# An Order of the Stick speculation **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 26, 2008, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629 "2008-05-26T07:02:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/41 "2008-05-31T23:59:47Z")
I would have expected the Holy Mother Frankenstein to have made it, to be honest… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/42 "2008-06-01T00:02:02Z")
[QUOTE=Fish] It may be in character, but that doesn’t mean it’s interesting or necessary. Besides, it’s in character for Vaarsuvius to be _intelligent_. At some point over the course of _months_ he should have come to the conclusion that it wasn’t possible to solve that problem in that way, and that a different strategy was called for. [/QUOTE] Even characters with high Intelligence are subject to failed Wisdom rolls. And with each Wisdom roll he misses which causes him to skip trancing in order to keep working, his Wisdom dips just a little bit more, making his next Wisdom roll less likely to be made. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/43 "2008-06-01T00:18:19Z")
[QUOTE=Fish] Best guess: he wants to show us Roy’s dynamic and effective leadership upon his return. And that would be a good, worthwhile scene if this past year hasn’t been so intolerably dull. Just get off the dime, dammit. [/QUOTE] I think your guess is a poor one, and one that does not give Rich credit for being the writer that we have observed him to be. The OotS has been separated and are following other subplots _because the overarching storyline needs them to_. As has been pointed out several times in this thread, Rich has been introducing quite a few things that will no doubt factor into the plot in a big way. That is how he writes. Remember the original digression with Miko? Long series of strips where the OotS weren’t in charge of what was going on, several subplots, and all so we would have that moment of satori when Miko did what she did in the end. You would quite probably enjoy it more if you just waited to read until the next trade collection is released. In book format, the current pace will seem just right. Whereas, waiting for the web updates, you seem to have too much time to fume that Rich isn’t writing it the way the you would. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/44 "2008-06-01T00:18:51Z")
All right, then: it may agree with the rules of D&D game mechanics, but that doesn’t mean it is interesting or necessary for good fiction. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/45 "2008-06-01T00:25:21Z")
[QUOTE=Fish] All right, then: it may agree with the rules of D&D game mechanics, but that doesn’t mean it is interesting or necessary for good fiction. [/QUOTE] Can you concede that perhaps the current storyline just isn’t interesting to you? Because I’ve enjoyed it immensely, every last day of it. My biggest frustration has been his irregular regular updating schedule (I wish he were a predictable MWF instead of “3 times a week, at pretty random intervals”). ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/46 "2008-06-01T00:41:07Z")
You’re right: it isn’t interesting to me when the characters of a story bumble along, doing what they’re told, making no choices of consequence. Yes. It’s not interesting when this happens, to me. That’s what I’m saying. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/47 "2008-06-01T00:49:44Z")
Might I add, when I began reading the story, the OOTS were the actual protagonists and not lackeys to uninteresting secondary characters, so the likelihood that I’ll _buy_ any additional OOTS books isn’t good. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/48 "2008-06-01T02:48:51Z")
> [@](#): > > There’s a reason we don’t usually patronize fictional lives that are just as boring, disorganized, and rudderless as our own. Most of us don’t seem to find the current storylines boring, disorganized, or rudderless. So it’s unfortunate that they do not entertain you but they are entertaining many others. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/49 "2008-06-01T02:57:15Z")
If they still haven’t reached Girard’s Gate in six more months, how will you feel then? Because it’s been about a year since Roy died and they haven’t even finished sewing up the loose ends from the last gate. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/50 "2008-06-01T03:16:12Z")
> [@](#): > > If they still haven’t reached Girard’s Gate in six more months, how will you feel then? Because it’s been about a year since Roy died and they haven’t even finished sewing up the loose ends from the last gate. It took Burlew 300 strips before we even knew they were headed in the direction Girard’s Gate. Why should I care if it takes them 300 more strips to get there? Or 3000? I’m enjoying the trip and I don’t see any need to rush it to a conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/51 "2008-06-01T04:48:55Z")
I keep wanting to get pissed off about the lack of plot, but fuck it. Every strip still makes me smile. That’ll keep me coming back, regardless of how long Burlew takes to work his way around to a point. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/52 "2008-06-01T12:02:37Z")
While I wouldn’t complain if the current major plot gets wrapped up in short order (and by major plot I mean this arc that has everyone scattered to the four winds) but I have been enjoying the tiny stories that are filling time. There is a certain advantage in regrouping so that all of the characters can play off each other again. Okay since this thread exists, any speculation on what exactly is hidden in the all concealing shadows? Some kind of dragon, perhaps? A giant, fire breathing space hamster? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/53 "2008-06-02T02:37:26Z")
I am thinking that Roy’s resurrection will occur at the end of the collection of strips that will go into the next book. I don’t actually know how many strips that would be, though. Best guess I’ve seen about the Monster in the Dark is that it is an immature Tarrasque. Which would be both suitably iconic and powerful enough. I don’t think it’s a dragon – or, at least, not one of the familiar chromatics or metallics. Dragons have shown up several times, but none have been as impressive as the MitD has been implied to be. Also, it’ll have to be something classic and instantly recognizable to D&D grognards. Or maybe, a froghemoth. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/54 "2008-06-02T02:58:21Z")
[QUOTE=Ogre] I keep wanting to get pissed off about the lack of plot, but fuck it. Every strip still makes me smile. That’ll keep me coming back, regardless of how long Burlew takes to work his way around to a point. [/QUOTE] PUPPETS CANNAE EVEN **EAT** PIE!!! Heh, heh, heh. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/55 "2008-06-02T03:08:35Z")
[QUOTE=Lightray] Or maybe, a froghemoth. [/QUOTE] Oh, god…that’s a blast from the past! I wish I still had my old 1st Ed. Monster Manual II… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/56 "2008-06-02T04:08:58Z")
> [@](#): > > I am thinking that Roy’s resurrection will occur at the end of the collection of strips that will go into the next book. I don’t actually know how many strips that would be, though. Book One included strips 1 through 120 (the destrcution of Dorukan’s Tower. Book Two covered from strips 121 to 300 (Xykon setting out for Azure City). Book Three will almost certainly cover strips 301 through 484 (which was the conclusion of the battle of Azure City storyline). It’s the right amount of strips (184) and Burlew took a break in the webcomic at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/57 "2008-06-02T04:36:06Z")
I think a baby tarrasque is probably too much to expect. I think whatever is cloaked beneath the shadow is going to be terribly anticlimactic: like, for instance, a creature _made_ of shadow. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/58 "2008-06-02T12:59:36Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] Book One included strips 1 through 120 (the destrcution of Dorukan’s Tower. Book Two covered from strips 121 to 300 (Xykon setting out for Azure City). Book Three will almost certainly cover strips 301 through 484 (which was the conclusion of the battle of Azure City storyline). It’s the right amount of strips (184) and Burlew took a break in the webcomic at that point. [/QUOTE] So looks like we’ve got another ~100 strips before Roy is rezzed then, if my theory holds. **Fish** ’s head might explode by then. :eek: I’m guessing Lien’s comment “Thank the Twelve Gods! I was beginning to think the people who built that tunnel had absolutely no idea where it was going.” is another _Lost_ reference. I wonder if Rich watches BSG, too… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/59 "2008-06-02T17:07:42Z")
Probably. If Burlew aims for around another 180 strip book, then Book Four would presumedly end somewhere around strip 660. But that’s assuming the climax of this theoretical storyline is Roy’s resurrection. Roy might return earlier and the climax might be some other major event like the reunion between the two groups, the return of the Linear Guild, Xykon attacking Girard’s Gate, or some unforeseen other thing. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629/60 "2008-06-13T12:02:59Z")
Ok, so I’ve just discovered this strip, and read it from beginning to present day, and I have two things to say: Frist of all… wow. Second of all, the last 100 or so strips have reminded me a bit of George R.R. Martin’s _A Feast for Crows_; it makes sense, as OotS is basically \*A Song of Ice and Fire \* as written by Terry Pratchett. Like that book, it’s slowed down a bit, and the plot has wandered. But also like the book, it’s building up towards something good, and it’s still an enjoyable read. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-order-of-the-stick-speculation/450629.md?page=2)