# 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:** 36
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/701 "2010-04-18T21:44:23Z")
Linear or Thieves’? ---
**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:** [April 18, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/702 "2010-04-18T23:37:17Z")
Oh, I meant tied in with the Linear Guild. As in, it’s been widely speculated that Lord Tyrinnar, the guy who was holding her dad hostage, is Elan and Nale’s father.Which if anything, looks even more likely lately. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/703 "2010-04-19T00:55:46Z")
[New comic!](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0716.html) Not to mention a new subquest. Even if the OOtS is separated once more, I have a feeling it won’t be for nearly as long this time. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/704 "2010-04-19T06:18:30Z")
_rubs hands happily_ Go Haley! And go V! ---
**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:** [April 19, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/705 "2010-04-19T16:20:58Z")
[nerdy side note] The lizardfolk with the bandanna was only affected for a single round by [Power Word Stun](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/powerWordStun.htm), which means that he has over 100 HP. Since he appears to be a rogueish class (with a d6 hit die), that would put him at extremely high level (probably at least 18, or so). Which means the Order will really have their work cut out for them. [/nerdy side note] ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/706 "2010-04-19T17:11:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > [nerdy side note] > The lizardfolk with the bandanna was only affected for a single round by [Power Word Stun](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/powerWordStun.htm), which means that he has over 100 HP. Since he appears to be a rogueish class (with a d6 hit die), that would put him at extremely high level (probably at least 18, or so). Which means the Order will really have their work cut out for them. > [/nerdy side note] Lizardfolk get a Con bonus, and he’s using an Exotic Weapon with feat support, so I’d say Ftr/Rog mix. Assuming 50/50 split and an 18 Con (not unreasonable for a front-line fighter compensating for light armor), that’s 8 + 4.5 + 5.5(N/2) + 3.5(N/2) + 4N, or 98 hp average with 10 class levels (For ECL 13 or CL 11). So, assuming he’s a heroic lizardfolk on par with the average party member, that’s the behavior we’d expect to see. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2010, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/707 "2010-04-22T11:35:22Z")
New one up. [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0717.html](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0717.html) Those union demands seem very familiar. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/708 "2010-04-23T15:25:05Z")
Have you seen how angry Haley looks in the last panel, when the group is walking by the striking slavedrivers? She’s positively _glaring_ at them. I have the feeling that, if/when our heroes get out of their predicament, Haley is going to go medieval on those slavedriver’s asses. (I also wonder… Maybe the destruction of Lou’s slaver gang has affected the supply of slaves for the construction of the mega-palace of the Empress of Blood?). ---
**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:** [April 23, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/709 "2010-04-23T23:04:49Z")
I hadn’t noticed that… It’s good character development here, since the first time we saw her confront the issue of slavery, she was contemplating the profit margins. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/710 "2010-04-27T23:58:05Z")
New strip. [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0718.html](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0718.html) "This is the ‘Empire of Blood’, not the ‘Empire of Blood All Over Our New Carpets.’ " ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/711 "2010-04-28T00:00:25Z")
I’m embarrassed to say I don’t get the final joke, or recognize the reference about the song in the second-to-last panel. I’m wondering if the golden figurine in panel #4 is a hint about this Empire of Blood place, or who’s in charge? ---
**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:** [April 28, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/712 "2010-04-28T00:14:00Z")
It’s a fairly common trope in a lot of folklore that, when Death shows up, you can challenge him to a game of skill which, if you win, will prevent him from claiming you. Chess is a bit more traditional than a wet t-shirt contest, though. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/713 "2010-04-28T00:20:16Z")
Is this strip another boobquake reference? ---
**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:** [April 28, 2010, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/714 "2010-04-28T00:56:11Z")
Boobquake? I get the first part of that, the second, not so much. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2010, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/715 "2010-04-28T01:15:20Z")
[Boobquake](http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp04262010.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/716 "2010-04-28T05:25:29Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > It’s a fairly common trope in a lot of folklore that, when Death shows up, you can challenge him to a game of skill which, if you win, will prevent him from claiming you. > > Chess is a bit more traditional than a wet t-shirt contest, though. [Best. version of this trope. EVAR.](http://xkcd.com/393/) RIp, Mr. Gygaz. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2010, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/717 "2010-04-28T06:45:28Z")
Anybody know who the god-figures are in panel four? ---
**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:** [April 28, 2010, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/718 "2010-04-28T07:38:48Z")
Interesting that the higher ups all seem to be reptile people of various types. I wonder if the name the Empire of Blood refers to cold bloodedness instead of bloodthirstiness. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2010, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/719 "2010-04-28T08:19:29Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Anybody know who the god-figures are in panel four? I’m guessing something Babylonian. Ishtar and Marduch, maybe? ---
**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:** [April 28, 2010, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/720 "2010-04-28T08:28:11Z")
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