OOTS #398 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

Monday's belated comic is now up.

[Norenche]

yay !

[fithi]

Yay! Great comic this one :smallbiggrin:

All I have to say is :thog: Group hug!

[Eldritch Knight]

Brilliant! I like this one!

[Particle_Man]

A happy moment. Frankly, I feel good for :thog:

[The Vorpal Tribble]

*guffaws*

Class :smallbiggrin:

[garylian]

Ahh, a group hug! So touching.

Where's Elan during the hug? I would have figured he'd have been in on that.

Now for the truly priceless upcoming fun... Roy, V, Belkar, and Durkon finding an odly effective Elan.

Now THAT's going to be priceless!

[Toroq]

...what about Elan?

[Seeker52]

I told it. :smallbiggrin: SNEAK ATTACK BITCH!!
Little dwarf with little hammer. Yay, that rocks. :smallbiggrin:

[Snake-Aes]

Durkon. Owns.


Elan is still fighting Nale, I suppose?

[Coffee_Dragon]

They're so mean to Thog! He just wants to hug!

[Dazdya]

I hope Roy never gets to see how well the party cooperates without him (and Belkar) around. Might be bad for his self-esteem.

By the way, Elan appears not to be in this comic. But then again, maybe he just took off his clothes for some reason.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Durkon. Owns.


Elan is still fighting Nale, I suppose?
No, look at the pile, he's unconscious on top of Sabine... and Thog just fell on him (love that part).

[Amon Star]

Fantastic! :durkon: casting Hold Person on :thog: at the end was just the icing on a very good cake. One question though, where was :elan: when all this Huggage was going on?

[Rinion]

Gah! My post disappeared. The Giant is lurking in the background :smalleek:
Poor Thog; he's so misunderstood.

[Grey Watcher]

I will admit, I feel a little bad for Thog. All he wanted was a hug!

[kaairn]

:thog: group hug


Yay thog, yay haley, yay Durkon, YAY GIANT.

Very nicely done and enjoyable comic. group hugs all around, even for the evil guys:smallbiggrin:

[melkorspawn]

I wonder what Roy's been up to for 18 comics. You know, since the big Parcheesi game.

[Allandaros]

That is a very good resolution to the umpteen million cryptogram threads.

Aaaand Thog is shut up! Huzzah!

(no offense to all you Thog-lovers out there; I just stopped liking him all that much after he whacked Haley with a door. Several times.)

[Peregrine]

Heeeheeheehahaha... oh that's wonderful... Durkon! And Haley! And V dragging in Nale! And Thog -- poor Thog! I almost feel bad for laughing... :smallbiggrin:

[Lord Herman]

Poor Thog!

But this comic was definitely worth the wait.

[Tormsskull]

I like Thog more and more as the comic goes on.

[pestilenceawaits]

hold person... that was awesome.

[TroyXavier]

It's the smile on Thog's face that really sells this one.

[MetalKelt]

Durkon. Owns.


Elan is still fighting Nale, I suppose?


I don't think so, in panel 10 you first see an unconcious Nale which is promptly followed by V's arrival on the scene, so my guess would be the lighning bolt took him out.

[Emperor Demonking]

That's the problem with barbarians to susceptible to hold person.
But where was Elan?

[Snake-Aes]

Oh true, didn't see it before. Thog scene made me feel a *bit* bad for him, this time he really wanted just a hug >.<

Well, where's Elan, then?

[Charles Phipps]

I object though.

Sabine can't remove Haley's life energy without kissing her!

[Lòkki Gallansbayne]

That was amazing. I lol'd. Of course, I lol at just about every OotS, but still. Priceless. Loved every panel. Especially the way Thog just topples over on to the pile of LGers at the end, like Amon Star said: icing on the cake.

Poor old Thog, though.

Edit: to the above, nice try, but I think you'll find it's a kiss or embrace. :smalltongue: That's even assuming Sabine is a succubus, but I don't want to start that debate up again (I believe as far as canon goes it's meant to be undetermined).

[Renegade Paladin]

Owned. x2. :biggrin:

[Snake-Aes]

I object though.

Sabine can't remove Haley's life energy without kissing her!

Well, that would be interesting...But this is a family comic? let it.

[Archaicwonder]

OOTS #398 Today on a Very Special OOTS....

I love it when demi-humans have "human" emotional moments...

[Nekkira]

Poor Thog just wanted a hug!

[Snake-Aes]

Now who will translate Haley's speech to Gibberish?

[Morchaint]

Awwwww Group hug. great comic. and that flying ( cussword stated in comic) got what had been coming to her a Long time ago.

[Seeker52]

My guess:
Elan will surely have solo strip with Haley. I think she will try to kiss him. And Durkon and V will go for Roy.

[Alysar]

Can we assume that #397 ended around the 8th(±1) panel of this one, since Nale actually landed on top of Sabine.

[Nerd-o-rama]

I object though.

Sabine can't remove Haley's life energy without kissing her!If it works like Succubus Energy Drain/she is a Succubus, it only actually takes a grapple.

Also, best expression ever on Thog.

[Loghren the Barbarian]

Never realized that Hold Person was teh funny. Nice work, Giant! Even if it made me choke on my mini-wheats.

[DarkLightDragon]

It was so cute watching V, Durkon and Haley hugging!

And Sabine's not gonna be happy...

[Snake-Aes]

sure thing

[Peregrin_Tooc]

great one! Worth every second of waiting.
"Group Hug" :D

[Duke of URL]

My guess:
Elan will surely have solo strip with Haley. I think she will try to kiss him. And Durkon and V will go for Roy.

You know... the way you worded that made it sound like a Roy/Durkon/V "threeway"... ewwwww....

[Teristen]

I agree - Yay, Haley can speak again! I enjoyed the plotline for about the first 80% of the comics, but it was overdue in being resolved. I am so happy she can speak and be part of the regular running dialogue. I also am rather pleased with the thoughts of upcoming discussions between her and the others, especially Elan :smallwink:

[Jewel Thief]

Yay! Comic! I'm so happy!
haha, and, as always, just awesome.

[Varian7]

Loved the group hug!

[The Doctor]

I think Elan needs a hug to.

[Duke of URL]

It's interesting.... Elan becomes a Dashing Swordsman to "save the day"... but:

:nale: is taken down by :vaarsuvius:
:sabine: is taken down by :haley:
:thog: is taken down by :durkon:

I guess that's teamwork for you.

[Solmage]

Awwww. Nice Comic! :-)

[Ronald_saveloy]

Poor Thog. All he wants is a hug...

[Querzis]

Well, that would be interesting...But this is a family comic? let it.

A family comic where there has been about 200 murder in cold blood until now? I would think that a guard sliced in two half by Thog axe is worse then two girls kissing but I could be wrong I guess.

Anyway great comic. Hold person was so funny.

[Adeptus]

I object though.

Sabine can't remove Haley's life energy without kissing her!

Yes she can. She's been doing that from the start. What ever D&D rule you are thinking about doesn't apply. Sabine can drain energy by touch.
[edit. Hmm... you propably meant it as humor. Sorry]

Great comic! Love the "hold person" bit. A very humane way to stop Thog, and more gentle than he deserved after beating Haley with a door. Amusing dynamic as well, with Roy and Belkar missing. Durkon, V, Elan and Haley work together surprisingly well!

[oball]

While Sabine's helpless, Haley should take the opportunity to find out which arrow it is that actually hurts her...



Can we assume that #397 ended around the 8th(±1) panel of this one, since Nale actually landed on top of Sabine.

If you look in Panel 10, V is dragging Nale onto the pile by his head.

[Deuce]

Heh, :durkon: just saved the lot of them from some major crushing damage from :thog: 's hug.

[ampcptlogic]

It's interesting.... Elan becomes a Dashing Swordsman to "save the day"... but:

:nale: is taken down by :vaarsuvius:

I guess that's teamwork for you.

:elan: gave :nale: a good, solid beating before :vaarsuvius: finished him off.

[Amon Star]

Can we assume that #397 ended around the 8th(±1) panel of this one, since Nale actually landed on top of Sabine.

Actually, it looks to me like :vaarsuvius: dragged :nale: there.

EDIT: Ninja'd! by oball!


You know... the way you worded that made it sound like a Roy/Durkon/V "threeway"... ewwwww....

POTFL!!!

[Mad Scientist]

Wow, the oots stick managed to beat the lg without Roy's help. Talk about a hit to Roy's ego. . .

[Runolfr]

It's interesting.... Elan becomes a Dashing Swordsman to "save the day"... but:

:nale: is taken down by :vaarsuvius:
:sabine: is taken down by :haley:
:thog: is taken down by :durkon:

I guess that's teamwork for you.

If not for Elan, Vaarsuvius and Durkon would probably have arrived too late to save Haley.

I, too, am curious why Elan did not join the group hug.

[Runolfr]

Wow, the oots stick managed to beat the lg without Roy's help. Talk about a hit to Roy's ego. . .

Well, it's not like they had to face a full-strength LG, there.

[Saithis Bladewing]

Its times like this that make me love OotS. ;D

[Wikkin]

Great as always, Giant!

[WoDHells]

I can't help but notice they hardly needed Roy, which I find amusing, or Belkar, which I find a little sad..

[Emmerson Grant]

This one made me feel warm and fuzzy. Well done, Giant.

Hold Person.

Priceless.

[chibibar]

woo hoo!! poor Thog... Love the hold person nice touch :) hmmm point blank range and stabbing someone with arrows... that gotta hurt :)

Go Obscure metal attack!

[theKOT]

This was pretty good. I've always liked the battle banter in OOTS and this is no exception. The fight was wrapped up and we got to see the inevitable reactions by V and Durkon to Haley's recovery, so things moved along well. Now, it wasn't as hilarious as it could have been and a few plot mechanics aren't particular clever, but this is still a good comic.

I really hope the Haley/Elan thing isn't avoided AGAIN. I NEED CONCLUSION! CLOSURE! NOW!!! ;)

[General_Ghoul]

Wait... who cast Hold Person. Speech box looks to be pointing to V. Can he cast HP?

[Nerd-o-rama]

Wait... who cast Hold Person. Speech box looks to be pointing to V. Can he cast HP?
It's a little misleading from the hug, but it's clearly Durkon casting with his left hand. You can tell from the white "magic color."

[geez3r]

can't.... stop..... laughing..... oww.

[Froody]

Great comic, but I feel sorry for Thog... he really became one of my fav characters since he was in prison with Elan ^^ (also, poor Belkar. He didn't get any part in slaughtering Nale or Sabine ^^)

[Windhammer]

Too Cool... Go team OotS

[Hart av Srednak]

I almopst started laughting when I saw name of the episode. I was expecting hold person.. not group hug..

Thank you


I really hope the Haley/Elan thing isn't avoided AGAIN. I NEED CONCLUSION! CLOSURE! NOW!!! ;)

We're at #398.. I would save Elan and Haley till #400 but I don't know about the Giant

[nadira]

awww poor Thog :thog:
he just wanted to be in the group hug... :smallfrown:

[CGM3]

Well, that pretty much settles it: Thog is truly Chaotic, reacting to the random impulses that chance to surge through his little brain, unfettered by short term memory despite his proven loyalty to Nale (a geas or charm monster, perhaps?) Caught up in the moment, he'll cheerfully join you in a group hug... then happily twist your head off. :smalltongue:

As for Elan, perhaps he's just offstage to the left, making sure his brother's not too badly hurt -- and possibly got clocked by the falling Thog. :smalleek:

[Wolfie_1066]

ROFL i loved the last two strips i was literally falling out of my seat :smalltongue:
:thog: group hug!
:durkon: hold person
and then theres a giant lenar guild dogpile :smalltongue: you just gotta love those guys...i say this is one of the strips where Durkron is directly related to the comedy! yay!

and as for where elan is i have no idea, to your idea CGM i think its possable if not for the fact that nale is below thog.

[Behold_the_Void]

Group hug!

[Mauril Everleaf]

i loved this one. i really like thog though, and wish they would have let him in the hug. that would itself have made for a funny gag, but the Hold Person bit + thog grin was priceless.

[Yorkiebar]

So touching! Next strip: Roy has no idea what's been happening.

[fwiffo]

I can't help but notice they hardly needed Roy, which I find amusing, or Belkar, which I find a little sad..

Well, at the end they had the numerical advantage - it was 4 of them and 3 of LG. No Leeky, no Yikyik (alas, poor Yikyik), no Pompey. When LG had numbers on their side, they were doing pretty well.

[Behold_the_Void]

Oh, and also as a note:

Sabine falls first, heavily implying that the lightning bolt did NOT take Nale down. Nale falls on top of Sabine in the interim between when Durkon and Haley were talking. When V comes in in the next panel, you see that Nale's body has appeared on top of Sabine's. So Elan was probably still fighting.

[Amaroq]

:thog:group hug:thog:

Hold person.



Brilliant!!!!!

[Green Bean]

so...much...thog...awesomeness...can't...breathe.. .because...laughing

[Stone Wolf]

You know... the way you worded that made it sound like a Roy/Durkon/V "threeway"... ewwwww....

Heh, that's exactly how I read it. :smalleek:

[battleburn]

Oh, and also as a note:

Sabine falls first, heavily implying that the lightning bolt did NOT take Nale down. Nale falls on top of Sabine in the interim between when Durkon and Haley were talking. When V comes in in the next panel, you see that Nale's body has appeared on top of Sabine's. So Elan was probably still fighting.


To me it looks like V dragged Nale there.
So as to be able to keep an eye on all of the bad guys at once
I really liked this comic

[Duke of URL]

If not for Elan, Vaarsuvius and Durkon would probably have arrived too late to save Haley.

I'm not knocking Elan or his contributions.... I just thought it was a nice touch that despite all of Elan's new coolness, he still works best as a team player.

[MaxKaladin]

You know, I can't actually blame :durkon: for casting Hold Person on :thog:. He doesn't know anything about him getting along with :elan: -- um, non-:nale:, that is. Despite that, I can't help but feel a little sorry for :thog:. Poor :thog: just wanted to join in on the love. Of course, with his strength, he may have broken a few bones in that group hug...

I have to agree that it seems as if :thog: is pretty much just chaotic. He seems to be influenced by the people around him. When he's with the LG, he's killing and murdering and creating mayhem. When he traveled with :elan:, he was pretty good (aside from that whole breaking out of prison thing). When the OotS has a group hug, he just wants to join in. Or maybe prison did change :thog:! :)

I think this whole incident is going to do a number on :roy:'s self-esteem.

[the_tick_rules]

ok here's what they should do but they won't. kill sabine right there, drag nale back to cliffport, force him to admit he was the murderer, hand him over for a life-sentence or preferably execution, and for thog. hey the OOTS could use a (well another) barbarian lol.

[Helgraf]

I object though.

Sabine can't remove Haley's life energy without kissing her!

Funnily enough, that's not actually a requirement even for succubi (which we can't even definitively say Sabine is); it's just how they _usually_ go about it.


Of course, I'm sure you would have wanted it to be that way though...

[Morrsleib]

Edit: to the above, nice try, but I think you'll find it's a kiss or embrace. :smalltongue: That's even assuming Sabine is a succubus, but I don't want to start that debate up again (I believe as far as canon goes it's meant to be undetermined).
if The giant follow the D&D rules she can't be a demon (a succubus) because she's from hell and demons are from the abyss

[Caractacus]

A lovely comic, although I have always assumed that arrow 'made of' a given metal are only TIPPED with it (otherwise they'd fly appallingly), and so I am a leetle bit unconvinced that you can stab with them without the shafts breaking well before you really inflict damage...

I reckon the next comic is about Roy and his arrival on the scene. The 400th is either a spread showing Roy open-mouthed with the others standing over the Linear Guild, or he sees them at the end of 399 and 400 is them all together triumphant. of course, if 400 is Xykon's arrival, that means we have to get Roy sorted in the next strip...

[The_Weirdo]

It's the smile on Thog's face that really sells this one.

Hey Troy. :p

Nice choice on Durkan's part, too. Thog's Will save is likely abysmal.

[The_Weirdo]

ok here's what they should do but they won't. kill sabine right there, drag nale back to cliffport, force him to admit he was the murderer, hand him over for a life-sentence or preferably execution, and for thog. hey the OOTS could use a (well another) barbarian lol.

Further: Kill Sabine, kill Nale, kill Thog. But that's CN me talking. And yes, CN, they DID try to kill members of the group.

[Zephra]

poor thog. if they had let him hug, they would have taken damage

[Zephra]

oh, and we have less time to wait for the next comic, when we see (I hope) roy and elan. and the one after that...when nale and sabine dies!! :smallyuk: muhuhaha!!!:smallbiggrin:

[Zaria]

:haley: Oh, I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't use the 'b' word. My bad.

Hah! and Hurray! for comics that give you warm fuzzies. And since Thog is a member of the opposing faction, and beat Haley with a door, I don't feel bad in the slightest that he was denied the group hug.

[Kesnit]

All I could think at the end was "AWWWW."

I do wish :thog: could have joined the Group Hug, but as others pointed out, :vaarsuvius:, :haley:, and :durkon: would have taken damage.

[menkent]

bwah! gg giant :D

[silvadel]

What happens to Haley if Sabine would have removed ALL her life force? What undead if any would she come back as?

Yes Durkon gave up a chance there at trying to reform Thog -- but then again thog gets to be in perma hug mode so Thog might not mind. Nale might play statue with Thog occasionally also.

[sarcasticmuppet]

A lovely comic, although I have always assumed that arrow 'made of' a given metal are only TIPPED with it (otherwise they'd fly appallingly), and so I am a leetle bit unconvinced that you can stab with them without the shafts breaking well before you really inflict damage...

I doubt the arrows are fletched with with the actual metal, but are just colored so they can be distinguished from the normal arrows.

It *does* look like Haley stabbed Sabine with the cold iron arrow, so does that mean Sabine's for sure a demon?

[Alysar]

:haley: Oh, I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't use the 'b' word. My bad.


Yeah, doesn't :haley: know to watch her language in front of a man .. um.. dwarf of the cloth?

:biggrin:

[Alysar]

I doubt the arrows are fletched with with the actual metal, but are just colored so they can be distinguished from the normal arrows.

It *does* look like Haley stabbed Sabine with the cold iron arrow, so does that mean Sabine's for sure a demon?

What are you talking about? Haley's clearly stabbing Sabine with both arrows.

[Green Bean]

It *does* look like Haley stabbed Sabine with the cold iron arrow, so does that mean Sabine's for sure a demon?

If you look closely, Haley stabbed her with both.

EDIT: whoops, simu-post

[eilandesq]

I doubt the arrows are fletched with with the actual metal, but are just colored so they can be distinguished from the normal arrows.

It *does* look like Haley stabbed Sabine with the cold iron arrow, so does that mean Sabine's for sure a demon?

If you look closely, *both* arrows are impaling Sabine--which makes sense: with 7d6 sneak attack damage (as Haley is a single classed rogue and is probably the same level as V, who is casting 7th level spells and is therefore at least 13th level) going for her, Haley could have impaled Sabine with a soggy noodle, much less a metal arrowhead.

[Rainee_Sue]

Hee! Poor Thog. I pity him in sort of the way I pity my parents' new puppy who is adorable and desperate for love, but also keeps eating my underpants and messing the carpet.

My best guess:
399 is Roy catching up with everyone/everything. The funny is brought, in the manner that only Roy being confounded and/or shown up can bring it. (Also, someone finally figures out how to take the spell off Belkar, who disavows memory of anything in the past seventeen strips, though whether that's true...)

400 is split scene between inside Azure City and out, ending in a Supar Giant Panel in which either 1) New and Improved Dashing Elan goes for the dramatic just-saved-the-damsel end scene, or 2) Haley rolls like an 18 on her "oh, #@!$ this mess" check, and the one snatches the other into a big dramatic kiss, as the rest of the Order looks on...

to see Xykon's army rising over the horizon behind them.

[Lòkki Gallansbayne]

if The giant follow the D&D rules she can't be a demon (a succubus) because she's from hell and demons are from the abyss Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember Sabine or anyone else actually using the word 'Hell' specifically, I could have sworn her home is always generically referred to as being in the 'lower planes'. Rich is always so meticulous about keeping things ambiguous when he wants to be, but he might've slipped up somewhere and I missed it.

Tired debates about what Sabine is or isn't, I can't read this thread without being reminded of the time in the campaign I'm in now where our Half-Orc Barbarian actually did manage to hug someone to death. We were faced with party of Drow and none of us had weapons drawn. Rather than waste a standard (actually, I think it's a move action isn't it? ah screw it I forget) action drawing his axe, the Barbarian - who was wearing spiked armour - decided to grapple the lead Drow and squeeze. :smallbiggrin:

[Quartermoon]

My favorite part is when V climbs over Elan's head. Priceless.

[Aiani]

Aw poor Thog just wanted a hug but I have to admit I laughed at Durkon casting a spell on him while still hugging. That was a really nice strip. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

[TheAnimal]

Yay for OotS! :smile:
And yay for :durkon: saving :haley:!
Those LG guys sure got what was long-coming to them.

[morbiczer]

I really wonder what plans Rich has for Roy. I'm sure he wasn't just down in the barrom drinking a beer or so.

And I'm pretty sure he will be quite annoyed when he finds out that the other guys easily took out the Linear Guild without him. (or at least what was left of the Linear Guild. )

[Godehart]

Durkons face when he lifts up Haley is wonderful :D

[mikeejimbo]

They're so mean to Thog! He just wants to hug!

That was my thought. Poor :thog:


Further: Kill Sabine, kill Nale, kill Thog. But that's CN me talking. And yes, CN, they DID try to kill members of the group.

CN? Heck, some LG people would say "kill them" without them doing anything to the group. Such as, say, a certain Paladin?

[theshadow308]

Thog's expression combined with the way he fell over (whilst maintaining the expression due to the 'hold person') was the highlight for me.

[Dane_Bramage]

Excellent comic Giant. Well worth the wait.

Many thanks.

[phobiandarkmoon]

Nah, :Roy:'ll be fine - if they beat more members of the linear guild than OOTS were there then he might feel a little superfluous, but I think he'll just be majorly surprised

[Ebonwoulfe]

Roy will probably be most confused about how Nale and Thog got out of jail, and how two Elans are in the room.

[Tach13]

As almost goes without saying of late, considering the incredible level the Giant has been working at for...how long? Well, anyway, this was another great comic on just about every level. Thank you again, Giant. You are the best.

[krossbow]

Hmm, gotta wonder where Elan is at this point; I'd personally love it if the next comic had V durkon and Haley talking to one another, and then one of them yells at Elan or something about what he's doing, and have Xycon's army be visible out of a window that elan's looking out of.

[PePe QuiCoSE]

yeah, IMO Roy would be proud of the gang and dissapointed/ashamed that he couldn't help and didn't notice the switch... and even apologize to (the all new "i can take care of myself because i am not useless anymore") Elan. Despite some harsh words that could be said, Roy should be aware that he has to be more careful.

Oh, and Elan is obviously taking care of Belkar, that has broke free from the hands (bigby?) grapple while the guys were fighting :P

Well, seriously, Elan is not needed in this strip, so why would he be included? What he and Haley have to talk/do they better do it in private. :)

edit: oh, btw, thog got his hug... with his group... kinda =P

[baerdith]

HEY! Why wasn't Elan in the Group Hug??? Don't tell me V did the "both Twin" thing?!?!

[CGM3]

... and for thog. hey the OOTS could use a (well another) barbarian.

Sure, it's always handy to have a good-natured psychopath in the party who's willing to murder 137 people for you! :smallwink:

(One of the bonus pages in Dungeon Crawling Fools has Celia the sylph turning Nale and Thog over to the watch in an unnamed city. The half-orc tanks his Will save against a zone of truth spell and cheerfully confesses to about that many killings which he committed for Nale, then goes on to share a number of other subjects, including what eating corn does to him. "Shut him up! For the love of the gods, shut him up!" :nale: )

And I don't think Belkar has racked up quite that high a score. (Egad, can you imagine Thog and Belkar having a "friendly" competition in "who can slaughter the most people today"? :smalleek: )

[Renobarb]

Re: Roy & his feelings -

Roy's enemy and cause is Xykon, not the Linear Guild. He'll probably be impressed and confused by various events and accomplishments, but mainly he'll be glad that the distractions have come to an end and he and his team can get back to saving the world from the "real" enemy.

[Sunflower]

YAY! Great comic! The last panel is adorable, especially Thog's expression. I guess technically Thog got a hug at long range :)

I'm glad Roy's not around, he'd probably make some sort of snarky comment and ruin the moment.

[Blinkbear]

What a great comic! Very, very well done! And so cool in many ways. Haley sneak attacking with arrows as improvised weapons! So so cool! Giant, you made my day.

[Shisumo]

Tired debates about what Sabine is or isn't,

I'm a little confused about why there are still debates about what Sabine is. I mean, if "evil incarnation of illicit sex" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0394.html) doesn't mean "succubus," what the Hell (or Abyss) does it mean?

[The_Weirdo]

I'm a little confused about why there are still debates about what Sabine is. I mean, if "evil incarnation of illicit sex" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0394.html) doesn't mean "succubus," what the Hell (or Abyss) does it mean?

:sabine:

Erinye.

[K'tai]

Monday's belated comic is now up.

Yes!

Ha ha...Hold person!

:thog: group hug! :smallbiggrin:

[War]

I'll admit it, I awwwed.

Curse you, Giant!

[Green Bean]

I'm a little confused about why there are still debates about what Sabine is. I mean, if "evil incarnation of illicit sex" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0394.html) doesn't mean "succubus," what the Hell (or Abyss) does it mean?

I think that there's a lawful evil race of devils called 'pleasure devils' which the description could apply to, so either position is still arguable.

[K'tai]

I'm a little confused about why there are still debates about what Sabine is. I mean, if "evil incarnation of illicit sex" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0394.html) doesn't mean "succubus," what the Hell (or Abyss) does it mean?

Exactly. Ye gods, doesn't anyone pay attention? I just introduced a friend of mine to OOTS and he read them all in one day. He is a d&d fanatic and got that right away. Evil incarnation of illicit sex: Succubus. End of story

[Uzraid]

As always, loved it. And, really, the rest of this mini-arc writes itself. Roy's absence isn't that hard to explain - I mean, it's only been three hours, and, if all my dreams come true, we really won't believe what happened during the game of Parcheesi.

Here's hoping.

[zibeck]

Poor Thog :-(

[Shisumo]

:sabine:

Erinye.

But Sabine has batwings. And erinyes aren't really incarnations of illicit sex, even if they are supposed to be attractive...

[K'tai]

I think that there's a lawful evil race of devils called 'pleasure devils' which the description could apply to, so either position is still arguable.

...and with the Haley being Chaotic Good-ish and the whole evil opposite thing, maybe....I'll side with succubus...

[Illirion]

That was brilliant piece of comedy. From now on, everytime someone casts hold person, I'll remember this comic.

Makes me wonder though. Is there a spell called Mass Hold Person? Now THAT would be a group hug.

Cheers,
Illirion.

[Kish]

I'm a little confused about why there are still debates about what Sabine is. I mean, if "evil incarnation of illicit sex" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0394.html) doesn't mean "succubus," what the Hell (or Abyss) does it mean?
Of course. There can only possibly be one type of fiend described as an evil incarnation of illicit sex, between all the lower planes. Neither D&D books nor Rich Burlew's imagination could contradict that.

(This is sarcasm, if you can't tell.)

[Eldhrin]

I have a ridiculous silly grin on my face and I feel so happy. Thank you Rich. Thank you for a moment of happiness and calm before the storm.

[Aerysil]

Speaking of which, who wants a Thog leprechaun mannequin?

I also notice Haley always attacks Sabine with two arrows because she can't remember which kind hurts her :)

[Amotis]

Haha yes. Plop.

[baerdith]

Sure, it's always handy to have a good-natured psychopath in the party
Well, yeah, but isn't that Belkar's job??

[Snake-Aes]

If Sabine has the opposite alignment of Haley, she's lawful evil, Succubi are CHAOTIC, while Erinyes are LAWFUL. If she HAS to be one of these, Sabine's an Erinye.

But really? Who cares ;_; Sabine's Sabine.

[Tricky]

Group hug! (hold person) :)

Hah - I was inspired to finally register at OOTS.

BTW, I'm impressed to see that Haley still isn't quite sure which arrow she needs to hit Sabine (see OOTS #62)

[dutch508]

OK, just paranoid thoughts here, kids;


Roy has been captured by a huge space goat and taken beyond time! (que DR. Who music now...)Thus the OOTS need a replacement for said fighter. Who's the fighter who's been Elan's buddy for the last several comics? Who's wearing green? Who likes ice cream?

That's right! I do!

er...I mean Thog will join forces to assist OOTS in their defense of the city!

[Neopolis]

Thog falling down in a hugging rage with a stupid happy smile? Priceless.

[Caractacus]

I doubt the arrows are fletched with with the actual metal, but are just colored so they can be distinguished from the normal arrows.

It *does* look like Haley stabbed Sabine with the cold iron arrow, so does that mean Sabine's for sure a demon?

Actually, you misunderstand me a bit: I wasn't talking about the colour coding of the shafts at all; I was just remarking that arrow shafts (even two held together) break pretty easily. You'd need a good grip and excellent angle of impact to get any depth - but then Haley IS a high level rogue...

I'll have to be careful or I'll turn into a whiny 'how did he break the door like that - it wouldn't snap along its length, it would come off at the hinges' sort of person... :smallredface:

[Skippy]

Great strip!!!! It was worth waiting!!!! It's a really happy moment!!!

[keri]

haha! group hug!

but :roy: ... hmm. Something is kind of weird here. I mean- :roy: doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would *not* have his teammates around for a few hours and NOT wonder what they're getting into. I mean... even if he was sleeping- I think he'd be suspicious of the long calm. He should have come looking for them a long time ago (imo).

Could there be something wrong wherever :roy: is?

[Snake-Aes]

I'll have to be careful or I'll turn into a whiny 'how did he break the door like that - it wouldn't snap along its length, it would come off at the hinges' sort of person... :smallredface:


To your example of what you'd be, remember that a shockwave could do that ^^
Thog DO have 18+ sternght after all XD

[OperationTREX]

:sabine:

Erinye.

Erinye cannot "Drain Energy" as Sabin has been doing.
Therefore: Succubus.

(plus Erinye has feathered wings, not bat like.)

fin.
:roach:

[Caractacus]

To your example of what you'd be, remember that a shockwave could do that ^^
Thog DO have 18+ sternght after all XD

Yes, but again, the issue there wouldn't be how strong THOG is, but where the weak point on the DOOR is, and the hinges would probably pull out their screws first. If the door began to break, it would break along its weakest line - but then, it could well be that the door did just that; after all, plans are more useful for making a door vertically than horizontally...

[Caractacus]

Erinye cannot "Drain Energy" as Sabin has been doing.
Therefore: Succubus.

(plus Erinye has feathered wings, not bat like.)

fin.
:roach:


Please, people: while Rich tends to stick to pure game versions, there is no reason for him not to have creatures of his own design. It is after all, one of the great strengths of the game. Also, as someone once pointed out in another thread, are we really to believe that in the Lower Planes, there are only about eight (or however many) types of creature?

Alternatively, Rich may well have a good explanation - perhaps some demons/devils can have 'Class' levels (for want of a better term) and can take bonus feats?

Sorry about the double post.

[Doug Lampert]

Actually, you misunderstand me a bit: I wasn't talking about the colour coding of the shafts at all; I was just remarking that arrow shafts (even two held together) break pretty easily. You'd need a good grip and excellent angle of impact to get any depth - but then Haley IS a high level rogue...And this IS D&D land, where:
"Arrows: An arrow used as a melee weapon is treated as a light improvised weapon (–4 penalty on attack rolls) and deals damage as a dagger of its size (critical multiplier x2)."
Nothing about needing elite Rogue skills to do this. Haley does 1d4+about 7d6 of sneak attack damage with each of those arrows.

[War]

Yes, but again, the issue there wouldn't be how strong THOG is, but where the weak point on the DOOR is, and the hinges would probably pull out their screws first. If the door began to break, it would break along its weakest line - but then, it could well be that the door did just that; after all, plans are more useful for making a door vertically than horizontally...
See, it looked to me like the door is open and resting against the perpendicular wall. In that case the hinges shouldn't enter into it, unless the door bends enough to pull them out before it breaks, right? It's still pretty impressive that it broke in a distinctly but not cleanly vertical line and gave Thog the bigger half. But yeah, a wooden door is likely to have the grain and the lines between planks be vertical.

Me, I like being able to discuss such ridiculously excessive inanity.

[Dicemaster]

And this IS D&D land, where:
"Arrows: An arrow used as a melee weapon is treated as a light improvised weapon (–4 penalty on attack rolls) and deals damage as a dagger of its size (critical multiplier x2)."
Nothing about needing elite Rogue skills to do this. Haley does 1d4+about 7d6 of sneak attack damage with each of those arrows.

Beat me to it.

Anyway, what's wrong with LE (or NE) succubi? Ever heard of Eludecia?
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fc/20050824a

Of course she would detect as Chaotic anyway...

[Max_Sinister]

Thanks Giant!

If Sabine can be brought down by two arrows of the right metal... how'd her stats have to be, then?

[TBone]

OMG thog is awesome! that was a great comic.

[Kalir]

No one's said this yet? Psh...

ARROWED!

Also, hooray for Durkon's subtle wit, everyone being happy, and Thog... being Thog.

[Caractacus]

See, it looked to me like the door is open and resting against the perpendicular wall. In that case the hinges shouldn't enter into it, unless the door bends enough to pull them out before it breaks, right? It's still pretty impressive that it broke in a distinctly but not cleanly vertical line and gave Thog the bigger half. But yeah, a wooden door is likely to have the grain and the lines between planks be vertical.

Me, I like being able to discuss such ridiculously excessive inanity.

Great! Actually, I meant not to, but things got out of hand! :smallbiggrin:

And as Doug Lampert said:

"And this IS D&D land, where:
"Arrows: An arrow used as a melee weapon is treated as a light improvised weapon (–4 penalty on attack rolls) and deals damage as a dagger of its size (critical multiplier x2)."
Nothing about needing elite Rogue skills to do this. Haley does 1d4+about 7d6 of sneak attack damage with each of those arrows."

Yes, you are right; as are the others. It's a game, and the rules say you can do this, and we parody the rules here.

I would have been better off referring to the rules (which I'm afraid I don't own - I only got as far as Second Edition...) and saying that the rules are pretty generous to everyone to allow an arrow to function as a dagger, given that it is absolutely not designed to function as one and would likely snap unless (and possibly even if) held directly behind the head...

[CGM3]

Sure, it's always handy to have a good-natured psychopath in the party

Well, yeah, but isn't that Belkar's job??
Belkar? Good-natured? What comic are you reading, chum?

As for the Great Sabine Controversy, 'tis obvious to me that she can only be a Home-Brewed She-Fiend (type Outsider, sub-type Va Va Voom!) :smallcool:

And perhaps Roy decided to invoke the booty talisman after all... :smallredface:

[Charles Phipps]

in second edition, it required a kiss.

Then again, some rules are silly, like Life Drain from a vampire is done with their FISTS.

[Fasali]

XD ahhhahha! Oh man. The ending was brilliant, but Durkon hugging Haley might be the absolute cutest thing i've seen all week!

[Yo-jimbo]

Thog gets better with each issue. And he's still in costume

[vbushido]

As for Elan, perhaps he's just offstage to the left, making sure his brother's not too badly hurt -- and possibly got clocked by the falling Thog. :smalleek:

You, sir, just made me laugh out loud all over again. :smallsmile:

:thog:group hug!

:durkon: Hold Person!

Clerics ftw! Wonderful warm fuzzy comic all around.

-----
I'm not too weird--you're too normal

[Cifer]

As for the Great Sabine Controversy, 'tis obvious to me that she can only be a Home-Brewed She-Fiend (type Outsider, sub-type Va Va Voom!)
Well, she's a typical girl-fiend...


If Sabine can be brought down by two arrows of the right metal... how'd her stats have to be, then?
Assuming Haley got in a full attack instead of a manyshot when beginning combat, Sabine would by now have taken four sneak attacks (plus an unknown number off-screen)... that's 28d6 Sneak attack, with DR applying only two times, or about 98 pure SA points, plus 2d10 from the actual arrows.

[Mewtroid]

Haley pulled a Legolas.

'Cept more in the back and less in the neck. And with more arrows.

This wins.

[Blood]

I liked this one. Good plot advancement, good plotpunchline, and getting prepared for the big thing in 400. :smallsmile:

[BlindCrow]

Now, I thought about feeling bad about poor thog. But look at him.. he doesn't look upset in the least bit in the last panel.

He still got his group hug...just on top of his bleeding teammates ^_^

[zeratul]

that was great! thog is adorable

[Ampersand]

I have to disagree with...well, pretty much everyone in this thread. I felt this was a very poorly done comic.

The entire battle with the Linear Guild felt rushed. These people are the Order of the Stick's nemesi (I don't know if there's actually a plural of "nemesis," so I'm just guessing), ever moreso than Xykon because the antagonism between them tends to be more personal. No battle with them should ever be routine or casual, and yet this is exactly what we've gotten. Not epic struggles for their lives, but what amounts to a goblin fight with slightly more banter.

Vaarisious taking out Nale in the last comic I can abid, because it was an actual outwitting. She took the time to set Nale up and trick him into revealing himself. Today's comic with Sabine, however, has none of the style. I mean, wow...Haley's sneak attacking. And she says "bitch". Frankly, it was dull when she did it in 396 (not to mention completely suscious, given there was no logical way she could have sneak attacked Sabine in that comic since Sabine wouldn't have been flatfooted, having already acted in order to incapacitate Elan), and the repetition in today's didn't do anything to give it more style points. Not to mention that, from a purely mechanical standpoint, there was no logical way Haley could have hit...level drained (-2 to 5, depending on how many negative levels Sabine was able to inflict, plus the loss of sneak attack), with improvised weapons (-2) weilded two handed (-4/-8) with a rogue's BAB (and I'm not even assuming a Strength penalty here, which Haley likely has, since she "doesn't do melee"). Even adding in dramatic necessity, there was no build up to it, unless you count the transition from panel 4 to 5, and that's not even Haley's doing. You could argue that Haley got a critical hit, but it's been done (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0059.html) already, and if every confronation with the Linear Guild has to come down to the OotS "cheating," with either on-demand critical hits at just the right moment to foil their plot or outright divine intervention (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0353.html)...

Honestly, this smacks of the Giant writing long again (which, as we know from his commentaries in the books, he has the tendency to do) and realizing that the Linear Guild is incovinently still in the plot when he needs them cleared out by #400. I feel from a story standpoint this isn't that satisfying a denoucement to the "Replaced Twins" arc and makes me wonder what the whole point of sending Nale along with the OotS and having him learn about the gates was. Now in order to continue this plot line, at least we're going to have to see Nale/Sabine/Thog escape from custody/jail again (which has happened twice now) and at most it will need to invovle resurrections or amibigious death.

This is largely what I meant in the other thread when I said it seemed like there wasn't any dramtic tension in the comic any more. Lately it seems any time the characters are in trouble, the plot wagon will come speeding around the bend to run over their opposition (I wonder what Roy would think (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0251.html) about it when it's working in his favor rather than against him), and if anything bad does manage to happen all you need is one panel with Durkon to make it all better.

[denelian]

Well, that would be interesting...But this is a family comic? let it.

the irony here is that a family anything can show death and death and death... but sex is bad.

ABC family had a movie about a half-angel, it was supposed to be a "family" movie about how power corrupts and innocence winning...
the body count was rather high - but six year olds could watch

oh, stupid :sabine: ! LISTEN when :haley: says something - she is like a parent, don't make her tell you twice!

[Tussy the Druid]

THat was hilarious.

Group hug!

[Sky_Schemer]

The entire battle with the Linear Guild felt rushed.

Rushed? It's been going on since comic #343 with only a brief interlude with Xykon and Miko. There may have been three in-world days between the start and the end, but it's still the same story arc.

If anything, this arc has gone long, not short, something you said yourself. So how do you get to "rushed"?

[Daedrous Avari]

We're getting close to 400... I wonder what the Giant has in store for us.

[Geech000]

Aww...Thog just want to have fun and join the group hug. He probably doesn't even remember trying to beat Haley into unconciousness. Its that or he realizes that acting really stupid/nice would be his best chance of not being stabbed/bashed/lightning-bolted into unconciousness.

[chibibar]

Ampersand - I can see why you might be upset from the "quick ending" but considering that Linear Guild will continue to be a recurring villians, you can't have an epic battle all the time and each time (again it will be old) There is no way to really work this out without being "repetitive" in the future either.

Plus Sabine said Life draining not Level Draining which means Haley was losing HP not levels. Thus Haley keeps all her stats and abilities. Of course, I have a house rule about stabbing with Arrows :) arrows are not known to be hand to hand weapons so usually as a GM I treat them as range so Haley would get her bonuses. PLUS she was flanking since Sabine had NO idea what is going on and paying total attention to Durkon (which was the plan) and thus sneak attack was allow.

Also remember that Haley sneak attack the Chimera even tho Chimera "surprise" them. Cause Haley won the initiative... so it is possible :)

Sabine also have a weakness to one of the arrow (still don't know which) which is possible that it cause a lot of damage. It might cause enough damage for Sabine to run away after a single shot the first time around (also done before) Since Sabine got hit TWICE with it in the single combat, it probably knock her out cold.

That is how I see it :)

[Gamaliel_the_Bard]

I will admit, I feel a little bad for Thog. All he wanted was a hug!


thog just need love too!

Come on people, "What the world needs now is love sweet love, it's the only thing that there's just to little of..." Sorry, Bardic moment there for a sec.

On the other hand, the "bull rush tackle hug!" of Sabine did take her out of combat for a few rounds in OoTS #393, so playing it safe may have been the wiser move after all.

But, I still wanted Thog to get a hug from the good guys, he did help Elan get to Haley in time.

Maybe next strip? Please Giant.

[Dabble]

I also enjoyed the fact that Haley stabbed Sabine with both arrows, because she still does not know which one (or both) work against her.

Can't wait to see what happens next

[chibibar]

I also enjoyed the fact that Haley stabbed Sabine with both arrows, because she still does not know which one (or both) work against her.

Can't wait to see what happens next

TWICE :) so it must cause massive damage since Sabine is out for the count. I figure it must do some serious damage since Sabine ran away the first time (back at the castle) when she was shot with it the first time.

[Greebo]

TWICE :) so it must cause massive damage since Sabine is out for the count. I figure it must do some serious damage since Sabine ran away the first time (back at the castle) when she was shot with it the first time.

First time was only the bow shot - this time was with sneak attack bonus. It had to do serious damage the first time but it did multiples of that this time, if I'm not mistaken. (Not a real pro on the 3.5 rules)

[chibibar]

First time was only the bow shot - this time was with sneak attack bonus. It had to do serious damage the first time but it did multiples of that this time, if I'm not mistaken. (Not a real pro on the 3.5 rules)

True. I figure since Sabine ran away the first time (back at the castle) being attack twice with these arrows did some serious damage. (plus all the bonus and such like flanking and sneak attack)

[Ampersand]

Rushed? It's been going on since comic #343 with only a brief interlude with Xykon and Miko. There may have been three in-world days between the start and the end, but it's still the same story arc.

I was refering specifically to the battle in the inn room, not the arc as a whole. And there was that rather long flashback to Elan's twinking...I mean, picking up Dashing Swordsman too. :smallsmile:


I can see why you might be upset from the "quick ending" but considering that Linear Guild will continue to be a recurring villians, you can't have an epic battle all the time and each time (again it will be old) There is no way to really work this out without being "repetitive" in the future either.

Honestly, the repetitivness isn't even my main objection. (Aside from the "Sneak attack, bitch" part. I can understand the necessity of having the characters say what they're doing, but it's still a tad annoying. The only time I've ever really seen it work was in Slayers, and a big part of that is Lina's incantation before using the Dragon Slave is just too cool not to love. The only time it's really used to good effect in OotS is the Nale quote I have in my sig) Let me see if I can use an example.

Order of the Stick updates with comic #105 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0105.html). However, it turns out that in this alternate universe, the 106 that is posted is actually half #114 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0114.html) and half #120 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0120.html). That's what #398 here feels like to me...you go straight from the moment of highest tension to the defeat of the antaognist and the "Awwwww" moment with no meat in between.



Plus Sabine said Life draining not Level Draining which means Haley was losing HP not levels.

:miko: An error on my part, thank you for the correction / :miko:


Sabine also have a weakness to one of the arrow (still don't know which) which is possible that it cause a lot of damage. It might cause enough damage for Sabine to run away after a single shot the first time around (also done before) Since Sabine got hit TWICE with it in the single combat, it probably knock her out cold.

I had always read it that Sabine ran away not because she was greviously hurt, but because she was hurt at all. A common theme you see with creatures with immunities...very cocky and sure of themselves while you're ineffective, but as soon as you do manage to hurt them they pull back to regroup and attack from another angle.

[Jarawara]

Now maybe it's just my Bardic tendencies showing through (I write short stories to suppliment my D&D games, and focus my games on character development and critical timing of the storyline to match the PC's developments), but am I really the only one here who saw why Elan is not part of the group hug?


It's interesting.... Elan becomes a Dashing Swordsman to "save the day"... but:

:nale: is taken down by :vaarsuvius:
:sabine: is taken down by :haley:
:thog: is taken down by :durkon:

I guess that's teamwork for you.

It's teamwork all right - but at the wrong time! Elan is the dashing hero, he shows up at the right time, to fight off the Linear Guild and save his girl (who coincidentally just professed her love for him, another critical development in the storyline to match the timing of the battle)... and just as he's about to have his big finale battle with his evil twin brother, the way final battles are supposed to be fought, Varsuvius outwits him and fries him but good. The girl he sought to save, instead saves herself, (with help from Durkon), and even Thog is taken down by someone else.

Elan certainly did not do *nothing*, but in the end, he appears (in his mind) to have gotten none of the credit. It was others who took down each member of the Linear Guild. It was others, working together as a team (but not with Elan - simply *in the same room* as Elan), who took down the Linears. This was Elan's big glory moment, and his friends unwittingly took it away.

You can see it on Elan's face in #397. He was happy to see his brother get his comuppance. He was cheerful that his friends were there to save the day. He wasn't even concerned for his brother's health. Instead, on his face was written "But this was supposed to be MY scene!"

My guess is that Elan will be feeling unless, unneeded, and the next few strips will be up to Haley to convince Elan that he in fact saved her (which is no lie - he did!)

[AyuVince]

Now that's SO cute. Too bad Elan, Roy and Belkar aren't there. Well okay, Elan is there, but not visible in the last panels.

:roy: Okay, okay, Haley can speak, enough with the kindergarten already.
:elan: Aww! Let me hug you too!
:belkar: What a bunch of emos.

[Hushdawg]

Well, that pretty much settles it: Thog is truly Chaotic, reacting to the random impulses that chance to surge through his little brain, unfettered by short term memory despite his proven loyalty to Nale (a geas or charm monster, perhaps?) Caught up in the moment, he'll cheerfully join you in a group hug... then happily twist your head off. :smalltongue:


Right.. Chaotic Neutral. :smallbiggrin:

Seriously though, wouldn't :thog: still be trying to kill everyone if he were Chaotic Evil?

That was my favorite panel though:
:thog: GROUP HUG!
:durkon: Hold Person.

hehehehe

At least he still got to be "held"

and hence the flippin' title... :D

I'm with the others in the "WTF happened to Elan" crowd. If :vaarsuvius: had time to get over there for the hug then why not :elan:?

[SteveMB]

That's what #398 here feels like to me...you go straight from the moment of highest tension to the defeat of the antaognist and the "Awwwww" moment with no meat in between.
My read on it was that the "moment of highest tension" was #393 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0393.html), and between then and now we've seen Nale talk himself out of a tight spot (again) and a (partial) resolution to the charmed-Belkar thread.

[Hushdawg]

Honestly, the repetitivness isn't even my main objection. (Aside from the "Sneak attack, bitch" part. I can understand the necessity of having the characters say what they're doing, but it's still a tad annoying.

I find it very funny because it is representing a group of gaming characters.

The core comedy of the strip is gaming humor and there are many times that I've been gaming and someone will just announce the spell aloud instead of describing what it does.

And.. well.. it's funny!

*shurg* guess you have to be there.

[Green Bean]

Plus, you've got the irony of yelling out loud that you're performing a surprise attack

[Mad Scientist]

I find it very funny because it is representing a group of gaming characters.

The core comedy of the strip is gaming humor and there are many times that I've been gaming and someone will just announce the spell aloud instead of describing what it does.

And.. well.. it's funny!

*shurg* guess you have to be there.

I find it really funny. It's like on of the earlier strips when :roy: yells "Great cleave! Great cleave!" as he chops off the goblins' heads and :elan: and :belkar: comment on :roy:'s "great cleavage." :elan: Roy has boobies!

[_JM_]

I rather liked Haley assuming that Durkon was going to lecture her on her language and apologising for saying "Bitch".

#353 still makes me smile and it seems Durkon has given Haley the same lecture as he did Jula.

[Caractacus]

No chance of it being the end of the Linear Guild - they are the main antagonists a (with Xykon, admittedly), and we will need them in the future. Rich has said h has about 5 years' worth of Oots for us and we are not that far in yet! Hurrah for long-range planning! Hurrah for Rich!

[Haruki-kun]

I just have three words:
Sabine got BITCH-SLAPPED!!!!!!
(I think that0s three, I'm not sure if bitch-slap countsas ne)

[Xanthos]

I rather liked Haley assuming that Durkon was going to lecture her on her language and apologising for saying "Bitch".

#353 still makes me smile and it seems Durkon has given Haley the same lecture as he did Jula.

I think she was simply being funny. She knew they'd be shocked she got her voice back. It's called irony. :P

[Kilbia]

Frankly, it was dull when she did it in 396 (not to mention completely suscious, given there was no logical way she could have sneak attacked Sabine in that comic since Sabine wouldn't have been flatfooted, having already acted in order to incapacitate Elan)

Haley came in during the middle of the fight. I believe such situations are resolved with a surprise round, and I think Haley would get a sneak attack if it was determined that she got surprise on Sabine. Were I GMing a home game, I would certainly resolve it that way. (And yes, even with the conversation between Elan and Haley, it'd be possible on a bad roll; see all the early jokes about failing Spot and Listen checks, especially since "in combat" gives you a penalty.)

You see a similar situation three panels later, where Thog arrives; fortunately, Haley makes her Listen check and thus ruins any possibility for surprise. Otherwise Haley would probably have been bleeding out by the time the other two arrived.

[R blademaster]

What I liked best about the whole thing, is that the linear guys got there behinds tottally wooped, and they don't even appear to really notice it, they are to bussy with the lovin :smallbiggrin:

[Bluesilver]

Heh heh... Durkon hit Sabine in the butt.:smalltongue: Sabine got impaled.TWICE!!!:smallbiggrin:
:thog: "group hug!"

:vaarsuvius: "Hold Person."

[smellie_hippie]

Tee hee hee!

:thog: group hug!

The only downside is that :haley: still doesn't know which arrow hurt :sabine: ...

Great comic all around!

[Felinoid]

Well done once again, Mr. Burlew. Nice resolution (IMO, anyway), a quick aww, and a joke that, even having seen coming from the comic title, was hilarious nonetheless. The straight flop-over, and onto the LG pile at that, was priceless.

[CheezItMan]

(no offense to all you Thog-lovers out there; I just stopped liking him all that much after he whacked Haley with a door. Several times.)


Oh come on, that was perfect Thog!:smallyuk:

[chibibar]

Oh come on, that was perfect Thog!:smallyuk:

True true :) there was Elan and Haley.. and Thog wasn't about to whack Elan with the door so Haley was a natural choice.

[Morrigain]

Aaw, so cute...
And I'm still dying with laughter, too.

[Amon Star]

Plus Sabine said Life draining not Level Draining which means Haley was losing HP not levels. Thus Haley keeps all her stats and abilities.

Sorry, but Ampersand is right about :sabine:'s attack. It does drain levels. She says so here;

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0062.html

[Tobimaro]

Poor Thog. All he wants is a hug...

Well, a hug is one thing. But having to deal with the collateral damage coming from the grapple/crush might have been a bit much for the gang.

Love them barbarian Will saves. :smallbiggrin:

:haley: "Sneak Attack, Bitch!" :smallbiggrin:

[Sebastian]

Oh, and also as a note:

Sabine falls first, heavily implying that the lightning bolt did NOT take Nale down. Nale falls on top of Sabine in the interim between when Durkon and Haley were talking. When V comes in in the next panel, you see that Nale's body has appeared on top of Sabine's. So Elan was probably still fighting.


Actually, I think the begin of this comic coincide with when Durkon asked to V to deal with the twins in the previous comic, when we see Nale's unconscious body is the moment right after V cast his/her lightining bolt. The comics are not exactly consequential, but there is a little overlapping.

[Chadhulhu]

it would be interesting if thog jumps ship so to speak. they could use a barbarian for the next big fight.
Thog is my favorite character.

[Bilbo27]

Hold Person. I was LMAO when Thog fell over.

[Mnemosyne]

A cute strip in of itself, but I think Sabine got sold short.

[Saurous]

That had to be the most adorable comic thus far. I almost fell out of my chair after looking at the last panel. :smallbiggrin:

[Sebastian]

First time was only the bow shot - this time was with sneak attack bonus. It had to do serious damage the first time but it did multiples of that this time, if I'm not mistaken. (Not a real pro on the 3.5 rules)

She was pinning Elan, hence she was in Grapple.

grappling=no DEX bonus=sneak attack

[Kabroth Ironmaw]

:elan: was stabbed!

[5tephen]

Oh, no- I don't feel bad for Thog at all. He'll probably wake up and say

"guess what Nale? Thog got to be held!"

[Nightfall]

Okay, my NEW favorite lines are:

:haley: "Sneak attack.....BITCH!"

:xykon: "Hey, I just regenerated a finger. Guess which one?"

:thog: "Group hug!" :durkon: "Hold Person!"

[Tussy the Druid]

I just realized the Linear Guild's initials are LG. That's also the initials for Lawful Good, which some are completely opposite. I assume everyone has noticed this long before me? *sigh*

[celtois]

that was great funniest comic since you have more holes in you right now

[Yzorth]

Quick question. Don't you have to have a line of sight to cast a spell like "Hold Person" on a target?

I think Giant messed up or altered for the sake of plot/story.

[Albion]

Well, a hug is one thing. But having to deal with the collateral damage coming from the grapple/crush might have been a bit much for the gang.


Yup, and I think Thog is more likely to do something bad than something good - unless someone's more or less fooling him to do good stuff. So perhaps we would've seen a some kind of "Thog RAGE group hug smash puny Stick-guys" if not for Durkon. :smalleek: :smallbiggrin: Thog still very much like killing stuff, I like to believe. On the other hand, he's so ridiculously open to any guidance or example from smarter guys, good or evil - ah, now this has been stated before. Anyway, I certainly wouldn't trust Thog coming near me in this complicated situation!
...great comic I say

[SadiraWhitethorne]

:thog: group hug!

lol! XD


Quick question. Don't you have to have a line of sight to cast a spell like "Hold Person" on a target?

I think Giant messed up or altered for the sake of plot/story.

Hold Person
Components: Verbal, Somatic, Focus/Divine Focus
Range: Medium (100ft + 10ft per lv)
Say's nothing otherwise about needing a visual....
However when I look in the AIming a spell information He had to see or touch Thog for it to work, But I would thing given Thogs proximity to him and how obvious he made him self a quick glance would solve it if he wasnt already seen.

[MReav]

I hate to jump on the "What is Sabine" Bandwagon (okay I'm lying). But I think she is, in fact, a Soul Eater (BoVD pg 66)! It would explain why she can Level drain people with her claws, and as demonstrated with the
Dashing Swordsman PrC, the Giant is more than willing to have obscure
prestige classes.

As for why she is able to travel with a party despite the flavor text? She's a people person and probably doesn't feel constrained by flavour text.

[The_Old_Fox]

I am sure it has been said but, poor :thog: I really don't think he deserved that.
he just wanted a hug. :smallfrown:

[Kabroth Ironmaw]

Would you let a half-orc (with no brain at all) hug you?

[Faramir]

Oh, and also as a note:

Sabine falls first, heavily implying that the lightning bolt did NOT take Nale down. Nale falls on top of Sabine in the interim between when Durkon and Haley were talking. When V comes in in the next panel, you see that Nale's body has appeared on top of Sabine's. So Elan was probably still fighting.



Ooh, good catch. Hadn't realized that.



And of course...

Awwww, poor Thog! :smallfrown:

[teratorn]

Hah! and Hurray! for comics that give you warm fuzzies.
That sums it up nicely!

About Elan feeling bad about not finishing the bad guys. Elan did save the day and the girl on his first appearance. Here he was pinned down and the girl and his friends saved him, it's other kind of drama. I think he's not in the group hug because is trying to understand how V made her choice.

I feel a little bad for Thog. It seems Half-orcs just want to be loved.

[mockingbyrd7]

I think Elan is hunched in the corner saying, "Oh my gods, she loves me. Oh my GODS, she LOVES me!" By the way, good comic Giant!

[infiniteviking]

AWWWWWW. What a deliciously warm and fuzzy comic. Everything's coming together now. Must say, I really like the way the arcs are coming together.

[Swashbuckler]

This ... while not completely, fall-out-of-your-chair-laughing hilarious ... was one of the best comics to date! As a couple others have posted before me ... YAY! for comics that give you warm fuzzies!!

(... and it was funny! :thog: Group hug!)

[DougWykstra]

Based on where his face was positioned in the last panel, I'd say Durkon now has a pretty good idea whether Vaarsuvius is male or female.:smallamused:

[DeathQuaker]

Just read. Still laughing. Loudly. Scaring neighbors.

Thanks, Rich.

[DougWykstra]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Behold_the_Void http://www.giantitp.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1803608#post1803608)

Oh, and also as a note:

Sabine falls first, heavily implying that the lightning bolt did NOT take Nale down. Nale falls on top of Sabine in the interim between when Durkon and Haley were talking. When V comes in in the next panel, you see that Nale's body has appeared on top of Sabine's. So Elan was probably still fighting.





Actually, I think the begin of this comic coincide with when Durkon asked to V to deal with the twins in the previous comic, when we see Nale's unconscious body is the moment right after V cast his/her lightining bolt. The comics are not exactly consequential, but there is a little overlapping.

If you look at Panel 10, you will notice Vaarsuvius dragging Nale by the head, placing him on top of Sabine. This should help you in figuring out the timing of the strip.

[Jewel Thief]

Poor Thog, but he doesn't belong in that hug there. That's between OOTS very happy they have Haley back to normal ^u^ Yesssss!

[Mr Teufel]

I think Elan is hunched in the corner saying, "Oh my gods, she loves me. Oh my GODS, she LOVES me!" By the way, good comic Giant!

That's my take, too.
And when Haley apologises for swearing, I think she means it, because it goes to her (extremely well established) self esteem issues.

Gorgeous comic. How can a D&D parody quote rules at you one frame, then give you warm fuzzies the next? Richard, you're a genius.

[AIGuy]

Aw, V hugs both genders. I guess this comic doesn't help solve the mystery of V's Gender, huh? (But really, when will that ever happen?)

[EdgarVerona]

...For great justice!!!!!



...


That is all.

[Lithgon the Crazy]

Loved the comic! :sabine: "The little Drawf has a little hammer" hehe.

[Astro_Fez]

The only thing, I think, that would make this comic better is if there was a loud "CLUNK!" noise when Thog fell down.

[Pvednes]

I think they really need to kill them now. If Shojo wants to question them, he can use Speak With Dead like everyone else.

[chadmeister]

She was pinning Elan, hence she was in Grapple.

grappling=no DEX bonus=sneak attack

Of course, if she was pinning Elan, Haley had a 50% chance of hitting Elan instead. I don't think he would have been too happy about that.

[Xeticus]

Giant, whatever happens to Elan and Sabine please don't write off Thog. he's helped me get in touch with my inner green. He's reminded me how much I love puppies and ice cream with little sprinkles.

The comic was excellent! I can't wait to see what Roy's reaction to the rest of the OOTS beating the Linear Guild without him will be.

Also i look forward to more Xykon, Redcloak and the Monster In The Dark. (For some reason i really like the evil characters in this strip.) I can't wait to see what happens next.

:biggrin:

[vbushido]

Of course, if she was pinning Elan, Haley had a 50% chance of hitting Elan instead. I don't think he would have been too happy about that.

Ah, but that's what feats are for!

Improved Precise Shot (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#improvedPreciseShot)

Unless target is totally covered & concealed, sucks to be them.

-----
Bastet's Paradox: Every cat is the center of the universe

[MReav]

Ah, but that's what feats are for!

Improved Precise Shot (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#improvedPreciseShot)

Unless target is totally covered & concealed, sucks to be them.

-----
Bastet's Paradox: Every cat is the center of the universe

Unfortunately, if she's only a 13th level rogue, she'd have insufficient BAB

[WarriorTribble]

I demand Thog plushies.... I'd give him a hug or several dozen. :)

[Atheist_Cleric]

Haha that one panel where Haley and Durkon just stare blankly at each other is priceless. Funny to see that Durkon was easily strong enough to lift Haley off the ground, I always forget that Dwarves are strong. Also, the way Thog was forced to keep the same facial expression and body stance as he fell was hilarious.

[Jarawara]

I still say that Elan feels that "his scene" was stolen by the others, and that's why he didn't join in on the group hug.

[Caractacus]

Regarding the debate on line of sight for the Hold Person spell, I think it's acceptable done this way.

If the scene were from a black humour western, for instance, and a bad guy had done exactly what Thog did, I'm pretty sure that the director would have allowed a hero to pull a pistol and shoot the 'Thog' without moving any other part of the body - that's what generates the humour.

I would say that, naturally, you need a line of sight with a pistol and logically with Hold Person, too, but sometimes (point-blank range, comedy, etc) it works fine without...

I reread the comic this morning and liked it even more than before. Lovely final scene. :smallcool:

Have to say it though - please don't lose Thog! He really HAS to stay with the LG when it (as it most assuredly will) reforms... :thog:

[Delgarde]

Love the pile of bodies down the right hand side. Strip 6, Sabine dropped to the floor. The panel below, Nale dumped on top of her. And the panel below that, Thog dropped on top of both of them. A clean sweep, nice and tidy.

[Delgarde]

Oh, and also as a note:

Sabine falls first, heavily implying that the lightning bolt did NOT take Nale down.

Not necessarily. V didn't just walk up and zap Nale, afterall. There are several panels of discourse beforehand, which given V's long-winded style of talking would have lasted for minutes. Durkon and Haley had plenty of time to take Sabine down before V got around to casting the spell.

[Movoza]

hahaha

tnx for the smile

[Enoch_6211]

definately loved it. i don't think that a distract-and-sneak-attack will ever get old.

*avoids any discussion of Thog-loving or Elan's whereabouts*

:smallsmile: kudos, Giant

[Freelance Henchman]

GO TEAM! Once again the Order of the Stick has crushed its enemies underfoot.

[Snake-Aes]

Now I want to see Roy waking up just to see the whole mess

:roy:"You took the Guild? How?"
:haley:"Elan is oddly effective now!"
:vaarsuvius:"It seems our fair bard Elan is not impaired as he used to be until recently."
:durkon:"Aye."
:elan:"Hey Roy!"
:roy:"Haley, did you just speak?!"
:haley:":D"
:roy:"Aphasia gone... Elan effective...the fundamental laws of the universe are falling apart around be again."

[The Doctor]

I think V actually dragged Nale on top of Sabine.

[eof]

Unfortunately, if she's only a 13th level rogue, she'd have insufficient BAB [for Improved Precise Shot]
True, but she might not need it (very much IMHO). Keep in mind that "randomly" does not necessarily mean "with equal probability." As an extreme example, consider some fine creature (fly sized) "grappling" with a colossal creature (great wyrm red dragon size). It goes without saying that assigning a 50-50 chance is ridiculous.

Given that particular stance, were I the DM, I'd probably give a 5-10% chance of hitting Elan (and a corresponding 90-95% chance of hitting Sabine), or even rule that just Precise Shot is enough to avoid hitting Elan. Thus, Haley can with reasonable confidence let loose without worrying all too much about hitting Elan.

[battleburn]

Now I want to see Roy waking up just to see the whole mess

:roy:"You took the Guild? How?"
:haley:"Elan is oddly effective now!"
:vaarsuvius:"It seems our fair bard Elan is not impaired as he used to be until recently."
:durkon:"Aye."
:elan:"Hey Roy!"
:roy:"Haley, did you just speak?!"
:haley:":D"
:roy:"Aphasia gone... Elan effective...the fundamental laws of the universe are falling apart around be again."

You forgot the:
:belkar: Are you feeling ok?, I'm really worried about you.
:roy: Gaaah!
:belkar: Gotcha Sucker
:roy: And yet, I find it oddly comforting


Edit: Found it (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0141.html)

[Blaznak]

Ok! This may be one of the classics of all time. Its not overly funny, but its just, well, satisfying. Gotta love a dwarf... always thinking of tactics (Grin)! That may be the best part for me.

Well,
Later!