# 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:** 225
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4482 "2018-07-27T15:46:27Z")
So, this implies that if a vampire takes the time to read all of its hosts memories (which seems unlikely to normally happen), it would be cured (for lack of a better word)? ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4483 "2018-07-27T15:52:25Z")
Yeah. Um, did he just CURE a vampire through empathy? And can someone explain Mr Scruffy’s healing power? I’m not sure I get it. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4484 "2018-07-27T15:54:53Z")
Scruffy triggered Belkar’s clasp, which jolted him awake. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4485 "2018-07-27T16:00:50Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > So, this implies that if a vampire takes the time to read all of its hosts memories (which seems unlikely to normally happen), it would be cured (for lack of a better word)? > [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Yeah. Um, did he just CURE a vampire through empathy? I think a better word for what Durkon did to Greg might be “converted”. He is, after all a cleric. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4486 "2018-07-27T16:04:06Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > So, this implies that if a vampire takes the time to read all of its hosts memories (which seems unlikely to normally happen), it would be cured (for lack of a better word)? It probably depends on the host. Durkon is a fundamentally good person. This [strip](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1112.html) shows that some hosts are actually okay with being vampires when their true natures are revealed. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4487 "2018-07-27T16:08:02Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Yeah. Um, did he just CURE a vampire through empathy? > > And can someone explain Mr Scruffy’s healing power? I’m not sure I get it. Scruffy triggering the clasp, activated a Protection from Evil spell. This blocks Domination effects, among other things. The Domination is still there though, and would return as soon as the Protection spell lapses. As to healing, Belkar was knocked unconscious, not hit with lethal damage. After a period of time, he woke up. I don’t know what aftereffects 3.5 dictates for a character who’s been knocked out from subdue damage. Also, as a Barbarian, he can Rage, which gives him additional hit points for a limited time. I don’t know if this is implemented in 3.5, but Belkar may have high enough Constitution that he can regenerate hit points, albeit slowly. That Harm that Ponchy was ready to smack him with should have easily killed him though, had she been able to hit him. Nifty death scene for Ponchy. I’m amazed at how his art has evolved over the years. You would think the Goddess of Death would know how vampirism worked in Stickworld, and would be able to see this sort of thing coming. Oh well. As alluded to in their forums, it’s going to be interesting to see how the new Durkon^2 is going to convince Roy et al that he’s undergone this transformation. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4488 "2018-07-27T16:12:56Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Scruffy triggering the clasp, activated a Protection from Evil spell. This blocks Domination effects, among other things. The Domination is still there though, and would return as soon as the Protection spell lapses. Except that the vampire who Dominated him is dead. Well, she’s incorporeal now without a coffin. I don’t know if they can keep a Domination going in that state. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4489 "2018-07-27T16:15:21Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > As alluded to in their forums, it’s going to be interesting to see how the new Durkon^2 is going to convince Roy et al that he’s undergone this transformation. Yes, I’m quite curious on this point myself. The easiest way of course is to fall in with the Order’s plan - let them kill him and get resurrected. But there might be timing issues around that. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4490 "2018-07-27T16:22:54Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Except that the vampire who Dominated him is dead. Well, she’s incorporeal now without a coffin. I don’t know if they can keep a Domination going in that state. I thought that the Domination still ran its course if the caster died, but that there were no new orders given to the subject? Plus, isn’t there a new saving throw that the subject gets to make every so often if there are no new orders? Wouldn’t surprise me if Burlew just had it end on the death of the caster though. Get Hilgya back, and if Durkon^2 is running the show now, we can, and she can slap a Magic Circle or other Protection spell around the afflicted. Durkon^2 should be able to just terminate the control for any subjects he dominated, and for the rest, that’s what Elan’s singing can fix. As to what next with Durkon, who can Rez him if he dies here? Hilgya, sure, but what if she doesn’t want to? Get a high priest of Thor or Odin to do it? I’m assuming there’s enough diamond dust somewhere in one of the temples, even if they have to pry open the offering box to find it. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4491 "2018-07-27T16:23:21Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > So, this implies that if a vampire takes the time to read all of its hosts memories (which seems unlikely to normally happen), it would be cured (for lack of a better word)? No, the vampire has to be prepped to process them in a certain way. Otherwise, they will likely be deflected. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4492 "2018-07-27T16:43:20Z")
And what accounts for Belkar’s dialog. The Giant seems to be drawing a parallel between Greg and Belkar in that Durkon is causing some insane personal growth. Could Belkar still be dominated but Greg’s personality is currently evolving in such a way that Belkar’s showing it by empathizing with them? ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4493 "2018-07-27T16:56:54Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > No, the vampire has to be prepped to process them in a certain way. Otherwise, they will likely be deflected. That’s my take. Durkon realized early on that Durkula wouldn’t necessarily understand the memories (the strip someone linked to earlier, in which Durkon was learning about when and how to offer help). So he fed memories to Durkula carefully, leading up to this one big one. Why he did this big memory during the battle is unclear. Maybe he had a few more memories he wanted to offer first, but then the battle came along and it was now or never. Maybe he wanted to offer it at a moment when, even if it didn’t result in a conversion, it’d result in some confusion at a critical moment. Anyway, pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4494 "2018-07-27T17:01:15Z")
> [@Stanislaus](#): > > Yes, I’m quite curious on this point myself. The easiest way of course is to fall in with the Order’s plan - let them kill him and get resurrected. But there might be timing issues around that. I think it’s likely he’ll die. His mom in memory said (paraphrased) “what kind of a dwarf would I be if I put my happiness ahead of the lives, the very souls, of five others?” Like mother like son? Durkon is willing to give up himself for the sake of others. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4495 "2018-07-27T17:16:50Z")
I’m thinking that Durkon couldn’t just unleash his whole life all at once, unless the vampire asked for it. Which it wouldn’t ordinarily do. But it asked for all of the memories that gave context to that one key scene… and that’s all of them. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4496 "2018-07-27T17:20:36Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I thought that the Domination still ran its course if the caster died, but that there were no new orders given to the subject? Plus, isn’t there a new saving throw that the subject gets to make every so often if there are no new orders? Wouldn’t surprise me if Burlew just had it end on the death of the caster though. I think you’re right. I assumed off the cuff that the vampire poofing would end it but the actual effect would (rules as written) remain until Belkar makes a save and shakes it, it’s removed by some other magic or fourteen days pass. If the caster/vampire doesn’t make a point of refreshing it daily, the victim gets a new save each day. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4497 "2018-07-27T18:08:00Z")
Anyone else getting a Dan Slott / Superior Spider-Man vibe off of the newest strip? ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4498 "2018-07-27T18:24:15Z")
So, looking at that big splash panel. On the left side, two panels out from his hand - is that Durkon remembering his own birth? ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4499 "2018-07-27T19:06:10Z")
And will that anti-life shell just keep Belkar out, or kill him? ---
**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:** [July 27, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4500 "2018-07-27T19:17:51Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > And will that anti-life shell just keep Belkar out, or kill him? It just keeps you out. Living things can’t pass through it but it doesn’t harm living things inside it and if the caster tried to corner a living thing and force it into the shell, it ends the spell. Belkar will just harmlessly bounce off it. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755/4501 "2018-07-27T19:28:41Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Great guess on Mr. Scruffy, **dtilque**. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Donations in appreciation of my genius will be accepted. (I even take Paypal.) In case anyone didn 't see my prediction, I’ll save you the bother of scrolling up and looking: > [@dtilque](#): > > Hows this for an idea: Scruffy is currently pawing at Belkar to wake him up. One of those pawings happens to go across the clasp of Protection from Evil that he’s wearing. The clasp is activated by rubbing on it, so that activates it. Belkar is still unconscious, but the pain of that device wakes him up. He then grabs the stake he dropped and offs the vampire that’s approaching him to sample his blood (probably not Ponchella, the other one). Belkar needs some healing, so he opens his Bag of Holding to get a potion. Bloodfeast is now awake and jumps out of the BoH at that time. Ponchella or possibly Hilgya casts an area Dispel Magic at Belkar to suppress his clasp, fail on that but dispel the Polymorph that’s on Bloodfeast. Posing for heavy metal album covers ensues. I did misspell Ponchula’s name. Ponchula is the tall (actually human) vampire. Mr Scruffy pawing the clasp seemed to be obvious and B taking out one of the other vamps was as well, although I misguessed which one. The other stuff was speculative. (As in, it’d be nice to see Bloodfeast again, so I included that in the prediction.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=224) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-6-discussion-thread/682755.md?page=226)