The Order of the Stick

Yes, basically.

Fish are a paraphyletic group. The term excludes tetrapods (amphibians, birds, reptiles [itself a paraphyletic group] and mammals) but includes cartilaginous fishes (sharks and relatives) even though bony fish are more closely related to the aforementioned tetrapods than they are to said cartilaginous fishes.

Edited by LSBK on Mar 18th 2019 at 3:29:21 AM

Gotcha. I thought "fish" were classified at the same level of ambiguity as "mammal".

Wait, that worm didn't even HAVE any eyes.

None that are visible, but you don't know if it might not have very small eye holes in the chitin.

Everyone's talking about the taxonomy of Blackwing and the physiology/intelligence level of the Nightcrawler and I'm just like, "The worm talks!?"

Today's lessons, using invisibility against a creature without eyes is an exercise in both redundance and futility. Also, make sure who you work with before you start eating people.

I was also pretty surprised when the worm started talking.

Edited by Kaiseror on Mar 18th 2019 at 4:16:23 AM

Yup. Nightcrawlers can speak.

Here's another sign of Gontar's incompetence at the superficial aspects of villainy- his dignity gets undermined by a minion trying to clarify his orders.

I love the purple Death Worm already.

The deeper you go into species definitions, the more you realize that while taxonomists and geneticists are doing their best, there's still a long way to go to find accurate and distinct definitions for most species.

Or, to put it another way, BEHOLD A MAN!

Note, nightcrawlers can't actually talk audibly, but they can telepathically communicate with creatures within 100 feet of them (which, somewhat hilariously, might result in Gontor being bothered with clarifying questions even if he moves into the council room).

The SRD description is unclear as to whether nightcrawlers have eyes, but they can definitely see - they have 60' darkvision (same as dwarves, or the default undead template). Might be negative-energy-based somehow, like how Xykon can talk audibly despite not having lungs or vocal cords.

Edited by Shinziril on Mar 18th 2019 at 5:50:57 AM

I just love how that "Deathworm" is just such a pro at this whole being summoned malarkey.

• Always agree with the summoner, but also ask enough questions to get the info with which to cover your own arse, just in case.

• Be helpful, especially when handing the poor sap enough rope to hang themselves.

• If in doubt, smile with every tooth and be polite.

I find it interesting that V and Haley are the first in the room.

Not that strange to me. They're the ranged fighters. Roy probably sent them in to survey the situation and try to get a few hits on the vampires before they knew what hit them.

This does certainly answer the question many of had of "why aren't the heroes doing anything right now"?

I almost think this might be a good opportunity for them to try to dust Gontor now, before too much starts happening, although the nightcrawler might cause some problems with that.

I love how the death-worm acts like a nervous temp.

I feel like there's a Nightcrawler X-men joke yet to be made (similar to the previous Cyclops joke). Do Nightcrawlers have teleport?

No, but they do get Plane Shift three times per day.

So, I take the worm's words to, if anything, prove that he's not blind. People keep saying that he doesn't have eyes, but if he sensed through other means, he wouldn't call the team invisible, he'd just be saying "hey are those guys with you?"

I take it back. The worm is not stupid; rather, it is so intelligent that it is being extraordinarily careful to get clear instructions. This, ironically and hilariously, makes it a bit more hesitant to do its job than a dumber minion.

Well, yeah. A very rudimentary minion just has to follow a simple command; a minion with sufficient intelligence has to listen, parse, possibly determine how loyal it is, determine letter Vs intent...

And, of course, an intelligent minion is aware of possible loopholes. If they don't know the full plan of their masters, they have to ask questions.

Hilariously enough, if they just stand on the bridge and fire, the giant death worm might not attack them since they aren't trying to get through the door.

Well, he might not attack them directly because he knows he has to protect the door, but he would have ways to retaliate. If I'm not mistaken, nightcrawlers can summon undead.

That and its ranged spell-like abilities. Greater Dispel Magic and Unholy Blight at will, three each of Cone of Cold, Confusion, and Hold Monster, and one each of Mass Hold Monster and Finger of Death.