Quote Originally Posted by dancrilis View Post
I do think it was a poor strategic play by Redcloak (assuming he didn't just give Xykon the real one).
Not really.

Look at from Redcloak's perspective: world domination was never on the table. the ritual simply won't allow for that, there is not enough control. and Xykon will be angry once the gate disappears into the Dark One's possession no matter where the Phylactery is. giving the real one to Xykon would serve no point other than to make sure that Xykon can kill him with impunity. with the phylactery there, that gives him a chance to kill the lich he has been using for the 30 years or so who has been killing so many of his goblin companions in the process, once Xykon's done, he can go back to Gobbotopia and just wait for the Dark One to sort out the negotiations on a deific level.

and we all know how long Redcloak can hold onto his vengeance: 35 years calmly coolly planning. Xykon coming in ruining his brothers village is relatively fresh in his mind compared to his childhood tragedy. Xykon was never a partner to him, and he never intended to give him anything substantial for going to all this trouble. (unless you count "cushy retirement in their new goblin nation" but that went out the door the moment he became a lich). Xykons a capital E evil teamkilling jerk who laughs at other peoples pain, him staying around after his use is done serves no benefit for Redcloak, as even as a weapon of fear he is too much of a loose cannon to control. Its a only a poor strategic play if you think Redcloak and Xykon trust each other enough to truly be on the same side. and I honestly don't think they are.