Things You Never Noticed VI: The Undiscovered Detail

[TheWombatOfDoom]

This is a thread for posting anything and everything you might have not noticed your first time around, or even consecutive readings in the Order of the Stick Comic series! This could be a small realization like that Belkar has hair on his head and feet, or a huge revelation of some sort. Big or Small, we'd love to hear from you! Needless to say, there's gonna be spoilers if you aren't up to date.

Previous Threads:

Things You Never Noticed I (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?128211-Things-you-never-noticed)
Things You Never Noticed II: I Never Noticed the First Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?203505-Things-you-never-noticed-II-I-never-noticed-the-first-thread)
Things You Never Noticed III: The Search for Spot (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?261108-Things-You-Never-Noticed-III-The-Search-for-Spot)
Things You Never Noticed IV: There's A Comic in the Sidebar? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?350251-Things-You-Never-Noticed-IV-There-s-A-Comic-in-the-Sidebar)
Things You Never Noticed V: Your Familiar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?452875-Things-You-Never-Noticed-V-Your-Familiar)

[Takver]

Okay, I noticed something new to me. Each book has a band of color at the bottom, a different color for each book. It's useful for distinguishing the books at a glance, but I never noticed before that the colors are in most cases really significant colors for that specific book. Here's the shop page (https://www.ookoodook.com/collections/order-of-the-stick-books) so you can see.

No Cure For the Paladin Blues is obvious, one of the blues we see everywhere in Azure City. I think it's specifically the color of Sapphire Guard cloaks, but not sure.

War and XPs is hobgoblin orange.

Don't Split the Party is the pink color of Vaarsuvius's magic.

Blood Runs in the Family is a dark red, which is obvious, but also I think specifically the same color as Tarquin's armor.

Good Deeds Gone Unpunished is a darker blue, also fitting for an Azure City book. Dungeon Crawlin' Fools kind of spoils it because it's a brighter red that doesn't seem particularly significant to me. Not sure about the other two prequels.

[hamishspence]

Dungeon Crawlin' Fools kind of spoils it because it's a brighter red that doesn't seem particularly significant to me. Not sure about the other two prequels.



Origin of PCs is yellow and has Durkon on the cover. Durkon's amulet is yellow in the main strip. He's also a cleric of the Northern Pantheon, who have yellow auras.

Start of Darkness is dark grey - possibly invoking Xykon and undeath. Redcloak was the one whose outline's on the cover though.

Snips Snails & Dragon Tales is green. "The Dragon" seen in the final Dragon Magazine published strips, is also green.

Dungeon Crawlin Fools has Elan on the cover. Elan & Nale both wear identical costumes, with red (and green) - what parts of the costume are each colour, being reversed on Nale.

[Lexible]

In "That's The Spirit" in the last panel on page 8 of Good Deeds Gone Unpunished Kazumi...

says "Wooooooo! while the ghost says something like "WOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!" They're saying the same thing for very different reasons.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Damn. Nice catch.

Rich really is a craftsman on every level of this project.

[Jaxzan Proditor]

Okay, I noticed something new to me. Each book has a band of color at the bottom, a different color for each book. It's useful for distinguishing the books at a glance, but I never noticed before that the colors are in most cases really significant colors for that specific book. Here's the shop page (https://www.ookoodook.com/collections/order-of-the-stick-books) so you can see.

No Cure For the Paladin Blues is obvious, one of the blues we see everywhere in Azure City. I think it's specifically the color of Sapphire Guard cloaks, but not sure.

War and XPs is hobgoblin orange.

Don't Split the Party is the pink color of Vaarsuvius's magic.

Blood Runs in the Family is a dark red, which is obvious, but also I think specifically the same color as Tarquin's armor.

Good Deeds Gone Unpunished is a darker blue, also fitting for an Azure City book. Dungeon Crawlin' Fools kind of spoils it because it's a brighter red that doesn't seem particularly significant to me. Not sure about the other two prequels.


Origin of PCs is yellow and has Durkon on the cover. Durkon's amulet is yellow in the main strip. He's also a cleric of the Northern Pantheon, who have yellow auras.

Start of Darkness is dark grey - possibly invoking Xykon and undeath. Redcloak was the one whose outline's on the cover though.

Snips Snails & Dragon Tales is green. "The Dragon" seen in the final Dragon Magazine published strips, is also green.

Dungeon Crawlin Fools has Elan on the cover. Elan & Nale both wear identical costumes, with red (and green) - what parts of the costume are each colour, being reversed on Nale.

I'm kind of curious now if we could do a forum guessing game on what color the band of Book 6 will be. Something Durkon related, perhaps?

[jwhouk]

I'm kind of curious now if we could do a forum guessing game on what color the band of Book 6 will be. Something Durkon related, perhaps?

The color I get for the "room inside Durkon's Head" is something Sienna-like, perhaps?

[Rogar Demonblud]

I'd guess we're due for a darker color. Smoke from dusted vampires, haze from them misting out, stonework in the tunnels, etc.

[hamishspence]

I'm kind of curious now if we could do a forum guessing game on what color the band of Book 6 will be. Something Durkon related, perhaps?

White, for the polar ice cap? They might save that for the next book though.


Offhand, I seem to recall that Belkar is the only Order member who has not appeared in outline on a cover. Even the animal companions, Mr Scruffy and Blackwing, have gotten one.

Haley is the only OOTS member who has not provided a Preface.

[nabcif]

I'm kind of curious now if we could do a forum guessing game on what color the band of Book 6 will be. Something Durkon related, perhaps?

My first guess was white, for Durkon's dweomer. Second guess was black, for Greg's. Except it's red.

Which leads into something more relevant for the thread: I never noticed that in "High Pressure Front" (953) (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0953.html), Greg's hands and arms are positioned almost identically in the last two panels.

[Xianthe]

Not sure if this has mentioned in a previous version of the thread but:

One of the zombies in Xykon's throne room is missing his right eye. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0105.html)

[Rogar Demonblud]

Which is the wrong eye.

But there is a goblin with a patch on the left side. Bet he isn't on Redcloak's holiday card list.

[Xianthe]

Which is the wrong eye.

But there is a goblin with a patch on the left side. Bet he isn't on Redcloak's holiday card list.

Feh...s'what I get for not double checking against the prequel.

[weet555]

Someone has probably said this already but oh well:
I didn't realize until rereading the comic that in 78 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0078.html) Eugene was making fun of Roy for being unable to hurt Xykon, suggests turning him into a frog. Which would be less effective than a sword as lichs are immune to polymorph effects.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Every time I reread that strip, I want Roy to snark that he's going to start by breaking every one of those nicely exposed bones Xykon has and go from there.

Edit: that is how you deal with skeletons, after all.

[TuringTest]

I've been re-reading the whole godsmoot arc recently. With the help of hindsight, I've caught this detail (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1087.html) that I missed the first time, where the vampire in panel 8 reuses one idea from one of Durkon's memories (panel 4).

It foreshadows Durkon's attack in strip 1130 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html), as it shows how the former High Priest of Hel is casually affected by one of Durkon's memories, adopting it in his own behavior. Proof that the memories were slowly turning Greg into Durkon :smallbiggrin:

[bc56]

In strip 232 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0232.html), Blackwing is present at the tea party without being invoked.

[TuringTest]

In strip 232 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0232.html), Blackwing is present at the tea party without being invoked.

But, but, Blackwing is never invoked. It's always right there, next to V. :smallbiggrin:

I suppose Elan invoked the critters from the bag, and asked Blackwing to join in.

[bc56]

But, but, Blackwing is never invoked. It's always right there, next to V. :smallbiggrin:

I suppose Elan invoked the critters from the bag, and asked Blackwing to join in.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0331.html
Also in 331.
And someone has to say his name on panel for him to appear until V permanently acknowledges him.

[hamishspence]

Another example of Blackwing appearing without his name being said on-panel:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0271.html

[godsflunky]

In 271 we are seeing a snippet of a scene where he probably was invoked.

In 232 and 331, obviously it's Rule of Funny.

[Peelee]

Belkar (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html) got his wish (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1115.html)

[hamishspence]

I've been doing some comparisons of Haley's hair colour between books (it's evolved a lot over time) and I've noticed that even within a single book, it can vary somewhat.

Compare the start of Blood Runs In The Family:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0680.html

to the end:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0946.html

and it's taken on a decidedly pinkish tinge by the end, that wasn't there before.

The Most Recent Book seems to have kept the pink tinge, but lightened the colour overall a shade or two:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1128.html

[Ruck]

Did we have a definite age for O-Chul anywhere? I just realized that, based on what he says to Saha, he would be 42 in "How the Paladin Got His Scar. " So if we accept that that story is roughly seven years before the main comic (based on the math of other folks' ages), then he's almost fifty now. Which is a little bit surprising thinking in real-world terms. (Do CON scores begin dropping after a certain age?)

I also just caught the parallel between O-Chul in DTSP and Durkon this book: Two Lawful Good people imprisoned by Evil undead, who each possess the unique characteristics necessary to turn the tide from inside their prison.

[Peelee]

Did we have a definite age for O-Chul anywhere? I just realized that, based on what he says to Saha, he would be 42 in "How the Paladin Got His Scar. " So if we accept that that story is roughly seven years before the main comic (based on the math of other folks' ages), then he's almost fifty now. Which is a little bit surprising thinking in real-world terms. (Do CON scores begin dropping after a certain age?)

I also just caught the parallel between O-Chul in DTSP and Durkon this book: Two Lawful Good people imprisoned by Evil undead, who each possess the unique characteristics necessary to turn the tide from inside their prison.

Terry Crews is 50, for point of reference.

[hamishspence]

Did we have a definite age for O-Chul anywhere? I just realized that, based on what he says to Saha, he would be 42 in "How the Paladin Got His Scar. " So if we accept that that story is roughly seven years before the main comic (based on the math of other folks' ages), then he's almost fifty now. Which is a little bit surprising thinking in real-world terms. (Do CON scores begin dropping after a certain age?)


They do:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/description.htm#age

For humans - At 35 they drop 1 point, at 53 they drop 2 more points, at 70 they drop 3 more points.

Also, given that close to 2 years lapses between the beginning of DCF and the end of Blood Runs in the Family, he's likely to be 50 or 51.

[Ruck]

All the more impressive that he maintained that mid-20s score after his initial drop, then.

Fortunately, things should wrap up here before he hits his age-53 drop.


Terry Crews is 50, for point of reference.

Sheesh. I must have known he was there, or close to it, but there's something about him actually being 50 now (as opposed to late-40s) that makes it feel that much more impressive.

[Sermil]

The cast page -- and ONLY the cast page as near as I can tell -- has a link to http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/GiantITP/ootscript. That URL will always takes you to the most recent comic.

The "latest comic" arrow above the other comics just have a direct link to the last comic (like http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1136.html), presumably auto-updated when a new comic is released. Ditto the link in the left sidebar.

It's only the cast page with the script link.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Did we have a definite age for O-Chul anywhere?

Not in any of the cast lists in the books. So unless we have a WoG somewhere that the Banana knows about, no.

[Aveline]

I never noticed that Gauntlet reference in #224, until I replayed Gauntlet Dark Legacy with a friend this month. When the announcer said "Blue warrior needs food badly!" it clicked, and I ROTFL'd.

Edit: And another thing that I really did just notice, did Roy heal himself with his sword in #1128?

[Quebbster]

I never noticed that Elan sneakily hands Amun-Zora a sword (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0801.html) when she is released from her cell. I suppose she wouldn't be much threat against Nale unarmed though. The "Clang! Clang!" sound effects in the last frame should have tipped me off too...

[Mad Humanist]

I never noticed that Gauntlet reference in #224, until I replayed Gauntlet Dark Legacy with a friend this month. When the announcer said "Blue warrior needs food badly!" it clicked, and I ROTFL'd.

This one went completely over my head as I don't play video games.

However I try to maintain a geeklist of references to games in OOTS and this one comes in as the seventh (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/242487/item/6332654#item6332654).

EDIT: I have a vague impression I've missed a reference to American college football but I have no idea which strip except it would have been a conversation between Roy and Eugene.

[hamishspence]

EDIT: I have a vague impression I've missed a reference to American college football but I have no idea which strip except it would have been a conversation between Roy and Eugene.



You may be thinking of this strip - with the "devils" alongside Cedrik (orange archfiend) in the picture:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0640.html

being college football mascots.

[Mad Humanist]

You may be thinking of this strip - with the "devils" alongside Cedrik (orange archfiend) in the picture:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0640.html

being college football mascots.

No I wasn't. And I think that might be sufficiently tangential I can ignore it anyway. And it might be a reference to Halloween anyway.

I think somewhere there was a comment about Eugene not having attended Roy's college games. Maybe it was in the Origins book.

[hamishspence]

I think somewhere there was a comment about Eugene not having attended Roy's college games. Maybe it was in the Origins book.

In Start of Darkness, Eugene being late to Roy's school soccer game, is a plot point.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

This one went completely over my head as I don't play video games.

However I try to maintain a geeklist of references to games in OOTS and this one comes in as the seventh (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/242487/item/6332654#item6332654).

EDIT: I have a vague impression I've missed a reference to American college football but I have no idea which strip except it would have been a conversation between Roy and Eugene.

You may want to peruse my annotation for more games. And if you find one from your list isn't in there, by all means submit them!

[Mad Humanist]

In Start of Darkness, Eugene being late to Roy's school soccer game, is a plot point.

Ah thanks. Well I'm only documenting games in the core comic. I can't very well link to paper from boardgamegeek, though I you'd think you'd be able to link to cardboard.:smallamused:

[b_jonas]

However I try to maintain a geeklist of references to games in OOTS and this one comes in as the seventh (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/242487/item/6332654#item6332654). #1107 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1107.html) also references a card game.


I can't very well link to paper from boardgamegeek, though I you'd think you'd be able to link to cardboard.:smallamused: You can link The Giant's official description page for Start of Darkness (http://www.giantitp.com/GIPOTS99.html), and it's also available for sale in digital PDF form.

[Mad Humanist]

#1107 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1107.html) also references a card game.

That's already on the list: second page (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/242487/item/6218152#item6218152). If you want to suggest an entry please do check the list first.

[bc56]

The gladiator who hated Belkar was named Evisceratus. There were also two gladiators named Notseenicus and Offpanelio

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0782.html


Also, Elan's ideas of Holy Words are all things with holes in them.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0806.html

[b_jonas]

That's already on the list: second page (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/242487/item/6218152#item6218152). If you want to suggest an entry please do check the list first. Sorry, totally my fault. I didn't realize that there was a second page or that the list was roughly sorted by appearance in comic, and I didn't think to check after I saw an entry for "Traditional card games" with multiple references to it on the first page, but these are not good enough excuses.

Second try: #517 panel 2 references the traditional game Pattycake (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0517.html).

[bc56]

I never noticed Haley's joke about Limbo in #1117 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1117.html)

(Which incidentally is another game reference)

[nabcif]

I just noticed that in Good Deeds Gone Unpunished, we get an explanation for something else in the main comic, why the valley with Xykon's back-up fortress (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0148.html) had become occupied in the previous (as Xykon says), "like, 30 years": it had almost certainly been a result of the Supreme Leader's planned expansion that we see mentioned somewhere near the end of How the Paladin Got His Scar.

[hamishspence]

I just noticed that in Good Deeds Gone Unpunished, we get an explanation for something else in the main comic, why the valley with Xykon's back-up fortress (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0148.html) had become occupied in the previous, like, 30 years: it had almost certainly been a result of the Supreme Leader's planned expansion that we see mentioned somewhere near the end of How the Paladin Got His Scar.

At most 12 years (and possibly as little as 7 years) lapse between the end of How The Paladin Got His Scar and the start of No Cure For The Paladin Blues - but yes, that would probably explain why the valley is occupied.

Given that Xykon says he's not been there for "a few decades"

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0191.html

it's possible that he left the tower abandoned as much as 30 years ago, though.

[KrankenWagon]

In comic 501 (I'd post a link, but the I'm to new here for the forum to let me), the third nation the Azurites go to looks like the nation from the In the Realm of the Dragon short from Snips Snails and Dragon Tails. The character they talk to appears to be in an ice cave and looks exactly the same (down to his baggy eyes) as the adviser who was chomped in half

[hamishspence]

In comic 501 (I'd post a link, but the I'm to new here for the forum to let me), the third nation the Azurites go to looks like the nation from the In the Realm of the Dragon short from Snips Snails and Dragon Tails. The character they talk to appears to be in an ice cave and looks exactly the same (down to his baggy eyes) as the adviser who was chomped in half

Makes sense.

In How The Paladin Got His Scar :

The Realm of the Dragon is described as being ruled over by an evil red dragon, and in extremely tense diplomatic relations with Azure City - they're not at war, but close to it.

Part of the reason O-Chul is sent to solve the diplomatic crisis with the hobgoblins, is that they're afraid that if things get any worse, they will be in a war on two fronts.

I would guess that the Red Dragon died, the White Dragon took over, relations improved significantly (hence the Realm being called an ally) - and the advisor is killed by the white dragon at some point between the events referenced in 501, and the present.

[nabcif]

At most 12 years (and possibly as little as 7 years) lapse between the end of How The Paladin Got His Scar and the start of No Cure For The Paladin Blues - but yes, that would probably explain why the valley is occupied.

Given that Xykon says he's not been there for "a few decades"

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0191.html

it's possible that he left the tower abandoned as much as 30 years ago, though.

Ah, sorry; that(the "like, 30 years ago")was a direct (albeit unmarked) quote from the strip I linked to. I have little idea why I didn't put quotes around it, but at that point I'd probably already spent 45 minutes revising my post (mainly to have grammatically correct sentences with and without the spoiler tag).

[hamishspence]

Ah, sorry; that(the "like, 30 years ago")was a direct (albeit unmarked) quote from the strip I linked to. I

Good point. So we know Xykon was in the valley around 30 years ago, and he probably abandoned the fortress not long after that time.

I would speculate that the abandonment date coincides roughly with the time he joined up with Redcloak - he "set it up just in case", he went on a trip - he ran into that paladin swamp fortress Redcloak was attacking - and the rest is history.

His last trip there was probably after retrieving Serini's diary:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0196.html

which, it would appear from his reaction in Start of Darkness:

"There are other gates?!

took place after the Battle of Lirian's Gate.

So he found the diary, he deciphered one location,

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0197.html

left the diary there, and abandoned the fortress.

[danielxcutter]

I didn't notice that the title of the last thread was a pun at first... :smalltongue:

Also, "Grand Martial" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0761.html) is probably a pun on "grandma".

[Peelee]

I didn't notice that the title of the last thread was a pun at first... :smalltongue:

Also, "Grand Martial" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0761.html) is probably a pun on "grandma".

Grand Marshal --> Grand Martial.

[hamishspence]

On re-checking Start of Darkness:

Xykon "disappeared" 6 years before DCF (hunting down Serini's diary) - and reappeared 3 years before DCF (having found the diary and translated one location).

His comments about the valley having been abandoned for "like, 30 years" and about not having "been here in decades - who knows what might have moved in" suggests he went straight in and out the library (possibly flying in through a window, since it's warded against teleportation?) to drop off the book without having bothered to do any looking around the rest of the tower.

[drazen]

Thing I just noticed today: all the strips ending in 37 are fairly talky and expository. Not really any battling or anything happening in them. Except 437, which was during the battle for Azure City. Even the one when V is fighting the dragon is mostly the fiends chatting!

A lot of people pick 37 when asked for a random number, maybe this is to make hooks without giving away any crucial plot twists?

Also, rereading it today, somehow I had overlooked some panels of Roy's studies at Fighter College in On the Origin of PCs.

[Ron Miel]

I didn't notice that the title of the last thread was a pun at first... :smalltongue:

Also, "Grand Martial" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0761.html) is probably a pun on "grandma".

Nope. A Grand Marshall is the leader or a central figure of a parade or ceremony. Fighting with a sword is Martial arts.

Taking the phrase Grand Marshall, and substituting the word Martial makes a pun. Nothing about grandmas is intended.

[Fyraltari]

By the way can someone explain to me the pun in "I take issue with your tone"? (second-to-last quip by Tarquin).

[Ron Miel]

Because one meaning of issue is "son and heir." The reason for all of Henry VIII's marriages was seeking issue, that is a legitimate male heir to ensure a line of succession.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issue_(genealogy)

[Fyraltari]

Thank you.

[ASCIInerd73]

I just noticed that Belkar's flashback on strip #807 replaces Enor and Ganji's heads with those of Belkar and Mr. Scruffy.

[facw]

Until today, I had never noticed that the big splash panel in 841 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0841.html) is bigger in the print copy of the book. It gets a thicker border instead of the standard panel frame used in the web version, but also adds some art to the top and bottom that isn't seen online. Not significantly different, but it doesn't cut off the illustration of the dragon on the wall, making it even more obvious.

hamishspence quoted a post by Porthos in the page count thread that mentioned that this comic was missing a 1/4 page, so I was curious as to what ended up filling that space. Now I'm curious as to what went into the decision to crop the scene differently online vs. in print.

[Lord Torath]

I didn't notice that the title of the last thread was a pun at first... :smalltongue:A pun? I'm seeing an allusion (to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country), but I'm not seeing a pun.

[Kish]

Last. "Things You Never Noticed V: Your Familiar."

[bc56]

The next one should be "Gate? What gate?"

[The Linker]

Until today, I had never noticed that the big splash panel in 841 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0841.html) is bigger in the print copy of the book. It gets a thicker border instead of the standard panel frame used in the web version, but also adds some art to the top and bottom that isn't seen online. Not significantly different, but it doesn't cut off the illustration of the dragon on the wall, making it even more obvious.

The drawing above Elan? Heh, it's hardly drawn in any more in my copy than what you see online. It just kinda... stops.

For another online-to-book difference, just two strips earlier, 839's book version has a bigger splash of the pyramid coming into view (three-quarters of a page rather than half), and also has an entirely new quarter-page piece of artwork showing the order searching the area.

[facw]

The drawing above Elan? Heh, it's hardly drawn in any more in my copy than what you see online. It just kinda... stops.

For another online-to-book difference, just two strips earlier, 839's book version has a bigger splash of the pyramid coming into view (three-quarters of a page rather than half), and also has an entirely new quarter-page piece of artwork showing the order searching the area.
Yeah it just shows a little more (top of the wings, and a bit more of the neck head). Enough to go from that could be a dragon to that's definitely a dragon in my mind.

Thanks for pointing the other strip difference as well.

[Quebbster]

I don't Think I paid any attention to what Mr Scruffy did (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0886.html) in the phantasm in the pyramid.

[Lord Torath]

I didn't notice that the title of the last thread was a pun at first... :smalltongue:
A pun? I'm seeing an allusion (to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country), but I'm not seeing a pun.
Last. "Things You Never Noticed V: Your Familiar."Whoops! Failed my spot check! :smallredface:

[Ruck]

Heh, I just realized that the incident that sets off (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0054.html) Nale's hatred of Elan-- Elan's rejection of Nale's offer to form their own team-- is one where Roy, at the time, would have definitely disagreed with Elan's reasoning were he there.

:nale: You know, Elan, once I have the Talisman, you and I can leave this place together and start a new team.
:elan: I couldn't abandon Roy. He needs my help.
:roy: That's okay. I mean, family first. We'll find a way to pull through without you.

[Gift Jeraff]

Ponchula's magic aura was originally black (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1085.html) before (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1112.html) changing (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1116.html) to green (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1117.html) for (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1118.html) the (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1122.html) big (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1126.html) fight (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1127.html) scene. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html)

[The Linker]

Just now, when I was re-reading Durkon's final memory flashback (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1127.html), I was curious if that blond dwarf who says "I grabbed this [chest] on the way out" was actually in the flashback that was the story Uncle Thirden told.

Turns out, not only do you see the dwarf, you see him running for that very chest while the fighting's going on (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0991.html).

[Gift Jeraff]

I just noticed yet another "foreshadowing V's deal" moment in Book 3's recap:

:vaarsuvius: After a brief interlude in a forest which had no bearing upon the plot whatsoever—but did allow me the opportunity to slay a black dragon virtually single-handedly—the Order was beset upon by a lone assailant.
In the PDF version of Book 5 you can more clearly see the parts of the illusion (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0887.html) after Elan's dinosaur ride:
-Hinjo and Lien are handing the OOTS blue medals (I always assumed this to be the case but now I see the actual medals)
-the OOTS and O-Chul are attending one of the MITD's tea parties and the OOTS apparently still perceives O-Chul as having only 1 scar
-Elan gets a lollipop (I previously thought this was either Elan bringing a flower to Therkla's grave or Elan giving a flower to his mother to setup the remarriage in the next 2 strips)
-V, Haley, Roy, and Elan are standing around together (it lacks details at this point)
-Roy and Durkon
-several panels consisting of circles and rectangular shapes
-the rest are just purple all the way down

[Rodin]

I just noticed that in 1134 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1134.html) the "fluffy clouds" they're working on are actually the fur on Thor's boots. What's more, on the big splash of Thor, you can see Durkon and Minrah. When I first read the comic, I assumed they were off-screen on the fluffy clouds off-screen at the base of Thor's boots.

[Ruck]

I just realized that Haley's dialogue to Celia in #573 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0573.html), panel 1, is word-for-word the same as her dialogue to Vaarsuvius in #3 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0003.html), panel 1.

[Joerg]

I just noticed that (according to Durkon) a member of the dwarven army who leaves their post is hanged (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0111.html). Quite a harsh punishment since it must be a dishonorable death, sending the soul to Hel. I would probably give the delinquent at least a chance, perhaps with a suicide mission.

[Quebbster]

I just noticed that (according to Durkon) a member of the dwarven army who leaves their post is hanged (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0111.html). Quite a harsh punishment since it must be a dishonorable death, sending the soul to Hel. I would probably give the delinquent at least a chance, perhaps with a suicide mission.

It is meant as a harsh punishment. Deserting your post is dishonorable, why should a deserter be given a chance for an honorable death?

[Kish]

Because if you don't, they have every reason to resist the arresting officer/executioner with deadly force, with nothing to lose and much to gain?

[Joerg]

Also, one could argue that everyone deserves a second chance (a very good example is a character in HtPghS) and that errors of justice do happen, in this case with terrible consequences. But a deeper discussion should probably get its own thread.

[Fyraltari]

Durkon* parroted here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1008.html) wwhat Durkon said here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0111.html) under similar circumstances. Another hint of 1130?

[martianmister]

Durkon* parroted here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1008.html) wwhat Durkon said here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0111.html) under similar circumstances. Another hint of 1130?

A hint of Napoleon Complex?

[Ruck]

I just realized that the joke about outsourcing customer service (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0646.html) here is that Pandemonium customer service has been outsourced to Mechanus.

[godsflunky]

Wow, I never would have seen that. Good eye. And it's such a logical outsourcing, too, on so many levels!

1) Pandemonium probably couldn't get its act together
2) Mechanus makes sense as an alternative
3) It will undoubtedly make customer service even more hellish

[b_jonas]

I never noticed that in #928, when Vaarsuvius proposes that everyone should attack Miron (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0928.html), she was probably trying to cause Miron's Contingency spell to trigger, because she could have known that Miron uses such a Contingency spell from Sabine giving her hints about the Vector legion while they met in hell, as revealed in the end of #935 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0935.html).

[Quebbster]

I never noticed that in #928, when Vaarsuvius proposes that everyone should attack Miron (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0928.html), she was probably trying to cause Miron's Contingency spell to trigger, because she could have known that Miron uses such a Contingency spell from Sabine giving her hints about the Vector legion while they met in hell, as revealed in the end of #935 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0935.html).

Yeah, I figured that too when rereading. We know V was warned about the need to be careful when fighting Laurin, which led to the initial "keep the distance" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0926.html) strategy to get Laurin to burn her energy making wormholes. Once the distance was closed the strategy shifted to "gang pile on the scarf guy", there had to be a reason they didn't focus on Laurin first (as the last panel in 928 shows...

[Fyraltari]

When Fenrir speaks of (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html) pissing on the world's people graves, he is being completely literal and probably has done so before.

[Peelee]

When Fenrir speaks of (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html) pissing on the world's people graves, he is being completely literal and probably has done so before.

I'll bet that makes him popular.

[Resileaf]

When Fenrir speaks of (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html) pissing on the world's people graves, he is being completely literal and probably has done so before.

And on the page right afterwards, on the first panel, I just noticed that when Greg says assumed, the first three letters are a little more bolded than the rest.

[Quebbster]

When Belkar has his crisis of conscience (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0435.html) during the Battle of Azure City, obviously I got that the two devils (or whatever they are) both represent his Evil side, and the fact that the Angel "doesn't work here any more" means there is very little Good in him at that Point.
However, I hadn't really considered that the line "it's just us and the Slaad" may be a callback to Elan's earlier crisis of conscience (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0068.html), and that it means there is also very little Lawful representation in Belkar's brain. Not exactly a surprise, but as I said I hadn't realized how neatly it fit together.

[Gift Jeraff]

Haley's mark in the ninja panel (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0121.html) is an Azurite.

Belkar says "they keep sailing away," (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1068.html) but only 1 person was on both of the ships that sailed away from him and Haley (Elan).

[Peelee]

Therkla's name is misspelled on the Kickstarter Workometer.

[martianmister]

Haley's mark in the ninja panel (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0121.html) is an Azurite.

Which proves that Rich already planned Azure City plot by that time.

[Peelee]

Which proves that Rich already planned Azure City plot by that time.

I mean, it's the strip after Shojo ordering Miko to bring the Order to him, so I don't think that was ever in doubt.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Which proves that Rich already planned Azure City plot by that time.

Or that the entire Azure plot is a reference to that one panel. Richard Burlew: going to go to any lengths to one-off joke work.
(but seriously, I agree with your assessment)
Grey Wolf

[Gift Jeraff]

"Gontor" was probably being truthful when he said he wasn't that thirsty anyway (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1014.html), since he presumably got to drink some blood while helping "Durkon" create spawn off-panel. I imagine the line is intended to be interpreted on the first read-through as him being childish.

"Brother Sandstone" says Master instead of Mistress even though Ponchula sired him (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1084.html) and she doesn't seem to be a thrall. So I guess he's also free-willed and respects the church hierarchy. Note that Ponchula calls both Hel (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1120.html) and Durkon (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1127.html) Boss instead of Mistress or Master like the others.

[The Linker]

"Brother Sandstone" says Master instead of Mistress even though Ponchula sired him (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1084.html)

Remember that the only reason these dwarves are getting up and being vampires immediately, rather than spending some days in the ground, is because of the special spell that was in Malack's staff and is now in Durkula's spell list. He's the only one who can make them become spawn immediately, so I guess he's their master no matter who actually dealt the killing blow.

[ManuelSacha]

I don't Think I paid any attention to what Mr Scruffy did (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0886.html) in the phantasm in the pyramid.

In the next strip, (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0887.html) they even gave him and his last owner a shared gravestone.
Now... I just noticed Roy gesturing at a different gravestone... whose is it supposed to be?

[Fyraltari]

In the next strip, (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0887.html) they even gave him and his last owner a shared gravestone.
Now... I just noticed Roy gesturing at a different gravestone... whose is it supposed to be?

I think that's more of a "good riddance" gesture. People don't gesture at graves.

However I wonder who pictured Durkon being sad because of Belkar's death.

[Peelee]

Remember that the only reason these dwarves are getting up and being vampires immediately, rather than spending some days in the ground, is because of the special spell that was in Malack's staff and is now in Durkula's spell list. He's the only one who can make them become spawn immediately, so I guess he's their master no matter who actually dealt the killing blow.
If Alexandra the CEO hires me and Bob in HR expedites the paperwork so I can start earlier than normal, Alexandra is still my boss.

I think that's more of a "good riddance" gesture.

It definitely is.

[ManuelSacha]

However I wonder who pictured Durkon being sad because of Belkar's death.

Probably Elan.

[Gift Jeraff]

I just realized Belkar is paler from #879 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0879.html) through #939 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0939.html). Likewise Elan is paler in Panel 7 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0958.html) and Panel 6 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1129.html).

Remember that the only reason these dwarves are getting up and being vampires immediately, rather than spending some days in the ground, is because of the special spell that was in Malack's staff and is now in Durkula's spell list. He's the only one who can make them become spawn immediately, so I guess he's their master no matter who actually dealt the killing blow.

I see it as basically a rapid aging spell so I don't think it would disrupt the enslavement aspect, though I suppose Malack could've actually made the spell to make sure his spawn's spawn directly obey him upon rising.

But the first panels of #1087 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1087.html) and #1124 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1124.html) make me think it was the 2 female vampires who cast all the quick-rising spells anyway.

[Rogar Demonblud]

By the spell creation rules, once a cleric learns a spell not on the cleric list, their deity immediately learns it as well, and can hand it out to all their clerics as per usual.

Really, the spell creation rules only work for wizards, but everyone else gets shoved in.

I was looking over the old calendars to admire Rich's art, and noticed something new with May 2014. In the mini-comics on the dates page, Scruffinator is demolishing a Miko doll.

[bc56]

In #741 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0741.html), the poster appears to show Roy being cut in half by Thog (or rather, someone in Thog's armor.

[Ruck]

I always knew "Why, is it a hat? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0614.html)" was a reference to what happened to "Brainy Pete (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0612.html)," but I only just realized it's yet another indicator that Celia can't stop thinking about Haley's haircut.

[Aveline]

In #468 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0468.html), panel 21, Haley has a visible tattoo. I wonder if this is the same tattoo she tried to mention in 309 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0309.html) (panel 9)?

[martianmister]

However I wonder who pictured Durkon being sad because of Belkar's death.

Is he looking sad? I don't think so.

[Quebbster]

I had noticed Before that Wrecan's shield is decorated with four red dots (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0993.html), making it look like a big button.
However, I hadn't really considered that it might be a symbol of the Church of Marduk, representing Marduk's four red Eyes (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0273.html).

Yes, this is Another cross-pollination with the Trivia thread. I chose 993 because it both shows the shield (when Wrecan climbs down the ladder) and mentions the Church of Marduk.

[Ruck]

I had noticed Before that Wrecan's shield is decorated with four red dots (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0993.html), making it look like a big button.
However, I hadn't really considered that it might be a symbol of the Church of Marduk, representing Marduk's four red Eyes (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0273.html).

Yes, this is Another cross-pollination with the Trivia thread. I chose 993 because it both shows the shield (when Wrecan climbs down the ladder) and mentions the Church of Marduk.

Heh, and in 993 I just realized that the jelly sandwich (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0993.html) Elan packs for Roy might have actually proven pretty useful if he'd had to stay at the Moot while he waited for Dvalin's vote. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1016.html) (Panel 8 of each comic)

[jwhouk]

I just noticed that in 567 the Oracle clarified Belkar's question - and it was at that point that I realized it hasn't quite come true yet.

He did, in fact, cause Roy, Miko, and Miko's horse to die. He obviously killed the Kobold Oracle. That leaves one person he hasn't killed yet:

Vaarsuvius.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

He did, in fact, cause Roy, Miko, and Miko's horse to die.

No he did not. Roy died from hitting the ground after losing a fight with an epic lich. Miko's horse is not dead. Miko died in an explosion caused by her own misguided zeal. It takes a massive amount of ad-hoc contorsionism of "chain of causation" that you then arbitrarily cut off when Belkar is mentioned to blame Belkar for any of that.

Grey Wolf

[jwhouk]

I'm talking about what the oracle said. The only one he (the kobold) didn't mention was himself (until after he got stabby-stabbed), and Vaarsuvius.

V is the only one he didn't try to chain into blaming Belkar for their death.

[Resileaf]

I'm talking about what the oracle said. The only one he (the kobold) didn't mention was himself (until after he got stabby-stabbed), and Vaarsuvius.

V is the only one he didn't try to chain into blaming Belkar for their death.

Belkar's question was "Do I get to kill any of these people later?", not "Do I get to kill all those people later?" The Oracle's answer was "Yes" because Belkar would kill him, the Oracle, later on. When he 'clarified' his answer before getting killed by Belkar, it was his attempts to make Belkar not kill him by convincing him the prophecy had come true. We can know this to be true because his last words before falling over are "I wasn't buying that either", meaning he knew his explanations were half-assed and would never have worked.
So obviously he wouldn't mention V since V was still alive (were V to be dead, he would have tried to pretend Belkar was responsible for their death as well).

[jwhouk]

What I'd suggest is that it'd be a fantastic double-bluff on the kobold's (and by extension the Giant's) part if Belkar did indeed cause V's direct demise.

[Resileaf]

What I'd suggest is that it'd be a fantastic double-bluff on the kobold's (and by extension the Giant's) part if Belkar did indeed cause V's direct demise.

It is a definite possibility, but considering Belkar didn't have anything to do with Miko's death and that Windstriker is obviously not dead, any relation with V's potential future death feels like it would be purely coincidental.
(Plus he could have just said "You haven't killed V yet, have you?" if that was going to come up.)

[Peelee]

What I'd suggest is that it'd be a fantastic double-bluff on the kobold's (and by extension the Giant's) part if Belkar did indeed cause V's direct demise.

Why? He didn't cause Roy's, Mikos, or Windstrikers direct demise.

[CJG]

In #741 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0741.html), the poster appears to show Roy being cut in half by Thog (or rather, someone in Thog's armor.
And I just realized that Belkar forshadows killing Greg in that same strip!

[Ruck]

Belkar's question was "Do I get to kill any of these people later?", not "Do I get to kill all those people later?" The Oracle's answer was "Yes" because Belkar would kill him, the Oracle, later on. When he 'clarified' his answer before getting killed by Belkar, it was his attempts to make Belkar not kill him by convincing him the prophecy had come true. We can know this to be true because his last words before falling over are "I wasn't buying that either", meaning he knew his explanations were half-assed and would never have worked.
So obviously he wouldn't mention V since V was still alive (were V to be dead, he would have tried to pretend Belkar was responsible for their death as well).

Well, the question was "do I get to 'cause the death'" of any of the following, not "kill" them.

And the Oracle starts to mention V ("And as for the elf...") but Belkar cuts him off.

[Resileaf]

Well, the question was "do I get to 'cause the death'" of any of the following, not "kill" them.

And the Oracle starts to mention V ("And as for the elf...") but Belkar cuts him off.

I mean, if he had a good case for V because Belkar does cause their death later on, I would imagine that the Oracle would have started off with V. XD

[jwhouk]

Of course, a butterfly flapping its wings in the woods probably caused the death of all the Azurites in the battle of Azure City.

[ti'esar]

Given the increasingly lame definitions of "death" and the "Darth Vaarsuvius" reference in-comic bringing shades of another infamously lame definition of death, my headcanon has always been that "as for the elf-" would have ended in a reference to V taking the deal with the IFCC in some way being Belkar's fault.

[Sinewmire]

The gladiator who hated Belkar was named Evisceratus. There were also two gladiators named Notseenicus and Offpanelio

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0782.html


And Vermilius and Ceruleous, making round 1 Red vs Blue and describing their armour :smallbiggrin:

[blunk]

EDIT: I have a vague impression I've missed a reference to American college football but I have no idea which strip except it would have been a conversation between Roy and Eugene."How can you halve time itself?"? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0485.html)

[hamishspence]

Soccer has the same "halftime" thing, and as I recall, it was Roy's school soccer match that Eugene missed, with a point being made of his lack of knowledge of its rules.

[Lord Torath]

"How can you halve time itself?"? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0485.html)
Soccer has the same "halftime" thing, and as I recall, it was Roy's school soccer match that Eugene missed, with a point being made of his lack of knowledge of its rules.Basketball also has Halftime.

You know, Eugene's not too far off in page 2 panel 3: While Roy waits for Durkon to collect the seven magical spheres Roy's body and 10,000 gp worth of diamonds, he gets to train with a secret martial arts master (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0600.html) who "lives" in the afterlife, learning a secret maneuver (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1003.html).

[martianmister]

It's an interesting timing that Roy failed to notice an anime reference just after his father's failure to notice a sports reference.

[Peelee]

I just noticed Hel had longer hair (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1083.html) before she made the bet.

[Rogar Demonblud]

That's because she keeps ripping it out when Uncle Thor wins another soul through dubious technicality.

[Gift Jeraff]

Since the High Priest of Thrym is a half-giant (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1081.html), he lacks the elemental speech balloons (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1018.html) that true giants have.


However I try to maintain a geeklist of references to games in OOTS and this one comes in as the seventh (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/242487/item/6332654#item6332654).

Just a heads up that the Final Fantasy references in #388 are all specifically to Final Fantasy VI, and it's not limited to those few panels--Elan's whole outfit from that strip onward and the design of the Mechane are also references to FF6 (source: W&XP commentary).

[Fyraltari]

The High Priestess of Odin can channel her Lord without having (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0998.html) an aura (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html) and without any noticeable "Zot".

[ElFi]

When Roy jumps off the balcony to confront Durkon (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1000.html) during the Godsmoot, everyone in the room is looking in his direction except for the High Priestess of Hodor (who is blind, like her god) and the representative from the Southern Pantheon, who is apparently distracted by Veldrina's pointing.

Also in the previous strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html), all twelve of the Twelve Gods' high priests send up a 'communication beam', probably representing how they work in harmony rather than having a defined hierarchy, while all of the votes of Western pantheon channel their power through the cleric in the center (presumably Marduk's high priest), reflecting how Marduk is the top god of that pantheon.

[hamishspence]

When Roy jumps off the balcony to confront Durkon (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1000.html) during the Godsmoot, everyone in the room is looking in his direction except for the High Priestess of Hodor (who is blind, like her god) and the representative from the Southern Pantheon, who is apparently distracted by Veldrina's pointing.

Most of the priesthood of Hodor wear blindfolds to emulate their god, rather than actually being blind:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0984.html

- but yes, that's a good point. And it's certainly plausible that the High Priestess is blind for real, since she doesn't have the blindfold. Especially since she's seen earlier with white eyes:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0997.html

[Mad Humanist]

Also in the previous strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html), all twelve of the Twelve Gods' high priests send up a 'communication beam', probably representing how they work in harmony rather than having a defined hierarchy, while all of the votes of Western pantheon channel their power through the cleric in the center (presumably Marduk's high priest), reflecting how Marduk is the top god of that pantheon.

I wouldn't say it's undiscovered for me, but I love how Veldrina goes from not having the foggiest why she went through so much effort to even get there, to "voting" for the destruction of the world. I guess it's plot significant even rather than a mere detail since Wrecan deduces something from it.

[Kish]

I wouldn't say it's undiscovered for me, but I love how Veldrina goes from not having the foggiest why she went through so much effort to even get there, to "voting" for the destruction of the world. I guess it's plot significant even rather than a mere detail since Wrecan deduces something from it.
Come again?

Veldrina doesn't vote. She conveys the vote of the Western Pantheon--without having any control over the process at all. What are you saying Wrecan deduces as a result (of what?).

[ElFi]

Most of the priesthood of Hodor wear blindfolds to emulate their god, rather than actually being blind:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0984.html

- but yes, that's a good point. And it's certainly plausible that the High Priestess is blind for real, since she doesn't have the blindfold. Especially since she's seen earlier with white eyes:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0997.html

I'm aware of that tradition, but yeah the white eyes (which you can see much more clearly in panel 5 of this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0985.html)) and lack of blindfold make it seem like kind of a giveaway for me. Plus, it's a nice bit of narrative ribbon that the strongest representative of a blind god is also blind herself. And now that I'm looking at that flashback panel, you can also see Heimdall and Mani's high priests waiting outside.

Another thing about the Godsmoot vote strip in #999- the cutaway to the Southern Pantheon is, I think, the only time we've ever seen a ratfolk in any form in the comic.

[Fyraltari]

I'm aware of that tradition, but yeah the white eyes (which you can see much more clearly in panel 5 of this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0985.html)) and lack of blindfold make it seem like kind of a giveaway for me. Plus, it's a nice bit of narrative ribbon that the strongest representative of a blind god is also blind herself.

You'll notice that Odin's high priestess is one-eyed and Tyr's high priest is one-handed. It looks like ritual mutilation as a show of faith is a thing in the Northern Clergies.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

You'll notice that Odin's high priestess is one-eyed and Tyr's high priest is one-handed. It looks like ritual mutilation as a show of faith is a thing in the Northern Clergies.

This being D&D, said mutilation is probably a pre-requisite for a feat or perk associated with the worship. E.g. "Odin's vision" "You gain at-will "see future" power. Prerequisite: Worship Odin. Have only one eye". Or even, a consequence of getting it: "You gain at-will "see future" power, but one of your eyes goes blind. Prerequisite: Worship Odin".

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

This being D&D, said mutilation is probably a pre-requisite for a feat or perk associated with the worship. E.g. "Odin's vision" "You gain at-will "see future" power. Prerequisite: Worship Odin. Have only one eye". Or even, a consequence of getting it: "You gain at-will "see future" power, but one of your eyes goes blind. Prerequisite: Worship Odin".

Grey Wolf

That can't be true. If it was, the Lady of Odin would obviously have gouged both eyes to have it twice. Obviously.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

That can't be true. If it was, the Lady of Odin would obviously have gouged both eyes to have it twice. Obviously.

I know (hope) you are kidding, but now I wonder what, if anything, you can do with two copies of the same at-will power that you can't do with just the one.

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

I know (hope) you are kidding, but now I wonder what, if anything, you can do with two copies of the same at-will power that you can't do with just the one.

Grey Wolf
Look at two different things at the same time of course! Hey, that's what got Sauron beaten.
I may enjoy Pete from Darths and Droids too much.

Actually I missed the "at will" in your post, but that's not as fun.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

You'll notice that Odin's high priestess is one-eyed and Tyr's high priest is one-handed. It looks like ritual mutilation as a show of faith is a thing in the Northern Clergies.

Another silly thought: if you are of a sapient species with more than two eyes (say, an Aboleth), and you worship Odin at this level of commitment, do you want to have only one good eye, or only one bad one?

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

Another silly thought: if you are of a sapient species with more than two eyes (say, an Aboleth), and you worship Odin at this level of commitment, do you want to have only one good eye, or only one bad one?

Grey Wolf

This point of contention was the main reason behind the Great Ocular Schism of the Church of Odin in the year 2756 of world 864, 326, 000, 345 . Loki still teases Odin about it sometimes when he's bored.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

This point of contention was the main reason behind the Great Ocular Schism of the Church of Odin in the year 2756 of world 864, 326, 000, 345 . Loki still teases Odin about it sometimes when he's bored.

As it turns out, three worlds later, the schism was instead over whether it should be the top or the bottom eye that was the good one. After that, Odin refused to allow Arboleths worship him.

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

As it turns out, three worlds later, the schism was instead over whether it should be the top or the bottom eye that was the good one. After that, Odin refused to allow Arboleths worship him.

Grey Wolf

Gotta respect a schism that survived two different planets. That's some proper disagreement, right there.

[MoleMage]

You'll notice that Odin's high priestess is one-eyed and Tyr's high priest is one-handed. It looks like ritual mutilation as a show of faith is a thing in the Northern Clergies.

I interpret it as less ritual mutilation and more omeny myself. Like, Hoder's high priestess didn't choose to blind herself in that fashion, but the fact that she went blind (or was born blind) in her particular career meant that she was favored by Hoder, probably in a very literal sense as divine magic would grant her all kinds of workarounds for the whole blind problem.

[Lord Torath]

An eye patch could just be part of the ritual garments of the High Priest of Odin. It wouldn't be the first time someone wore an eye patch over a perfectly healthy eye (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0502.html).

Here's another example:Roy wore one while he was trying to recruit party members.

[Fyraltari]

While that's a possibility, I am skeptical of the idea that a baby was born lacking a hand in the case of Tyr's priest.

[Kantaki]

While that's a possibility, I am skeptical of the idea that a baby was born lacking a hand in the case of Tyr's priest.

Plus, you know, if that how the gods show their favour, how do they express their disfavour?:smalleek:

[Kish]

Plus, you know, if that how the gods show their favour, how do they express their disfavour?:smalleek:
I've often observed that Miko appears to have been born superhuman, with Strength and Constitution comparable to Roy's, Dexterity comparable to Haley's, enough Intelligence to make clever tactical plans, enough Charisma to use Lay On Hands, and at least enough Wisdom that Belkar was the one who immediately backed down while she was perfectly willing to compare Wisdom modifiers with someone she had no real reason to think particularly unwise.

[Resileaf]

I've often observed that Miko appears to have been born superhuman, with Strength and Constitution comparable to Roy's, Dexterity comparable to Haley's, enough Intelligence to make clever tactical plans, enough Charisma to use Lay On Hands, and at least enough Wisdom that Belkar was the one who immediately backed down while she was perfectly willing to compare Wisdom modifiers with someone she had no real reason to think particularly unwise.

Huh, that would then make sense that she started as a monk, the class that needs nearly every single stat to be high to work out.

[hamishspence]

I've often observed that Miko appears to have been born superhuman, with Strength and Constitution comparable to Roy's, Dexterity comparable to Haley's, enough Intelligence to make clever tactical plans, enough Charisma to use Lay On Hands, and at least enough Wisdom that Belkar was the one who immediately backed down while she was perfectly willing to compare Wisdom modifiers with someone she had no real reason to think particularly unwise.

From the Geekery thread:

Str 13+ (required for Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Katana).
Dex 17+ (required for Improved Two-Weapon Fighting).
Wis 11+ (required to cast Cure Light Wounds in the Miko fight).
Cha 12+ (required for Lay On Hands).

No figures given for INT and CON.

[MoleMage]

While that's a possibility, I am skeptical of the idea that a baby was born lacking a hand in the case of Tyr's priest.

Well he probably lost it in some similarly thematic fashion. Sacrificing his hand to help capture a dire wolf or something, thus following in the footsteps of his patron god and showing himself destined to be a great priest.


Plus, you know, if that how the gods show their favour, how do they express their disfavour?:smalleek:

Is it worse than the idea that good aligned gods would ask their most faithful to willingly maim themselves? Actually it's probably about the same.

[Aveline]

I just noticed, that in #356 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0356.html), panel 4, Roy makes a direct reference to Hades. My gut says this is just another anachronistic reference to real-world culture, but given the canonical former existence of a god named Hades, might it have a more subtle meaning than that?

[Fyraltari]

I just noticed, that in #356 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0356.html), panel 4, Roy makes a direct reference to Hades. My gut says this is just another anachronistic reference to real-world culture, but given the canonical former existence of a god named Hades, might it have a more subtle meaning than that?

Apparently Hades is a plane (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Hades). Makes sense since the name refers both to the greek god and his domain. It does make you wonder if there is a connection between the two in OOTS...
Probably not.

The same probably goes for Tartarus (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1005.html).

[Mad Humanist]

Apparently Hades is a plane (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Hades). Makes sense since the name refers both to the greek god and his domain. It does make you wonder if there is a connection between the two in OOTS...
Probably not.

The same probably goes for Tartarus (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1005.html).

Also relevant: Thrym and Hel comment about how her name is good for puns.

[Linneris]

I just noticed, when re-reading the book, that in #122 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0122.html), the apple merchant hurries to change into more revealing clothes.

[martianmister]

At strip 1130 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html), Durkon was at first talking about Sigdi as "my mom", but then, he called her "our mom" while talking to HPoH.

[Fyraltari]

The worlds' tombstones have shadows.

[Aveline]

In #1129 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1129.html), FHPoH briefly mimics Durkon's accent in their internal dialogue, possibly for the only time (unless someone knows of a prior example).

As others have pointed out in this thread, he continued to use Durkon-isms unnecessarily after his cover was blown ("Now who's the short one?" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1008.html) and "wouldn't have anything to learn" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1087.html)), but I think it's interesting that he does it internally right before he gets memory-sledged.

[Gift Jeraff]

In #1129 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1129.html), FHPoH briefly mimics Durkon's accent in their internal dialogue, possibly for the only time (unless someone knows of a prior example).

He goes from saying "something" to "somethin'" in #963 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0963.html), hence Durkon's emphasis on the word. In #1130 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html) he says "unnerstand" in his second-to-last speech balloon before the "merge" or whatever.

I also recall him saying "tha" or "wha" at some random point in the story. Can't seem to find it, though.

[Sniccups]

There’s a typo in 435. Belkar says “Can I say yes stongly enough?”

[The Linker]

he goes from saying "something" to "somethin'" in #963 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0963.html), hence durkon's emphasis on the word.

Oh my god I never got that

[Gift Jeraff]

I also recall him saying "tha" or "wha" at some random point in the story. Can't seem to find it, though.

Found what I was thinking of, but I think it's a typo: "Walk up to Roy an ask him" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0987.html) (second-to-last panel). Normally it'd be "an'," like the 4th panel in #1132 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1132.html).

[Ruck]

I am surprised at the dialogue in #166, panel 1. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0166.html) I would expect Vaarsuvius to be the one to care about the distinction between sorcerers and wizards, and also to not be the one to care about gender specifications.

[Rollin]

I somehow didn’t notice anything about #950, including the cinematic atmospherics of the last few panels and the Mechane’s bumper sticker.

[martianmister]

I am surprised at the dialogue in #166, panel 1. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0166.html) I would expect Vaarsuvius to be the one to care about the distinction between sorcerers and wizards, and also to not be the one to care about gender specifications.

V is very inconsistent about the whole gender thing.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

V is very inconsistent about the whole gender thing.

This is nitpicky grammatical gender correction, not biological gender. V might not have been able to tell you if it was a sorcerer or sorceress in advance, but they can tell that "she" and "sorcerer" don't go together.

(As to why they knew which gender to pick: they likely know that Haley is less likely to make a mistake sexing humans (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_sexing) than they are in grammatical correctness)

Grey Wolf

[Kish]

Technically, they're entirely wrong. WotC released a design document that spelled out their standards in that area, and they involve no gender for classes; an official stat block for Samantha would declare her a "Female Human Sorcerer."

[Cicciograna]

I just noticed that in strip #352 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0352.html) Durkon is casting Control weather from a scroll. As opposed to "as one of his personal spells".

[Linneris]

Not sure if this qualifies, but I discovered when reading d20srd.org that Death Attack (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/assassin.htm#deathAttack) is an actual ability. I thought it was just something Crystal liked to yell.

[Ruck]

Not sure if this qualifies, but I discovered when reading d20srd.org that Death Attack (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/prestigeClasses/assassin.htm#deathAttack) is an actual ability. I thought it was just something Crystal liked to yell.

Hey, anything you didn't notice before and do now counts.

I, for one, just noticed the extra gag in the lantern archons (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0194.html) delivering the Green Lantern's catchphrase-- they're yellow.

[Gift Jeraff]

Last panel: (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0700.html) foreshadowing the fate of Tsukiko's corpse?

[Ruck]

Last panel: (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0700.html) foreshadowing the fate of Tsukiko's corpse?

Oooh, I like it. Especially considering that most of the strip is her explaining the self-delusions that would ultimately contribute to that fate.

[martianmister]

Colour scheme of Xykon clothes are darker version of Superman's suit (obvious in 12th panel (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0652.html)), and quite similar to colours of Superman from Man of Steel movie.

[Mad Humanist]

Colour scheme of Xykon clothes are darker version of Superman's suit (obvious in 12th panel (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0652.html)), and quite similar to colours of Superman from Man of Steel movie.


I expect Tsukiko wanted him to wear a Superman outfit.

[Fyraltari]

Why would what Tsukiko wants have any effect on what Xykon does?

[MReav]

The guy on the left in the second panel of 274 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0274.html) looks like he's either jumping over or stepping on the dog.

[Mad Humanist]

The guy on the left in the second panel of 274 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0274.html) looks like he's either jumping over or stepping on the dog.

Nah. Shojo's shaky telling of the story realized in art is just wonky that way.

[Hekko]

Noticed on rereading: just as Tarquin slips off of Mechane in 936, Elan tells him, "Don't worry, you'll live." That's what Tarquin told Elan in 929 before he stabbed Roy through him.

Also in 936, Tarquin assumes that Elan didn't lose anything and there was no growth in the arc; but Elan feels Nale's death as a loss. And his line, "I'm not a twin anymore," shows that he did grow as a character. He sounds so sombre when he says it. The very fact that Elan's willing to let go of his father shows how much he grew during that arc.

Thinking of that, it's no coincidence that Elan learnt some really useful stuff when he first leveled after Therkla's death. The Neutralise poison is a nobrainer, but the rest is useful, too.

---------

And I realised last week how awesome Sigdi really is, being fully capable of taking care of herself AND her baby son after losing an arm. I overworked my right hand and was told by the doctor not to use it at all until it stops hurting and by George, is that an ordeal. Stuff takes forever to be done (and I do cheat on occassions and hope the small stuff doesn't hurt me further). Hats off to Sigdi and all the people disabled in this way.

[Fyraltari]

The guy on the left in the second panel of 274 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0274.html) looks like he's either jumping over or stepping on the dog.

He's just unleashing the fury.

[martianmister]

In the Start of Darkness:
Professor X parody is killed by his student, just like Xavier's actual death in the comics.

[MReav]

In the Start of Darkness:
Professor X parody is killed by his student, just like Xavier's actual death in the comics.

Xykon was never the Professor's student. He tried to recruit Xykon, who murdered him out of indignation.

[martianmister]

Xykon was never the Professor's student. He tried to recruit Xykon, who murdered him out of indignation.

His parents gave their permission and Xykon was still a teenager. So, he was officially a student, whether he accept it or not.

[hamishspence]

IMO, "parent giving permission", isn't enough to qualify as "a student of _____"

Shmi "gave permission" for Anakin to become a "student of the Jedi way"- but it wasn't till Anakin accepted Qui-Gon's offer, that he actually became a student.

In the same way, Xykon is not "a student at Sorcerer Academy" because he never accepted the offer.


Xavion certainly doesn't say "You are now my student" or "Your parents have accepted on your behalf - you have no choice but to attend" - it's pretty clear that the choice is still being offered.

[Fyraltari]

Thor took the time (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1136.html) to be sure Durkon would be willing to reject his eternal reward and go back to the Prime "fight a battle" for him.

The Dark One (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0704.html) ordered Jirix to go back "fight battle of trades" when he wanted to stay.

Considering the different circumstances I'm not sure if that makes both gods more different or more alike.

Also bonus point for both afterlives being Valhalla-like.

[Lord Torath]

I never noticed the "god" when Thor said "Let's go for a god ride. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1137.html)" I do love Minrah's reaction, though!

[Laze]

Elan is actually stabbing Felix with his little scalpel. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0949.html)

[Larre Gannd]

I never noticed that Tarquin is not actually the leader of the group

[Laze]

I never noticed that Tarquin is not actually the leader of the group

Did we ever saw an official leader?

[Kish]

No, but hopefully Roy will sword the Vector Legion's leader in book 7.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

No, but hopefully Roy will sword the Vector Legion's leader in book 7.

You may need to hammer the point in further.

Grey Wolf

[Peelee]

You may need to hammer the point in further.

Grey Wolf

Maybe he'll skewer them with his rapier wit?

[Laze]

Maybe he'll skewer them with his rapier wit?

Wow, you guys got almost all the Order's weapons already. I have to bow down before such pun-masters.

[Larre Gannd]

Wow, you guys got almost all the Order's weapons already. I have to bow down before such pun-masters.

That pun would make one glare daggers at you

[Fyraltari]

That pun would make one glare daggers at you
Oh come on, it was magical.

Did we ever saw an official leader?
I'm still hoping for a scene where Shoulder Pad Guy orders Tarquin around.

[Laze]

I'm still hoping for a scene where Shoulder Pad Guy orders Tarquin around.

And his name is Rob Redblade

[martianmister]

There is several characters from other media appeared in the comic, like Scott Summers, Bruce Wayne and Simon Petrikov. After the recent strips, it could be argued that these characters are from previous doomed worlds.

[Larre Gannd]

I never noticed that in the crayons of time, you see paladins killing a bearer of the crimson mantle.

[Laze]

I never noticed that in the crayons of time, you see paladins killing a bearer of the crimson mantle.

I always thought that was Redcloak's predecessor, but I just noticed that it's not him.

[Ciffo]

Perhaps someone already mentioned it, but I joust found an error on the text of shojo's crayon story on strip 275 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0275.html): it says "The snarl was a thing born of chaos. It did not understand the the pattern of the..."

I find quite strange that Rich didnt fix this on the online version, the printed version is without this error

[Rogar Demonblud]

I always thought that was Redcloak's predecessor, but I just noticed that it's not him.

If you've read Start of Darkness, you remember the OG RC's list of previous wielders and their fates.

[Lord Torath]

Perhaps someone already mentioned it, but I joust found an error on the text of shojo's crayon story on strip 275 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0275.html): it says "The snarl was a thing born of chaos. It did not understand the the pattern of the..."

I find quite strange that Rich didnt fix this on the online version, the printed version is without this errorI think this is Rich's Standard Operating Procedure. He will fix errors for the printed books, but not in the online strip. I'm not sure if he's ever come right out and said so. A certain fey-touched banana could probably confirm this.

[Peelee]

I think this is Rich's Standard Operating Procedure. He will fix errors for the printed books, but not in the online strip. I'm not sure if he's ever come right out and said so. A certain fey-touched banana could probably confirm this.

I don't think there been comment on it, but I thik that's about right. Heh usual fix them if someone pointed it out the day he posts it, but I studied that usually because it's shortly after throwing it up and it's minimal work to fix and replace at the time.

Nope, I'm wrong.

[Ron Miel]

Here is Rich's comment explaining why he doesn't correct the online strip.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?115674-Non-sticky-thread-to-report-typos/page2&p=6366522#post6366522

[Gift Jeraff]

It just occurred to me that the Crayons of Time showed stick figure versions of the godsand the first world when most likely nothing at the dawn of time was a stick figure. Which makes sense: crayon segments appear to depict the characters' interpretations rather than the exact truth, and no one at the trial ever imagined a world without stick figures.

[Peelee]

The lizardfolk kid totally had a purse (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0673.html) before running away from the Order.

[Fyraltari]

Both Tyr (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1143.html) and his High Priest (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html) are missing a hand. But it is not the same one.

[Gift Jeraff]

I always thought the goddess in #73 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0073.html) was holding Mjollnir, but I now see that Thor can stretch his arm out just behind her.

[Mad Humanist]

I love how in 842 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0842.html), Roy and Elan discuss who could have done the brutal, awful, pointless murders just at the point V realizes it was her.

It reminds me of a work colleague. When there was lots of **** waving between North Korea and Trump, he insisted we should preemptively nuke and annihilate anybody who might threaten us in the future.

[Quebbster]

I love how in 842 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0842.html), Roy and Elan discuss who could have done the brutal, awful, pointless murders just at the point V realizes it was her.

It reminds me of a work colleague. When there was lots of **** waving between North Korea and Trump, he insisted we should preemptively nuke and annihilate anybody who might threaten us in the future.

The logical conclusion is of course to blow up the entire World just to be on the safe side.
Or just to shoot that guy for threatening us all.

[Resileaf]

A bit too close to real world politics there, my friends.

[Gift Jeraff]

Roy G. is very close to Roy G. Biv, and the G even stands for GREENhilt.

[Ruck]

Roy G. is very close to Roy G. Biv, and the G even stands for GREENhilt.

Going to be difficult not to occasionally call him "Roy Green Bivhilt" now.

[Quebbster]

I hadn't really noticed Mama Dragon saying "Silence!" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0638.html) Before/while swallowing Darth V. Problem is, V had not said anything for several panels - it's all been inner monologue from Haerta, Jephton and Ganonron for the last few panels. So I guess Mama Dragon could hear them taunting her?

[hamishspence]

I hadn't really noticed Mama Dragon saying "Silence!" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0638.html) Before/while swallowing Darth V. Problem is, V had not said anything for several panels - it's all been inner monologue from Haerta, Jephton and Ganonron for the last few panels. So I guess Mama Dragon could hear them taunting her?

Or she could overhear V casting Time Stop:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0638.html

and was referring to that.

[Quebbster]

Or she could overhear V casting Time Stop:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0638.html

and was referring to that.

Enough time passes after the Time Stop ends for Mama Dragon to cast Finger of Death without any comment from V though. Seems a Little late to comment on something that happened a few rounds back in the battle when speaking is a free action (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0166.html).

[Gift Jeraff]

I'm sure she's saying silence to the spliced souls since Haley can also hear them. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0645.html)

[Sir_Norbert]

In folklore, vampires cannot enter a house until they have been invited in.

Now have another look at #1130.

[Lord Torath]

In folklore, vampires cannot enter a house until they have been invited in.

Now have another look at #1130 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html).As far as Durkon needing VampDurk's permission before providing all those memories?

[hroþila]

I never noticed that Team Peregrine is not the name of the whole elvish force deployed in Azure City/Gobbotopia. Apparently I completely missed the mention of Team Harrier (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0705.html). I guess technically you could also say that I hadn't noticed that elvish spec-ops squads are named after birds of prey.

[Laze]

I never noticed that Team Peregrine is not the name of the whole elvish force deployed in Azure City/Gobbotopia. Apparently I completely missed the mention of Team Harrier (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0705.html). I guess technically you could also say that I hadn't noticed that elvish spec-ops squads are named after birds of prey.

Team Peregrine is probably those four guys (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0670.html), while some of the members of Team Harrier are seen here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0825.html).
I mean, it doesn't really matter at this point anyway, but still.

[Gift Jeraff]

Even as a human Crystal was violently attacking gnomes. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0672.html)

[Riarra]

I always thought that Redcloak's torso looking oddly curved in 828 was an art error, but that's actually him hiding the phylactery with his cloak.

[2.5 cats]

Extremely minor spoiler for "Scruff and Tumble" (the Mr. Scruffy Story in "Good Deeds Gone Unpunished."


Neither Mr. Scruffy's mother nor his siblings were all-white, which strongly suggests that the all-white Mr. Scruffy is a mixed-breed cat. It's a subtle but nice message that the monarch such as Shojo would adopt a mixed-breed.
.

[Ron Miel]

Team Peregrine is probably those four guys (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0670.html), while some of the members of Team Harrier are seen here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0825.html).
I mean, it doesn't really matter at this point anyway, but still.

Those look like the same guys to me.

[Ruck]

Those look like the same guys to me.

Agreed. The commander of Team Peregrine is the one seen receiving the message from Team Harrier in #705, to boot.

[hroþila]

He means some of the hanging corpses, specifically the blue-haired one with the hood (i.e. the elf with the spyglass in #705) and the one in a purple robe and cloak on the left, and the short-haired strawberry blond(e) on the right.

That would leave only the other elf from #705 unaccounted for, assuming elvish squads consist of four people and that no other teams were deployed. Probably the polymorphed spy in the hobgoblin command tower? Would require some multiclassing, since the spy was said to be a rogue and this elf is seen casting Animal Messenger. I doubt they escaped, at any rate.

[PirateMonk]

Sheila Finkelstein, who Roy lost his virginity to the first time, (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0669.html) is presumably the daughter of Suzy Finkelstein, who beat Eugene for top of their class one year (Start of Darkness, pg. 19).

[Gift Jeraff]

Looking back, the exchange between Roy and Wrecan regarding the elven gods (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0999.html) was probably written as a hint that the Dark One is unique among the ascended gods. At the time it seemed like a confusing panel since it (to me) created the implication that they are a separate pantheon but they just aren't allowed to hold their own vote which contradicted an earlier post from The Giant. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?404430-Are-elves-an-inferior-race&p=18980508#post18980508)

On a separate note, that strip also shows the Western high priests in what appears to be a Western temple, given that we see statues of Marduk, Tiamat, and Ishtar. Perhaps this is a subtle implication that the Western Godsmoot isn't hosted by a neutral non-theistic party, which goes along with #1143 painting them as unwilling to meet with outsiders. Factor in how their continent isn't physically connected to the North or South and I think it's all a little bit of worldbuilding to distinguish the Western Pantheon. Similarly we see that the Southern Godsmoot is being conducted differently, with their quiddity being channeled into the sky rather than to the High Priest of Dragon.

[Lord Torath]

On the theme of "Evil Opposites", I just realized that both Roy (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0235.html) and Thog (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0254.html) got to use a mop. And within 20 strips of each other!

[Peelee]

Female goblins have thinner eye outlines than male goblins.

[Lord Torath]

I never noticed Blood Feast the Extreminator was fighting rats right along side (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1020.html) Scruffy and Blackwing (panel 5)! So cute looking with a dead rat in his mouth!

[Resileaf]

High Priestess Rubyrock (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1024.html) has a very pale scar on the right side of her face. I wonder what the story with that is.

[hamishspence]

High Priestess Rubyrock (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1024.html) has a very pale scar on the right side of her face. I wonder what the story with that is.

Given that it's a zigzag - as is the symbol of Thor, her deity (the zigzag representing a lightning bolt) maybe it's a tattoo, or brand, or something along those lines?

[Peelee]

Given that it's a zigzag - as is the symbol of Thor, her deity (the zigzag representing a lightning bolt) maybe it's a tattoo, or brand, or something along those lines?

I think most scars in OOTS have zigzag patterning.

[Fyraltari]

High Priestess Rubyrock (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1024.html) has a very pale scar on the right side of her face. I wonder what the story with that is.

Coming soon: "How the High Priestess Got Her Scar". Just gotta finish "The Order of the Stick II: Order Stickier!" first.

[martianmister]

At the last panel, those are orcs, not goblins. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0975.html)

[Laze]

At the last panel, those are orcs, not goblins. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0975.html)

Also, this is Elan's previous employer.

[godsflunky]

I never noticed until this morning that in Lord of the Rings, Gimli the dwarf is uneasy about forests... and so perhaps the dwarvish hatred of trees in OotS is that idea, only ridiculously magnified by Rule of Funny.

[b_jonas]

In #763, Tarquin talks about what will happen if Elan tries to force a confrontation between the two of them early: (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) “But the way these things go, you'll probably end up losing a hand or an eye or something.” And in #934, Tarquin threatens to do exactly that: “chop off your hand” (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0934.html). He doesn't manage to, he only breaks Haley's arm, and that's regenerated later because he does it by bare hand, not with suitable dark magic.

[Rogar Demonblud]

You do realize that's another Star Wars reference, right? Vader chopping off Luke's hand?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

I never noticed until this morning that in Lord of the Rings, Gimli the dwarf is uneasy about forests... and so perhaps the dwarvish hatred of trees in OotS is that idea, only ridiculously magnified by Rule of Funny.

IIRC, Gimli is mostly afraid of Fangorn, rather than all forests. And I can't blame him. A forest full of trees that might just try to kill you if the local Ent is not around to stop them? Yeah, scary place.


It took me three re-reads of #1144 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1144.html) to notice, so I think it counts: the dwarf woman demonstrating all four forms of godly sustenance is the same person at 4 stages of her life (childhood, adulthood, death and afterlife).

Grey Wolf

[Tarthalion]

On the theme of "Evil Opposites", I just realized that both Roy (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0235.html) and Thog (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0254.html) got to use a mop. And within 20 strips of each other!

Also both got to use a gender changing belt (same comics).

Edit: Thog actually mentions it a couple of comics later (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0256.html). Haven't had coffee yet.

[Peelee]

Also both got to use a gender changing belt (same comics).

I don't remember Thog ever using a gender-changing belt, let alone in that strip.

[Ruck]

It took me three re-reads of #1144 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1144.html) to notice, so I think it counts: the dwarf woman demonstrating all four forms of godly sustenance is the same person at 4 stages of her life (childhood, adulthood, death and afterlife).

Grey Wolf

As long as we're talking the most recent strip, the last panel may explain why Thor thinks people who don't read comics aren't missing much. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1138.html)

[Tarthalion]

I don't remember Thog ever using a gender-changing belt, let alone in that strip.
Sorry, two strips later (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0256.html) for Thog.

[Peelee]

Sorry, two strips later (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0256.html) for Thog.

Oh, I getcha now. I don't think that was referring to Thog using the belt, i think that that Thog offering meta commentary that he enjoyed the subplot when Roy did.

[Fyraltari]

Sorry, two strips later (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0256.html) for Thog.

Pretty sure that's just Thog forgetting he's not supposed to remember scenes he wasn't in.

He's not exactly good with that sort of things (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0458.html).

[Tarthalion]

I guess it can be interpreted two different ways then... :)

[Fyraltari]

By all means, do not let us take your headcanons away.

[bc56]

Oh, I getcha now. I don't think that was referring to Thog using the belt, i think that that Thog offering meta commentary that he enjoyed the subplot when Roy did.

This makes more sense
Because Thog is afraid of girls. They have cooties.
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0066.html

[godsflunky]

IIRC, Gimli is mostly afraid of Fangorn, rather than all forests. And I can't blame him. A forest full of trees that might just try to kill you if the local Ent is not around to stop them? Yeah, scary place.

Grey Wolf

Right, which makes the extrapolation to "Dwarves hate all trees" even more absurd.

[Gift Jeraff]

Vampire Durkon spacing out after becoming free-willed (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0907.html) is eerily similar to his final moments of existence. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html) I wonder what was going on in that head.

Also from #907, basically everything Nale says in the third row ended up being true: vampires have a transitional period of absorbing all memories until the host soul becomes dormant (and siding with the Linear Guild actually would have helped, since he wouldn't have needed to absorb so many memories at once to impersonate Durkon (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?564995-Why-doesn-t-that-happen-to-all-vampires/page2&p=23256990#post23256990)), vampires are their own evil counterparts ("And that's who I am. Your worst day personified."), he drinks the blood of his former friends, and he makes thralls of his own. Perhaps the workings of vampirism was one of the things Malack taught Nale (first panel) (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0894.html) or he had been obsessively researching them for as long as he wanted to slay Malack, since apparently the information does exist out there (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0968.html) despite its obscurity.

[martianmister]

Right, which makes the extrapolation to "Dwarves hate all trees" even more absurd.

Enmity betwen dwarves and trees thing is came from the rivalry between Aulë and Yavanna.

[Laze]

Z actually has pretty much nothing similar to Drizt Do’Urden. He really shouldn't even be considered a parody. Z's class and alinement are different, their characters and motivations are nothing alike. Z wielded scimitars at one point and that's about it.

Also I wish Z had more screentime