What many have tried with failure...

~

A Purple Dragon Knight hastily made his way into the War Wizard's Den of Old Axe to address the residing wizard and the Knight's captain who happened to be discussing civil interests with said wizard. Both the Wizard and Knight Captain ceased their conversation as they assumed the message held some importance if it was to interrupt their current business. The Knight came before them and stood to attention until the captain bade him report.

"Four men were just found dead within the city walls. The wounds they suffered were made by weapons. We are currently investigating, though no one seems to know anything."

The Wizard and Captain exchanged frowns and all three made their way out of the Den without a word.

~

Bim Meeshak bid his guest enter with a wave of his hand. The underground complex he resided in was actually the duergar's, but they had bestowed a finely furnished chamber upon him that he could call his own. Bim's visitor made his way into the chamber, his features obscured by a flowing collection of purple robes, a hood, and a cape. A disheveled looking human fellow followed, his most notable trait being a large blond moustache that descended well past the corners of his mouth. Both men paused in the middle of the room as Bim rose to speak.

"And who might your little lap dog be?" Bim said pointing to the moustached man.

"This is my contact in Old Axe. He has informed me that the War Wizards of Cormyr have sent out yet another investigatory team. I have come here to ensure the loyalty of both you and your duergar." The being dressed in purple spoke in a serious tone. The man with the moustache began to wander around the room casually inspecting whatever belongings Bim had stored there. Bim turned to look at this "contact" as he addressed the man in purple.

"Aye. The deep dwarves and myself are loyal to your cause." Bim returned his gaze to the man in purple, only to find a wand pointed at his face from a few inches distance.

"Nevermind that you are called the Grand Betrayer," came the reply from Bim's purple adorned visitor, "I know of your exploits and treachery. It is a shame that you've spent half a century avoiding death only to finally perish in such a paltry fashion."

Bim raised both his hands into the air as if to signal a surrender. He turned to his right to see what the man with the moustache was doing in this sort of situation, but to his surprise he wasn't even there. In his place, standing almost eight feet tall, was an Oni Mage brandishing a massive greatsword. Panic began to set in as he realized he had been a pawn for some time now.

"We can work this out you know... ERK!" Bim's words were cut short as the Oni Mage's sword pierced through his torso breaking ribs and puncturing vital organs. The monster released it's grip on the weapon and stepped back to admire it's work. Blood splashed at the floor as the point of the sword protruded from Bim's left side and the hilt from the right. A flash of necrotic energy burst from the man in purple's wand promptly lancing its way into Bim's eyes and through his teeth. A crumpled husk fell to the floor, only to split in two as the Oni Mage retrieved his weapon.

"The duergar are now in your command." the wand bearer motioned to the Oni Mage.

"Many thanks, master." the mage replied with a bow. "We now have the deep dwarves and the orcs of the Stormhorns under our banner."