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    redface OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    How did Julia know the new ally was a she?

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Hee hee.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Okay, I guess this has pretty much gone into "This is not really Julia" territory pretty quickly. She immediately knew the new ally was a 'she', and that "Um, well" at Roy mentionning her presence at his audition is clearly suspicious.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by MinimanMidget View Post
    How did Julia know the new ally was a she?
    Theoretically Roy mentioned trying to find Serini earlier when they were still on the airship, during the off-panel exposition. But if he didn't.... Then yeah, that's interesting.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Resileaf View Post
    Okay, I guess this has pretty much gone into "This is not really Julia" territory pretty quickly. She immediately knew the new ally was a 'she', and that "Um, well" at Roy mentionning her presence at his audition is clearly suspicious.
    Oh, wow. That hadn't even occurred to me, but as soon as you said it, it definitely feels like it's Eugene.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by MinimanMidget View Post
    Oh, wow. That hadn't even occurred to me, but as soon as you said it, it definitely feels like it's Eugene.
    Not Eugene. Sabine. Remember, we haven't seen her new vessel the Directors mentioned yet. She could theoretically have possessed Julia and taken control of her body as a cover.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Eugene is quite good with illusion, yes, but I'm going with this being Julia. I have doubts that the sword's magic (grandpa's sword) could be fooled as regards Julia versus Eugene.
    The green glow indicates a connection to Roy's sword.
    I don't think Sabine, for example, would be able to evoke that response from the sword.
    As to the strip's final panel: "the jokes write themselves" ... except in this strip.
    All exposition. Also a nice way to show off the improved art style, which is eye pleasing to me.
    Last edited by KorvinStarmast; 2023-01-18 at 09:33 AM.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by ZhonLord View Post
    Not Eugene. Sabine. Remember, we haven't seen her new vessel the Directors mentioned yet. She could theoretically have possessed Julia and taken control of her body as a cover.
    I don't know, I just went back and reread all the Julia dialogue, and there are quite a few things that suggest to me it could be Eugene. Or it could just be confirmation bias.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    So is there actually some misprint somewhere that created two weights of broadsword? Because I automatically remembered that one time I saw a boxing match when one boxer convinced another boxer to fight in 12 oz gloves and then they had to stop the tournament because regulations were 16 oz gloves, and then I realized that's a very niche joke and probably not the point.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Tubercular Ox View Post
    So is there actually some misprint somewhere that created two weights of broadsword? Because I automatically remembered that one time I saw a boxing match when one boxer convinced another boxer to fight in 12 oz gloves and then they had to stop the tournament because regulations were 16 oz gloves, and then I realized that's a very niche joke and probably not the point.
    Roy says the lighter sword is a longsword.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    The "she" is indeed troubling, but I don't see how it could be anyone except Julia, or maybe Eugene. She's spoken way more than 25 words, so it's not a regular Sending, Sabine doesn't have the ability to possess people, the IFCC wouldn't have hesitated this way when he talked about his exam ("I was four, dumbass!" would have been much more in character if someone wanted to impersonate her, and the IFCC is competent enough for that. Also why I don't think it's Eugene. He was never seen with the surprised side eyebrows). Redcloak would have immediately known the beholder's name. I don't see many more contenders, so I put my money on "it's really Julia, with some sort of informant. Maybe Roy himself last time they talked."
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Thanks, Rich!

    I loved the last line "The jokes practically write themselves" combined with the strip title.

    Regarding Julia's assumption of the gender of their new ally: Julia's a young woman. Why would she not assume their new ally is female?
    Last edited by Lord Torath; 2023-01-18 at 09:54 AM.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Coming back to some rules-based jokes just like the really old days, I see. Refreshing and fun! Love it. Plus, Roy's thought process is interesting. He clearly doesn't overestimate his chances, a huge difference from his earlier encounters with Xykon.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Gwynfrid View Post
    Coming back to some rules-based jokes just like the really old days, I see. Refreshing and fun! Love it. Plus, Roy's thought process is interesting. He clearly doesn't overestimate his chances, a huge difference from his earlier encounters with Xykon.
    Being casually killed by Xykon probably affected that.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    I'm leaning towards it was just a continuity hiccup fixable by changing "she" to "he or she" or "they" - but I find both the "secretly Eugene" and "Julia is possessed" theories intriguing.

    Quote Originally Posted by KorvinStarmast View Post
    The green glow indicates a connection to Roy's sword.
    Not necessarily, it also just happens to be the "personal aura color" for both Eugene and Julia's magic.
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    But really, the important lesson here is this: Rather than making assumptions that don't fit with the text and then complaining about the text being wrong, why not just choose different assumptions that DO fit with the text?
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Ok, I didn't read the last strip's thread so this has probably been mentioned there, but now with the context of this strip...

    Looking at the last cartoon, Julia hears Roy's comment about her being about to call before she's there which is kind of weird. He says it before he sits down, she's not there yet (she probably appears the next panel when Roy sits and the panel zooms in on him), and there's no reason for her to be able to hear him. The sword provides a connection, but it not an cellphone (with Zoom or whatever). You can't just randomly hear family members near it. And she's also a little taken aback by the whole sword-connection-thing in an oddly alarmed sort of way. Plus, there is the connection but it only worked with Eugene after he died and to help him with manifesting. The comments and surprise and whatnot don't feel like Eugene, though, who would probably die (again. And again) rather than admit Roy knows more about any aspect of magic.

    My money is that its Sabine who was stalking the party invisibly and is taking the appearance of Julia's projection while actually physically being there.

    Edit - So, to sum up: Sabine is stalking the Order invisibly for reasons. She's cautious and keeping her distance because she knows who Serini is and Epic rogues are hard to stealth around. Roy is the first person to wander out by himself so she spies on him. He mentions Julia calling him, and Sabine decides on the spot to imitate Julia calling him. Which makes sense, Roy's a good candidate to spy on. He's probably the most attractive combination of "valuable knowledge and bad Sense Motive/overall perception" member of the party, plus for her specifically if things go badly he's probably the most pleasant member of the party to deal with. She and Haley *hate* each other, Belkar is a psychopath, Elan is useless, and if things go badly both V and Durkon have the potential to mess her up far more than Roy. Imitating someone's sibling is a high-risk endeavor but Sabine actually knows Julia pretty well, having been cooped up with her for a couple days in that warehouse. So Sabine gives it a shot, and I think she's rolling like a "7". She's not doing terribly, but once you start looking at the details you can see mistakes all over the place.
    Last edited by Crusher; 2023-01-18 at 10:16 AM.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    Not necessarily, it also just happens to be the "personal aura color" for both Eugene and Julia's magic.
    Yep..
    Quote Originally Posted by Psyren View Post
    I'm leaning towards it was just a continuity hiccup fixable by changing "she" to "he or she" or "they"
    Or Julia could just default to assuming women, just like how people URL can default to assuming a gender.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Awww, Siblings for the win.
    Thanks Giant.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Peelee View Post
    Or Julia could just default to assuming women, just like how people URL can default to assuming a gender.
    That makes sense as well. I've read a few novels with women protagonists who tend to use "she" for characters of unknown gender.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by hamishspence View Post
    That makes sense as well. I've read a few novels with women protagonists who tend to use "she" for characters of unknown gender.
    Yeah, there's definitely an epileptic tree growing somewhere arround here.

    I mean, it could be true that this is someone other than Julia, but which third person pronoun choice to use for an unknown person is not really decisive information.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Honestly, I think the sudden hesitance when talking about why she doesn't remember is a bigger clue then the pronouns, although that IS odd, yes.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by woweedd View Post
    Honestly, I think the sudden hesitance when talking about why she doesn't remember is a bigger clue then the pronouns, although that IS odd, yes.
    Yeah. 2nd to last panel is the point where Roy starts getting suspicious, imo. I suspect the next strip will be Roy carefully trying to figure out who it is, and end with a reveal.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Crusher View Post
    Yeah. 2nd to last panel is the point where Roy starts getting suspicious, imo. I suspect the next strip will be Roy carefully trying to figure out who it is, and end with a reveal.
    Something happening would be a nice change.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by MinimanMidget View Post
    How did Julia know the new ally was a she?
    Quote Originally Posted by Resileaf View Post
    Okay, I guess this has pretty much gone into "This is not really Julia" territory pretty quickly. She immediately knew the new ally was a 'she', and that "Um, well" at Roy mentionning her presence at his audition is clearly suspicious.
    Wait what?
    Roy mentions "a bugbear ranger and her pet warg".
    So when he says "she's new", Julia immediately thinks he's speaking about Oona.

    It could be suspicious if Julia had immediately thought he was speaking about Minrah, but it's entirely normal that she thinks he speaks about Oona.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Quild View Post
    Wait what?
    Roy mentions "a bugbear ranger and her pet warg".
    So when he says "she's new", Julia immediately thinks he's speaking about Oona.

    It could be suspicious if Julia had immediately thought he was speaking about Minrah, but it's entirely normal that she thinks he speaks about Oona.
    No, they're talking about Panel 1.
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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Quild View Post
    Wait what?
    Roy mentions "a bugbear ranger and her pet warg".
    So when he says "she's new", Julia immediately thinks he's speaking about Oona.

    It could be suspicious if Julia had immediately thought he was speaking about Minrah, but it's entirely normal that she thinks he speaks about Oona.
    They mean the first panel, when Roy says "We found a new ally" and Julia replies "And you think she'll help you defeat Xykon?", i.e. Serini.

    I had to look it up, too. Was just as confused as you.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Ruck View Post
    Hee hee.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    Okay, I'm really getting the feeling something's off with Julia too. In addition to what's been said, she also correctly guesses the gender of the "bugbear ranger" and her expression towards the end is one of fear, not confusion.
    Edit: right "her warg" but the other point stands.

    I've re-read their first conversation of this book and I am confident that one is really Julia (she knows the Greenhilts' family drama too well, including Eugene's opinion on gods and him and Roy being estranged, and she confidently corrects Roy about her age instead of rolling with it) but this time? Something feels amiss. I have no theory to explain it though.
    Last edited by Fyraltari; 2023-01-18 at 10:49 AM.

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    Default Re: OOTS #1273 - The Discussion Thread

    In the last panel, Roy mentions that his sister hadn't been making fun of him all these years for that, so she must have not remembered it for a very long time, otherwise she would have been using it against him long before now. But cool theory about this not being Julia.

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