OOTS #770 - The Discussion Thread

[silas the monk]

So let me get this straight:

Bozzok sent letters to some "friends" to get Ian in Tyrinaria, now known as the Empire of Blood, where he was ultimately caught. It's speculated that these "friends" are the ones who are keeping him from escaping. However, where does it imply that they are Geoff and Ivy, the latter of whom I don't believe we've seen yet? (To be honest, I don't recall hearing the name "Ivy" in this comic until this very strip...)

No we have not seen Ivy (probably). However we have heard of a cousin sheila from #681 who went round trying to kill family members.

[Dancing_Fox]

Come on. It seemed instantly obvious to me that Geoff and his wife are selling him out.

Oh yes, now I've read the other posts that joined the dots, it is obvious to me as well. I didn't think of that simpler explanation at the time though.

The comment "Ivy is a plant" brilliantly encapsulated it for me.

[silas the monk]

Presumably the other guys in the brunchroom will turn out to be other members of Geoff's organization.

[Knaight]

I don´t see clear if Geoff´s "familiar face" comment of Elan is about Tarquin or Nale.

There was also a small matter of a parade in Elan's honor. If Ian and Geoff have an outside contact, they might be recognizing Elan from that.

[The MunchKING]

\Bozzok's statement basically is: "a couple of my accomplices lured Ian to the other continent with a letter, where he was arrested."

Ian's statement basically is: "I was lured here by a letter from Geoff and Ivy, where I was arrested."

I mean, the correspondence between the stories is exact. I can't see how it can't mean that Ivy and Geoff are the henchmen of Bozzok.

If the Henchmen are guard in the Tarquin's jails, or the police or something. He sends them some money, they arrest a local Starshine on trumped up charges (Or judging by how easy it is to break the law, and how serious they are about laws; catch them breaking a real one) Geroff and Ivy call in Ian for a little old school prison break. But something happens to this other Starshine, (possibly dying in the Arena) which convinces them this guy is EVIL and needs to be brought down, so Ian sticks around for a while, and ends up doing a much longer life sentence than the judge expected.

For Bozzok to be sure Ian would stay, his henchmen might have been behind ensuring the prisoner's death in the Arena too.

[The MunchKING]

No we have not seen Ivy (probably). However we have heard of a cousin sheila from #681 who went round trying to kill family members.

I thought she just framed them for murder.

At least according to the context of elan's immediatly previous statement.

[HappyBlanket]

So let me get this straight:

Bozzok sent letters to some "friends" to get Ian in Tyrinaria, now known as the Empire of Blood, where he was ultimately caught. It's speculated that these "friends" are the ones who are keeping him from escaping. However, where does it imply that they are Geoff and Ivy, the latter of whom I don't believe we've seen yet? (To be honest, I don't recall hearing the name "Ivy" in this comic until this very strip...)

"My sister asked me to come help her and her husband with this whole rebellion thing" - Ian
Ian wouldn't have come to Tyrinar / The EoBlood had it not been for Ivy's persuasion.

Incidentally, I'm only noticing now that Ian describes Ivy as being capable of smuggling in meals. That suggests she's in a relatively comfortable position, having not only the benefit of extra food but also the benefit of sneaking in and out of a prison that even Ian couldn't escape.

[brionl]

The main problem with Geoff being a stoolie is that he's been in a horrible prison for two years where the average life expectancy is "a couple weeks, tops." Ian and Geoff may not be in much danger these days, but they did fight a lot previously, as witness his missing leg.

[MoonCat]

Weird, I JUST noticed the horrified expression on Haley's face in the last panel. I guess I was too busy viewing Elan's adorable grin.

[Nimrod's Son]

Every prisoner has to wear sandals though . . .

Bottom has an easily identifiable tread? Or makes a mark only visible to some?

Where are you getting the idea that every prisoner has to wear sandals? For whatever reason, that only applies to Belkar. Everyone else is wearing their regular footwear.

Presumably the other guys in the brunchroom will turn out to be other members of Geoff's organization.

I'm really not seeing the connection.

[SPoD]

The main problem with Geoff being a stoolie is that he's been in a horrible prison for two years where the average life expectancy is "a couple weeks, tops." Ian and Geoff may not be in much danger these days, but they did fight a lot previously, as witness his missing leg.

That just means that Bozzok is paying him enough to make it worth his time.

Remember, this is a world where regaining a lost leg (or even being raised from the dead) is only a cleric spell away. Geoff may be making enough money from this deal that he figures Ivy can just pay to have him raised/regenerated/whatever afterwards, with enough left over to make them rich for life.

[Conuly]

That suggests she's in a relatively comfortable position, having not only the benefit of extra food but also the benefit of sneaking in and out of a prison that even Ian couldn't escape.

And *that* puts her in a position where she may well be able to get information about escape attempts to the guards.

[mucat]

Weird, I JUST noticed the horrified expression on Haley's face in the last panel. I guess I was too busy viewing Elan's adorable grin.

Yeah, but that look is probably one of momentary surprise, rather than "I question my ability to handle this."

[MoonCat]

Yeah, but that look is probably one of momentary surprise, rather than "I question my ability to handle this."

I don't think she's had TIME to question her ability to handle it, she's still at a mind block because her uncle is holding a knife to her boyfriend and leering (that final panel is a GOOD one for facial expressions).

[LuPuWei]

her uncle is holding a knife to her boyfriend and leering (that final panel is a GOOD one for facial expressions).

I don't know about Haley's lack of action, but I do agree on one thing. That man is totally leering- that and the goatee? Evil!

[madock345]

I love Belkar's comment about the empty room. Oots is always at it's best when it gets Metta.

[St Fan]

I didn't notice on the first reading that what Geoff was holding wasn't actually a dagger, as it is missing the hilt. Looks like just a naked blade... which make sense as an improvised or smuggled prison weapon. Nice attention to details.

I wonder if he's been hiding it in his peg-leg....

[Mr. Snuggles]

Strip 330
Oracle: "Now c'mon, I haven't got all day, and the two of you are running late for a pair of family reunions."

340 strips later the prophecy is fulfilled!

[Nimrod's Son]

Strip 330
Oracle: "Now c'mon, I haven't got all day, and the two of you are running late for a pair of family reunions."

340 strips later the prophecy is fulfilled!

What? The Oracle was talking to Roy and Elan when he said that, not Haley, and the "running late" part implies those reunions were due to take place very soon. He was referring to the encounter with Nale and Julia in Cliffport.

[Dreadn4ught]

"Don't worry, Haley. There are still no guards coming."

Why is the stupid character always so ENDLESSLY HILARIOUS?!?!?!?!

[Swordpriest]

"Don't worry, Haley. There are still no guards coming."

Why is the stupid character always so ENDLESSLY HILARIOUS?!?!?!?!

I agree that he's hilarious, and I agree he's not too bright, but I don't see how he's being particularly stupid in this case ....

[immblueversion]

"Don't worry, Haley. There are still no guards coming."

Why is the stupid character always so ENDLESSLY HILARIOUS?!?!?!?!

To keep the perpetual drama and angst from overtaking the comic.

[Scarlet Knight]

Sure! Blame the brother-in-law! Well, I for one, am will to stump for Geoff's loyalty!

[Jay R]

Before we get too complacent about the fact that the guy who captured Elan is Haley's uncle, it's probably a good idea to remember that we suspect Geoff is in on the plot to prevent Ian's escape.

The one guy in the prison who we suspect wants Haley's attempt to fail has a blade at Elan's throat.

[faustin]

There was also a small matter of a parade in Elan's honor. If Ian and Geoff have an outside contact, they might be recognizing Elan from that.

And don´t recognize Haley with him in the parade?
Besides, not even the guards knew about Elan.

[GreenMuffin]

Everybody's saying that Geoff is evil for holding Elan hostage, but the fact is that Ian and Geoff don't know that Elan's not a bad guy. They just know that he's the son of the evil "puppet master," so to speak, and therefore think he's just as evil as his son

[Conuly]

Everybody's saying that Geoff is evil for holding Elan hostage, but the fact is that Ian and Geoff don't know that Elan's not a bad guy. They just know that he's the son of the evil "puppet master," so to speak, and therefore think he's just as evil as his son

Well, unless Geoff really is in touch with the powers that be, and has been steadily betraying his brother-in-law since before he came there, in which case he might well know who Elan really is.

[factotum]

Everybody's saying that Geoff is evil for holding Elan hostage, but the fact is that Ian and Geoff don't know that Elan's not a bad guy. They just know that he's the son of the evil "puppet master," so to speak, and therefore think he's just as evil as his son

Or they might think he's Nale, considering they're identical apart from the goatee, and they ought to know darned well that Nale is evil!

[MoonCat]

Or they might think he's Nale, considering they're identical apart from the goatee, and they ought to know darned well that Nale is evil!

Something tells me that even if Geoff isn't evil, he's gonna have a hard time with "goatees are evil".

[immblueversion]

Everybody's saying that Geoff is evil for holding Elan hostage, but the fact is that Ian and Geoff don't know that Elan's not a bad guy. They just know that he's the son of the evil "puppet master," so to speak, and therefore think he's just as evil as his son

If that's the case, things may get pretty ugly if Ian hears his daughter is dating the son of the tyrant he opposes. But if Geoff is evil (holding Elan hostage notwithstanding) and openly betrays Ian, he's probably going to have to rethink his whole "trust no one but family" mindset. I just hope father and daughter would be able to reconcile their differences before the end. Then again, the Oracle did say only and/or at least Elan would get a happy ending... (Sure that doesn't guarantee Haley won't get one, but still.)