# 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:** 370
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7382 "2013-09-17T22:20:48Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > All of that stuff happened before Nale died. V should know about all of that. Exactly. I just reread the strips from the point where V was taken by the Fiends and either the TV was showing the Order the whole time, in which case V saw Durkon return to them as a vampire and reporting that Malack and Z were dead, or it was focussed on Nale after the Gate blew, in which case V actually witnessed the whole Malack-Z killings. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7383 "2013-09-17T22:51:50Z")
> [@Mr.Goob](#): > > I still see the gang heading toward the rift. They’re cut off from the rift. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7384 "2013-09-17T22:52:08Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > Hmmm. Tarquin is not stupid, nor is he a noob. He must have a contigency plan to conteract wizards in army/battle situations. (Would that be the Psion’s role?) Especially with Vaarsuvius being a known factor. If anything, Tarquin would have been surprised by V’s absence in the earlier fights. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7385 "2013-09-17T22:55:29Z")
Given that Tarquin came to secure the Gate and hold it, he should have come prepared to deal with an epic level lich wizard and his “possibly the most powerful cleric in known Stickworld” goblin companion. It’s not as though Tarquin is ignorant of who the competition is. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7386 "2013-09-17T23:04:18Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > They’re cut off from the rift. Yes, but with V on hand they’ve got a much better chance of punching through Tarquin’s army to get there. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7387 "2013-09-18T04:04:53Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > All of that stuff happened before Nale died. V should know about all of that. Damn, you’re right. I wasn’t considering that all of those events would also be on the blood plasma screen. Nice job of Berlew putting V in front of that screen, it saves a bunch of exposition helping her catch up. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7388 "2013-09-18T04:47:36Z")
That fireball directed at Tarquin’s minions was pretty gruesome. Good thing this is fiction! ## Was that an evil act? Not in D&D terms. And of course our heroes have a world to save, not to mention their own lives. Still, war is hell and maybe even a little worse at times. > [@](#): > > (Would that be the Psion’s role?) Psion shmeon. Let’s engage those Pterosaurs! 😃 ---
**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:** [September 18, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7389 "2013-09-18T05:25:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Was that an evil act About as evil as James Bond blowing up the vilain’s lair, and killing dozens of henchmen. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7390 "2013-09-18T05:55:45Z")
Mmm, anyone else getting a corrupted gif rather than the comic? ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7391 "2013-09-18T11:29:24Z")
Just you, **MrDibble**. Just you. Which browser are you using? I use Firefox and I haven’t had any difficulties. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7392 "2013-09-18T11:31:08Z")
I’m also using Firefox and having no problems. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7393 "2013-09-18T11:54:13Z")
I’ve tried Firefox and Chrome - must be a proxy issue, I’ll check it out from home later. Thanks for the replies. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7394 "2013-09-18T12:40:26Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > Hmmm. Tarquin is not stupid, nor is he a noob. He must have a contigency plan to conteract wizards in army/battle situations. (Would that be the Psion’s role?) > [@Jophiel](#): > > Given that Tarquin came to secure the Gate and hold it, he should have come prepared to deal with an epic level lich wizard and his “possibly the most powerful cleric in known Stickworld” goblin companion. It’s not as though Tarquin is ignorant of who the competition is. Indeed, he should have a contingency plan. However, closing to range with V is problematic (not least of which because V has meat shields in Roy and Durkferatu), issues with close quarters combat (Durkferatu doesn’t have many spells left, but he can convert them at will to Inflict X Wounds. Plus Haley could flank for sneak attack damage), and not much in the way of backup (passing through the wall of fire will probably extinguish, pun intended, the average mook in Tarquin’s army). The trick will be the psion. If she decides to stay out of it, Daddy is losing an army for naught. If she doesn’t, there are a lot of options for a spellcaster duel. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7395 "2013-09-18T12:49:39Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Given that Tarquin came to secure the Gate and hold it, he should have come prepared to deal with an epic level lich wizard and his “possibly the most powerful cleric in known Stickworld” goblin companion. It’s not as though Tarquin is ignorant of who the competition is. He is however convinced that he’s the chief villain of the story, and probably assumes that “[that sub-boss Zyklon](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0917.html)” his allies are significantly weaker than Tarquin and _his_ party. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7396 "2013-09-18T13:11:17Z")
Remind me who the guy in the blue robe and scarf is (seen [center panel here](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0918.html)). Lots of talk about the psion but that guy has a caster look about him as well. I know he was part of Tarquin’s gang and the “manipulate three empires” plan but don’t remember if he was specially called out and mentioned. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7397 "2013-09-18T14:13:08Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Remind me who the guy in the blue robe and scarf is (seen [center panel here](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0918.html)). We know his name (which I don’t recall, so I will dub him TowelFace), and that he worked behind the scenes on behalf of Tarquin in the Empire of Tears, and pretty much nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7398 "2013-09-18T14:14:47Z")
That’s [Miron Shewdanker](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0131.html), the guy who [wrote the ransom note to Haley](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0915.html)! ETA: Also [he’s here](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0759.html). ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7399 "2013-09-18T14:25:00Z")
He’s part of Tarquin’s [adventuring party here](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0758.html) so he must be something other than a ransom note writer and bureaucrat. The safe money is on arcane caster since Malack had the cleric job sewn up. _Wildcard!_ ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7400 "2013-09-18T14:31:43Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > He’s part of Tarquin’s [adventuring party here](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0758.html) so he must be something other than a ransom note writer and bureaucrat. The safe money is on arcane caster since Malack had the cleric job sewn up. > > _Wildcard!_ I’m betting monk/assassin with a prestige class thrown in. I think the psion fills the arcane caster slot. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7401 "2013-09-18T14:35:36Z")
I figured Cat-Girl had the thief/rogue/assassin role filled. Monk is a possibility – I’ll admit that I never remember that monks exist. When Tarquin divvies everyone up, it _appears_ that it’s melee/caster in each realm (Tarquin/Malack, Cat-Girl/Psion, Warrior/Towelface) but I guess if Miron is a melee then you’re not going to divide the six evenly no matter what anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=369) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=371)