# Order of the Stick book 7 discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comic-strips\ **Created:** [February 3, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438 "2020-02-03T17:48:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 129
**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:** [December 23, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2564 "2025-12-23T22:28:12Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I thought we’d gotten Julio Scoundrel. There was a Julio Scoundrel story in one of the books. SS&DT, I think. Not the kickstarter reward. That’s probably what you’re thinking of. ---
**Author:** ![vislor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vislor/32/5933_2.png) [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2565 "2026-01-08T13:31:52Z")
[Word for Word](https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1338.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:** [January 8, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2566 "2026-01-08T13:45:36Z")
Because it matters now: [Blasphemy 3.5](https://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/blasphemy.htm) > **[Blasphemy :: d20srd.org](https://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/blasphemy.htm)** > Any nonevil creature within the area of a blasphemy spell suffers the following ill effects. > | HD | Effect | > | --- | --- | > | Equal to caster level | Dazed | > | Up to caster level -1 | Weakened, dazed | > | Up to caster level -5 | [Paralyzed](https://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#paralyzed), weakened, dazed | > | Up to caster level -10 | Killed, [paralyzed](https://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#paralyzed), weakened, dazed | > The effects are cumulative and concurrent. > > No [saving throw](https://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatStatistics.htm#savingThrows) is allowed against these effects. > > Furthermore, if you are on your home plane when you cast this spell, nonevil extraplanar creatures within the area are instantly banished back to their home planes. Creatures so banished cannot return for at least 24 hours. This effect takes place regardless of whether the creatures hear the blasphemy. The banishment effect allows a [Will save](https://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatStatistics.htm#will) (at a -4 penalty) to negate. > > Creatures whose Hit Dice exceed your caster level are unaffected by blasphemy. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2567 "2026-01-08T13:56:22Z")
So basically the Evil version of [Holy Word](https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0859.html)? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2568 "2026-01-08T13:58:13Z")
I wonder what Nale’s home plane is now. ---
**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 8, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2569 "2026-01-08T14:02:18Z")
Ooh, word for word, nice callback! ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2570 "2026-01-08T14:03:06Z")
Hence the “I owe you this one anyway” comment. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2571 "2026-01-08T14:13:09Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Any nonevil creature within the area of a blasphemy spell suffers the following ill effects. Minrah doesn’t seem to be affected. Should we be worried? ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2572 "2026-01-08T14:18:08Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Minrah doesn’t seem to be affected Minrah has shocked eyes and posture. Serini & Belkar seem to be standing firm though. I’m more worried about the effects on Minrah as she is lower level than anyone else. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2573 "2026-01-08T14:35:57Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Minrah has shocked eyes and posture. Shocked at seeing the spell, yes. But she doesn’t seem to be suffering directly from it. > [@](#): > > I’m more worried about the effects on Minrah as she is lower level than anyone else. A low to mid level cleric, but she was a fighter first. She’s tough. ---
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2574 "2026-01-08T14:52:06Z")
So what should we expect? Serini no effect (level) Belkar no effect (alignment) Sunny: paralysed, weakened and dazed Everybody else: dazed or weakened and dazed Mr Scruffy should just die? (or maybe saved by alignment) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2575 "2026-01-08T15:01:21Z")
> [@colinfred](#): > > or maybe saved by alignment He’s an animal companion, so _should_ be neutral i.e. non-evil, and _should_ be affected. Certainly looks like he is, though, based on the spell FX. Which is just going to piss off his decidedly non-non-evil owner. > [@colinfred](#): > > Sunny: paralysed, weakened and dazed Sunny _should_ be unaffected by RAW. But the FX indicate there is an effect. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2576 "2026-01-08T15:13:47Z")
I’ll just say one thing: “What’s the color of the boathouse at Hereford?” ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2577 "2026-01-08T15:15:08Z")
What is Mr scruffy’s level? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2578 "2026-01-08T15:42:17Z")
So 22 strips in 2025, so at least there has been no further slippage (after 21 and 22 in 2023 and 2024 respectively). ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2579 "2026-01-08T20:10:29Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > So 22 strips in 2025 Plus Dim Sun. ---
**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 8, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2580 "2026-01-08T22:32:05Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > What is Mr scruffy’s level? He’s a class feature, so technically he doesn’t have a “level.” But he does have Hit Dice, which is what Blasphemy targets. House cats normally have 1/2 a HD, but animal companions gain bonus HD based on the level of the character they’re attached to. But Belkar gets his animal companion through his ranger levels, which brings up some problems. Rangers only get half their level when determining how strong their animal companion is (compared to druids, who use their full druid level for this calculation). Assuming everyone is 15th level (minimum level to cast _blasphemy_, and Nale is usually at parity with the Order on character level) that would give Mr. Scruffy 4.5 HD. But it’s actually worse than that, because Belkar isn’t a full ranger, he’s a barbarian/ranger multiclass, so Mr. Scruffy has even fewer HD, depending on how Belkar has split his levels between ranger and barbarian. Conclusion: Rules as Written, Mr. Scruffy is _super_ dead. Secondary conclusion: Ranger’s animal companions in 3.5 are ass. ---
**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 8, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2581 "2026-01-08T23:38:36Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Secondary conclusion: Ranger’s animal companions in 3.5 are ass. Nope, donkeys aren’t an option. Animal companions can be horse or pony, though. Blackwing, meanwhile, would be affected the same as Vaarsuvius. Familiars are based on creatures with even fewer HD than animal companions, but they have a special feature that, for anything that cares about number of HD, they’re treated as having the same as their master. And the only reason why a beholder wouldn’t ordinarily be affected is alignment, but despite beholders being “always evil”, Sunny is an extremely unusual beholder and probably isn’t. Mimi is the most likely one to be killed, aside from Scruffy. ---
**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 9, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2582 "2026-01-09T15:22:14Z")
I’m kind of surprised that Lien and O-Chul stayed in the background in this strip. You’d think two paladins would have stepped forward to argue strongly against allying with devils. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/2583 "2026-01-09T15:37:37Z")
Roy is Lawful Good and the group leader _and_ never really entertained the idea of Nale joining so I could imagine the paladins (who would realize they don’t have the background here) staying quiet and deferring. Had Roy been “Hell yeah, infernal allies!” then they would have probably needed a bit of convincing. While the final panel is cool, it does feel over the top for what’ll likely be a single round daze (plus maybe a weaken) effect for most of them 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438.md?page=128) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438.md?page=130)