# 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:** 386
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7702 "2013-10-21T13:43:07Z")
OK, now Rich is just fucking with us. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7703 "2013-10-21T13:51:10Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > [925 is up!](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0925.html) > > What’s with the tiny protection-from-arrows disc on TowelFace’s forehead? I think that is it actually - just showing that he has cast protection from arrows. It’s only visible in the one panel where an arrow is about to hit him. And, “snatch” to go with “dink” - did we know that Tarquin has ninja level skills? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7704 "2013-10-21T13:55:04Z")
“Snatch Arrows” is a feat that can be taken by a fighter. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7705 "2013-10-21T13:59:35Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > And, “snatch” to go with “dink” - did we know that Tarquin has ninja level skills? Yes, he’s done it a few times before. [Example](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0858.html). ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7706 "2013-10-21T14:00:34Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > What’s with the tiny protection-from-arrows disc on TowelFace’s forehead? I think that’s Entropic Shield, a low level cleric spell that grants 20% chance to flat out ignore a projectile attack. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7707 "2013-10-21T14:03:50Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > I think that’s Entropic Shield, a low level cleric spell that grants 20% chance to flat out ignore a projectile attack. Which makes sense, since he got nailed with two other arrows. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7708 "2013-10-21T14:29:30Z")
Are there any actual known rules on how often Laurin can create a Wormhole, or is it all something we can only guess about? ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7709 "2013-10-21T14:55:13Z")
On the OOTS forum, they are under the impression she’s around 20th level so she has about 343 power points and I guess the wormhole only takes like 19 so run the psion out of power points is sounding to me like a bad strategy. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7710 "2013-10-21T15:10:11Z")
Yeah, since psionics are a points system (unlike the Vancian magic system that D&D uses), she can pretty much cast as long as she has PSPs to burn. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7711 "2013-10-21T15:11:44Z")
Does that mean psions are like sorcerers? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7712 "2013-10-21T15:32:09Z")
No. Sorcerers have a number of “spell slots” per level, per day to cast from. So, for example on a given day a Sorc could choose to cast magic missile 8 times or shield 8 times, and each use would cost them one “level 1 spell slot”, but not fireball 8 times since fireball is a higher level spell requiring the expenditure of a level 3 spell slot (though IIRC they could cast magic missile by expending a fireball spell slot if they so wished. Or is that a feat ?) Psions have an universal pool of points to spend however the fuck they want, with more powerful effects costing more points. Much more flexible. In theory, psion powers are also supposed to be less powerful than spells to balance it all out ; in practice psions are overpowered as all getout. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7713 "2013-10-21T15:36:16Z")
> [@chorpler](#): > > Does that mean psions are like sorcerers? I’m not sure, actually. I’m not familiar with how sorcerers manage resources. Obviously they don’t memorize spells, but whether they use a magic point system or if they’re simply limited to so many spells of each level per day I don’t know. I’m not aware that, pre-4th, a magic point system was ever used by arcane casters in lieu of the Vancian or variants thereof. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7714 "2013-10-21T15:41:46Z")
Thanks **Kobal2** and **jayjay**. That clarifies a lot of things. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7715 "2013-10-21T15:42:59Z")
Why are Haley’s boots glowing? I remember she had some magic boots (“But they were green!”) but not what they were or why they’d be glowing in this context. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7716 "2013-10-21T15:45:45Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Why are Haley’s boots glowing? I remember she had some magic boots (“But they were green!”) but not what they were or why they’d be glowing in this context. They’re [boots of speed](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0003.html). Are they what’s allowing her to shoot off five arrows in one round? ETA: According to [d20srd.org](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#bootsofSpeed), they allow the user to act as though a [haste](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/haste.htm) spell has been cast on him or her for up to 10 rounds per day, and the rounds don’t need to be consecutive. The haste description says it allows you to make one extra attack with your weapon when making a full attack. So I guess it is helping her shoot more arrows? ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7717 "2013-10-21T15:59:25Z")
Makes sense. Although it makes on wonder why she’s waited until now to use the effect and not during the fight with Tarquin in the pyramid or when fighting the elemental or when fighting an army… Makes me think of the old saw about how you’re playing a video game and save all your best potions for “in case there’s a huge fight” and wind up defeating the end boss with your bags full of consumable stuff you never actually used. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7718 "2013-10-21T16:01:00Z")
Why do Haley’s boots revert to green for one panel? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7719 "2013-10-21T16:04:55Z")
> [@chorpler](#): > > ETA: According to [d20srd.org](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#bootsofSpeed), they allow the user to act as though a [haste](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/haste.htm) spell has been cast on him or her for up to 10 rounds per day, and the rounds don’t need to be consecutive. The haste description says it allows you to make one extra attack with your weapon when making a full attack. So I guess it is helping her shoot more arrows? Correct. Haste is the bee’s knees. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7720 "2013-10-21T16:05:43Z")
I think to show that their Haste function is enabled. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/7721 "2013-10-21T16:14:09Z")
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