OOTS #341 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

A note: I'm going to try going back to an automated update script as of this week, so these threads might not appear the moment the comic is up. Discussion threads can be created by any poster, though only one will be kept open if multiples are created simultaneously.

[BelkarsDagger]

Awsome. Comic.

ooo Candy Land! thog loves Candy Land!

[Ryshan Ynrith]

Quite funny. :)

Especially the "upstaged" line. :)

[Straun]

Yay, it's here! And there was much rejoicing! And first page!

CJ

[Josh_Kablack]

Yet Again, Thag is frighteningly on target in representing my day at work

[Arky]

Trees are shady? Naturally.

I grin most heartily!

[HypnoticMonk]

FINALLY!! :::whew:::

an average strip in the series UNTIL the last panel which made me laugh outloud!!

btw a 1st page-ish geeky glow has come over me ;)

(and what exaxtly DID Elan "spy"?)

[Hario]

The half-orc really satisfies the evilness of nale.. well done...

[Valonius]

A more pertinant question I'm trying to figure out... What exactly does Elan see?

;)

Good punchline though. I'll never forget how Plumpy comes to snach defeat from the jaws of victory. ;D

[Flyerfye]

WOOT FIRST PAAAAAAAAAGEE!!! Ya good Stuff, gotta love the Orc

[Zenith]

i wonder if what Elan's spied is anything important? :-/

Woot - First post and first page

[Erathia]

I object, I try to remember that Thog is evil but no one who loves Candyland can be evil!

[brother_1]

All of the truly memorable childhood icons have a hint of evil.

Let us not forget that candy causes tooth rot.

[Screech]

Haha nice work there im sure there is plenty more words begining with I that u could use to insualt Elan hehe

[Axl_Rose]

Woo page 1!

Well, the whole setup of that scene was pretty cool =)

[Sign_of_Fourteen]

This had better be first page...

EDIT:

No! So close!

Anyway, funny. Liked the 'shady' pun, and I wonder what this 'candy land' game actually entails...

[soni]

yay! Thog makes an appearance!

[Shynthriir]

Darn it! Almost first page --

I donno, makes you wonder WHAT Elan really sees? It causes me mental pain -- I need coffee!

I'm also curious as to how the linear guild will not be able to see the rest of the OoTS saying that most of them, namely V and Durken are kinda in plain sight.

[Platinum_Mongoose]

I get the feeling that "what Elan spied" is going to become a popular debate on this thread. I might as well kick it off.

How about... Inter-continental Ballistic Missile?
Too far-fetched?

By the way, I loooooved that "wide shot" of the square.

[LordOfNarf]

Yay for upstaging half orcs!!

Is it jsut me, or is the shouting for help thing goin to be more a plot element than it seems to suggest.

Ohhh, haley's new secret, a deep, unrequitted love for Roy....

Too far feched maybe?

[theKOT]

Ahh gumdrop mountain. Truly the most majestic of peaks......

Huh, it's funny, ever since Miko left, I don't really have much emotional investment in these characters. I find the plot line interesting and the jokes funny, but I don't feel as though I NEED to know what happens next.

Ah, but I ramble on. This strip gets a 6.5/10.

[eheins]

Hmm.

Important plot point?

Ideal spot for an ambush?

Infernal being? (could relate to Sabine...)

Interloper?

Inspector? (maybe the CPPD are on the job...)

INCOMING! (It would be just like Elan, to notice, but fail to give warning...)

[Sc00by]

I liked it!

I loved the 'wide shot' and thog steals the show - as always. ;)

I'm sure this isn't going to go well for our intrepid heros (hey it starts with an 'I')

Iguana?
Insect?
though I did like ICBM!

[mikeyq6]

Ah... Durkon and his irrational fear of trees... I was wondering how he felt about parks and such. Perhaps as a child he was tormented by Treants, or some other sylvan creature... is funny all the same! :)

[Arkadian]

The pieces are set...the games afoot...Our adventures are prepped for anything...and once again...Rich manages to keep us in forever suspence!

hehe...wouldn't have it anyway ;D

[SumGuy]

Yay Thog! To answer Nale: No.

[Flashlight_Fish]

I get the feeling that "what Elan spied" is going to become a popular debate on this thread.

That's funny because when I read it I thought "I must be missing something really obvious...guess it's just me."

[LTDave]

Knowing Elan, what he "Spies with his little eye" probably doesn't begin with the letter I.
Also, this rhyme is different to how I would say it. Is this version standard in the US?

And suddenly Hayley's teenage angst returns from nowhere? That's got to be a narrative point.
Personally, the sooner she starts talking again the better for the strip - she's too important a character to keep from interacting witht he others.

[Lostboy]

I... I.... hmmmm.....

Incoming?

[Pheldagriff]

perhaps it is just a bad pun, I foggily remember a movie called "I-Spy" or something

[Felinoid]

Got a good chuckle, but unfortunately the funny fled quickly for unrelated reasons. :-/

[Spiky]

ME LOVES THOG!!!!

Candyland is evil. Chutes and Ladders is more evil. Evil, evil, evil.

[Castamir]

Interesting how a D&D city looks entirely like a 20th century one.

Of course, had the Giant chosen realism, this reference wouldn't be as funny...

[Rimmer]

Eiffel Tower! That begins with an "I" sound!

I liked the scenery in this comic for some reason, probably because it's new. And especially the 4th panel's view of the street.

I was almost finding Nale satisfyingly evil from his speech until Thog interrupted. Poor Nale.

[Glorfindel]

I hope for Thog his "prophecy" (last panel) won't come true, but I fear the worst ...

[TreesOfDeath]

I don't think the giant even though of anything beginning with I, unless its somehow relelvant to the plot. And if he did, I doubt it begins with I

[Invariel]

It may be an invasion force.

[XR4-IT]

I love thog... Belkar too... and the trees

[Flame_Drake]

Good Lord, I love Thog so much. Sorry Nale :P

Drake

[Max_Sinister]

It's back!! Thanks Giant!

Rrrr, cliffhanger...

[Jaxinator]

Heh! "Strikes me as a bit...shady"

Yet another disgusting pun brought to by The Giant.

Tastes great and less filling. Great job again Giant.

[Drew]

Heya. Long time lurker; first time poster.

Just wanted to know if anyone else finds some of those "random" wandering NPCs in the widescreen shot a bit too suspicious looking?

-Drew

[Marcyss]

*sigh* Thog fears he will never again know the majesty of the gumdrop mountains.

hehee absolutely amusing.

more upstaging half orc please! XD

edit: fixed improper html

[defender7]

:-/

[Hacktor]

Good Job Rich ,,that will get the people to calmy wait for the next one :)

[Antina]

Nice one - hey there is one!!! ;)

Trees running gag ^_^

Miss "BIG shot" ^_^ thinking... marvelous!

Childish Elans "hey-get-in-a-better-mood" vs sarcasmus-joe Belkar - soo great

Liked the big panel a lot! Nicely put perspective!

About Thog: well - thats what happens when NPCs get a life of their own.

STRANGE to see so much MODERN ARCHITECTURE...

Anyhow: Very nice plot-thickening-and-showing-of-characters-filler-episode.
Argh - that really should sound quite strange for american ears - but - hell - thog not know any way betta...

[battleburn]

Love the expressions on Thogs face.
And the view
And the modern Architecture
Looks like Cliffport is way ahead of it's time. I hadn't noticed it, but the square buildings were allready noticable in 339.

I, I... I don't know.
Guess I leave the guessing to the others

[Freelance Henchman]

Ditto on the modern architecture: too, er, modern :P
(Altough it does create a "urban thriller" atmosphere)

[Aeek]

I only discovered Candyland last week http://boardgamegeek.com/game/5048 but grew up with Snakes and Ladders. National differences.

[smellie_hippie]

Wheeee! I had been wondering about the last comic for several days, and was afraid that things would come to a climactic head all too quickly. Remember the "Intermission" comic a while back. I was pleased to find that my anticipation can continue to grow... since this fight appears to be a way off yet.

hee hee hee... Gumdrop Mountains...

oh, and WOOT! 4th Page! (but at least I got sleep)

[Xenon]

upstaged by a half-orc... so funny :)

gumdrop mountain... hehe

[Noneoyabizzness]

hmmm majesty of the gumdrop mountains...

thog takes all spotlight. thog upstage them all.

[Morchaint]

belkar : funny.

thog funny too. oh the horrors of no gumdrop mountains

[ref]

Ah, thog funny. hehehe...

Well, we'll see how the pawns execute their plan :)

and hey, fourth page, not too bad, eh?

[Pvednes]

Teehee, poor Nale. It's like Minsc and Boo all over again. Except evil.

[Dene]

Maybe what Elan can see is Haley's "Imaginary personification of self loathing" ::)

I liked the evil not-quite-a-monolog too :D

[TroyXavier]

Candy Land jokes...sweet:) Good comic all around with a nice touch of remembering Durkon's dislike of trees and the return of Haley's self-loathing.

[Korta]

Aww, poor Thog! I too yearn for the majesty of the Gumdrop Mountains!!
;D
Worth the wait, thank you!

[Lightman]

New comic is up.

A note: I'm going to try going back to an automated update script as of this week, so these threads might not appear the moment the comic is up. Discussion threads can be created by any poster, though only one will be kept open if multiples are created simultaneously.
Great comic, Giant.

[gregory_carslaw]

Good comic :) Just the gumdrop mountain line in Thogs tone of voice is worth a chuckle (yes I hear voices, what of it :P)

I do struggle with the perspective in panel 2 a little. It looks like Haleys aiming at the roof she's standing on and is perched right on the edge looking like she's about to fall over backwards :S

[charik]

I spy with my little eye a typo that starts with T in the last panel... ;)

Hmm, starts with I... squid thingy? ::)

[Shara_Littlebottom]

I thought that wide angle panel looked awesome!

Elan spyed an Invisible Stalker? .... nah guess he wouldn't have. lol

[Blaznak]

Verrrrry intersting...

Things are actually moving QUICKER than I expected. for some reason, I figured there'd have to be at least one or two obligatory road blocks before "setting up the board"!

Later...

[EmeraldRose]

This was great! I loved the Durkon/V interaction best. V is so nonchalant about Durkon's reaction!
Maybe Belkar should just stab something...I'm sure he'd feel better ;D

[Flak_Razorwill]

*Kksssht* The negotiator is in the area. *Kksssht*
*Kksssht* Roger. I have him covered. *Kksssht*
*Kksssht* Eungase. Nfisgn aif aoma. *Kksssht*
*Kksssht* Ooh! Walkit-Talkies! *Kksssht*
*Kksssht* I'm going in...I see nothing... *Kksssht*

[Heloisa]

I gotta say, I love the look of this strip. Very neat!

Great job AGAIN Giant... I love the colors you used... so bright. :)

And yes, I wonder if Elan did spy something important... :-X

[Sc00by]

I spy with my little eye a typo that starts with T in the last panel... ;)

Oh yes, I see it too now you've pointed it out.

Very Interesting... ;)

[Albion]

I just about fell in love with this strip.
And I'm not always this... positive. :)

This comic rocks my... toes. And thanks to everything you've done, author. I HAVE A REASON TO LIVE! Okay, that thing with the caps lock was unnecessary and idiotic, but I got carried away.

[Miklus]

Am I the only one who think this is going horribly
wrong??? Roys plan has disaster written all over it.

He knows Nale and Thog are in there and he
knows he can only just beat Thog. How are the
others goning to help him? He's a gonner! :o

[Frozen_Northman]

I spy, with my little eye, something that begins with I...

An Infernal fiend! Who looks like Sabine!

And it seems that Nale has to learn one of the truths of acting from W.C. Fields:

"Never go onstage with a child or an animal. They'll upstage you every time."

Thog, as we can see, is something of both.

[Spiky]

I spy with my little eye a typo that starts with T in the last panel... ;)

Huh?

[Heloisa]

Huh?


Yeah, I don't get it either but, hey, english is not my native language so that's my excuse! :P

[Spiky]

Never mind, I figured it out. ;D

[Heloisa]

Someone care to explain? Please? ???

[Martok]

Yay! Me loves Thog!

[geez3r]

*dies laughing*

ME LOVES THOG

let me see if I can go back to the comic and find the hidden easter egg or whatever everyone is talking about...

[Blood]

New comic is up.
Happy Birthday.

I also kind of wanted to know what Elan was spying...somehow I think it may be important.

And it appears that Haley needs to give out her secret soon. I wonder how that'll turn out.

[Corp]

You know now that it's been pointed out trees in the city are shady...

[DwaggieBard]

I wonder when we're going to see Xykon again?

[Daedrous Avari]

I loved that central thing when it shows the town from Haley's point of view. I thought I was playing Oblivion in first person mode.

[fithi]

Aah, Thog is great, always upstaging his boss.

And we get to see Durkon's paranoia about trees ;D, always fun.

[Draz74]

I don't think Elan's "I" word is important. It's just a set-up for Belkar's line, and a demonstration of Elan's personality shining through even while he's supposed to be hiding.

Like someone else mentioned, I thought the most interesting part of this strip was the continuing development of the Durkon/V relationship. Starting with V's explanation of "V's Theory" to Durkon, and only Durkon, these two seem to be developing a friendship that runs deeper than most of the inter-party relationships. I guess it's a classic plot element for the Dwarf and the Elf, initially seeming to have nothing in common, to find out that they're actually good friends ... ah, delicious Tolkien heritage. :)

[Ubeor]

Someone care to explain? Please? ???

Thog never uses capitalization... but he does in the last panel.

Oh, and my vote for something that begins with the letter "I" -- Irony. :-)

[Rift_Wolf]

Hi,
I found out about OotS about two months ago and it's one of the webcomics I absolutely love. It's not just funny (in the nerdy way I like my comedy), but it has brilliant characters, and also it can be pretty exciting as well (Anybody else find they couldn't read the confrontation between Roy and Miko fast enough?) and once I've been late by an HOUR to work because of reading OotS.
I had to admit I got to know the first two panels of Episode 340 intimately waiting for an update; I'd check it twice a day if I got chance, and eventually it came to the point I sat down to work out the cryptograms (Which I've found, annoyingly, don't use the same encryption per comic). This episode, I feel, would've been better if I'd come to the comic six months later. Because then I could've flicked past this one quickly to get to the fight. I hate it when you know something goods coming but have to wait till the next episode for it to happen. Still, thems the dice with webcomics, and I can't complain as it's free and brilliant.

[beholder]

anyone noticed that elan is looking up when he says "I" spy.so if it is important we can expect aerial assault.
is anyone else wondering when the dwarf and shadowdancer will return?

[Heloisa]

Thog never uses capitalization... but he does in the last panel.

Oh, and my vote for something that begins with the letter "I" -- Irony. :-)


Ubeor, thank you. :)

[Flak_Razorwill]

Well...they passed through a school to grab Julia. I'm thinking you arbitrarily gain INT when you go through it. Kind of like how I go to college, and somehow get a degree a few years later. Thog could have accidentally picked up and english degree or two whilst passing through.

[Lokey]

Heya. Long time lurker; first time poster.

Just wanted to know if anyone else finds some of those "random" wandering NPCs in the widescreen shot a bit too suspicious looking?

-Drew

Imposter? Though judging from another I spy routine, (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0185.html) I have to go with something innocuous.

[Shalbatana]

Very funny!

Happy Birthday Rich!

Gimmie a call later

[Evik]

YAY Thog!
Me likes Thog!
Me miss gumdrop moutains too Thog ;)

[The_Kobold_Hero]

I agree with "Miss Big Shot's" Emo side. Her speech imparment will probably be a hinderance in the upcoming fight.

[Soul_Selim]

"Whats that horrid screech?"
"I think it's either Belkar 'eventing' again, or Haley's trying to tell you something."

That was what came to mind when I thought about Haley trying to warn Roy. Wonderful Comic Rich.

[Lord Herman]

Another great comic. Lots of humour packed into one strip, and still enough room for a big overview panel.

I say we crown the Giant president of the world.

[a1057soul]

I spy with my little eye a typo that starts with T in the last panel... ;)

Hmm, starts with I... squid thingy? ::)

I think the fact that Elan's looking directly at his own text bubble and IT starts with "I", THAT is what he's looking at... The text bubble... OotS is breaking the 4th wall again.

Just my theory tho.

;)
Dan

[Abthek]

lol.. great comic.. but does Nale suspect the setup?

<_<

>_>

we shall have to see.. lol

[silvadel]

That looks so much like the scene of the Kennedy assassination with Haley up there with the bow.

[Varian7]

Hooray for the return of Haley's self-loathing! This should be interesting.

[KaroLunel]

Great :)
Loved the big set-up panel.

[Brianish]

Ten bucks says Elan spies an "Illusion".

[The Glitter Ninja]

I'm also curious about what Elan spies, but do we know he's spelling it right? Heh.

[theswarm]

CANDYLAND!!!!!!
aaaa, that was great

[danhenry]

Oh how I love OOTS comics! I'm hoping that they go back to the scheduled updates though...The unscheduled one's are so random and not fun if you miss 3 of them :o

[humanpylon]

Just a thought but is Roy concerned at all about the possible consequences of his actions? I mean I know he's acting to save his sister but he's pretty much planning to commit murder in the middle of a city that actually has a police force! Even though the victims are criminals themselves I wonder if the order will find themselves in a bit of trouble.

[Grimblade]

Great comic! Just what I needed after a long day at work.

On the subject of what Elan spied (if anything), someone earlier in the thread suggested "invasion force." Sounds very possible, even likely to me...

[dabone]

very funny :)

But with Elan you never know what he spies :p

don't know about Elan's spot but if it is high enough it could be something Invisible, and it could be the reason why nobody else sees it,

because how likely Invasion force sounds, I think that he shouldn't be the only one seeing it :p

[brother_1]

In the city panel there are only two happy people, and they are both blond (although of opposite genders).

This is important.
This means something.

[Dhavaer]

I note that there's a guy in the wide panel that looks a lot like Roy. Even his shirt is a similar colour.

[morgi]

Maybe Elan spies Impending Doom.

[Bilbo27]

I have played Candy land many times with my son, and I too have never realized the true spendor of the Gumdrop Mountain. I feel your pain Nog.

I spy with my little eye, an.......?

[DwaggieBard]

The blonde woman in the wide shot looks a bit like elan's mom...

[beholder]

very funny :)

because how likely Invasion force sounds, I think that he shouldn't be the only one seeing it :p

with belkar?
i quote belkar here, inexactly

"we're doomed there's no way out, game over man, game over!"

and
" i wouldnt know, i couldn't even see the ninja panel
and
"wait! i think i failed a spot check"

it is more than likely that belkar could miss and invasion force

[beholder]

I note that there's a guy in the wide panel that looks a lot like Roy. Even his shirt is a similar colour.

yeah...and he's got roy's boots and roy's sword....hang on...oh never mind

Edit: double posting is evil. i am evil. its what beholders do

[Antina]

I think the fact that Elan's looking directly at his own text bubble and IT starts with "I", THAT is what he's looking at... The text bubble... OotS is breaking the 4th wall again.

Just my theory tho.

;)
Dan


THAT IS JUST G R E A T !!!

Thank you! I´d never realized THAT!
Good work! If the Giant did that on purpose or not - anyway I really do like your interpretation best!

:)

[ncriker]

cute one

[xatm092]

Yay 8th Page

And now its Septemeber! Can we go back to knowing when the comic is going to be released please?

And the comic was nice, I can't wait to see the next...

[Mornince]

I agree with everybody who think that those NPCs are kinda suspicious...

We know that Sabine can alter her form, probably Pompey too. Plus there are two evil opposites we have not seen yet...

dun dun DUN!!!

[Devils_Advocate]

I think the fact that Elan's looking directly at his own text bubble and IT starts with "I", THAT is what he's looking at... The text bubble... OotS is breaking the 4th wall again.
Ooh, I didn't notice that. Nor did I notice that Durkon's comment on trees worked out to be a pun until someone pointed it out. Although I don't know if either was intentional.

I don't mind the modern architecture at all. OOTS has included several "modern" things thus far. Which fits fine with D&D 3.5, which I've seen described as having a "medieval punk" feel in many ways.


Like someone else mentioned, I thought the most interesting part of this strip was the continuing development of the Durkon/V relationship. Starting with V's explanation of "V's Theory" to Durkon, and only Durkon, these two seem to be developing a friendship that runs deeper than most of the inter-party relationships. I guess it's a classic plot element for the Dwarf and the Elf, initially seeming to have nothing in common, to find out that they're actually good friends ... ah, delicious Tolkien heritage. :)
I dunno if I'd say that they're any closer than an average pair of OOTS party members. Of course, Durkon doesn't seem to get a lot of interaction with anybody, since he's the sort of guy who tends to blend into the background most of the time. And he and Vaarsuvius do seem to have the odd interesting discussion (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0223.html) the likes of which they mightn't have with the others... mostly because the rest of the party doesn't seem inclined to engage such speculation and pondering. Hmm.

In any case, they DO have a bit in common, as they're both low-Charisma demihuman preparatory spellcasters. They probably coordinate their daily selections of spells, and over the amount of time that the group has spent together, it seems likely that they're had a few discussions on the theory and practice of magic that we haven't seen.

Only natural, then, that they would develop a bit of a rapport.

(And a new comic is posted as I'm composing this! Wild.)

Edit:


I note that there's a guy in the wide panel that looks a lot like Roy. Even his shirt is a similar colour.
I'd say that said guy bears more resemblance to another one of the NPCs in the shot. In fact, they're identical except for coloring.

[dabone]

wouldnt it be a good idea for Giant to delete all the old discussion threads that would help a lot for the space on the site, or maybe its just me

(d20+7)[13]
[roll0]

oops srry wqasnt my meaning to place those rolls here...