Time for a little interlude! This was an attempt to breathe some life into the last stretch of roleplaying. It worked decently well.

 
INTERLUDE
part I of III

Though our heroes sought out Leo Philler, also known simply as Kwadlin, he was no longer in the same dimension as they.

The ability to control others and shift between dimensions were benefits of his demonic 'condition.' So for now, Kwadlin found himself in the Farnsworthy tower in the KOKOL's home dimension in the very tower which he first courted Sir Fumblies from. Though the castle was familiar, it was not his surroundings but the chance to raise trouble which delighted Kwadlin on this dark and rainy day.

The foolish adventurers were trapped on a fool's quest in Kwadlin's home dimension, not suspecting that the entire tournament was but a distraction from his true plot. Such a simple, old trick, but only the very first part in his plan. Kwadlin nursed the wounded zombie dragon from near oblivion. It would take time to heal, but Kwadlin would have his greatest warrior revived soon.

Kwadlin cursed the Viking mage who had damaged his pet so, but stopped suddenly, sensing the first of his forces had returned. Few other than Kwadlin would have been able to sense their presence as the entire group was invisible. A ghost leading a pack of ninjas who were capable of being unseen by normal vision at will. Though the ninjas moved silently, Kwadlin could hear their leader complaining as soon as he entered Farnworthy's tower.

Kwadlin smiled inwardly at the thought of having the Knob Goblin King's ghost under his service. The fool had yet to figure his connection to Kwadlin. The other group was lead by a mysterious female mage with a history with the Knob Goblins.

The ghost of the Goblin King floated, shoulders sagging, to the center of the room. His eyes had the blunt dullness of a being controlled and compelled against his own will. Still, the creature seemed defiant til - and well past- his end.

"You wanted chaos for your stupid plan," the former Goblin King's ghosts uttered in words only a trained ghost hearer would pick up. "All done. I can promise you now the Gnollish slaves and my traitorous former people are now too terrified to even poop themselves at night. The nerve of them, too! Swearing alliance to that skank catgirl and her.."

With but the merest wave of his hand, the Goblin King dissipated in a flash of terror and agony back into the underworld to await the next summons from Kwadlin. The soldiers he commanded stood unmoving until the next guest, the mysterious female mage, made her way into her room, flanked by a half-dozen Intuis - mages who had no taste for learning but commanded incredible magiks through willpower and instinct alone.

Not even Kwadlin knew the full extent of the female mage leading them although Kwadlin took delight in manipulating her with false promises as well.

"Speak," Kwadlin commanded, arms folded across his chest. The mage keeled, bowing her head as well. The cloak kept her identity well concealed, though with his magic, Kwadlin could see she was a plain, featureless woman, probably from the distant lands far to the west.

Speak she did, too, fearfully. "Yes, my lord. As you anticipated, the cowardly opportunist slave collectors were delighted at the prospect of the land's greatest heroes being swept away by other matters, but it was only when I delivered the ancient cursed marionettes of the dreaded voodoo nation that they were compelled to actually act on it. The penguins' presence has already increased in Seaside Town. The Feline Empire's activity has sharply decreased outside of their holding grounds, the former Goblin kingdom and the towns of Degrassi. I suspect this is your doing?"

"It is." Kwadlin smiled widely but wholly without emotion. "I felt it.. wise.. that they should know of the activities of the upcoming slavers."

"Even though the slavers move as a result of your action?" The mage caught herself, bowing her head further. "Oh, of course. The better to spread chaos. Pride compels me to admit I had, to my eternal shame, doubts of the wisdom of giving the ancient ways to the slavers. After all, they could control the undead as if they were a zombie, or zmobie as the locals call them. In the hands of a skilled and creative individual, the marionette could be used to craft a golem out of most anything."

Kwadlin's laugh was long, dark and again, with no emotion at all. "Indeed. This will be chaos, simple and beautiful. When I unleash the next part of my plan, the war between the penguins and the Feline Empire will tear the lands apart. Then I'll watch the kingdom itself burn to the ground!"

Kwadlin's laughter echoed throughout Farmsworthy's tower, driving the local monsters into hiding.

"And all before the land's protectors return from my home dimension," said Kwadlin ominously.

Kwadlin failed to see the slightest ominous glint in the eyes of the mage who seemed to serve him mindlessly.

---------------

Part II of III

Admass the half human half lapin "ninja bunny mage" reported directly to Lady Whiteclaw's head guard. After exchanging brief businesslike greetings, Admass got down to business. "Her Lady's mages and scouts are in agreement; the information checks out. Kwadlin has indeed returned, and is once again allied with Zedika Dark."

Admass mimed the motions of spitting on the ground at the dark devil's name. "And indeed, he has brought some other-dimensional.. guests."

"Are we to attempt to arrest them or simply kill on sight?" the guard asked, knowing if Zedika Dark was involved, it meant seriously bad news.

"Actually, your orders are to accompany them to Mountaincenter Village to meet with Lady Whiteclaw," Admass explained.

"Are you insane?"

"We believe they're being compelled to fight against their will, and we believe those forced into battle may include Lady Whiteclaw's allies from the past."

"But.."

"You have your orders, captain!" Admass said in an authoritative voice.

The head of the guards clamped his forearm just under his chest in a sign of respect. "Yes, sir! We'll bring them here, but if we're attacked..."

"Then deal with the attack and explain that we're on their side," Admass said. "I can't emphasize Lady Whiteclaw's feelings on this. They are allies, as sure as the sun rises. We simply need to convince them of this."

Admass continued. "Our scribes will be finished with the locations of the magic signatures which marked their arrival soon, but you should be prepared to form search parties. They've been here some days now. They've no doubt scattered from their original locations. Be prepared to bring in any survivors you find.

"I just hope we haven't lost too many of them to drug influenced infighting."

As the head of the guard nodded, a shadowy figure took note of this conversation and then vanished into the night to return the news to its master - Konall Numberscruncher.

---------------

Part III of III

A tall, rail thin figure paced up and down a darkened cave. A beefier goblin looking beast, with a demonlike tail and an elf-like face and ears, rushed to catch up with him.

"Konall Numberscruncher, sir! I'm told you sent for me." the demongob called out.

The great Norse accountant turned with a dangerous glare. It was obvious he was in a foul mood. "Indeed. I'm sure even a foolish loser such as yourself has heard of the inadequacies in our lord and master Kwadlin's potions. Due no doubt to a snivelling under-toad scientist who's incapable of following my rules to the exact letter. Probably sitting around wishing they could do long division like most of your poor people spend their time."

"I thought the formula was flawed?" the demongob asked in spite of the better part of common sense.

"Well, there is that, too." Numberscruncher pushed his glasses further up his nose. "But that's not important. I have orders for you and those idiotic guards whom you command. I don't want to waste my time on this. I could be doing long division right now!"

"What are your orders?"

"My orders, you ninny?! My orders?! I'm not done, thank you very much. Don't rush me."

"Sorry."

Konall Numberscruncher's nostrils flared up. "There's .. rumors.. that Lady Whiteclaw may attempt to help them overcome the pathetic effects of the drugs as well. So instead of relying on them to kill each other, I want you to send out our best warriors to kill as many of them and Lady Whiteclaw's forces as you can. Take any and as many soldiers, slaves and beasts as you feel necessary, but start with the Intuis. Though unfocused, their magic is quite powerful. Glacial yetis, too. This is a task worthy of their skill and brutality."

The head of the guards nodded meekly. Glacial yetis could be nearly as smart as a human and were capable of being exceptional hunters. Named for the location they were first found in, they were some of the very earliest yetis discovered. Yet for all their use as hunters, they were as unpredictable and violent as most yetis were.

More unpredictable due to their intelliect. Still, the command had been given, and the head of the guard would carry them out at the expense of his own life.

Or hopefully at the expense of the adventurers whom the glacial yetis would hunt.

 
Yeti reference

Actually, some pretty good ideas in here never got touched on. We do get five more chapters out before the Finale, though. We've got a pretty solid mix of characters in those last five stories!