# 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:** 281
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5602 "2013-05-05T13:24:28Z")
Okay, first, major kudos to Rich Burlew for one unbelievably well-done head fake. I was so shocked by what happened to Belkar and ach, Mr. Scruffy that I came scurrying in here before I realized from the comments that I had missed the second part of the comic. Heh. I was thinking how very like him to twist the storytelling conventions – we’ve known for quite a while that Belkar was going to die and soon now, so having Durkon die was a stunner, and then to have Belkar die in such a nondramatic, casual way would be just like Rich. Now he’s twisted the twist. I feel quite pretzely. So, it’s all illusion, but then why did they picture Redcloak without his eye? They must know that O-Chul stabbed it out, but why wouldn’t they assume that he had regenerated it, as he would have if Xykon hadn’t forbidden him to? Damn. I’m still all a-twitter. ---
**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 5, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5603 "2013-05-05T13:38:38Z")
> [@shantih](#): > > So, it’s all illusion, but then why did they picture Redcloak without his eye? They must know that O-Chul stabbed it out, but why wouldn’t they assume that he had regenerated it, as he would have if Xykon hadn’t forbidden him to? I think that’s just artistic license. It’s wrong, but necessary to fool us readers. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5604 "2013-05-05T15:35:44Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Mr Scruffy bought it in there, too. LOL … I guess we know now how Roy feels about Belkar’s cat. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5605 "2013-05-05T16:10:46Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Hey, maybe Roy will bust out that move his grandfather taught him Yeah! Maybe! ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5606 "2013-05-05T16:18:56Z")
Also, Roy’s sword did the green thing a couple of times when he wasn’t yelling and stuff, merely looking determined. ETA, and his first strike against Xykon connected and didn’t glow. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5607 "2013-05-05T17:00:14Z")
Quite a subtle trap. I wonder at what point it started. When they made it through the mega-trap door? ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5608 "2013-05-05T17:04:11Z")
How is it a trap, though? Have they been standing there drooling imagining all this, and will continue to do so until some outside force intervenes? And is V actually not there either? ---
**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, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5609 "2013-05-05T17:07:16Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > An amusing little detail: > > [spoiler]Notice that just before “Xykon” get his head chopped open, he says “Wait- Roy-”. > > That’s right; Wish Fulfillment Xykon _knows Roy’s name!_[/spoiler] Either that, or … Roy just beheaded Vaarsuvius > [@shantih](#): > > So, it’s all illusion, but then why did they picture Redcloak without his eye? They must know that O-Chul stabbed it out, but why wouldn’t they assume that he had regenerated it, as he would have if Xykon hadn’t forbidden him to? The Giant explains [http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15175706&postcount=19](http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15175706&postcount=19) ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5610 "2013-05-05T18:02:45Z")
OK, I look that entire comic at face value until reading y’all’s reactions to it. So, um… what just happened? It was all a dream? Did Roy just kill V by mistake? Are Belkar and Scruffy really dead? …Oh, wait. The last panel means that the runes have been active for quite some time, and not that they suddenly activated immediately after Roy killing Xykon. That must be it. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5611 "2013-05-05T18:10:17Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > OK, I look that entire comic at face value until reading y’all’s reactions to it. So, um… what just happened? It was all a dream? Did Roy just kill V by mistake? Are Belkar and Scruffy really dead? > > …Oh, wait. The last panel means that the runes have been active for quite some time, and not that they suddenly activated immediately after Roy killing Xykon. That must be it. The key clue being Belkar suddenly alive again in the last panel. ---
**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, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5612 "2013-05-05T18:12:15Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > …Oh, wait. The last panel means that the runes have been active for quite some time, and not that they suddenly activated immediately after Roy killing Xykon. That must be it. Yes. The runes are creating a group mindfuck. None of anything that happened before the last panel actually happened, as far as we know. All the other stuff like whether Roy just killed V or whatever are entirely speculation. For all we know, they just entered the room and got zapped into the “dream”, even before the previous strip where Elan(?) is trying to suggest to Roy that the runes are actually a problem. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5613 "2013-05-05T18:19:42Z")
So would Roy’s spell-disruption trick also work on someone like Red Cloak? I mean, we don’t know if it would work in the first place, outside of Roy’s illusion, but still. ETA: > [@jayjay](#): > > where Elan(?) is trying to suggest to Roy that the runes are actually a problem. He did? When/how? ---
**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, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5614 "2013-05-05T18:25:42Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > ETA:He did? When/how? Sorry, my mistake. Going back and reading the previous strip, it was Haley falling down on the job. (Roy ASKED her if the runes were safe and she was just “Sure…haven’t blown up yet.”) ---
**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, 2013, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5615 "2013-05-05T18:26:35Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Yes. The runes are creating a group mindfuck. Probably not. I don’t think Belkar just witnessed his own death. Most likely everyone is experiencing their own individual fantasy, which we might see next strip. ---
**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, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5616 "2013-05-05T18:27:25Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Probably not. I don’t think Belkar just witnessed his own death. > > Most likely everyone is experiencing their own individual fantasy, which we might see next strip. You’re probably right. I assumed. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5617 "2013-05-05T18:31:23Z")
When Xykon bit the big one, I thought that was fantastic plotting. We’re assuming that X is the main big bad and will be until the end, but to have him cut down half-way through, (with RC then escaping and deciding that using X for the ritual is way too much trouble, destroying the phylatery and a very shocked Xykon), would be a massive rug thrown from under our feet. It would make thematic sense, as X basically waded into the non-caster group thinking he was going to disperse them like flies. With Roy’s Grandfather’s move, a room unsuitable for Fly and an overconfident Xykon Rich upset the problem with D&D in general and OotS in particular that melee guys seem to not really matter by making the melee guys take Xykon down like a bitch. (It would be better if Haley had done more.) Xykon’s last line being “Roy”, showing when he’s staring destruction in the face he crumbles. (I don’t remember the capital of Albania, and fuck Albania, but if an Albanian put a gun to my head I would probably remember if I thought it helpful.) X’s plan for the gates is really Redcloak’s plan for the gates, and he could probably get another arcane caster somewhere in book 6. Tarquin takes a step up in the heirarchy of evil. Then I read the next panel, and that’s good too. ---
**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, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5618 "2013-05-05T19:05:56Z")
I’ve a suspicion that Nale will turn out to be the big bad overall. ---
**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 5, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5619 "2013-05-05T19:20:46Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > For all we know, they just entered the room and got zapped into the “dream”, even before the previous strip where Elan(?) is trying to suggest to Roy that the runes are actually a problem. A good point. It’s not only [886](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0886.html) that’s Roy’s illusion but maybe everything in [885](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0885.html) as well. Roy imagined he was telling everyone else to start acting more seriously. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5620 "2013-05-05T19:52:00Z")
Hey, D&D question. Xykon: “How did you do that? I was casting defensively?” What does it matter that he’s casting defensively vs otherwise? Or does it? ---
**Author:** ![AndrewL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AndrewL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewL)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/5621 "2013-05-05T19:54:50Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Hey, D&D question. Xykon: “How did you do that? I was casting defensively?” What does it matter that he’s casting defensively vs otherwise? Or does it? Defensive casting can’t normally be interrupted. Normal spell casting can. Roy is using a special feat that lets him interrupt defensively cast spells. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=280) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=282)