OOTS #709 - The Discussion Thread

[RebelRogue]

Is the title a reference to anything? It usually is, but it didn't really ring a bell for me this time.

[doodthedud]

Wow, the Giant is really picking up his pace! And with quality content, too!

Also, imho it's best to cut back to the jokes and away from morality issues for a while. People here seem to have strong opinions about those.

That whole O-Chul/Rain thing is VERY morally questionable, man.

[Kobold-Bard]

Is the title a reference to anything? It usually is, but it didn't really ring a bell for me this time.

No Fly Zone

I would imagine.

[RebelRogue]

No Fly Zone

I would imagine.

Thank. It's not a term I was really aware of, but it makes sense.

[Name_Here]

I don't know why some people are so convinced that MitD caused the rain. There is such a thing as normal rain, after all.

Given his sudden comment about rain and the way he apparently guessed out of nowhere that Tsukiko had only half of the spell in #700, it would seem far more likely that he has some sort of paranormal perception and is unconsciously scrying O-Chul himself.

It is also interesting that he is naive and inexperienced, but actually outsmarted Tsukiko in the discussion about the qualities of Paladins. He remembered and understood that O-Chul wants him to make his own decisions, while Tsukiko can't even perceive her own contradiction.

Second strip on a row that makes Tsukiko look real bad. I used to think she would eventually give Redcloak a run for his money. Now I am not so sure. Although she will sure deserve her fate when RC grows his full set.

Actually I think MITD's comment is based on his past experience with O-Chul.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0550.html

3rd to last panel shows that O-Chul has told MITD that the rain helps him sleep. Therefore MITD wishing that wherever O-Chul is the rain is helping him sleep doesn't need to be any kind of epic level scrying or limited wish spell.

Could be of course but it seems more likely that this is nothing more than an incredibly sweet moment of MITD remembering a little fact about a missing friend.

[doodthedud]

Actually I think MITD's comment is based on his past experience with O-Chul.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0550.html

3rd to last panel shows that O-Chul has told MITD that the rain helps him sleep. Therefore MITD wishing that wherever O-Chul is the rain is helping him sleep doesn't need to be any kind of epic level scrying or limited wish spell.

Could be of course but it seems more likely that this is nothing more than an incredibly sweet moment of MITD remembering a little fact about a missing friend.

Thank you for being sensible.

[talkamancer]

Thank you for being sensible.

So what your saying is the tarrask doesn't have epic scry or weather control ?

[whitemane]

Wonderful comic! Of course, anything with O-Chul in it has it's awesomeness raised by a factor of 10...

[Silverraptor]

Uh-Oh.

I think Xykon has actually starting to question what the spell Redcloak has does what it says. If he finds out that it doesn't do exactly like he said it did, Redcloaks in trouble.

[doodthedud]

So what your saying is the tarrask doesn't have epic scry or weather control ?

I'm saying that not every scene implies an ability MitD has. Some of it is just for the "awwwwww"

[Scarlet Knight]

Lien does have an option for getting out of the rain. .

Sure, she uses her cloak & makes a "Lien-to"....

[Optimystik]

So what your saying is the tarrask doesn't have epic scry or weather control ?

It can't talk either

Given his sudden comment about rain and the way he apparently guessed out of nowhere that Tsukiko had only half of the spell in #700, it would seem far more likely that he has some sort of paranormal perception and is unconsciously scrying O-Chul himself.

That's not likely at all - O-Chul is still Cloistered.

While the MitD might be capable of breaking through epic magic, he should at least show some effort, like the Splices did.

Sure, she uses her cloak a makes a "Lien-to"....

The Niu thread was bad enough

[dps]

"Yearning for balls".

[sihnfahl]

I think Xykon has actually starting to question what the spell Redcloak has does what it says. If he finds out that it doesn't do exactly like he said it did, Redcloaks in trouble.

Or he could just be having her learn it to emphasize the fact to RC that RC needs Xykon more than Xykon needs RC.

[Conuly]

Sure, she uses her cloak a makes a "Lien-to"....

Oh god, that's terrible. That's just... no. I can't even express how much I never want to think of this pun again. NO.

Could be of course but it seems more likely that this is nothing more than an incredibly sweet moment of MITD remembering a little fact about a missing friend.

Sadly, I have to agree. "MitD makes the rain fall!!!!" is more interesting, but not actually more plausible.

[Drolyt]

Actually I think MITD's comment is based on his past experience with O-Chul.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0550.html

3rd to last panel shows that O-Chul has told MITD that the rain helps him sleep. Therefore MITD wishing that wherever O-Chul is the rain is helping him sleep doesn't need to be any kind of epic level scrying or limited wish spell.

Could be of course but it seems more likely that this is nothing more than an incredibly sweet moment of MITD remembering a little fact about a missing friend.

Rather, nobody disagrees with you on that part. The question is, when reminiscing about O-Chul, is it possible that the MitD actually made it start raining for him? The main reason it comes up is because way back when the strip you linked to first came out there were theories that the MitD made it rain for O-Chul.

[Aaron]

"HEY! A man's worth isn't determined by what, if anything, is between his femurs!"

Loved it! Glad to see that the Mitd is geting smarter from O-Chul's lessons.

[Name_Here]

Rather, nobody disagrees with you on that part. The question is, when reminiscing about O-Chul, is it possible that the MitD actually made it start raining for him?

It doesn't seem like the storm just rolled in on O-Chul in the last panel.

The main reason it comes up is because way back when the strip you linked to first came out there were theories that the MitD made it rain for O-Chul.

My god really? Are people really that desperate to give MitD the credit for everything?

[Drolyt]

It doesn't seem like the storm just rolled in on O-Chul in the last panel.



My god really? Are people really that desperate to give MitD the credit for everything?

Wait a minute here. That's a perfectly legitimate theory. We've already seen that he can tell that Tsukiko only had half the ritual, even though that ritual requires two really high level spellcasters. He can also apparently teleport people from a distance, which honestly could only be done with miracle or wish unless he has Archmage levels. The ability to cause weather is pretty easy next to those, assuming he has like sorcerer levels or something or maybe wish as a spell-like ability.

[Sijo]

...And yet another strip in a row that I just didn't find funny. I don't care for sex-related humor. I can't stand the demon roach, either. I hope it gets squashed some day.

At least it did help advance the plot, something many other recent strips didn't do either. MitD has started to learn to question things rather than naively accept everything he's told. This will lead, at some point, to MitD having to actively *choose* to help his friend (rather than do it by accident) against Xykon and company. THAT will be cool.

Btw, at the rate we're going, I wonder if we'll EVER learn exactly what MitD is. I fear the author may just decide to have it destroyed/banished in the end without showing what it was, since being The Monster In The Dark is what defines it. Anything else might be anticlimatic.

[Samuraiko]

Wow, another fast update! Hope this means you're feeling better, Rich.

And hooray for the return of O-Chul! (And the demon roaches... they so need their own t-shirts in the QUOTES section of the shop.)

[doodthedud]

Wait a minute here. That's a perfectly legitimate theory.

Bahahahahahaha. Ahahahahaa. Hah.

[mucat]

Thank you for being sensible.

Now never let it happen again.

[Drolyt]

Now never let it happen again.

Sensibility? On an internet forum? Blasphemy! The inquisition will take you!

By the way, I thought this was one of the funniest comics in a while and that it advanced the plot. I'm also highly pleased with the fast updates, hopefully this means The Giant is doing well. Not sure what people are complaining about.

[Name_Here]

Wait a minute here. That's a perfectly legitimate theory.

It's the plot to "The Meloncholy of Harahui Suzumiya". Not that there's anythign wrong with that. I love Suzumiya I just don't think Rich would be so transparent as to lift MitD's powers from there.

We've already seen that he can tell that Tsukiko only had half the ritual, even though that ritual requires two really high level spellcasters. He can also apparently teleport people from a distance, which honestly could only be done with miracle or wish unless he has Archmage levels. The ability to cause weather is pretty easy next to those, assuming he has like sorcerer levels or something or maybe wish as a spell-like ability.

The ritual thing doesn't really lead itself to "he thinks things and magic happens." While the Teleporting of V and O-chul was done in a moment of incredible stress not just done off hand just by thinking it.

Overall I say it's infinitely more likely that the rains we saw are nothing more than what you always get when you combine the ocean and a warm environment.

[fruityjanitor]

Heh, nice. And there's nothing in this one to start a 10-20 page argument about moral justification, so yay for that too.

Is Tsukiko having a "Hobgoblins keep out" sign on her door morally justified?

[Big Hungry Joe]

It's also interesting how Cloister can have unintended benefits to those affected if they are on the other side. Not only is O-Chul in stealth mode, but it makes it that much harder for enemies in the city to be tracked down as well. If Xykon is casting it that often, the elven insurgent squads may be affected, for example. That spell may ultimately be more trouble than it's worth.

[Petrocorus]

Notice how O-Chul is sleeping just fine in the rain? His Fortitude save modifier is so high, bad weather has to save against him for nonlethal damage!

Don't you know?
O-Chul don't get wet, water get O-chuled.

[comicshorse]

Posted by Name-Here

The ritual thing doesn't really lead itself to "he thinks things and magic happens." While the Teleporting of V and O-chul was done in a moment of incredible stress not just done off hand just by thinking it.

True or it could mean the MiTD is getting better at using its powers ( even if its still using them subconciously)

[Sequinox]

If that was a transition, my good sir Giant, it was a very clever one.