# OOTS #611: Belkar does what Belkar does best. Finally! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 25, 2008, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380 "2008-11-25T03:41:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/21 "2008-11-25T14:11:54Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > That’s strange, the art has been changed. But the guy in the blue shirt had a transparent sword in three panels, you just saw the outline, and could see his boot through it. Must have been a glitch in the first version of the artwork, then. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/22 "2008-11-25T14:17:56Z")
If it had been only one panel then I’d have thought so. But when it happens in three different panels, and it’s the same guy’s sword each time, it looks deliberate. Maybe the creator changed his mind. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/23 "2008-11-25T14:43:59Z")
FINALLY. Belkar kicking ass again. I knew that we were on the cusp of awesomeness when, in the previous strip, Belkar recited the line from [my all-time favorite OOTS strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0439.html). If I could frame that one on my wall, I’d do it in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/24 "2008-11-25T16:15:25Z")
Aw, HELL yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/25 "2008-11-25T17:04:32Z")
Belkar=Homicidal Goodness! ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/26 "2008-11-25T17:10:41Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > After how much 610 rocked i knew this one was going to be good, glad it didn’t dissapoint. 610 really did rocked didn’t it? i liked how the comic conveyed cinematic tension with mere panels. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/27 "2008-11-25T18:45:20Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Based on the direction of the conversation, the Oracle must have been about to make some claim that Belkar was the cause of Vaarsuvius’ death. V ain’t dead yet but is in terrible shape, mostly because s/he’s been takin’ care of business, workin’ overtime to get in touch with Haley and Belkar. Among other conditions, Belkar had to stay within a mile of Roy’s body in order not to set off the Mark of Justice and since they weren’t able to get Roy on the ship in time, he and Haley stayed behind in Azure City - thus setting off the attempts to contact them (frustrated by Xykon’s Cloister spell) which have drained Vaarsuvius of everything except the will to snark, pushing him/her ever closer to the edge of the mortal abyss. QED. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/28 "2008-11-25T20:36:35Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > FINALLY. Belkar kicking ass again. I knew that we were on the cusp of awesomeness when, in the previous strip, Belkar recited the line from [my all-time favorite OOTS strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0439.html). If I could frame that one on my wall, I’d do it in a heartbeat. You mean “So do you want to be the one to tell him he probably won’t get any XP from any of them?” ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/29 "2008-11-25T20:54:05Z")
I’m glad to see something is finally happening again in OOTS. I was disappointed in some of the meandering plot developments, none of which seemed to have any immediate purpose, and which mostly undermined the importance of the central characters. It’d be too much a downer to go into all of that now, but I’m glad Belkar is finally unleashed again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/30 "2008-11-26T00:34:12Z")
I hope Durkon doesn’t have himself materialized into the seige room, and start resurrecting all of the guild members. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/31 "2008-11-26T02:26:55Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I hope Durkon doesn’t have himself materialized into the seige room, and start resurrecting all of the guild members. How would he get there? Given the rather poor situation of the refugee fleet, it seems unlikely that they have access to someone who could cast Teleport (or whatever). ---
**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:** [November 26, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/32 "2008-11-26T03:44:16Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m glad to see something is finally happening again in OOTS. I was disappointed in some of the meandering plot developments, none of which seemed to have any immediate purpose, and which mostly undermined the importance of the central characters. Let’s just say we’re in complete disagreement. Nobody would still be reading this strip is it was just Belkar stabbing things. That’s just something Burlew throws in once and awhile when there’s nothing important going on. The important stuff is the characters. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/33 "2008-11-26T03:52:48Z")
Let’s just say you completely misunderstood what I said. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/34 "2008-11-26T04:27:17Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > How would he get there? Given the rather poor situation of the refugee fleet, it seems unlikely that they have access to someone who could cast Teleport (or whatever). Well, we know that Hinjo has at least one wizard that can cast Teleport. Yes, he died, but he was due for a res the next day. And the cleric with the res spell was seen later. So, it’s reasonable to assume he was raised off panel. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/35 "2008-11-26T05:34:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Let’s just say you completely misunderstood what I said. We had a recent thread on this issue. Some people complained that the plot had stopped moving forward and was just wandering. Others (including me) felt that what’s going on is important. The characters are shown to be changing and because they are physically seperated, they are not able to adapt to each other’s changes as they occur. When the group is reunited it will be six people who are not the same as the six people who split up. Everyone will have to adjust to the differences between how they remember the other five being and how they actually are now. Burlew has done this kind of thing before. People who haven’t read the books may not know that Xykon used to work for Redcloak. Burlew spent an entire book showing how their relationship gradually changed over several years. ---
**Author:** ![Telcontar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Telcontar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telcontar)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/36 "2008-11-26T06:26:38Z")
Who cares about plot? It’s all about the short sociopath. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/37 "2008-11-26T06:39:34Z")
Please tell me I am not the only one to have exclaimed “I am a sexy shoeless God of war!” during a meeting at work. The best part was watching everyone stare not at me (they are used to me doing that sort of thing) but at the guy who got it and collapsed in laughter. ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/38 "2008-11-26T08:36:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I hope Durkon doesn’t have himself materialized into the seige room, and start resurrecting all of the guild members. I don’t think that’s a very likely possibility, but I **do** agree that the very conspicuously placed spell-message-thing to summon Durkon (really, you’d expect it not to be shown in the panels at all) indicates that it will be involved in the plot device – particularly when we were explicitly not told how far along the spell was (or if it was finished) when the mage decided to heal Belkar. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/39 "2008-11-26T16:13:10Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The characters are shown to be changing and because they are physically seperated, they are not able to adapt to each other’s changes as they occur. When the group is reunited it will be six people who are not the same as the six people who split up. Everyone will have to adjust to the differences between how they remember the other five being and how they actually are now. Namely: Does Elan dig short-haired chicks? ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380/40 "2008-11-26T16:26:08Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Let’s just say we’re in complete disagreement. > > Nobody would still be reading this strip is it was just Belkar stabbing things. That’s just something Burlew throws in once and awhile when there’s nothing important going on. The important stuff is the characters. But, Belkar stabbing things IS important to his character. After all the introspection crap he had a major epiphany. He really is just a homicidal sociopath. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oots-611-belkar-does-what-belkar-does-best-finally/474380.md?page=3)