OOTS #1269 - The Discussion Thread

[Ruck]

The comic 1269 is currently placed between 1266 and 1267 on the archive page, for some reason.

Yeah, same. Which threw me in particular because my browser loves loading the cached archive page and I usually have to refresh a couple of times to load properly.

I cracked up at "I'd like to point out that you had plenty of opportunity to tell him not to do that."

[WanderingMist]

I dunno about the dictionary, but when I've heard people use the word, it's been closer to "amused" than "confused".

That happens when people see a word and don't bother looking it up before using it conversation to appear smart because they think they know what it means.

[georgie_leech]

Bemused:

Amused:

[dancrilis]

I'm starting to think that halflings in this setting have an optional Sadistic Jerk racial trait.

Why optional?

*Amused. "Bemused" means "confused".

I dunno about the dictionary, but when I've heard people use the word, it's been closer to "amused" than "confused".

It can mean either:

1 : marked by confusion or bewilderment : dazed
3 : having or showing feelings of wry amusement especially from something that is surprising or perplexing

[Tzardok]

In other words, people have been getting it wrong for so long that dictionaries have started to accept it. By the by, what's meaning number 2?

[bunsen_h]

Now, I don't know the original rules or the new ones, but if you're gonna complain about them getting bonuses, you should complain about them getting to use an AC at all, since logically a paralyzed character would be helpless entirely while their enemies removed their armor.

Only if the enemies take the time to remove the armour, I'd expect. Not likely in the middle of combat with other stuff going on, but possible, and quite reasonable if the fighting is essentially over and nobody is able to act in support of the paralysed character.

In 3.5, they're 10 intelligent. They're only 5 intelligent in 5e, though. Can't find any stats for 4e mimics, but I extrapolate that they'd be roughly 8.3 intelligent.

Belkar has ranks in two skills: Profession (gourmet chef) and Knowledge (prank-worthy trivia).

Nitpickery: "interpolate" is probably more appropriate than "extrapolate". Belkar clearly also has knowledge of Judy Garland movies.

[Laurentio III]

Because he's been faking character development, I'm sure I've read on the forum about how he's neutral and tending toward good by now.

Didn't he gained a couple levels as Paladin a few pages ago?

[Coventry]

Ahhh, evening the score with Durkon for his tacit complicity in the past.

[Particle_Man]

Why optional?

Because according to the angel that was meant to be on Belkar's shoulder and is spending some time recovering from the trauma, halflings are supposed to be jolly.

https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0435.html

So at least as a baseline, halflings don't automatically have the sadistic jerk trait. Clearly some of them can.

[WanderingMist]

In other words, people have been getting it wrong for so long that dictionaries have started to accept it. By the by, what's meaning number 2?

Also Merriam-Webster:
2: lost in thought or reverie

----------------------------------------------------

I don't mind that people in the past used words incorrectly and that changing their meaning over time. It's not like literacy was widespread and dictionaries were even less so. However, now, is different. Now most people have constant access to a dictionary so misusing words because you're too lazy to look them up is unacceptable. Looking at you, "literally", the poster child for this phenomenon.

[NobleCuriosity]

The comic 1269 is currently placed between 1266 and 1267 on the archive page, for some reason.

Echoing this in hopes of helping get it fixed.

Also, I really liked the “why would I own five stools?” bit—though it does provoke the question of “wait, why do you own THREE?”

[faustin]

Is Serini going to become Belkar's new mentor, provided they both survive?

[Crimsonmantle]

Echoing this in hopes of helping get it fixed.

Also, I really liked the “why would I own five stools?” bit—though it does provoke the question of “wait, why do you own THREE?”

Why indeed. Probably because she's still withholding info about her other roomie?

Human intelligence but slightly beastial mindset.

You're thinking of halflihg rangers.

[GreatWyrmGold]

In other words, people have been getting it wrong for so long that dictionaries have started to accept it.

When it comes to language, use dictates meaning. Well, also the context of that use—the use of "theory" in scientific contexts is radically different from its use in casual contexts, to the continuing frustration of anti-creationists.

Nitpickery: "interpolate" is probably more appropriate than "extrapolate".

Hm, fair point. I never gave that much thought to the precise meaning of "extrapolate," but I do like being precise.

Also, I really liked the “why would I own five stools?” bit—though it does provoke the question of “wait, why do you own THREE?”

Some of her monster buddies like to sit down, I guess?

That, or she's keeping extras around for spare parts when her main stool breaks down.

[Mad Humanist]

This strip reminds me of a song. As far as I can remember the lyrics:


Mimics to the left of me.
Rogues to the right of me.
Stuck in a meeting with you.

[PontificatusRex]

The Belkster's gotta Belk.

[Edward15]

Yep. Still evil.

Great prank though.

Not true. You don't have to be evil to play such a joke. Harmless fun with your teammates doesn't go down in the celestial records.

[WanderingMist]

Not true. You don't have to be evil to play such a joke. Harmless fun with your teammates doesn't go down in the celestial records.

Roy's conversation with the deva seems to indicate otherwise. It's only childhood escapades that get overlooked. That said, this clearly still isn't an Evil action.

[georgie_leech]

However, now, is different. Now most people have constant access to a dictionary so misusing words because you're too lazy to look them up is unacceptable. Looking at you, "literally", the poster child for this phenomenon.

While I'm sympathetic to this opinion, "literally" has been used in the figurative sense for literally centuries. The fight might be lost on that front.

[warmachine]

According to SRD, a Mimic can dissolve its adhesive at will, has INT 10, and can speak Common. It should be possible to persuade one to unstick from Durkon. May have to calm it down first.

[Breccia]

I did not think "it's stuck to me butt" would be a line in this comic. Ever.

And then I remembered. Belkar.

[Shining Wrath]

Serini and Belkar, two of a kind.

And Serini has some more helpers beside just mimics, I'll warrant.

[GreatWyrmGold]

I don't mind that people in the past used words incorrectly and that changing their meaning over time. It's not like literacy was widespread and dictionaries were even less so. However, now, is different. Now most people have constant access to a dictionary so misusing words because you're too lazy to look them up is unacceptable. Looking at you, "literally", the poster child for this phenomenon.

SO, you're saying that you're fine that words changed meaning in the past, but since you think it's possible to freeze language in place due to the Internet, you think it's suddenly bad?

Look, I don't like that "literally" is frequently used as a mere intensifier, like most of its past synonyms. But it's one thing to say that I don't like a phenomenon in this specific case, it's another to say that we should call out people for not using the Canonical Definition of Words (as established by Noah Webster in 1806).

[Kish]

"A well placed short rest..." Is The Giant referencing 5e now?

Sure*. He said when 4ed came out that while the comic wasn't getting "updated," he wouldn't hesitate to use it as a source of jokes--"I go where the humor takes me."

*Well, 4ed or 5ed; a short rest could be a reference to either.

Or someone could come in here and say it's actually a reference to Tome of Battle because that introduced the idea of five minutes of something doing something.

[maxon]

While I'm sympathetic to this opinion, "literally" has been used in the figurative sense for literally centuries. The fight might be lost on that front.

If you want an example of word abuse, I offer you 'simplistic'. The times I've squawked 'you mean 'simple' you moron...'

[Kantaki]

Not true. You don't have to be evil to play such a joke. Harmless fun with your teammates doesn't go down in the celestial records.

Eh, I'd call it a very, very minor evil act.
Not enough for a black mark, but at least paladins probably shouldn't do it (too often)*.

Keep doing it and the deva reviewing your case might not immediately toss you into the true neutral bin, but they might nag you. A lot.

And in Belkar's case? Well, it's barely even a blip, but as part of his general behaviour?
Even taking into account his (probably not entirely) faked character development, it still puts him south of neutral.

*Not calling it fall worthy, much less a Miko grade level of disapproval, but it definitely shouldn't be a habit.

[Riftwolf]

Currently wondering if seat glue mimic will be the ace in the hole during Redcloak negotiations.

[Jervis]

Currently wondering if seat glue mimic will be the ace in the hole during Redcloak negotiations.

Turns out they secretly have mage slayer so he can't cast spells during the negotiation.

[Sigako]

In AD&D regular mimic has Int 8-10 and is capable of speech and bargaining. While voracious, they are reasonable.
Killer mimic is an animal with Int 2-4 and attacks on sight everything small enough to be its prey.

That's not really 3 or 3.5 ed, but The Order of the Scribble is technically from earlier editions.

[brionl]

At least in 3.5, if you attack a mimic with a weapon, you have to make a strength check(?) or get automatically disarmed because your weapon is stuck in the glue.

I'm pretty sure the glue thing has been there since the OD&D.