# 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:** 131
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2602 "2011-09-22T14:46:27Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Some day if I made a webcomic I’m going to have some background character throw a ball up in the air, and some absurd number of strips later it’s going to come back down, way in the background, and I’m going to just sit there and wait to see how many minutes it takes for anyone to catch it. [Chekhov’s Superball](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ChekhovsGun?from=Main.ptitlexn9xzsjd5fif)? ---
**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:** [September 22, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2603 "2011-09-22T15:14:49Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > [Chekhov’s Superball](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ChekhovsGun?from=Main.ptitlexn9xzsjd5fif)? More of a [Brick Joke](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrickJoke) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2604 "2011-09-22T15:43:58Z")
You’ll have a long way to go to beat 8-bit Theatre’s brick joke. Nine years and 1000+ strips, wasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2605 "2011-09-22T18:41:10Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > Someone on the GitP forums pointed out that the healing potion was rightfully Belkar’s anyway, since she’s owed him one for very nearly [800 pages.](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0008.html) > [@Jragon](#): > > It never ceases to amaze me how much minutiae people can remember. > [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](#): > > It helps that some may regularly re-read the comic from page 1 now and again… And that’s the eighth page, so even if you only page through the first dozen or so, you’ll hit that. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2606 "2011-09-23T00:13:11Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > So, in a thread about a web comic. On the 65th page of the thread about that web comic. In the 2592nd post about that web comic. You’re really going to complain about people discussing minutiae about that web comic? Really? Really. It’s a fair “complaint”. Knowing that that was the 2592nd post (even with the post number visible) is minutiae. Actually making the 2592nd isn’t. (Not that the 2592nd was an actual complaint.) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2607 "2011-10-04T11:10:55Z")
[New one up](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0808.html). Excellent title punnage, and Roy adds insult to substantial injury. Probably not a fighting technique I’d use often though. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2608 "2011-10-04T11:27:44Z")
Go Roy! So, that’s two of the Linear Guild down, one possibly neutralized, two active … where’s their cleric? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2609 "2011-10-04T13:11:14Z")
Why did Thog all of a sudden become confused and have his anger drain away (without having to go back 400 strips for the explanation)? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2610 "2011-10-04T13:19:12Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Why did Thog all of a sudden become confused and have his anger drain away (without having to go back 400 strips for the explanation)? His Barbarian rage ended, (which was Roy’s strategy to just out last it), which leaves him fatigued. The confusion is more of a Hulk/Bruce Banner joke than a D&D thing as far as I know. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2611 "2011-10-04T15:03:36Z")
I’m very interested to see what a masked debt gourd will look like and what Durkon will do with it. One question. In 807, who is saying, “…It’s like watching someone duel their own puppy.”? And why do the half-dragon and lizard guy (I forget their names) have Belkar’s and Mr. Scruffy’s faces? Is that how Belkar’s epiphany is appearing to him? If so, what does it mean? ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2612 "2011-10-04T15:24:55Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > I’m very interested to see what a masked debt gourd will look like and what Durkon will do with it. > > One question. In 807, who is saying, “…It’s like watching someone duel their own puppy.”? And why do the half-dragon and lizard guy (I forget their names) have Belkar’s and Mr. Scruffy’s faces? Is that how Belkar’s epiphany is appearing to him? If so, what does it mean? Roy said it, back in [783](http://www.myths.com/pub/comics/order_of_the_stick/index.php?783). And yes, that’s how Belkar is starting to feel empathy, by seeing Enor and Gannji as himself and Mr. Scruffy. That’s pretty much the beginning of all empathy…“There but for the grace of one of the gods go I”. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2613 "2011-10-04T16:05:00Z")
Awesome takedown. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2614 "2011-10-04T16:46:31Z")
Rules-wise, is there any chance that Thog could’ve survived that? Of course he’ll be fine if the story calls for it, but dropping that much stone on somebody seems like a pretty lethal attack. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2615 "2011-10-04T16:51:43Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Roy said it, back in [783](http://www.myths.com/pub/comics/order_of_the_stick/index.php?783). And yes, that’s how Belkar is starting to feel empathy, by seeing Enor and Gannji as himself and Mr. Scruffy. That’s pretty much the beginning of all empathy…“There but for the grace of one of the gods go I”. Ah, it was a flashback. Didn’t catch that. [QUOTE=ultrafilter] Rules-wise, is there any chance that Thog could’ve survived that? Of course he’ll be fine if the story calls for it, but dropping that much stone on somebody seems like a pretty lethal attack. [/QUOTE] I doubt it. He came down from his rage right before getting crushed. Roy had already whittled away a good bit of his HP, and losing the rage meant losing the temporary HP, making him even more injured. If he’s not dead, he’s definitely incapacitated. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2616 "2011-10-04T17:02:23Z")
We didn’t see him die, therefore we’ll see him again. The Narrative Gods thus decree it. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2617 "2011-10-04T17:03:34Z")
The way I see it, the entire Linear Guild will end up dead - for good - in this encounter. This is the third time they’ve crossed paths with the Order, and the rules of drama require that their story be resolved by the third time; otherwise, it becomes repetitious. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2618 "2011-10-04T17:20:45Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The way I see it, the entire Linear Guild will end up dead - for good - in this encounter. This is the third time they’ve crossed paths with the Order, and the rules of drama require that their story be resolved by the third time; otherwise, it becomes repetitious. What makes you so sure the Order will win? ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2619 "2011-10-04T17:46:42Z")
Because Elan’s been promised a happy ending. And the world survives long enough for Goblin Dan to grow old and rich. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2620 "2011-10-04T18:18:21Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Because Elan’s been promised a happy ending. > > And the world survives long enough for Goblin Dan to grow old and rich. I don’t think the happy ending will happen in the manner we think. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/2621 "2011-10-04T18:24:47Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > What makes you so sure the Order will win? The fact that the Guild are secondary villains. Xykon - remember him? - is the Big Bad, not them, and if anyone gets to defeat the Order, it’ll be him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=130) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=132)