# 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:** 313
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6242 "2013-07-22T20:50:36Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Yeah, that intrigued me. I assume V and Sabine are OOTS and Linear. Is Tarquin a side unto his own? I bet the demon roaches are the plants on Team Evil. Tarquin has a sizable staff. And don’t forget the Imp. Sabine won’t like it if Malack offs Nale. Elan might not want that either. The audience may not mind though, as Nale’s only current redeeming quality seems to be… the feelings of Sabine and Elan. Then again Nale seems like an obsessed villain which tends to extend his life expectancy at least until the final act. But Malack is way cooler and it’s a little early for Durkon to be freed of his clutches. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6243 "2013-07-22T20:50:37Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > My immediate thought: > > [Tarquin: “Come on Mal. Try to look forward to the end of the mission.”](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0849.html) > > Mission’s over now…and I think we can guess the one thing that Malack would be looking forward to when it comes to Nale. I think the mission isn’t over until Nale captures a gate. And there’s one more gate. Not sure if Malack will see it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6244 "2013-07-22T20:53:16Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Tarquin has a sizable staff. And don’t forget the Imp. Sorry, I didn’t mean by himself, I meant as distinct from the Linear Guild and possibly Malack. ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6245 "2013-07-22T21:26:01Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > and it’s a little early for Durkon to be freed of his clutches. I’m not sure Durkon is _going_ to be freed from his clutches…remember: “How will I finally be returnin’ ta me beloved dwarven homelands?” “Posthumously.” (329) Nothing about not being animate at the time. Which would tie in to the whole (paraphrased) “when Durkon returns to the dwarven lands, they’ll be destroyed” prophecy. (1st book) ---
**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:** [July 22, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6246 "2013-07-22T22:09:19Z")
> [@Unpronounceable](#): > > I’m not sure Durkon is _going_ to be freed from his clutches…remember: > > “How will I finally be returnin’ ta me beloved dwarven homelands?” > “Posthumously.” > (329) > > Nothing about not being animate at the time. Which would tie in to the whole (paraphrased) “when Durkon returns to the dwarven lands, they’ll be destroyed” prophecy. > (1st book) Yeah, but Malack has [stated his intention](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0879.html) to release Durkon from his control. He’ll still be a vampire. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6247 "2013-07-22T22:33:01Z")
Durkon asking if they should look for the second pyramid after it became clear the sign was a ruse is obviously intended to be a dumb question. So has Durkon’s intelligence been reduced because he’s now a vampire or is it just an effect of Malack’s mind control? ---
**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:** [July 22, 2013, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6248 "2013-07-22T23:05:43Z")
Presumably, if ordered to think about it himself, he would and could. But even though he _can_ still think, he isn’t. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2013, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6249 "2013-07-22T23:41:00Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Durkon asking if they should look for the second pyramid after it became clear the sign was a ruse is obviously intended to be a dumb question. So has Durkon’s intelligence been reduced because he’s now a vampire or is it just an effect of Malack’s mind control? I don’t think Durkon is in charge at all at the moment - note that he doesn’t even have his accent. What’s in charge right now is some kind of fairly simpleminded, generic “Enthralled Vampire Servant Personality” that has little if anything to do with the actual Durkon outside of access to Durkon’s skills; it didn’t even realize sunlight was dangerous to vampires until it burned itself, which implies a near total lack of knowledge. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2013, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6250 "2013-07-23T04:36:15Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I don’t think Durkon is in charge at all at the moment - note that he doesn’t even have his accent. What’s in charge right now is some kind of fairly simpleminded, generic “Enthralled Vampire Servant Personality” that has little if anything to do with the actual Durkon outside of access to Durkon’s skills; it didn’t even realize sunlight was dangerous to vampires until it burned itself, which implies a near total lack of knowledge. I’ve noticed this as well. “Durkon” is like a child now; Malack’s comment, “that’s why we don’t go out without our abjurations” seemed designed to point that out explicitly. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6251 "2013-07-24T18:20:11Z")
[#904 is up](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0904.html) Where does she keep them? ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6252 "2013-07-24T19:28:55Z")
That was incredibly clever of Haley. And the arrows come from the same place Blackwing hangs out when V isn’t thinking of him. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6253 "2013-07-24T19:43:37Z")
I wonder where Nale and company (and for that matter Tarquin) are. Specifically, I wonder how close they are to the battle… ---
**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:** [July 24, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6254 "2013-07-24T20:22:42Z")
Ugh, Haley’s going to get herself killed and I won’t be able to forgive Rich. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6255 "2013-07-24T20:23:16Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I wonder where Nale and company (and for that matter Tarquin) are. Specifically, I wonder how close they are to the battle… Nale _et al_ especially. They’re close enough to take damage from the explosion, but not close enough to see a 50 foot tall elemental in a fight? Or maybe they are, and they’re hiding so that it doesn’t start attacking them? Edit: Can’t Haley just outrun the thing if it comes down to it, Earth Glide or not? I do like the OOTS Board mentioned idea of Elan casting an Image of Roy in front of the elemental, and having the Image run through the Rift. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6256 "2013-07-24T21:02:37Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Ugh, Haley’s going to get herself killed and I won’t be able to forgive Rich. Or she could hand the sword to the halfling, who isn’t a human with a great broadsword. Of course that’s risky given that the little psycho has all of one hitpoint left. ETA: Or hand the sword to whomever else shows up. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6257 "2013-07-24T21:04:36Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Edit: Can’t Haley just outrun the thing if it comes down to it, Earth Glide or not? I do like the OOTS Board mentioned idea of Elan casting an Image of Roy in front of the elemental, and having the Image run through the Rift. The speed of Earth Elementals bigger than large is 30ft/round, same as Haley, so she could only run as fast as it could. I suppose she could sprint, but then the elemental could also. If she did that and elemental followed, eventually the summoning would wear off and it would return to the elemental plane of earth. Having it run through the rift would be interesting. I imagine Earth elementals can’t swim. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6258 "2013-07-24T21:16:03Z")
I’d try dropping the sword altogether. No human with a greatsword there will mean either the elemental will attack the next closest target, or will attack _no_ target. Worth losing a round to see. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6259 "2013-07-24T22:24:53Z")
Won’t work. The elemental was commanded, “Kill everyone, starting with the human with the greatsword” so it’ll just attack anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6260 "2013-07-24T22:30:57Z")
n/m ---
**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:** [July 24, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/6261 "2013-07-24T22:38:58Z")
This sure has to be almost the end of the book. The update rate has been quite good. Berlew must be looking toward his traditional hiatus at the end of a book. I also like the idea of luring the elemental through the gate. If the water is shallow enough, you’d even get a small desert island. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=312) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=314)