Dangit D20...

Why can't you have just one save for everything? It'd be so much easier!

Noo... You have Haley and her great agility and reflex saves.

You have Elan and his Bardy goodness

Then Roy and his Power Cleaves versus Miko and her Slash Slash Slash!

Gah! So confusing to anyone before 3.0

Suck it up and buy the books.

But yeah even with good saves Xykon is still epic-level, making his DCs incredibly tough. Which is why when the saves were brought in I only could feasibly see O-Chul breaking out first since he's got good charisma (I mean just look at the way he talked to MITD), good will, and the Paladin Saves of good/good/good. If anyone gets out first, it would be him.

You're thinking of Monks, Paladins have only a good Fortitude save (I guess the designers assumed that your average Paladin would have a 14-ish Wisdom to pick up the slack a little).

They also get to add their charisma bonus to all saves.

Hmm! Truth. But it's O-Chul, who once said "I was a Fighter for 8 (or 12?) years, Charisma seemed like a save dump stat at the time."

... anyway I didn't want to spawn one of those discussions, let's just say there's a good chance at least one of them will make his save before the effect wears off on its own and wait for the next episode? :)

New comic.

Goodness, that wasn't expected.

The lesson here is that when we discuss what's most likely to happen out of A, B or C, it's gonna be Σ. I love it. Also the attention to detail in the panel with the statue.

I just advanced and age category here. I got plenty more stories where that came from. (Got the books already, just haven't run a campaign in forever ago and getting faulty with all we have to keep up)

But damn, that was really unexpected. He could come back and... !!!

Anyone else see the idea of his phylactery going to the next gate by sheer accident?

That's not a good sign for Team Good. A lot of liches just hide it somewhere... And it's not like V's gonna do any scrying for its location. What with him being -almost- shit out of luck. If Xylon doesn't just rush to find it and drop everything, he may just be screwed here. And the look on his bony face looks a lot like "You're just screwed here".

While I don't think Xykon will want to respawn in a sewer or the bottom of the ocean, it's certainly a safer spot for the phylactery than on his own person right now.

The thing you guys are not getting is that anywhere is better than where the lich wants it to be.

The problem as I see it is that before Xykon could just remake his Phylactery, right?

But now not only does he not know where it is, His own wards will prevent him scrying it until it's out of the city, and I don't think he has a navy to go chasing after it once it gets out over the Ocean.

He couldn't without destroying it, if I'm correct, which again leaves him vulnerable and Redcloak without a holy symbol.

Somehow I just knew that this was the outcome that was next, not necessarily to brag but OOTS just throws you so many curveballs I couldn't help but feel that couldn't be the end of X.

Next on the list:

A frustrated sorcerer goes to look for two almost dead warriors and gives out a frustrated yell where HILARITY ensues!

Lets just say that somehow, someway, O'chul managed to destroy the thing.

What does Xykon care? A single paladin and an elf can't kill him, all he needs to do is take them out and then wait, what? A day? to recreate his Phylactery.

But now he has no clue where it is, and for all he knows it can fall into the hands of the good guys, and he'd never realize it until they destroyed it right after killing him.

Recreating a phylactery takes four months and costs a rather sizeable amount of gold.

What I love about this situation is that the phylactery is now in the worst possible location for everyone.

Fuck knows where and it probably stinks?

Creating a phlactery also takes a lot of XP. And if there is one thing characters hate lose it is XP.

Though for him its still preferable to the rift. Although inconvient its not really bad for him. The two worst case scenarios are, someone finds and destroys it in which case he just has to do the annoying ritual to make a new one, or he is destroyed and respawns next to it, picks it up, and leaves. It would be abit of a deus ex machina to have both of those happen. Most likely he will just have to find it.

Oh and something just hit me, its impossible to kill Xykon until the next gate. So far the oracle has been 100% accurate, and he did say Xykon would be going to that gate. This is perhaps how he gets there though

Technically, Xykon will only be within 1000 feet of Girard's Gate before Kraagor's Gate.

but that means at some point he will be within 1000 feet, which from what we have seen is often within whatever is defending it

Girard's is all illusion. A web of deceptions within the desert. Being inside it means you've basically beaten it.

what I mean is I figure the illusions would atleast extend 1000 feet from the actual gate

I doubt that. Something tells me that even inside there's going to be even MORE devious illusions and pitfalls than what people would give it credit for.

New comic.

Monster in the Darkness can do magic, apparently.

So, there goes my Tarrasque theory.

Seriously, what the christ is the MitD?

EDIT: Another what the hell. They're still in the Cloister effect. Which means that the MitD was using either epic-equivalent magic or that he wasn't using magic.

Either way, WTF.

I don't know of any non-epic spells that can actually do what MitD just did, cloister effect aside. He (presumably) teleported two targets without touching them or using a ray.

I'm starting to think that whatever his actual species is, he's also got a template or something. Like, maybe a demi-god or Paragon.

That teleport might not have actually been the MitD. Just saying.

For another thing, now I have a bit more evidence and feeling that it might be a shard of the Snarl. I mean, the thing exists as chaos and disorder and being all anti-world and shit, it makes sense that it would operate on laws far beyond what is allowed in the Game World. As in, it makes sense that a being that is made out of god-killing power and destruction could teleport through something which you can't teleport through, no problem.

Actually, now that I think about it, I think the MitD is psychic. That's where I'm settling.

See, I thought of that too, but I'm not sure what else could have teleported them. With an epic spell preventing teleports and scrying, you pretty much need divine or infernal intervention. We know the fiends won't do it, and there's been no indication that heaven is getting involved here.

Maaaaybe if V's master is super-epic, but there's no reason he'd be scrying on V.

Edit: In fact, now that I think about it, isn't there a psychic ability that specifically involves stomping the ground and causing an earthquake-like effect? I could be waaaaaaaaaaay off, but I seem to recall a character in my group having that once. Vaguely.

*checks*

Nope, I'm right. It's an actual power.

And if it Dimension Slided (or something similar) them out, that would probably bypass Xykon's spells, since he wouldn't be aware of psionic abilities, and probably couldn't account for them anyway.

well its possible it was an effect that moves you from point A to point B, but it isn't teleporting. Like how a portable hole moves things to a pocket dimension but its an entirely different method then plane shift. Some magic not understood in the conventional sense and thus not able to be warded against. But I dont know if it was the monster that did it. There is the possibility the monster did it indirectly, like another being answered his desire for them to escape.

In any case its clear he didn't consiously do anything

The reason I'm really thinking it was him is because this is pretty much exactly how he acted when he used that other power I was talking about. So yeah, I'm leaning toward it having been him, and I'm pretty firmly planted on the notion of psionics now.

Maybe he's a genie and wished them away.

DISCLAIMER: I am aware that I don't know what I'm talking about, what with my non-existant D&D knowledge. I also don't care that I'm wrong.

On non MitD related stuff, damn a meteor swarm in the mouth, that has got to be a messy way to die.

Okay wait; ordinary monsters find him absolutely hideous. He's man-sized or a bit larger. He has manipulating appendages. His species isn't known for talking, and is uncommon. He has no parents or family. And if I'm right, he's got very strong latent psychic abilities.

Maybe I'm just tired, but I think he's an illithid that was raised on the surface. Okay yeah, their big thing is usually mind-blast, but he doesn't know that. They don't usually talk because they communicate through telepathy, but they can talk if they want. They don't have families. They certainly aren't pretty even by monster standards. And if one were to be raised on the surface, what do you think the odds are that it might have a subconscious memory/fear of where it was born? That is; the dark.

And hey, brains are kind of like stew.

Edit: And yeah, I know the lawyers dragged off an actual mind flayer once, but that was for a gag.

where do you get the appendage and speaking thing?

Well we know he can hold and use things because we've seen him do it several times before. I'm having trouble thinking of specific instances at the moment, but I know he's done it numerous times.

As far as the speaking thing goes, it's in Start of Darkness. The guys who caught him in the first place were very surprised by it.

Isn't he always holding an umbrella? Or at least he used to didn't he? That'd count for holding things and such, wouldn't it?

That'd be one, yeah.

though if he's psychic as you theorize couldn't he hold up objects telekenetically thus making his number of actual appendages irrelavent

He hasn't been using his powers consciously.

that all depends, its entirely possible that he completely lacks limbs and thus it is his only method of lifting things. Just because he cant do everything conciously doesn't mean he cant do anything. I doubt Xykon would would have his ultimate beast have zero access to what it can do. Remember he is saving him for when the time is right to reveal him not waiting for his skills to mature, as shown in the first arc when he was about to do the reveal. Perhaps he has alot of untapped potential but he's clearly a powerful being as is

There is also the possibility he isn't actually holding all that. Haven't you ever balances an umbrella on your shoulder before?

I was just thinking the same. It must be the most extreme application of Chunky Salsa Rule I've seen.

Er... on my shoulder? No, I can't say that I have. I've let one lean back on my shoulder while holding it in place with my arm, if that's what you mean.

Anyway, the umbrella isn't the only thing he's held; he held onto a flashlight near the beginning of the comic, and he's been playing Go somehow. And he set up a tea party set. But this is all pretty irrelevent, since obviously it's POSSIBLE that he could be doing it some other way. It's just more likely that he has manipulating appendages of some kind.

this is true, although my personal theory is such things aren't much of an implication. For example there is no explaination for where that tea party set came from either

Man if he knows psionics all I have to say is one thing: Psionics are fucking lame.

In DnD, Genies can only use their wish SLA to grant a wish to a mortal. However, genies aren't the only creature with wish as an SLA - pit fiends, for example.

Also a wish wouldn't get round the cloister.

Have we ever seen cloister statted out? It's possible that it only wards against effects that originate outside the area of effect.

"Path of least expectations" should be the name of the entire comic.

On the issue of teleportation and Cloister, I'm pretty sure this means you can actually teleport from the inside to the outside no problem.

that is possible. I see no reason he'd give a crap about people leaving the area of effect

Good catch.

Plus, Redcloak teleported out no problem.

First panel, guys.

Burlew's good at what he does.

Not bad at all.

Any more ideas on who the Monster is?

Maybe the teleport was just a special ability instead of magic based?

The DS works on ranged site. These guys disappeared. I'll go with a teleport. But damn if he's psionic, that means Roy might not pick up that skill later.

Xykon is scary when angry.

I sincerely have to wonder if MitD is going to outlive his usefulness with what everyone thinks he just did.

EDIT: Hazy eyes means he did it, and I'm going to side with Bit on this one and say yeah, Psionic.

With Xykon not even paying attention to him? And who listens to the roaches?

Well, Miko interacted with the Roaches enough to use one as a blowtorch. Same with Belkar.


Anyway, here's what we know about the MITD so far.

-He can fit inside the box, so he is presumably of Large Size or smaller.
-He is considered repulsively ugly by most races.
-He eats a lot, meat and stew in particular, and he mentions that his father was a big eater as well.
-The fact that he can talk makes him a rarity among his species.
-He has a very high Damage Reduction score, enough that a Full Attack from Miko was not enough to cause him any pain.
-He likewise has a ridiculously high Strength Score or some ability that can simulate the results of such. He was able to send a fully-grown warhorse through a solid stone wall and flying at least 100 yards.
-He can generate some effect with his voice alone. Whether it is an actual Shout-like effect or some sort of fear effect is unknown.
-He can cause an eartquake effect by stomping the ground. It's unknown if this is a power of some kind or the result of his high strength.
-And finally, he appears to be able to teleport multiple people from a distance.

I still have no real idea of what he is.

Spell-like and supernatural abilities should be affected as a spell, extraordinary should be able to get around it.
But that ability would pretty much always be a spell-like.

Psionics would be get round it.
And that seems most likely.
Also means it can't be traced to any particular creature as any creature can know psionics. Particularly if it is a unique individual as the Monster is implied to be, with talking and such.

creatures inside the effect can teleport around inside it and to the outside. You just can't teleport from the outside in. So it could be anything.

my personal theory, he is, none of the above. I'm guessing the monster in the dark has no accurate analog in any DnD book, and that whatever he is was made up for the story, like the snarl. My biggest evidence for this is pure conjecture though, that Burlew would do that simply to garentee no one would ever guess what he is, and that the monster can do whatever he needs him to do

Allow me to quote Berlew's commentary from the latest book for a moment:
(on the subject of the MITD's species)
"I will say this much: It is possible to guess.
That is, it isn't something I just made up for the story. It wouldn't be any fun for the answer to a mystery to be something I invented just for this one purpose, would it? I won't finally throw back the darkness and have someone say, "Look! It was a therblewurkersaurus the entire time!" or some other made-up monster.
I realize the line between something I made up and something someone else made up is a pretty fine one, but I trust that someone will figure it out eventually."

So yeah.

Yeah the mystery behind the monster's identity wouldn't have any real payoff if it was something Burlew invented.

While Burlew has stated that it is most definitely a guessable creature, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch for him to make up a monster and keep it in the shadows just to keep curiosity piqued.

I mean it is after all meant to be like V's gender - you can guess and there is a right answer, but he ain't tellin'.

Still sticking with shard of the Snarl!

Mostly because I don't know anything in the actual game books, and it's the most plausible story specific thing that is actually guessable without some crazy leaps in logic.

I think from the same book, he did state that he has a specific purpose for the Monster to reveal himself. From as far back as #100, he did decide on what he was and what he can do. Though you're right, Burlew ain't tellin.

though what he decided it can do, and what he decided it is, might not be related. If something can do magic for example that doesn't really narrow things down, alot of creatures can use magic. He could also make up some reason why the monster can do something its species normally cant. Not to mention we dont know if ANYTHING its done is an innate power, class ability, or heck even the work of some magic item its augmented with

I'm guessing the answer is surprisingly self-evident when it's revealed. You know, the kind where you get that feeling "Damn, why didn't I think of that!".

I still think some kind of atypical mind flayer is best bet.

The problem with this is when the reveal DOES come, you get an insufferable flood of "I CALLED IT!"s.

And? Didn't stop Brian Clevinger or JK Rowling from their Big Reveals, you just kind of take the bad with the good.

Yeah. Illithid or not, I'm considering underdark races. Something about his being afraid of the dark just has me looking in that direction.

New Comic is up, that line about eyes and assholes was hilarious.

Wow, the general gets a name. He's becoming important.

You kinda saw this happening when Xykon was looking into moving a LOOOONG time ago.

Should we be worried about his sleeping after casting a spell? (MitD)

I can't think of any rule mandated sleeps after any actions...

Jirix has had a name for quite a while now. As for the sleeping creatureinthedark, after realizing the foreshadowing in episode 543 I can't in good conscience take anything he does at face value anymore.

I like the way Burlew gets his villains back on track. Really good episode. Lots of minor open questions getting answered, some characterization, and a good dash of "what the villains are up to next."

I thought he'd been named for a while but I wasn't very sure. . . obviously the week I took rereading the comic to refresh my memory was well spent.

Meanwhile, it's funny how Xykon is all serious. He's wasting months playing Will It Blend with the prisoner, but as soon as he's personally inconvenienced he's all tough and in charge and on the move. He's such a baby. :)

Ninja edit: Thanks for the green dots Meister, yeah I thought it was pretty witty. ^_^

Well to be fair, it's a MAJOR inconvenience when his phylactery is at stake.