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OK, after the last few strips I got a strong sense this one was a little bit of a filler. But the party are back together (once Durkon finishes his Raise Dead spell, anyway) and it's time for them all to get to date with What The Heck Has Been Going On Recently.
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Actually, I wouldn't call this filler - it seems to suggest even more strongly towards are little friend in the darkness teleporting the two of them out. Maybe that's why it's sleeping - it's drained from spell casting?
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This is stuff all we needed to know (where everyone is, who knows what about which), so it's not strictly unnecessary the way filler would be. But it is sort of cramming as much information into one strip as possible in order to get it out of the way.
If anything, I would say it's the equal and opposite of filler: it's bookkeeping. Tally up where everyone stands so we can end the arc and start a new adventure.
Yay! Everyone together! Xykon picking up speed! Elan being silly! Belkar whetting his blades! (Well, I presume the last, what else would he do. Kill something and take their stuff?)
Actually, I wouldn't call this filler - it seems to suggest even more strongly towards are little friend in the darkness teleporting the two of them out. Maybe that's why it's sleeping - it's drained from spell casting?
That's not even in doubt, is it?
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This is stuff all we needed to know (where everyone is, who knows what about which), so it's not strictly unnecessary the way filler would be. But it is sort of cramming as much information into one strip as possible in order to get it out of the way.
If anything, I would say it's the equal and opposite of filler: it's bookkeeping. Tally up where everyone stands so we can end the arc and start a new adventure.
'Epilogue' would seem to be the best word for it in storytelling terms. Hopefully soon to transition into the prologue of a new chapter.
Apparently Miko's final act of poor judgment is going to remain O'Chul's secret.
Well, O'Chul was going to blow the gate before Soon made it a moot point and then Miko did her last foolish act. So in a sense O'Chul did make the decision to blow the gate, he's just pulling an Obi Wan about the exact facts of it.
Yeah, this isn't filler, it seems much more like an Epilogue for this plot arc. Finishing Roy's resurrection and the OotS standing together again will probably be the end.
I seems much more like an Epilogue for this plot arc. Finishing Roy's resurrection and the OotS standing together again will probably be the end.
Yup, that'd be my guess. I'm also willing to bet that there are exactly 2 or 3 more strips to go before that happens, so strip #666 will be either the end of this arc or the start of the next one. (If the latter, I'll bet the next arc starts with the three fiends.)
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If anything, I would say it's the equal and opposite of filler: it's bookkeeping. Tally up where everyone stands so we can end the arc and start a new adventure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkB
'Epilogue' would seem to be the best word for it in storytelling terms. Hopefully soon to transition into the prologue of a new chapter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wingsandsword
Yeah, this isn't filler, it seems much more like an Epilogue for this plot arc. Finishing Roy's resurrection and the OotS standing together again will probably be the end.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ambrus
My guess is that the last panel of the next strip will feature a resurrected roy kissing Celia while Durkon happily looks on.
Ahem. I stand corrected. Epilogue is a much better word for it.
Has Rich actually mentioned anything about 666 being a special strip, or is that just an assumption that is being made?
My own guess is that 666 will have everyone reunited celebrating alongside the Azurites who are glad to have found a new home. It will be the Number of the Feast.
The best part of the strip is that when Elan freaks out and talks about O-Chul getting killed, everyone looks around for something coming. Elan's credibility has skyrocketed since the beginning of the strip.
Ahem. I stand corrected. Epilogue is a much better word for it.
Has Rich actually mentioned anything about 666 being a special strip, or is that just an assumption that is being made?
It's just an assumption. Usually Rich marks the anniversary strips with a dramatic transition that indicates the wrapping up of an existing subplot or the start of a new one. Sometimes he subverts expectations and doesn't.
#50: The Semi-Secret Origin of Elan and Nale.
#100: Subverted, nothing special.
#200: Miko's big reveal.
#300: Splash page of Xykon's army, revelation that they're heading for Azure City.
#400: Haley and Elan's first kiss.
#500: Roy taking up observation of the mortal world.
#600: Subverted, nothing special. Shout-out to strip #100.
#666 isn't an anniversary per se, but it is a number with dramatic/cultural significance. (Especially among D&D players, seeing as how we all worship Satan and practice black magic... yeah.) And with the OotS being reunited and everything clearly moving toward one of those big transitional moments, expectations are high.
Edit: Also worth noting, we are almost certainly nearing the end of the next OotS book. IIRC, "Dungeon Crawling Fools" was 121 strips long, not counting bonus material. "No Cure For The Paladin Blues" was longer, clocking in at 179 (strips 122 to 300). "War and XPs" was similar at 184 (strips 301 to 484). If Rich wraps up on strip 666, then [insert name of next book here] will be 182 strips long, just about the same as the previous two.
Exact numbers may be a bit off; I don't have the books in front of me.
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Last edited by Dausuul; 15th June 2009 at 11:52 PM..
What are you talking about? That had nothing to do with O-Chul. By pointing said convention out, Elan saved his life!
? I thought whenever Elan points out dramatic convention, it happens? Hence V's line about probability serving drama like a two-copper harlot (or whatever).
Personally, I expect to see the Dark Powers start their limited-term control over V in three strips. I expect them to use this control to screw the Order (or just the Azurites) over in the worst way imaginable.
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