OOTS #943 - The Discussion Thread

[The Pilgrim]

I suppose a Chaos Sabre will not be of particular efficiency against Xykon (thats why Julio mentions he doesn't needs it in CG-aligned Arborea).

Against Redcloak, on the other hand...

[RMS Oceanic]

Also, to keep with previous music recommendations, I think this will be a great wind-down/send off.

[Shale]

I would be shocked if Rich plans to follow up OOTS with another series with the same characters or setting.

[Kish]

Launching a new series is helped by advertisement in an existing series that is popular with the target audience, such as spotlight time of the main character. By the time OotS finishes and a new series starting, assuming that's what the author plans, a retired Julio will be forgotten. It's seems odd to deliberately drop a marketing opportunity. Assuming the author doesn't have another plan in mind.

If he were to avoid handling any character people on the forum were imagining as central to another comic series in a way that's incompatible with that expectation, the story he's actually writing would be poorer for it.

[RMS Oceanic]

I suppose a Chaos Sabre will not be of particular efficiency against Xykon (thats why Julio mentions he doesn't needs it in CG-aligned Arborea).

Against Redcloak, on the other hand...

To be fair his previous rapier wouldn't have been much use either.

That monk they didn't hire in Origin of PCs would be the best hitter against Xykon, thanks to Damage Reduction.

[Aotrs Commander]

Classy. And hysterical.

[factotum]

It appears that we now have a story problem. The nature of Julio's character means he has to always be the centre of attention, so how do we get rid of him so that he doesn't overshadow our heroes?

Our author has written himself into a corner here, it would seem.

Er, what? You may be confusing Julio with Tarquin--at no point in any of his appearances has Julio been the centre of attention, and in fact, he's been largely sidelined since the Mechane made its re-appearance. There's no problem at all with him leaving now, and no doubt Julio himself is anxious to avoid the potential "aged mentor gets killed by the Big Bad" storyline he can see himself occupying if he stays with Elan.

[Anarion]

Classy. And hysterical.

Indeed.

I actually hope that we end up seeing V's discussion with Roy on panel. There was some conjecture put off when the IFCC gagged V, not to mention how Roy will handle the whole soul-selling thing if details are disclosed. It would be very wordy, but they're words I want to read.

[Dracon1us]

OMG that was an hysterical gag

Elan really stole the show this book; All others PGs are beautifully detailed and animated , but are the classics pillar of heroes, (the Warrior, the Wise, The Wizard, The Trickster, and The Action Girl) but Elan to me is really your Original Creation...your masterpiece.

[Gwynfrid]

Indeed.

I actually hope that we end up seeing V's discussion with Roy on panel. There was some conjecture put off when the IFCC gagged V, not to mention how Roy will handle the whole soul-selling thing if details are disclosed. It would be very wordy, but they're words I want to read.

I've been looking forward to V coming clean, and the consequences, but I don't think a whole retelling on-panel would be practical. There's just to much to say, even without accounting for V's wordiness. Plus, we already know what happened, so the value of it would be low.

Unless the Giant surprises me. That wouldn't be the first time.

(Also: Hilarious comic. Truly great, classic Elan comedy).

[Shale]

Er, what? You may be confusing Julio with Tarquin--at no point in any of his appearances has Julio been the centre of attention, and in fact, he's been largely sidelined since the Mechane made its re-appearance. There's no problem at all with him leaving now, and no doubt Julio himself is anxious to avoid the potential "aged mentor gets killed by the Big Bad" storyline he can see himself occupying if he stays with Elan.

Pst...parodying Argall doesn't work if if the comment has any relationship to reality.

[Nimrod's Son]

Er, what? You may be confusing Julio with Tarquin

...or you may be confusing me with someone who isn't paraphrasing the already-shaky arguments of a certain infamous forum-user ever since Julio reappeared (arguments which have been smacked down flat in this latest installment).

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!

[Storm_Of_Snow]

Brilliant, Sir Giant, just brilliant. Advance the story, move a potentially story-breaking NPC out of the way without killing them, re-equip a protagonist, and get a great joke in all at the same time.

And possibly a nice little callback to Kazumi and Daigo in #473 as well.

Although I'd kind of have expected Haley to have her arms crossed to go with her irritated expression in the last panel.

It's not in the SRD, but I'm assuming that it's an alignment-based weapon like Axiomatic and that ilk - which means it gets a damage bonus against Lawful enemies. So Elan has a sword that's not much help against Xykon, but will get a boost against Redcloak ( and Tarquin).

Yep, Anarchic is the ability we're looking for. I'm guessing the Chaos Sabre's probably no worse than a +4 (as Elan's previous weapon as a keen +3).

[Osiris]

Hilarious! :Julio: Not here!

EDIT: We'll miss Julio and his puns. May he rest and relax in peace

[Angralad]

Ah yes! Cardinal rule number 1, before leaving ANY premises go pee first. Specially before flying out. Julio is one sensible dude!

[Caex]

Julio's shenanigans never fail to get a laugh out of me. That second to last panel was priceless.

[Breccia]

Ah, Bandana gets a well-earned promotion. ROUGH SEAS AHEAD!

[CoffeeIncluded]

Oh man, this one was great. I can't wait to see what happens with V too (hopefully next comic!)

What is this plane Julio is vacationing on though?

[Kish]

The chaotic good plane.

The plane where Shojo has his afterlife, presumably.

[Trillium]

Hm, why would Julio need to go to the bathroom before flying, if he is using flying carpet?
I mean, c'mon, he's Chaotic...

[AutomatedTeller]

nice!! I did not see the joke coming, though it's completely inline with OOTS.

[Dunsparce]

Julio used the Chaos Sabre against Tarquin. In the thread of the comic that first showed it, people were asking what a Chaos sabre was and IIRC the Giant said it's an Anarchic weapon but he renamed it so those who don't play D&D would get a better idea of what it was.

[Ron Miel]

RE: the whole speaking behind Elan gag ...

Will a future strip reveal that Julio is actually Kazumi Kato's father?

Yeah, cigar, hairstyle, I know.

[jidasfire]

Huh. Usually when I try to predict stuff that's going to happen in the comic, I'm super off-base, but in this case, I did kind of predict Julio's retirement and his handing the Chaos Sabre over to Elan. Now if Elan gets Tarquin's whip and Belkar gets his dagger, I'll be on a streak (that probably won't happen though)!

Also, I'm very curious to see how Roy reacts to V confessing his/her crimes. While I can't imagine Roy tossing out one of his most powerful teammates, V blundered really badly and did some stuff bad enough make Belkar himself blanch.

[Joe the Rat]

That was... pretty funny.

Hm, why would Julio need to go to the bathroom before flying, if he is using flying carpet?
I mean, c'mon, he's Chaotic...

There are some things you really don't want to try to do off the side of moving upholstery.

[DreadArchon]

I did not see that voice-over joke coming AT ALL.

Brilliant!

[Weimann]

So, people in the know, what is a Chaos Sabre?

[Iberean]

Any one else picking up echoes of "Dread Pirate Roberts" in the handing over the ship to Elan

[Glich]

It's a typical story writing tool that hitting someone on the head will cause them convenient amnesia. It might be what he's talking about here.

No it means use the toilet. The head is the bathroom of a ship.. shesh..