The Order of the Stick

So, do we think it's more likely than Xykon thinks that he killed or Serini, or knew that he didn't and just figured she wouldn't be a threat even if she got away?

I wouldn't be surprised either way. Worth noting, I think, is that on the page linked earlier where he's discussing the diary, he seems to be under the impression that Kraagor built the defenses of his gate, not Serini.

Mostly does better things now. Key word mostly. Writes things, but you'll never find them. Or you can ask.

He didn't seem to regard Serini herself as important at all, just the people she knew and mentioned in her diary.

"We learn from history that we do not learn from history."

There's also a theory floated from the forum that Serini Sneak-Attacked Xykon with a positive energy knife, which would later lead to Xykon acquiring the ring of protection in SOD.

Also, she's likely not half-dead, since hair still grows on the green side.

It does look like there's a break in her hairline, though, which could just about coincide with the green portion. reaching her scalp. Or maybe that's just a perspective thing.

Mostly does better things now. Key word mostly. Writes things, but you'll never find them. Or you can ask.

Firefox seems to offer that functionality out of the box: right click anywhere on the page, select "Inspect Element", then click on the eye-dropper icon near the top-right of the view that pops up and hover over the relevant area.

My Games & Writing

https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1227.html

New comic is out

Serenii is half troll now.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."

Nice Stealth Pun there, too

Well. That's one I don't think anyone thought of.

Because she's trolling them? I think we need a big YEAAAAHHHH for that one.

Makes sense, though.

Edited by Fighteer on Feb 25th 2021 at 9:20:51 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

So... do we want to baselessly speculate and extrapolate that because Serini was friends with trolls, she might also be friends with Oona's tribe?

I don't see any reason for the two to be connected. This flashback explains Serini's current appearance and shows off a bit of her attitude, but gives us no specific explanation for her presence here and now.

I'm more interested in how she became so embittered... okay, that's kind of obvious... but I mean what specifically she's trying to accomplish in the context of that bitterness.

Edited by Fighteer on Feb 25th 2021 at 9:19:27 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

"I made a three-eighthling!"

Ah, Xykon. Always one to quip when brutally killing and maiming people.

Edited by M84 on Feb 25th 2021 at 10:21:08 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised

It is a great line.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

If Xykon's math about turning her from a halfling into a three-eightling is correct, wouldn't this make her a quarter-troll? Then again, when was Xykon ever good at math?

4x I don't think the trolls have anything to do with the bugbear-tribe. I doubt that Serini was even anywhere near Kraagor's Gate when Xykon attacked, considering that her original plan was to leave it to fend for itself. My guess is that the bugbears are just something she tolerates more than anything.

On that note, I'm also interested in how she feels about the rest of the Scribbles, particularly Soon. Her line about lying to paladins could imply that she shares some of Girard's disdain for authority figures. Whether it became personal with Soon is not yet explicit.

Edited by Frosthead on Feb 25th 2021 at 6:24:49 AM

So yeah, looks like Xykon assumed she was dead but didn't care enough to bother making sure.

Well, a quarter of her was already dead.

Disgusted, but not surprised

I like Serini already

You say that like it matters to baseless speculation and extrapolation that because Serini was friends with trolls, she might also be friends with Oona's tribe?

I could also see it as just her being a trickster. The line implies lying to paladins is something she's done plenty of times, so she likely did it to Soon just to mess with him.

Edited by sgamer82 on Feb 25th 2021 at 6:28:30 AM

It'd make some sense. If Serini's overall point there is "This wasn't just a transaction, we were friends because they're not just monsters to be killed", that would fit Serini into a good slot both for being allies with Oona's tribe (or potentially turning them around by treating them better than Xykon and Redcloak have) and as a new argument to Redcloak's own grievances.

And it makes perfect sense given his backstory and the main story that O-Chul would be the one to answer her question correctly.

Edited by M84 on Feb 25th 2021 at 10:42:52 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised

If Serini were allied to the bugbear tribe, there presumably wouldn't be any need for her to avoid their attention.

You're right, O'Chul has experience in being friends with non-malicious monsters.

Being genuinely allied with monsters could also explain how Serini got so many of them to stock the dungeons.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"