# Order of the Stick - Book 6 Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755 "2014-03-03T16:07:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 125
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2481 "2016-03-07T15:51:54Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Because he was talking as if Banjo is real. It’s okay for Elan to stick to the joke, because he’s the bard and is comic relief. > [@Alessan](#): > > Elan is a lot more self-aware than he looks. I mean, he’s no brain cleric (or rocket wizard), but a lot of the time he plays the fool because he feels it’s his job. Ok. Thanks! (I hate it when I’m the only guy in the room that didn’t get the joke.) ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2482 "2016-03-07T17:40:14Z")
Love Elan’s near freak-out there. Reminds me of his “Triple Fantasy!” moment back in the pyramid. He _does_ tend to freak when Roy’s too nice to him, doesn’t he? ---
**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:** [March 7, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2483 "2016-03-07T20:43:57Z")
We’ve seen some character growth in the last few strips. I’ve been touched by V and Roy’s self knowledge, determination to level up, and grasp of the challenge of overcoming their own shortcomings. This sort of thing usually occurs after the climax of a story. But we’re probably short of the middle of this book, and we also have another to go. Burlew knows what he’s doing though; this strip even makes a joke about the character growth. Nice opening shot. My first vision of a mountain castle and an airship assumes that both have continuous eye contact with each other. But honestly, I can see how Belkar could fall out of a window without being noticed by a circling (and altitude adjusting) craft. It’s funny how the airship has anchors and a rudder. ---
**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:** [March 7, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2484 "2016-03-07T21:26:52Z")
Not as funny as Roy holding down a rope as part of damage control. Think about that one for a bit. ---
**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:** [March 7, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2485 "2016-03-07T21:27:48Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > So, we weren’t quite done with the “forum ‘plothole’ filling” pages yet. I wonder if those are easier to script. Or if it’s harder because he needs to integrate them into his outline. > > I still wonder how Belkar got back in. Did V pick him up, since he couldn’t get through the gate? I can just see Burlew reading the forums and constantly saying “Damn it!” everytime they come up with another potential twist or hole in the plot. Bright group of people, and I think it ultimately makes his final product better, but it’s gotta be frustrating. I don’t think Belkar did ever go back into the Temple. I think he got outside, stood off the Goliath, watched Roy then V kill it, and got scooped up by V to the deck of the _Mechane_. Thanks for explaining the joke about Banjo at the end, guys. I didn’t get it until you all explained it, and I couldn’t figure out why Elan was getting so worried at the end. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2486 "2016-03-08T00:08:40Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Elan is a lot more self-aware than he looks. I mean, he’s no brain cleric (or rocket wizard), but a lot of the time he plays the fool because he feels it’s his job. Elan also realizes it’s okay for him to be out of touch with reality because he’s not in a responsible position. But Roy’s the leader of the group - even Elan recognizes it would be a problem if the group was being led by somebody who was delusional. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2487 "2016-03-08T01:16:55Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I don’t think Belkar did ever go back into the Temple. I think he got outside, stood off the Goliath, watched Roy then V kill it, and got scooped up by V to the deck of the _Mechane_. Well, he said he had to go back and get his stuff. Though I guess V could have gotten it for him. (It sure didn’t seem like Roy had it.) (V was still in the middle of bring Little Whiskers [the tiger] back to Veldrina.) ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2488 "2016-03-08T01:19:41Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Well, he said he had to go back and get his stuff. Though I guess V could have gotten it for him. (It sure didn’t seem like Roy had it.) (V was still in the middle of bring Little Whiskers back to Valdrina.) Yea, there’s no way they head off to the final battle while one of their main damage dealer leaves his fancy weapons somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2489 "2016-03-08T05:29:07Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > So, we weren’t quite done with the “forum ‘plothole’ filling” pages yet. I wonder if those are easier to script. Or if it’s harder because he needs to integrate them into his outline. > > I still wonder how Belkar got back in. Did V pick him up, since he couldn’t get through the gate? Looks like V picked him up. In the first panel, it looks like V flying along with Belkar - very tiny part of the drawing - and in the second, it looks like s/he’s coming in for a landing. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2490 "2016-03-08T05:46:34Z")
I think BigT means how Belkar got back into the building to retrieve his daggers, left behind in [=996.](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0996.html) ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2491 "2016-03-09T01:29:52Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I think BigT means how Belkar got back into the building to retrieve his daggers, left behind in [=996.](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0996.html) After the Goliath was vanquished, there was nothing stopping him from just walking in. Which I’m sure he did to pick up his daggers. V probably met him while both were on the way out and gave him a lift back. Saved a climb up that rope ladder. I’m not sure what the confusion is here. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2016, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2492 "2016-03-09T01:51:18Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m not sure what the confusion is here. The hall is sequestered with a barrier preventing people entering or leaving. So some people wonder how Belkar was able to “pass through the gate” in order to get his daggers. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2493 "2016-03-09T02:16:06Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > The hall is sequestered with a barrier preventing people entering or leaving. So some people wonder how Belkar was able to “pass through the gate” in order to get his daggers. The same way he got in the first time around? I’m not understanding how this is confusing. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2494 "2016-03-09T03:00:19Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > The hall is sequestered with a barrier preventing people entering or leaving. So some people wonder how Belkar was able to “pass through the gate” in order to get his daggers. The hall (Nave, actually) is sequestered along with a stairway leading down to it and a side stairs leading up to the gallery, but there’s a fair amount of corridors, stairs, and whatnot around the outside of the Nave that is not within the sequestered area. It’s in one of those corridors that he dropped his daggers. The place where Gontor was overcome by Durkula was also outside the sequestered section. You may wonder why a single-use temple has such an elaborate set of corridors and so forth. I mean, they really aren’t necessary for the Godsmoot. The only answer is PLOT. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2495 "2016-03-09T03:09:14Z")
Clerics can enter the cathedral with two bodyguards. Belkar was technically Durkon’s bodyguard so he was allowed in. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2496 "2016-03-09T03:48:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Clerics can enter the cathedral with two bodyguards. Belkar was technically Durkon’s bodyguard so he was allowed in. Not anymore, though. When Durkula gave up the High Priesthood, Roy lost his status as bodyguard. Belkar would have lost his at the same time. But that’s irrelevant for getting his daggers back. It would only keep him out of the sequestered area, which his daggers were not in. ---
**Author:** ![Enterprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/76d3ee/32.png) [@Enterprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enterprise)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2497 "2016-03-16T13:53:52Z")
New one up! [Don’t Even Ask About Electrum](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1028.html). Though: Is it me, or is this a problem solved that nobody even thought was a problem in the first place–a loose end unravelled in the first panel just so it can be stowed tightly in the last (well, next to last)? Story-telling wise, it doesn’t really seem to get us anywhere… ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2498 "2016-03-16T14:01:44Z")
“Maybe if we had some crayons?” Ha! ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2499 "2016-03-16T14:09:23Z")
> [@Enterprise](#): > > New one up! [Don’t Even Ask About Electrum](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1028.html). Though: > > Is it me, or is this a problem solved that nobody even thought was a problem in the first place–a loose end unravelled in the first panel just so it can be stowed tightly in the last (well, next to last)? Story-telling wise, it doesn’t really seem to get us anywhere… Perhaps Rich did it to address fanboy moaning on the GitP forum. I hope not, though, I know he gets worked up over people complaining about the plot or application of D&D rules or whatnot, but I’d like to think that he doesn’t let that actually affect his output. Rich does have a history of being pretty detail oriented, though, and so I don’t see much of a problem with this strip. Hell, it may have simply been so he had an excuse to use that joke in the last panel. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/2500 "2016-03-16T15:42:20Z")
And perhaps it’s a way to remind us about the particular members of the crew so that we can tell them apart better in upcoming strips. We’ve already gotten to know Bandana and Andi a little, but who can now say what thrilling or tragic adventure Eyepatch Guy or Other Eyepatch Guy or even Lavender Mohawk Girl could be involved in in the near future? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=124) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=126)