OOTS #902 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Mutant Sheep]

But blah blah CR RATING IS THE ONLY MEASURE OF COMBAT DIFFICULTY.

Also, Elan's puns.

[Ionbound]

And Belkar still can contribute. Go homicidal halfling rangers!

[The Extinguisher]

I really enjoy all of Elan's puns. All the time.

[Throknor]

Put me in the "they'll last long enough for V to show" group.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Yeah, I think escaping into the rift may actually be the only option at this point, unless this is the time Belkar bites it (which is what we say every time)

I'm so excited to see all these comics though. Are you as eager to finish the book as we are?

[DaggerPen]

Huh, I was expecting the battle to be over in one strip somehow (not a criticism of the pacing, just a comment on my own thwarted expectations). Looks like we'll get a few strips out of this, then, since 2 is an odd number for a fight like this (despite being even.)

I loved the poke at the "they're going to go into the Rift!" speculation, and am also amused that they did in fact hear that the elemental's supposed to go after Roy first. I'm still worried about Belkar, but I've been worried about Belkar for like 20 strips now, so hey, may as well just relax and keep hoping.

[DolGrenn]

It's truly a tragedy when puns have no effect.

Edit: Also, probably the worst punishment ever imaginable is
to suffer like Belkar's red chafed nads.

[Oko and Qailee]

I think they'll survive this, including belkar

[One Skunk Todd]

Woot! I'm channeling Elan! :)

I don't know, but this is certainly a time for Elan to say: "DUNE DUNE DUUUUNE!" :)

ETA: Also, depending on that thing's parentage, it might be a real son of a beach. :)

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showp...&postcount=312

[Flipster77]

Glad to see Roy isn't choosing "dive into the Rift" as his first option. It does seem incredibly risky to me, given how much they don't know.

Also: Yay, Elan puns!

Does Belkar seem quite sprightly for someone who's half-dead?

[Francis Davey]

For me the best part is Mr Scruffy hiding.

[Ionbound]

Huh, I was expecting the battle to be over in one strip somehow (not a criticism of the pacing, just a comment on my own thwarted expectations). Looks like we'll get a few strips out of this, then, since 2 is an odd number for a fight like this (despite being even.)

I loved the poke at the "they're going to go into the Rift!" speculation, and am also amused that they did in fact hear that the elemental's supposed to go after Roy first. I'm still worried about Belkar, but I've been worried about Belkar for like 20 strips now, so hey, may as well just relax and keep hoping.

I think Belkar is going to survive due to the literal nature of RC's commands. The elemental isn't going to attack anyone other than "The human with the greatsword" because that would go against the command it was given. The Belkster will be fine unless Roy kicks it, at which point we have bigger problems.

EDIT: Ninja'd, a bit.

[Barsoom]

Guy in heavy armor says no thanks.

Well, that at least settles the "is he wearing breastplate or fullplate?" argument.

[Jay R]

We have no idea if they're doing any damage. On the other hand, the elemental has only gotten one hit in on Roy, and there's a time limit.

Dun dun DUNN!

Edit: two hits on Roy. I didn't see the second one.

[Niwrad]

"son of a beach"

lol!!

And hey! I'm on the first page for once!

[Jay R]

What does the elemental do if Belkar picks up the greatsword, and it's literally impossible to "start with the human with the greatsword"? Does it just stand there for two minutes?

[DaggerPen]

I think Belkar is going to survive due to the literal nature of RC's commands. The elemental isn't going to attack anyone other than "The human with the greatsword" because that would go against the command it was given. The Belkster will be fine unless Roy kicks it, at which point we have bigger problems.

EDIT: Ninja'd, a bit.

I'm less worried about the elemental and more worried about them outlasting the elemental and everything seeming okay until Belkar suddenly gets hit with a blast from Nale or something.

Then again, though, the book does have to end sometime. XD

[Ionbound]

I'm less worried about the elemental and more worried about them outlasting the elemental and everything seeming okay until Belkar suddenly gets hit with a blast from Nale or something.

Then again, though, the book does have to end sometime. XD

The Giant wouldn't kill off Belkar in such an anti-climactic fashion, right?

[Chessgeek]

Silly Belkar, you're not half-dead, you're halfling!

What does the elemental do if Belkar picks up the greatsword, and it's literally impossible to "start with the human with the greatsword"? Does it just stand there for two minutes?

Or Roy simply drops it. There are many issues with Redcloak's phrasing.

[factotum]

Does Belkar seem quite sprightly for someone who's half-dead?

That's always been an oddity of the D&D rules--take your fighter with 100 hit points and he'll be just as effective fighting when he has all 100 as he will when he has 1. Belkar actually reacting to his drained status earlier was more unusual in this case!

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!

[Henry the 57th]

The Giant wouldn't kill off Belkar in such an anti-climactic fashion, right?

Why not? He does like to subvert expectations.

[gallagher]

Rich, you are spoiling us with amazing comics.

[Crusher]

I'm guessing Roy is the only one doing any actual damage.

[Pandoren]

Thanks for another comic, Rich

I admit to not knowing enough about D&D to know what they can do about this... but I guess that's what this thread is for in part!

[Syncrogti]

This doesn't look good! I can't believe they heard Redcloak from so far away. And Roy wears heavy armor.

Would the elemental attack if no human held a greatsword?

[Pesimismrocks]

Why not? He does like to subvert expectations.

Yeah but it would be a waste for all this character growth, pretend or otherwise, to be wasted with such an anticlimactic death. It wouldn't be funny and it would have wasted a lot of effort.

And Elan's puns are as great as always.
Son of a beach

[HandofShadows]

Elan has gotten SO much better.

[Demolator]

: "Son of a beach!"

And that is why Elan is the best thing to happen to literature.