OOTS #762 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Teatime]

{scrubbed}
Awesome comic!

I was expecting Tarquin to turn out to be a dashing swordsman as well. Guess he's just prepared for really obscure prestige classes.

[CarpeGuitarrem]

No, Elan! Don't fall for it!

[Burner28]

Again, Tarquin is showing his moral relativism. Doesn't mean he's an antivillain though

"Limted and unrealistic alignment system", eh Tarquin?

[AstralFire]

I'm liking Tarquin more and more, especially if this doesn't turn out to be a ploy. He's... not just affably evil, he's more than genre-savvy, he's genre-inured.

[hamishspence]

I wouldn't be surprised if Tarquin is being honest in this case.

Though the issue of Roy and Belkar may still be a source of tension when Elan finds out.

[RayGallade]

Really like Tarquin's style of character. Definitely a fresh take on evil.

And it's nice to see that he still cares for Elan.

Also, yay~ I was correct in assuming he wasn't a Dashing Swordsman~

[Zerg Cookie]

Kinda weak compared to recent updates, yet still awesome compared to, I don't know, the world.

[CodeRed]

Tarquin is bloody brilliant. I hate liking a clearly evil dude this much but he is such a badass.

As to the writing, Rich continues to knock it out of the park. I've been with this comic since the Dungeon of Dorukan and I am more than happy to admit that its kept me on my toes since the beginning. The writing has only gotten better and better as time goes on. This arc in the Empire of Blood has been my favorite so far but I'm betting I will feel the same about the next one.

[RndmNumGen]

I love how Tarquin is helping his son out of his own self-interest, once again proving you can be Evil without doing it for the Evulz.

[Aotrs Commander]

Excellent.

A man after my own (metaphorical) heart. I have to agree with Tarquin's logic. Just becaue you're evil doesn't mean you can't be civilised (sic) about it; nor does it mean - despite Team Evil jokes to the contrary - that all Evil is on the same side. Only the foolish make more enemies than they have to, and expend resources to doing something (e.g. stopping Xycon) that they could otherwise get some other patsy (e.g. the Order of the Stick) to do for them...

[Dunamin]

Just when I thought he couldn't impress me anymore, Tarquin exceeds my expectations - again!

[Halae]

This is very good. I like Tarquin, especially after that "It was bracing!" line. I'm going to have to pull that in one of my own games.

And the point of it being beneficial to him as well that Xykon is stopped is priceless. it's the big reason why I like having evil rulers in my campaigns, as I've used it before. Perhaps not so affably, but still

[Morph Bark]

They really are going faster than before, these updates. Oh my!

[bue52]

Rich you have truly made some interesting evil characters, we have everything from Xykon to Tarquin to Nale. I pity your awesome brain who'd to work so long to come up with so many characters, I appreciate the work done, its truly a masterpiece. Can't wait to see what Elan will learn from Tarquin. I also wonder what nature of conflict will occur when Roy comes back into the picture. Or how Draketooth will handle the offspring of the dictator of the lands come and tell him that his gate is threatened. And Elan is probably going to have to grow to either accept his father or appreciate his love but reject his methods all the same, either way, its development for him.

On a side note, when will we have another Durkon arc, its been too long for him not to at least have one page focused on his character

Lastly, I bet 5 chocolate chip cookies that within the next 2 days will get a new alignment thread regarding Tarquin alignment again.

[Caliphbubba]

Tarquin is my kind of villian. I want him to tell Elan his alignment is "Aberrant" instead of Evil a la Palladium, cause I think that fits better in his case.

[hamishspence]

Just becaue you're evil doesn't mean you can't be civilised (sic) about it; nor does it mean - despite Team Evil jokes to the contrary - that all Evil is on the same side.

The IFCC point this out to Qaar here:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html

[Mordae]

Well, that's a twist off the old block...

[Flickerdart]

I bet that a few strips down the line, a ring of Regeneration will come in handy, but Elan didn't take it and so everyone dies.

[Kane]

Wow. Comic just up, I guess that kind of makes up for being woken up an hour early.

Tarquin is busy being hilariously evil and affable, (and intelligent!) Elan isn't quite as dim witted as he used to be, but still the Elan we know and love (or in Roy's case, tolerate,) and the comics are suddenly coming really quickly.

Seriously, though, 'defend yourself' from obscure prestige classes? A pun-duel? Tarquin is... I guess he's putting his advanced age category and wisdom modifier to good use.

[TheBlackShadow]

As I have said before many times, my respect for Tarquin grows by the strip.

[Burner28]

Tarquin is my kind of villian. I want him to tell Elan his alignment is "Aberrant" instead of Evil a la Palladium, cause I think that fits better in his case.

Huh? What do you mean by that, he is clearly Evil!

[hamishspence]

I bet that a few strips down the line, a ring of Regeneration will come in handy, but Elan didn't take it and so everyone dies.

Unlikely- but I wouldn't be surprised if, say, Belkar's death is done in such a way as only quickly giving him the Ring would have saved him.

[Morph Bark]

I bet that a few strips down the line, a ring of Regeneration will come in handy, but Elan didn't take it and so everyone dies.

Who do you consider a part of "everyone"?

[Asthix]

"Bracing."

That got a good laugh outta me. Thanks Giant!

[Lorin]

More! More Tarquin! He is hilarious!

Hm. At this point i wonder: wil we see epic fight between army of goblins and army of blood?

[hamishspence]

Huh? What do you mean by that, he is clearly Evil!

Easydamus puts Aberrant as a variant of Lawful Evil:

http://easydamus.com/lawfulevil.html

Here are some possible adjectives describing lawful evil characters: cruel, vengeful, proud, callous, hostile, taciturn, malevolent, calculating, plotting, merciless, domineering, severe, tyrannical, commanding, organized, and respectful of authority and power.

Well known lawful evil characters from film or literature include: Darth Vader (Star Wars), Magneto (Marvel Comics), Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter), and the Borg (Star Trek, the Next Generation).

Equivalent alignment in other game systems: Aberrant (Palladium), Road of Blood (Vampire), Dark Side (Star Wars), Evil (Warhammer).

[The-Mage-King]

{scrubbed}

Very interesting...

[lord pringle]

am I the only one who thought some sort of blue mage? I see you're punning so I'll pun back better.

[TheBlackShadow]

Lastly, I bet 5 chocolate chip cookies that within the next 2 days will get a new alignment thread regarding Tarquin alignment again.

No bet. We'll probably get one within the next ten minutes or so, never mind the next two days.