# Order of the Stick General Discussion Thread (Open Spoilers and Speculation) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 2, 2009, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096 "2009-02-02T07:39:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 35
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/681 "2009-04-22T13:56:30Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Agreed. Look at his decision to surrender to Miko. And Durkon’s reaction to being told by the Oracle that he would return to his homeland when he was buried there. He shed tears of joy that his body would be buried in his native land, rather than the expected tears that he would never see it again while he lived. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/682 "2009-04-22T14:06:53Z")
Durkon is irrationally afraid of trees (except for that one time). But that’s not really about maturity and stability, it’s just a good, old-fashioned character flaw. [promotion] I did start a new thread over [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=515001) in case anybody wanted to start anew and not have 14 pages of conversation to flip through. Feel free to ignore it and let it die a quick death if you want to keep posting here.[/promotion] ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/683 "2009-04-22T14:26:22Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Yes, but consider the implications : I’ll grant you that a Wish can do anything anyhow, but a Resurrected outsider’s soul has to be brought back from _somewhere_, doesn’t it ? Outsiders souls are not separaate from their bodies; the rules say they form one unit, and that is why Resurrection doesn’t work on them. They are, apparently, formed from the very stuff of the relevant plane, and re-merge with it when they are slain. No matter where they are slain. They don’t reform by themselves any more, not like they used to in 1e and 2e. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/684 "2009-04-22T14:46:48Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > And Durkon’s reaction to being told by the Oracle that he would return to his homeland when he was buried there. He shed tears of joy that his body would be buried in his native land, rather than the expected tears that he would never see it again while he lived. Who said anything about buried? Spoilers for Origin of the PCs (and may I add that you guys who are only reading the web stuff miss out on some interesting things)… Durkon was banished because the next time he returns he’s bringing doom. And he’s returning “posthumously”. Do the math and you’ll see he probably won’t be going back to be entombed. Wolverine, I agree with you that this thread needs a new title but I think we’re fine with one all-purpose OotS discussion and fun thread. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/685 "2009-04-22T15:48:45Z")
> [@Just\_Some\_Guy](#): > > Wolverine, I agree with you that this thread needs a new title but I think we’re fine with one all-purpose OotS discussion and fun thread. I’m happy to retitle this thread if someone will give me a suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/686 "2009-04-22T16:02:50Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m happy to retitle this thread if someone will give me a suggestion. Order of the Stick General Discussion Thread - Open Spoilers and Speculation ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/687 "2009-04-22T16:03:21Z")
Anyone else reading Erfworld? What the hell is going on over there? Ansom dead, the whole freakin mountain uncroaked, both armies wiped out, and now Wanda has gone even more round the bend. And all in a few comics. Is he rushing to end the story or something? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/688 "2009-04-22T16:16:12Z")
> [@Just\_Some\_Guy](#): > > Who said anything about buried? > > Spoilers for Origin of the PCs (and may I add that you guys who are only reading the web stuff miss out on some interesting things)… > > Durkon was banished because the next time he returns he’s bringing doom. And he’s returning “posthumously”. Do the math and you’ll see he probably won’t be going back to be entombed. Well, that’s an interesting addition, though your spoiler seems to indicate that he’ll at least **see** the place while alive, which doesn’t fit with the Oracle - but I haven’t read the source you’re citing so I’m sure I’m missing something. And no, I haven’t read the book(s?); haven’t bought much of any fiction in quite a while, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/689 "2009-04-22T16:38:39Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > Anyone else reading Erfworld? What the hell is going on over there? Ansom dead, the whole freakin mountain uncroaked, both armies wiped out, and now Wanda has gone even more round the bend. And all in a few comics. Is he rushing to end the story or something? We’re probably better off with a separate discussion thread for _that_ (and there was one around here… somewhere). But. They’re rushing to a conclusion of the first book – the Battle for Gobwin Knob is over, but they’re apparently still planning on more Erfworld stories. (yay!) The mountain is uncroaked, but we know uncroaked don’t last too many turns, and it’s probably not a unit, anyway (since the Thinkamancers reported “trap actions”, and Sizemore leveled up a few times for doing it). And Wanda hasn’t gone 'round the bend – she was smart enough to find the Arkenpliers, and has apparently attuned to them. Should be interesting when Stanley gets back. As Elan would say: dun-dun-DUN! ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/690 "2009-04-22T16:49:45Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > And Wanda hasn’t gone 'round the bend – she was smart enough to find the Arkenpliers, and has apparently attuned to them. Should be interesting when Stanley gets back. Huh, is that what she’s holding up. I thought she was just having a good old fashioned ‘look what I just did’ maniacal laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/691 "2009-04-22T16:53:08Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > Huh, is that what she’s holding up. I thought she was just having a good old fashioned ‘look what I just did’ maniacal laugh. Same here. I took the red bits for your usual “When the spell’s done charging up, I’m gonna fry you all to cinders” glow ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/692 "2009-04-22T17:05:39Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Well, that’s an interesting addition, though your spoiler seems to indicate that he’ll at least **see** the place while alive, which doesn’t fit with the Oracle… Not if he’s _undead_. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/693 "2009-04-22T17:08:05Z")
Same size as the Arkenpliers, two red handles like the Arkenpliers, and we know the Arkenpliers are crokamancy-related (probably why she was goading Ansom to touch her with them). Yeah, she’s got the Arkenpliers. That’s why she went digging. Jillian isn’t likely to be too happy with that, either. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/694 "2009-04-22T17:08:05Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Not if he’s _undead_. Good call. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/695 "2009-04-22T20:51:13Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Not if he’s _undead_. Perhaps involving a certain epic level necromancer soul? Nah, that’s going too far probably ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/696 "2009-04-22T21:24:30Z")
Considering that they’re headed to the gate on the other continent first we probably have a while before the oracle’s prophecy will have to be addressed. But it’s going to be depressing when we finally get to that point. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/697 "2009-04-22T22:50:21Z")
After checking out the first strip posted in this thread, I decided to start reading OOTS. And took four days to do it, no thanks to the godforsaken server from hell that is [giantitp.com](http://giantitp.com)’s homeworld. Now I’m _finally_ up to date, and what a ride! It’s an amazing story, both funny and surprisingly moving. The first strips give no hint to just how deep and character-developy things would get. Obviously, since my first exposure to OOtS was #629 (from the OP), I knew the strip was gonna get dark. I just didn’t realize how ugly some plots ended up – particularly the Miko / Shojo arc, and Roy and Therkla’s deaths. I’m also awed by how such simple stick figure drawings can display the required depths of characterization and inspire so much sympathy/emotional reactions in the reader. It’s a beautifully realized artistic world. I’m no RPGer by any stretch, and know only the most basic elements of D&D and adventure gaming, so I know I’m not getting most of the references and ‘rules’ that may be necessary to understanding the universe. If anyone’s curious about getting into the strip but gets the impression from this thread that it’ll be too opaque for non-RPG players … I don’t think it is. For me, someone with only a very rudimentary understanding, it works just as well as a general adventure/parody comic. Though a hefty portion of the world relies on game mechanics, a lot just requires knowledge of standard literary / dramatic tropes. (I wonder if it would be okay to open a thread with hidden spoilers? It’d just be nice for newcomers to have a place to discuss the strip without getting spoiled by future plot points. Also, I’d use that thread for newbies/non-gamers to ask questions without all y’all D&D fans getting into extended debates that I swear seem just like a round of [Mornington Crescent](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mornington_Crescent_(game)). :D) Anyway, as far as current strips go, now that I’m finally caught up: I’m really realy hoping V is able to pull out of this spiral. S/he’s my second favorite character and while I’m used to my favorite characters dying or ending in some other horrible fate, I hope that’s not where Rich goes with this. Someone’s gotta get through to him/her. Though who’s gonna hold [the yellow crayon](http://vrya.net/bdb/clip.php?clip=3744)? Seems like it’d most likely be Roy or Haley. Though I could see Elan’s loyalty and innocence doing the job. Anyway, thanks to OOtS fans in this thread who got me into this incredible strip. I’m totally hooked. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/698 "2009-04-22T23:23:37Z")
> [@choie](#): > > I’m also awed by how such simple stick figure drawings can display the required depths of characterization and inspire so much sympathy/emotional reactions in the reader. It’s a beautifully realized artistic world. Yes, same here. I’m amazed at the sheer number of facial expressions Rich manages to coax out of something as detailed as a smiley. > [@](#): > > Anyway, as far as current strips go, now that I’m finally caught up: I’m really realy hoping V is able to pull out of this spiral. S/he’s my second favorite character and while I’m used to my favorite characters dying or ending in some other horrible fate, I hope that’s not where Rich goes with this. Someone’s gotta get through to him/her. Though who’s gonna hold [the yellow crayon](http://vrya.net/bdb/clip.php?clip=3744)? Seems like it’d most likely be Roy or Haley. Though I could see Elan’s loyalty and innocence doing the job. For my part, I think he’ll ride it all the way through, until all the spliced souls leave him. And \*then \*he’s due for his [Big No](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BigNo) “What have I done ?!” scene 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/699 "2009-04-22T23:26:05Z")
I’m thinking that once Roy is back up and about, he’s going to be very interested in why those two souls are shackled to V, and Haley has a pretty good shot at persuading V to release the splice. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/700 "2009-04-22T23:46:38Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > For my part, I think he’ll ride it all the way through, until all the spliced souls leave him. And \*then \*he’s due for his [Big No](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BigNo) “What have I done ?!” scene 😉 That’s not something V would do, we’ve BARELY seen compassion from V (with Elan that one time), much less any emotion that would lead to a scene like that, if anything he’d insist what he did was the best possible action at the time (even though he knows of the other plan), but that Miss Starshine was right, it was past time to let go of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096.md?page=34) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096.md?page=36)