What exactly does the IFCC want the Linear Guild to do?

[Gift Jeraff]

All IFCC plot speculation seems to center around V's soul, so here's something else to consider:

In Strip #668, Director Lee says, "...while [Xykon and the Order of the Stick] fight each other, we move [the Linear Guild] into position." But into position for what? The only thing I can think of is, while the OOTS and Team Evil are distracted, they are to destroy the Gate. Perhaps they think Nale will go all "If I can't have it, no one will!" Maybe their plans require all the Gates being destroyed or there only being one Gate left.

Any other ideas?

[KillianHawkeye]

I don't know, because the resolution hasn't been written yet.

[ti'esar]

We have a hint - in that same strip, the yellow fiend (Lee?) quips that "Destructive, unnecessary conflict is pretty much all that they do". There may be more to it then that, but at the very least we have reason to believe that they're using the Linear Guild as destabilizing elements.

[Snails]

My guess is that there is more to the agenda that we do not yet understand.

However it is a fair guess that this Gate Quest, if successful, is expected to pay tangible dividends to the IFCC, or they could not make good their promise to Tiamat.

[Thrillhouse]

Well, if they want the gates destroyed, which is possible, the logic would be:

-The Linear Guild wants to control the gate, and does not want to destroy it.
-The Linear Guild is invariably unsuccessful at all of their major goals.
-If they get near the gate, plot dictates that the gate will be destroyed, as otherwise there is the possibility that they would actually succeed at something, which is just preposterous on the face of it.

[hamishspence]

Qaar & Cedrik's comments do fit with this:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0668.html

Qaar: "They look like total morons."
Cedrik: "They are! Isn't it just perfect?"

[JCarter426]

I suspect they do want to do something with the rifts, but not what anyone else wants to do with them. Beyond that I don't know, but I sure want to find out.

[WindStruck]

To accurately answer your question but be extremely vague:

Be a bunch of unsuspecting pawns.

[Mike Havran]

I think their general purpose is to create instable and chaotic environment, so when the IFCC posess V it will throw both Team Evil and Order off the rails. The Fiends's Ace will be most powerful when the opponents will be weakest - a.k.a. when they spend most of their power to conflict.

[Winter]

I think the plan is to have the LG disrupt one of the parties going for the gate (The Order) to ensure they are not effective. Maybe they hope that the LG will kill of some of the more reliable members of The Order, as "the fewer people paying attention to what Vaarusvius is going to do under our influence are around" means "the better" for them.

The worst thing that can happen to them would be The Order setting up secure defenses for the gates again. Now that the Scribblers are basically out is the IFCC's best chance to "do something". But should someone competent secure the gates again, the IFCC might be out for another generation.
The LG is pretty effective at hindering The Order in doing "the right things".

[Math_Mage]

I think the plan is to have the LG disrupt one of the parties going for the gate (The Order) to ensure they are not effective. Maybe they hope that the LG will kill of some of the more reliable members of The Order, as "the fewer people paying attention to what Vaarusvius is going to do under our influence are around" means "the better" for them.

The worst thing that can happen to them would be The Order setting up secure defenses for the gates again. Now that the Scribblers are basically out is the IFCC's best chance to "do something". But should someone competent secure the gates again, the IFCC might be out for another generation.
The LG is pretty effective at hindering The Order in doing "the right things".

The Order can't competently secure the gate against someone like Xykon. There's something else at play here.

[Winter]

The Order can't competently secure the gate against someone like Xykon. There's something else at play here.

I pondered that as well a while and I think I can disagree. Assuming The Order has enough time and some ressources, they can create a setup that would greatly hinder any known foe. Xykon is a known foe.

Given the right setup even a level 1 goblin lacking one foot can kill epic characters.

What I find more puzzling why the IFCC does not see Xykon as an "issue". If anything, Team Evil must be prevented to access a gate, as he is very capable of defending and utilizing the gates. Should Xykon be able to secure the gates for himself it becomes very unlikely the IFCC can come up with goons that take them from him.

[ti'esar]

What I find more puzzling why the IFCC does not see Xykon as an "issue". If anything, Team Evil must be prevented to access a gate, as he is very capable of defending and utilizing the gates. Should Xykon be able to secure the gates for himself it becomes very unlikely the IFCC can come up with goons that take them from him.

Darth V only lost to Xykon because of bad tactics and recklessness. If - as many people have speculated - the IFCC can directly assume control of a living Vaarsuvius, and provide a similar power boost when doing so (which seems like a reasonable assumption), they should be able to take Xykon.

[Winter]

Darth V only lost to Xykon because of bad tactics and recklessness. If - as many people have speculated - the IFCC can directly assume control of a living Vaarsuvius, and provide a similar power boost when doing so (which seems like a reasonable assumption), they should be able to take Xykon.

I agree to the first part and disagree to the second. I think they can assume control, but it is unlikely it will be with "similar power".

I think the "Controlled Vaarsuvius" will work a bit like playing a puppet. It works, but it is a bit clumsy.

Also, Darth V lost because he has crappy saving throws and all Xykon needed was to survive the first round. He then could dish out spells (debuffs, damage) Vaarusivus could not save against.

Also, I disagree: The point of Darth V losing was not that he used bad tactics, but that he was not a Teamplayer (his actions are heavily contrasted in the scene how Team Evil does indeed worked like a well-oiled machine). If anything, that scene/fights highlights the power a tactical team has over any individual.

Furthermore, if two opponents are both in epic regions "X surely wins vs Y" is at best a critical claim.

[SowZ]

Team Evil has three major players, any one of which could fight the Order alone and probably win. Maybe the IFCC wants to hurt Team Evil's odds?

[CoffeeIncluded]

Team Evil has three major players, any one of which could fight the Order alone and probably win. Maybe the IFCC wants to hurt Team Evil's odds?

They're already pretty hurt. Tsukiko may have been curbstomped by Redcloak, but she was still pretty powerful; she just badly misjudged her situation. Without her, Team Evil has only two major players and one massive wild card. Also, much of the trust (for lack of a better term) between Xykon and Redcloak is now gone. The IFCC probably isn't looking too hard at Team Evil right now, because V did a lot of long-term damage with hir actions and they don't seem too concerned about it.

[Sunken Valley]

To get in the way and cause destructive conflict. Also, so the IFCC have a partial say in events with two ambassadors when the gate is present.