# 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:** 73
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1441 "2009-06-02T02:41:25Z")
Probably nothing will happen if the phylactery goes into the rift — at least not according to any D&D rules I know. Cloister is Rich’s own invention, so … who knows? I figure the odds are very good that Xykon would see the destruction of the phylactery and do one of the following: 1. runs like a little girl. 2. threatens Vaarsuvius and O-Chul. 3. attempts 2, but the Monster in the Dark acts threatening, and then Xykon does 1. ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1442 "2009-06-02T02:42:27Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Hmmmm…revised prediction: O-Chul hands the phylactery to V so he can give it to Blackwing. At that moment, one of the Big Evil Three decides it’s time for V to make good on their deal. > > I’m sure the Three could use having a guy like Xykon owing them one. > > On preview: I constantly want to do that, \*\* kaylasdad\*\*. I just read a half dozen XKCDs and about a month’s worth of PvP. But I just can’t seem to do it with OotS. It’s just too damn addicting… That could be amusing. V: _eyes flare_ “Yesss…give me the holy symbol. I will-” O-Chul: “Protection from Evil.” Three: “What the frigging frig?” O-Chul: “Verbal, somatic, and-” _gestures with phylactery_ “-divine focus. No mental influence for you.” Three: “Hah! We have epic magic!” O-Chul: “Really? And did you pay the ad-hoc DC increase to punch through Protection from Evil?” Three: “Er. This development slightly undercuts our attempt to demonstrate the futility of achieving heroism through-” V: “Telekinesis.” Because goddammit, after all this mess, I really, really want to see a problem solved not with heroism, or grit, or an abnormal number of hit points, but with the right spell at the right time. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1443 "2009-06-02T02:50:35Z")
Obligatory villain quote: “How many times do I have to _kill_ you, boy?!” ---
**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:** [June 2, 2009, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1444 "2009-06-02T03:03:12Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > If the phylactery goes into the rift, what’s the over-under on its destruction carrying _serious_ physical repercussions on [del]Azure City[/del] Redcloakville, up to and including the disruption of the cloister? > > Probably the mere posing of the question demonstrates my complete ignorance. Roy already threw an _entire_ lich into a rift gate, so I seriously doubt that throwing in a _part_ of a lich will do much at all beyond fireworks. Even though this rift had its gate destroyed. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1445 "2009-06-02T03:32:04Z")
If Vaarsuvius does manage to do some serious damage to Xykon, Roy will never hear the end of it from his father. For that reason, I don’t think this is going to end well for the lich. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1446 "2009-06-02T03:56:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Next strip or two: Blackwing takes the phylactery and makes for the rift, but is shot down by Xykon before making it there. However, the phylactery falls somewhere in the city where Xykon can’t immediately get to it. Note that Blackwing has a decent touch AC and Reflex save, Improved Evasion, and enough levels to survive at least one and probably two to three Energy Drains. The bird is unlikely at best to be shot down. > [@](#): > > Roy already threw an entire lich into a rift gate, so I seriously doubt that throwing in a part of a lich will do much at all beyond fireworks. Even though this rift had its gate destroyed. Completely different situation. When Roy threw Xykon into the Gate, he triggered one of the epic abjurations Dorukan placed on it to protect it against evil creatures, and that epic spell in turn destroyed Xykon’s body. Here, though, even if there were ever any protective spells on the Gate, they’re gone now. O-Chul isn’t planning on throwing the phylactery to a protective spell on the Gate; he’s planning on throwing it to the Snarl itself, and the Snarl utterly destroys all it touches, right down to the soul. So the phylactery is probably gone for good, next strip. Incidentally, for O-Chul’s and Vaarsuvius’ escape, it seems to be a habit of Vaarsuvius to always prepare a Feather Fall in one of es first-level slots every day, and e hasn’t cast it yet. Note, too, that it can affect multiple targets, so V and O-Chul (and potentially Monster-San as well) could all jump safely to the ground. Well, safely from the falling damage, at least: There’s still the matter of the angry lich chasing them. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1447 "2009-06-02T04:04:43Z")
> [@robertliguori](#): > > Because goddammit, after all this mess, I really, really want to see a problem solved not with heroism, or grit, or an abnormal number of hit points, but with the right spell at the right time. But I find it unlikely, since, as you point out, we just got off an entire storyline designed to teach a main character that magic can’t solve everything. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1448 "2009-06-02T04:20:32Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Hmmmm…revised prediction: O-Chul hands the phylactery to V so he can give it to Blackwing. At that moment, one of the Big Evil Three decides it’s time for V to make good on their deal. > > I’m sure the Three could use having a guy like Xykon owing them one. I’m not sure they want to start the clock on that deal yet. V’s pretty weak right now. Does their deal allow them to artificially boost V’s stats or abilities? > [@Fish](#): > > Probably nothing will happen if the phylactery goes into the rift — at least not according to any D&D rules I know. Cloister is Rich’s own invention, so … who knows? > > I figure the odds are very good that Xykon would see the destruction of the phylactery and do one of the following: > > 1. runs like a little girl. > 2. threatens Vaarsuvius and O-Chul. > 3. attempts 2, but the Monster in the Dark acts threatening, and then Xykon does 1. Well, in Start of Darkness Redcloak threatens to break the phylactery and Xykon laughs it off as breaking the phylactery means nothing to him until his physical body is destroyed and so far, the only thing that seems to really affect his skeleton is throwing it into a gate. And Xykon’s probably prepared a magic item in case that happens again. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1449 "2009-06-02T05:07:42Z")
Blackwing can’t be trusted. Remember how it testified against them at the trial? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1450 "2009-06-02T06:17:45Z")
Oh, man, I would _freaking love it_ if Blackwing were to take the phylactery, then do something like sell it to the highest bidder. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1451 "2009-06-02T07:36:39Z")
My theory: there’s no way this story arc will end (and based on the strip number, it’ll end real soon) without V being reunited with the Order. Precedent and story logic require it. As the Order is on a different continent (and the city is protected by Cloister), only some very powerful magic or creature is capable of bringing V back that quickly. V and O-Chul don’t have that kind of power; Xykon certainly won’t do it. The only one left is the CitD. Expect a revelation real soon. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2009, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1452 "2009-06-02T09:20:33Z")
Durkon can Wind Walk, remember? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1453 "2009-06-02T09:33:50Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Durkon can Wind Walk, remember? There’s no way he can fly there in time to save them. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1454 "2009-06-02T13:14:09Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > There’s no way he can fly there in time to save them. Particularly since he’s still casting _resurrection_, which has a 10-minute casting time… of which we’ve seen a few _rounds_ of combat go by of V vs. X. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1455 "2009-06-02T14:56:08Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Note that Blackwing has a decent touch AC and Reflex save, Improved Evasion, and enough levels to survive at least one and probably two to three Energy Drains. The bird is unlikely at best to be shot down. Well, he did take [his name change](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0154.html) without dying, but I’ll have to give a lich good odds to be able to take down a raven. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1456 "2009-06-02T15:06:57Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Well, he did take [his name change](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0154.html) without dying, but I’ll have to give a lich good odds to be able to take down a raven. What’s the over-under on Burlew doing a recall on the arrows gag if they DO send [del]Pinata[/del] Blackwing to throw the phylactery into the Snarl? ---
**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:** [June 2, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1457 "2009-06-02T15:08:27Z")
Don’t get me wrong; I’m certain that Xykon can kill Blackwing. That’s not the question: The question is whether he can kill Blackwing before the bird manages to destroy the phylactery. Come to think of it, though, Xykon’s best response to V giving the bird is probably to give the finger. Finger of Death, that is. It doesn’t need an attack roll, and its save is Fort, not Reflex. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1458 "2009-06-02T15:50:12Z")
Xykon needs line of sight to do Finger of Death. Let’s see what happens! ---
**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:** [June 2, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1459 "2009-06-02T20:02:25Z")
Does O-Chul not have a holy paladin mount (like Miyako had the horse Windstriker and Lien has the shark Razor)? I was under the impression that those are standard issue for paladins. Why have we never seen it? ETA: Or does he need his Pokemon ball to summon it? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096/1460 "2009-06-02T20:21:30Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Does O-Chul not have a holy paladin mount (like Miyako had the horse Windstriker and Lien has the shark Razor)? I was under the impression that those are standard issue for paladins. > > Why have we never seen it? > > ETA: Or does he need his Pokemon ball to summon it? The Cloister spell may be preventing the summoning. Also, he really doesn’t have any place to ride it at the moment. He’s been in a cage, or strapped to a rack most of the time since the fall of Azure City, and right now he’s more or less trapped at the top of a tower. The paladin mounts can’t fly, so the mount isn’t much use at the moment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096.md?page=72) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-the-stick-general-discussion-thread-open-spoilers-and-speculation/484096.md?page=74)