IIRC, that was in itself a bluff. V said something to the effect of “nah, it’s not really explosive runes, I’m out of spells and besides it’s not even spelled properly”. At which point Belkar checked… for explosive results.
Which does bring an interesting point : up to this point, apparently, the Stickverse version of Explosive Runes only works if the text explicitly uses the words “Explosive Runes” in it. So, there’s still some doubt - the familiar font+color and apparently obvious answer may be just a reader in-joke. Very unlikely, but possible. It’s 1 in a million chance.
How often do those happen ?
(especially since Rich has turned “fucking with reader expectations” from a skill, to an art, to an innate ability with no save)
But Xykon’s never seen V. cast explosive runes. There’s no reason for him to think of that spell in particular. Belkar would likely fall for something like that, given his extensive experience with the spell, but I don’t think that sort of bluff would work on anyone else.
Incidentally, here are the twocomics you were thinking of.
Not that I know of (and in any case, V is no longer an epic character), but (s)he could have used the basic Empowered Spell (all dice results multiplied by 1.5) or Maximized Spell (all results automatically maxed) feats on it.
Doubt (s)he would have prepared either version of such a situational spell though, as they use up higher level spell slots (5 and 6 respectively). Would *you *trade Cone of Cold and/or Disintegrate for some measly 27 damage average, or 36 dmg tops ?
Actually, I’m a bit suspicious of the bird’s poignant thoughts, especially in connection with the color of his eyes (suddenly purple), and the fact he’s hovering right next to the Snarl.
Perhaps the poignant thoughts are those of the Snarl…which may not be what it appears to be…
The best I can find is this chart that says the cost for a silver holy symbol is 25 gp but it didn’t say anything about unholy symbols which is what I would expect Redcloak to use. I’m guessing no time at all.
On the other hand, in order to cast Destruction (a spell Redcloak is fond of), you need a special symbol that costs 500 GP. Still, that’s a small enough investment that a cleric of Redcloak’s level probably already has a spare or two, apparently just not on his person.
It took me a while to gather my thoughts…I was reading the strip then I see the lich heading towards Blackwing and I thought “OH OMGWTFBBQ they are so dead!” when I read what is written…
Then I burst into laughter extending two thumbs up.
So – just back from my week away – and what is my happy discovery upon reacquainting myself with my computer but TWO new OotS comics, including the delightful return of Explosive Runes! Woo, Rich!
I have said this after reading each of the last, oh, 10 strips or so, but here goes again: Ohboyohboyohboyohboy, I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
Possibly none- familiars have a hit point total equal to half their master’s hit point total, and if V is level 14 (that’s where I’ve seen her ballparked) then she’s got a statistical expected hit point total of 35, giving Blackwing an expected 17.5 hit points. Explosive Runes averages 21 points of damage. If V was slightly lucky in terms of Hit Dice in the past or is higher level than my estimate of 14, or if this Explosive Runes is somewhat below average, Blackwing will survive.
Naturally, all this means is that Rich can plausibly allow Blackwing to survive or to be killed in this instance.
Also, the traditional tag line for V when using Explosive Runes is the declarative “I prepared Explosive Runes this morning”, not the inquisitive “Guess what spell I cast?” Just noting.
Oh I literally applauded when I read that final panel. Rich is just hitting 'em all out of the ballpark. Ever since V made that epic teleport off the island, this strip has been on fire. Really, it’s been awesome since #623. What a bang-out way to end this “book.” How many strips are left before he wraps things up for this arc, do you guys think?
If Xykon’s phylactery is lost, and even if it isn’t, I sure hope O-Chul and Vaarsuvius have some place to hide. Xykon is gonna be utterly furious. He does not take well to being embarrassed or fooled by others (has he EVER let anyone get away with that? Aside from Soon?), and having a relatively rudimentary spell blow up in his face to such a degree? Especially from a wizard he’s just bitch-slapped for being lame? That’s gotta hurt Xykon’s megalomaniac-level pride. O-Chul’s already dead meat, and V may have just made a lifelong enemy. Uh, assuming that “lifelong” isn’t measured in mere panels.
How many cliffhangers in a row has this been? Man. It’s exhausting. I freakin’ love this strip so damn much!
It’s got to be close. I figured they were going to do a quick wrap up once the order was together and then another short arc spun out of that. So we’ve got at a bare stripped down minimum four to go (Xykon goes boom, wrapping up the loose team evil ends, back to the order and Roy is alive and that would be the moment to end the book).
It’s not going to be the end of the book until V is back with the order, and it’s not clear how that will be accomplished. The previous two books have been about 180 pages each, so this book should end somewhere between strips 660 and 670. I can’t help but notice that strip 666 is coming up, and the fiends are still in the picture…
