OOTS #567 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Bellmaethorion]

On the one side, I have to say "Go Belkar"
but on the other, I hope they didn't need the Oracle for something else...
and now the big question, why didn't the scaly little lawyer see his own death coming?

[Aerysil]

I feel so lead on and deceived...

[Chaman]

Nice I finally get the last strip title!
the Oracle rules!!!!
Nice prophecy

[GrandDukeJerot]

Loved this one. The convoluted answers proving Belkar to cause all of their death was great. Not to mention the foreshadowing of Vaarsuvius' end by his hand. And proving that he would kill the Oracle? Priceless.

[BriarHobbit]

Wow! This one was a shocker for me. The follow up question is whether their trip to the Oracle was for nothing.

On an related issue, I am surprised that the Oracle didn't have better personal protection. Maybe a replacement Oracle is on call?

[Thanatos 51-50]

Great comic as always!
Lets hear it for the bloodthirsty halfling mucking things up for the entire party!

Also, Roy is no longer transulcent in panel 13. Is this Artist Error or something I should be making a Speculation thread about?

[Forum Explorer]

Great Comic!

And first time I managed to call something too, Booya!


Also why do I think that was a gigantic poke at these forums?

[FatJose]

I'm going to assume that Belkar has Kobolds as his favored enemy

[Nomadic]

I love how he technically caused the death of everyone else, and literally caused the death of the oracle.

[MyrddinDerwydd]

HOLY FLUTTERING KOBOLD DUST!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE BELKAR....HE DIDN'T...NO...

[DrivinAllNight]

F%#& Yeah, Go Belkar, :)

[Marcian_Tobay]

I literally applauded when I read this. I couldn't help. It's absolutely perfect in every way. This is not hyperbole. The writing in this comic factors in what the fans wanted to read, a brilliant explanation, humor, ominous foreshadowing (a la A Series of Unfortunate Events' infamous "impatient characters interrupting plot points), and a forwarding of the story.

This was a work of a truly inspired writer.

[Ent]

Looks like Roy is corporeal in the 14th... maybe he broke on through to the otherside.

[DrivinAllNight]

(snip)

Also why do I think that was a gigantic poke at these forums?

It was more of a 'shthlunk' at this forum, or just a great stab, either way, pure golden

[mroozee]

So the Oracle is dead.

New loony theory:

Spoiler

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Haley and/or Belkar hang out in the Oracle's tower pretending to be the Oracle, offering nonsense predictions to pick up some extra cash (or a favor should a high-level cleric come by).

Spoiler

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I'm still hoping that V's familiar is hanging around the Sunken Valley after fleeing the battle in Azure City.

[TigerHunter]

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: So hey, why haven't I gotten to kill anyone yet?
Oracle: Oh, you're back. You caused Roy's death by giving him the Ring of Jumping. Your prophesy's been fulfilled.
: WHAT?! That was it?!
Oracle: Maybe.
: *stab*
Oracle: I would like to change my 'maybe' to a 'no'. *dies*

This is about as close to calling something as I'll get. So: Called it!

[Vrek]

Saw the ending coming, along with half of the forum. Still freakin' great though. Pokin' fun at all the speculation here, then just offing him. Perfect.

But we must focus on the real issue here! Obviously O'Chul's holy paladin mount is... uhm... This is a tough one. How about... The Oracle's hat?
Ok ok, here we go:

But we must focus on the real issue here: O-Chul's holy paladin mount obviously is the Oracle's pointy hat!

[DanShive]

Ok, they CAN'T let that slide >_<

[Sturmjaeger]

I wonder if the Oracle saw that one coming.

[Mawhrin Skel]

HOLY FLUTTERING KOBOLD DUST!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE BELKAR....HE DIDN'T...NO...

Considering what he did to that gnome merchant, this action was entirely in character.

[Ghastly Epigram]

Even though I knew it was all coming, it was still awesome. Judging the Oracle's expression in the third to last panel, I suspect he saw it coming. Whether he REALLY saw it coming, as in looked into the future, I do not know.

And along with the gnome this looks to be building up to a mega confrontation with Belkar. I hope so, that would be interesting.

[Jonathan327]

Success! Victory Belkar.

[Dacia Brabant]

Definitely a "Take that!" moment and an excellent one at that (Rich vs. crazy forum theories as much as Belkar vs. Oracle).

Haley's got to do something with Belkar after this though, I have to think.

[Dentarg]

Belkar, it's about time that kobold died.

- Dentarg

[BooTheHamster]

OMSFSDFJFSZFHARJSDHJSFHSXJFXJHJJJCXG

That was... either awesome or terrible. BELKAR KILLING SPREE FTW!!!

I also like how Belkar just stares at him in the last panel. I would have thought he'd smile more at the death of the smart ass kobold. But, what can you do?

[David Argall]

So we seem to be on track for...

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Haley: Look, I know you were upset, but couldn't you have waited until we asked our questions?

Belkar: Aw, if he couldn't predict his own demise, his answers weren't worth much.

Party exits, stage left.
High level cleric enters stage right: Somebody wanted me to Raise Dead on a Kobold?"

Now those thinking that Belkar is going to off V had best note the distinctly loose dodge the Oracle used in regards to Miko's horse. That is not promising to the idea that Belkar is going to be using weapons to shorten the lifespan of V.

[FoE]

Heh. Didn't see that one coming.

[LuisDantas]

A momentous strip.

First of all, it leads us to wonder (again) if the party's influence over Belkar is worth the trouble. I am actually surprised that Belkar, Haley and even the Oracle himself aren't buying the explanations; I certainly find them all quite convincing, in fact.

Then again, there's the hint (inconclusive IMO) that Belkar might lead to Varsuuvius' death eventually. But for all we know he was about to explain that V won't die because of Belkar, ever.

From a plot perspective, the Oracle has just been removed as a possible Deus Ex Machina. More subtly, there is also now concrete reason to wonder how reliable his prophecies are; if he can't use them to protect his own life, maybe they aren't very useful after all.

[Paragon Badger]

I wonder if the Oracle saw that one coming.

Probably, Hence his attempted bluff check. Apparantly he didn't roll so well.