OOTS #938 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Cuthalion]

Hehehe... nice. I wish.

[zero]

Oh nice... The book end is near... nice run Giant.

[1chapelcredit]

Outstanding. It's nice to see Elan come out of this whole thing with some solid character growth. It's also nice to see him come out of it without too much character growth...

[Amphiox]

So, Tarquie's a "B-list" villain even for supporting character/hero-of-another-story Julio Scoundrel?

Ouch!

[CoffeeIncluded]

Ah, so when he says "Normal ten minutes" he means only twenty strips, right? :smallwink:

And this has been an excellent capstone of Elan's development this arc. Hey, Giant, why didn't you put Elan on the cover of this book? Is it solely because he was on the cover of the first book?

[Forikroder]

since there passing the elven lands... would V be able to make it to the hearing?

[Seerow]

The Giant, killing my hopes and dreams with a simple comic title.

Alas.

[hamishspence]

Heh: Order of the Stick II: Order Stickier :smallbiggrin:

Nice Die Hard reference there.

[ti'esar]

The strip was pretty funny, but it was the title that really made me burst out laughing.

[Shale]

Wow, I got here in the split second between the new strip posting and the old thread getting de-stickied. Don't think I've ever seen that before.

Anyway, that's pretty much what I figured would happen - they're going to pick up Ian, and everybody agrees that the order of business after resolving the gates is toppling Tarquin & Co. Somehow I doubt that's how it'll actually work out, now that they've said so on-panel, but hey, stranger things have happened. And way to mature, Elan.

[Copperdragon]

Cool. It seems that Tarquin and this unresolved plot is actually going to be left hanging in the air. That is really nice and something for the epilogue. :smallbiggrin:

And Elan totally gets it, that is also nice. Life is not a story (well, his is, but that is only true for us, not him).

[Ridureyu]

ORDER OF THE STICK: THE SCOURING OF THE STICK

Belkar: "That's what she said!"

Roy: "Belkar, stop it!"

Belkar: "That's exactly what she said!"

[Composer99]

Definitely a sign of denouement.

Also, loving the dig at Tarquin.

And I'm pretty certain the strip title is a meta commentary on the final panel. :smalltongue:

[The Recreator]

This is obviously a thing we need to take up in the forums.

Order of the Stick: The Empire Strikes Back for 4d6 Damage
Order of the Stick Advanced
Order of the Stick 2: Arcane Boogaloo

And I'm pretty much tapped. Anyone else wanna take up the torch?

[Coliumbos]

Huh.

So it really was his innocence he lost in the fight with Tarquin.

All the narrative, all the drama, is forever tainted by the shadow.

[Argok]

So anyone want to place bets on this order of the stick 2? The story of the B-listers

[Feilith]

All the emotional growth from Elan, yet at the same time being our favorite little naive bard :smallsmile:

[Living Oxymoron]

:roy:"A normal ten minutes, not the decompressed 40-strips-equals-ten-minutes kind."

That reminds me of Dragon Ball Z. Not the best memories I have, though. :smalltongue:

[Rorrik]

Order of the Stick II: Sticking it to the Man

[oonker]

Geniality in the small details: the name of the strip.

Although, a shame we won't have a sequel, hahaha

[JFour]

When does the kickierstartier for Order Stickier begin?

[Muenster Man]

Elan continues to grow. Good for him. He used to be my least favorite of the Order but he's been steadily climbing up since the beginning.

[Shale]

2 Order 2 Sticky
Order Of The Branch
For A Few Sticks More

[Tathum]

Order of the Stick II: The Search for Belkar

[Harbinger]

I snickered when Julio called Tarquin one of his B-list. :smallbiggrin:

[JoseB]

Oh, Elan, Elan...! Never change! XD We love you as you are :)

Although it's a nice epiphany he's getting :)

[Psyren]

Darn. The healing potion didn't fix her arm. That means it's going to be an issue later.

[BramsesII]

Oh bwahahahaha. Hats off to you, mister Burlew.

"Order stickier." Bwahahaha. :smallbiggrin:

Ow.. my sides.:smalltongue:

[Ghost Nappa]

The title of the panel is allowed to be meta-discussion because the characters are breaking the fourth wall. :smallbiggrin:

[Nimrod's Son]

Aw man, could this book get any more perfect?

[internisus]

Oh, Elan, you should know that a more conclusive end to the conflict with your father must come within the current story. Character growth is lovely, but don't lose your bardic intuition!

[Burner28]

This is awesome.

[Ridureyu]

Don't worry there's still a chance that Tarquin and Laurin have wormholed into the engine room and are preparing for a "real" final battle that will satisfy all your theories!

You just keep hoping.

[Obscure Blade]

So; Julio did recognize Elan's resemblance to Tarquin after all.


Darn. The healing potion didn't fix her arm. That means it's going to be an issue later.Durkon can just use Regeneration on it.

[RMS Oceanic]

I think Haley's putting too much blame on herself for her father's intransigence and Tarquin's decision to use him as a scapegoat. Still, it can't be helped.

Well, odds of my prediction of a stop off in the Elven Lands have risen a bit.

[Rorrik]

Darn. The healing potion didn't fix her arm. That means it's going to be an issue later.

Very true, though it could just be rule consistency. I wonder if Tarquin's men will have caught up with Ian already. Seems unlikely, but he may get another stab in yet.

[zero]

Oh nice... The book end is near... nice run Giant. ... then again, by looking at this last arc, nothing has been straightforward... Starshine rescue will be the exception?

[WindStruck]

Order of the Boomerang: we're bent, back, and better than ever!

[internisus]

I think Rich should put himself on the cover since this book has been so overtly about storycraft!

[Ridureyu]

The Starshine rescue could soooo be book bonus material, like the Grubwiggler fight, or the Battle of Azure's Sister City, Vermillion Suburb.

[Tiiba]

So, who's on Julio's A-list?

Also, desperate need for a wardrobe change? I didn't notice any point at which he got that scared.

[The Guardian]

Well, we had the Order of the Scribble, now the Order of the Stick... next should be the Order of the Paint?

[chibibar]

Here is my money. I want Order of the Stick 2!! :)

[Ridureyu]

Order of the Adobe?

[Arrowstorm122]

Ah, so when he says "Normal ten minutes" he means only twenty strips, right? :smallwink:

And this has been an excellent capstone of Elan's development this arc. Hey, Giant, why didn't you put Elan on the cover of this book? Is it solely because he was on the cover of the first book?

How do you know he's not on the cover?

[Shale]

Because the cover silhouette is shown in the calendar, and it's Blackwing and Mr. Scruffy.

[Living Oxymoron]

Tarquin is one of Julio's B-list villains... I don't think he would be happy hearing this.

[oppyu]

Wow, that was actually kind of dickish on Julio's part. He's true Chaotic Neutral, as opposed to a Chaotic Good scalliwag who occasionally absconds with some precious jewels.

[Psyren]

Durkon can just use Regeneration on it.

By RAW, that might mean lopping it off. (Depends on how you define "grow back.")

[SethoMarkus]

Even if there is no sequel, I can be happy with the wonderful story that OOTs has given me over the years! I remember when a friend in high school first introduced me to this site when Elan was still the butt of singing-into-battle jokes...

[Aasimar]

Order of the Stick 2: Electric Boogaloo!

[DiamondHooHaMan]

bwhahahaha oh Julio I love you so so much. I swear if the next book is entirely the airship ride to the temple I will be happy.

also:

Order of the Stick: this time it's per-SON-al.

[Sothicus]

Order of the Stick 2: Electric Boogaloo

[Arrowstorm122]

bwhahahaha oh Julio I love you so so much. I swear if the next book is entirely the airship ride to the temple I will be happy.

also:

Order of the Stick: this time it's per-SON-al.

Temple? Isn't it more of a pit?

[Oakianus]

Order of the Stick 2: Electric Boogaloo!

I was going to go with Order 2: Elec-stick Boogaloo.

But seriously, that will always be the funniest sequel title. Always always. :P

[Porthos]

By RAW, that might mean lopping it off. (Depends on how you define "grow back.")

By RAW it fixes broken bones.

Regenerate: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/regenerate.htm)


Conjuration (Healing)
Level: Clr 7, Drd 9, Healing 7
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 3 full rounds
Range: Touch
Target: Living creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

The subject’s severed body members (fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, legs, tails, or even heads of multiheaded creatures), broken bones, and ruined organs grow back. After the spell is cast, the physical regeneration is complete in 1 round if the severed members are present and touching the creature. It takes 2d10 rounds otherwise.

Regenerate also cures 4d8 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +35), rids the subject of exhaustion and/or fatigue, and eliminates all nonlethal damage the subject has taken. It has no effect on nonliving creatures (including undead).

[Lexible]

The Good, The Bad, and the Sticky
The Sticks in Winter
The Stick Done Gone.

[137beth]

Order of the Stick: The Revenge of Miko

[Morph Bark]

This is a nice way of dropping the fans a line and leaving possibility for further stories down the road, without forcing it on yourself. Well done, Rich Burlew.

[Stake A Vamp]

wow, interesting....

i wonder if ian will join them, he is a high level rogue?

[Mutant Sheep]

Haley's sling... :smallbiggrin:

[Everyl]

First, "Some crazy old dude," then, "one of [Julio's] B-list villains." I really like the way Julio and his crew talk about Tarquin.

[The Pilgrim]

Does the title of the strip means Word of Author that there isn't going to be a sequel with Tarquin?

[bengator]

Order of the stick II: The Wrath of Kahn-stitution
Order of the Stick II: Look Who's Stalking

[Joseph_Lavode]

I would so read that. Also, Roy doesn't know that depending on how much word of V's behavior has spread asking permission to fly over the eleven lands may be... problematic.

[quasit]

wow, totally love Elan's ephifany there. Reminds me of why he went straight to the point about Therkla's issue before.
Also, why not " :roy: The good, :elan: the bard and the http://www.giantitp.com/forums/images/smilies/oots/mitd.gif Ugli sumbitch "?


I think Haley's putting too much blame on herself for her father's intransigence and Tarquin's decision to use him as a scapegoat. Still, it can't be helped.

Well, odds of my prediction of a stop off in the Elven Lands have risen a bit.

Good moment to discuss the matter whith the elves, maybe holding a concile.
The concile of Elrock.
Who happens to be an Elvish elvis.

ok, leaving now

[Dracon1us]

So, Tarquie's a "B-list" villain even for supporting character/hero-of-another-story Julio Scoundrel?

Ouch!

yes!

should be listed as his occupation: fascist tyrant and b-list recurring villain!

[Ionbound]

Order of the Stick, 2nd Edition.

[Oko and Qailee]

RICH, MAKE IT A THING!

Please

[Lucianus]

Anyone want to take bets on that Wand of Sending Julio so generously loaned Haley? This seems like an excellent time to double cross the Order to collect the reward on Haley's father's head, not to mention maybe clear his name with Tarquin and earn a relatively powerful ally. I will guess that the item is cursed in some way so Julio can hear the contents of the message and intercept her Dad before, or during, the Order's meeting with him.

:elan: dun dun DUN!!!!!

[Bulldog Psion]

Hm, I wonder how the Geoff/Ivy/Bozzok thing is going to play out here? Is it just going to be passed over as an insignificant detail, or is it going to introduce some kind of twist?

[Alignment]

"For the same reason I didn't tell you that you bore an uncanny resemblance to one of my B-list villains."

Ha! I can totally see Julio having a large enough rouges gallery that Tarquin is "B-List."

[Everyl]

As for possible OOTS sequels, I don't think it's a thing that is going to happen. Tarquin is only important for how he helps Elan's character grow. He's served that purpose already, why dedicate that much pagecount to one of Elan's mentor's B-list villains? Anything important left for Tarquin in this story can probably be wrapped up in the denouement of one of the books.

[zingbat]

Order of the Stick 2:

Carrying a Bigger Stick
The Carrot Meets the Stick
A Sticky Situation
Stickin' Around (hoooollllleee mackerel!)
Thog's Adventure

[Xelbiuj]

I'm glad Roy was at least as firm as he was with Haley on the issue of Ian.
Frankly, he's barely worth 10 minutes. A potentially useful ally but I doubt he follows orders well, he got himself into the mess and wasting time on him only risks the ALL IMPORTANT MISSION OF SAVING THE MULTIVERSE.

[Ridureyu]

Anyone want to take bets on that Wand of Sending Julio so generously loaned Haley? This seems like an excellent time to double cross the Order to collect the reward on Haley's father's head, not to mention maybe clear his name with Tarquin and earn a relatively powerful ally. I will guess that the item is cursed in some way so Julio can hear the contents of the message and intercept her Dad before, or during, the Order's meeting with him.

:elan: dun dun DUN!!!!!



...but...but....:smalleek:

[Breccia]

A wand of sending? That sounds like the handiest thing ever. Why don't more people have those?

[Gift Jeraff]

Cool. It seems that Tarquin and this unresolved plot is actually going to be left hanging in the air.

Some people said the same thing after this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0818.html). I doubt it will be true this time, either. Especially now that Tarkie has even more of a motivation to pursue the heroes.

[FleshrakerAbuse]

I love how the Giant interacts and squashes his reader's dreams and hopes.

Anyways, a eternal wand of sending would work better. You only need to use sending a couple times a week or day, and the infinite recharge will help.

[warrl]

Does the title of the strip means Word of Author that there isn't going to be a sequel with Tarquin?

Offhand, it refers to one or more of the following:

* Picking up Haley's dad
* The group doing something about Tarquin
* There actually being a book concerning the group doing something about Tarquin
* Tarquin getting the idea that story isn't important enough to hurt people over
* Julio's wardrobe change

[Michaeler]

Nice to get confirmation that Julio knew who Elan was.

[Dracon1us]

Order of the Stick: the next stick
Order of the Stick: Tarquin, Judgement day
Order of the Stick: 28 weeks later

[kc0bbq]

The Good, The Bad, and the Sticky

Whoah whoah whoah!

You're getting too far out there. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly was the third movie. The Giant will never get any rest at this rate if you want two sequels! lol

[WindStruck]

Maybe we could have a book dedicated to the adventures of Blackwing!

The Order of the Stick: Fools' Bauble

[AutomatedTeller]

that's a nice strip. Things coming together for the end of the book, all right. We'll have a nice final scene getting Ian (or not - he may choose to stay).

Did Rich's title mean there will be no sequel? or that it won't be called Order Stickier? I sort of assumed it wouldn't be called that, not that there would definitely be no sequel.

[Copperdragon]

Does the title of the strip means Word of Author that there isn't going to be a sequel with Tarquin?

It means there is not going to be a sequel. At all.

I am still surprised Rich did this strip, he's never going to get rid of people who from now on will come up and claim "but there will be a sequel!" and "it will be with Tarquin!" :smallfrown:

[DaveMcW]

A wand of sending? That sounds like the handiest thing ever. Why don't more people have those?

Scroll: 700 gp
Wand: 21,000 gp

It's also difficult for a caster to create a wand for themselves. Sending is a 5th level wizard spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sending.htm), impossible to place in a wand. It's 4th level for clerics, but most clerics have better things to do with their limited feats than take Craft Wand.

[WombleofDarknes]

Is it my imagination, or does the sending rod that's kept in a coat pocket seem quite... sonic...?

[rs2excelsior]

Aww to both Elan and Roy. Glad to know Elan can mature but still serve as comic relief :smallsmile:

[Wolv90]

Will we get more of Ian asking if Haley is really in control?
"Getting an arm broken so your patsies have to be in the front line?"
:haley:"Dad, it got broken trying to save them"
"Even better, no one will question it now, bulletproof alabai, just like I taught you"
:haley:"..."

[Sir_Leorik]

Order 2: Elec-Stick Boogaloo! :smallbiggrin:

This is a nice little denouement, moving towards the end of the book. It has Roy and Elan bonding, Haley trying to convince Roy to help her dad (makes sense that Roy couldn't overhear what Tarquin was saying all the way in that pit), and Julio proving that his Alignment is almost surely Chaotic Neutral (with a side order of caring but not Good).

[pendell]

Sequel? SEQUEL??

*Squees*

There is always hope. I'm getting what I had hoped for -- Tarquin on the bus, and sequel material.

Not much to say about this strip, since it's one of those that had to be there. But Elan's character growth is nice. As was Roy's comment about the exploding dungeon. Hee hee.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Psyren]

By RAW it fixes broken bones.

Regenerate: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/regenerate.htm)

They "grow back" which is what I said. Implying you have to amputate first. Granted I doubt any DM would read it that way but it's still weirdly worded.

More importantly, my prediction is that if Rich had wanted it to be fixed that easily he would have just had the potion do it. So something is going to keep Durkon from repairing it and it will be a factor in a crucial moment later.

[Reddish Mage]

Wait so what's not going to happen? A flyover of the elven-lands? Haley's father pickup? A epilogue to OOTS in which we get to see Elan beat up his dad in the style of the Hobbits taking back the Shire in Lord of the Rings (because that was totally badass)? An actual sequel strip "Order of the Stick 2?" Or any work book, pdf, or bonus strip, named "Order Stickier?"

[gorocz]

By RAW it fixes broken bones.

Regenerate: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/regenerate.htm)

I think what Psyren meant was actually RAW:

"The subject’s severed body members (fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, legs, tails, or even heads of multiheaded creatures), broken bones, and ruined organs grow back."

The bolded parts of the sentence are critical to the sentence structure, the "severed" can be optionally applied to either only "body members" or also the "broken bones". Either way, RAW (literally), it is
"The subjet's... broken bones... grow back."

Says nothing at all about fixing or mending anything... Not saying anyone would rule it that way, but it was a joke based on rules as written.

Edit: damnit, ninja-ed by Psyren himself :smallbiggrin:

[Fish]

Highsticker II: the Stickening

[Rogar Demonblud]

It looks like we're getting the road trip schedule set up for the METAL Sexy Shoeless God of War comeback tour.

Otherwise known as Book 6.

[DaggerPen]

Fantastic. Julio calling Tarquin a B-list villain was wonderful, too.

I was actually expecting Haley to Send using that scroll Durkon gave her way back when, but I suppose Durkon may have used that up for Elan's plan.

[Anarion]

The comic title fills me with sadness.

[Reddish Mage]

Order 2: Elec-Stick Boogaloo! :smallbiggrin:

This is a nice little denouement, moving towards the end of the book. It has Roy and Elan bonding, Haley trying to convince Roy to help her dad... and Julio proving that his Alignment is almost surely Chaotic Neutral (with a side order of caring but not Good).

Really, you think paying attention to the laws of drama implies a lack of goodness? Didn't Elan just note that he did the same? I would think a better argument can be made for the dramatic being lawful.

[Terbovus]

Yay!

There is no way he's getting out of producing that sequel. No way. :smallamused:

[Neoriceisgood]

Man that title.

I'm loving OoTs lately, I feel like I'll be sad once it reaches its conclusion.

[Psyren]

Wait so what's not going to happen? A flyover of the elven-lands? Haley's father pickup? A epilogue to OOTS in which we get to see Elan beat up his dad in the style of the Hobbits taking back the Shire in Lord of the Rings (because that was totally badass)? An actual sequel strip "Order of the Stick 2?" Or any work book, pdf, or bonus strip, named "Order Stickier?"

He means the sequel. There won't be OotS2: Let's Get Tarquin; implying that plotline will get resolved here.

[HandofShadows]

Just goes to show that Tarquin was wrong, again. There has been growth in Elan on many levels. :smallcool:

[DaOldeWolf]

Awesome comic and some explanations are nicely given. :smallbiggrin:

Now, I want to know if the title means "no sequel" or "no sequel under that name."

[Morgan Wick]

Well, we had the Order of the Scribble, now the Order of the Stick... next should be the Order of the Paint?

You mean this (http://www.mspaintadventures.com)?

[Ted The Bug]

I hereby throw my full support behind Order Stickier.

[Fitzclowningham]

I hope Ian somehow saw Elan let Tarquin fall from the Mechane. That way he might be able to trust Elan and agree to come along with them.

[zimmerwald1915]

Anyone want to take bets on that Wand of Sending Julio so generously loaned Haley? This seems like an excellent time to double cross the Order to collect the reward on Haley's father's head, not to mention maybe clear his name with Tarquin and earn a relatively powerful ally. I will guess that the item is cursed in some way so Julio can hear the contents of the message and intercept her Dad before, or during, the Order's meeting with him.

:elan: dun dun DUN!!!!!
Why should Julio double-cross the Order to gain Tarquin's favor, especially given that 1) Julio has no reason to want Tarquin's favor, since he can evade Tarquin's grasp without much effort and 2) the Order just kicked Tarquin's ass?

[Osiris]

It should totally be a thing. If you don't make it, one of us will.

I'M STARTING A PETITION

[RNGgod]

I wonder whether Tarquin's obsessive delusion that he is the main villain of Elan's story is at all exacerbated by his repeated failure to be the main villain of Julio's story.

[Sir_Leorik]

Really, you think paying attention to the laws of drama implies a lack of goodness? Didn't Elan just note that he did the same? I would think a better argument can be made for the dramatic being lawful.

Sticking with the Laws of Dramatic Convention at the expense of other people, is not a Good act, as Elan pointed out in this latest update. Julio could have done much more than give Elan a lift to Cliffport; he could have lent Elan his Wand of Sending to warn Haley that Nale had swapped places with him. But that wouldn't have made for an interesting story.

As for the whole discussion on Bards not being Lawful, and how the Laws of Dramatic Convention play in, how about we take that discussion over here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324345), rather than clutter up the main Discussion Thread, okay?

[Anatares]

It should totally be a thing. If you don't make it, one of us will.

I'M STARTING A PETITION

I've always sort of wondered what the Giant's take on OotS fanfic would be :P

[HendoJ]

I guess I'm the only one who thought the best moment of the strip was Roy promising to help Elan?

They've both really grown.

[Forikroder]

I wonder whether Tarquin's obsessive delusion that he is the main villain of Elan's story is at all exacerbated by his repeated failure to be the main villain of Julio's story.

seems more like hes been trying hard to avoid even being a character in Julio's story

[Lexible]

I really like the juxtaposition of Scoundrél's take on narrative versus Tarquin's... the former really wants to serve narrative for his own vision of maximum cool, while the latter wants everyone else to serve his personal vision of cool narrative. It adds some nice nuance to the 'dueling father figures' thang.

[fwiffo]

How is it that so many people are reading line "... you bore an uncanny resemblance to one of my B-list villains" and are thinking that Julio is referring to Elan's dad and not his *twin* brother, who has been a B-list villain all his life. Have you all gone delusional?

[Clistenes]

I wish Tarquin had heard Scoundrel call him "B-list villain" right after Elan call him "nothing Haley and V couldn't manage"...That would make the "your are not the real villain" thing sink better and hurt more. :smalltongue:

[Shale]

How is it that so many people are reading line "... you bore an uncanny resemblance to one of my B-list villains" and are thinking that Julio is referring to Elan's dad and not his *twin* brother, who has been a B-list villain all his life. Have you all gone delusional?

Because we know Julio has fought Tarquin repeatedly, to the point where they skip directly to the "infuriating banter" stage of the fight, while there's no indication he even met Nale?

[ChristianSt]

Just to be clear: I totally would buy into that "Order of the Stick II: Order Stickier" :smallbiggrin:

[Gusion]

New comic is up.

I appreciate wrapping up some of the story, I had mentioned about Haley's dad a couple of strips ago.

[Jay R]

I love how the Giant interacts and squashes his reader's dreams and hopes.

Anyways, a eternal wand of sending would work better. You only need to use sending a couple times a week or day, and the infinite recharge will help.

A cursed eternal wand of sending. Once you activate it, it sends the theme to Gilligan's Island to your mind.

Four times a day.

Forever.

[DeliaP]

Order of the Stick 2:
- The Snarl Strikes Back.
- For a Few Sticks More.

I suspect the title refers to there not being a sequel. But definitely no with the title "Order Stickier".

With Tarquin out of the way but alive, I am now back to hoping that we are going to see a mass pile-up convergence of characters in the final book, at Kraagor's gate. Tarquin and co. will show up at Kraagor's gate, and their subplot will be resolved there (although I'm not expecting it to be the "Xykon squishes them like the presumptuous sub-plot villains they are", satisfying as that image might be...)

Which means, for all the "it'll only take a few days to get there" on the Mechane, my prediction is that things will get a lot more complex, and Book 6 will be entirely occupied with actually trying to get to the gate. Picking up Ian will be one thing (Oh, that reminds, me, I have to go to the death pool thread and change my prediction: Geoff dies next!) but I also reckon that the attempt to cross the elven lands will get derailed, and the Order will end up visiting Lirian's rift, Where It All Began. (This may even fill in some plot points that have been raised about Soon's presence at the discovery of the initial rift)

[fwiffo]

Because we know Julio has fought Tarquin repeatedly, to the point where they skip directly to the "infuriating banter" stage of the fight, while there's no indication he even met Nale?

The "uncanny resemblance" (which Elan and Nale share, but Elan and Tarquin do not) and "B-list" (which Nale is and Tarquin is not) should be enough to cure this particular missimpression.

[jidasfire]

Nice bit of end of the line comedy, leading into a hopefully very productive denouement. It seems like next we'll get to Haley's business with her father, and perhaps we'll see how the business with Geoff plays out. Part of me hopes the fact that bounty hunters are after them now means we might see Gannji and Enor one last time, and perhaps they'd be inclined to let Ian go. But that's massive speculation.

And yes, a few people beat me to it, but I'd always wondered why Julio was considered CN. He seemed like a guy who generally does more good deeds than bad, even if he was a thief and a lecher. But now it's pretty apparent that he is perfectly willing to take dangerous gambles in pursuit of a better story. Still a useful friend to have, but not one who can be relied on for anything huge. He's a far better person than Tarquin, but still a cautionary tale for Elan, which will contribute to what kind of hero he turns out to be.

[Gift Jeraff]

The "uncanny resemblance" (which Elan and Nale share, but Elan and Tarquin do not)
Except characters have noted Elan and his dad's uncanny resemblance:
Panel 8 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0726.html)
This whole strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0753.html)


"B-list" (which Nale is and Tarquin is not) should be enough to cure this particular missimpression.
Good one. EDIT: Actually, I won't even say that--"B-list" just means overall significance/prominence/importance, not competence or success, if that's what you were implying. How would any of us know whether or not Tarquin is a B-lister in Julio's life?

[RNGgod]

The "uncanny resemblance" (which Elan and Nale share, but Elan and Tarquin do not) and "B-list" (which Nale is and Tarquin is not) should be enough to cure this particular missimpression.


Except that Elan told Julio about Nale because that was the reason Elan needed Julio's help. "I never told you that you looked like my B-list villain!" makes not the slightest bit of sense in that context.

"I never told you that you looked like the identical twin that you yourself said we have to fight!"


He's obviously referring to Tarquin.

[Snails]

Does the title of the strip means Word of Author that there isn't going to be a sequel with Tarquin?

I think that is the case. Though Tarquin might show up to the finale at Kraagor's Gate to meet his final fate.

[Lexible]

Whoah whoah whoah!

You're getting too far out there. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly was the third movie. The Giant will never get any rest at this rate if you want two sequels! lol

Oh dang! I always thought it was the second . . . (I haven't seen For a Few Stickies More).

[Lexible]

Scroll: 700 gp
Wand: 21,000 gp

It's also difficult for a caster to create a wand for themselves. Sending is a 5th level wizard spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sending.htm), impossible to place in a wand. It's 4th level for clerics, but most clerics have better things to do with their limited feats than take Craft Wand.

50 Scrolls: 35,000 gp
1 Wand with 50 charges: 21,00 gp

[Snails]

Um, Elan, you need to use your Bardic Knowledge. Right now. Because "rescuing" Haley's father at this point in the tale is much more likely to get him killed than leaving him to whatever danger he already faces.

[Phobia]

But... but they are going to face Tarquin again, right? :smalleek:

[Lexible]

Will we get more of Ian asking if Haley is really in control?
"Getting an arm broken so your patsies have to be in the front line?"
:haley:"Dad, it got broken trying to save them"
"Even better, no one will question it now, bulletproof alabai, just like I taught you"
:haley:"..."

For some reason I read that as "Getting an arm broken so your pasties have to be in the front line?" and was all o_O.

[Snails]

I guess we can now see why Julio is Chaotic Neutral. He may like heroics but he has no instinct for Good.

[Shale]

I wouldn't say no instincts, but he has no problem putting people in greater danger because hey, it's more dramatic that way and it'll all work out in the end.

[Forikroder]

Except characters have noted Elan and his dad's uncanny resemblance:
Panel 8 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0726.html)
This whole strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0753.html)


Good one. EDIT: Actually, I won't even say that--"B-list" just means overall significance/prominence/importance, not competence or success, if that's what you were implying. How would any of us know whether or not Tarquin is a B-lister in Julio's life?
considering Tarquins main goals and choice of action i doubt he was ever one of those cliche villains Julio would so gladly enjoy taking down, his team seems more suited to more shadow play low risk high reward coporate stuff just looking at there group

unless shoulder pad guy is a cleric they dont really have much in the way of healing afterall, they mainly hunted secret treasure (or non-secret treasure owned by private individuals) and pulled blackmail/ransom sort of deals

[fwiffo]

Except that Elan told Julio about Nale because that was the reason Elan needed Julio's help. "I never told you that you looked like my B-list villain!" makes not the slightest bit of sense in that context.

"I never told you that you looked like the identical twin that you yourself said we have to fight!"

He's obviously referring to Tarquin.

Lemme see. For Nale to pretend to be his own twin brother who is totally not Nale, and realizing that he has a reputation so someone can recognize him, and calling attention to being aware of Nale is and asking for help against Nale would be ... yep, totally a typical Nale scheme. And, something that someone like Julio would play along with and pretend to be convinced, even though he strongly suspect that it *is* Nale after all. And would be a good motive for not volunteering extra help.

Meanwhile, resemblance to your father means absolutely nothing.

*sigh*

[Shale]

On the topic of Tarquin being a B-villain, Julio might not actually know about the Three Empires gambit at all. To him, Tarquin might just be an itinerant general who keeps kidnapping prospective brides.

[Forikroder]

Lemme see. For Nale to pretend to be his own twin brother who is totally not Nale, and realizing that he has a reputation so someone can recognize him, and calling attention to being aware of Nale is and asking for help against Nale would be ... yep, totally a typical Nale scheme. And, something that someone like Julio would play along with and pretend to be convinced, even though he strongly suspect that it *is* Nale after all. And would be a good motive for not volunteering extra help.

Meanwhile, resemblance to your father means absolutely nothing.

*sigh*
except we dont know that Julio even knows Nale, its not like he and Tarquin are actually close the only thing Julio would care about is when Tarquins next wedding is and the best way to crash it he wouldnt actually care at all that Tarquin had kids

[BaronOfHell]

Nale was always all about petty revenge for imagined spite. If he was Scoundrel's B-lister, he'd probably try to get his revenge on him.

In any case, Elan doesn't have an uncanny resemblance with Nale, he looks identical to Nale.

[Sadsharks]

The "uncanny resemblance" (which Elan and Nale share, but Elan and Tarquin do not) and "B-list" (which Nale is and Tarquin is not) should be enough to cure this particular missimpression.

Elan and Tarquin look literally identical. At least Nale has a mild difference in facial hair.

[Cizak]

Um, yeah, it's rather obviously refering to the resemblance between Elan and Tarquin. It's not certain Julio has ever met Nale, but he has fought Tarquin on multiple occasions, putting him on Julio's B-llist of villains. It also makes sense in context: "Well, now that you know that I've met Tarquin before we met, I can finally tell you that I saw the resemblance between the two of you right away."

[RNGgod]

Lemme see. For Nale to pretend to be his own twin brother who is totally not Nale, and realizing that he has a reputation so someone can recognize him, and calling attention to being aware of Nale is and asking for help against Nale would be ... yep, totally a typical Nale scheme. And, something that someone like Julio would play along with and pretend to be convinced, even though he strongly suspect that it *is* Nale after all. And would be a good motive for not volunteering extra help.

Meanwhile, resemblance to your father means absolutely nothing.

*sigh*


Are you an alt account for David Argall, by any chance?

[fwiffo]

Elan and Tarquin look literally identical. At least Nale has a mild difference in facial hair.

They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

[Shale]

So Roy and Belkar did not describe Tarquin as looking exactly like Elan, when they said he looks exactly like somebody blond they know?

[Cizak]

This is a stick figure comic with basically no fourth wall. Their faces are literally the same sprite copied.

[Vinsfeld]

I guess we would all want a sequel to the Order of the Stick

[Nightcanon]

They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

Seriously? Am I the only person here who has been told that I look just like my father, and that my kids look just like me? Is my dad really my twin brother?

[Orm-Embar]

I would like to see the sequel, whether it's called "The Cleansing of the Shire" or "A Fistful of Sticks".

[BaronOfHell]

Futile discussion is futile.

Gift Jeraff was really spot on, I don't think there's anymore in-comic evidence than that.

[Lexible]

They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

Dude, they canonically look uncannily alike: 753 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0753.html), panels 6 through 9. In fact they are beyond uncannily and into the startlingly alike area.

[Incom]

Obviously, we'll be getting Super Order of the Stick 64 Advance instead.

[Shale]

Seriously? Am I the only person here who has been told that I look just like my father, and that my kids look just like me? Is my dad really my twin brother?

YES. Dun dun duuuuuun

[Composer99]

They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

... wait, what? :smallconfused:

As for your theory that the "B-list" villain Julio knows is Nale,

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Ron-Burgundy-That-Doesnt-Make-Any-Sense.gif

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!

Edit: Picking up Ian is a bad move. They can track him somehow, maybe a magic rune on his rags or in the prison food.

If they take him to Kraagor's dungeon, they he could lead Tarquin right to them.

But if they don't, he probably dies, which is worser.

[fwiffo]

Ok, lets approach it from one more angle. Storytelling-wise, what is more common - son and father having generational conflict and being very different, at odds with each other and not on same page as goals go? Or is it them being similar?

[Lissou]

They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

Dude, that depends. Some people, you look at them, and you'd think only one of their parents provided genes because they're pretty much a carbon copy. It happens.

[BaronOfHell]

Doesn't matter if it's realistic or not, obviously Elan and T looks like each other, it's stated in-comic.

Despite, what is realistic hardly matters, it's not like it's a random sample we are looking at.

[KoboldRevenge]

Order of the Stick 2: Book of Secrets

[ss49]

But will Ian want to be saved? He was kind of a **** last I remember....

[Cizak]

Ok, lets approach it from one more angle. Storytelling-wise, what is more common - son and father having generational conflict and being very different, at odds with each other and not on same page as goals go? Or is it them being similar?

How is what's more common in other stories at all relevant here? In this story, what is a fact is that Elan and Tarquin are as good as identically similar. As well as Nale.

[Nilehus]

I... don't even know what that means.

Yes?

Tarquin and Julio fought before. They even seemed to have a routine they did, if Tarquin's "I don't have time for the stupid banter today!" thing is anything to go by. They're recurring enemies for each other.

Whereas Nale and Julio have... been in the same general vicinity once, as far as we know. Julio was on an airship, Nale was in a hotel. Don't think that qualifies as someone's B-list villain.

Everyone who has seen both Elan and Tarquin (Haley, Roy, Belkar, Ian, Geoff) have said they look exactly alike, or at least have an extremely strong resemblance to each other.

Why are you so insistent that two characters who have never even said one word to each other on-screen are mortal enemies?

[Jaxzan Proditor]

Great comic! Looks like the end of the book is near. This strip answers a lot of myquestions: are they stopping for Ian? Did Julio recognize Elan?, so I'm very happy. I have to wonder, who is Julio's main villain?

Also: I didn't read the whole thread, so I don't know if this has already been suggested, but if Elan were to make a sequel, I want The Order of the Stick II: Wrath of Tarquin.

[DeliaP]

Ok, lets approach it from one more angle. Storytelling-wise, what is more common - son and father having generational conflict and being very different, at odds with each other and not on same page as goals go? Or is it them being similar?

Umm... neither are significantly more common? As in, I can think of a lot of stories in which the child follows in their parents footsteps in one way or another... and a lot of stories in which they reject and defy their parents.

(Although the rejection storyline is probably more common when both characters are significant in the plot, to create drama)

So, instead let's re-approach it from these angles (again):

- Tarquin and Elan look startlingly similar. Belkar crafts the disturbing mental image for Roy of Tarquin blond, and twenty years younger... but says he has the exact same face.

- Julio has a history of conflict with Tarquin, in particular rescuing soon-to-be-brides.

- calling Tarquin a B-list villain is inherently funny, because of Tarquin's own inflated self-importance.

- we don't have a single piece of in-comic evidence that Julio interacted with Nale, ever.

[Seerow]

Dude, that depends. Some people, you look at them, and you'd think only one of their parents provided genes because they're pretty much a carbon copy. It happens.

Very much this. Seriously if you looked at my dad and I, the only difference between us was that he had some grey in his hair and his hair was a little curlier. As far as facial features, body type, etc, we could have been twins. (at least until I started growing a beard. He was always jealous of me for being able to do that)

[turkishproverb]

Awesome.

And hilarious. I really needed this. Bad day.

[warrl]

Dude, that depends. Some people, you look at them, and you'd think only one of their parents provided genes because they're pretty much a carbon copy. It happens.

And sometimes it goes further than that. Once I walked into a very busy family-run restaurant, and was almost willing to swear that the three hostesses were identical triplets. It turned out that two were in fact identical twins (and their mother was our waitress - the place really was family-run), but the third was, not a sibling, a cousin. That means they had one set of grandparents in common.

[3WhiteFox3]

They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

That's... Just plain false. I myself look very similar to my dad, I had a cousin that looks a lot like my Dad. Not to mention my little brother who is a spitting image of my dad at that age. The similarities are uncanny. Besides twins don't have an uncanny resemblance, because that's the whole point of identical twins, something that's uncanny is weird or strange. One identical twin being *gasp* identical isn't weird, but to have a father who just looks like an aged up you would be because it's not expected.

[whitemane]

Order of the Stick 2: Order Stickier!!!!

I hope this means that when Giant finally finishes the story, we have a sequel!!!!

[weezaard]

Thanks for the quick update!

Character growth from Elan is nice, but I had grown so accustomed to his wiles.

Looking forward to future updates!

[ORione]

Order of the Stick 2: Order Stickier!!!!

I hope this means that when Giant finally finishes the story, we have a sequel!!!!

Going by the strip's title, I wouldn't bet on it.

[SaintRidley]

Huh.

So it really was his innocence he lost in the fight with Tarquin.

All the narrative, all the drama, is forever tainted by the shadow.



Order of the Stick Gold and Order of the Stick Silver. In order to read the whole sequel, though, you'll have to copy and trade the panels that are exclusive to each version.

[Snails]

And sometimes it goes further than that. Once I walked into a very busy family-run restaurant, and was almost willing to swear that the three hostesses were identical triplets. It turned out that two were in fact identical twins (and their mother was our waitress - the place really was family-run), but the third was, not a sibling, a cousin. That means they had one set of grandparents in common.

Depends on the family.

[MReav]

If Tarquin is one of Julio's B-Listers, I'm curious as to who's in Julio's main Rogue's Gallery.

[Infinite]

I hope V does something interesting in the Elven lands...

[Quartz]

Scroll: 700 gp
Wand: 21,000 gp

It's also difficult for a caster to create a wand for themselves. Sending is a 5th level wizard spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sending.htm), impossible to place in a wand.

I believe you can exceed the 4th level maximum if you take the Craft Wondrous Item feat as well. For example, the Wand of Conjuration has up to a 9th level spell.

[JHShadon]

I wonder if one of Julio's A-listers is a Paladin.

[Snails]

If Tarquin is one of Julio's B-Listers, I'm curious as to who's in Julio's main Rogue's Gallery.

I imagine that Julio has a few B-list mustache twirling villains that he saves a dame from before the start of every major adventure, much like how 007 survives an assassination attempt at the beginning of each movie. I rate Tarquin to be like Jaws -- competent enough to be dangerous, but not important enough to kill and there for comic effect more than drama.

[Everyl]

They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

Two things here.

First: add me to the list of people who look like a younger clone of my father.

Second: Julio has been adventuring for over 30 years; Elan is a tad over 20 years old. The Tarquin/Julio rivalry probably extends back to when Tarquin was young(ish), given that he's had time to disrupt multiple weddings. This means that even age-related differences in appearance wouldn't apply - Julio knew Tarquin when Tarquin was (roughly) Elan's age, and could make the comparison based on his appearance back then.

[rbetieh]

If Tarquin is one of Julio's B-Listers, I'm curious as to who's in Julio's main Rogue's Gallery.

Devil kings and evil pirates, right?

[Kish]

Does the title of the strip means Word of Author that there isn't going to be a sequel with Tarquin?
Yes, it does.

And of course it wasn't enough to stop people on the board from expecting it anyway.

They "grow back" which is what I said. Implying you have to amputate first. Granted I doubt any DM would read it that way but it's still weirdly worded.

More importantly, my prediction is that if Rich had wanted it to be fixed that easily he would have just had the potion do it. So something is going to keep Durkon from repairing it and it will be a factor in a crucial moment later.
I think he just didn't want to set a "Cure Unspecified Wounds potions heal broken bones" precedent.


*sigh*
You're arguing against the blindingly obvious and for the makes-no-sense out of your desire for Tarquin to be more than what he is. He was explaining why he didn't tell Elan that Elan's father was a villain, who he had, as he has spelled out in detail with authorial amplification, clashed with more than once. Julio was not suggesting that he thought Elan was Nale or, indeed, that he ever met Nale.

[David Argall]

Yay!

There is no way he's getting out of producing that sequel. No way.
Way.
The sequel is 5 years away. [The end of the strip has always been 5 years away, and 5 years from now, it may still be 5 years away.] Plenty of time to claim times have change and ...
A strip that starts with a title of "not going to happen" suggests the reverse, that no such sequel is planned.
And it is a bad idea. The Order will be Epic by the time of any sequel [or dead or unavailable in Belkar's case]. That means a serious shortage of challenging foes. Drama is heavily David vs Goliath. So much better to start over with some 1st levels.
Something is likely to happen, but it is not going to be a sequel. A prequel maybe.

[oppyu]

Add me to the list of people who can't comprehend how someone would read that strip and think Julio Scoundrel was talking about Nale. At the end of the day, Tarkie's just a terrible father, petty warlord, story obsessive shaking his fist at a departing airship, and a B-list villain of another tale who happens to have a personal connection to a PC.

[Forikroder]

Add me to the list of people who can't comprehend how someone would read that strip and think Julio Scoundrel was talking about Nale. At the end of the day, Tarkie's just a terrible father, petty warlord, story obsessive shaking his fist at a departing airship, and a B-list villain of another tale who happens to have a personal connection to a PC.

and genius warlord who currently controls roughly 1/3rd of the dessert personally and over half of it combined with his team

if Tarquin is a "b-list" villain its only because hes smart enough to not be flashy enough to be an "a-list"

[zingbat]

Order of the Stick 2:
- For a Few Sticks More.


That's it! "Order of the Stick 2: A Few Sticks Short of a Load"


The "uncanny resemblance" (which Elan and Nale share, but Elan and Tarquin do not) and "B-list" (which Nale is and Tarquin is not) should be enough to cure this particular missimpression.

It's OK. You can still be president of the Tarquin fan club, even if he is just a B-list villain.

Besides, you of all people should know that all villains are B-list compared to... <SpathiVoice>THE ULTIMATE EVIL!</SpathiVoice>

[Lheticus]

"Order of the Stick 2: Order Stickier"?

Hmm...I think "Order of the Stick 2: The Stickening" is better. (I hope I haven't been ninja'ed)

That aside, THAT is how Elan is the Good member of his family. He loves stories as much as the next guy, (okay, WAY MORE than the next guy XD) but knows how far is too far--such as when he immediately told the truth to Haley about Therkla, and today's comic drives that point home even more so.

Also, LMAO...I bet Tarquin's ears are ABLAZE with Julio calling him a "B-List villain". Best burn I've heard on him yet--too bad he won't be getting ice anytime soon. ^_^ Y'know, because he's stranded in the desert all by his lonesome. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DontExplainTheJoke)

Wakawaka! :P

[Oko and Qailee]

You know what I would have liked better?

Order of the Stick 2: Ordered Stickier

Edit: Also, I love the Roy/Elan moment at the end of this strip. I'm really happy for the promise he made to Elan.

[littlebum2002]

The "uncanny resemblance" (which Elan and Nale share, but Elan and Tarquin do not) and "B-list" (which Nale is and Tarquin is not) should be enough to cure this particular missimpression.

How do Elan and Tarquin not share an uncanny resemblance? They're drawn with the exact same facial cell, just with a different hair color. They literally have the exact same face.

I'm actually quite amazed that someone can read the Last few strips and NOT realize he's talking about Tarquin. If he's referring to Nale, after JUST having a fight with Tarquin and after never once referring to Nale before, then Rich is a terrible, terrible storyteller.




They are generation apart. You don't get to have uncanny resemblance to someone who is generation away from you. You get to have uncanny resemblance to your twin brother.

Really? So what do you think about this mother-daughter look-alike contest? (http://m.stltoday.com/lifestyles/relationships-and-special-occasions/parenting/meet-our-mother-daughter-look-alike-contest-winners/collection_75eecc8c-bb02-11e2-bd22-001a4bcf6878.html?mobile_touch=true) Are you going to tell me none of these women have an uncanny resemblance to their mothers?

[Caex]

Where do I sign up for the Kickstarter for Order Stickier?

[Gift Jeraff]

if Tarquin is a "b-list" villain its only because hes smart enough to not be flashy enough to be an "a-list"

Except Tarquin thinks he's not only an A-list villain, but the main villain. Tarquin even used "B-list" as an insult. How is that at all compatible with him deliberately being a B-lister?

[Ridureyu]

Way.
The sequel is 5 years away. [The end of the strip has always been 5 years away, and 5 years from now, it may still be 5 years away.] Plenty of time to claim times have change and ...
A strip that starts with a title of "not going to happen" suggests the reverse, that no such sequel is planned.
And it is a bad idea. The Order will be Epic by the time of any sequel [or dead or unavailable in Belkar's case]. That means a serious shortage of challenging foes. Drama is heavily David vs Goliath. So much better to start over with some 1st levels.
Something is likely to happen, but it is not going to be a sequel. A prequel maybe.


I agree with David Argall on this.


I agree with David Argall.

[Forikroder]

Except Tarquin thinks he's not only an A-list villain, but the main villain. Tarquin even used "B-list" as an insult. How is that at all compatible with him deliberately being a B-lister?

no he doesnt, he thinks that later on after Elan is done with his side quest, after Tarquin has solidified his power that hell be the main villain

[Jaxzan Proditor]

I think that, much as I would like one, the chances of a sequel are quite slim. That won't stop me (or Elan) from thinking of titles for one :smalltongue:.

[Lexible]

Order of the Stick 2: Order of the Stickier Rice!

[Szeth]

I really like all the development we are getting with the main trio (Elan, Haley, Roy), but I hope we get to see some more of V's and Durkon's story in the future (maybe we will see some going over the elven forest!). It's a shame that Elan v. Tarkie wont be something that will be fully blown out, I hope it will at least get a vignette.

[Gift Jeraff]

no he doesnt, he thinks that later on after Elan is done with his side quest, after Tarquin has solidified his power that hell be the main villain

If he thinks the Xykon plot is a side-quest, then that makes his plot the main quest. As the main villain of the main quest, he would be the main villain. If he thought he had to wait to become the main villain, he would've called it Elan's current quest rather than "side-quest."

Also, Word of the Giant is that Tarquin thinks he's the main villain of Elan's story (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15962127&postcount=460) (Kickstarter PDF spoilers).

And, really, Tarquin thinking he has to solidify his status, rather than having a high enough opinion of himself to assume that he would naturally be the main villain by default? I can't see how anyone could get that vibe from him.

[Vaylon]

{Scrubbed}

[Amphiox]

OotS 2: Order of the Carat
OotS 2: Order of the Swirl
Order of the Stick 2: Citizen Tarquin
Order of the Stick 2: Vengeance of the Succubus
Order of the Stick 2: These are the Plays of his Life
Order of the Stick 2: The Sands of Rhyme

Also, there are many real-life father-son pairs who have an "uncanny resemblance" to each other. And much depends on Julio's personal definition of "uncanny".

Perhaps Dashing Swordsman grants a circumstance bonus(or penalty) to visual acuity checks when looking at the long-lost sons of old rivals....

[Forikroder]

If he thinks the Xykon plot is a side-quest, then that makes his plot the main quest. As the main villain of the main quest, he would be the main villain. If he thought he had to wait to become the main villain, he would've called it Elan's current quest rather than "side-quest."

Also, Word of the Giant is that Tarquin thinks he's the main villain of Elan's story (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15962127&postcount=460) (Kickstarter PDF spoilers).

And, really, Tarquin thinking he has to solidify his status, rather than having a high enough opinion of himself to assume that he would naturally be the main villain by default? I can't see how anyone could get that vibe from him.

he said it himself the stage isnt set yet he needs to finish absorbing the rest of desert hes not at his full villainous potential yet

so Tarquin does think that hes the main villain of a story that has not yet been acted out much less written hes just trying to set the stage for when it is written out

[TheWombatOfDoom]

{Scrub the post, scrub the quote}

You mean like the last 100 pages or so were? I don't think there's a "remember when" in this case. I thought it was a good answer, considering what class Julio and Elan are. Drama is their thing.

[Gift Jeraff]

he said it himself the stage isnt set yet he needs to finish absorbing the rest of desert hes not at his full villainous potential yet

How does that make him not the main villain? It just means the main villain (according to Tarq) hasn't finished their Evil Plan.

[IW Judicator]

The Lost World: Jurassic Stick.

(That way, Elan can fulfill his dream. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0693.html))

[multilis]

"This is Not a Thing That is Going to Happen"

Someone forgot about *fanfic*, mwhwhwhahahahahaha!

We already have the X and T undead romance "save it for the fanfic", now we have Stickier as well. So much potential, not even counting Miko and all the others.

[jamiah93]

Simple background is simple. im seeing some back-to-back updates up in hurr.

[Forikroder]

How does that make him not the main villain? It just means the main villain (according to Tarq) hasn't finished their Evil Plan.

right now Elan is in the middle of the Zykon story, everything thats happening now would probably be reserved for flashbacks later after Elan deals with Zykon that becomes a story then Elan goes after Tarquin wich becomes another story

[Breccia]

Hold on a minute...Roy, Elan, and V experiencing solid character growth? Everything is falling into place? Belkar's not dead?

Oh no! QUADRUPLE FANTASY!

[Porthos]

They "grow back" which is what I said. Implying you have to amputate first. Granted I doubt any DM would read it that way but it's still weirdly worded.

I tend to cut RAW slack when it is worded slightly wrong. These are game designers, not English Majors after all. :smallwink:

[happycrow]

It's not a thing that CAN happen. We've been not-really-promised-but-hinted-maybe-at-Aquaman. And I personally really groove on Aquaman and wanna see it happen.

Otherwise, with all the damage that fourth wall has taken, I'd be expecting more like Order of the Stick 2: Dwarves in Tights.

[orrion]

{Scrub the post, scrub the quote}

Hey, remember the ~90 strips before the last 2 strips that were an almost nonstop action story sequence? Apparently you don't.


Also remember that a) this is a comic strip and b) one of the pleasures derived from a lot of the audience is this meta game of exploring story elements. Oh, and c) character growth is part of the story, and I'll give you 1 guess as to what's happening to Elan.

[Ramien]

I'm wondering if Haley is going to be able to convince her dad it's safe... He's going to balk if he knows Elan's still around.

[Forikroder]

I'm wondering if Haley is going to be able to convince her dad it's safe... He's going to balk if he knows Elan's still around.

assuming hes not already on board the Mechane and has been watching them the whole time

[abramcf]

How about "Order of the Stick 2: Bride of Banjuhlu"?

[Runeclaw]

and genius warlord who currently controls roughly 1/3rd of the dessert personally and over half of it combined with his team

As has already been pointed out, whether a villain is A-list or B-list does not depend on how much territory they rule or how powerful they are. It depends on how important they are narratively. A villain can be A-list in one story and B-list in a different story. In the OotS story, Tarquin is arguably an A-list villain in this particular book, but B-list overall, because he is less significant n than Xykon and Red Cloak - who are the A-list villains.

In Julio's story, Tarquin is also a B-list villain, meaning that Julio duels him occasionally but he is not the focus of Julio's adventures. The fact that he rules a large kingdom and is of relatively high level has nothing to do with it.


if Tarquin is a "b-list" villain its only because hes smart enough to not be flashy enough to be an "a-list"

True enough. For the most part, Tarquin is just a generic evil dictator heartlessly oppressing the masses. But other that, he doesn't seem to do anything particularly exciting lately. Obviously, Julio's story has him flying around the world having various swashbuckling adventures, not tirelessly working to bring about the downfall of one particular dictator. Tarquin is a recurring character in his narrative, not the primary antagonist.

[t209]

So Rescue Mission, then The North.
I hope it didn't cut to another character.

[orrion]

assuming hes not already on board the Mechane and has been watching them the whole time

Pretty good assumption considering there's no evidence that the Mechane ever landed on the Western Continent after Ian escaped. Or at all.

[NihhusHuotAliro]

Whoa! Ian! Going to appear in less than ten strips instead of after the fight with xykon.

Didn't see that one coming.

[Ridureyu]

and genius warlord who currently controls roughly 1/3rd of the dessert personally and over half of it combined with his team

One time I had 1/3 of the dessert. Granted, it was a pretty small cake and there were three of us.


if Tarquin is a "b-list" villain its only because hes smart enough to not be flashy enough to be an "a-list"

Tarquin? Not flashy?



right now Elan is in the middle of the Zykon story, everything thats happening now would probably be reserved for flashbacks later after Elan deals with Zykon that becomes a story then Elan goes after Tarquin wich becomes another story

You misspelled Zycklone's name.

[Forikroder]

As has already been pointed out, whether a villain is A-list or B-list does not depend on how much territory they rule or how powerful they are. It depends on how important they are narratively. A villain can be A-list in one story and B-list in a different story. In the OotS story, Tarquin is arguably an A-list villain in this particular book, but B-list overall, because he is less significant n than Xykon and Red Cloak - who are the A-list villains.

In Julio's story, Tarquin is also a B-list villain, meaning that Julio duels him occasionally but he is not the focus of Julio's adventures. The fact that he rules a large kingdom and is of relatively high level has nothing to do with it.



True enough. For the most part, Tarquin is just a generic evil dictator heartlessly oppressing the masses. But other that, he doesn't seem to do anything particularly exciting lately. Obviously, Julio's story has him flying around the world having various swashbuckling adventures, not tirelessly working to bring about the downfall of one particular dictator. Tarquin is a recurring character in his narrative, not the primary antagonist.
im just pointing out that some people seem to think that Tarquin being a "b-list" villain makes him suck


Pretty good assumption considering there's no evidence that the Mechane ever landed on the Western Continent after Ian escaped. Or at all.

he may have some flight items in his safe place or the mechane could have been his safe place

i never said it was likely that he was there

[Cerlis]

right now Elan is in the middle of the Zykon story, everything thats happening now would probably be reserved for flashbacks later after Elan deals with Zykon that becomes a story then Elan goes after Tarquin wich becomes another story

No, Elan is in the middle of Roy's story (or the story of the Order of the Stick, in which Roy is playing the "lead") ergo HIS antagonist is the main villain (which is supplemented by the fact that more is at stake with xykon.)

I mean that is what the entire last half of this conflict has BEEN about. Tarquin's refusal to believe that he is just one of many villains no one has ever heard of except the few people who know about his evil plot to NOT be a main villain and thus refusing to believe his SON is just a supporting character in an important conflict.

Yes we know Tarquin believes the main villain. We know he believes he knows best. We know he believes the western continent is better ruled under him. That is what insane sociopathic murderers DO. Rationalize their insane philosophies to justify that the world is their horribly-maimed Oyster.

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

P.S. It is a PHYSICAL IMPOSSIBILITY for Elan and Nale to have an "uncanny resemblance to each other" Seeing that everything about them physically is 100% the same except for the goatee. Not only did every single member of the order and Elan himself attest to JUST how perfectly the same looking they are to each other, but we saw how someones who knew Elan intimately was able to see his "uncanny resemblance" within the first second of seeing him (talking about Roy and Belkar seeing Tarquin for the first time)

Resemble:have qualities or features, esp. those of appearance, in common with (someone or something); look or seem like.

Like and In Common.

[oppyu]

im just pointing out that some people seem to think that Tarquin being a "b-list" villain makes him suck


he may have some flight items in his safe place or the mechane could have been his safe place

i never said it was likely that he was there
Objectively (or as objectively as one can judge a person's quality), as a human being, Tarquin is pretty terrible. He's failed morally, story-wise (still a B-lister), as a parent and as a teammate and it turns out he's nowhere near as important or intelligent as he considers himself to be, which is icing on top of the 'Laughing at Tarquin's pain and irrelevance' cupcake.

So again, sucky B-Lister wannabe sucks, and can go be killed off-panel now. In regards to how he dies, it doesn't matter because Tarquin is irrelevant now :smallbiggrin:

[Forikroder]

he's nowhere near as important or intelligent as he considers himself to be

ignoring that he conquered like half the desert by himself in a few months and is the mastermind behind the current attempt to conquer it (which has for all intents and purposes pretty much suceeded)


No, Elan is in the middle of Roy's story (or the story of the Order of the Stick, in which Roy is playing the "lead") ergo HIS antagonist is the main villain (which is supplemented by the fact that more is at stake with xykon.)

yes thats true, which is why hes been trying to kill Roy so Elan becomes the lead, kills Xykon and then his next story is all about him taking down Tarquin


I mean that is what the entire last half of this conflict has BEEN about. Tarquin's refusal to believe that he is just one of many villains no one has ever heard of except the few people who know about his evil plot to NOT be a main villain and thus refusing to believe his SON is just a supporting character in an important conflict.

well 1. Tarquin has gone to great lengths to ensure noone knows about him

2. he already accepted his son is a supporting character, hence the lengths he went through to change that

[Alea_Iacta_Est]

Love the way Rich backfilled two plot holes. It's details like that that keep this strip awesome.



Highsticker II: the Stickening
LOL! :biggrin:

But the sequel must be done and it should be: "Order of the Sticking Around".

[The Fury]

Order of the Stick 2: Order of the Stickier Rice!

Oh yes, I can see it now...

:elan: "Waitress, I'd like to send this sticky rice back."

waitress: "Sure. Why? is there something wrong with it?"

:elan: "Well, you see... I ordered the stickier!"

YEEEAAAH!

[Lvl45DM!]

Giant, mate your sterling return to comedy strips after a long run of epic and HOLY CRAP and terrifying strips is seriously impressive. This kind of thing should give me emotional whiplash and yet it is just funny. Onya!

[Seward]

A wand of sending? That sounds like the handiest thing ever. Why don't more people have those?

Because Sending is a 5th level wizard spell, so it can only be made on a wand if a cleric takes the craft wand feat....(L4 cleric).

Which is a lot less common because no bonus crafting feats.

Also the thing costs 21,000gp fully charged which makes it too expensive before near-epic. Even up to level 15-16 or so, 21k is a serious expense and there are a lot of things you will use in every single battle competing for that cash. (by level 19-20, it's chump change though...so totally reasonable Scoundrel would have one).

[Thokk_Smash]

Because Sending is a 5th level wizard spell, so it can only be made on a wand if a cleric takes the craft wand feat....(L4 cleric).

Which is a lot less common because no bonus crafting feats.

Also the thing costs 21,000gp fully charged which makes it too expensive before near-epic. Even up to level 15-16 or so, 21k is a serious expense and there are a lot of things you will use in every single battle competing for that cash. (by level 19-20, it's chump change though...so totally reasonable Scoundrel would have one).

There is a clause in creating magic items where two separate parties create one single item: one supplies the feat (wizard), while the other supplies the spell (cleric), the paretheses being for this example of a Wand of Sending.

[HeeJay]

The Order of the Stick: The Rift World

The Order of the Stick II: The Wrath of Tarquin

Batdwarf Returns
(This one is my favourite.)

[Kremlin KOA]

Depends on the family.

Yeah, but unless it was at Borgia Burgers...

[BriarHobbit]

Wow, another episode so quickly. Awesome! I find it interesting that anyone considers Tarquin to be a B-List villain. He might not be the "main villain", but there is nothing B-List about Tarquin.

[Ramien]

And if we're going to be coming up with better names than Elan can for the thing that's not going to happen...

Order of the Stick 2: Branching Out
Order of the Stick 2: A New Leaf
Order of the Stick 2: Sticks and Stones
Order of the Stick 2: Sticking Around
Order of the Stick 2: The Search for More Money
Order of the Stick 2: One Step Closer to a Trilogy

[ORione]

Wow, another episode so quickly. Awesome! I find it interesting that anyone considers Tarquin to be a B-List villain. He might not be the "main villain", but there is nothing B-List about Tarquin.

Yeah, he's clearly C-list.

[Seward]

Wow, another episode so quickly. Awesome! I find it interesting that anyone considers Tarquin to be a B-List villain. He might not be the "main villain", but there is nothing B-List about Tarquin.

He's a B-list villain for Roy too. He's not the main focus of the character.

Tarquin probably is Ian Starshine's A-list villain, but Ian is only a B-list or C-list antagonist for Tarquin.

Where you are in the list is about your importance, not your power.

Or to put it in another context - Lex Luthor, in spite of the fact that he's just a smart human, is an A-list bad-guy for Superman. He causes the Kryptonian a lot of trouble and is often the primary focus behind major stories and arcs. Braniac is also A-list largely because of his tie-in to Kandor and being an alien who is dangerous to Kryptonians

Bizzaro is just as powerful as Superman, in some ways more powerful, but is B-list, just as Thog is for Roy, for many of the same reasons. Mister Mxyzptlk is MORE powerful than Superman, (Supes is 100% vulnerable to his abilities and he isn't really better than Mr M at anything except being sane) and is a PITA to deal with but he's not *important* to Superman, so he's also B-list.

Likewise the Joker is much more important to Batman than any of the more powerful super-villains he faces, because Joker is another guy who had a really, really bad day and allowed it to dictate the course of the rest of his life. They're dark mirrors of each other - bat**** crazy vs obsessed.

[David Argall]

P.S. It is a PHYSICAL IMPOSSIBILITY for Elan and Nale to have an "uncanny resemblance to each other" Seeing that everything about them physically is 100% the same except for the goatee.
According to at least one genetic theory, it is the opposite. Identical twins are not identical [tho the difference is usually trivial].
By the theory, identical twins are formed early on, when the fetus only has a handful of cells. For whatever reason, one [or more] cell is different, and is ejected. For most cases, the difference is a serious flaw and the cell dies, or the main fetus is already so large that it prevents the the cell from developing. But in the right conditions, the ejected cell just develops into a 2nd fetus, and we end up with identical twins, who vary in this or that way. One piece of evidence supporting this idea is that in a number of cases, one twin has a genetic disease, but the other does not.
We also have to keep environment in mind. Identical twins who are quite different in looks are well known. Usually the difference is nothing much, but as in our case of Nale whacking Elan on the head, it can make quite a difference.
So Nale and Elan are not quite 100% the same.

[blunk]

A wand of sending? That sounds like the handiest thing ever. Why don't more people have those?I think Motorola still holds most of the patents.

[Cynric]

I really hope it doesn't take too long to get Haley's dad. As much as I've enjoyed this arc, I'm really starting to get sick of sand dunes.

Also, how about "Order of the Stick 2: A Good Day To Stick Order"?

[blunk]

According to at least one genetic theory, it is the opposite. Identical twins are not identical [tho the difference is usually trivial].
By the theory, identical twins are formed early on, when the fetus only has a handful of cells. For whatever reason, one [or more] cell is different, and is ejected.And in female twins, X inactivation can lead to further differences.

[Wamyen]

"Order of the Stick 2 and the Stick that Stuck Me"

Belkar: That's what she said!

[Manji]

counting on the fact that Julio always arrives in the nick of time, at plot speed, what is the chance that Ian will be already in trouble by the time they get there?

[Adeptus]

"Order stickier." Bwahahaha. :smallbiggrin:

+1 :biggrin:

also


This is Not a Thing That is Going to Happen

[ratfox]

I can just see Haley saying: "Dad, the latest father who wanted to order around his child got thrown overboard from the airship"

[Cerlis]

I'm wondering if Haley is going to be able to convince her dad it's safe... He's going to balk if he knows Elan's still around.

I'm hoping he will be difficult and she will tell him off , basically disowning him and hitting him with guilt about the fact that she lied to people risked her life and he wont even trust her. "so if its so important to you to protect yourself, that you arent even willing to listen to your own daughter who is trying to protect you, then i guess there is nothing i can do!"

[Cerlis]

ignoring that he conquered like half the desert by himself in a few months and is the mastermind behind the current attempt to conquer it (which has for all intents and purposes pretty much suceeded)
Actually he conquered a province, using and army, failed to hold it (showing that his own force isnt the only one capable of changing the words on the map) and then used a very high level group of trusted adventuring PCs (the most powerful force on the planet) to INFILTRATE many countries and then manipulate things so that for the rest of their lives they will live in luxury and no one will even know they exist. Hell that is an epiphany to me! I've not seen anyone discuss it in length (though of course over the last book there are probably 500+ pages of Update Topic discussion pages i havent seen) is the fact that Tarquins plan could work for them for the rest of their life. and when he dies he will just be known as that "old silver haired guy who was general for the king we had for 3 years"


yes thats true, which is why hes been trying to kill Roy so Elan becomes the lead, kills Xykon and then his next story is all about him taking down Tarquin
which is why its so sad that he's trying to make the universe revolve around him and have the important thing be His loser* support character son come and vow to stop him because "that would be cool"(which is basically the jist of why he wants it to happen). Hell, the Tarquin thing could be round up on a single panel or a half a page. All that needs to happen is that since Gobotopia is entrenched Elan can invade his father's city with the help of the Azure city military and become a bastion of stability(Good stability that is actually...stable). And you could tell that story in 3 panels easy. Its epilogue stuff really. While there is no way in hell that the order of the stick can stop xykon easy enough to be told in...well how many books has it been?


well 1. Tarquin has gone to great lengths to ensure noone knows about him

2. he already accepted his son is a supporting character, hence the lengths he went through to change that

1)Which is why no one will know about who he is or care that he is gone, when he is taken out

2)He's observed that his son is a supporting character, and wishes to change it because he doesnt accept that as being part of his plan.


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

So basically he is a B-Villain trying DESPERATELY to be important.

Which in fact the only about 2 handfuls of people even know who he is.

[Nightsbridge]

Because we know Julio has fought Tarquin repeatedly, to the point where they skip directly to the "infuriating banter" stage of the fight, while there's no indication he even met Nale?

Also, Nale wasn't even part of this scene. He is not seen. In fact, Julio has no reason to believe that Nale was part of this at all. Literally all he knows is that there would be adventure if we went to an explosion in the desert.

[Cerlis]

According to at least one genetic theory, it is the opposite. Identical twins are not identical [tho the difference is usually trivial].
By the theory, identical twins are formed early on, when the fetus only has a handful of cells. For whatever reason, one [or more] cell is different, and is ejected. For most cases, the difference is a serious flaw and the cell dies, or the main fetus is already so large that it prevents the the cell from developing. But in the right conditions, the ejected cell just develops into a 2nd fetus, and we end up with identical twins, who vary in this or that way. One piece of evidence supporting this idea is that in a number of cases, one twin has a genetic disease, but the other does not.
We also have to keep environment in mind. Identical twins who are quite different in looks are well known. Usually the difference is nothing much, but as in our case of Nale whacking Elan on the head, it can make quite a difference.
So Nale and Elan are not quite 100% the same.

Thats assuming genetics exist in this world.

And the fact that the topic was people who look like Elan. And in regards to that (relevant) topic, yes except for the facial hair Nale and Elan are 100% the same.

[coineineagh]

In case there was any doubt, Julio just confirmed that he knows Tarq is Elan's dad. And knew all along due to the obvious resemblance - I feel silly for wondering if he didn't know yet.

[Storm_Of_Snow]

Yeah, Tarquin's a B-list villain for Julio - for those lower budget, mid-season episodes where Julio's big bad shouldn't be shown, and who isn't threatening enough to have to be dealt with immediately.

Essentially, he's Spike from Buffy - from somewhere between Druscilla dumping him and the Initiative implanting the chip in his head.

And if Tarquin's Spike, I guess that makes Nale either vamped-Harmony, or one of Warren, Andrew or Jonathan.

Probably Andrew. :smallbiggrin:

Also, considering how many times Julio's crashed Tarquin's weddings, he must have encountered Nale at some point before Nale left.

As for Haley's arm, yes, the bone does grow back - there's some reabsorbtion around the injury site, while the bone cells replicate and extend across from either side of the break until it all connects up again. Which is why the bone needs to be set, if it isn't, it'll be misaligned when it connects (I presume magical effects automatically set it as a part of the magic).

You also get a bone callus growing around the site of the injury, essentially, the bone strengthens itself where it was previously broken.


For some reason I read that as "Getting an arm broken so your pasties have to be in the front line?" and was all o_O.
Those poor pastry, meat and vegetable food products, getting forcibly drafted and shoved in harms way... :smallwink:

[motub]

The Giant, killing my hopes and dreams with a simple comic title.

Alas.

I am right there with you. No kidding. Although I have to say, re-reading the comic title at the end and understanding it in context has never been so satisfyingly clear (if massively disappointing).

Dammit.

[Quartz]

Order of the Stick 2: For a few sticks more.

[elros]

Now I'm wondering if Julio's A-list villain will appear later on.

One other point: do you notice that the fathers of all of the Order's members are difficult? Roy's dad, Elan's dad, Haley's dad- they are all stubborn, manipulative, and kind of mean. And I can only imagine what Belkar's father was like.
Do you think the Giant is aware of that, or is it a subconscious choice?