# 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:** 207
**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 12, 2018, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4122 "2018-03-12T23:31:28Z")
There might be more, just far enough from the finish line to be out of frame. Hilgya didn’t want her family taking Win, Place, or Show. Wizards of the Coast once had a web article featuring a fiendish gelatinous cube with monk levels. You’ve got to admit, those things can get pretty scary when they can engulf you at 90 feet per round. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4123 "2018-03-13T00:53:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wizards of the Coast once had a web article featuring a fiendish gelatinous cube with monk levels. You’ve got to admit, those things can get pretty scary when they can engulf you at 90 feet per round. When I saw today’s strip I immediately thought of my Pathfinder Dwarf Cleric with Earth Domain and Resist Acid 10 (to 20 at 12th level, but he’s 7th now) participating in something like this. Of course, I see their acid damage is significantly higher in 5d D&D. ---
**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 13, 2018, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4124 "2018-03-13T09:35:20Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Somewhat disappointed we didn’t get to see them this time. This’ll be one of the wins, so we know who led the case. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4125 "2018-03-27T20:52:52Z")
[#1115 - It’s Never Failed Before](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1115.html) ---
**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:** [March 27, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4126 "2018-03-27T20:55:10Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > [#1115 - It’s Never Failed Before](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1115.html) Belkar’s about to die, isn’t he? ---
**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:** [March 27, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4127 "2018-03-27T21:34:44Z")
This strip has hit me right in the feels a couple of times before, but this episode is exceptional example of Burlew’s knack for that. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4128 "2018-03-27T22:13:13Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Belkar’s about to die, isn’t he? Burlew wants us to think that, doesn’t he? ---
**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 28, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4129 "2018-03-28T00:39:10Z")
The blind Azurite seer woman predicted in a bonus strip that Belkar would save Hinjo’s life twice. He’s only done so once so far. If he dies now, it won’t be permanent. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4130 "2018-03-28T01:14:45Z")
I predict that the Belkster will not bite the dust in the upcoming battle. He’s going to make it to the last book, almost certainly will die in the battle with Xykon. He still has more character development ahead. ---
**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 28, 2018, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4131 "2018-03-28T01:24:19Z")
> [@](#): > > The blind Azurite seer woman… Sangwaan. One of my favorite characters. Who incidentally also featured in one of the Kickstarter bonus stories, which made me very happy (and sad). ---
**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:** [March 28, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4132 "2018-03-28T01:44:39Z")
Belkar dying while trying to stop Durkon feels like it would cheapen Durkon dying to save Belkar. It could go that way, of course, but I hope it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4133 "2018-03-28T07:53:53Z")
I do not think that Belkar is going to go away. He may die but stay as a revenant or ghost, but I rather think that Burlew has a more interesting twist on the prophecy. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4134 "2018-03-28T08:15:03Z")
I agree with all of the above. Rich is telegraphing hard that Belkar is going to die in the upcoming vampire fight, which makes it unlikely that it will happen (at least in the way we’re being led to anticipate). Fantastic character development in him since his vision quest with Lord Shojo while he was dying from the effects of the Mark of Justice! Look at the look on his face in the middle panel of the third row of this comic – he has never, not once, had that look on his face since the beginnings of this comic. ---
**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 28, 2018, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4135 "2018-03-28T09:51:01Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Belkar’s about to die, isn’t he? Only if he shoots the food. ---
**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 28, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4136 "2018-03-28T20:00:27Z")
This is a vampire fight-- He _is_ the food. Belkar’s definitely going to really, truly die and not come back at some point. Burlew has made that as clear as he possibly can, and still most of the fans are insisting that there’s going to be some sort of twist. The twist will be that there is no twist, and the prophecy is going to be fulfilled exactly like he keeps telling us it will be, and half the readers are going to be shocked by that. As for where and when, it pretty much has to be either in this battle, in the big battle vs. Xykon and Redcloak, or possibly in an even bigger battle vs. the Snarl. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2018, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4137 "2018-03-28T20:03:50Z")
Okay–a different prediction. If Belkar doesn’t die in this battle, he’s going to find some way to undergo phase-change character growth, some epiphany that possibly saves, or at least redeems or puts to peace, Durkon. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4138 "2018-03-28T20:52:29Z")
A rather large fraction of fans (probably more than half) are thinking this battle will be the end of the Belk-meister. So I predict Burlew is going to have at least one fakeout where it looks like he’s a goner, only not. The other forum is going to go crazy. Another prediction: Durkula will be destroyed and Durkon resurrected. At that point, the rest of the party will learn about Gontula and where he went and is doing. Sudden emergency… ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4139 "2018-03-28T21:53:45Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > A rather large fraction of fans (probably more than half) are thinking this battle will be the end of the Belk-meister. So I predict Burlew is going to have at least one fakeout where it looks like he’s a goner, only not. The other forum is going to go crazy. Remember [#899](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0899.html)? Belkar had 1 HP left, the pyramid was about to explode… and then the new strip was called “Prophecy Fulfilled”. Masterful trolling by the Giant, that was. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4140 "2018-03-28T22:13:36Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Remember [#899](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0899.html)? Belkar had 1 HP left, the pyramid was about to explode… and then the new strip was called “Prophecy Fulfilled”. Masterful trolling by the Giant, that was. Never caught that one, but I wasn’t expecting Belkar to die then. There’ve been other instances where it looked like he was about to croak and didn’t. And then there was the [illusion sequence](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0886.html), where it looked like Belkar did die. That got a fair number of people excited. ---
**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 29, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4141 "2018-03-29T02:59:39Z")
I may be getting led astray on this because Burlew often confounds expectations But I think Belkar still has one more plotpoint to be resolved before he dies; he has to find out about the prophecy. It’s not just us, the reader, who know about it. Roy knows it too and he’s been taking Belkar’s death into account in his plans - without letting Belkar in on the information. That is a clear betrayal of whatever loyalty there is between Roy and Belkar - similar to when Roy decided to leave Elan behind at the bandit camp. I cannot imagine Belkar will die before finding this out. Roy will have to deal with the fact that he has been lying to Belkar, even if it’s by omission. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=206) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=208)