Major character who has only appeared on 1 page in the entire OOTS saga

[Ruck]

The giant did call it energy, right?

Is there anything that can be concluded from
This?

Called what energy?

[ElderSage]

They "become an important ally in the first half of the next book". If an Eastern God survived, is available and allies with the OOTS... that pretty much wipes out any need for the Dark One, no? Durkon's whole Mission From Thor becomes a red herring.

Although, they might need five different colors of quiddity to keep it permanently sealed. Only four colors means that they're equally matched, but the Snarl can kill them much easier than they can it. So, even if an Eastern God is still alive, the Dark One might be necessary.

The giant did call it energy, right?

Is there anything that can be concluded from
This?

Something from the Outer or Astral Planes, perhaps, that wouldn't necessarily have a physical form?

[Reboot]

Although, they might need five different colors of quiddity to keep it permanently sealed. Only four colors means that they're equally matched, but the Snarl can kill them much easier than they can it. So, even if an Eastern God is still alive, the Dark One might be necessary.

Five colours would mean they could unmake the Snarl completely (provided they could get close enough, or create something that could), not just seal it. But that's a twist for AFTER the Dark One is on board, at most, since it would otherwise mean Plan T is accomplished early in the last chapter and the threat of the Snarl - and thus Redcloak & the Dark One's leverage for Goblin Equality and all that - is essentially gone. The four sets of gods seal Kragor's Gate beyond the ability of TDO's Ritual to open it on any of their home planes.

It just kills most of the drama built up over the chapters so far, especially Utterly Dwarfed - not to mention any reason for Redcloak & Xykon to not immediately turn on each other.

[LadyEowyn]

Yes. The whole point of the plot around the quiddities is that now the heroes can’t address their problem (the threat of the world being destroyed) without addressing the goblinoids’ problem (built-in metaphysical inequality).

Rich isn’t going to provide an end-run around that challenge by using the Eastern Gods, because the introduction of that challenge is very deliberate on his part. He’s written at length about the implicit bigotry in how monster races are often viewed/treated in D&D, and about his desire to address real-world issues with his strip.

If the Eastern Gods are introduced, it will not be as an alternative to reaching an accommodation with The Dark One and/or Redcloak.

[Ruck]

Yes. The whole point of the plot around the quiddities is that now the heroes can’t address their problem (the threat of the world being destroyed) without addressing the goblinoids’ problem (built-in metaphysical inequality).

Rich isn’t going to provide an end-run around that challenge by using the Eastern Gods, because the introduction of that challenge is very deliberate on his part. He’s written at length about the implicit bigotry in how monster races are often viewed/treated in D&D, and about his desire to address real-world issues with his strip.

If the Eastern Gods are introduced, it will not be as an alternative to reaching an accommodation with The Dark One and/or Redcloak.

*100 emoji*

[CriticalFailure]

I think there will be a better five quidditch solution but the goblin faction will be involved and their valid grievances addressed.

[Sir_Norbert]

Green voice is technically in multiple pages (of a multi-page strip). But Orange Voice is only in one - and since Orange Voice is only in one panel, presumably opposed to Xykon, and already present at the final Gate, I’d say that’s by far the most probable answer.

It's precisely because it's so obvious that it can't possibly be the answer. It would be completely unsatisfying.

We knew as soon as we read #1189 that the voices were characters who are going to be significant next book. If the new hint refers to them, then there is no exciting new reveal. We are already speculating and guessing about who the voices are; Rich has no need to waste ink on making that feel more mysterious.

[Fish]

• one of the adventurers Durkon tried to hire in the first book
• the gnome artificer who was helping Belkar
• the kobolds who rescued the Oracle

Trouble is, it could be just about anybody.

[Savil]

Obviously, it's the Ghost Flumph. He's also the orange voice. Mystery solved.

[Ruck]

Tony the Celestial or the King of Nowhere would be fun, but I don't see how either one would happen or why.

There's so little to go on that I have trouble hooking on to anything that would make sense for one option or another.

[The Pilgrim]

What, you still want a hint of something specific yet to come? Something you're not expecting? OK, how about this: Someone who has appeared in exactly one (1) page of the story so far (including all the prequel stories) will become an important ally in the first half of the next book. Good luck figuring that one out

My bet is the fellow with a green-speech-bubble who has so far only appeared in exactly one page, the last one of Book 6.

"Good luck figuring that one out", as that caracter has only appeared under invisibility.

[factotum]

"Good luck figuring that one out", as that caracter has only appeared under invisibility.

Except several people have already raised that as a possibility, so it can't be all that obscure!

[The Pilgrim]

Yes, but figuring out what it is, is a whole different deal.

[Quebbster]

My bet is the fellow with a green-speech-bubble who has so far only appeared in exactly one page, the last one of Book 6.

"Good luck figuring that one out", as that caracter has only appeared under invisibility.

Except the green voice appears on two pages of the last strip, which is Three pages long.
The orange voice only appears on one page though.

[KatsOfLoathing]

For a really niche guess, there's the Angel-Roach. They only appeared in that one strip (that I'm aware of) and the Demon-roaches have played a role in the story before.

It's not much, but then, we don't have much to go on.

[skim172]

I would have guessed V's former master, Aarindarius but they appear in both main continuity and a prequel comic. Drat.

Technically, Aarindarius' appearance in the main strip has only been in hypothetical scenarios.

If we twist and contrive our interpretation of "appeared in exactly (1) page of the story" to mean "actually participating as part of the actual plot" ... then we could say A's only real appearance is in the prequel when evicting V from the ivory tower.


....

Yeah, I'm not buying it either.

[Draconi Redfir]

Maybe Elan's mom? How many times has she shown up?

[KatsOfLoathing]

Maybe Elan's mom? How many times has she shown up?

At least once in a cutaway gag (possibly more that I'm not remembering) and again inside Girard's Final Boss illusion, so I'd say she's out.

[Kelenius]

Maybe it could be one of Azure City's allies?

[Fish]

Obscure guesses:

• one of the souls in Lee’s inbox
• a resident of Lickmyorangeballshalfling
• the doily
• the dragon on the cover of Playdrake
• the builders who assembled Dorukan’s dungeon

[halfeye]

It's obviously MitD, he's been in lots of pages but I don't think he's actually appeared in any.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Unfortunately it can't be the ranger Mrs Kapoor, because she was awesome.

[Peelee]

It's obviously MitD, he's been in lots of pages but I don't think he's actually appeared in any.

Then it can't be him, the the character in question must appear in one.

[Ornithologist]

Unfortunately it can't be the ranger Mrs Kapoor, because she was awesome.

Just remember, The Giant said it couldn't be on more than one page in either the main story or in prequels. He classified That book as a side story, so we can count it!

Yes, I know its just a stupid justification. But its funny to me.

On an actual discussion note, I couldn't find anyone in the stories in that book that fit the criteria of only one page and memorable/powerful enough that they could help.

In total single appearances:

There's an evil banana (squished)
2 Azure City Soldiers (also, likely already allied so not likely to be a new ally) - (also likely as background characters in other parts of the story.)
A hobgoblin Chef (who's in Gobbotopia, and not likely to be an ally.)
There are the 8 merchants who Therkla did the extended fetch quest with. (Most of them are either dead/ or are already allied.)

Maybe we should just compile this from every book, and see who we have?

[Peelee]

Just remember, The Giant said it couldn't be on more than one page in either the main story or in prequels. He classified That book as a side story, so we can count it!

Yes, I know its just a stupid justification. But its funny to me.

He actually said "exactly one," so barring any other appearances I'm unaware of, she doesn't meet the criteria that way either.

[Ornithologist]

True.

On the plus side there are 4 different merchants in Uncivil Servant that qualify. I think we can reasonably rule them out as not being helpful.

[Draconi Redfir]

2 Azure City Soldiers (also, likely already allied so not likely to be a new ally) - (also likely as background characters in other parts of the story.)

that's it! the day will be saved by That-Guy-With-A-Halberd!

[Petrocorus]

My favorite candidates are:
Tiamat (depending how we count her appearance). And because i believe GB and OB are half-dragon and she probably want to ally with TDO.
Shoulderpad Guy. Because i'd like the idea of seeing some other guys from the Vector Legion.

A hobgoblin Chef (who's in Gobbotopia, and not likely to be an ally.)

I wondered since i read GDGU if that hobgoblin cleric-turned-leader who appeared in only one page in the main comics was Jirix.
If it's not Jirix, and if GDGU doesn't count, that guy (who had some levels) could me a match.

• the doily

Who?

[The Pilgrim]

Now I'm thinking about Goblin Dan. Did he appear in more than one strip? I recall he had a franchise in Gobbotopia, but can't recall if he was there himself. Makes sense he would travel to Monster Hollow in search of more Hydras to supply new restaurants.

Or perhaps Shelby the Dragonslayer. Maybe he managed to get raised somehow.

[Peelee]

Who?

The gateway to ULTIMATE COSMIC POWER!!