look competent. Something is wrong here.

[Bedinsis]

Holy macaroni! I did not see that one coming!

So that's why Z'zdtri glared at Vaarsuvius, because s/he caused him/her to be taken away by the lawyers.

[Starknight]

The thing is Nale might just team up with Elan to overthrow Tarquin. The problem is that Nale would expect to rule in his father's place.

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!

Who knew Haley had a hidden talent for decorating lawns?

[Dust]

Really did not see that one coming.

SO. Taking bets now. Where's Sabine hiding?

[TheWerdna]

WHAT LEVEL ARE SPELLS OF STONE TO FLESH!

We cannot lose Haley.

Break Enchantment works, which is a level 4 spell i think. So Durkon should easily be able to deal with it.

[Capt Spanner]

You know when Zz'dtri (well edit in correct spelling) was dragged off I thought "but isn't parody protected speech? Huh."

I never thought he'd come back, though.

[3SecondCultist]

That was an amazing plot twist! I was wondering a little while ago what had happened to Zz'dtri, actually.

I guess that means Hilgya can make a return here... :smalleek:

Not good for the Order.

[MoonCat]

I note he's cut his hair since then.

I also like the architecture, although I'm not sure where it is in the arena.

I wonder how he got back to Nale.

Robe seems warped.

HALEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[t209]

Guess Who's back?
Zzdrti's back! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0065.html)

[Mauve Shirt]

Wow. Like everyone else here, that is the opposite of what I expected. Just, wow.

[Talvereaux]

Hah! Awesome twist!

Last person anyone would have expected. Speculation was all over the place on what Polozius' deal was, too.

[MoonCat]

Break Enchantment works, which is a level 4 spell i think. So Durkon should easily be able to deal with it.

But somethings going to happen to Durkon, or Haley's statue will be stolen as hostage, or anything! Augh!!! I never expected Haley to be in danger!

[Needle]

Wonderful! :smallbiggrin:

And Elan will be alone after the elves starts fighting :smallsmile:

[Jay R]

The thing is Nale might just team up with Elan to overthrow Tarquin. The problem is that Nale would expect to rule in his father's place.

Not a problem -- Nale doesn't like hiding in the background. He'd expect to rule in the Empress's place.

[Somewhere]

Well, looks like booting a character out by invoking legal complications way back did a pretty solid job of foiling speculation.

[Goosefeather]

Apart from the unexpected twist, I also liked Tarquin's '...Huh' :smalltongue:

[SPoD]

I note he's cut his hair since then.

Of course--because Vaarsuvius grew his/her hair longer! :smallwink:

[Freshmeat]

This story arc just got even more awesome.

[MoonCat]

Haley was just taking out a potion, what do you think it was?

[Almaseti]

That is a heck of a callback.

I don't know why they didn't tell Tarquin Nale's alive right then though. As evil as he is, he's working with them now and has information they need. Tarquin assuming that Elan was helping Nale in an attempted coup would be the last thing the order needs.

[SPoD]

Some sort of pre-battle buff, since she said she was getting ready to fight. Heroism? Haste? Something like that.

[Kurald Galain]

Nice little detail: Haley tells V to bring the cat, but is still oblivious about the bird :smallamused:

[The-Mage-King]

...Annnnndddd THAT was unexpected. Wow.

[Talvereaux]

But somethings going to happen to Durkon, or Haley's statue will be stolen as hostage, or anything! Augh!!! I never expected Haley to be in danger!

Wizards can break enchantments, too.

On another note, Zz'dtri's looking pretty snazzy with his updated appearance.

[MoonCat]

Of course--because Vaarsuvius grew his/her hair longer! :smallwink:

Fridge logic! Good point.

Hey, this is a further callback joke then the I GOT A FOUR!

[Chaos rising]

For all his genre savvy villainy, Tarquinn seems to have seriously underestimated Nale, he already has planted two of his guild members in the empire without suspicion, and probably has several more we don't know about yet (CoughSabinecough).

[Crystalline]

Wow!

Just got exciting again.

Plus, hey Zz'dtri got a haircut.

[Welf]

What kind of corporate lawyer let him stop by technicalities like law? Those guys really are incompetent:smallamused:

[Porthos]

Awesome last panel! :smallcool: :smallcool: :smallbiggrin:

[Seraphem]

that....was amazingly unexpected.

I saw the strip's title and thought it would be about Thogg's popularity and him losing or something like that....but that was just one epic reveal.

[Gift Jeraff]

GUYS.

I think it was Zz'dtri spying on the OOTS #698! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html) (Speculated much earlier, but just look at the double layers of his magic aura.)

[137beth]

So dark elves are no longer dark...wow:smallsmile:

[MoonCat]

Wizards can break enchantments, too.

On another note, Zz'dtri's looking pretty snazzy with his updated appearance.

V will probably be unconscious, and will go into another BSOD because he wasn't able to go help Haley because he passed out. I don't know, but this wont be for just a few minutes, I can tell.

[Ted The Bug]

GUYS.

I think it was Zz'dtri spying on the OOTS #698! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html) (Speculated much earlier, but just look at the double layers of his magic aura.)

Woah, I didn't even come close to putting those pieces together, but I think that you might be on to something.

[Lissou]

I certainly did not expect that. When the fiends said they had pawns in the Linear Guild, I was sure the drow was one of the scratched out one... Did he get released only after that?

I like how his hair got shorter as a reaction to V's getting longer.

I have absolutely no clue what to expect next... And while reading the script, for a second I wondered if Nale had taken his dad's place in a recent strip somehow, but never suspected that another character was hiding (and that it wasn't Sabine either!).

I wonder where Nale and Sabine are now. And if they have some more allies.

EDIT: Oh, and I understand better why we didn't see them for so long, considering the two reveals we've had already that could have been spoiled otherwise.

[MoonCat]

Yeah, the eye was certainly him. That puts together more of the puzzle.

[brionl]

Fridge logic! Good point.

Hey, this is a further callback joke then the I GOT A FOUR!

Naw, the I GOT A FOUR was before they met the Linear Guild, and they didn't drag off ZZ'drti until after the big battle.

When I played EverQuest I really hated all those goobers who name their Dark Elf characters Drizzt, or Dzritt, or any variation of that. When I was a guide, one of my main pleasures was tracking them down and making them change their names. One of them whined at me for a whole hour afterwards.

[kpenguin]

Break Enchantment works, which is a level 4 spell i think. So Durkon should easily be able to deal with it.

Actually, Flesh to Stone is of instantaneous duration, so Break Enchantment likely does not work. Stone to Flesh works, though, and is a 6th level Sor/Wiz spell. Within V's (upper) range.

[Porthos]

Fridge logic! Good point.

Fridge Brilliance (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FridgeBrilliance), technically. :smallwink:

[MoonCat]

Actually, Flesh to Stone is of instantaneous duration, so Break Enchantment likely does not work. Stone to Flesh works, though, and is a 6th level Sor/Wiz spell. Within V's (upper) range.

Haley's going to be stuck like this for a long while.

[Gift Jeraff]

Naw, the I GOT A FOUR was before they met the Linear Guild, and they didn't drag off ZZ'drti until after the big battle.
Not (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0043.html) quite (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0090.html).

[Porthos]

*Still has a *BLOOP* eating grin on my face after this update* :smallcool: :smallbiggrin:

Nice work on the Magic Eye as well, Gift Jeraff. Which if one is properly paranoid brings up all sorts of worrying possibilities.

[Kobold-Bard]

The Giant is basically just a huge troll. He sets up stuff he knows people will obsess over just to mess with them.

I fear for the safety of the forums when he reveals what the MitD is :smalleek:

Good comic though, all the same.

[Mando Knight]

You sure Zz'dtri isn't a Rogue? I mean, he just sneak attacked the entire audience.

[Wou]

Actually, Flesh to Stone is of instantaneous duration, so Break Enchantment likely does not work. Stone to Flesh works, though, and is a 6th level Sor/Wiz spell. Within V's (upper) range.
It worked last time (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0070.html)

[Holy_Knight]

Wow, add me to the people caught totally by surprise there! Nicely done, Giant!


GUYS.

I think it was Zz'dtri spying on the OOTS #698! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html) (Speculated much earlier, but just look at the double layers of his magic aura.)

That seems pretty likely, now that you mention it. Good catch!

[Timberboar]

GUYS.

I think it was Zz'dtri spying on the OOTS #698! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html) (Speculated much earlier, but just look at the double layers of his magic aura.)

Good catch!

[MoonCat]

Giant, you were lucky. If I'd been drinking something you'd have had to have paid for my new keyboard.

[DougTheHead]

Nice strip... although it's weird that Haley's clothes and bottle turned to stone as well as her flesh.

My bets are on the guard next to Zz'dtri on the balcony being Sabine. She tends not to change her skin color when she changes her shape- even her geisha appearance involved white makeup over darker skin. Plus, it would allow them to communicate without bringing attention to themselves.

What fantasy character is Zz'dtri a parody of again? I agree that he was probably the one scrying on them in the desert.

[Talvereaux]

Actually, Flesh to Stone is of instantaneous duration, so Break Enchantment likely does not work. Stone to Flesh works, though, and is a 6th level Sor/Wiz spell. Within V's (upper) range.

On the flip side, Break Enchantment (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0070.html) fixes Flesh to Stone in strip #70, so while debatable otherwise, it seems to do the trick by OOTSverse rules.

edit: ninja'ed

[Mastikator]

:elan: dun dun dun!

[MoonCat]

I'd actually completely forgotten that Celia was turned to stone as well.

[Porthos]

What fantasy character is Zz'dtri a parody of again? I agree that he was probably the one scrying on them in the desert.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drizzt_Do'Urden :smallsmile:

[MoonCat]

:elan: dun dun dun!

No, Elan is way too blorked (no better word) for drama. Which is pretty dire, I can tell you. He's more like this anyway http://i.imgur.com/wPeaW.png

[Yuki Akuma]

WHAT LEVEL ARE SPELLS OF STONE TO FLESH!

We cannot lose Haley.

The exact same level (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/stoneToFlesh.htm) as Vaarsuvius' favourite (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0626.html) spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/disintegrate.htm).

Transmutation is also not one of his barred schools (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0340.html), so she can cast it.

Haley will be fine.


Actually, Flesh to Stone is of instantaneous duration, so Break Enchantment likely does not work. Stone to Flesh works, though, and is a 6th level Sor/Wiz spell. Within V's (upper) range.

Uh-huh. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/breakEnchantment.htm)


Break enchantment can reverse even an instantaneous effect.

[The Pilgrim]

Great strip today!!!

[Mr. Scaly]

There are no words to describe how happy I am now :smallbiggrin:

[G-Man Graves]

WOOOOOOOOOO! LET'S GO LINEAR GUILD!

Also, loved how Haley got wrecked right as she was saying that they were about to get wrecked.

[Giggling Ghast]

Holy flerking schnit! O_O

As concerned as I am for Haley, I loved Zz'dri's little comeback in the last panel.

[the humanity]

"huh."

so awesome.

[Yagerr]

it... still could be sabine!

[iowaforever]

Zz'dtri??:smalleek:

totally not expecting that

[Vemynal]

Ok...that was pretty epic

[Yuki Akuma]

it... still could be sabine!

Sabine could not possibly have enough class levels to cast Flesh to Stone with a succubus' level adjustment and racial hit dice. Sorry.

[G-Man Graves]

Zz'dtri??:smalleek:

totally not expecting that, and how did he get away from the lawyers?

I think that if you read the strip carefully, you will find the answer.

[Gift Jeraff]

Hmm, Zz'dtri was crossed out of the IFCC's Linear Guild picture (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html). Is Nale keeping things from Sabine? Sabine keeping things from her superiors? Zz'dtri's release from prison is very recent? Minor plot hole? Or do the fiends not want to spoil things for us? :smalltongue:

[TheSummoner]

Ya know... Some people had guessed that Thog was going to be the champion... I never suspected it, but there were people who somehow saw it coming...

But I don't think anyone suspected we'd be seeing Zz'dtri again... It's been like 700 strips!

[Sengoku]

The Giant again proves to be ready and willing to surprise with the unexpected.

Well, to me it's as unexpected as it's a pleasure to see Zz'dtri back in action:smallbiggrin:!

I wonder who'll be the next LG employee to show up (and under which disguise he/she has been under, too).:smallamused:

[Yana]

And once again, the Giant shows us why it isn't wise to bet against the house. No matter how witty, how off the walls our speculations may become, he can and will one up us.

[MoonCat]

You know Giant, you missed a great opportunity when you used Polozius as a false name. You could have totally called him something like Herculanius.

[Porthos]

Hmm, Zz'dtri was crossed out of the IFCC's Linear Guild picture (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html). Is Nale keeping things from Sabine? Sabine keeping things from her superiors? Zz'dtri's release from prison is very recent? Minor plot hole? Or do the fiends not want to spoil things for us? :smalltongue:

One would think that the IFCC would have access to very good lawyers. :smalltongue:

[Holy_Knight]

On the flip side, Break Enchantment (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0070.html) fixes Flesh to Stone in strip #70, so while debatable otherwise, it seems to do the trick by OOTSverse rules.

edit: ninja'ed

Break Enchantment is a 4th-level bard spell, too. Might Elan be able to save Haley right away?

[ricorum]

Thanks Giant!

Who knew Haley had a hidden talent for decorating lawns?

Horrible, but also completely true.

Also: vaguely saw it coming, but instantly dismissed it. This was an amazing twist.

[Elfey]

Dear Giant.

I am a student of Copyright law, and now forwarding this strip to my entire listserv.

Well done.

[Squark]

Wow. Did not see that one coming. Impressive work, Giant.

[Sengoku]

Plus, hey Zz'dtri got a haircut.

It means that Nale adjusted even his hair to match his opposite?!?!

Just how much Nale knew and how much did he plan this time?

[ThePhantasm]

Hmm, Zz'dtri was crossed out of the IFCC's Linear Guild picture (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html). Is Nale keeping things from Sabine? Sabine keeping things from her superiors? Zz'dtri's release from prison is very recent? Minor plot hole? Or do the fiends not want to spoil things for us? :smalltongue:

If they've been keeping a tally, then when each member is taken down they would cross them out. So when Zz'dtri was taken away by the lawyers, they crossed him out of the picture. But that doesn't mean that he couldn't return subsequently, even at the time that they showed it to the imp - they just couldn't erase the marker.

Regardless, this took me TOTALLY by surprise.

[Cerlis]

This almost makes Nale look competent. Something is wrong here.

and you didnt realize that something is wrong when the ONLY reason Nale's plan failed was due to Elan's COMPETENCE and CLEVERNESS!

:smallamused:


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

p.s. I think flesh to stone specifically says its cancelled by Stone to Flesh OR Break enchantment. so the way the spells work dont matter, cus its a default alternative.


also not sure if everyone realized it already and thats why they agreed the scry was ...the dark elf... but his magic color scheme matches. Green eye aura, green lighting.

every reason to think its him.

[Boogastreehouse]

Awesome!

That is all.

[Lycan 01]

Wow. Um... wow.

That totally blew my mind. :smalleek:


Also, very nice effects in this strip, like even Haley's potion turning to stone, and the evil elf's metamorphoses. :smallcool:

[Calenestel]

Holy BOOP!! :eek:

[Porthos]

Can anyone confirm to me that "Polozius" never said a word in the comic before today's strip? If so, that's a pretty nice clue in retrospect.

[Yana]

I think what really threw us for a loop with this reveal was just how sudden it was. With the Linear Guild's prior appearances, we had months of lead up, hints of what Nale was planning, and the party was semi-prepared for a confrontation.

Now? The Order is split four ways: Elan/Haley/Vaarsuvius are under attack by Zz'dtri with Haley being currently petrified, Roy is stuck fighting Thog in the arena and has no clue what else is going on, Belkar is in the dungeons with Ian and is as clueless as Roy, and Durkon is still at the palace with Malack, and knows even less than Roy and Belkar do!

Unless Roy/Durkon/Belkar piece together what's going on and fast, the Order is really in for it this time.

[EpilepticWombat]

One would think that the IFCC would have access to very good lawyers. :smalltongue:

All of the lawyers they could want, in fact.

Badum-tish.

[Crisis21]

Rich, you are a genius.

I understand that you probably hear this often, but bringing back Zz'dtri on that premise, with that line.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLANNING THIS?!

[Darius Midnite]

And the Drow shall inherit the world. :smallamused:

[ThePhantom]

Woah, didn't see that coming.

[fibonacciseries]

What?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?!? ZZ'DTRI?!?!?!?!?!!?! WHAT?!?!?!?

But when V said "Now is not the time." (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0754.html) it made it sound as if ze already knew Polozius, and why ze was glaring at hir...


GUYS.

I think it was Zz'dtri spying on the OOTS #698! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html) (Speculated much earlier, but just look at the double layers of his magic aura.)

That is an excellent point. Kudos to you for spotting it (and so quickly!). I'm even more worried now...

Where are Zz'dtri's scimitars?

[Debatra]

Hmm, Zz'dtri was crossed out of the IFCC's Linear Guild picture (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html). Is Nale keeping things from Sabine? Sabine keeping things from her superiors? Zz'dtri's release from prison is very recent? Minor plot hole? Or do the fiends not want to spoil things for us? :smalltongue:

The bad guys may be evil, but they have shown themselves (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0548.html) (panel eight) to not be that bad (http://www.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EvenEvilHasStandards).

[Felixaar]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :smallsigh:

I'm surprised Elan remembers (his?) name.

[Ajadea]

Holy holy .

I didn't see that coming, but that puts a lot together.

Zz'dtri has been free for at least 91 strips (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html) but not more than 121 strips (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html) unless Sabine was lying (and why would she?), and he has been in the EoB for 47 strips (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0742.html).

And frankly, it is unclear whether Tarquin knows of Zz'dtri's presence-I am inclined to say he does [I]not, which implies that Nale (or one of his much more intelligent cohorts) has been able to get one up on him.

[Chance Gardener]

if ZZ'dtri was the one spying on them in the desert, why is the iris of the eyeball green instead of white?

I'm of the opinion you should view it as a duck: if it's in the desert where Girard's gate was supposed to be, near where the warning system that Girard set up was, with something hidden by possible illusory powers purportedly possessed by Girard, I would tend to think that the eye belongs to Serini.

Or possibly Girard.

[Yuki Akuma]

if ZZ'dtri was the one spying on them in the desert, why is the iris of the eyeball green instead of white?

I'm of the opinion you should view it as a duck: if it's in the desert where Girard's gate was supposed to be, near where the warning system that Girard set up was, with something hidden by possible illusory powers purportedly possessed by Girard, I would tend to think that the eye belongs to Serini.

Or possibly Girard.

Girard?

Girard's magic colour is purple. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0277.html)

[TheSummoner]

Ok, shortly after the initial shock of Zz'dtri's reappearance, I did a quick archive check...

The last time we saw Zz'dtri was strip 65... In 2004... Zz'dtri has been out of the picture for about 7 years and 724 comics... And yet the reappearance fits...

*applause* Well done Giant, well done.

[Gift Jeraff]

if ZZ'dtri was the one spying on them in the desert, why is the iris of the eyeball green instead of white?
The scrying eye's iris matches the colour of the magic. We've only seen one other scrying sensor, and its iris also matched its caster's aura. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0292.html)

[Ajadea]

Can anyone confirm to me that "Polozius" never said a word in the comic before today's strip? If so, that's a pretty nice clue in retrospect.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0742.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0754.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0775.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0784.html

And then today's strip.

[Kato]

Thanks for the comic, Giant!

Well... that was unexpected. I really though those glares were just Epileptic Trees. Well, seems I was wrong. Nice return, though I wonder where s/he was in the Cliffport arc. Not that I'm complaining of course. Yay, Zz'drti.

[Larspcus2]

Break enchantment can reverse even an instantaneous effect.


If the spell is one that cannot be dispelled by dispel magic, break enchantment works only if that spell is 5th level or lower.

..........

[NerfTW]

THAT WAS AWESOME. :smallbiggrin:

I totally did not expect that.

[ThePhantasm]

Also, very nice effects in this strip, like even Haley's potion turning to stone, and the evil elf's metamorphoses. :smallcool:

Yeah, Rich's special effects seem to get more and more beautiful with each strip.

[Porthos]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0742.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0754.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0775.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0784.html

And then today's strip.

Thanks for that. So the lack of speech definitely fits.

Hmmm. If we really do want to follow the whole Evil Opposites Theme, one of the other LG members should be in the arena (Roy:Thog and Belkar:???). Since Zz'dtri:V then maybe we should be looking for Nale, Sabine, and whoever is opposing Durkon these days amongst the guests at the banquet (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html).

Spoiler Musing That He Really Doesn't Believe But Is Just Throwing It Out There
Could Captain Amun Zora be Sabine on deep cover? Doesn't seem to be her style to play someone that uptight. But can any tree be too epileptic right now?

[MoonCat]

Yeah, Rich's special effects seem to get more and more beautiful with each strip.

Yeah, three times we've seen a once living statue, and each one is better than the last. The elf looks completely different (although I still feel that the robe is warped) from before.

[Zherog]

The last time we saw Zz'dtri was strip 65... In 2004... Zz'dtri has been out of the picture for about 7 years and 924 comics...

Since this is #789, I think your maths are a wee bit off. ;) (or, at least, your fingers on your number pad were a wee bit off)

[ThreadKiller]

Holy buckets! :smalleek:

Nextstripsoonplzkthx. :smalltongue:

[Yendor]

Once again, Rich proves himself far cleverer than most of his readers.

That's also the longest sentence we've seen from Zz'dtri.

[Izar Goldbranch]

Break Enchantment works, which is a level 4 spell i think. So Durkon should easily be able to deal with it.

It's level 5, but your point remains valid.

Count me among those who didn't see this coming. Nice twist, Giant :D

[TheSummoner]

Since this is #789, I think your maths are a wee bit off. ;) (or, at least, your fingers on your number pad were a wee bit off)

I blame a typo... No one's math is THAT bad =P

Also, corrected.

[Ajadea]

Thanks for that. So the lack of speech definitely fits.

Hmmm. If we really do want to follow the whole Evil Opposites Theme, one of the other LG members should be in the arena (Roy:Thog and Belkar:???). Since Zz'dtri:V then maybe we should be looking for Nale, Sabine, and whoever is opposing Durkon these days amongst the guests at the banquet (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html).

Spoiler Musing That He Really Doesn't Believe But Is Just Throwing It Out There
Could Captain Amun Zora be Sabine on deep cover? Doesn't seem to be her style to play someone that uptight. But can any tree be too epileptic right now?

Here's an epileptic tree for you:

There is a blond guy in the following comics:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0748.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0777.html

He's got to be Nale, of course :smallwink:.

[Bharg]

Since the bag of holding wasn't petrified I wonder if it is going to be important...
Black hole, maybe? ^^

[MReav]

So, how are they going to defeat Zz'dtri? My vote is:

They point out Nale replaced him with a low-level half-elf. For a group that prides itself on disproportionate retribution on quasi-imagined slights, that's gotta be a blow to both the Evil, supremacist drow POV, and his wizardly pride.

By the way, I refer to Zz'Dtri as a him because unlike other elves, Drow are very sexually dimorphic. They're either huge-breasted, leather-bound dominatrices, or men.

[Symmys]

Wow.

If it wasn't before, it's official now. The Giant is a master at writing twists that nobody saw coming. I am in awe, sir.

[Porthos]

He's got to be Nale, of course :smallwink:.

I don't think we can count anything out at the moment. :smallwink:

[mizzim]

O.O
Wow. Just... wow. Totally unexpected.

And the hair sort of works too... long hair vs. short hair?

[Martok]

Damn. Zz'dtri??!

Like everyone else, I did not see that coming at all. Well done, Giant!

[Kroozer101]

My call? Nale murdered Tarquin in his sleep, disguised himself as Tarquin, and took control of the kingdom. The backstory is a load of crap, specifically thought out to confuse Elan.
Of course, I'm probably wrong.

[Welknair]

Though redundant, I feel the need to say "Wow."

Wow.

Did not see that one coming.

Perhaps we'll see Hilgya again?

[JonestheSpy]

Wow. When I saw "Also, His Popularity Has Waned" as the title, I assumed it was Thog and the crowd would be turning against him. Took me awhile to figure out just who it referred to...

Pretty nifty.

[ScottishDragon]

YES!! Comics are getting interesting again!!

[Nevereatcars]

Zzdtri was speaking more than enough to speak more than the speech of a speaking dwarf/elf confusion?

[ericgrau]

The exact same level (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/stoneToFlesh.htm) as Vaarsuvius' favourite (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0626.html) spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/disintegrate.htm).

Transmutation is also not one of his barred schools (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0340.html), so she can cast it.

Haley will be fine.



Uh-huh. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/breakEnchantment.htm)

Right because until this point Vaarsuvius has prepared it every day just in case and wasted a spell slot thus reducing her power for the day. That's... highly unlikely and a Bad Idea. Break enchantment is more versatile for other problems at least but still not his style. Durkon probably has one though.

[ThePhantasm]

My call? Nale murdered Tarquin in his sleep, disguised himself as Tarquin, and took control of the kingdom. The backstory is a load of crap, specifically thought out to confuse Elan.
Of course, I'm probably wrong.

I hope not. Tarquin is too interesting to turn out to be Nale.

[Ajadea]

Did anyone notice that V looks thinner than Zz'dtri? The way their front sides curve is completely different, and before they were more like palette swaps of each other than anything else. Zz'dtri is also paler than he was in his previous appearance for some reason...

[Shoelessgdowar]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0755.html
Possibly the Death Squad Kobold? and Cathy (Sabine?)

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0745.html
Kobold who knew a guy whose cousin was eaten by a tiger 3 months after being hit with a rock thrown by a Halfling.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html
The Banquet

Gourntank is a tall Lizardman (same humanoid subspecies as Kobolds), sophisticated, could he be Belkar's new opposite? Tarquin believed Polozius (Zz'dtri) was the ambassador from the Elven Lands, and Gourntank is supposedly the Liason from the bordering nation of Reptilia. And could the Blond Prisoner in the final panel be Nale? Hair grown out, unkempt, near nude (all opposites of Elan... okay that is a stretch, but maybe he and Thog were captured together... he is seen again getting beaten (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0748.html) by Belkar)

I'd almost be tempted to speculate Sabine appeared and even 'helped (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0752.html)' Haley... after all, her acts did help inspire lust... and Haley and Elan's monogamy is opposite Nale and Sabine's infidelities... but they can't really be true opposites until Sabine and Nale hate one another.

[DaggerPen]

... can't say I saw that one coming. Excellent twist, Giant.

Also, LMAOing at the "... Huh."

[Crossfiyah]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html

There must be a reason he's looking at the reader, now that this strip has been brought to attention again.

[Porthos]

I hope not. Tarquin is too interesting to turn out to be Nale.

I don't think there is any way Nale could conceivably be Tarquin. The personalities are just too different.

[ThePhantasm]

Zz'dtri is also paler than he was in his previous appearance for some reason...

Same reason Roy is paler than he was in the first strips. Looks better in print.


I don't think there is any way Nale could conceivably be Tarquin. The personalities are just too different.

I agree totally.

[martianmister]

Where are Zz'dtri's scimitars?

In the Dungeon of Dorukan:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0065.html

[Porthos]

Zz'dtri is also paler than he was in his previous appearance for some reason...

Probably due to Rich recoloring to make him look better in print.

[Morph Bark]

Plus, he has also dropped the use of the scimitars. No more "infringement"!

[otakuryoga]

post # 140...let me be #100 to say
wow, totally did NOT see that coming

[Ranylyn]

"We need to go have sex."
"Bring the cat, just in case."
"...huh"

Totally lost it laughing. Brilliant!

[Gamgee]

BAM! That's a comic. Now for things to get so much more interesting.

[theNater]

Really did not see that one coming.

SO. Taking bets now. Where's Sabine hiding?
Sabine's got to be the palace beautician (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0752.html). By Haley's level, even a rogue should have a chance to save against Flesh to Stone. The hair restoration potion had a side-effect that penalizes the user's Fort save.

Right because until this point Vaarsuvius has prepared it every day just in case and wasted a spell slot thus reducing her power for the day. That's... highly unlikely and a Bad Idea. Break enchantment is more versatile for other problems at least but still not his style. Durkon probably has one though.
V is a wizard. Being prepared comes naturally. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0781.html)

[The Pilgrim]

For all his genre savvy villainy, Tarquinn seems to have seriously underestimated Nale, he already has planted two of his guild members in the empire without suspicion, and probably has several more we don't know about yet (CoughSabinecough).

Well, you shouldn't rule out that fast the possibility that Tarquin actually knows about those plants.

[Poppy Appletree]

Of course--because Vaarsuvius grew his/her hair longer! :smallwink:

Dang, I was going to go for it.

Re: Flesh to Stone - I'm wondering if Haley will survive the reverse trip.

EDIT:


Sabine's got to be the palace beautician (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0752.html). By Haley's level, even a rogue should have a chance to save against Flesh to Stone. The hair restoration potion had a side-effect that penalizes the user's Fort save.

I'd buy it.

[Orzel]

You got me, Giant.

also great first line.

[Yana]

Erm... why wouldn't Haley survive the depetrification?

[Half-orc Bard]

A potion that would make flesh to stone not work on her

[Gaius]

Fantastic transition to the hallway, and fantastic reveal! :smallbiggrin:

Good catches about the magic aura matching the eye in the desert, and the shorter hair's offsetting V's. I'd missed them both.

And speaking of differences between Z and V...
Anyone else expecting to see Z's familiar?

[valce]

Nice twist :D

Also, there's no way Tarquin is *that* blind to what Elan and co. are up to. After all the little quips and suspicious departures, he must have pieced something together.

This may just be wishful thinking, but I'm sure all this (including Nale's plan) is somehow part of Tarquin's master plan. Tarquin seems too magnificent to be caught in a trap by his own son.

-V

[KoboldRevenge]

I... I have got a awesome feeling about this. I love the color green!

[Sengoku]

if ZZ'dtri was the one spying on them in the desert, why is the iris of the eyeball green instead of white?

I'm of the opinion you should view it as a duck: if it's in the desert where Girard's gate was supposed to be, near where the warning system that Girard set up was, with something hidden by possible illusory powers purportedly possessed by Girard, I would tend to think that the eye belongs to Serini.

Or possibly Girard.

It is possible the LG reached that point BEFORE the OotS (they had much more time), and Nale had Zz'dtri put a scrying spell to know when the Order would have arrived there to start plotting vengeance.

[Crisis21]

Right because until this point Vaarsuvius has prepared it every day just in case and wasted a spell slot thus reducing her power for the day. That's... highly unlikely and a Bad Idea. Break enchantment is more versatile for other problems at least but still not his style. Durkon probably has one though.

You know, everyone is debating whether or not Vaarsuvius can use Break Enchantment to rescue Haley, and is completely ignoring the fact that, while Break Enchantment is a 5th level Wizard spell, it is also a 4th level Bard Spell.

Elan could conceivably use it to save Haley. If he knows it, which has not been said in-strip to my knowledge. Remember, he said his new 4th level spell was Neutralize Poison back in 647 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0647.html).

[ORione]

Wow. Brilliant twist. Someone said that Polozius might be Vaarsuvius's new LG counterpart, but I don't think anyone thought that he'd be V's old LG counterpart.

I like Zz'dtri's new hairstyle. Not only does it contrast with V's new hairstyle, but it helped keep Polozius's identity secret.

So did "Polozius" never speaking, which is also in-character for Zz'dtri (which also fits as V's evil opposite).

Note: as of http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0142.html, Nale thought that Zz'dtri was gone too. Just something to keep in mind for future speculation.


GUYS.

I think it was Zz'dtri spying on the OOTS #698! (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html) (Speculated much earlier, but just look at the double layers of his magic aura.)

Mmm. I doubt it. I'm sure that the eye has come up before, but I can't find it. If anyone knows which comic it's in, I would appreciate it if you directed me towards it. I think it was at the dungeon of Dorukan, which was too early forZz'dtri to get free. He probably had a long trial before he rejoined the LG, which explains why he wasn't at Cliffport.

[Detrinex]

Methinks Sabine is the lizard ambassador, and Tarquin is either Nale without a beard + hair dye, or Nale is hiding somewhere else.

[NerfTW]

A potion that would make flesh to stone not work on her

This. So much this. :smallbiggrin:

[Valley]

WOw. Just wow. What a comic to come home to.

[Gift Jeraff]

Mmm. I doubt it. I'm sure that the eye has come up before, but I can't find it. If anyone knows which comic it's in, I would appreciate it if you directed me towards it. I think it was at the dungeon of Dorukan, which was too early forZz'dtri to get free. He probably had a long trial before he rejoined the LG, which explains why he wasn't at Cliffport.
No, you're thinking of this (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0292.html).

[Poppy Appletree]

So, after Thog being revealed two strips prior, and now Zz'dtri, are we betting on Sabine and Nale showing in quick succession?

EDIT:


And could the Blond Prisoner in the final panel be Nale? Hair grown out, unkempt, near nude (all opposites of Elan... okay that is a stretch, but maybe he and Thog were captured together... he is seen again getting beaten (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0748.html) by Belkar).

I really like this theory.

[Tthorn3]

:D I think my head exploded! YAYYYYYYYY! Z!

[mizzim]

And that first panel was totally awesome.

[Kingscourt]

:smalleek:

Well... uh oh. Haley's turned to stone and V only has a d4 hit die...


Let's see you put that prestige class to use, Elan.

[mizzim]

:smalleek:

Well... uh oh. Haley's turned to stone and V only has a d4 hit die...


Let's see you put that prestige class to use, Elan.

Ooh... puns.

[Elusieum]

WOW! What a twist! Amazing, Giant!

[homersolo]

Wow. Nice job. Totally didn't see that coming. Heck, I barely saw it coming after I read it the first time.

As someone else said in this thread, there is no way Tarquin isn't onto this and ready for this. He's done a great job of thinking things out five moves in advance. Clearly his evil mastermind radar would have gone off when he knew that Thog was back. Remember Thog has been back since before the Order got there, so he was under the impression that his son (nale) was still alive and had an oppurtunity to plan for it.

[MesiDoomstalker]

I do believe we are reaching a climax here. I expect Girard (the real one, not an illusion) to come into play here soon along with the rest of LG. And shortly after, Team Evil pops in. At least one panel with everybody doing :smalleek: before all abyss breaks loose.

[EmperorSarda]

You know, if the OOTS beats the dark elf, they just earned 5,000 gold.

On the flip side, I wonder what Nale's plan is. I mean, yes just waiting in the Empire of Blood for the Oots to arrive is needlessly complicated and fits Nale well, my bet is that there was some other plan that got derailed or side-lined to fight Elan and them.

[Timeless Error]

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.

Even with all the epileptic trees revolving around Polozius, you still manage to surprise us all.

[Kairamek]

{{scrubbed}}

[zimmerwald1915]

V will probably be unconscious, and will go into another BSOD because he wasn't able to go help Haley because he passed out. I don't know, but this wont be for just a few minutes, I can tell.
Nah. Since V took the scenic route to the nether alignment regions not so long ago, Z has become a better Elf. This can be so even if he's still working for Nale. V's still working for Roy, after all, for reasons that do not have and never have had anything to do with alignments their beign convergent. The IFCC knows about Z's redemption, which was why Z was crossed off their poster: he might be loyal to Nale, but he's not a reliable agent of theirs.

However, Z is a more powerful wizard than V, and will overpower her, perhaps after some difficulty. One of the fiends will be forced to use some of their time with V's soul to keep their minion in play, but it will not be discovered. V will be unconscious throughout the whole process, Haley will still be stone, Elan will be typically clueless, and Z will seriously consider changing his name to "Cassandra". After all, who'd believe him after the massive deception he just pulled?

[Enlong]

Hey, here's something interesting.

In this comic (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html), the Order is spied on by a scrying spell that we all believed to be from Girard. However, the scrying spell has a pale green aura, while Girard's magic appears to normally use a pale purple (see also the recorded message thing).

Now Zz'dtri's back, and one may remember that his magic aura uses the exact same shade of green.

Conicidence?

[MesiDoomstalker]

Hey, here's something interesting.

In this comic (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0698.html), the Order is spied on by a scrying spell that we all believed to be from Girard. However, the scrying spell has a pale green aura, while Girard's magic appears to normally use a pale purple (see also the recorded message thing).

Now Zz'dtri's back, and one may remember that his magic aura uses the exact same shade of green.

Conicidence?

This was brought up much earlier. Your a little late.

[Who149]

He talks more then I remember. Also, more fuel to the crack theorist. *rubs hands together* Soon Banjo. Soon.

[JSSheridan]

Sabine's got to be the palace beautician (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0752.html). By Haley's level, even a rogue should have a chance to save against Flesh to Stone. The hair restoration potion had a side-effect that penalizes the user's Fort save.

V is a wizard. Being prepared comes naturally. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0781.html)

And no one hurts V's friends and lives to see the next sunrise. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0183.html)

[MesiDoomstalker]

Soon Banjo.

Of course! It all makes sense now! Since Soon's ghost is no longer attachted to the gate, he inhabitated Banjo! :smallamused:

Let the crackpot theories begin.

[Yana]

While the ongoing fight between Z/V and Elan is certainly dramatic, we may be due for another scene change. For all we know, some other dangerous event may shortly occur in Durkon's vicinity, seeing as he hasn't been present recently.

[WeLoveFireballs]

A point is that the bag didn't turn to stone. It will play a part in the fight to come.

[NegativeFifteen]

Man, they sure put a lot of faith on Zz'drti. Expecting him to go against Vaarsuvius, Haley, AND (Though negligible) Elan. The rest of the Linear Guild has to show up soon.

[MesiDoomstalker]

While the ongoing fight between Z/V and Elan is certainly dramatic, we may be due for another scene change. For all we know, some other dangerous event may shortly occur in Durkon's vicinity, seeing as he hasn't been present recently.

Hilyga returns!


:elan: Dun DunDun!

[Julian84]

BOOM!

That was the sound of my mind bein' BLOWN.

[MesiDoomstalker]

A point is that the bag didn't turn to stone. It will play a part in the fight to come.

I would bet all my money on it contains Roy's and Belkar's equipment.

[Who149]

Man, they sure put a lot of faith on Zz'drti. Expecting him to go against Vaarsuvius, Haley, AND (Though negligible) Elan. The rest of the Linear Guild has to show up soon.


At the moment, just Elan and Vaarsuvius. And most likely Nale is behind the corner ready to strike.

He would never have Elan killed without him right there, and Sabine is probably right there with him to kill Haley.

[Nevereatcars]

There's been two reappearances of LG members over the last three strips, and yet, some people think Nale ISN'T here. {{scrubbed}}

[crit_process]

I'm sure this has an obvious answer I've missed, but, if DDzrzzit was threatening to put the smackdown on V with scimitars, and if DD'oZzrtiz (sorry, however it's spelled) uses big magic user spells, what's his class? Like I said, I'm sure more avid readers have an obvious answer, my apologies.

Also, what's the green lightning stuff? He used that before, right? What is it, though?


This was brought up much earlier. Your a little late.

You could say that of any number of posters. People seem to like posting on top of posts they don't read. We don't have to name names, to protect the... well the ones who do that a lot, ya.

[Vectner]

Well, I didn't see that coming. I don't think anyone did, good job! That does of course explain all the dirty looks, and we thought it was because of the taint of evil

[zimmerwald1915]

It still could be, if Zz'dtri's alignment has shifted as far as Vaarsuvius' has over the course of the seven hundred strips that Z spent off-panel.

[Sengoku]

If Nale is disguising among the gladiators as someone suggested, I think Belkar will die with a dagger in his back before the board realized how.

[zimmerwald1915]

If Nale is disguising among the gladiators as someone suggested, I think Belkar will die with a dagger in his back before the board realized how.
Not to mention that the blonde fellow in the pit hasn't got the goatee shadow Nale had the whole time he was impersonating Elan.

[Red XIV]

For all his genre savvy villainy, Tarquinn seems to have seriously underestimated Nale, he already has planted two of his guild members in the empire without suspicion, and probably has several more we don't know about yet (CoughSabinecough).
Tarquin most likely allowing Nale's no doubt over-complicated plan to play out for now, knowing that Nale's ego will require him to appear in person regardless of whether there's any tactical advantage to doing so.


I hope not. Tarquin is too interesting to turn out to be Nale.
And too competent. And Nale is too egotistical to insult himself, even to maintain his cover.


Sabine's got to be the palace beautician (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0752.html). By Haley's level, even a rogue should have a chance to save against Flesh to Stone. The hair restoration potion had a side-effect that penalizes the user's Fort save.[/URL]
Or she just failed the save. Elan's not the only one who can roll a 4.


You know, everyone is debating whether or not Vaarsuvius can use Break Enchantment to rescue Haley, and is completely ignoring the fact that, while Break Enchantment is a 5th level Wizard spell, it is also a 4th level Bard Spell.

Elan could conceivably use it to save Haley. If he knows it, which has not been said in-strip to my knowledge. Remember, he said his new 4th level spell was Neutralize Poison back in 647 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0647.html).
Elan should know at least 4 4th-level spells. We know Neutralize Poison is one of them and presumably Cure Critical Wounds is another at this point since he said he was going to swap out for it. Break Enchantment seems like a relatively likely choice, though being Elan his remaining 4th-level spells could easily be something less useful.


:smalleek:

Well... uh oh. Haley's turned to stone and V only has a d4 hit die...


Let's see you put that prestige class to use, Elan.
I really doubt Zz'dtri took V down in one shot, and V should still have plenty of high-level spells for the day. I would expect to see some Disintegrate spells soon.

[mizzim]

What if Ian is working with Nale?

Ian: (standing behind Belkar) Just so you know, I don't especially enjoy doing this. *stabs with something*

[Red XIV]

What if Ian is working with Nale?

Ian: (standing behind Belkar) Just so you know, I don't especially enjoy doing this. *stabs with something*
Why would Ian ever work with Tarquin's son? Even if Nale wanted to work with him to overthrow Tarquin, he would think the whole thing (including Nale's original betrayal and the EoB's bounty on him) was an elaborate trick to get Ian to reveal himself.

[Poppy Appletree]

What if Ian is working with Nale?

Ian: (standing behind Belkar) Just so you know, I don't especially enjoy doing this. *stabs with something*

Better epileptic tree: What if Geoff is Sabine?

EDIT: That doesn't even make any sense though, due to antimagic. So, I guess it's an appropriate counter. :P

[Ajadea]

Better epileptic tree: What if Geoff is Sabine?

Even better: what if Ivy was killed or otherwise gotten out of the way, and then Sabine replaced her?

[zimmerwald1915]

I really doubt Zz'dtri took V down in one shot, and V should still have plenty of high-level spells for the day. I would expect to see some Disintegrate spells soon.
V has never won a wizard's duel against a primary caster. Against both Zz'dtri and Samantha she ran out of spells, and had to resort to the intervention of others (lawyers, bandit chief) to neutralize her opponents. Against Xykon she lost the Soul Splices after wasting most of her spells. The fellow who delivered Inky's summons threw the fight, and ABD relied more on "still being a dragon" in combat than on magic.

There is no reason to believe she will be able to hold her own now for more than a few rounds, particularly as her saves aren't that great and Zz'dtri likes targetting them more than HP.

[Taria]

:smalleek:

[Scutilla]

Love interest -> lawn ornament count: 2

So with two "season 1" LGers on-screen and at least two of the remaining three almost a certainty, the question becomes- who will be Belkar's opponent? I'm thinking maybe Uncle Geoff, assuming he isn't Sabine.


Nice strip... although it's weird that Haley's clothes and bottle turned to stone as well as her flesh.
PHB explicitly says "and all carried gear". Things would get awkward otherwise.

1. Person gets Flesh to Stoned.
2. The unstoned gear gets looted, in true D&D fashion.
3. Someone later comes along and casts Stone to Flesh.
4. Nudity ensues.

Actually, that would be pretty hilarious. I should use that as a house rule next time I DM :P

[MoonCat]

Even better: what if Ivy was killed or otherwise gotten out of the way, and then Sabine replaced her?

Well, since Ivy is mostly likely pale skinned (because Geoff isn't, and at least one will have similar skin color to the Starshines, all of whom are fair), I doube Sabine could pass as her.

[MesiDoomstalker]

Well, since Ivy is mostly likely pale skinned (because Geoff isn't, and at least one will have similar skin color to the Starshines, all of whom are fair), I doube Sabine could pass as her.

But living in the desert could be used as an excuse for a darker skin tone due to tanning. Geoff is still pale because he is malnourished and probably kept out of the sun and inside the prison the majority of the time.

[Shoelessgdowar]

Okay, just for kicks, and yes partly to provoke argument, but the good kind. My predictions for the entire Linear Guild 3.0

Roy vs Thog (Given, obvious, and happening)
Elan vs Nale (A must)
Haley vs Sabine (Easy to see)
V vs Z (WOW!!! Yes, I skipped saying it before, this was so expected of V vs P, but no one saw it being Z)

Okay, those were the obvious half now the predictions, which may be multiple

Belkar vs Yukyuk(This is a naming theme thing, so he's a Kobold we've seen but not had named)
or
Belkar vs Gourntank (Sophisticated Lawful Tactical Reptilian)

Mr. Scruffy vs Mrs. Fancy (a dog who is Belkar's new Rival's pet)

Durkon vs Solt Lorkyurg (Durkon is a Living Priest, so a Zombie or some other type of Undead Gnome would be very opposite him, especially if he was raised by Helgya just to beat up on the guy who jilted her, and a former drug dealing Gnome would be perfect to oppose an alcohol consuming Dwarf)

Blackwing vs Z's Familar (A multicolored sanke to be the opposite of Blackwing's B&W Ravenhood)

[Tobimaro]

Looks like the Linear Guild just got a promotion from "random chaos generators" to "nemesis". A definite step up from when Pompey was the Guild's arcane caster.

I'm just wondering who the LG has hired this time to be the opposite of Belkar. :smallamused:

[Hironomus]

I didn't realise until right this moment how much I love the linear guild. This arc is going to be awesome!
Hopefully Hilgya shows up.

[Ping Pong Along]

Well, that was quite a surprise. Great strip. Didn't see that coming at all.

I figure we have two opposites left to see. I think Belkar should have an opposite that is not a kobold. Maybe a friendly giant? Eh, maybe not.

For Durkon, I'm hoping to see a return of Leeky Windstaff. Cool character and very much the opposite of Durkon. Far more so than Hilgya ever was. Plus, he's really powerful.

[Poppy Appletree]

V has never won a wizard's duel against a primary caster. Against both Zz'dtri and Samantha she ran out of spells, and had to resort to the intervention of others (lawyers, bandit chief) to neutralize her opponents. Against Xykon she lost the Soul Splices after wasting most of her spells. The fellow who delivered Inky's summons threw the fight, and ABD relied more on "still being a dragon" in combat than on magic.

There is no reason to believe she will be able to hold her own now for more than a few rounds, particularly as her saves aren't that great and Zz'dtri likes targetting them more than HP.

I think this is very sound reasoning, but I feel it fails to factor in V's recent character development that is leading her away from her original "blaster mage" mentality (a mentality which is terrible for a wizard to have) - I believe this fundamental change in outlook will have a big part to play in the ensuing duel.

[SteveMB]

What?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?!? ZZ'DTRI?!?!?!?!?!!?! WHAT?!?!?!?

But when V said "Now is not the time." (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0754.html) it made it sound as if ze already knew Polozius, and why ze was glaring at hir...

I thought s/he just didn't want to get dragged off on a tangent.

[Blaznak]

Parody. heh.

[harmsc12]

Wow. um, Chekhov's Gunman?
Brick Joke?
Giant Space Flea From Nowhere?

Nah, just the first two.

[SteveMB]

Why would Ian ever work with Tarquin's son? Even if Nale wanted to work with him to overthrow Tarquin, he would think the whole thing (including Nale's original betrayal and the EoB's bounty on him) was an elaborate trick to get Ian to reveal himself.

Ian seems a bit too paranoid to work with anybody -- hence the Order's inability to gain his cooperation.

[Asis]

Goddamn, you make 8 bit theater's brick jokes look short. :smallbiggrin:

[croaker36]

Oh no! Roy, the most organized/strategic member of the Order is distracted by Thog! And Zz'dtri neutralized Haley, the second-in-command as well as the most combat-savvy in my opinion. Nale really laid this one out. I'm worried for Belkar, though, with his predicted death coming up soon.

[Toofey]

It was indicated V knew the elf...

[Burger]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this...but did anyone else make a connection between this strip and the stuff that just went on between Weird Al and Lady Gaga, where Lady Gaga told Weird Al he couldn't use her songs?

Not sure if it was intended or not, but it amused me either way.

[Morgan Wick]

Yeah, three times we've seen a once living statue, and each one is better than the last. The elf looks completely different (although I still feel that the robe is warped) from before.

One thing I didn't see on the first few pages:

His mouth actually opens when he talks!

When I saw the title, I thought Thog was about to die...

[Xacal]

I would bet all my money on it contains Roy's and Belkar's equipment.

Or... dare we hope... Roy's long lost Bag of Tricks? :smallbiggrin:

[Stille_Nacht]

i really want tarquin to fight nale, i dunno i just find the idea of [b]level 20 [whatever tarquin is][b] roflpowning nale in a fight :/

[LordShotGun]

This comic's title is possibly funnier then the punchline which is totally why we need said title included into the top or bottom of the comic itself for people (like myself) who go back into the archives to reread the comics several times..

[Dusk Eclipse]

I think this is very sound reasoning, but I feel it fails to factor in V's recent character development that is leading her away from her original "blaster mage" mentality (a mentality which is terrible for a wizard to have) - I believe this fundamental change in outlook will have a big part to play in the ensuing duel.

Meh, a blaster wizard is still a wizard, so it is not as bad as it could be.

And, am I the only one who is sad cause now we probably won't see Roy vs. Thog fight? (haven't read the whole thread).

Having said that I am more impressed than usual, the set up was great, the joke in the title is incredibly apt (incidentally I first though it referred to Thog; but in retrospect, he has become even more popular). And I really liked ZZ'drit new look; though for some reason I would have liked for him (he is clearly a male elf) to have gone a gish-like route.

[silvadel]

And thus ends the order of the stick. Haley Stoned. The drop has happened on V who already looks to have taken a big hit. Not much Elan is going to do to a flying opponent.

Looks like a likely TPW to me. :smalleek:

[Alex Warlorn]

Oh no. IMPOSSIBLE!

P.S. Why were are they surprised Nale and co are alive, when they were -surprised- to hear Miko was dead, when BOTH were in the tower cells?

I call plot hole.

[Zevox]

Zz'dtri is back?! Wow, did not see that one coming.

Hm, wonder if that means we might be seeing Hilgya in the near future as well? Yikyik was the only one of the original Linear Guild that was actually killed, after all, so if one of the others is back, why not both? Especially considering the potential to get some actual character development for Durkon if she is.

Zevox

[Shoelessgdowar]

Ooo, Zombie Miko as Belkar's new opposite

[Knaight]

P.S. Why were are they surprised Nale and co are alive, when they were -surprised- to hear Miko was dead, when BOTH were in the tower cells?
Miko: Powerful warrior who single handedly took down the entire order of the stick, capable of healing herself.

Linear Guild: Bunch of incompetents that the Order defeats on a regular basis.

Yep, clearly a plot hole.

[Weiser_Cain]

Umm, His popularity hasn't waned. At least not here in the bunker.

[Gift Jeraff]

His mouth actually opens when he talks!
Good catch, but notice how it's significantly smaller than other characters' open mouths.


When I saw the title, I thought Thog was about to die...
Same here. :smallfrown:

[UserClone]

Is it just me, or is that Haley's BoH, and its having fallen away from her stone form is looking like a heck of a Chekov's Gun?

DISCLAIMER: I only read about twelve posts before posting, so someone else may have pointed this out.

[NerfTW]

Oh no. IMPOSSIBLE!

P.S. Why were are they surprised Nale and co are alive, when they were -surprised- to hear Miko was dead, when BOTH were in the tower cells?

I call plot hole.

Because they were told Miko was dead, and presumed she died in the explosion of the tower. It's not a plot hole, you're just not noticing that the reaction to Nale being alive is a direct result of their being told that Miko was dead. (They don't know that she ever left the prison tower)


Umm, His popularity hasn't waned. At least not here in the bunker.

I think he was referring to Drizzt Durden.

[Prof. Armitage]

Erm... why wouldn't Haley survive the depetrification?

System Shock. It was a rule in 1st Edition and 2nd Edition AD&D, so it wouldn't be an issue for the Order.
When you were subjected to a major physical change, such as petrification, polymorphing, or being cured of either, there was a chance that the strain of the change would kill you.
There was also Resurrection Survival, the chance that the strain of being raised from the dead would cause you to instantly and irrevocably die again.
Because being randomly killed by healing magic was fun...or something.

[DBear]

:haley: Great. I spent 147 strips with aphasia, and now I'm stoned? I'm going to renegotiate my contract.

[Elderac]

Wow. What a set-up.

[Saint Nil]

Didn't see this coming. Zz'dtri was one of my favorite linear guild members in the beginning, so this comic's buildup made the wait worth it.:smallbiggrin:
Also, lots of characters are having their hair styles change over time. I like it.

[Conuly]

Wait, wait, wait.

Okay, so Polonius (that's the name he was using, right?) isn't really Polonius. Got it.

But is there a real Polonius? And if not, how did he manage to trick his way (at the right time) into being an ambassador in the EoB?

[Aquillion]

Break Enchantment works, which is a level 4 spell i think. So Durkon should easily be able to deal with it.It's a level 5 spell for Clerics -- but it's a level 4 spell for Bards, which means that Elan himself is able to cast if if he's bothered to learn it.

[Morgan Wick]

Hmm, Zz'dtri was crossed out of the IFCC's Linear Guild picture (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html). Is Nale keeping things from Sabine? Sabine keeping things from her superiors? Zz'dtri's release from prison is very recent? Minor plot hole? Or do the fiends not want to spoil things for us? :smalltongue:

Hilgya was crossed out too. Perhaps they just used ink. In fact, the very fact they used an old LG poster from Book 1 may in retrospect itself have been a clue that we'd get a more "retro" Guild...


This comic's title is possibly funnier then the punchline which is totally why we need said title included into the top or bottom of the comic itself for people (like myself) who go back into the archives to reread the comics several times..

Well, you could buy the books. :smalltongue:


And, am I the only one who is sad cause now we probably won't see Roy vs. Thog fight? (haven't read the whole thread).

Why wouldn't we see Roy and Thog fight? It's at least as important. Clearly, it's cross-cutting time here, especially if Belkar's new opposite chooses here to attack.


But is there a real Polonius? And if not, how did he manage to trick his way (at the right time) into being an ambassador in the EoB?

This may be evidence that Tarquin, though certainly not Nale (that would be too left-field even for this comic), may well be in on the plan.

[Kelvin360]

Firstly: Sabine is KilKil.

Secondly: the spell Scrying can be used on a person, which means that yes, it is likely Zz was simply scrying on the ground, not the specific location.

Thirdly: Faceoffs:

Roy/Thog
Elan/Nale while V/Zz
Ian and Belkar/Probably Hilgya (or whoever they got as a cleric this time round) or Sabine, at which point Sabines gonna get owned because Ian must be at least the same level rogue Haley is. And I'm sorry, but even succubus DR isn't enough for 8d6+ sneak attacks.
Durkon and Malak/See above, but FURTHER pwnage against Sabine or whoever because two high level clerics? Hahahahahaaaaa.....

That is all.

[Nimrod's Son]

Wow. I think the idea that Hilgya will return at some point just got a whole lot more credible.


This comic's title is possibly funnier then the punchline which is totally why we need said title included into the top or bottom of the comic itself for people (like myself) who go back into the archives to reread the comics several times..
I doubt that'll ever happen. The titles are included in the books (at the bottom of the page, where they work best), so it's an extra incentive for people to buy them than if the titles appeared online as well. Kinda like how typos pretty much never get corrected online; the internet version is just the free sample for the actual product.

[joela]

"Parody is protected speech." I want the shirt! :smallbiggrin:

[Ender Wigin]

And thus ends the order of the stick. Haley Stoned. The drop has happened on V who already looks to have taken a big hit. Not much Elan is going to do to a flying opponent.

Looks like a likely TPW to me. :smalleek:

Stoned? You mean like this? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0747.html)

Also, ZOMG!!!! :smalleek:

[MartytheBioGuy]

Great comic, Giant! Golly I'm glad I'm in this community for SO many reasons!

[Athaniar]

Wow. Did not see that coming at all. Giant, you once again prove that you are a master of twists. Awesome.

[M.A.D]

Sabine is the Lizardfolk ambassador. The sensitive information that she has for the Empress's earholes (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0754.html) is actually a Charm Monster spell

[Killer Angel]

Wow. Did not see that coming at all.

I'm joining the chorus, here.
Also, that flesh to stone it's very nasty, in the current situation.

I wonder why they didn't advise Tarquin 'bout Nale. There's still Tarquin's bounty on Nale's head, so he would not have let it pass.

[Red XIV]

Miko: Powerful warrior who single handedly took down the entire order of the stick, capable of healing herself.
She lost all her paladin abilities, though. So no more healing.

[factotum]

The real problem here is that Zz'dtri is unlikely to be alone. Even having taken Haley out of the fight in the surprise round, he's not going to last long against V and Elan on his own...so that suggests that Nale, Sabine, or possibly both are waiting nearby to join the fight.

[aldeayeah]

It's a level 5 spell for Clerics -- but it's a level 4 spell for Bards, which means that Elan himself is able to cast if if he's bothered to learn it.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet:

Break Enchantment has a 1-minute (!) casting time. Also, it has a pretty high chance of failure.

Sabine and Nale are pretty much expected to turn up anytime. The real enigma is who's their cleric and the secondary melee character this time.

[zimmerwald1915]

The real problem here is that Zz'dtri is unlikely to be alone. Even having taken Haley out of the fight in the surprise round, he's not going to last long against V and Elan on his own...
Alternatively, he's already taken out Haley, Elan isn't terribly effective against opponents out of his reach (IC just gives a +2 or +3 to V's Rays depending on Elan's level, and according to Julio the Dashing Swordsman's bonuses to damage only work when weilding a rapier), and V is a less effective wizard than Z, as shown by their previous encounter. Z being able to handle this alone leaves Nale, Sabine, and any potential other LGers free to pursue the other threads of whatever scheme they've got going.

[faustin]

If Thog is fighting Roy and Zz'dtri is kicking Elan, Haley and V´s asses, then maybe is a reasonable assumption Hylga is gonna attack Durkon soon... maybe she is in league with Malack! :smalleek:
And the new kobold - opposite?

[Poppy Appletree]

Am I the only one who finds Haley's shocked face really comical?

Also, since Haley is now a mindless statue, she isn't going to know that Zz'dtri is alive until she sees it/someone tells her - this may present a problem if her statue gets left behind.

[Porthos]

I wonder why they didn't advise Tarquin 'bout Nale. There's still Tarquin's bounty on Nale's head, so he would not have let it pass.

I think they have "trust issues" with Tarquin right about now. :smallwink:

Besides, I rather suspect the chances that Tarquin doesn't know about all of this are rather small. He doesn't seem the type to let people wander around his court in magical disguises without knowing about it. And he really doesn't seem to be the type not to know about political conspiracies swiring around him. And a disguised member of the Linear Guild posing as an Ambassador certainly fits both criteria.

[DougTheHead]

Earlier, V didn't have any fireballs left. S/he's at the top of his/her game as far as spells go, so this should be a much closer matchup between the two.

Also, why did Haley's clothes and potion turn to stone? That doesn't seem to be covered by the spell, if its title is any indication.