# 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:** 301
**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:** [June 26, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6002 "2013-06-26T23:45:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Edit: meanwhile Nale reaches the top of the pyramid and gets in a pissing match with Tarquin. Does that mean we’ll find out what that 18 Charisma looks like under the hood? ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6003 "2013-06-28T13:05:09Z")
[New one](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0896.html). Lots of new information, and some old friends……uh, \*fiends \*show up. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6004 "2013-06-28T13:13:40Z")
Oh my. This doesn’t look good. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6005 "2013-06-28T13:34:22Z")
Huh. I expected this was going to happen at the next gate. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6006 "2013-06-28T13:50:49Z")
There are three fiends with their own independent claims on Vaarsuvius. They can spread it out a bit. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6007 "2013-06-28T13:52:27Z")
Looks like Chekhov’s Demon/Devil/Daemon Possession is about to be fired… ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6008 "2013-06-28T14:07:32Z")
Did _not_ expect that last panel. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: ohBOYohboyohboyohboy! ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6009 "2013-06-28T14:16:58Z")
Time to put cat litter down around my monitor. Because shit just got real, yo. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6010 "2013-06-28T14:52:01Z")
I really hate to say it, but this would be the perfect place for a hiatus: double helping of cliffhanger. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6011 "2013-06-28T16:26:59Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > There are three fiends with their own independent claims on Vaarsuvius. They can spread it out a bit. I hadn’t thought of that at first, but you’re right. Judging by the color of the speech bubbles, it looks like the fiend who is currently invoking their claim on V is one of the two who [has more time](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0633.html). I couldn’t find the strip where the three of them explicitly state how much time they each have, but I remember that Haera broke free early. I wonder if V will leave the party after this, to avoid risking the other two taking control at the wrong moment. Though I’m not sure that even matters, as I don’t see what’s stopping them from simply monitoring both V and the Order, and then taking control and forcing V to teleport and interfere. Has the nature of the control been explained yet? Can they regenerate V’s spells, or have him cast ones that he didn’t prepare? Or do they simply get to drive V as-is until the timer runs out? ---
**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:** [June 28, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6012 "2013-06-28T16:41:09Z")
I wonder if the TF invoking their control isn’t really control per se. They have charge of V’s soul, but maybe that just removes V from the game for however many minutes that particular Fiend has, unable to act or interfere with the current plot. I’d be disappointed if this were the case, since that’s effectively what’s already been happening for many strips. Another interpretation might be that her soul is under their control for that time, but free from her body, perhaps able act elsewhere on this plane or some other. I’m not buying either of these. I think the Fiends will be able to remote control V like a puppet. If this is the case, I wonder if V’ll even remember what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6013 "2013-06-28T17:02:46Z")
If V had Elan’s genre-savviness (or at least my POV on conventions), she’d realize that it’s unlikely that her fears are warranted at this juncture. Then again, if she had known that, we wouldn’t have this terrific cliffhanger! ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6014 "2013-06-28T17:16:56Z")
Took a trip down memory lane. Read through the comics from your link **oft wears hats** The first soul escapes here: [641 For Every Action - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0641.html) Here’s a little sidenote with a time tracker: [650 A Lot Can Happen in Ten Minutes - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0650.html) Here are the other two souls leaving: [653 Fun While It Lasted - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0653.html) And here’s the results: [667 Mending Wounds - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0667.html) Answer: Mr. Orange gets 3 minutes 6 seconds Yellow Fellow and Purple Durple get 20 minutes 35 seconds. ETA: The timeline makes no sense. In 650 they state it’s at 19:41. There’s no way that it was just 54 seconds from #650 to #653. Could 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:** [June 28, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6015 "2013-06-28T18:46:15Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Another interpretation might be that her soul is under their control for that time, but free from her body, perhaps able act elsewhere on this plane or some other. hmm, I’m still considering this one as a possibility. The TFs had the skill to soul-splice three dead guys to V. So couldn’t they soul-splice V to some other shmoe in the same fashion? Obviously for a limited time, per their pact with V. And to what end I have no idea. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6016 "2013-06-28T19:06:14Z")
I don’t understand the title. What two paths? ---
**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:** [June 28, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6017 "2013-06-28T19:32:39Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I don’t understand the title. What two paths? 2 paths to the Gate? V’s path and the rest of the Order? ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6018 "2013-06-28T19:40:38Z")
The Order of the Stick is at a crossroads, too: To destroy the gate, or not. With path do they take? (It looks like the four up in the room are in favor of destroying it.) ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6019 "2013-06-28T20:43:51Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Took a trip down memory lane. Read through the comics from your link **oft wears hats** > > The first soul escapes here: [641 For Every Action - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0641.html) > Here’s a little sidenote with a time tracker: [650 A Lot Can Happen in Ten Minutes - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0650.html) > Here are the other two souls leaving: [653 Fun While It Lasted - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0653.html) > And here’s the results: [667 Mending Wounds - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0667.html) > > Answer: Mr. Orange gets 3 minutes 6 seconds > Yellow Fellow and Purple Durple get 20 minutes 35 seconds. > > ETA: The timeline makes no sense. In 650 they state it’s at 19:41. There’s no way that it was just 54 seconds from #650 to #653. Could it? Also, I thought that Haerta was with Purple Durple, since he’s the one who introduced her. Ah well. Thanks for finding the comic with the actual times. So they’re only borrowing V for three minutes this time. Makes sense, since they seem to only need to keep him from dissuading the rest of the Order from destroying the gate. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6020 "2013-06-28T21:43:55Z")
How long do you think it will take to prepare this proposed destruction? If more than 3-4 minutes (or 45 minutes including all 3 fiends), then merely suppressing V will not necessarily prevent V from communicating with the rest of the party. I suggest that the action of the fiend in control will instead be one of possession and disruption. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6021 "2013-06-28T21:58:52Z")
> [@oft\_wears\_hats](#): > > Also, I thought that Haerta was with Purple Durple, since he’s the one who introduced her. Ah well. Thanks for finding the comic with the actual times. > > So they’re only borrowing V for three minutes this time. Makes sense, since they seem to only need to keep him from dissuading the rest of the Order from destroying the gate. Oh wait. I completely misread that #667! Mr. Orange (because of Reservoir Dogs…but do you think Agent Orange works better?) gets 20 minutes. So does Yellow. Purple gets the 3 minutes. So this should be interesting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=300) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=302)