# 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:** 419
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8363 "2013-12-19T19:09:50Z")
> [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](#): > > probably a stupid question, but aren’t 931 - 934 retrievable from giantitp? Those would be the low-res versions he’s using to recreate them. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8364 "2013-12-19T21:00:33Z")
[Caster Fight!](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0935.html) ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8365 "2013-12-19T21:03:05Z")
[New Strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0935.html) Edit: ninja’d ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8366 "2013-12-19T21:08:58Z")
Is that the first time V has actually used BW’s name? ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8367 "2013-12-19T21:09:50Z")
I’m not surprised. (ETA: That Laurin booked out of there as soon as she thought it might not go her way.) ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8368 "2013-12-19T21:17:02Z")
Ah! Nice twist. We already knew that Sabine was moderately friendly towards V and obviously once Nale got murdered she spilled her guts for all she was worth while V was still imprisoned. ---
**Author:** ![Strassia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8369 "2013-12-19T21:20:35Z")
Is there any significance to the bead that BW stole? Do Psions need them to operate or are they merely decorative? ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8370 "2013-12-19T21:34:17Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > Is there any significance to the bead that BW stole? Do Psions need them to operate or are they merely decorative? I’m guessing Ioun Stone. See here: [SRD:Ioun Stone - D&D Wiki](http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Ioun_Stone) ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8371 "2013-12-19T21:36:06Z")
> [@Strassia](#): > > Is there any significance to the bead that BW stole? Do Psions need them to operate or are they merely decorative? They’re ioun stones (I’m posting from a Kindle so can’t grab a link, sorry). Not necessary, but more than decorative. Depending on the type, they grant various attribute bonuses or special abilities. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8372 "2013-12-19T21:46:35Z")
I believe Blackwing has taken an orange Ioun stone which grants 1+ to caster level. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8373 "2013-12-19T21:48:21Z")
I believe that Ioun Stones – some or all, don’t recall – can also add to a Psion’s power points. Even the dull grey “burnt out, useless” ones. Hence Rich often depicting Psions as using them. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8374 "2013-12-19T21:54:44Z")
What are we thinking Lauren’s “pop” was? Teleport, or Dimension Door to where Tarquin is still hanging onto the rail? If the former, I’m wondering why we don’t have a pissed-off speech from Tarquin, like when Miron’s contingency triggered. If the latter, it’s a way to yank Tarquin off the Mechane, if she follows up the DD with a teleport. Hope Julio’s been able to hang on while his ship plays, “Crack the Whip.” ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8375 "2013-12-19T21:57:43Z")
Since Laurin feels she’s outclassed, I assume she teleported off rather than just dimension door’ing to another part of the ship. No way to know yet. All that rocking should be bringing Roy & Co back updeck to see what the hell is going on, even if they didn’t hear anything. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8376 "2013-12-19T22:10:55Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Ah! Nice twist. We already knew that Sabine was moderately friendly towards V and obviously once Nale got murdered she spilled her guts for all she was worth while V was still imprisoned. Indeed! Elegantly done bit of plot there. I can’t imagine we’ve seen the end of Sabine, and if V turns out to have been important to Tarquin’s downfall, that could give V some leverage with her at some significant time. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8377 "2013-12-19T23:23:33Z")
Ioun stones, incidentally, are the second thing that Gary Gygax lifted wholesale from Vance, after the original D&D magic system. He didn’t even bother filing the serial numbers off…Vance actually called them ioun stones in his Dying Earth stories. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8378 "2013-12-20T00:56:03Z")
Hmm, “in excess of 25 spells left”, plus we know all the spells V cast today. I wonder what that says about her level or whatever? I bet the nerds at the OOTS forum are mulling on that one. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8379 "2013-12-20T01:04:13Z")
Are we taking that as literal truth or could it be a bluff? ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8380 "2013-12-20T01:08:11Z")
Vaarsuvius does not seem like the type of elf to lie. > [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > What are we thinking Lauren’s “pop” was? Teleport, or Dimension Door to where Tarquin is still hanging onto the rail? If the former, I’m wondering why we don’t have a pissed-off speech from Tarquin, like when Miron’s contingency triggered. Could be that Tarquin is still haging half off a rocking, twisting airship, could be that Tarquin’s whining didn’t fit smoothly into this strip (in which case we’ll see it in 936, I’m sure). ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8381 "2013-12-20T01:10:37Z")
So. Where has Tarquin gone? ETA: Damnit! Ninja’d! Okay, instead, commentary: “superior intelligence” is a very nice pun. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8382 "2013-12-20T01:30:05Z")
Nice. I totally missed it was a pun. Weird that V took no visual damage from the one “blow” the psion landed on her. Usually the upside-down grin means a good damage hit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=418) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=420)