OOTS #1248 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Cygnia]

Ah, V...gotta love the basics

[Ivrytwr]

I like the whole process of V examining the situation. The light, the closed eye, the "tap-tap". V seems more effectively analytical and not just showboating.
Belkar's random act of violence is helpful too!
I especially like ... </pause-for-effect> ... the reveal.

Thanks Giant!

[RMS Oceanic]

Sometimes being wordy is useful.

[Shining Wrath]

Henceforth I shall think of all intervals between strips as being Rich doing an ominous pause.
And good work by both Belkar and V. Also, the stone inhibiting teleportation is an essential part of the dungeon; otherwise a Xykon could just pop into each tunnel and pop back out.
Also, Serini seems to be at least a little nervous. Which she probably should be.

[Gift Jeraff]

Paladins soon?

[Hurkyl]

I'm amused at throwing the nickname 'Sunshine' at Haley Starshine.

[Lord Torath]

"I didn't spot jack!" Classic.

Thanks, Rich!

[tcrudisi]

I read the final line like William Shatner. I was disappointed that it wasn't set up in different chat bubbles.

"I will have you know there is no skill more foundational to the practice of wizardry through the ages than that of the"

"ominous pause."

[Cicciograna]

Nice to see that V, after wondering why they had even one passwall prepared, decided that they would still like a way to cast that spell, even if its usefulness is not stellar. They are a Wizard, after all, "being prepared comes natural" (cit.).

[Gwynfrid]

I read the final line like William Shatner. I was disappointed that it wasn't set up in different chat bubbles.

"I will have you know there is no skill more foundational to the practice of wizardry through the ages than that of the"

"ominous pause."

That would have been too much, I think. That last line was just perfect.

[Fyraltari]

Thag carpet monster look hurt. They waited who-knows-how-long to do their one thing and they just got stabbed for it.

[Coyote0715]

Nice scream by the Trapper(?). Doesn't seem like a typical monster response.

[Schroeswald]

Thag carpet monster look hurt. They waited who-knows-how-long to do their one thing and they just got stabbed for it.

I think they need a hug, if Elan was here I’m sure he’d give them one.

[Peelee]

Also, Serini seems to be at least a little nervous. Which she probably should be.

Definitely. She's gotta be running low on tricks.

Paladins soon?

No, paladins Lein and O-Chul. Soon died.

[Great Dane]

That would have been too much, I think. That last line was just perfect.

Right - that got a straight up belly laugh from me.

[Hiro Quester]

After being trapped under the pyramid, I’m not surprised that V obtained that spell. Fool me once……

[Doug Lampert]

I like the whole process of V examining the situation. The light, the closed eye, the "tap-tap". V seems more effectively analytical and not just showboating.
Belkar's random act of violence is helpful too!
I especially like ... </pause-for-effect> ... the reveal.

Thanks Giant!

That was not random violence, that the terrain is likely to be alive and hostile is a given where they are. He gave his logic, the floor was the only thing that hadn't yet attacked them.

[HUMVEE Driver]

First off, that's not random violence. I don't think it is, at all. Roy knows it too. Start off by looking at the situation. Try to see it from their POV.

Put it all together, and what do you get? A great strip! Go, Belkar! (Elan too) :)

[elros]

I love that Belkar's random violence was actually helpful, and V's long winded response helped advance the plot. The Giant is excellent at keeping the core features of each character in the forefront while making them relevant and interesting. It's a lot harder to do that than it seems!

[Starknight62040]

Awesome Strip!

[dancrilis]

Credit to Belkar - seemingly figuring out the door monster and the floor monster based on the ceiling monsters.
More credit to Belkar - not killing the floor monster.

So far Serini has tried to use non-fatal means against the Order, escalating the situation might be a mistake.

[danielxcutter]

Heh. V's always had some understanding of theatrics though, they just didn't like it.

Also I really hope that's where her hideout is, and not some new and creative deathtrap.

[Psepha]

I'm not sure what it is specifically, but man, this strip really made me think about how much I've missed getting some solid Haley and V time. They've been established as close, but it feels like we haven't had some focused interaction between them in a while, so it's great to see them getting the joint spotlight again in this sequence (with bonus Belkar lol)

[Peelee]

And only now do I see the line in panel 2 such separated real floor from floor monster.

[elros]

Also I really hope that's where her hideout is, and not some new and creative deathtrap.

The floor in strip 1248 is similar to the walls of Serini's hideout, so I think you are right.

[KorvinStarmast]

Paladins soon?

That was my gut feel, given the color of the stone blocks and there being no doors and no windows in Serini's living quarters.

I'm amused at throwing the nickname 'Sunshine' at Haley Starshine.

That got a grin out of me.

Nice scream by the Trapper(?). Doesn't seem like a typical monster response.

That it didn't attack is unorthodox behavior for that monster, but maybe Serini's influence on them all has, like her influence on Sunny, adjusted their default behaviors.

No, paladins Lein and O-Chul. Soon died.

Obligatory groan

So far Serini has tried to use non-fatal means against the Order, escalating the situation might be a mistake.

She's playing to her own strengths.

Belkar's intuition was nice to see at work. It's almost as though he's playing as a ranger, which means that the Order is doomed!

[Yxylu]

I'm not sure what it is specifically, but man, this strip really made me think about how much I've missed getting some solid Haley and V time. They've been established as close, but it feels like we haven't had some focused interaction between them in a while, so it's great to see them getting the joint spotlight again in this sequence (with bonus Belkar lol)

It takes us way back - this was one of the original groups when they split the party all the way in comic number 2. 18 years ago.

[MoonCat]

That's very clever placement of the floor monster, acting as both a trap and camouflage of an entrance.

Can't help but feel dreadfully sorry for the poor little floor monster though.

[KorvinStarmast]

Can't help but feel dreadfully sorry for the poor little floor monster though.

The Belkster, aka Death's Little Friend, showed admirable restraint in not continuing his usual stabby routine after the initial hit. I also like how the original face is a crooked smile, but the second face is a frown (panels 6 and 7). That's a nice touch.