OOTS #1217 - The Discussion Thread

[KorvinStarmast]

... the fact that Middle Earth is, like, actually flat and then suddenly became not-flat and that's just like. a reasoning for why elves can see really far like it was a normal thing ...

It was a lot easier to iron when it was flat. But now, like a satsuma, it is wrinkly.

[Goblin_Priest]

Let me nip-tick a bit. The subject of understatement was "sealing ritual," and the cloak isn't required to do that. Be a priest of the dark one is because of quiddity color. The cloak is indeed necessary for the second half of the week(s?)-long ritual that moves the gate.

Occasionally, it also contains hyper specific mind-breaking revelations about LOTR! Every couple days or so I remember when people were discussing a couple pages back the fact that Middle Earth is, like, actually flat and then suddenly became not-flat and that's just like. a reasoning for why elves can see really far like it was a normal thing and I feel like a wrinkled up dried satsuma. Ignorant to the beautiful, terrible machinations of the universe.

So... uhm... they've got bent retinas or something to match? :P

[Fyraltari]

The original design for Middle-Earth was, I kid you not, a cosmic ship sailing through the heavens.

Later on Tolkien decided on a flat world that was curved when Sauron convinced the human king Âr-Pharazon to attack the Undying Lands of the West in a doomed attempt to become immortal. The curvature of Arda (Earth) making it impossible for Men to reach the True West since they eventually end uo East. Elves, however can still sail on the Straight Path and reach the True West. The idea that Elves can see farther than Men because they don't see the curve is, to my knowledge, something fans came up with and is equally valid as the idea that they judt have better eyesight.

Interestingly, Tolkien changed hid mind again later on and decided that Arda was always spherical but he didn't live long enough to rewrite everything taking that into account so the Silmarillion just had a creation myth with a sphere-world and then the story of the flat world being bent. It makes no apologies for the inconstistencies, it's not like mythologies are generally consistent anyway.

[Jason]

The whole incident should teach Team Evil the value of accurate graph-paper mapping when dungeon exploring rather than relying on the sloppy "mark the doors we've already explored" method.

One player must keep a map of the expedition’s trek, and if two players make maps the chances for the success of the expedition improve. Graph paper with 5 or 6 lines to the inch is suggested for underground map making. A sheet of small size hex grid is usual for outdoors maps. Both sorts of paper should always be on hand.

[Fincher]

The whole incident should teach Team Evil the value of accurate graph-paper mapping when dungeon exploring rather than relying on the sloppy "mark the doors we've already explored" method.

I'm 100% sure it won't teach Xykon the value of that.

[One Skunk Todd]

The extra painted door, singular.

If Team Evil discovers that this door has not been cleared, then they have evidence of one door not being cleared.

Before they could blame extra painted doors, plural, on somebody, they must first learn that this is the case.

And the MitD could probably claim that he must have accidentally painted both sides of the double door by mistake. Whether he's clever enough to think of that or lie convincingly is another issue.

[Fincher]

Redcloak: Why did you paint an X on that door?

Monster in the Darkness: Door? What door? I've never heard of any door.

[Baine]

Redcloak: Why did you paint an X on that door?

Monster in the Darkness: Door? What door? I've never heard of any door.

"I thought we were just trying to decorate the wooden walls!"

[Peelee]

Thanks! It's good to know the discussion thread isn't just a place where people are arguing about whether a subject can be argued about. And Star Wars.

I strenuously object to the notion that it would ever be good to know any thread isn't just a place for Star Wars.

[Fyraltari]

I strenuously object to the notion that it would ever be good to know any thread isn't just a place for Star Wars.

What about a Star Trek thread?

[Petrocorus]

I strenuously object to the notion that it would ever be good to know any thread isn't just a place for Star Wars.

I thought it was a forum rules that every thread was a good place to talk about Star Wars, LotR or MP's The Holy Grail. Or French cheese ;)

[Cazero]

What about a Star Trek thread?

Are you trying to get us all killed?

[KorvinStarmast]

Are you trying to get us all killed?

I don't think we have enough dilithium crystals to get a Star Trek digression out of planetary orbit.

[Jason]

Interestingly, Tolkien changed hid mind again later on and decided that Arda was always spherical but he didn't live long enough to rewrite everything taking that into account so the Silmarillion just had a creation myth with a sphere-world and then the story of the flat world being bent. It makes no apologies for the inconstistencies, it's not like mythologies are generally consistent anyway.

I think the wording used in the published Silmarillion is actually somewhat ambiguous as to whether the world was round when it was created:

But when they were come into the Void, Ilúvatar said to them: ‘Behold your Music!’ And he showed to them a vision, giving to them sight where before was only hearing; and they saw a new World made visible before them, and it was globed amid the Void, and it was sustained therein, but was not of it.

You could read "globed" as "the world was round" or you could read it as "the surface of the world was flat but it was contained in a globe of air above and earth beneath" similar to the illusatrations in the Atlas of Middle Earth.

[Fyraltari]

I think the wording used in the published Silmarillion is actually somewhat ambiguous as to whether the world was round when it was created:

You could read "globed" as "the world was round" or you could read it as "the surface of the world was flat but it was contained in a globe of air above and earth beneath" similar to the illusatrations in the Atlas of Middle Earth.

This kind of nuance is why it's better to read texts in the original tongue if one is going to act smart on the internet.

[Arathorne]

I thought we could also derail a thread with commentary on Babylon 5?

[Petrocorus]

I thought we could also derail a thread with commentary on Babylon 5?

This sadly doesn't happen often enough.
I'm always ready to unsheathe a quote about pebbles and avalanche.

[pendell]

All threads eventually go to one of two places:

1) We find some niggling detail to turn into an endless alignment argument.
2) There isn't anything especially noteworthy or controversial in the script, and everyone more or less agrees on what we've seen. So the thread goes on for about two pages before it peels off on a pop culture topic that's worth arguing about.

I'd say this thread is in bin 2).

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[KorvinStarmast]

I'd say this thread is in bin 2).

Maybe we ought to consign it to the dust bin ...

[Fincher]

All threads eventually go to one of two places:

1) We find some niggling detail to turn into an endless alignment argument.
2) There isn't anything especially noteworthy or controversial in the script, and everyone more or less agrees on what we've seen. So the thread goes on for about two pages before it peels off on a pop culture topic that's worth arguing about.

I'd say this thread is in bin 2).

Respectfully,

Brian P.

That's because I haven't yet presented my treatise on how it was immoral of Durkon to silence Greyview, and how Greyview is Lawful Good and Durkon is Chaotic Evil.

[Petrocorus]

That's because I haven't yet presented my treatise on how it was immoral of Durkon to silence Greyview, and how Greyview is Lawful Good and Durkon is Chaotic Evil.

We've seen worse here.

[Schroeswald]

(Early comic ) Belkar and Thog are the epitome of Lawful Good and we know it!

[Grey_Wolf_c]

All threads eventually go to one of two places:

Or 3) we go meta, obviously

GW

[KorvinStarmast]

(Early comic ) Belkar and Thog are the epitome of Lawful Good and we know it!

I am pretty sure that "start a discussion/argument about D&D alignment" is the inverse of "How To Win Friends and Influence People"

[Edea]

"The Life and Times of Miko Miyazaki: A Treatise on the Ideal Paladin [and why O-Chul is the Product of a Millenial Mindset]", by Sirius Lee

[WanderingMist]

What about a Star Trek thread?

Oh, yeah, Star Trek, that's the one with the Egyptian gods being aliens, right?

[Jacky720]

Or 3) we go meta, obviously

GW

Meta isn't sustainable, we'll be back to (1) or (2) by the next comic.

(Prove me wrong)

[Dion]

I thought it was a forum rules that every thread was a good place to talk about Star Wars, LotR or MP's The Holy Grail. Or French cheese ;)

No it isn’t.

Edit: just in case anyone is unaware, Monty python invented the internet nearly 50 years ago. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_Clinic

[bunsen_h]

This kind of nuance is why it's better to read texts in the original tongue if one is going to act smart on the internet.

I have never found a copy of The Silmarillion in the original Vulcan.

[arimareiji]

No it isn’t.

Edit: just in case anyone is unaware, Monty python invented the internet nearly 50 years ago. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_Clinic

Well-played... not to mention they invented search engine optimization.