# 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:** 435
**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:** [February 18, 2014, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8683 "2014-02-18T23:19:11Z")
A character I’m currently playing is a LN goblin druid/monk. Basically he was his tribe’s lorekeeper, and he’s trying to keep the Goblin Laws alive even after his tribe got destroyed (probably by the other PCs, but he doesn’t know that), which is made harder by the fact that he can’t really hit his new companions over the head with a big stick, as he was used to. So instead he’ll make a point to tell the group whenever they’re doing something dangerously un-gobliny (like reading) ; they’ll ignore it ; he’ll sulk ; then he’ll do something very goblin-y to “atone” for the group’s sins. Like setting dogs on fire or using the Sorcerer’s scroll stash as toilet paper. Then it starts over again :). But he’s not bad, not really (outside of typical goblin traits like hating dogs & horses and routine pyromania), nor does he dislike being in the mostly-Chaotic group - quite the opposite, he’s genuinely trying to make his “new tribe” all better so they can save the world _properly_. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8684 "2014-02-19T01:36:01Z")
Lawful evil is fun in a narrative sense, Darth Vader yet again leaps to mind. Rigid jedi mindset but a bad mofo all the same. I have a hard time wrapping my head around and being able to play anyone other than Lawful Good or Chaotic Evil. Hard to build a part around either. Or my usual Chaotic Good selfish sonofabitch. I should try to stretch myself as a roleplayer and work with a harder alignment rather than just try to be comfortable and have fun as I want my gaming sessions to be. This is a game and not work right? ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8685 "2014-02-19T01:49:28Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > It just makes for deeper storytelling than “welp, I’m chaotic, time to do whatever I feel like”. At the risk of being the asshole who goes on and on about his character, I’ve been trying in a game lately to make Chaotic Neutral interesting. Character’s a trickster priest with a traumatic history of dealing with leaders from every alignment, and consequently holds a profoundly deepseated mistrust of anyone in a position of authority; he uses his trickster schtick to expose hypocrisy (real or imagined) among both good temples and demon-worshipping sorts, and is happy to bring down a corrupt mayor even if it leads to all sorts of civil unrest, blood in the streets, etc. Kind of a Kropotkin crossed with Coyote. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8686 "2014-02-19T01:51:57Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > the note that a strong female character (Bandana?) will continue to be part of the action I was thinking [Amun-Zora](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0742.html); the envoy from the Free City of Doom whose husband was intentionally killed by Tarquin’s troops during their betrayal. Most recently seen recruiting Ian Starshine to work with her as she heads the resistance against Tarquin. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8687 "2014-02-19T02:12:26Z")
[New one! 946](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0946.html) Dun dun DUUUUNNNNN!!! So who is it in control there? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8688 "2014-02-19T02:33:39Z")
That’s Hel, norse goddess of the underworld. She has a bit role in another strip where Thor is distracted and can’t hear Durkon’s prayers because he’s arguing with her over some poor woman’s soul. Also, wow. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8689 "2014-02-19T02:43:19Z")
And don’t miss the front page: [spoiler] 2/18/2014 It’s the end of this (very long) story arc, so that means it’s time for me to take a break from the regular updates in order to prepare for the next (probably also very long) arc. The main comic here on the site will return on March 31st, with a whole new story far away from the desert and Elan’s family and all that. … [Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/index.html) Wait? March 31st?!?! NN-N-N-O-O-O-O-O-O-O ;)😃 As for this thread, we’ve topped 8600 posts: it’s been quite a ride though I personally only joined up maybe 3/4 of the way through. [/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8690 "2014-02-19T03:07:25Z")
Well, that was a hell of a cliffhanger. Good job Mr. Burlew. You never cease to amaze. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8691 "2014-02-19T03:19:20Z")
Well, it looks like url=“[906 Nothing Lasts Forever - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0906.html)”]Nergal saved him, after all… Also, what **yellowjacketcoder** said. BTW, this has been most successful thread I ever started. Let’s let somebody else start the one at the end of March. 🙂 ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8692 "2014-02-19T03:20:02Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > the note that a strong female character (Bandana?) will continue to be part of the action. Isn’t that obviously Laurin - aka The Mouth of Snarl - now? ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8693 "2014-02-19T03:32:40Z")
Oh, good. Only six weeks. That’s actually not bad at all for interbook hiatuses for this strip. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8694 "2014-02-19T03:47:22Z")
Wait. So who the hell IS Durkula? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8695 "2014-02-19T03:52:20Z")
Lose a baddie, gain a baddie. That makes two members of the Order compromised by evil forces in some way (not including Belkar). Question is: Is Hel working with the 3 evils or purely on her own agenda? ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8696 "2014-02-19T04:27:19Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Isn’t that obviously Laurin - aka The Mouth of Snarl - now? Well, the question was about a strong female lead “joining the group”. I could see Amun-Zora hooking up with the OotS for something, less so Laurin joining up with the Order. ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8697 "2014-02-19T05:06:16Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Well, it looks like url=“[906 Nothing Lasts Forever - Giant in the Playground Games](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0906.html)”]Nergal saved him, after all… > > Also, what **yellowjacketcoder** said. > > BTW, this has been most successful thread I ever started. Let’s let somebody else start the one at the end of March. 🙂 You appear to be assuming that it is Malack inside Durkon. But it can’t be, he wouldn’t be following Hel, he would still be worshiping Nergal. And Hel says that Nergal’s snake sired the entity in control of Durkon’s body, not that he is the entity. I think it is just a dark spirit that came into being when Durkon was changed that Hel has given enough power to keep Durkon down. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8698 "2014-02-19T05:13:19Z")
Never mind…I see you actually said what I thought you didn’t. 🙂 ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8699 "2014-02-19T05:28:28Z")
So we have Xykon trying to control the Gates. And Redcloak wanting to give the Gate to his deity. And the Directors doing their thing. And Snarl-possessed-Laurin perhaps? And Hel saying that she’s going to bring ruin to the world. All I’m sayin’ is that I’m glad I live on Earth. For someone faking Durkon’s accent, he even bothers [faking it to himself](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0908.html) when there’s no one around (“Ech, tha works, too”). Durkon said before that [no one worships Hel](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0737.html) or serves as her clerics. Hilga (the only evil dwarf cleric we’ve met) was a cleric of Loki. Maybe that was hyperbole on Durkon’s part but I’m amused by the notion that “High Priest of Hel” isn’t a job with a whole lot of competition. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8700 "2014-02-19T05:44:30Z")
This puts some things that Malack said in perspective. Such as [referring](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0874.html) to him being resurrected as just a complicated way of annihilating him. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8701 "2014-02-19T06:09:26Z")
Fucking vampires, man. Fucking vampires. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2014, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323/8702 "2014-02-19T06:21:54Z")
Awesome ending. I’m ecstatic that Hel showed up. Much better than that cleric of Evil BS. As a dark horse for the strong female lead we’ve already seen in this Book, how about Niu? Can’t wait for both the book to be available for sale and for the next strip. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=434) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-5-discussion-thread/508323.md?page=436)