# 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:** 246
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4902 "2013-02-18T20:07:24Z")
Suddenly, Nale killing all of Malack’s children appears to be the most heroic thing he’s ever done. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4903 "2013-02-18T20:16:30Z")
Holy crap. That’s one hell of a twist. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4904 "2013-02-18T20:58:07Z")
That’s still not the resolution of Belkar’s prophecies, though. He’s also “not long for this world”. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4905 "2013-02-18T21:01:35Z")
Huh. I was wondering about Malack’s eye color. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4906 "2013-02-18T21:04:30Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That’s still not the resolution of Belkar’s prophecies, though. He’s also “not long for this world”. I’m willing to bet that neither are the rest of the Order. Remember, there’s another world on the other side of the rifts. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4907 "2013-02-18T21:14:30Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > The comic has the same name as the issue of Batman where Robin was killed by the Joker. “Death in the Family” may also be a reference to Malack’s “children”, given that he and they apparently were a “family” of dead. > [@Knorf](#): > > Sadly, one of the rules of being turned into a vampire is that you will be shunned by your familiar or animal companion, unless it is a bat or rat. Mr. Scruffy and Belkar are about to part ways, permanently. Either that, or we’ll see some line about: “Hey, aren’t animal companions supposed to shun vampires?” "He’s a cat. And the central principle of being a cat is ‘screw the rules.’ " ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4908 "2013-02-18T21:34:07Z")
Neat twist. Still doesn’t get Belkar off the world, but it’s a lot more elegant than the Quest or Mark of (Justice) that I thought Malack was going to stick him with if Malack didn’t just CdG him. (I thought Malack was going to Quest Belkar into trying to kill/distract Tarquin if Tarquin tried to help Nale escape.) Also settles the question of whether Malack was LN or LE. I didn’t find any evidence, but are there prior strips where other characters are casting shadows, but Malack isn’t? Or a mirror where Malack doesn’t show up in the reflection? There _is_ the pinkish-red spittle that Malack gives off when he’s arguing with Tarquin in Panel 7, [#854](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0854.html). If Malack’s a vampire, and vampires have DR 10/Silver, Magic, how did Belkar falling on him do any damage at all? Or is this just a case of Rule of Funny? As Miller points out, this sorta’ puts Nale in a bit of a better light, no? I wonder if Burlew is going to also use vampires to deconstruct the D&D morality of ‘killing “Always-Evil” creatures is always a net good,’ like we went through with black dragons? ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4909 "2013-02-18T21:42:08Z")
Ha, from the OOTS forum: [QUOTE=Winged One] What’s the difference between Belkar’s past and future? One is a bloodthirsty little monster, and the other is a vampire. …you’re just jealous that I got to say it first.😛 [/QUOTE] Another nice detail that was pointed out there: Malack’s speech bubble suddenly goes black-and-white in the last panel. And then there’s him mentioning he needs a “special diet” earlier… ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4910 "2013-02-18T21:52:58Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > If Malack’s a vampire, and vampires have DR 10/Silver, Magic, how did Belkar falling on him do any damage at all? Or is this just a case of Rule of Funny? It’s only DR 10. Belkar could overcome that with a good roll. EDIT: Also, there’s a change in color of speech bubble in that last frame. It could just be code for “I’m more evil than usual at the moment!” but Rich has used speech bubble color as a major identifier of who’s speaking throughout the strip pretty consistently. I think this might be more than just an indication of emotion. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4911 "2013-02-18T21:53:13Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Holy crap. That’s one hell of a twist. My thoughts exactly. Goodness me. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4912 "2013-02-18T21:58:30Z")
Another clue: [“This trap appears to be airtight”](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0861.html). In other words, he can’t go gaseous form and escape. > [@appleciders](#): > > It’s only DR 10. Belkar could overcome that with a good roll. > > EDIT: Also, there’s a change in color of speech bubble in that last frame. It could just be code for “I’m more evil than usual at the moment!” but Rich has used speech bubble color as a major identifier of who’s speaking throughout the strip pretty consistently. I think this might be more than just an indication of emotion. It not only changes color, but loses the squiggly lines Malack’s bubbles usually have. Plus, his eyes go from pink to bright red. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4913 "2013-02-18T22:26:06Z")
My estimation of Durkon’s attention to detail have dropped a bit, You’d a thought he’d have noticed and mentioned it. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4914 "2013-02-18T22:30:51Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > My estimation of Durkon’s attention to detail have dropped a bit, You’d a thought he’d have noticed and mentioned it. He didn’t notice Vaarsuvius going all Dark Side either. He’s not the most perceptive fellow. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4915 "2013-02-18T22:41:29Z")
OH, if Malack’s a [Vampire Lord](http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20021018a), which seems plausible, he would be able to walk around in sunlight willy-nilly. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4916 "2013-02-18T22:51:25Z")
Well, willy-nilly albeit with some nasty penalties. Apparently someone on the OOTS forum thought of the vampire lord possibility way back in [Nov, 201](http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=12162447&postcount=20)1! ---
**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:** [February 18, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4917 "2013-02-18T23:12:42Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I didn’t find any evidence, but are there prior strips where other characters are casting shadows, but Malack isn’t? [No shadows in OOTS.](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0229.html) ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4918 "2013-02-18T23:29:27Z")
Here’s something potentially interesting, spoilered because it involves a bonus strip in one of the books: In one of the bonus strips in Book 4 (#665b), there’s a flashback to Azure City where there’s a prophecy made that Belkar will save Hinjo’s life twice. The first time was in the battle for Azure City, but the second hasn’t happened yet. So apparently undead Belkar is in it for the long haul, and we get to see how Hinjo reacts to having his life saved by a vampire. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4919 "2013-02-19T00:10:07Z")
[Word of God](http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14733452&postcount=190) (aka The Giant) confirms vampire. Vampire lord is debatable. At least, it’s entirely plausible Malack has a magic item that hides his vampirism and enables him to be in the sunlight. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4920 "2013-02-19T00:29:41Z")
It seems a little odd that a god of death would be OK with an undead priest. Aren’t those types of deities usually concerned with maintaining the natural order of things? ---
**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:** [February 19, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/4921 "2013-02-19T00:32:38Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > It seems a little odd that a god of death would be OK with an undead priest. Aren’t those types of deities usually concerned with maintaining the natural order of things? Depends on the DM. There are undead-antagonistic death gods in the official cosmologies and there are undead-friendly death gods, too. And it’s all up to the DM…Burlew isn’t shy about futzing around with the personalities of the gods he has extant in Stickworld. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=245) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=247)