OOTS #1092 - The Discussion Thread

[Rogan]

I'm unclear how the vampires can be inside Firmament without a stone when evidently OotS needs one to enter? What have I missed?

The stone opens the doors to the tempel, not to the town.
Maybe, the vampires could teleport right into the town or they used some other way. They might even be able to turn into gas and float down a chimney

[Yendor]

Is that the same entrance Durkon got tossed out of? Sure looks like it.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

Getting ready for a showdown!

I'm getting excited! OotS vs Team Vampire, with Durkon trapped in the dungeon of his own mind. This has had such a huge buildup, and I have no idea how it will play out in the end. Loving it!

[Svata]

Roy's not even going to speculate that Durkula might have made more minions in the meanwhile? I know he broke the staff, but still...

Takes 3 days to raise a new vampire without the staff, which Durkula doesn't have anymore.

[Doug Lampert]

The stone speaks to the door, which responds.

This is convenient, and magical.

Elan with two punchlines in one strip. Haley needs to talk to him about sharing.

I'm unclear how the vampires can be inside Firmament without a stone when evidently OotS needs one to enter? What have I missed?

Because the stones are for the Thor priest's private entry to the temple, not the entry to the city used by most people.

[danielxcutter]

Elan is even funnier than usual these days. I think he's doing that on purpose.

[SilverCacaobean]

This is suddenly headed towards a showdown very quickly... It also looks quite straightforward, so I can't help but think Greg will have prepared something that will complicate matters.

[2D8HP]

Somehow I'm utterly charmed by "the Belkster" petting Scruffy in panel 7.





Nod for Greyview!

[KorvinStarmast]

"I can't see squat."
"He's right here." Best chuckle all day.

That came off as a bit jarring, since for the longest time Belkar and Elan are the ones who make fun of Roy (going way back to the early days of the strip). I suppose char dev changes that.

Just get Elan to give an inspirational speech to the vampires!

Heh, that'll work. (And they'll never expect it).

I'm unclear how the vampires can be inside Firmament without a stone when evidently OotS needs one to enter? What have I missed?

Teleport one use device, Durkula has Durkon's memory to rely upon for visualizing various places to teleport into.

[PH7]

Elan still struggling with basic maths I see...

[GreatWyrmGold]

Elan, remember when you tried to inspire hope in Azure City? I think Roy might actually be a better hope-bringer here...

[Scizor]

Is that the same entrance Durkon got tossed out of? Sure looks like it.

Yeah, that's definitely the same entrance. Good catch! Also explains why Durkula didn't go to the sky entrance: Nobody's around to kill and steal the stone from.

[Riftwolf]

Is that the same entrance Durkon got tossed out of? Sure looks like it.

Wonder if that'll be a plot point; that Durkon and his mother lived in Firmament, and Durkon knows a lot more about the city than he's telling the vamp (who hasn't figured that bit out yet)

[8BitNinja]

Elan, remember when you tried to inspire hope in Azure City? I think Roy might actually be a better hope-bringer here...

The fighter has higher charisma than the bard?

What crazy world is this?

[JumboWheat01]

Meh, hope's over-rated. Best to get them prepared for the worst, that way if it doesn't happen, they'll feel great. And if it does, well, at least they're prepared for it.

[2D8HP]

Meh, hope's over-rated. Best to get them prepared for the worst, that way if it doesn't happen, they'll feel great. And if it does, well, at least they're prepared for it.

"Worst always comes"

Greyview worked hard for a treat!

[Gift Jeraff]

(who hasn't figured that bit out yet)

He may have already figured that out since he knows Durkon got initiated at the temple here, knows that Durkon is familiar with the dining hall owner, and knows that all of Durkon's family friends managed to come (so presumably they all lived nearby). I think the real juicy potential is what will happen if the vampire encounters Durkon's mother or one of said family friends, and if a certain brewmaster that knows the truth about Durkon's "mission" is still alive.

[GM_3826]

The fighter has higher charisma than the bard?

What crazy world is this?

Aren't Zhentarim Fighters one of the best Intimidate builds in 3.5? Doesn't Intimidate run off Charisma like in 5th Edition?

[The_Weirdo]

Fun fact, they still haven't settled the disease thing...

[Sir_Norbert]

But Elan has plot and "good guy immunity" on his side, so he's unlikely to die!
Well, at least I hope not. He's not the most combat useful one, but he does grow on you!

I love the way people still talk about plot armor, when OOTS has already had two of the main six die (and plenty of other good guys).

Elan, though, is unlikely to die, because of the prophecy about his happy ending.

[georgie_leech]

Fun fact, they still haven't settled the disease thing...

They also haven't addressed how doilies are the gateway to ULTIMATE COSMIC POWER, so clearly they will be crucial to the outcome of the whole Snarl thing

[kiapet]

Fun fact, they still haven't settled the disease thing...

I assume that once the incubation period is over and they realize they have it, they'll find someone to cast cure disease and be done with it.

[zimmerwald1915]

They also haven't addressed how doilies are the gateway to ULTIMATE COSMIC POWER, so clearly they will be crucial to the outcome of the whole Snarl thing

It would be nice to see a doily in the updated art style . . .

[Wysper]

Roy's not even going to speculate that Durkula might have made more minions in the meanwhile? I know he broke the staff, but still...

He Broke the Staff? I was wondering what happened to it. When did that happen?

[Jaxzan Proditor]

I have a feeling that all Hel is going to break loose once they enter Firmament. It's giving me similar feelings to the scenes at Girard's Pyramid, at the very least.

[GreatWyrmGold]

...but it's funny that Belkar is annoyed at being referred to... a magical doodad or a squat?

He just knows what Games Workshop did to the squats.

The fighter has higher charisma than the bard?
What crazy world is this?

It's not the size of your Charisma bonus, it's how you use it.

I love the way people still talk about plot armor, when OOTS has already had two of the main six die (and plenty of other good guys).

And we know Belkar is going to follow suit sooner or later.

[georgie_leech]

He Broke the Staff? I was wondering what happened to it. When did that happen?

Gotta follow protocol.

[IntelectPaladin]

I believe we all may need a refresher course when it comes to hope, on occasion.
Thank you, Mr. Burlew.
(Edit:) Oh dear gosh, It's the same exit durkon was thrown out of! I'm not the first to notice, but still...This is foreboding.

[Shining Wrath]

I can see one possible way for this to play out.

Durkula: "So, Roy, here we are, at the gate where your friend Durkon was forever banished. Nice symmetry, isn't it?".
Roy: "He wasn't banished forever - he can return now, the exile has been lifted."
Durkon, inside his own mind: HULK SMASH!
Durkula: "Oooops".

[dtilque]

About the line on Belkar being squat, I happen to have recently reread the Preface to Dungeon Crawlin' Fools which was written by Belkar. Everyone who has it, read the first couple paragraphs where Belkar pontificates on "squat". Those who don't have it, buy it and then read it.