OOTS #1144 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Kopmon]

Phew! Things are starting to really, really get good!

[Ornithologist]

Of course its Jack's fault!

[Forikroder]

so Durkons been fighting the good fight against Thor comic all this time

[Resileaf]

And thus Thor's appearance is explained with another awesome gag. Well done.

[JustAnotherSoul]

Oh wow. This is awesome! That explains some of the 'There should be a bajillion gods given that many worlds'

[zester]

Awesome! Though I don't get the title joke (I'm not a reader of those superhero comics.) Someone care to explain?

[JustAnotherSoul]

Awesome! Though I don't get the title joke (I'm not a reader of those superhero comics.) Someone care to explain?

I think it's a reference to Jack Kirby's work on Thor comics

[Flibbert]

So even more of an incentive for the Dark One to join forces, if they can get him to listen.

[GreyTraveller]

Aha! So we know that ascended gods can, in principle, continue on after the world in which they ascended. But we also know that it's not a guaranteed thing, and that many such gods may have existed in prior worlds but not made the transition.

[WoodStock_PV]

I don't quite understand the third energy source.. Dedication.. a big burst when they die. Why's it called dedication? Wouldn't that feed the gods while their clerics are alive?

[GudBelkarIsGud]

Ok, I was not prepared for the last joke in this comic. Is it wrong that I've got a big, dumb goofy grin right now?

Also, a question from a non-D&D player: Do gods and demons have the same hierarchical space in D&D? I mean, in previous comics, depictions of the pantheons of gods don't seem to include fiends and demons and the like, but is that just an artistic choice or due to how gods and devils are classified in game rules?

[ICN]

No pressure, Durkon.

[Giscard76]

I used to be a Ginger

LOVE IT!

[hamishspence]

That might explain why the pantheons aren't chock-full of ascended mortals.

[Fyraltari]

Legitemately burst out laughing! Great one, as usual!

My hat to you, Grey Wolf, for guessing early on that (most) ascended mortals don't survive their original world.

Interesting to learn that Hel's temper is (partially?) due to a bad diet. Epsecially since the more the Dwarves think of her as her ennemy the crueler she'll become to them in the Afterlife. That Bet just keeps biting Thor in the ass, doesn't it?

It also clarifies why a massive burst of souls in an instant is more powerful than a slow but steady flow, and thus clarifies Hel's plan for those who haven't read that one Giant comment.

[Pampukin]

11 strips later, still hear Hemsworth voice in my head reading the comic. I might need him to audiobook this part of the comic.

So thats why the Dark One cant already hold the world ransom from the other gods. They can just say nope and he dies with the world while they keep looping eternally.

I wonder if the ritual takes into account the purple quiddity.

[Elanasaurus]

First page! WOOO!

I don't quite understand the third energy source.. Dedication.. a big burst when they die. Why's it called dedication? Wouldn't that feed the gods while their clerics are alive?

I think it's when the worshipper commits or dedicates their dead soul to the god. Hear that a lot in *cough* religious circles.

[zester]

I think it's a reference to Jack Kirby's work on Thor comics

Thanks for the quick explanation!

I just reread the comic and I just have to add how funny I find that "nutrition pyramid for deities" joke!

Also, nice to hear that the Order's struggle will decisively make a difference. I always thought it would be somewhat cheap if the gods could just make a new world and be done with it.

[Eldritch Queen]

Ginger!Thor is my favorite design, so that little nod was appreciated.

On a more serious note, I wonder how RC will react to knowing that TD1 will disappear if the plan fails. Maybe that will convince him to help out heroes?

[Peelee]

My hat to you, Grey Wolf, for guessing early on that (most) ascended mortals don't survive their original world.

Seconded. It shouldn't surprise me that I'm continuously wrong, and yet.

[HandofShadows]

It's all Jack Kirby's fault! But at least Thor got to keep his beard rather than be cleanshaven.

[Fyraltari]

I don't quite understand the third energy source.. Dedication.. a big burst when they die. Why's it called dedication? Wouldn't that feed the gods while their clerics are alive?

"Sacrifice" maybe would have been clearer, but "Dedication" works too in a "I dedicate this offering to you".

Also I recognize that Cleric from Durkon's vision. It looks like Firmament and Oona's tribe have fought recently.

[Jay R]

Awesome! Though I don't get the title joke (I'm not a reader of those superhero comics.) Someone care to explain?

In the myths, Thor is a redhead. In fact, he is known as Thor Redbeard.

When the comic book Thor was introduced, edited by Stan Lee, written by Larry Lieber, and drawn by Jack Kirby, he had long blonde hair.

[And technically, it may not be Jack's fault. He did the pencils. The name of the colorist is not known, and I have no idea if Stan, Larry, or or Jack told the colorist what color hair to use, or if the colorist decided.]

[Chei]

Good page, good explanations. And Thor continues to be awesome.

So we more or less know the stakes now, and also a reason for The Dark One to go along with the scheme in his own self-interest.

This does raise one question, specifically regarding Redcloak's own assumption that The Dark One will have a seat at the table the next time the gods make a world. Does The Dark One himself know that he probably won't handle the wait? I suppose he shouldn't, if he hasn't talked to any gods since discovering the Snarl. I wonder whether Loki would have voted to destroy the world if he could know or guarantee The Dark One's survival.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Nutrition pyramid for gods. Dammit Rich, don't make me laugh that hard when I've cracked a rib.

[Calemyr]

Dang it, Giant! Making me laugh out loud while at work. Good thing you don't post more often or I'd get in trouble.

[Becca Stareyes]

Of course, now I wonder if Thor changed his hair color from red to blond thanks to Marvel, why Loki is still a redhead. (And doesn't look like Tom Hiddleston.) I'm going to blame Loki being a trickster and shapeshifter: tell enough stories about Loki in disguise and the belief of how he should look gets flexible. (Or else folk belief about gingers fit Loki well.)

Oh, right, and the why 'letting the world end and try again' is not a reliable backup plan, given the Dark One's reserves are likely to be depleted before he can help create the next world.

[Arkku]

What still remains unclear (to me) is what happens to the souls in the afterlife when a new world is created by the gods; there don't seem to be any movie snacks in the afterlives we've seen here, so presumably they don't just stay there and mix with the new arrivals.

[Keltest]

Well, now we know why there aren't heaps of new gods all around all the time.