Is it too early to start speculating about book 6 titles?

[Procyonpi]

I vote for "Gods and Giants." :P

[Caractacus]

"The Title's Moot"

[Jasdoif]

My liking for "To Hel and Back Again" hasn't waned since nineteen months ago :smalltongue:

[Ruck]

I like "To Hel with Good Intentions."

edit: the "Good intentions" referring to Roy's in bringing "Durkon" to the Godsmoot to get Durkon resurrected, and by doing so accidentally kicking off another possible end-of-the-world scenario.

[RatElemental]

Durkon 2: Vampiric Boogaloo?

I'm so sorry.

[littlebum2002]

Would i be remiss if i described this thread as "premature e-speculation"?

[Emanick]

What the Hel

[Black Socks]

"To Hel with it all"

"Road to Hel" (is paved with good intentions, as Ruck referred to above)

"A Hel-ish trial"

"One-way airship to Hel"

"Hel-bent on vengeance"

....I'm addicted.

[Jaxzan Proditor]

Certainly too early, but, you know, what the Hel. :smallbiggrin:

I'd love if the title was "Highway to Hel".

[Lheticus]

I'm going to play the current long odds and speculate that the word "Hel" won't even be anywhere in the title. Clearly there's too many possibilities to choose just one, even for Rich.

[Grey Watcher]

"One-way airship to Hel"

No, no, no, the airship is clearly the "High Way to Hel"!

As for Book 6, it will simply be called "Greg".

[snowblizz]

I like "To Hel with Good Intentions."

edit: the "Good intentions" referring to Roy's in bringing "Durkon" to the Godsmoot to get Durkon resurrected, and by doing so accidentally kicking off another possible end-of-the-world scenario.

To Hel wth God Intentions.

:P

[martianmister]

War is Hel.
Hel's Angels.
Hotter than Hel :smallyuk:

[Morquard]

As for Book 6, it will simply be called "Greg".
That one gets my vote.

[KorvinStarmast]

Suggest you all go back and review the book titles that the Giant punned upon for previous books.

My guess is that something about ships will be in the title, since the Mechane has been a prominent feature of this book so far: While I am tempted to guess at something like "African Queen" as a starter, that's a movie title ...

There are a lot of maritime-themed books that lend themselves to such punnery ...

Two Years before the Mast
Mutiny on the Bounty
Wine Dark Sea (Find Durkon, see?)
(Anything in the Hornblower sagas)
Sea Wolf is probably too short, sadly: Which means that "sail, get treats" is off the list. So it goes, though "short" with "War and Peace => War and XP's means that maybe there's hope.

The other issue may be something about return or restoration, since a powerful theme of this plot line is Durkon being gone and the party trying to get him back.

Raiders of the Lost Ark/lost clark/ ... not feeling it tonight.
Maybe a song title pun like "Dust in the Wind" but the turn to punnery escapes me on that one as well.
I don't think Pirates will be in it, though, but maritime themes? Yeah. Good chance of that.

[Rogar Demonblud]

My guess is that something about ships will be in the title, since the Mechane has been a prominent feature of this book so far: While I am tempted to guess at something like "African Queen" as a starter, that's a movie title.

It was a book long before it was a movie.

You can also add the titles for the Aubrey/Maturin novels, plus many, many others.

[Emanick]

It was a book long before it was a movie.

You can also add the titles for the Aubrey/Maturin novels, plus many, many others.

Meh, I think only Master and Commander is high-profile enough to be punned, and I can't see how you could turn that into a working title for Book 6.

Something to do with "Wine-Dark Sea" could work, since it's a well-known phrase in general, but again I'm having difficulty seeing how you could morph it into a good title for the book. I suppose you could do something with blood there, since blood is arguably "wine-dark," but we had "blood" in the title of the last book, so I doubt it's going to make a repeat appearance.

Ultimately, the source of the pun may come from the deeper themes that this book is addressing, just as Book 5's title was both wordplay and a reference to how the book dealt with questions about what a family is and is not. So far I'm honestly not quite sure which themes Book 6 is focusing on most closely, so we may have to wait a while before we can stand even a distant chance of guessing what the title might be.

[Euclidodese]

"Hel Is Other People."

[Morquard]

Not all his book titles are puns on actual books. Don't Split the Party or Blood Runs in the Family were references to a classic D&D trope and a mix of two common idioms.

So he could go with really everything for a title that fits. Either an underlying theme of the entire book as he did for BRitF, maybe even a theme that we don't realize yet because we're just halfway through. Or it could be some sort of more obvious thing as with DStP where, well the party was split.

[Throknor]

"Hel is for Vampires"

"To Hel with Dwarfs"

"A Cold Day for Hel"

This discussion reminds me of an early Simpsons.
Marge: So kids what did you learn about today?
Bart: Hell.
Homer: BART!
Bart: What? That's what we learned about. I sure as hell can't say we learned about hell unless I can say hell, now can I?
Homer: Kid's got a point, Marge.
Bart: Hell yes!
Marge: Bart.
Bart: [sings] Hell, hell, hell, hell, hell.
Marge: Bart, you're no longer in Sunday School. Don't swear.

[weckar]

I got two:

The Needs of the Party, The Needs of the Crew

Stars of the North

[Mad Humanist]

"The Title's Moot"


I like "To Hel with Good Intentions."


"To Hel with it all"

I like all of these.

[Jasdoif]

Stars of the NorthHmm. Durkon is already dead; with HPoH and enough slam attacks I bet "Fist of the Northern Death" could work....

[Kish]

Well, let's look at the previous books.

"Dungeon Crawlin' Fools": all you really needed to know to have as good a chance of guessing it as you'd ever get is that it takes place in a dungeon and the comic is not about how hypercompetent the main characters are, both of which you learn almost immediately.
"No Cure for the Paladin Blues": Best chance of guessing that one is right after it's become clear that Miko is a paladin, she's fairly major to the Order's life in that book, and she's obnoxious. Around 210.
"War and XPs": You can guess it as soon as you see Xykon's legion marching to Azure City, at the end of the previous book, though halfway through is better.
"Don't Split the Party": You can guess it at the end of the previous book and your chances never get better.
"Blood Runs in the Family": First big clue, when Tarquin says "I am your father." Second, when Nale shows up. Third, when Malack reveals that he is in fact a vampire.

So, it's probably not too early to start speculating, but I will note that if someone can actually guess it--that will be something I've never seen.

[danielxcutter]

Hel's Angels

Hel No, We Won't Go

Heaven and Hel

[Mad Humanist]

So, it's probably not too early to start speculating, but I will note that if someone can actually guess it--that will be something I've never seen.

Actually someone did guess the title "Don't split the party".


I was thinking specifically of after the fall of Azure City. What got me thinking about this was trying to guess the title of the next book. I don't think I have any chance of that but "Don't split the party" might work.

Actually "silas the monk" is me. The only evidence I have for this is that I knew the post existed, and Silas is not coming back to argue with me. On the other hand now I may be as different from Silas as Darth Vader is from his earlier self. So maybe I am a different person anyway.

[Kish]

So he/you did, nine months before it came out. Well done.

[Dragonfan]

"Blood Runs in the Family": First big clue, when Tarquin says "I am your father." Second, when Nale shows up. Third, when Malack reveals that he is in fact a vampire.

Don't forget the Draketooth family.

[Kish]

I've been trying hard to forget the Draketooth family. Thanks for sabotaging me. :smallmad:

[Mad Humanist]

So he/you did, nine months before it came out. Well done.

Well thanks (or at least on Silas' behalf). I just thought "Don't split the party" was obvious. Of course I was expecting the Giant to come up with something cleverer than the obvious, which is why I was surprised when it actually came to pass. I don't think any of the other books have had such an obvious candidate for their title.

[Ruck]

Don't forget the Draketooth family.

I'd also say that the Empire of Blood counts as a clue.

[Kish]

I was filing that under the "Tarquin" reveal; before that, the Order might have left the Empire behind permanently within five strips.

[JustWantedToSay]

Citizens' Mechane.

Mostly i'm thinking this book might not catch up to durkon, and a lot of the events will center around the Mechane's movements and its citizens crew and passengers!

[Ruck]

I was filing that under the "Tarquin" reveal; before that, the Order might have left the Empire behind permanently within five strips.
I think they can be counted separately; the EoB is a clue to "Blood" being in the title, and, depending on how you slice it, Tarquin for "runs in the family" or even if you want to say for "Blood runs thicker than water" as well.

[gooddragon1]

"The Title's Moot"

It can only be this one imo. It includes more than just the one Hel character.

[yellowrocket]

It's been one hel of a ride

[Mad Humanist]

It can only be this one imo. It includes more than just the one Hel character.

I also like "The Title's Moot". However I would be surprised if it was the one. The Moot was only really the set up and most of the book lies ahead of us.

[Emanick]

It just occurred to me that both the gods and the Mechane feature heavily in this book (so far, at least), and what famous phrase (sort of) incorporates both? The forum's favorite phrase to misuse, Deus ex Machina!

So maybe the title will be something related to that. Who knows.

[Mad Humanist]

It just occurred to me that both the gods and the Mechane feature heavily in this book (so far, at least), and what famous phrase (sort of) incorporates both? The forum's favorite phrase to misuse, Deus ex Machina!

So maybe the title will be something related to that. Who knows.

Good point. How about "The Unbearable Mootness of a Deus Ex Mechane"?

[KorvinStarmast]

Highway to Hel, if we are using song title riffs like "Ain't no Cure for the Paladin(Summertime) Blues"
but since they are on an airship ...

Skyway to Hel

Might work, but I am not sure if they'll meet Hel by the end of the book.

[Mad Humanist]

Highway to Hel, if we are using song title riffs like "Ain't no Cure for the Paladin(Summertime) Blues"
but since they are on an airship ...

Skyway to Hel

Might work, but I am not sure if they'll meet Hel by the end of the book.

I think we've only had one based on a song.

We've had three based upon book titles:

War and XPs.
On the Origins of PCs
Start of Darkness

That's why I think "The Unbearable Mootness of a Deus Ex Mechane" works better.

[aurilee]

Hmm...

To Hel in a Casket?

Needs another syllable for optimal punning.

Other guesses:
Of Moots and Men
Moot of the Living Dead

[Jasdoif]

To Hel in a Casket?

Needs another syllable for optimal punning.To Hel in a Thor Casket?

[aurilee]

To Hel in a Thor Casket?

Not bad. Originally I was thinking of Dwarf Casket, but that seemed too on the nose.

[nleseul]

Go, Dwarf, and Conquer.

[Tom Lehmann]

Redemption is a Dish Best Served Cold

[This works on a couple of levels: it's a pun on a common saying; this world has to be redeemed in the eyes of the gods (so they don't destroy it); the MITD is attempting to grow morally and be worthy of O-Chul's faith by trying to foil Xykon's plans; revenge has been attempted multiple times already; Durkon has to be rescued / rescue himself; and the action is taking place in the far North.]

[Jay R]

Until we know which of the current plot lines will be resolved here, and which ones are setting up to be resolved in the next book, then yes, it is too early.

[Mad Humanist]

Until we know which of the current plot lines will be resolved here, and which ones are setting up to be resolved in the next book, then yes, it is too early.

All true but that sort of just lays the down the challenge to speculate on the title all the more.

[Jay R]

All true but that sort of just lays the down the challenge to speculate on the title all the more.

Fine. But recognize that you are also speculating on which of several plot lines will be wound up this book, and not continued into the next one. Don't speculate on the biggest, most important plot lines, but on one that can finish up this book.

For instance, I don't expect Hel to be finished that quickly, so I doubt if her name will be in the title.

[Ruck]

Fine. But recognize that you are also speculating on which of several plot lines will be wound up this book, and not continued into the next one. Don't speculate on the biggest, most important plot lines, but on one that can finish up this book.

For instance, I don't expect Hel to be finished that quickly, so I doubt if her name will be in the title.

I guess I don't know what you mean by "finished," but I do expect the climax of this book to be the defeat of !Durkon and the thwarting of Hel's plan.

[Rift_Wolf]

Referencing new art;

God is in the Details

Or Roy's power/Durkon's soul/Vampire in the order/MitD betrayal;

The enemy within

[Ron Miel]

A Moot Problem.

[DeliaP]

I'm sticking with my made so long ago (almost as long ago as when I first suggested a mutiny was brewing ;-) ) it's been forgotten suggestion:

"Gods, demi-gods and monsters"

Riffs on the now quite common phrase "gods and monsters" which often is taken to mean it's a thin line between them ... as seen at the Godsmoot.... and both Durkon and Kraagor's gate have a monster theme..... and it's a RPG shout out to the original D&D supplement "Gods, demi-gods and heroes".... and demi-gods are playing a role, with Dvalin's still significant.... and maybe hints that to some people it's a thin line between heroes and monsters, too...

[Mad Humanist]

I'm sticking with my made so long ago (almost as long ago as when I first suggested a mutiny was brewing ;-) ) it's been forgotten suggestion:

"Gods, demi-gods and monsters"

Riffs on the now quite common phrase "gods and monsters" which often is taken to mean it's a thin line between them ... as seen at the Godsmoot.... and both Durkon and Kraagor's gate have a monster theme..... and it's a RPG shout out to the original D&D supplement "Gods, demi-gods and heroes".... and demi-gods are playing a role, with Dvalin's still significant.... and maybe hints that to some people it's a thin line between heroes and monsters, too...

Also very relevant in the light of recent ev... gurgle.. gurgle... gurgle...

[dtilque]

I'm going to play the current long odds and speculate that the word "Hel" won't even be anywhere in the title. Clearly there's too many possibilities to choose just one, even for Rich.

Considering that Hel/hell are etymologically related, I don't know why everyone is punning on them.

How about "Mootiny on the Boundary"

[Vendanna]

Considering that Hel/hell are etymologically related, I don't know why everyone is punning on them.

How about "Mootiny on the Boundary"

I'm most fond on "The point is Moot" :p

[ti'esar]

Considering that Hel/hell are etymologically related, I don't know why everyone is punning on them.

Okay, Tarquin. :smalltongue:

[Ruck]

Considering that Hel/hell are etymologically related, I don't know why everyone is punning on them.
I don't know why that would stop us. Just the fact that "hell" in common sayings is usually used metaphorically, while Hel in the comic is a literal, real being, seems reason enough for it to work to me.

[137beth]

The Half Blood-sucking Prince.

[KorvinStarmast]

How about "Mootiny on the Boundary"
For you, an extra pint. *golf clap* I like this one. :smallbiggrin:

[dtilque]

I don't know why that would stop us. Just the fact that "hell" in common sayings is usually used metaphorically, while Hel in the comic is a literal, real being, seems reason enough for it to work to me.

If you want to incur Tarquin's disapproval, well, then Hel-zaPuppet....

[Ron Miel]

The 'chane Mutiny.

[martianmister]

What's with Andi? (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_with_Andy%3F)

[keybounce]

The Giant Pass

... naah.

Sailing into Danger

... better.

Your Worst Day

... Hmm ...