# Order of the Stick book 7 discussion thread

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438>\
**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:** 58

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**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1142 "2021-07-26T13:08:35Z")

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Chekhov’s dinosaur is now in play. And we have a mechanic to trigger it, too.

I think now that the Order is mostly beaten, I think we will see some talking happen. I hope so, at least! Haley and Elan are probably the ones with the best odds of negotiating with Serini, so maybe it’s a good thing that the Lawful Good guys are KOd.

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**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 26, 2021, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1143 "2021-07-26T13:25:23Z")

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I don’t think we know that Durkon is KO’d. It looks to me like he’s in the process of rolling his save, with the result yet to be determined.

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**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1144 "2021-07-26T13:35:56Z")

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Doh! Sorry for not spoilering my post, and thanks Puzzlegal

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**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:** [July 26, 2021, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1145 "2021-07-26T14:01:42Z")

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What’s #8 on these beasties?

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**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1146 "2021-07-26T14:07:45Z")

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> [@squeegee](#):
>
> What’s #8 on these beasties? .

That’s a bit tough to answer because they usually have 10 eyes, with 2 particularly devastating rays: Finger of Death and Disintegrate.

Our beholder only has 8 eyes. I’d assume he’s saying “not #8” because that one is too deadly, and they’re trying to capture, not kill, the Order. Both FOD or Disintegrate would be “deadly force” that the beholder might not want to use. So I assume Ray 8 is one of those.

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**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1147 "2021-07-26T17:47:20Z")

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I’ve never been sure which edition the strip is primarily based on, but Rich must be at least including the first edition as source material.

From the Monster Manual 1E:

> [@](#):
>
> Eyes: The various eyes of a beholder each have a different function.  
> Typically only the central eye, plus 1-4 of those on stalks are able to  
> function considering that the attack is coming from an arc 90° before the  
> monster. If attacks come from 180° double the number of eyestalks able to  
> function, and for 270° or 360° triple or quadruple the number. Attacks from  
> above enable all 10 eyestalks to function, but the central eye cannot.
> 
> Functions of the eyes are:  
> 1 Charm person spell  
> 2 Charm monster spell  
> 3 Sleep spell  
> 4 Telekinese 2,500 GP wt.  
> 5 Flesh-stone ray (3" range)  
> 6 Disintegrate ray (2" range)  
> 7 Fear (as a wand)  
> 8 Slow spell  
> 9 Cause serious wound (5" range)  
> 10 Death ray (4" range)  
> 11 Anti-magic ray (14" range)

I don’t see anything in the 3.5 rules concerning how many stalks can be used at once, but Rich flipped Sunny upside down, which effectively made all attacks come from “above”.

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**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 26, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1148 "2021-07-26T19:19:40Z")

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The strip uses the 3.5 edition rules, but the rules are very similar to what you quoted (well, aside from the bizarre units used in 1st edition).

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**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 26, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1149 "2021-07-26T19:25:27Z")

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Was Belkar hit by the fear ray?

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**Author:** ![CardboardBoxx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardboardboxx/32/7079_2.png) [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1150 "2021-07-26T19:32:28Z")

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It looks that way  
D: FtS  
M: Sleep  
H’s bow: TK  
B: Fear  
E: Charm person  
Mr S: Charm monster  
V: Slow

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**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1151 "2021-07-26T21:56:55Z")

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I don’t see this ending well for Sunny.

The lizard is the only one not drugged or hit by an eye-stalk ray (or both). Sunny’s eye is currently tightly shut. He’ll peek eventually.

Then again, #8 is currently Chekhov’s Eyestalk, so it might end badly for Bloodfeast.

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**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1152 "2021-07-27T00:40:23Z")

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So currently Haley is the only party member who hasn’t been hit with something disabling (if you don’t count Bloodfeast)

Do we know what’s up with the arrow that hit V? It seems like that had an effect of some sort on it.

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**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, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1153 "2021-07-27T00:44:26Z")

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Presumably the same sleep poison as the blowdarts.

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**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1154 "2021-07-27T00:59:30Z")

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> [@Aspidistra](#):
>
> So currently Haley is the only party member who hasn’t been hit with something disabling (if you don’t count Bloodfeast)

Ah, yeah. Haley only got TKed, didn’t she. Wonder what else she has in those bags of holding.

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**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1155 "2021-07-27T05:46:17Z")

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When the ~~Behol~~ Multiple Eye Monster looks again with its big eye, will that undo the magical effects it just inflicted on Elan, Belkar, Durkon, etc.?

> [@GreysonCarlisle](#):
>
> Ah, yeah. Haley only got TKed, didn’t she. Wonder what else she has in those bags of holding.

Several wands with unknown spells.

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**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, 2021, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1156 "2021-07-27T13:23:51Z")

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If Sunny opens his big eye again and aims it at the party, those magical effects will be temporarily suppressed, but then resume as soon as he blinks again or looks away.

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**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1157 "2021-07-29T18:06:29Z")

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I notice also that Durkon seems to have gotten off a healing spell on Roy. At least, his hand is all glowy when the anti-magic was turned off and his hand is on Roy’s head when the eye-stalk rays hit everyone. Roy still looks out of it, though.

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**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 29, 2021, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1158 "2021-07-29T20:30:00Z")

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Obligatory complaint about how no one in this high level party can ever make a damn saving throw (possibly excepting Durkon this time)

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**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 31, 2021, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1159 "2021-07-31T18:49:33Z")

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I’ll admit I’m not very familiar with D&D rules but I’ve been assuming there have been numerous times when one of the main characters makes a saving roll in a scene and Burlew doesn’t lampshade it. He just shows the fight scene (or whatever) continuing on with the character not getting hit.

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**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 31, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1160 "2021-07-31T19:19:41Z")

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> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> He just shows the fight scene (or whatever) continuing on with the character not getting hit.

If it’s a save versus an effect like Fireball or Lightning Bolt, a successful save reduces the damage by half so some people just have less hash marks on them afterward. If it’s a save versus a control effect like Hold Person or Dominate Person, you usually see them make a scrunchy face and “Hrrgh!” as they make their Will save and power through it. I don’t think you ever really see anyone say “Hold Person!” and it’s just not acknowledged.

In a case like this (or the big vampire fight), it feels rather improbable that so few, if any, high level characters would be successfully making their saving throws. Power of Plot and all that but it still stands out when it happens.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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 31, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-book-7-discussion-thread/847438/1161 "2021-07-31T20:44:03Z")

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> [@Jophiel](#):
>
> In a case like this (or the big vampire fight), it feels rather improbable that so few, if any, high level characters would be successfully making their saving throws. Power of Plot and all that but it still stands out when it happens.

_“And once again, Probability proves itself willing to sneak into a back alley and service Drama as would a copper-piece harlot.”_

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