Questions - *Spoilers!!*

[AlaskaOOTSFan]

I have a bunch of unrelated questions, and my Google-Fu wasn't bringing up answers, so I am posting them here. Please note:

A) If there's an answer somewhere on the board, please assume I am blind and give a link. I couldn't find it/remember it.
B) This will involve the prequel books and extra comic pages, so *SPOILERS*.
C) If I am asking why a character did/didn't do something, it's not in the context of "Why did Rich do this?". It's in the context of the characters acting in a manner internally-consistant with their actions and decisions.
D) Text in red is my answers, which are my best guess.

Questions:

1) When Malak saw the OOTS through the fake wall, he didn't mention anything. Why?

Because he didn't see the need. He has no animosity towards them, and tried to honor Durkon's request by avoiding battle.

2) Why didn't Dorukan use Prismatic Sphere to protect himself from Xykon? Isn't that the best protection spell?

Color based spells didn't with in the prequel. He didn't think he needed to take such measures against a Sorcerer. That spell isn't as good as i think it is.

3) Where did Xykon run off to for 3 years while he left Redcloak alone?

Searching for the diary, and cracking the code.

4) Have we seen any non-dwarfs pray to the Northern Gods?

The high priest of Thor and Odin are Dwarfs and the impression I got is that the Dwarfs don't mix often with non-Dwarfs. Non-dwarfs do pray to the Northern Gods, but we haven't seem them, and the Dwarfs happen to be a majority of their believers due to the fact the North is where the dwarfs live, and they are a majority of their population.

5) Recently being resurrected, he gets the "Ewws" thinking about Elan and Haley doing their thing, and said that he still is freaked out about this mom (paraphrasing). But I thought he couldn't remember anything past the gate?

Eh, it's for a good laugh. Ignore it. He forgot he forgot it, and it gave him the heeby-jeebies to the core.

[BaronOfHell]

4) Have we seen any non-dwarfs pray to the Northern Gods?

There's this http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0137.html. Not sure if that counts.

[Kish]

1) When Malak saw the OOTS through the fake wall, he didn't mention anything. Why?

He didn't want to help Nale against Durkon's friends. Later, when he said "I cannot shield them forever," he acted annoyed about it.


2) Why didn't Dorukan use Prismatic Sphere to protect himself from Xykon? Isn't that the best protection spell?

He wasn't trying to protect himself from Xykon; he was trying to destroy Xykon. If he'd wanted to protect himself, staying in the dungeon would have been a better bet than Prismatic Sphere. He couldn't have attacked Xykon from inside a prismatic sphere.


3) Where did Xykon run off to for 3 years while he left Redcloak alone?

Speculation is all we really have.


4) Have we seen any non-dwarfs pray to the Northern Gods?

Roy guesses his mom raised him to worship them. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0490.html)


5) Recently being resurrected, he gets the "Ewws" thinking about Elan and Haley doing their thing, and said that he still is freaked out about this mom (paraphrasing). But I thought he couldn't remember anything past the gate?

It's a big, happy, fulfilling blur. With these creepy bits of "and for some reason I can't shake the thought of my mother having a sex life" mixed in.

[Mike Havran]

Also, the Nameless Greysky cleric who helped Belkar and Haley worshipped Loki.

[tulebast]

1) When Malak saw the OOTS through the fake wall, he didn't mention anything. Why?


He was initially honoring Durkon's request, as pointed out by his comment that he can't shield the order forever (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0905.html).


2) Why didn't Dorukan use Prismatic Sphere to protect himself from Xykon? Isn't that the best protection spell?


Short answer, no, that is not the best protection spell--best being a relative comparison where you mileage may vary. Though it does have its uses, it would not have been tactically sound during the battle for a variety of reasons (including the aforementioned that Dorukan was trying to defeat Xykon, not toy with him). It is also possible that Dorukan did not know the spell (contrary to popular belief, wizards--even epic ones--don't know ever spell there is to know).


3) Where did Xykon run off to for 3 years while he left Redcloak alone?


Sabbatical retreat? Extra long potty break? Lost in his castle looking for his keys? Shopping around for the perfect crown to wear?


4) Have we seen any non-dwarfs pray to the Northern Gods?


Also, the unnamed childhood friend (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0602.html)of Brainy Pete (as he came to be known before his untimely death) was a worshiper of Loki.


5) Recently being resurrected, he gets the "Ewws" thinking about Elan and Haley doing their thing, and said that he still is freaked out about this mom (paraphrasing). But I thought he couldn't remember anything past the gate?


His memories are very hazy, but some things do come through. Most people do not retain any memories of the hearafter, let alone the wealth of knowledge that Roy retains (even if it is mostly incomplete) of his time while a ghost. It is possible that the Oracle's memory charm/dismissal effect may have had unintended side effects for Roy's memory.

[Sir_Leorik]

4) Have we seen any non-dwarfs pray to the Northern Gods?

Plenty of times. Brother Hiram (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0122.html) is a human worshipper of Freya and he felt that Elan was mocking the Northern Pantheon when Banjo wanted to join. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0137.html)

The anonymous Cleric of Loki from Greysky City (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0602.html) worships Loki, and Loki is said to be very influential in Greysky City (which makes sense for a god associated with thieves and liars).

Sara Greenhilt (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0490.html) was a worshipper of the Northen Pantheon in life.

What we haven't seen so far is a non-Dwarven worshipper of Thor (Haley doesn't count!), but that may change when the Order return to the Northern Continent in Book Six. If they can just shake off the guy who ordered the albatross' execution in front of it's loved ones. :smallannoyed:

[AlaskaOOTSFan]

Thanks for the replies, all - muchly appreciated!

[Sniffnoy]

Here's (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13053125#post13053125) a comment of the Giant's on the worship of the Northern Gods.

[SlashDash]

2) Why didn't Dorukan use Prismatic Sphere to protect himself from Xykon? Isn't that the best protection spell?
No, it's not the best protection spell, in fact it's not even that good in my opinion.

If you really want to talk optimization here, then Dorukan was a moron by announcing himself to xykon in the first place. He could have either have backup (monsters from the maze... the outdated minions for a start if not loads of summonings) or simply pop up and do a time stop to cast powerful spells to either damage, disable or dispel protections.
He did none of it.

Remember he just found out that Xykon was torturing the soul of his beloved, he wasn't exactly thinking straight.


5) Recently being resurrected, he gets the "Ewws" thinking about Elan and Haley doing their thing, and said that he still is freaked out about this mom (paraphrasing). But I thought he couldn't remember anything past the gate?

Eh, it's for a good laugh. Ignore it. He forgot he forgot it, and it gave him the heeby-jeebies to the core.[/QUOTE]

It's not the first time we have issues with character's memories. Belkar mentions the snarl and then several strips later says he doesn't know what it is since he was having a chase while it was explained to the party.

Rich is human after all...

[Lexible]

It's not the first time we have issues with character's memories. Belkar mentions the snarl and then several strips later says he doesn't know what it is since he was having a chase while it was explained to the party.

Rich is human after all...

Can you help me understand what you mean by this? The first we learn of the snarl is in 273 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0273.html), and the crayon exposition on/introduction to the Snarl proceeds through 274 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0274.html), 275 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0275.html), 276 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0276.html), and 277 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0277.html), none of which Belkar is present for (he's engaged in a chase elsewhere (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0279.html)). From what I can see neither Belkar, nor that stone cold sexy azurite paladin with leprosy mentioned the Snarl before new year's eve (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0316.html).

In short: what are you on about?

[rodneyAnonymous]

Can you help me understand what you mean by this? The first we learn of the snarl is in 273 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0273.html), and the crayon exposition on/introduction to the Snarl proceeds through 274 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0274.html), 275 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0275.html), 276 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0276.html), and 277 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0277.html), none of which Belkar is present for (he's engaged in a chase elsewhere (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0279.html)). From what I can see neither Belkar, nor that stone cold sexy azurite paladin with leprosy mentioned the Snarl before new year's eve (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0316.html).

In short: what are you on about?

Shojo told that story twice, and Belkar was present the second time. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0379.html)

Although that quote is about him talking about the Snarl (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0881.html) then (a few strips later) saying he didn't hear about it because he was engaged in a chase (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0896.html). Different inconsistency, I'm not sure exactly what you're asking.

[Kish]

A blue robe does not indicate being a paladin and paladins are immune to diseases such as leprosy.

Just saying.

[Lexible]

Shojo told that story twice, and Belkar was present the second time. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0379.html)

Although that quote is about him talking about the Snarl then (a few strips later) saying he didn't hear about it because he was engaged in a chase. Different inconsistency, I'm not sure exactly what you're asking.

Yes. . . but the fact you just illustrated does not make defensible the claim that Rich somehow erred in representing Belkar's memory: he learned about the Snarl after the others did. This:


Belkar mentions the snarl and then several strips later says he doesn't know what it is since he was having a chase while it was explained to the party.

is factually inaccurate, as far as I can tell. Belkar did not mention the Snarl before the chase scene with Miko.



A blue robe does not indicate being a paladin and paladins are immune to diseases such as leprosy.

Just saying.

Man you are crimpin' my steeze. It was humor already! :smallwink:

[rodneyAnonymous]

Yes... but the fact you just illustrated does not make defensible the claim that Rich somehow erred in representing Belkar's memory: he learned about the Snarl after the others did. [...] Belkar did not mention the Snarl before the chase scene with Miko.

Added links to that post: Belkar talks about stopping the Snarl (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0881.html), but a few strips later doesn't know anything about it (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0896.html). There is, in fact, a small inconsistency there regarding Belkar's memory. Nobody said anything about it happening before the chase scene; you parsed that statement incorrectly, perhaps.

I don't think Roy's memories of death are an example of inconsistency, though. He remembers bits and pieces of what happened above the clouds, and everything that happened below. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0666.html)

[Lexible]

Added links to that post: Belkar talks about stopping the Snarl (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0881.html), but a few strips later doesn't know anything about it (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0896.html). There is, in fact, a small inconsistency there regarding Belkar's memory. Nobody said anything about it happening before the chase scene; you parsed that statement incorrectly, perhaps.

Got it. I did indeed misparse.

Still, not sure that I entirely concur with that interpretation. Specifically Belkar doesn't know precisely what the Snarl is, that's not quite the same thing as "doesn't know anything about it" Another interpretation might be that he wasn't paying attention during Shojo's off-screen re-explanation, or that Shojo didn't delve as deeply into Snarl-lore.

[SlashDash]

Shojo told that story twice, and Belkar was present the second time. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0379.html)

And he was clearly not paying attention as he was playing with Mr.Scruffy

Also keep in mind that this too raises a question of consistency as Roy should have told this to him.


Got it. I did indeed misparse.

Still, not sure that I entirely concur with that interpretation. Specifically Belkar doesn't know precisely what the Snarl is, that's not quite the same thing as "doesn't know anything about it" Another interpretation might be that he wasn't paying attention during Shojo's off-screen re-explanation, or that Shojo didn't delve as deeply into Snarl-lore.

Belkar flat out asks Roy "And the Snarl is..." as in he has no idea what that thing is. He's not asking "what exactly is this Snarl thing", he doesn't even recognizing the name of the Snarl.

This makes absolutely no sense for someone who mentioned him several strips earlier.

Even if I would give you some freedom to claim Belkar knew the name but not the details, are you honestly telling me he didn't ask any questions from the moment they left Hinjo till this very moment?

That's laughable considering he has a thing for intelligence before operations (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0338.html)

Again, this isn't such a big deal. Considering holywood movies with over 100+ million budgets and a huge number of people on set keep missing out far bigger holes in plot, I think we can cut some slack for tiny issue being done on a single person webcomic.

[CRtwenty]

1) When Malak saw the OOTS through the fake wall, he didn't mention anything. Why?

Because he was fulfilling Durkon's last request and it didn't compromise his actual mission.


2) Why didn't Dorukan use Prismatic Sphere to protect himself from Xykon? Isn't that the best protection spell?

Probably because he severally underestimated Xykon. Dorukan acted like a real idiot during that fight because he figured Xykon was just a dumb Sorceror and it cost him dearly.


3) Where did Xykon run off to for 3 years while he left Redcloak alone?

Searching for information on the other gates I'd imagine.


4) Have we seen any non-dwarfs pray to the Northern Gods?

There was a Temple of Freya in the town the Order visited after leaving the Dungeon of Durokan.


5) Recently being resurrected, he gets the "Ewws" thinking about Elan and Haley doing their thing, and said that he still is freaked out about this mom (paraphrasing). But I thought he couldn't remember anything past the gate?

Probably just a joke, I wouldn't overthink it.

[Angel Bob]

That's laughable considering he [Belkar] has a thing for intelligence before operations (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0338.html)

The humour in that strip, I think it has gone over your head, no?

[Kish]

Clearly, Belkar forgot about the Snarl immediately on having it confirmed that the Snarl is not a hottie.

[Sir_Leorik]

And he was clearly not paying attention as he was playing with Mr.Scruffy

Also keep in mind that this too raises a question of consistency as Roy should have told this to him.

Belkar wasn't paying attention then either. :smallwink:

[Lexible]

Belkar flat out asks Roy "And the Snarl is..." as in he has no idea what that thing is. He's not asking "what exactly is this Snarl thing", he doesn't even recognizing the name of the Snarl.

That is one interpretation.