# 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:** 424
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8463 "2014-01-07T19:15:13Z")
[New Strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0936.html) Edit: Elan is such a badass. I loved the look on Julio’s face, and the desperate pleading of a man that knows he’s lost trying to salvage anything. But I think Elan went from a boy to a man in this strip. Also, Haley is one creative and dangerous mofo. EDIT 2: I wonder if this is the last strip of the book. ---
**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:** [January 7, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8464 "2014-01-07T19:19:18Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > [New Strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0936.html) New as of post 8436. edited to respond to edit > [@](#): > > EDIT 2: I wonder if this is the last strip of the book. No, see post by Peter Morris just after the strip was posted. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8465 "2014-01-07T19:30:54Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > New as of post 8436. > > edited to respond to edit > > No, see post by Peter Morris just after the strip was posted. Dammit, I miss an update and think I am finally the guy to be the first to respond. blarg ---
**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:** [January 7, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8466 "2014-01-07T20:32:46Z")
I didn’t want to raise false hopes of a new strip. But since yellowjacketcoder already posted, I’ll ask if anyone else noticed Burlew switched graphic formats. He’s always posted as strips as GIFs but he’s posted the last couple of strips as PNGs. Any ideas why he would make this switch? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8467 "2014-01-07T20:39:26Z")
He did have the tech problems last month. He may have switched machines and software. ---
**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:** [January 7, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8468 "2014-01-07T20:47:36Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > He did have the tech problems last month. He may have switched machines and software. I think it’s related to that crash - he mentioned having to recreate the last couple of strips from the online versions. He might have switched formats because he’s worried about that happening again, and it’s easier to recreate the strips from a PNG than a GIF. ---
**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:** [January 7, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8469 "2014-01-07T21:13:05Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > He did have the tech problems last month. He may have switched machines and software. He had no choice but to change software; he mentioned that the software he used no longer works on newer machines, which is why he was using an old one. ---
**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:** [January 7, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8470 "2014-01-07T21:18:52Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > I don’t know about anyone else, but when I see the thread is bumped, I find myself scrolling up and down, trying to determine if there is an actual new comic while also trying not to read any discussion in case there _is_ a new one that I’ve yet to read. I’m the exact opposite. Whenever the thread is bumped, I pop over to Feedly and check the feed to see if there’s been a new post. Wonderful feed, because Burlew never pushes anything to it other than a new comic. If I open the thread, I might get spoiled. If I go to my feed reader, I absolutely won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8471 "2014-01-12T14:34:15Z")
[New strip!](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0937.html) With a terrible pun at the end! ---
**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:** [January 12, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8472 "2014-01-12T15:58:14Z")
C’mon, if it hadn’t been a terrible pun, the dentist would have been performing a root canal on the wrong patient. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8473 "2014-01-12T16:23:19Z")
A nice funny page in the nick of time after all the commotion before the icy talons of death approached. So many jokes. Julio as the most interesting man in the world spoof is a great poster. Once and for all we know that they are not going into the rift. I predicted it over and over, guessing what Rich will do next is frustrating. But a lot of damn fun. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8474 "2014-01-12T18:03:07Z")
So, does V eventually realize that Blackwing snagged an ioun stone? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8475 "2014-01-12T18:58:27Z")
> [@Mr.Goob](#): > > Once and for all we know that they are not going into the rift. Hell, I knew that weeks ago. It was clear in [#920](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0920.html) that it wasn’t in the cards, but seemed to me unlikely even before that. But I’m glad it’s well and truly dead conversationally, at least for now. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8476 "2014-01-12T19:42:51Z")
I suspect that V grasped the significance of the ioun stone immediately. S/he may also conceive it to be rightfully the property of Blackwing though. Best not to be pushy about such things. > [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > It’s orange, right? That’s +1 caster level. I could see situations where that might be a game changer. Ah. Lauren took a -1 hit from Durkon and now she’s lost yet another level. Is she capable of transporting armies or parties now? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8477 "2014-01-12T19:58:56Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I suspect that V grasped the significance of the ioun stone immediately. S/he may also conceive it to be rightfully the property of Blackwing though. Best not to be pushy about such things. Ah. Lauren took a -1 hit from Durkon and now she’s lost yet another level. Is she capable of transporting armies or parties now? -2 from Durkon. The loss of the Ioun stone only reduces the power of her powers, not the quantity. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8478 "2014-01-12T23:19:19Z")
So everyone gets healing potions except Belkar, because of the ‘stupid blood drain.’ We know that Belkar will be dying sometime fairly to very soon; is this Rich just messing with us some more and drawing out the dramatic tension, or is there a real reason why Belkar is still vulnerable? Also, while I could totally see that Tarquin won’t be seen any longer in the strip, I could also picture _him_ deciding to take the risk of traveling into the Rift so as to spring out on Elan when least expected. Possible? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8479 "2014-01-12T23:31:18Z")
> [@](#): > > -2 from Durkon. The loss of the Ioun stone only reduces the power of her powers, not the quantity. That’s pretty significant for a psion, though. Many of a psion’s most powerful powers are lower-level ones that are augmented up to be more powerful, and your manifester level limits how high you can augment them. So it just might render her unable to transport armies. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8480 "2014-01-12T23:45:15Z")
> [@shantih](#): > > is this Rich just messing with us some more and drawing out the dramatic tension, or is there a real reason why Belkar is still vulnerable? I think it’s just Durkon not being available yet to fix up Belkar, so Belkar gets something to bitch about. And Rich fucking with us. > [@Chronos](#): > > That’s pretty significant for a psion, though. Many of a psion’s most powerful powers are lower-level ones that are augmented up to be more powerful, and your manifester level limits how high you can augment them. So it just might render her unable to transport armies. Doesn’t she just need to go a cleric before 24 hours is up to get the negative levels removed? I’m fuzzy on how this works, but I recall something of that sort. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8481 "2014-01-12T23:47:50Z")
> [@shantih](#): > > r is there a real reason why Belkar is still vulnerable? I think blood drain does constitution damage. If Belkar was hit for enough of that, it would have severely impacted his HP pool. Stat damage can’t be healed by potions. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8482 "2014-01-13T00:55:25Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Hell, I knew that weeks ago. It was clear in [#920](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0920.html) that it wasn’t in the cards, but seemed to me unlikely even before that. But I’m glad it’s well and truly dead conversationally, at least for now. I was convinced they were going into the rift. Even when the airship showed up I guessed that somehow it would take the gang into the rift. This was my official eating of the hat that it won’t happen now. Ok the brow is salty from sweat anybody have any pepper or garlic and lemon? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=423) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=425)