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| 3 | %% NOTE TO EDITORS: To quote Administrivia/SpoilersOff directly, "Fridge, Headscratchers, and the various Moments subpages (Tear Jerker, Moment of Awesome, etc.) are for post-viewing discussions. Spoiler tagging there defeats the purpose of the articles. You shouldn't be going there if you are worried about them." |
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| 5 | %% Short version: NO SPOILER TAGS ON THIS PAGE. No exceptions. |
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| 7 | %% |
| 8 | ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' has several Heartwarming Moments (all of which are quite spoiler-y, so if that worries you, don't click!) |
| 9 | |
| 10 | '''NOTE: Moment Subpages are Administrivia/SpoilersOff. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.''' |
| 11 | ---- |
| 12 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 13 | |
| 14 | [[folder:''Start of Darkness'']] |
| 15 | |
| 16 | * Eugene Greenhilt, amazingly enough, gets one in ''Start of Darkness''. When Right-Eye gives him the first lead on Xykon he's ever had, he refuses to go after the lich. Why? |
| 17 | -->'''Eugene:''' I'm married now. I have a son, Roy. He's almost 8 years old.\ |
| 18 | '''Right-Eye:''' So? It's not like I'm asking you to bring him along.\ |
| 19 | '''Eugene:''' So if this assassination thing you're so eager to set up goes south, my son is an orphan and his mother, a widow. Or worse, Xykon finds out about them and kills them too, [[ForTheEvulz just for fun]]. The risk isn't worth the reward anymore. |
| 20 | ** Made more fascinating by the fact that earlier in the book (but later chronologically), Eugene ''[[BlatantLies lied]]'' to Roy, saying he never had another lead on Xykon, and if he had he would have walked out on them in a second. |
| 21 | ** Eugene's stated concern for his family is undercut shortly after when it's shown he's missing Roy's soccer game. On the other hand, he tells Right-Eye to settle down and forget about revenge -- advice Right-Eye apparently takes to heart. |
| 22 | ** Even though his oath denies him entry until Xykon is destroyed, Eugene is waiting at the door of the LawfulGood afterlife, not the LawfulNeutral one. Might be there's a reason for that... |
| 23 | *** All but confirmed when Roy dies and is allowed entry into the afterlife despite not fulfilling the oath - the Deva explicitly states that they judge souls by INTENT, not just by action. While Eugene did wrong in abandoning his quest and thus passing the responsibility to his children, he wouldn't be allowed in the Good afterlife at all if he didn't love his family. Roy narrowly avoided getting tossed into the Neutral afterlife for almost abandoning Elan after he was kidnapped by bandits, and only got absolved because he changed his mind after some soul searching. |
| 24 | * Subverted in Xykon's first appearance; we first see him as a four year old crying over his dead dog Barky; when his sorcerer powers activate and he reanimates Barky, he is completely overjoyed. The subversion comes when the newly zombified Barky eats a bird's brains, which ''entertains'' Xykon, cluing the reader into his psychopathic tendencies. That said, the fact that Xykon used to genuinely care for someone, ''anyone'', remains heartwarming. |
| 25 | * The hug Redcloak gets from his mom when we first see them. |
| 26 | * Dorukan and Lirian's final reunion. |
| 27 | -->'''Dorukan:''' It looks as if I am to share your prison forever now...\ |
| 28 | '''Lirian:''' No, no (embraces him)... [[YouAreWorthHell Not a prison anymore.]] |
| 29 | [[/folder]] |
| 30 | |
| 31 | [[folder:''On the Origin of PC[=s=]'']] |
| 32 | * Even though she plans on taking 10% of his future income, there is something sweet about Haley dropping everything when she gets the letter about her father, Ian. |
| 33 | * Roy tells his first adventuring group off, both for killing first and asking questions later and for the way they treat Durkon, whom he concedes is "surly and unpleasant" but doesn't deserve suicide mission after suicide mission. After storming off, Durkon goes after Roy, and Roy assumes Durkon's going to "give [him] a parting shot of all-purpose grumpiness." Instead: |
| 34 | -->'''Durkon:''' Thank ye for what ye said back there... In all the years I've been in da human lands, yer tha first I ever saw who'd use 'is head when 'is sword was handy. An' ye saved me life, too. I guess I ne'er met a non-dwarf who gave a flying damn about me either. Have ye ever thought aboot forming yer own team? Cuz if ye do, ye can count me in. |
| 35 | * Elan's elation when, for the first time in his life, he's told he was ''right'' about something, and is invited to join Roy on his quest. Even Roy's snarky comments as Elan's celebrating don't dim the mood. |
| 36 | * Durkon reassuring Roy that despite being a RagtagBunchOfMisfits, Roy has the leadership abilities to command them. The exchange provides the webcomic's page quote. |
| 37 | -->'''Roy Greenhilt:''' The rogue is ambitious and greedy, the ranger is a complete psychopath, the wizard is trigger-happy and never stops talking, and the bard is as dumb as a box of moldy carrots!\ |
| 38 | '''Durkon Thundershield:''' As I recall, ye called me "surly and unpleasant" shortly after ye met me. [...] Maybe all these folks need is a good strong leader like ye ta whip 'em inta shape. |
| 39 | ** The best part: ''Durkon was right''. Since that point the Order has managed the thwart the schemes of evil gods, fight massive armies, and survive multiple encounters with a trigger happy ''epic lich'' (and yes, Xykon is dangerous enough that just surviving a fight with him is noteworthy) and they're well on their way to saving the world. And even [[TokenEvilTeammate Belkar]] admits that they're useless without Roy there to keep them on track. |
| 40 | [[/folder]] |
| 41 | |
| 42 | [[folder:''How The Paladin Got His Scar'']] |
| 43 | * Lien's story ''Pier Pressure'': |
| 44 | ** The story is bookended with her love of the sea and her getting to explore the deeps |
| 45 | ** Lien is motivated simply to help the skitterlings when asked and is enraged by their mistreatment. |
| 46 | ** A Paladin sees Lien's worth, bends the rules to get her the magic ring she wanted and recommends her as potential recruit for the Sapphire Guard, |
| 47 | * O-Chul's story ''How The Paladin Got His Scar'': |
| 48 | ** O-Chul's sheer commitment to save as many lives on all sides as possible for both practical and more critically just moral reasons. |
| 49 | ** The Sergeant and his sister who gave young O-Chul a second chance and are responsible for his current compassion, humanity and belief in second changes. |
| 50 | ** A subtle one, but when Saha offhandly mentions the goblin who was killed, O-Chul [[TheDeadHaveNames immediately corrects her with "Pangtok"]] |
| 51 | [[/folder]] |
| 52 | |
| 53 | [[folder:''No Cure for the Paladin Blues'']] |
| 54 | * The whole [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0128.html scene with V and Elan in the beginning]] when Elan wants to take a level of Wizard. Reinforced subtly in several subsequent strips that suggest that since that time V has been teaching Elan how to use his arcane magic more effectively. |
| 55 | * How does Haley eventually manage to best an Amazing-quality lock? [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0262.html "I believe in you."]] [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0263.html And again.]] Bonus points for hinting that V is a ShipperOnDeck for Haley and Elan. |
| 56 | -->'''Vaarsuvius:''' Although... perhaps a more mundane method might succeed in bolstering her sagging confidence...\ |
| 57 | '''Elan:''' Huh? What do you mean?\ |
| 58 | '''Vaarsuvius:''' Try simply speaking to Miss Starshine, Elan. Tell her how much faith you have in her rogue abilities.\ |
| 59 | '''Elan:''' Oh! OK! So, Haley, uh, I just wanted to say how much we're all counting on you. We really don't want to go to trial, so we really need to get out of this dumb jail, like, right away.\ |
| 60 | '''Haley:''' ''[scowling]'' Qbb, exfdir, dp nubrrzub exbub.[[labelnote:Cryptogram]] Gee, thanks, no pressure there.[[/labelnote]]\ |
| 61 | '''Elan:''' And even though that lock is, like, really hard, I know you can do it. You can do anything. Because you're smart, and sneaky, and good at stuff...\ |
| 62 | '''Haley:''' Wfld ce! PNBD![[labelnote:Cryptogram]] Damn it! OPEN![[/labelnote]]\ |
| 63 | '''Elan:''' And... I believe in you.\ |
| 64 | ''[Haley looks at Elan, her frustration evaporating instantly at his words... and the lock opens with a "click!"]''\ |
| 65 | '''Elan:''' Woooo! Haley, you did it!\ |
| 66 | '''Haley:''' C fl epefggj cd gpyb hcex jpz.[[labelnote:Cryptogram]] I am totally in love with you.[[/labelnote]]\ |
| 67 | '''Vaarsuvius:''' ''[smiling]'' Love makes the world go round. And has been known to provide a +2 circumstance bonus to certain skill checks. |
| 68 | * After the Order is hired by Shojo to protect the remaining Gates from Xykon, Roy reveals that he's arranged to get a favor for each of them. Vaarsuvius is allowed to copy spells from Shojo's wizard, Haley will be examined by a cleric to get her voice back, Elan gets a gift card, ("Good for one favor from Lord Shojo.") Durkon? A message sent to the High Priest of Thor. |
| 69 | -->'''Roy:''' With luck, by the time we defeat Xykon, you'll have permission to return home.\ |
| 70 | '''Durkon:''' ''(Sheds a single tear)'' ...Bless ye, lad. |
| 71 | [[/folder]] |
| 72 | |
| 73 | [[folder:''War and [=XPs=]'']] |
| 74 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0302.html Elan joining in with the Azurites New Years celebration]], like playing his lute with a street musician, or pulling out Banjo to join up with a man operating a Monkey puppet. |
| 75 | * Durkon's reaction to [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0333.html learning he'll be able to return to Dwarven lands]]. |
| 76 | -->'''Roy:''' You are a very strange little bearded man, Durkon.\ |
| 77 | '''Durkon:''' Aye, lad. Aye. |
| 78 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0364.html The fourth and third last panels of Roy and Julia's goodbye to each other.]] AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther |
| 79 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0393.html Haley getting her voice back.]] Followed by [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0400.html Wanna make out?]] |
| 80 | * '''[[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0396.html "thog not want to hurt not-nale."]]''' It looks like Thog's OddFriendship with Elan held out. Before that, he expresses genuine happiness to be back with his old friends. |
| 81 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0417.html I had a... change of priorities.]] |
| 82 | * Redcloak's MyGodWhatHaveIDone speech belongs [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0451.html here]]. (Aside from being a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome in its own right). |
| 83 | * When Miko dies, she is told she has not been forgiven for her sins, but she will at least be reunited with Windstriker. |
| 84 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0468.html Haley and Elan saying goodbye]], followed by the two Nameless Soldiers[[note]] We learn their names four strips later: Kazumi Kato and Daigo (after Elan's comment about nameless soldiers always dying, he's saving his last name for a plot emergency).[[/note]] agreeing to go on a date. [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0646.html Them reuniting almost two hundred strips later.]] |
| 85 | [[/folder]] |
| 86 | |
| 87 | [[folder:''Don't Split the Party'']] |
| 88 | * The deva's speech about how important it is to keep trying to be good. [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0490.html "It's easy for a being of pure Law and Good to live up to these ideals, but you're a mortal. What matters is that when you blow it, you get back up on the horse and try again."]] |
| 89 | * Roy reuniting with his little brother in the afterlife. |
| 90 | -->[[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0496.html "hi roy! wanna play blocks with me?"]]\ |
| 91 | "[[ManlyTears More than anything.]]" |
| 92 | ** A lesser moment is when he muses over what class he thinks Eric would have been if he lived long enough to become one. He then says bard, without a hint of shame or disappointment. After previously decrying both Elan and his class as TheLoad, it seems like he's finally warming up to him. |
| 93 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0536.html Rich's tribute to E. Gary Gygax]]. Many other writers simply did a single lip-service strip that said one panel of "In Memory", but Rich went out of his way to show his gratitude to Creator/GaryGygax, and it shows, in a speech by Roy that could have been read at Gygax's funeral. Goes to SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment|s}} when Roy's Archon warns him there are tons of adventurers in the Hall of Characters That Died Without a Saving Throw who are still pissed off about ''TabletopGame/TombOfHorrors'', the "Orb of Annihilation in the statue's mouth" trap in particular. |
| 94 | -->'''Gary Gygax:''' Heh heh, oh man. That never got old. |
| 95 | * His tribute to the ''other'' half of ''D&D'', [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0644.html Dave Arneson]], is up there, too. |
| 96 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0555.html Therkla's parents]]. Yes, they're a single-panel cameo and played for laughs when a flashback shows them as SickeninglySweethearts, but the fact that they're a clearly very happy and loving InterspeciesRomance, when orcs in the setting suffer just as much from the assumption of AlwaysChaoticEvil as the goblins and even another orc immediately assumes that the only way an [[HalfHumanHybrid orc/human hybrid]] could come about is as a ChildByRape, is really quite touching. Alternatively, AlwaysChaoticEvil creatures are particularly grossed out by SickeninglySweethearts. |
| 97 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0550.html "Sweet dreams, Monster-san."]] O-Chul and the Monster in the Darkness have a lot of these: |
| 98 | ** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0541.html You can do it, Mr. Stiffly! I believe in you!]] |
| 99 | ** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0654.html Mr. Stiffly! MR. STIFFLY! O-CHUL!!]] The Monster in the Darkness may not know exactly what he is, but O-Chul does. "A good man." |
| 100 | ** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0699.html "What if I -- uh, I mean, someone -- teleported him into the ocean? Or into a wall?"]] |
| 101 | ** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0709.html Until then, I hope wherever you are, the rain is helping you sleep.]] It doesn't make sense until you go back to [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0550.html this comic]] and read the last bit of the strip. But then it makes sense. And is really sweet. |
| 102 | * The reunion of the Order after a very long time, and all the events that come with it. First, [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0665.html getting Roy back]]. Then, [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0666.html Roy and Haley]] have a nice, friendly, peaceful moment together as Roy cleans his armor and they overlook the sunset on the ocean. Then, after having a strained relationship for months, Durkon and Vaarsuvius [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0667.html reconcile]] in a truly heartwarming way; made all the more impressive in that it's combined with a great deal of character growth for both of them and ends on a horrifyingly ominous note. Finally, [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0670.html Elan chooses honesty over drama]]. "How are we supposed to get a happy ending if we can't be honest?" And Haley ''reciprocates''. |
| 103 | * Vaarsuvius summons their familiar and [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0672.html apologizes for having been a somewhat subpar master.]] The ending of the book is nice as well. For the first time in a while, an arc's ending has a peaceful feel to it, looking forward to the future. Everyone's together again, at rest, as the ship sails off on its journey. And later on, Blackwing acting as V's conscience to the point that the next time they fight the Linear Guild... well, Qarr says that if Blackwing kills himself, Qarr will make sure V is kept alive after the battle. Blackwing reasons through this by pointing out that he's really only the elf's conscience right now... and if Qarr's so desperate to get him out of the way, it must be working, and Blackwing reaffirms his duty to be there for Vaarsuvius no matter what. Their relationship has come a ''long'' way from "Screw this, mammal! You're on your own!" |
| 104 | [[/folder]] |
| 105 | |
| 106 | [[folder:''Blood Runs in the Family'']] |
| 107 | * Elan asks Haley why she can't use the Glibness effect (which gives her an insane bonus to Bluff) to convince her father that Elan's a good guy. [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0774.html The potion only works on things that aren't true.]] It becomes a TearJerker when you remember what she said just seconds before... |
| 108 | * A very silly but cute one. During [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html their search in the desert]] for Girard's Gate, we see a montage of them looking in various ways. One panel inexplicably shows Elan with his sword drawn, apparently ready to duel a ''cactus'' to the death. Next panel is Elan and Haley sleeping together. Elan has needles sticking in him, and Haley has a smile and the flower that was on top of the cactus in her hand. D'AAAWWWW. |
| 109 | * Elan's relationship with Roy is beyond heartwarming, culminating in an ImagineSpot in which his father Tarquin, says that he will adopt Roy, and that he and Elan are now "for real" brothers (and they both get [[PreciousPuppy puppies]]). It's silly, but the cheerfulness of the whole thing is really cute. |
| 110 | * Tarquin finally gets tired of Malack's whining about his dead children, and tells him to suck it up. He does, but later, Tarquin showboats around in order to test Elan's skills--something that is very much a tactical liability. Malack yells at him, telling him he's not going to put Tarquin's family over his own, Sabine gets ready to watch them fight... and Tarquin genuinely apologizes for his actions. Yes, they're evil, but they're still friends. |
| 111 | * Belkar and Mr. Scruffy's relationship in general. [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0781.html This is a good moment.]] Additionally, in that strip, Belkar entrusting Vaarsuvius ([[VitriolicBestBuds of all people]]) with his cat - after all of their fighting and not-quite-making-up - is awfully sweet. |
| 112 | ** During that exchange, Vaarsuvius cuts themself off before deciding to refer to Belkar as an "acquaintance", and it's possible that they stopped short of calling him their "friend" instead. This follows some vitriolic name-calling, which in the context of their relationship comes across more like good-natured ribbing. |
| 113 | * Even The Linear Guild gets its Heartwarming moments. In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0804.html #804]] Qarr makes not-so-veiled threats against Sabine for being loyal to Nale and not The Directors, who are her bosses. When Nale returns after Qarr leaves, Sabine makes her UndyingLoyalty plain: |
| 114 | -->'''Nale:''' C'mon, babe. Elan ran this way. If we can catch him, we can turn this thing around.\ |
| 115 | '''Sabine:''' Right behind you, honey. ''(MelodramaticPause)'' All the way. |
| 116 | * Penelope's story, overlaps with TearJerker, but it's very touching. As a girl, she was caught in a whirlwind romance with an illusionist, a relationship that made a baby girl. The father (Orrin Draketooth) skipped town with the baby. For fifteen years, Penelope never stopped trying to find her little girl, even hiring Zz'dtri to divine the location. She would have succeded were it not for V's Familicide spell. |
| 117 | * This exchange between Malack and Durkon, during their battle in the pyramid. |
| 118 | -->'''Durkon:''' Surrender, Malack.\ |
| 119 | '''Malack:''' So you can destroy me?\ |
| 120 | '''Durkon:''' So I can resurrect ye. |
| 121 | * When confronted with the prospect of finding a vampire and killing him on his own, Durkon realizes Thor can't and won't help him and puts his faith in the man he respects the most. |
| 122 | -->'''Durkon:''' What would Roy do? |
| 123 | * Even though he's the one who killed Durkon, Malack still puts Durkon's body in a respectful pose, with his hands crossed over his holy symbol. Though this may be diminished somewhat by the vampirification of said body that happens almost immediately after. |
| 124 | ** He also honors Durkon's last wish, in a way, by letting Belkar live and telling him to get the rest of the Order out of there. |
| 125 | ** How about going out of his way NOT to hurt Mr. Scruffy? |
| 126 | ** Even after realizing that the Order is hiding behind an illusionary wall, he chooses to continue honoring that wish by not calling attention to them. |
| 127 | ** Also, Belkar trying to rush off and tell Roy about what just happened even though most of his blood has been drained, and he's too weak to stand. So instead he starts crawling. |
| 128 | *** ''And'' his reaction to Durkon dying and being raised as a vampire after Hold Person wears off. He's ''freaking the'' '''fuck''' ''out'' about it. |
| 129 | *** In its own way, [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0880.html Belkar telling Roy what happened]] qualifies for this trope, since it's clear he takes it entirely seriously. |
| 130 | ----> "How could this possibly be a joke? Where's the punchline? (...) But trust me, there's nothing funny about it. He just walked in there and saved my life and got straight up murdered for it." |
| 131 | * Strip #887. Even knowing it's AllJustADream, it is full of heartwarming moments, such as Durkon being resurrected, Elan and Nale making peace while their father looks happily, Roy's dad finally entering heaven, Elan being with Haley and Roy with Celia.... |
| 132 | * Strip #888, "Dream Wedding", somehow manages to be this, Tear Jerker, and a Funny Moment all at the same time. Elan just really wants his family to be happy together. That even includes Nale and the rest of the Linear Guild. |
| 133 | ** The exact moment crossing over into both funny and heartwarming is the panel revealing that Tarquin is the one getting married and not Elan. It makes the fact that he was comforting Elan for three panels even more heartwarming than it already was. |
| 134 | ** For pure heartwarming, notice that the person right next to Vaarsuvius is Inkyrius, their recently divorced mate. |
| 135 | * Belkar's and Mr. Scruffy's shared fantasy, while assumed by Roy to feature [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs stabbing, whores and whores stabbing whores who stab whores]], was Belkar preparing fish for Mr. Scruffy, while Lord Shojo pets him. Proof that Belkar's undergone so much CharacterDevelopment that all he really wants is to be a real person. |
| 136 | * Elan managing to get the team out of their slump with good old fashioned [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0891.html hope]]. |
| 137 | ** "And Elan? Good job. And I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier." |
| 138 | ** What's even better is that before this, everyone was worried that the because of the whole UnspokenPlanGuarantee the comic tends to lean towards, the story was going to have a total DownerEnding. Elan isn't just assuring his team that things will work out, he's assuring the fans. |
| 139 | * Zz'dtri helps Nale come to his senses despite Malack telling the Drow to abandon him after he falls victim to the LotusEaterMachine. |
| 140 | * 901. The Monster in the Darkness saves the four remaining Order members from certain doom tricking Redcloak and Xykon to their faces with a GenreSavvy sounding dose of BlatantLies. Why? They're pals with O-Chul. And so is he. |
| 141 | * Despite now being evil and thus it not working properly, Durkon still goes instinctively to heal an injured Roy. Daww... |
| 142 | * Nale's reaction to Durkon injuring and subsequently killing Z is to try and force Durkon off of him and furiously demand that he doesn't suck his blood. While [[ExactWords this is what get Z killed,]] it's touching to know that, like his father, Nale does care for his longtime friends and employees. Just before this, there's another moment of heartwarming, in which Nale and Z offer friendship to Vampire Durkon as well as employment. |
| 143 | * Elan mourned his brother's death, even after all Nale had done. Sabine's reaction to Nale's death as well. |
| 144 | * "I'm not the leader of my team, Dad. Roy is, and he's the best hero EVER." |
| 145 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0919.html Vaarsuvius shaking theirself out of their]] HeroicBSOD to help their friends. And the simple fact that [[CantArgueWithElves Vaarsuvius]] refers to the Order of the Stick as friends in the first place. Not to mention including Blackwing in there. |
| 146 | * Unlike Tarquin's raising of Nale, Laurin is shown to [[EvilParentsWantGoodKids deeply care for her plumber daughter]], and works with Tarquin mostly for her sake, so she can have a normal life. |
| 147 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0929.html Elan stating that if Tarquin wants to get at Roy, he'll have to go through Elan.]] Sadly, Tarquin was [[ExactWords all too willing]] to do so... |
| 148 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0932.html In #932]], Julio offhandedly reveals that he's crashed the wedding and stolen Tarquin's wives so many times he's running out of new ideas how. Given [[TheBluebeard who Tarquin is, that's really sweet of him.]] The revelation of the connection between Tarquin and Julio makes for a retroactive one. Julio noticed Elan's physical similarity to Tarquin the moment they met, and given the captain's own level of [[GenreSavvy Genre Savviness, he probably at least suspected that he'd get drawn back into Tarquin's business if he helped Elan. And he still took the kid under his wing anyways.]] |
| 149 | * Belkar, of all people, asking Vaarsuvius to save the polymorphed allosaurus solely out of concern for its safety. And before that, V ensuring that Mr. Scruffy gets rescued. |
| 150 | * After their battle with Laurin, the first thing V does is ask if Blackwing (who got zapped for attacking Laurin's face) is all right, and then gently picking him up when he admits to them that he's hurt. |
| 151 | * Roy promising Elan that they're going to come up with a plan to deal with Tarquin after dealing with Xykon. ...Then Elan ruins the moment by "mentally workshopping" sequel titles. |
| 152 | * When Roy learns that Durkon needs to feed on blood at least once a night, he suggests that Durkon prepares at least one Restoration spell each night, so that he can feed on someone and then heal them, and volunteers to be fed on by his friend. And then Haley and Elan volunteer to pitch in as well. |
| 153 | * During a stopover in Tyrania, Haley attempts to convince her father to leave the continent with the Order due to the bounty placed on his head. Ian refuses, not wanting to be a burden, instead accompanying Amon-Zora's resistance against Tarquin. |
| 154 | ** As they prepare to part ways: |
| 155 | --->'''Ian:''' You've got your own path to follow now. Your own chance at being better. Go make your mother proud.\ |
| 156 | '''Haley:''' But what about you?\ |
| 157 | '''Ian:''' ''[smiling]'' Go make me proud too. |
| 158 | ** Also how Elan shares with Ian his plan to take down Tarquin, and he is genuinely impressed. In fact, he finally compliments him and is starting to see that Elan isn't as bad as he first believed. |
| 159 | --->'''Ian:''' Not bad, kid. Maybe you're ''not'' a diabolical sleeper agent out to infiltrate my family and destroy everything I've worked for.\ |
| 160 | '''Elan:''' Truly, that's all any man can hope to hear from his girlfriend's father. |
| 161 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0944.html When V shares with Roy]] everything about the Familicide, Roy draws a comparison with his own situation when his little brother died and tells V the same thing [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0490.html someone else once told him:]] that when you screw up, especially when you ''know'' you have screwed up, trying to make it right still counts. Roy admits to being uncomfortable with giving V any advice regarding the morality of V's actions, as he's a Fighter. By his very nature, Roy's at home fighting battles and coming up with combat tactics, not dealing with philosophical issues. V states point blank, "I respect your integrity. I would thus still value your opinion." Those two sentences show clearly how far the formerly arrogant elf has come. |
| 162 | * In the end, what did Laurin cash her favor from Tarquin in for? The rift left over from Girard's Gate, which she saw as a portal to a plane full of water. It would allow her to set up a new city (recall she's angry that the elves have all the habitable land on the continent, forcing the humans and lizardfolk to fight over the scraps), and give her daughter the job of a lifetime. |
| 163 | * When the tentacles that may be the Snarl break through the rift, what does Miron do first? Try to pull Laurin to safety. |
| 164 | [[/folder]] |
| 165 | |
| 166 | [[folder:''Utterly Dwarfed'']] |
| 167 | * While kept prisoner in his vampire body's mind, what does Durkon do? Remember his mom. It becomes a tearjerker in hindsight, because when she holds onto a dwarf dangling over a cliff, she says "Di. Nae. Le. Go" -- an InUniverse CallBack to her never letting go of her husband, which is how she lost her arm. |
| 168 | * In the first panel of [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0950.html #950]], Mr. Scruffy and Bloodfeast are asleep, snuggling together. D'awwww. Later, in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1012.html #1012]], all of the pets are sleeping together: Mr. Scruffy is asleep leaning on Little Whiskers, with Bloodfeast dozing at his paws, while Blackwing had been sleeping atop him. When Blackwing is BlownAcrossTheRoom by the Exarch, Bloodfeast is concernedly nudging him to see if he's okay. |
| 169 | * Belkar's continued insistence that the vampire they're dealing with isn't really Durkon is quite sweet. He's not taking the easy road and just going with it as if nothing's changed (and as the only Evil member of the team he's probably the only one who really ''gets'' it), instead he's willing to fight for the friend that died for him even when it makes the other members of the Order think he's lost his mind or is just being stubborn and unhelpful. For someone who's been working so hard to fake character development to get in their good graces and stay alive, that says something. Belkar realizes that he's been faking HiddenDepths so much that he's actually ''[[BecomingTheMask developed]]'' them. |
| 170 | -->'''Belkar:''' People don't just change who they are inside in an instant. It doesn't work like that. It takes time, so you don't even know you're changing. Until one day, you're just a little different than you used to be and you can't even tell what the hell happened. |
| 171 | * V giving Belkar the Psionic dagger is a small moment diluted by a SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment|s}}. |
| 172 | * Comic #969 looks to be another piece of evidence in the "Belkar's fake CharacterDevelopment is turning real" arc. When browsing a female gnome's goods for something to give him shielding against those pesky [[CompellingVoice Dominate Person]] spells he's so awful at resisting, she gives him a clasp enchanted to cast Protection from Evil, which, naturally, inflicts considerable pain on him. Rather than let her throw away the "defective" clasp, he buys it from her for half-price, something that she is extremely grateful for, as it costs thousands of gold pieces to make a single version of the clasp she was offering him. In her gratitude, she invites him on a dinner date, which he turns down. Compare that to his casually sexist treatment of the human bard towards the end of the Greysky City mini-arc. When you think about it this becomes heartwarming for a different reason. Belkar offered to buy the 'defective' clasp for half price not because he was being nice but because the gnome woman was going to get more to try, which would lead her to realize that the original ''wasn't'' defective and that Belkar was of Evil alignment. His defensive speech to Mr. Scruffy reveals that the reason he turned down her offer of a meal was because her grateful offer made him ''feel guilty'' over how he'd tricked her. Character Development indeed. |
| 173 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0976.html Comic #976]] has the one-appearance married gnome couple get the happy ending they needed despite being on hard times thanks to Haley and Bandana needing adamantine weapons. |
| 174 | * When Haley tells Crystal about her relationship with Elan, her response is a surprisingly [[SincerityMode genuine]], malice-free, "(HE) SEEMED NICE." Quite possibly the kindest thing to come out of her mouth. |
| 175 | * Why did Durkon originally start studying to become a cleric? [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0983.html He wanted to learn how to heal his mother's lost hand.]] |
| 176 | * In strip 990, V defends Belkar's distrust of vampire Durkon to Roy, pointing out the hypocrisy of him disregarding Belkar's logical argument in favor of Roy's gut feeling. |
| 177 | * There's something heartwarming about Roy having Belkar coming along in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0993.html #993]], in that as much as Roy thinks Belkar is full of it in his suspicions, he's not going to dismiss his fears and have him come along (thanks to V earlier). Also, all the animal companions resting in a room together. |
| 178 | * Belkar, formerly someone who had trouble with the concept of killing people being a bad thing, at the very least claims to be worried for the safety of other people that aren't part of the Order of the Stick. |
| 179 | * Given the whole conflict started with the goblins pulling a RageAgainstTheHeaven it's nice to see that most gods avert being JerkassGods during the Godsmoot, especially Thor who says they owe it to their followers to give them a chance at saving the world. Even those in favor of the ShootTheDog are doing it more out of necessity than malice (aside from those who are are just lazy). |
| 180 | ** Perhaps best shown with Hel's plan to get the demigods on her side by voting for a new world where they have more power. The reason this fails? |
| 181 | --->"[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone I'm sorry, but I can't be the one to deliver]] ''[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone this]]'' [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone news.]] [[MookFaceTurn Hermod, demigod of messengers, votes no.]]" |
| 182 | * In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1000.html Strip #1000]] Roy isn't mad because Durkon is now a cleric of Hel. He is mad because Durkon tricked him. Even if he knew Durkon was a cleric of an evil god, Roy would still support him. He also admits that Belkar was right. Not only that, but deep down Roy knew he was right the whole time and couldn't admit it to himself. |
| 183 | * In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1009.html #1009]] Roy has a moment where he's able to tell that Durkon isn't Durkon and breaks the hypnotism being used against him. Why? Because he knows Durkon better than the entity with full access to all of Durkon's memories. |
| 184 | * In Strip 1013, when Blackwing is blasted back by another dwarf vampire cleric, Bloodfeast comes over to see if he is okay. |
| 185 | ** Likewise, Strip 1014 has Bloodfeast saving Little Whiskers from the same cleric as well as Blackwing's concern for his safety. |
| 186 | ** Three more in Strip 1021 where, instead of being upset at Blackwing for causing one of V's scrolls to violently explode, V is both happy Blackwing is okay and proud of his creative problem-solving skills. In the same strip, Mr. Scruffy and Bloodfeast both check to make sure the other is okay, and Blackwing convinces V to get Little Whiskers help. |
| 187 | * The character of Wrecan was created as tribute to a late user of the Giant in the Playground forums. [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1025.html #1025]], which will likely be the character's final appearance, gives the poster a nice tribute, including a nod to the "number of appearances per character" thread that he started. |
| 188 | ** His RousingSpeech is particularly heartwarming (with a bit funny on the end): |
| 189 | --->'''Wrecan:''' It's up to all of us to save the world, right? I can't come with you, so this is how I can help.\ |
| 190 | '''Roy:''' I'm...I wish there had been more time. To get to know you better. \ |
| 191 | '''Wrecan:''' There's ''never'' enough time. Every day, one after another, until we wake up and it turns out that's the day our world ends. You have to do what you can, when you can --- because who knows if tomorrow is even happening, you know? [[ItMakesSenseInContext Now get on your flying boat and stop a crazy dwarf vampire from committing election fraud!]]\ |
| 192 | '''Roy:''' Yes sir! |
| 193 | ** Even more touching: the poster's real name was Mark. The strip was titled "Mark Of Distinction." |
| 194 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1032.html We find out]] that all of Lien's family (including both parents, two sisters, a brother-in-law, three nieces, and an 83-year-old grandmother), her boyfriend, and all of ''his'' family made it out of the fall of Azure City alive. |
| 195 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1035.html "Trust me." "Always."]] |
| 196 | * Oona seems to genuinely like The Monster In the Darkness, giving him some advice and even saying that if the rest of Team Evil die, she could take him as a new animal companion. She even compliments his new umbrella. In hindsight, the fact that her worg, Greyview, is such a sour pessimist, makes the fact that he breaks his scowl, closes his eyes, and wags his tail when she hugs him rather sweet too. |
| 197 | ** Monster in the Darkness returns the friendly feelings, with a bonus extremely rare PetTheDog from Xykon. |
| 198 | --->'''Xykon:''' Is anyone feeling especially lucky tonight?\ |
| 199 | '''Monster:''' I'm feeling lucky to have new friends like Oona and Greyview, does that count?\ |
| 200 | '''Redcloak:''' No.\ |
| 201 | '''Oona:''' Yes!\ |
| 202 | '''Xykon:''' Close enough! |
| 203 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1041.html Strip 1041]]. Here we see just how much The Monster in the Darkness values his friendship with O-Chul and the lessons he taught him. Not only has The Monster in the Darkness saved the Order of the Stick because they were O-Chul's friends, now he's begun to actively sabotage the efforts of Team Evil. |
| 204 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1042.html Strip 1042]]. O-Chul bought a set of Go stones, in hope that he'd be able to play against the Monster in the Darkness again. |
| 205 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1046.html Strip 1046]]: Eugene Greenhilt is being his usual pessimistic apathetic self, claiming that he should have done something more productive like research spells or kill Xykon than have a family. Meanwhile, Vaarsuvius is looking longingly at a picture of Inkyrius, immediately proving Eugene wrong. |
| 206 | -->'''Eugene:''' What wizard worth his or her salt could look back and conclude that all that relationship stuff wasn't a huge waste of time that would've been better off devoted to study?\ |
| 207 | '''Vaarsuvius:''' ''([[AnswerCut is doing exactly that]])'' |
| 208 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1089.html Strip 1089]]: On the day of her son's ordainment, Sigdi plays the part of a proud mother, but she's also worried. Her friend Shirra had purchased a dress for Sigdi to wear to the party, and Sigdi intends to repay her for it. Shirra immediately insists it's a gift, and invokes dwarven honor [[note]]the thing dwarven society is built on, and something they quite literally live and die on[[/note]] for Sigdi to accept it as such. |
| 209 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1096.html Strip 1096]]: When the Order hears the true reason why Durkon was exiled from his homeland, ''even Vaarsuvius'' looks shocked. |
| 210 | ** There's also Roy's reasoning on how pointless it was that Durkon was never told the reason why he'd been exiled. |
| 211 | --->'''Roy:''' You've met Durkon! I'm pretty sure if you'd told him it would help innocent people, he'd break his leg trying to boot his own ass out the door! |
| 212 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1098.html Strip 1098]]: Despite being a {{Naytheist}} who believes the gods don't collectively prioritize the interests of mortals, Roy still gives Odin the benefit of the doubt in his intentions and deduces why exactly Durkon of all people was brought to their group, and everyone adds something... even Belkar. |
| 213 | -->'''Belkar:''' [[BlatantLies I'm not going to say something poignant, so don't ask.]] (under his breath)... He didn't blame me. |
| 214 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1114.html Strip 1114]]: As much as she wants revenge on Durkon for using her and throwing her away (as she sees it), Hilgya's nr 1 priority has always been her infant son. She went out of her way to create an independent life for herself, allowing her to raise Kudzu while also continuing her mission. She even avoided Chaotic Evil solutions to her problems, normally condoned with glee by her patron God Loki, because the side effects might harm the vulnerable Kudzu. |
| 215 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1123.html Strip 1123]] has a slightly subtle one: when dominated by vampire Durkon, Belkar ''immediately'' follows his previously-given order of "protect V" (although, thanks to the domination, he was actually attacking a cleric trying to heal V). Bear in mind, this is [[AxCrazy Belkar]], who for almost the entire strip, has hated (or at least not gotten along with) V, and even under domination, he's still trying to protect them. The vampire who dominated him even notes that he barely needed a push to carry out the order! |
| 216 | * The last memory Durkon shows to the High Priest of Hel, told over the course of several strips (starting from [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1121.html Strip 1121]]). On his first day of work, Durkon saw his mother Sigdi's name on the list of donors who made large contributions to the Temple. That evening at dinner, Durkon asks Sigdi about this, considering that they're currently going through financial troubles. It turns out, that after the encounter with the dragon-blooded troll that took Durkon's father and Sigdi's arm, one of the soldiers managed to nab a treasure chest full of gemstones and gave it to Sigdi while she was recuperating. Later, a poison gas leak occurs, killing several dwarves, five in particular having died with no family to claim the bodies and all bound for Hel due to a dishonorable death. Sigdi, despite not even knowing these five dwarves, donates ''all'' the gemstones so that they can be raised from the dead. These five dwarves would later become Durkon's honorary family (as seen in all the previous flashbacks). ''This'' story is what inspires Durkon's belief in honor and duty, even when you don't enjoy it. |
| 217 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1129.html I ne'er let go.]] |
| 218 | ** There's also what Tenrin's doing in his final moments. Rather than panicking or trying in vain to save himself, [[GoOutWithASmile he is simply smiling lovingly at his wife before the end.]] |
| 219 | ** One of Sigdi's reasons for choosing not to resurrect Tenrin is the fact that, [[HeroicSacrifice since he died a hero, he is currently in Valhalla with Thor]]. [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy She couldn't bear to rip her beloved husband out of paradise, even if that meant living without him and raising their son alone.]] |
| 220 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1130.html Strip 1130]] has Durkon weaponizing a lifetime of Heartwarming Moments against the High Priest of Hel, by unleashing all the complex feelings he has had since learning his mother's secret, how he draws strength from the memory of his mother using the worst day of her life to make it the best day of five other lives, and how he has since used his worst day to ensure that the world is safe from monsters like the Priest, proving once and for all that he has and always will be the faithful, wise, compassionate cleric we have loved all this time. |
| 221 | -->'''Durkon:''' TAKE 'EM ALL! B'cause it took me ''whole life'' ta unnerstand tha moment - an' I ''still'' have mixed feelin's aboot it some days! So take ev'ry moment o' happiness! Ev'ry moment o' peace an' belongin' an' contentment! Ev'ry moment spent wit a family who loved me, a family who woulnae even exist witout her pain!\ |
| 222 | But be careful. B'cause ye know wha ye are if'n ye haf me body an' all me joys an' sorrows?\ |
| 223 | '''Durkon and the Priest simultaneously:''' Yer ''me.'' |
| 224 | ** Look really close at the torrent of memories; the upper-right-most memory is Durkon officiating a marriage for his HonoraryUncle Hoskin, as he'd jokingly mentioned back in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1086.html strip #1086.]] |
| 225 | ** You can also see other happy moments like Durkon's birth (second from top left), being given a piggyback by Kandro and giving a piggyback to what might be Shirra's twin children, playing with his friend Logann, meeting with Logann and his daughter, learning to play an instrument with Thirden... it truly gives the feeling that the five people his mother saved were ''family''. |
| 226 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1133.html Strip 1133]]. Minrah is dead, and Belkar has staked vampire Durkon, releasing his spirit to the afterlife, where he meets Minrah, who notes that she died the first time she encountered something more dangerous than a kobold, and didn't contribute much to the fight. [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre But Durkon notes that she indeed distinguished herself,]] having JumpedAtTheCall on short notice in the middle of the night. [[WhenSheSmiles It's enough to cause this dour and distrusting woman to smile.]] |
| 227 | ** The two also discuss the possibility of Durkon being resurrected. They acknowledge the improbability of the scenario given the circumstances of his death, but it still gives a glimmer of hope to the many readers worried that he was KilledOffForReal. |
| 228 | * Durkon saying he primarily wants to come back not because the world is at stake but because [[WhenYouComingHomeDad he doesn't want his son to grow up without knowing him]], realizing that's probably what his own father would have done if Sigdi tried resurrecting him. |
| 229 | * Thor finally [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1134.html getting a chance]] to converse with Durkon after the latter rages about the Snarl (since he couldn't talk to Durkon about the Snarl without him knowing about it). |
| 230 | -->'''Thor:''' Oh, good. I'm so glad to hear you say that, Durkon. Because seriously, dude, we need to talk. |
| 231 | * Thor [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1135.html appears to]] know ''every last one'' of his followers by name. He also recognizes their individual achievements, knows what they've been worried about, is willing to keep quiet about things they'd rather not discuss before their fellow dwarves[[note]]contrast with the Deva that Roy spoke to while his father was in earshot[[/note]], is astonishingly casual around his followers, and when speaking to them, shrinks down to the size of an adult human rather than maintain a towering size or even just a mildly giant figure. |
| 232 | -->'''Minrah:''' ...This is the best thing that's ever happened to me. |
| 233 | ** The fact that he takes care to not embarrass Minrah especially stands out. The rest isn't so much of a surprise, we already knew he was easy-going and open-minded - but that [[BoisterousBruiser Thor]] of all people is capable of being ''tactful''? That's worth an extra "awwwwwwww!" |
| 234 | ** He then tells Durkon that he needs him to fight one last battle for him - but that he didn't consider asking until he heard him wish to go back. Minrah and Durkon point out that, seeing that they are his servants, Thor could have ordered him to do so, but he says he would have felt horrible. And he also pre-clears Minrah to enter Valhalla whenever she's ready, including a drink ticket for being killed by a follower of Loki. |
| 235 | * In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1137.html 1137]], a brief line that's almost too cute but still heartwarming. |
| 236 | -->'''Minrah:''' ''(on riding Thor's back as he flies)'' I have literally had this dream at least a dozen times! |
| 237 | * In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1139.html 1139 "To Remember Them By"]] we see that the current world is not the second world that the Gods created, as readers were previously lead to believe, but merely another one in a [[EternalRecurrence countless series]] of worlds, with a gravestone marking each one's passing. So many worlds have either been consumed by the Snarl or destroyed by the Gods before the former could happen, that the gravestones blot out the sky, and quickly become indistinguishable from each other. And yet, the Gods created a gravestone for each one, and Thor notes that the first world even had a memorial dedicated to it, implying that they hold one for each world that gets destroyed. |
| 238 | ** The Gods didn't just make a gravestone for each world; they never stopped making new ones. [[HeroicResolve Even with billions of reminders of their failures literally hanging over their heads, they never gave up on the hope that the next world could be the one that lasts]]. The ''Order of the Stick'' only exists in the first place because [[BenevolentPrecursors their entire world was built on hope, as was every world before]]. |
| 239 | * In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1140.html "Better Left in the Past"]], Durkon becomes overwhelmed by the recent revelations and seems ready to pass the DespairEventHorizon, accepting the destruction of the world as inevitable. Thor responds by saying that in actuality, there's actually a chance now to break the pattern, and that he'd never tell Durkon all this if it really were hopeless, citing that he's ''not'' a {{Jerkass God|s}}. |
| 240 | ** Thor remembers every single one of those dead worlds, and each of those who worshiped him. He even names a few of them. |
| 241 | -->'''Thor:''' Your time was too short, [[TheDeadHaveNames Laser-Snail]]. |
| 242 | * Thor giving Durkon the ultimate mission to convince Redcloak to help the gods' cause. Durkon initially refused saying he's not much a diplomat, but [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre Thor gives him some much needed encouragement with a smile.]] |
| 243 | -->'''Thor:''' Oh? The guy who just talked a vampire into a nonexistence thinks he's bad at persuasion?\ |
| 244 | '''Durkon:''' Och, tha were a special circumstance.\ |
| 245 | '''Thor:''' Good news! This is literally the single most special circumstance ever. You'll do fine. |
| 246 | * Durkon finally learns the reason for his exile. And while the rest of the Order was horrified and disgusted, Durkon is ecstatic to learn that his forced departure from home wasn't just a random whim.[[note]]It's especially Heartwarming for those who read ''On the Origin of [=PCs=]'', since that was the reason he was constantly grumpy during that story.[[/note]] |
| 247 | -->'''Durkon:''' Fer twenty years, I been worried Hurak had picked me by chance-- an' now at least I know thar were some '''''logic''''' ta 'is callous incompetence! ''Ha ha ha!'' |
| 248 | * When Odin is reminded of his plan to get Durkon exiled, setting him up for his destiny, he's confused, stating that a plan like that "Sounds kind of mean, honestly." When Thor insists that it did happen, Odin states that he trusts his son. His memory may be going, but this Odin seems to be much nicer and more caring than other interpretations. |
| 249 | * Although Thor can't do anything to help Durkon directly, he does tell him something that his people had forgotten a few generations ago... [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1154.html Which turns out to be code for]] giving Durkon a Hammer of Thunderbolts (and the peripheral items to get full use of it). |
| 250 | * Minrah [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1148.html turns back]] from Valhalla, deciding she's not done with the fight, ''or'' done living. Thor letting her knock back a few while waiting just reinforces her faith in him. |
| 251 | -->'''Minrah:''' You are the ''best'' god. |
| 252 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1149.html #1149]]: |
| 253 | ** Durkon's entire heartfelt apology to Hilgya, culminating in a marriage proposal, is incredibly sweet from beginning to end and shows that Durkon has indeed undergone more CharacterDevelopment since the comic's inception than is commonly appreciated. |
| 254 | ** When Hilgya kills Durkon (intending to resurrect him again), Belkar is the most pissed off. Talk about CharacterDevelopment. |
| 255 | ** Durkon calls Kudzu a "beautiful little boy", and reaches out to him -- Kudzu reaches back, with a fascinated expression on his face. When Hilgya slaps his hand back, Kudzu looks annoyed. |
| 256 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1150.html #1150]]: After being deceased, vampirized, and imprisoned in his own head [[ComicBookTime for over five years in real life time]], Durkon is finally alive again and the Order of the Stick is completely reunited for the first time since they visited Girard's Pyramid. |
| 257 | ** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1151.html The next strip]] has Durkon thank Belkar for giving him the idea to feed the vampire key moments to force him to GoMadFromTheRevelation, at which point Belkar asks (albeit obliquely) about [[HeelFaceTurn shifting from evil to good]]. |
| 258 | --->'''Belkar:''' Those weak posers can't handle intense ''hardcore'' introspection.\ |
| 259 | '''Durkon:''' Och! Aye, aye, they dinnae haf tha ''guts'' to face tha mirror!\ |
| 260 | (''{{Beat}}'')\ |
| 261 | '''Belkar:''' [[SincerityMode I'm sorry I hit you in the face with a palm tree that one time]].\ |
| 262 | '''Durkon:''' Ultimate extreme apology accepted. |
| 263 | *** Before that, Belkar makes a joke, and Durkon quickly makes a rejoinder that Belkar can't help but chuckle at. |
| 264 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1152.html #1152]]: Durkon and his mom meet face-to-face for the first time since Durkon's banishment. (Face-to-face being the operative word - as Durkon's been contacting his mom through Sending once a week since he learned the spell.) |
| 265 | -->'''Elan:''' Aww, look at that. Critical hit in the heart! |
| 266 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1153.html 1153]] |
| 267 | ** Sigdi quickly demonstrates herself to be quite the DotingGrandparent to Kudzu, and in the next breath tells Hilgya that if she ever hurts Durkon again, [[MamaBear Sidgi will end her]]. |
| 268 | *** It's notable that Kudzu looks a bit unsettled at being held by a total stranger... then almost immediately reverts to his CheerfulChild persona. He can already tell his grandmother loves him. |
| 269 | ** Sigdi (understandably) assumes that Hilgya is Durkon's wife but is perfectly cool with the one night stand, only checking if Durkon "behaved badly" during it. Hilgya, for the first time, does ''not'' badmouth Durkon. Instead, she calls it water over the tunnel. |
| 270 | ** It's heartwarming mixed with funny when Haley tells Durkon that she wants to be Sidgi when she grows up, due to Sidgi's magnificent PassiveAggressiveKombat. |
| 271 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1162.html Strip #1162]] perfectly mixes Heartwarming with Awesome; when Durkon and his party attempt to stop Hel's plan, Sigdi asks her friends to help them. Cue at least eighteen dwarves showing up to the fight, armed to the teeth and ready to battle (along with two bards, lutes at the ready and a spellcaster), with Hoskin and Thirden leading the charge. For added heartwarming, their respective lines? |
| 272 | -->'''Hoskin:''' We got yer message.\ |
| 273 | '''Thirden:''' We brought the whole family. |
| 274 | ** For added icing on the cake? |
| 275 | --->'''Sigdi:''' I got all tha hands I'd ev'r need already. |
| 276 | ** What is even more touching is that those five friends had no one before Sigdi resurrected them, being unclaimed bodies, and used their second chance at life to start a family of their own the size of a small army. A family that wouldn't even exist if Sigdi didn't sacrifice her treasure, as Durkon put it before. |
| 277 | ** To add to that, the death of Kandro comes off as a surprise to the Order, but not his family. In fact, they show delight that he was able to die with an axe in hand, battling a monster to save the world. In other words, he earned a golden ticket to Valhalla. He only got the chance to do this because Sigdi gave him one, decades before with the sacrifice of the jewels for his raising. His own family even comments that he 'barely made it' and one states that he was "halfway to pickin' a fight wit' him just so e'd would die wit an axe in i's hand," just to give him a chance at the best Dwarven afterlife. Blackwing's comment? |
| 278 | --->'''Blackwing:''' "Dwarves are weird." |
| 279 | * In the next strip [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1163.html (#1163)]], Durkon is greeted by his cousin's brother-in-law's niece's fiance, who mentions it's nice to have a face to put to all the stories. This is firstly heartwarming in that the whole extended family talks about Durkon and passes on the latest news and stories. He hasn't been forgotten. Secondly, ''Durkon knows exactly whose fiance he's introducing himself as''. Durkon knows exactly who his cousin's brother-in-law's niece is. He's even somewhat upset that her previous relationship fell apart (although, as the strip title assures us, they stayed friends). |
| 280 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1164.html #1164]]: Belkar actually tries (in his own blunt, abrasive way) to convince Gontor's spirit to [[IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight break free of the vampire spirit's influence]]. True, there was a magical barrier preventing Belkar from just stabbing him, but the fact that he even thought of trying is a far cry from the halfling we met at the beginning of the comic. |
| 281 | ** Belkar calling Durkon his "buddy", seemingly without irony. Shows that his relationship to the dwarf has improved tremendously even from the beginning of this ''story arc'', let alone the comic as a whole. |
| 282 | ** There's something {{Adorkable}} about the worm piping in to comment about CharacterDevelopment. |
| 283 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1165.html #1165]]: Durkon's extended family continue to take the time to say "hello" to him, not having seen him in years and knowing he won't be staying long. |
| 284 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1176.html #1176]]: Despite (probably) knowing by now that it won't mean a whole lot in her mind, Thyrm takes note when Hel overexerts herself yelling at her father, and advises her to take a rest, maybe do something that doesn't strain her to help take her mind off things. |
| 285 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1177.html The next strip reveals]] that Loki is [[SoProudOfYou genuinely proud of Hel]] for having taken his bet -- which he came up with just to "spice things up" and turned it into a way to overthrow Odin. |
| 286 | ** He also shows his PapaWolf side, stating that he should be on ''her'' side, and he's quite put off by the fact he's betting her life on the plan to permanently seal the Snarl. |
| 287 | --->'''Loki:''' Bottom line: The only reason I'm not on Hel's side is because of the chance - however slim - of ending the threat of the Snarl. So if Hilgya's baby-daddy screws this up and that chance slips away? I will switch sides so fast you'll think it's halftime. And if it's too late and she starves before the next creation? [[PapaWolf The only thing you'll know for sure is that you'll never see me coming]]. |
| 288 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1180.html #1180]]: As Minrah decides to join the party and needs to pack and say goodbye Belkar and Roy decides to kill time getting drunk together. Given Roy still has the "he'll die under a year anyway" view of Belkar it's nice to see him go along with the halfling's idea. |
| 289 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1181.html "Hold Up A Minute"]], where Hilgya and Durkon finally have something of a heart to heart, and it ends with a silent panel of Durkon happily holding his son for the first time. |
| 290 | -->'''Kudzu:''' gla! |
| 291 | ** Durkon doesn't even have to ask to hold Kudzu. Hilgya ''offers'', albeit with an obligatory potshot at his deity. It is suspiciously {{tsundere}}. |
| 292 | ** Insulting each other's deity, in this context, is basically using petnames for each other. |
| 293 | ** Every time Kudzu looks in Durkon's direction, he has a happy expression. |
| 294 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1186.html "You Can't Miss It"]]: Vaarsuvius notes that technically, not only did everyone survive, they had -1 party deaths, as Durkon is restored. You can practically hear a certain Doctor shout, "Just this once, EverybodyLives!" |
| 295 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1187.html "Somewhere Between Super and Mega"]]: After Roy gives a rambling drunken speech and goes to sleep, Elan quickly puts a positive spin on it by pointing out that there was a time when Roy wouldn't have trusted them all enough to leave them to their own devices for an extended period of time. The fact that he's willing to do it now is a sign of how far they've all come. |
| 296 | ** Afterwards, Haley states how proud she is of Elan for fixing the situation for Roy. |
| 297 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1188.html "Perpendicular to the Sunlight"]]: While everyone else is checking on the ship, practicing for the next fight etc., Roy is sleeping off his hangover in his bunk. What makes this heartwarming is some of the critters from his Bag of Tricks taking the time to tuck him in after he's passed out. |
| 298 | ** Also special mention to Belkar asking Elan if he can get a recap too, slowly deciding to care about the quest beyond the violence he can cause and becoming more of a team player. |
| 299 | [[/folder]] |
| 300 | |
| 301 | [[folder:Final Arc]] |
| 302 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1192.html Julia contacts Roy while he's waiting for the scouting party to get back]]. Turns out, she's working on a Sending improvement that lets the caster hold an actual conversation with the recipient - no taking turns with messages, and no word limit. Roy doesn't miss a beat in congratulating her for the accomplishment; given he knows Durkon was using the existing Sending spell to communicate with his mother, it's highly likely he sees the potential in the spell beyond the immediate tactical uses. |
| 303 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1193.html Julia wants to help out the Order by giving advice]], because she thinks that Eugene unfairly dumped the oath onto Roy and her [[DidntThinkThisThrough and the fact that he wasn't thinking and probably didn't mean it]] doesn't change the fact that he did so and that the Greenhilt siblings are stuck dealing with it. Consider the fact that this is actually ''Eugene'' pointing this out while impersonating Julia and it's probably as close as he gets to apologizing for dumping the Blood Oath onto his children and recognizing his fault in the matter. [[PetTheDog He also remembered his daughter's birthday]]. [[JerkWithAHeartOfJerk It's somewhat undercut by the fact that Eugene is still in the process of tricking Roy into thinking that he's speaking with his sister,]] and whether it's genuine or further manipulation of Roy on Eugene's part remains to be seen. However, him in any way acknowledging his responsibility for his bungling of the Blood Oath and how irresponsible it was of him to dump it at his children’s feet [[ItsAllAboutMe is more than he's ever done on the issue]]. |
| 304 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1194.html Belkar and Minrah bonding]], with her giving him a YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre speech, telling him that he can always be a better person if he just tries, regardless of what other people think. It actually works to perk him up, when he was previously despairing at his effectiveness on the team. |
| 305 | * [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1196.html Roy and Julia saying they love each other as they part.]] |
| 306 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1201.html As the Order prepares to depart the ship]], Roy tells Bandanna to leave the area rather than wait for them to return, as he doesn't want the crew caught in the crossfire if anything goes wrong. |
| 307 | ** His backup plan for contacting the Mechane if V and Durkon get defeated but everything is otherwise successful? [[ChekhovsGun Julia]]. Not only does Roy trust Julia to pass along important news to the Mechane crew when they dock in Cliffport, but he trusts that Julia will complete her Greater Sending and contact him even after the Blood Oath is resolved. |
| 308 | ** When Elan comments that any "long-simmering subplots" with members of the crew should be resolved now, two random crew members have a LoveConfession. Elan clarifies that he only meant involving the Order members, before amending his statement and giving his encouragement. |
| 309 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1202.html #1202]] shows Haley giving Carol a hug goodbye, harkening back to when Haley said that it seemed like all her interactions with other women had been stereotypically negative {{Cat Fight}}s (even with Celia), and later admitted she was tired of the trope being played out. |
| 310 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1205.html Redcloak proves himself worth negotiating with]] as soon as Durkon makes the attempt. Undercut by his murderous attack on an envoy under a flag of truce. |
| 311 | ** First, under the assumption that an ordinary civilian dwarf is here to pay his respects to Kraagor, he gives Durkon the opportunity to run along without a fight. |
| 312 | ** Second, once Durkon makes it clear he's not there to fight, Redcloak agrees to negotiate (and doesn't object to negotiating outside when Durkon makes his distrust of relocating clear). |
| 313 | ** Third, he proves himself NotSoAboveItAll by engaging in the comic's typical [[SeinfeldianConversation Seinfeldian banter]] even with a member of his most prominent opposition. |
| 314 | ** Fourth, when Durkon asks what he and the goblins want, he's willing to spell out clearly what, exactly, he wants. Also props to Durkon as he intentionally wanted Redcloak to do this so they can both avoid PoorCommunicationKills. |
| 315 | ** Fifth, he proclaims that, so long as the "so-called demihuman" races address their issues and respect Gobbotopia's borders, the goblinoids will respect their borders in return. |
| 316 | ** However, he decides killing one of the magic users in Roy's party is the best solution to his problems, endangering all of the goblins in Azure City/Gobbotopia, something pointed out by Durkon with his (almost) last words. |
| 317 | --->'''Minrah:''' Durkon, did you forget to mention the thing with his god not surviving the gap to the next world?!\ |
| 318 | '''Durkon:''' I dinnae think it matter'd one 'e start'd talkin' aboot goblin welfare! How were I suppos'd ta know 'e'd be willin' ta get 'em all kill'd anyway!? |
| 319 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1216.html Redcloak compliments Oona]] on her tracking skills, to which she is pleased by. |
| 320 | * When the Order arrives to rescue Durkon and Minrah, they have to decide the best way to make what could be their final fight. Every member adds their input, except Elan, who thinks he has no real say in this, only for Roy to ask him what he thinks of the situation as a bard before he makes the call. Minrah lampshades how she loves being part of a team that listens to each other and works together, unaware how far from the original group dynamic it is. |
| 321 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1222.html When Roy thinks that Xykon (who appears to be unable to see the team) is ignoring him and writing him off as not "cool to murder"]], Belkar notes that with his glowing sword he's ''definitely'' cool enough to murder. It's a bit backhanded given the context, but still nice to see Belkar trying to back up one of his teammates. |
| 322 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1227.html Serini reveals]] the reason for her disfigurement was after Xykon brutally injured her, the trolls she bought blood from helped her survive by dropping their blood on her. She claims it was because the trolls were her friends. |
| 323 | * While waiting to possibly ambush Xykon, [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1230.html Elan takes a trip down memory lane]], realizing how poorly his party used to treat him. Vaarsuvius points out that they'd apologized immediately after the blow-up, but both Roy and ''Belkar'' apologize for how snappy they used to get. Elan, in turn, apologizes for his own QuirkyBard behavior, admitting that there were times he did more harm than good for RuleOfFunny. |
| 324 | * Durkon proves that he doesn't hold a grudge against Redcloak for trying to implode him. He tells Roy that Redcloak might be right about the situation of the goblins in the world. He's still going to stop Redcloak's EvilPlan, but he's also going to [[LastSecondChance try to reason with Redcloak]] while stopping said EvilPlan. He can fight and talk at the same time. |
| 325 | * The orange voice is revealed to be a Beholder named Sunny who calls Serini "Mom" when not at work. A closer look at her hideout shows drawings of her and Sunny in what appears to be crayons. For context, Beholders are almost always LawfulEvil [[AbsoluteXenophobe Absolute Xenophobes]] who despise and fear other races, and even ''other Beholders'' who happen to deviate even slightly from the norm, to the point that they'll either enslave or kill any they come across. Considering how friendly Sunny is, not to mention their refusal to use their 8th eye, which contains a ''Disintegration Ray'', means that Serini has managed to raise one of the most hostile races in existance into a decent person. |
| 326 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1242.html "Area Of Effect"]]: Bloodfeast continues to be a loyal member of the party, and Minrah treating him like one. |
| 327 | -->'''Minrah:''' Come on, little guy. |
| 328 | * [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1249.html #1249]]: When Haley, Belkar and V unexpectedly arrive in Serini's hideout, O-Chul reassures Lien they're in good hands. |
| 329 | -->'''Lien:''' Should we be worried it's only half the team?\ |
| 330 | '''O-Chul:''' ''(grinning broadly)'' No, no. I've done this before with just the wizard. Five stars, would be rescued again. |
| 331 | * "[[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1251.html Bite Sized]]": Lien, like all Paladins, is very fond of her mount, Razor, who is a huge shark. Telling him he did a good job and will get fishy treats later. |
| 332 | * "[[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1252.html Tied Up Nicely]]": |
| 333 | ** Haley reveals the reason she didn't care if Serini wiped her own memory was that Durkon was alive to restore her, showing her pragmatism wasn't heartless when dealing with the MexicanStandoff. |
| 334 | ** Elan shows that HeartIsAnAwesomePower, using his 18 Charisma to thoroughly charm Sunny and reassure the beholder that they weren't Serini's enemies. He even healed Franklin (the Piercer). |
| 335 | * "[[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1257.html Mental Block]]": Serini got Sunny crayons and gave them permission to draw. And fully intends to teach Sunny how to read and write once the beholder is dexterous enough. |
| 336 | * "[[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1274.html Better Than One]]": When Julia suggests using Sunny as bait to lure Oona into a trap, Roy flatly refuses to do so, pointing out that Sunny is a child and that to risk his life in that way would be unforgivable. |
| 337 | -->'''Julia:''' But you said the whole world is at stake. Doesn't that imply--\ |
| 338 | '''Roy:''' What, that I should do literally anything to save it? That the ends justify the means?\ |
| 339 | '''Julia:''' Kinda, yeah!\ |
| 340 | '''Roy:''' Look, if someone else wants to try and save the world, they are welcome to do so in whatever moral and ethical framework they prefer. Within reason. But I don't see anyone else stepping up to the plate, so the multiverse is stuck with me and my conscience.\ |
| 341 | '''Julia:''' And what if it turns out it's necessary to go against that?\ |
| 342 | '''Roy:''' It's impossible to ever know if it ''is'' actually necessary! Just that it seems easier! |
| 343 | * "[[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1280.html Another Helping]]": Lien thinks Belkar is such a SupremeChef he should open a restaurant, Belkar replies that he still has to go to prison. O-Chul instead suggests Belkar could put his cooking skills to use on feeding for Azure City's hungry people, should the city be liberated: if it helps the poor people, then making Belkar's sentence less onerous is no problem. |
| 344 | ** Belkar comments with Mr. Scruffy how surprised he is about the talk: Neither he nor the paladins acted self-righteous or hostile. |
| 345 | ** Also, Lien shows she knows about the prison kitchen job because her boyfriend did three years there. She doesn't care that he went to prison, she loves the guy. |
| 346 | * "[[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1283.html Budding Emotions]]": |
| 347 | ** The Order begins to run the gauntlet with Serini, they find one of the rooms Team Evil has already gone through, with all the creatures killed - except for one, who is critically injured but alive. Minrah quickly runs to heal it, Mimi jumps to act as a pillow, and Serini not only recognizes it by name, but reassures it that it hasn't failed. Serini then tells Lien that initially she ''did'' put the monsters in without a thought, but eventually realized that it was messed up, so she changed tactics and began to ask only for any volunteers to protect the Gate. |
| 348 | ** When Serini was recruiting, some of the monsters attempted to kill her, forcing her to defend herself. Then one day she fought and killed a beholder - and saw a tiny beholder spawn coming out and looking around. So, [[CutenessProximity naturally]], [[ImTakingHerHomeWithMe she took the spawn home]] and named them Sunny. Sunny promptly [[TheGlomp gives her a telekinetic hug]], [[HappilyAdopted saying she's the best mother they could have, and that they're so happy they were raised by her]]. |
| 349 | ** Beholders are asexual, and their reproduction revolves around creating an EnemyWithout, whom they impart all their hate, xenophobia, racism and monstrousness on. The fact that Serini found Sunny before their spawning was complete probably means that Sunny is one of the few, if not the only Beholder, to be raised by a loving parent. Considering that they happily befriend the Order, not to mention their bond with Serini's other monsters, it's possible that if Sunny has their own offspring in the future, they may be the progenitor of a line of Good-aligned Beholders. |
| 350 | [[/folder]] |
| 351 | |
| 352 | [[folder:''Snips, Snails, and Dragon Tales'']] |
| 353 | * The last of the strips that Rich did for Dragon Magazine before it switched to an all-web format has one too. After the party breaks the dragon out and saves it from being turned into electricity, we get this exchange: |
| 354 | -->'''Dragon:''' Yes! The sweet taste of freedom! Thank you!\ |
| 355 | '''Roy:''' Eh, don't thank us, we just provided a largely symbolic gesture that doesn't actually change anything.\ |
| 356 | '''Haley:''' Yeah, '''we''' should be thanking '''you'''.\ |
| 357 | '''Dragon:''' For what?\ |
| 358 | '''Haley:''' Everything. |
| 359 | [[/folder]] |
| 360 | |
| 361 | [[folder:Bonus published content]] |
| 362 | * During one of the bonus strips of ''Dungeon Crawlin' Fools'', Order takes a break for some rations. Elan is unsatisfied with the rations that Durkon had brought. Belkar actually offers to [[OutOfCharacterMoment share his own rations with him]]. The fact that this is [[TokenEvilTeammate BELKAR]] who does this makes it surprisingly heartwarming. |
| 363 | * At the end of the book version of ''Don't Split the Party'', Elan welcomes Roy back to the land of the living with a ''five act rock opera'' about how much he loves Roy -- emphasizing that no matter how much Roy disparages Elan's habits, Elan will always consider him his best friend. Although Roy is clearly annoyed once he finds out how long the play is, he decides to weather the whole thing since Elan spent so much time on it. |
| 364 | * In one of the bonus strips of ''Utterly Dwarfed'', Haley reflects on Crystal after having killed her, wondering if she would've been any different had Miron not sent her a ransom note for her father's freedom. Elan, who has had similar thoughts concerning his own family, comforts her. |
| 365 | -->'''Elan:''' You still wouldn't have been that mean.\ |
| 366 | '''Haley:''' ''(reaching over to hug him)'' Only if I'd met ''you'' in time. |
| 367 | * The "Story Time" [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/Wallpapers.html wallpaper]] shows Sigdi reading a bedtime(?) story to little Durkon. Aww. |
| 368 | [[/folder]] |
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