# Order of the Stick - Book 5 Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323 "2009-08-31T04:09:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 106
**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:** [May 5, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2101 "2011-05-05T18:20:24Z")
Prediction: Haley will spend the next 100 strips as a miniature statue. Something will prevent Durkon from curing her. After all, we can’t have Elan and Haley together and happy for any length of time, can we. Something will always get in the way. (Not until Elan gets his happy ending, about 2 1/2 books from now.) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2102 "2011-05-05T18:32:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Although I’m obviously a bit disappointed that Elan didn’t use Song of Freedom. I’m beginning to think I’m the only person who ever read that line in the bard description. Or maybe Roy (or even Tarquin!) will say “Why didn’t you just use Song of Freedom?” Elan will say “Uh, wait a minute”, run off and return the next panel with an un-statued Haley. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2103 "2011-05-05T18:51:05Z")
Am I the only one who feels like Rich is dragging out this side storyline? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2104 "2011-05-05T19:28:51Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Although I’m obviously a bit disappointed that Elan didn’t use Song of Freedom. I’m beginning to think I’m the only person who ever read that line in the bard description. Elan is taking the Dashing Swordsman prestige class. He may not have enough Bardic levels for Song of Freedom. ---
**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:** [May 5, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2105 "2011-05-05T19:52:19Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Elan is taking the Dashing Swordsman prestige class. He may not have enough Bardic levels for Song of Freedom. Maybe. The last level he took was [a bard level](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0647.html), though. He knows Greater Dispel Magic. Would that work on a Flesh to Stone spell? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2106 "2011-05-05T20:22:28Z")
We don’t know his total level, but we know from his spell selection that he has at least 13 bard levels. It’s theoretically possible that he doesn’t have 15 ranks in any single Perform skill, but even Elan isn’t nutty enough to not max out Perform. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2107 "2011-05-05T21:46:14Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Prediction: Haley will spend the next 100 strips as a miniature statue. Something will prevent Durkon from curing her. After all, we can’t have Elan and Haley together and happy for any length of time, can we. Something will always get in the way. (Not until Elan gets his happy ending, about 2 1/2 books from now.) Elan got his happy ending in the bedroom, with Haley, when she had all that hair. But it would be great if Roy decided that HE needed to get Haley unpetrified, since she got him raised. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2108 "2011-05-05T21:51:17Z")
Here’s the happy ending for Elan: [752 Picking Locks - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0752.html) ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2109 "2011-05-06T01:01:49Z")
No’s one going to believe me now, but I swear to Og I predicted to my brother that Yikyik and Yokyok’s son/grandson Yukyuk would show up. I wasn’t expecting the imp, though. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2110 "2011-05-09T17:47:50Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Am I the only one who feels like Rich is dragging out this side storyline? Since it’s my second time asking and nobody has responded, I’m going to assume it’s just me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2111 "2011-05-09T19:30:58Z")
It’s hard to even draw a sharp boundary between “side storyline” and “main story”, anyway. Do the Gates count as main story? The antics of Nale and his gang? The antics of the fiends who are using Nale (and Vaarsuvius) as puppets? What if Nale and the fiends are trying to control the Gates for themselves? What if this side-story is leading up to the Order finding out about Girard and his Gate? ---
**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:** [May 9, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2112 "2011-05-09T19:31:53Z")
Did we ever establish what the penalty was for bumping this thread after four days of idleness, thereby making us all think there was a new comic up when there actually isn’t? 'Cause if not, I’m ok with “horrific beating”. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2113 "2011-05-09T19:35:50Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Did we ever establish what the penalty was for bumping this thread after four days of idleness, thereby making us all think there was a new comic up when there actually isn’t? > > 'Cause if not, I’m ok with “horrific beating”. Between the identity of this poster and some slapdash attention to reading, I could have sworn that last sentence was about a “horrific bleating” at first. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2114 "2011-05-09T20:33:05Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Prediction: Haley will spend the next 100 strips as a miniature statue. Something will prevent Durkon from curing her. After all, we can’t have Elan and Haley together and happy for any length of time, can we. Something will always get in the way. (Not until Elan gets his happy ending, about 2 1/2 books from now.) What, again? Burlew’s already played out the Elan and Haley separation story (and the helpless Haley story). It would be redundant now. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2115 "2011-05-09T20:35:43Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Since it’s my second time asking and nobody has responded, I’m going to assume it’s just me. 🙂 Others have said it, so it’s not just you. But you guys are wrong. Burlew is crafting this story like a finely-tuned watch. All of the little pieces fit together. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2116 "2011-05-09T22:39:40Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It’s hard to even draw a sharp boundary between “side storyline” and “main story”, anyway. Do the Gates count as main story? The antics of Nale and his gang? The antics of the fiends who are using Nale (and Vaarsuvius) as puppets? What if Nale and the fiends are trying to control the Gates for themselves? What if this side-story is leading up to the Order finding out about Girard and his Gate? Completely agree, especially when it’s so hard to deny that Tarquin is/will have a huge impact on Elan’s part of the overall tale. ETA: Fortunately, I checked GitP minutes before seeing this thread, so I wasn’t “fooled.” Still, savage beating FTW. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2117 "2011-05-09T23:00:02Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Did we ever establish what the penalty was for bumping this thread after four days of idleness, thereby making us all think there was a new comic up when there actually isn’t? > > 'Cause if not, I’m ok with “horrific beating”. So very, very with you. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2118 "2011-05-10T00:41:24Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Since it’s my second time asking and nobody has responded, I’m going to assume it’s just me. 🙂 According to the GitP forum, about half his readers. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2011, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2119 "2011-05-14T06:29:59Z")
[New strip.](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0791.html) fight not go well for talky-man. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2011, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2120 "2011-05-14T06:36:54Z")
The panel of the zebrafolk was the most hearbreakingly hilarious thing I’ve seen since that clown fell into a wood chipper. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=105) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=107)