OOTS #948 - The Discussion Thread

[Starwulf]

Haven't read the entire thread, so no idea if this has already been mentioned, but Belkar seems like he finds something off with Durkula after he uttered "Thor's Nuts!". I mean, I know Belkar has been particularly suspicious of Durkula from the start, but assuming it's been a while since the last strip(as in, in-universe time), you would think that would have been curbed a bit. I wonder exactly what Belkar noticed about how Durkula uttered that phrased that made him feel it was off.

[zimmerwald1915]

I mean, I know Belkar has been particularly suspicious of Durkula from the start, but assuming it's been a while since the last strip(as in, in-universe time), you would think that would have been curbed a bit.

Belkar holds grudges. His prank war with Vaarsuvius lasted for most of No Cure for the Paladin Blues and War and XPs, and he held on to his vendetta against Windstriker for 211 strips.

[wyrmhole]

Haven't read the entire thread, so no idea if this has already been mentioned, but Belkar seems like he finds something off with Durkula after he uttered "Thor's Nuts!". I mean, I know Belkar has been particularly suspicious of Durkula from the start, but assuming it's been a while since the last strip(as in, in-universe time), you would think that would have been curbed a bit. I wonder exactly what Belkar noticed about how Durkula uttered that phrased that made him feel it was off.

I personally see no reason to assume that Belkar's suspicion was on a downward trajectory over the last few days. I think that expression is just Belkar continuing to be unimpressed with Durkon's seemingly-Durkon-like-behavior, just like he was unimpressed by his Durkon-like behavior before.

But sure, it's possible he became more accepting in the off-panel time lapse.

[Clistenes]

You go, my boy Thor! I hope the OotS fugure soon that something isn't right with Durkula.

I don't think Thor will dare to do much more than this. We know that there are rules against direct divine intervention. But I think sending a message to every one of his clerics telling them the truth about about Durkon wouldn't break those rules.

[137beth]

There's a lot here!
This strip confirms the theory that the only influence the living person has on its vampire is a temporary one, explaining why there was no apparent struggle between Malack and the lizardfolk. It also confirms that all (or almost all) OOTS vampires work like this. Although, it doesn't rule out my theory that Hel made this particular vampire a special case (that "normal" OOTS vampires are possessed by a generic evil negative energy spirit, while Hel intervened to insert her own creature in Durkon's body).

One one hand, this is good news for the Order: it means that anyone who knows enough about undead would understand the current situation. On the other hand, Belkar, Elan, Haley, and Roy all lack Knowledge (Religion), and it looks like V doesn't have enough either, or V would have told the others. The good news is that they are going to the Northern continent, where the High Priest of Odin is, and hopefully he would know how OOTS vampires work (and be able to cast resurrection).

[warrl]

It's both, which is why it's worse in a way. As my family doctor once said (really): "What's the taint? Well 't'aint the balls and 't'aint the butthole."

The equivalent area on females is the fundament.

So "fundamental" really is getting right to the bottom of things. And no, this isn't a pun.

[ss49]

The equivalent area on females is the fundament.

So "fundamental" really is getting right to the bottom of things. And no, this isn't a pun.

A quick look at a dictionary will help others from believing this....

[Nightcanon]

I think this tidbit gives us a clue for how Durkon can undermine Durkula's charade, assuming an external force doesn't intervene to help him out. Durkula asks for something, and Durkon technically obliges the wording of the request, but it's entirely the wrong thing, and Durkula slips up a few times and the others catch on.

I thought this too... Durkula was looking for what Durkon says in extremis, and we were all saying what a great new expression Thor's nuts is.

[JSSheridan]

Belkar's arms are beefier (thicker) than either Roy's or Durkula's.

They aren't really; that's just because he has shorter arms and makes them look thicker.

[Nibelung]

Nice touch, Roy's boots are still on different sizes.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

So, I'd just like to agree that Roy looks awesome now. I wish I had that costume.

[Bulldog Psion]

My observations:

The new artwork looks superb, IMO. The objections to it seem like a real "tempest in a teapot" -- especially since it looks so excellent. Bravo, Mr. Burlew.

I think Belkar is just continuing his hostility to Durk Malackssen. He hasn't "noticed" anything new, he just hated the vampire to begin with and that hasn't changed. It has nothing to do with what Durk said -- he just loathes him and isn't going to lighten up. Ever.

"Thor's nuts" doesn't seem out of line with "Thor's taint" and "leafy wankers," among others. Durkon may not be constantly foul-mouthed, but he's not totally prim and mincing, either.

[rbetieh]

why does negative energy durkon not have fangs? Physical trait only?

[GregTD]

Where this idea that Durkon is prim and proper comes from, I'm not entierly sure.

Well, look back at his lectures to Roy's younger sister, about the clothes she was wearing, and about treating her body with respect.

[Nenec]

I'm between those who think Belkar could have smelled something, by Durkula's weird exclamation. I could be wrong, but Belkar's been very untrusting of him, hating too of course, ever since he's been vampirized, so he might be now extra careful to stop everything out of place to prove he was right. Though Belkar is Belkar, one can never know with him...

As for the art style, I must confess that not only I didn't notice it in the previous strip, but not even in this until I've seen the forums. <.< Not a fan of the change from stick to noodle, but I accept the choice. The new font I had noticed, but thought it was only a particular one used for this particular situation or something.

Damn I feel so bad for Durkon :(

[Toy Killer]

Personally, I think the durkula's fall with the Order will be when he doesn't panic over a tree. He doesn't know to ask about it, if he has asked a more general question, he can skim past it and it would be a clear indication that the durkon of yesterday is gone.

Plus, it will be fulfilling for him to die to a spontaneous sharp tree branch.

[GregTD]

Roy chided Julia to "put some clothes on, girl," only a few strips after he stopped making crude advances at Miko. At about the same time, he was making cracks about his time with Celia not being "entirely in a bed." Double standards are a thing, and telling women to cover up is not incompatible, under this kind of odious double standard, with allowing men to make sexually suggestive remarks.

Reality check time: rules are different for adults (which Roy is), than for children (which Julia is). And if you think that big sisters don't try to tamp down the sexuality of their little brothers, you never had a big sister.

[GregTD]

And I think that we'll find out just how much Roy has noticed when the first feeding time for Durkon arrives. I think Belkar will warn against this plan. The real question is how much V has noticed, because if the Order has to stop a vampire with his fangs already fastened in Roy's neck, there's only one person who might be able to do that quickly.

What, you think Durcula is going to screw up everything by trying to kill Roy when Roy's voluntarily feeding him?

Why?

[OwlbearUltimate]

I post in the forum about once every two years. Seeing the new arc getting started, I just want to say that I find the new art style beautiful.

[Rogar Demonblud]

I'm surprised no one has posted on this yet.

The Mechane is damaged, and will need to stop for repairs. What will the Order do while the crew is rebuilding the engine?

Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have met today's special friend the start of this book's sidequest.

[ORione]

Well, look back at his lectures to Roy's younger sister, about the clothes she was wearing, and about treating her body with respect.

Julia's a teenager, and Durkon's best friend's little sister.

[WindStruck]

It does seem like Durkon is using "Thor" too much in his expressions though, doesn't he?

"Right as Thor's rain."

"Thor's nuts!"

Not that this would be conclusive proof to the party, but I'm sure by Belkar's expression he's thinking that as well.

[Loreweaver15]

Roy chided Julia to "put some clothes on, girl," only a few strips after he stopped making crude advances at Miko. At about the same time, he was making cracks about his time with Celia not being "entirely in a bed." Double standards are a thing, and telling women to cover up is not incompatible, under this kind of odious double standard, with allowing men to make sexually suggestive remarks.

I always kind of thought that Roy's sexism was an intentional character flaw; it's presented often enough as a Bad Thing (his awful, awkward interactions with Miko, his karmic beatdown after calling his sister a skank for the way she dressed, etc) that it seemed so to me, anyways.

[Knight.Anon]

What a clever way for Durkon to mess with Durkula and tip off Durkons friends (and Belkar) that things are not the way they seem.

The Thor's Nuts exclamation was almost like a secret code that only Belkar could grasp the significance of. Its like it gave Belkar a +15 against Durkula's bluff check.

It looks like Thor is in on the game too.

[BrotherMirtillo]

Belated, but welcome back, Giant! I've got your calendar on my wall, and it's very cool to see the new proportions on various critters. On the other hand, I'm okay with the shapes of people's bodies being old school. Thickening up a stick figure's (e.g.) hands might be a little odd. For now, the colors and clothes are snazzy enough. (It might take me a dozen or so strips to get used to the height of Roy's waist. Maybe if I pretend he's wearing a kilt, it'll help. Nothing wrong with a warrior donning a kilt.)

I have the feeling in my bones that not-Durkon is going to be in the driver's seat for quite a while, but I hope he keeps bragging as often as he does now. I do not object to evil characters boasting. It's a fine chance either for an impressive speech or for the good guy getting an opening to counterattack. (Or if you're Xykon vs. busted V, both.) Either way, pass the popcorn.

And P.S. -- bared veins and extracted organs make me nauseous. In case I didn't say so earlier, strip #946 gave me the gut-gagging creeps. Also, I wonder if Durkon can hear anything in there? Maybe he hears bits of the outer events, just enough to suggest the worst, but it's largely drowned out by the thumping, relentless barrage sound of not-blood coursing through his body.

[pacovf]

I am surprised by the number of people that believe that the Order should suspect the "Thor's nuts" exclamation. They don't believe that this is the old Durkon, they believe it is some sort of weird evil version of Durkon; heck, Roy has demonstrated that he doesn't trust him fully, and that he wants to stake him as soon as they have access to resurrection.
They don't expect the same personality as before, so some different turns of phrase will not arise suspicions (except from Belkar, who has already shown his willingless to destroy the vampire). Even swearing AGAINST Thor wouldn't be particularly worrying for them, since Vampire Durkon has said that he now gets his spells from dark energy, not from his "former" god. It would take something a couple of orders of magnitude higher than a curse to really make them think about the possibility that a spirit is impersonating their friend.

[Kish]

Julia's a teenager, and Durkon's best friend's little sister.

I might add that she also recently approached Durkon with, "Look! Boobs! Don't you want to pay attention to the girl with the boobs?" Not...exactly related to the question of whether Durkon's above swearing by referencing quasi-sexual body parts. (Which he is not. "Nuts" is not significantly dirtier than "taint." Nor is it differently blasphemous because some hypothetical person might misunderstand it to be a statement about Thor's sanity rather than a reference to Thor's testicles, jeez, talk about a reach.)

[stsasser]

Cunning Durkon. Well played.

[Everyl]

If this strip is setting up a way for Durkon to undermine HPoH's charade, then I would guess that he's doing it by giving related, but misleading, information first. For example, if the question HPoH asked was something like, "How would you react in this situation?", the most direct, helpful thing for Durkon to do would probably have been to show memories of how the Order first met Miko. In that comic (and the next few after it), we see that Durkon is highly superstitious about the weather, especially thunderstorms, and tends to consider them to be signs from Thor. If the storm inconveniences him, he'd see it as a warning to change course because they were doing something wrong.

However, Durkon instead answered the question with the beginning of a long-winded memory-tale about how his mother raised him to respect Thor and believe that pretty much everything that happens in the sky is a direct result of Thor's will. This story would also lead to the same answer - that Durkon would consider the storm a sign from Thor to be treated with respect and examined for deeper meaning. However, HPoH didn't have the patience to listen to the entire story, so he instead grabbed an oath from an incidental character in the memory and treated that as "good enough."

We won't know for certain if HPoH slips in his ruse until we see his actions in the next few comics. If he fails to play up Thor's influence and treat the storm as a divine sign, then he might raise suspicions. Swearing by Thor's Anatomy isn't really out of character, as others have demonstrated with numerous links already.

[deuxhero]

Happens at the speed of thought? So 30 feet per 6 seconds?