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    Giant in the Playground Administrator
     
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    eek OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Fight! Fight! Fight!

    Ooooh, I can't wait.


    Team Evil is just going to pass through the trap and end up in a completely different place than the heroes, aren't they?

    Also confirmation that Monster Hollow replenishes monsters in some magical way.


    EDIT: Hey, maybe that's it, the "traps" aren't traps at all but a way to lure monsters from some other plane? Apologies if anyone already proposed that, I didn't really keep up with the latest discussion threads.
    Last edited by Fyraltari; 2020-12-04 at 08:19 AM.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Trouble Approaching!

    In which Redcloak jumps to the correct conclusion without exhausting every conceivable and inconceivable possibility!


    The traps may also have something to do with monster regeneration, as well as maybe going someplace completely different.
    Last edited by WindStruck; 2020-12-04 at 08:21 AM.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Weakened by the monsters, as predicted! XD
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Oh, Xykon. You are horrible.
    Also I think Xykon might be having actual fun here. It turns out Kraagor’s tomb, an infinitely regenerating dungeon, has been his true hope ever since
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    he lost the joy of coffee.

    I wonder if they could just leave him here and stop worrying.
    I mean, Xykon’s only wanted to take over the world because that’s just what villains do this whole time. But he’s actually happy here! This is the first time we’ve seen him enjoy himself for over a day at most!
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    I can understand why Blackwing is the most fun to write.
    Cuthalion's art is the prettiest art of all the art. Like my avatar.

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    Ettin in the Playground
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    And thus Xykon gave up his unlife of villainy to became an adventurer - and the world was saved/doomed.
    Last edited by dancrilis; 2020-12-04 at 08:29 AM.

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    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Greview has the best life advice, as always.

    So Team Evil's dungeon trip has worked as expected: they encountered monsters, but are mostly ignoring that fact. Even Redcloak is talking about "mistake", and doesn't seem to suspect a wide-ranging problem. Xykon and Oona are happy to ignore it altogether.
    Last edited by Saint-Just; 2020-12-04 at 08:32 AM.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Fyraltari View Post
    Team Evil is just going to pass through the trap and end up in a completely different place than the heroes, aren't they?
    Not even that, I wager. They're not even going to see the heroes when they throw open the door, Xykon will make some comment about tipping the heroes off on it, and the good guys are going to realize what's going on.

    Elan was right a few comics ago, this is way too early for the climactic battle, too many other plots in the air.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Wraithfighter View Post
    Not even that, I wager. They're not even going to see the heroes when they throw open the door, Xykon will make some comment about tipping the heroes off on it, and the good guys are going to realize what's going on.

    Elan was right a few comics ago, this is way too early for the climactic battle, too many other plots in the air.
    Yes that was how I visualized the scene.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    I have had several players who are as dramatic as Blackwing. Not sure if Rich was trying to make that point, but it absolutely fit.
    Also, how long as Team Evil been going through doors? Oona suggests that it has been shorter than several months, and I have lost all sense of time in this comic!

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    I guess, this comic is proof enough that Blackwing can still communicate with the party, despite being away from V. And on the 'wrong' side of the door.

    So, wherever this door and the trap leads, it's not a different plane.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by elros View Post
    I have had several players who are as dramatic as Blackwing. Not sure if Rich was trying to make that point, but it absolutely fit.
    Also, how long as Team Evil been going through doors? Oona suggests that it has been shorter than several months, and I have lost all sense of time in this comic!
    Three days ago, it was about a week since the pyramid exploded.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Silly Redcloak, thinking is for lame losers, now follow Xykon into the next den of monsters
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    It is fortunate that TE is looking down and trying to follow tracks. But Oona, at least, might well be keeping an eye out. And we know Redcloak is. (Badum-tish!)

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by elros View Post
    and I have lost all sense of time in this comic!
    "Time loses all meaning when you're on the job." (cit.)

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    I am glad to see Xykon is having the time of his death dungeonnering.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    The fact the Telepathic Bond is still working rules out any interplanar shenanigans at least.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    I always suspected that time flows different for avians. And this comic is solid proof of it.
    Last edited by The Pilgrim; 2020-12-04 at 09:27 AM.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by RMS Oceanic View Post
    The fact the Telepathic Bond is still working rules out any interplanar shenanigans at least.
    It rules out the team having been sent to a different plane, it doesn't rule out that people entering the dungeon could be shifted to a different plane.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    So Team Evil's dungeon trip has worked as expected: they encountered monsters, but are mostly ignoring that fact. Even Redcloak is talking about "mistake", and doesn't seem to suspect a wide-ranging problem. Xykon and Oona are happy to ignore it altogether.
    If they find more than one dungeon with a marked door that has monsters in it still I think Redcloak at least will start to smell a rat. Is the dungeon that the good guys have just gone into marked, did anyone notice?

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by dancrilis View Post
    It rules out the team having been sent to a different plane, it doesn't rule out that people entering the dungeon could be shifted to a different plane.
    I would say that "the team" is part of the subset "people entering the dungeon".

    and "Could" is such a vague noncomittal statement, you can apply it to everything. Technically, what we see also didn't rule out that people who enter the dungeon couldn't have their art style changed to be 3d renderings.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by RMS Oceanic View Post
    The fact the Telepathic Bond is still working rules out any interplanar shenanigans at least.
    I'm pretty certain that restoring the trap severed the link. Actually no. Rereading it that is possible but uncertain. I initially interpreted, "Hey! Uh, hey, everyone? No more joking around...", as Blackwing trying to tell them but being a bit weirded out by a lack of response. But I don't think that is clear, that could be something that is happening but the party could be acting off of Blackwings info in panel six. Just nobody explicitly acknowledges that Xykon and company are almost there. And Heroinism and Stoneskin have long enough durations that they don't need to worry about them running out before the fight.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Hmm. It would be meaningless - indeed, harmful - to cast buffing spells if one were not expecting at least a scuffle, but I fail to see what the Order gains by engaging at this point. I suppose they could buff in CASE of a scuffle, but still hope to avoid one. Even an ambush by the Order seems unlikely to accomplish much for the Order. At best they could incapacitate Redcloak (killing him works against them) or kill Oona/Greyview...and either might rely on the MitD choosing now to step in and help the good guys. IF that were to happen, they might stand a chance against Xykon...but then even if they manage that, I would think it would be all the more difficult to sway Redcloak.

    Granted, I've had five minutes or so thinking this all through, which is more time than they've had, so they've probably not considered all the possible outcomes (if anyone, V and/or Roy.) From my current perspective, it seems to me the Order is playing a strange game when the only winning move seems to be to not play at all.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Isn't it also possible (from Redcloak's perspective) that some of the passages are connected? That TE missed a hidden door that connects them?
    Last edited by Slesk; 2020-12-04 at 09:50 AM.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Xykon's a bit more childish than usual IMO.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    "The dog knows what's up"

    I've never had respect for Xykon before, but my estimation has gone up with his demonstration of a proper respect for the wisdom of Greyview!
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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Grytorm View Post
    I'm pretty certain that restoring the trap severed the link. Actually no. Rereading it that is possible but uncertain. I initially interpreted, "Hey! Uh, hey, everyone? No more joking around...", as Blackwing trying to tell them but being a bit weirded out by a lack of response. But I don't think that is clear, that could be something that is happening but the party could be acting off of Blackwings info in panel six. Just nobody explicitly acknowledges that Xykon and company are almost there. And Heroinism and Stoneskin have long enough durations that they don't need to worry about them running out before the fight.
    I don't necessarily read it that way. Not impossible, but I read Roy's order to cast medium term buffs as a reaction to Blackwing's report, since he didn't say how far away Team Evil was, just that they were headed in the the Order's direction.

    Quote Originally Posted by FlawedParadigm View Post
    Hmm. It would be meaningless - indeed, harmful - to cast buffing spells if one were not expecting at least a scuffle, but I fail to see what the Order gains by engaging at this point. I suppose they could buff in CASE of a scuffle, but still hope to avoid one. Even an ambush by the Order seems unlikely to accomplish much for the Order. At best they could incapacitate Redcloak (killing him works against them) or kill Oona/Greyview...and either might rely on the MitD choosing now to step in and help the good guys. IF that were to happen, they might stand a chance against Xykon...but then even if they manage that, I would think it would be all the more difficult to sway Redcloak.

    Granted, I've had five minutes or so thinking this all through, which is more time than they've had, so they've probably not considered all the possible outcomes (if anyone, V and/or Roy.) From my current perspective, it seems to me the Order is playing a strange game when the only winning move seems to be to not play at all.
    I see it as Roy mainly being prepared if Team Evil sees through the bluff about which door they went in. Even if the Order retreats, they'll need buffs to survive long enough to do it.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Great to see the Order strategizing. Love Elan and Haley's moment.

    Good (bad?) to see Redcloak thinking his way out as well, and I like his and Oona's casual conversation.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1221 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Grey Watcher View Post
    I see it as Roy mainly being prepared if Team Evil sees through the bluff about which door they went in. Even if the Order retreats, they'll need buffs to survive long enough to do it.
    Where would they even retreat to, though?

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