OOTS #1252 - The Discussion Thread

[danielxcutter]

Sunny is a child. Sure she is a child beholder, but still a child and not even fully developed (eight eyestalks instead of 10). Not really morally responsible to bring a child to a fight.

While I agree with the general premise entirely, I wonder why Serini brought Sunny to fight the Order then. Did she underestimate them that badly?

[JonahFalcon]

And that's how you use a high CHA stat!
Or, as it is known in other fanbases, talk-no-jutsu

Well, even Elan knew that charming people wasn't enough, hence Dashing Swordsman.

While I agree with the general premise entirely, I wonder why Serini brought Sunny to fight the Order then. Did she underestimate them that badly?

Sunny is not a child. S/he's childlike. In combat, Sunny is devastating, but s/he isn't (apparently) the Lawful Evil type, so s/he didn't use any lethal abilities. For one, s/he didn't Petrify Haley when it would have killed her.

And even then, Sunny is on the side of Good (apparently), and Elan has an 18 Charisma, and Serini left the two alone with a long time to converse. When Elan healed one of Sunny's allies/friends, that and Elan's charm was enough to convince him/her to stand down.

You honestly think Xykon could do the same?

[Peelee]

not even fully developed (eight eyestalks instead of 10).

[citation needed]

D&D beholders are not Stickworld Eye Tyrants.

[danielxcutter]

I mean it’s entirely reasonable to assume Sunny’s not an adult by how they act.

[JonahFalcon]

Hey Rich! This is the second strip you titled "Tied Up Nicely"! I call foul!

https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0189.html

[Fyraltari]

I mean it’s entirely reasonable to assume Sunny’s not an adult by how they act.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Hey Rich! This is the second strip you titled "Tied Up Nicely"! I call foul!

https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0189.html

Perhaps it can be renamed "Tied Up Nicely II"

[KorvinStarmast]

Sunny is a child. Sure she is a child beholder, but still a child and not even fully developed (eight eyestalks instead of 10). Not really morally responsible to bring a child to a fight.

This is a "no sale" position.
1. I still call my mom "Mom" and yet I am hardly a child. (We have two kids and one grandchild)
2. Elan is as naive as Sunny, and as generally good hearted, but Elan isn't a child.
3. Thog had a lot of "child like" sentiments expressed and Thog was not a child.

I mean it’s entirely reasonable to assume Sunny’s not an adult by how they act.

See above.

[pendell]

Gotta say I'm glad Sunny's alive and I hope ze lives through the story. I also demand a plushie!

Not so much a funny strip as a warm-hearted one. Thank you, Giant!

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Wraithfighter]

Another factor might be whether the players roll for their saves out in the open or if the DM does it - in the former, it's just bad luck, but with the latter I can see accusations being thrown.

...yeah, I picture the whole group razzing the hell out of Durkon's player for failing a DC 18 Fort Save when they needed a high-level Cleric most :D.

[KorvinStarmast]

Gotta say I'm glad Sunny's alive and I hope ze lives through the story. I also demand a plushie!

That's a nice ask, not sure if Rich will add that to the store, but maybe next year's Christmas ornament?

[ThievesHand]

I am not too familiar with forums, so if I posted this in the wrong section, please bare with me.

I noticed this page seemed to have an error in it! Maybe I missed something, but the halfling woman's textbox in the second panel was no longer green coloured, whereas it has been so far, and continued to be in later boxes.

I figured I'd share, hoping Rich would read and appreciate it.

In which case, holy **** Rich, I think I've been silently aware of OotS since 2005... Your stuff is actually part of my childhood. Sorry, just had to mention that too...

[CuChullain]

Hi, long-time reader, first-time poster.

Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere or is bleedingly obvious for those better acquainted with beholders, but why does the colour palette for things in Sunny's gaze change to be duller/more pastelle?

[hungrycrow]

Hi, long-time reader, first-time poster.

Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere or is bleedingly obvious for those better acquainted with beholders, but why does the colour palette for things in Sunny's gaze change to be duller/more pastelle?

It's an artistic rendition of their antimagic cone. Same thing happened when the Ancient Black Dragon was casting Anti-magic Field.

[CuChullain]

It's an artistic rendition of their antimagic cone. Same thing happened when the Ancient Black Dragon was casting Anti-magic Field.

Ah, ok. Thank you.

[brian 333]

Gotta say... I also demand a plushie!

Respectfully,

Brian P.

My unsolicited advice is to make a plushie and mail it to Mr.Burlew so he can see exactly how it should look. (My inner Zapp highly recommends the look and sensuous feel of velour.)

Then, after he submits your model for reproduction, manufactures a few dozen for test marketing, and offers them for auction, you can submit your bid on his 'Fund My Funny' page. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to win one.

[Mic_128]

Sunny is a child. Sure she is a child beholder, but still a child and not even fully developed (eight eyestalks instead of 10). Not really morally responsible to bring a child to a fight.

Even if it was a child (with Elan and Thog, need more proof than just "behaves childlike") the literal world is at stake here and they need every arrow in their quiver. It's not as if the Gods will spare Sunny when they tear up creation.

[JonahFalcon]

Even if it was a child (with Elan and Thog, need more proof than just "behaves childlike") the literal world is at stake here and they need every arrow in their quiver. It's not as if the Gods will spare Sunny when they tear up creation.

Sunny almost singlehandedly defeated the Order, and it was only because Elan managed to make her blink that they even survived.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Sunny is a child. Sure she is a child beholder, but still a child and not even fully developed (eight eyestalks instead of 10). Not really morally responsible to bring a child to a fight.

I would tend to agree, but like with Minrah who isn't of appropriate level for these encounters, the stakes are not only everyone is going to die anyway unless they try to help, but their very souls could also be destroyed.

It's actually more dangerous for the folks who make no effort to help.

As long as the dangers are explained in advance, I think you can remove age or level restrictions from this. It's not actually safe anywhere and everyone's permanent doom is imminent.

Situations like these, you're allowed to make an informed grown-up decision. It may be the only one you ever get.

That said, I rely hope they don't have to rely on Sunny. The creature is very likely to be harmed by that encounter, or die.

At least there's a nicer afterlife waiting for Sunny. It would be extremely cruel not to send Sunny to the very best place.

[Sebastian]

While the true answer is probably "don't think too much about it", it could also be that the wall simply doesn't immediately reappear when out of the anti-magic zone, and Sunny has just enough time to pass through by going quickly enough.

If I remember the rules correctly, as long as one part of the wall is hit by the antimagic ray the wall is dispelled. All Sunny need to do is keep his eye on the wall (i.e. looking on the side) and it is fine.

Alternatively, Wall of stone don't form if something occupy the same space, even when the antimagic ray is not applied as long as something (Sunny, for example) is in the way the wall won't appear.

[Nymrod]

[citation needed]

D&D beholders are not Stickworld Eye Tyrants.

Truth be told, the previous Eye Tyrant also only had eight eyestalks and was mysteriously Medium-sized.

[Athas]

So, basically Carrot Ironfoundersson?

Was Carrot Machiavellian? I genuinely don't remember him not being genuine?

[Fyraltari]

Was Carrot Machiavellian? I genuinely don't remember him not being genuine?

It's strongly suspected by several characters (his mentor and his girlfriend), that he's far less naïve than he appears to be and his consciously using narrative causality to his (and, frankly, most people's) advantage.

[Turin_19]

I also demand a plushie!


Brian P.

I'd go ahead and say that there should also be a Franklin and maybe a nice doormat of the floor monster.

[Mic_128]

That said, I rely hope they don't have to rely on Sunny. The creature is very likely to be harmed by that encounter, or die.

At least there's a nicer afterlife waiting for Sunny. It would be extremely cruel not to send Sunny to the very best place.

Huh. Do we know if monsters go to an afterlife? I know that Outsiders don't, they just die-die, but things like bugbears? Rats? The white-tentacle-squid-guys-whose-name-I've-forgotten?

[faustin]

It seems Serini and Harley's dad have similar problems regarding parental skills and trust issues. Is it a rogue thing?

[danielxcutter]

Huh. Do we know if monsters go to an afterlife? I know that Outsiders don't, they just die-die, but things like bugbears? Rats? The white-tentacle-squid-guys-whose-name-I've-forgotten?

Basically anything with Int 3+ that isn’t an extraplanar outsider or undead goes to some afterlife, I think.

[Fyraltari]

Huh. Do we know if monsters go to an afterlife? I know that Outsiders don't, they just die-die, but things like bugbears? Rats? The white-tentacle-squid-guys-whose-name-I've-forgotten?

We've seen bugbears in The Dark One's army of the dead.

[Ezekiel]

The white-tentacle-squid-guys-whose-name-I've-forgotten?

Those guys are Flumphs

[Skull the Troll]

Those guys are Flumphs

And we saw a Ghost Roy land on ghost Flumph when he came down the material plane to check on things.