![[WartleHuman.png|250]]![[WartleSlaad.png|262]] **Left:** Human Form **Right:** Slaad Form **Slaad Lord – Lord of Chaos** **Alignment:** Chaotic Neutral **Home Plane:** Limbo **Realm:** No established personal realm **Classification:** Slaad Lord **Known Rival:** Ygorl, Lord of Entropy **Status:** Uncertain following his imprisonment within a meteorite ### Overview Wartle is a powerful and notoriously disagreeable Slaad Lord originating from Limbo, the plane of unrestrained chaos. Although considerably less powerful than the ancient slaad masters Ssendam and Ygorl, he nevertheless possesses formidable supernatural abilities and a temperament that makes him dangerous to enemies and acquaintances alike. Wartle is distinguished by his extraordinary rudeness, unpredictable behaviour, and complete disregard for the dignity of others. He delights in insulting powerful beings, particularly his fellow Slaad Lords, and has repeatedly suffered violent retaliation for his provocations. Despite these humiliations, he shows little inclination to change his behaviour. His outward appearance is almost comical. Rather than presenting the imposing or horrifying form associated with some of the greater Lords of Chaos, Wartle resembles a short, obese toad with a leathery, wart-covered hide. This unremarkable appearance conceals immense strength, considerable intelligence, and magical abilities capable of overwhelming powerful opponents. Wartle's apparent foolishness is similarly deceptive. Although he frequently behaves as though he is cowardly, incompetent, or incapable of understanding the consequences of his actions, he possesses a brilliant mind and is an accomplished liar. His willingness to deceive others is matched by an almost complete absence of consistency. He might offer assistance to a creature one moment and betray that same individual the next, particularly if he believes the betrayal will provide entertainment or some personal advantage. Nevertheless, Wartle is not fundamentally a creature of evil. His established nature is chaotic neutral, and his actions are governed principally by an extraordinary disregard for convention, morality, and the expectations of others. He is capable of demonstrating kindness, particularly toward creatures he considers useful. Such generosity offers little assurance of continued friendship, for his whims can change without warning. Although Wartle is recognised as a Slaad Lord, his influence does not approach that exercised by Ygorl or Ssendam. His reputation among the slaadi is poor, and many of his fellow lords regard him with contempt. His greatest known humiliation occurred when he challenged Ygorl and suffered a decisive defeat. The Lord of Entropy transformed Wartle into a meteorite and cast him toward the Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia, expecting the powers of that lawful and good plane to destroy him. The consequences of this punishment became one of the most remarkable demonstrations of the disruptive power possessed by a Slaad Lord. ### Appearance and Nature Wartle's natural slaad form resembles a bloated, toadlike creature standing approximately five and a half feet tall. His body is broad and corpulent, covered in dry, leathery skin of a greyish-brown colour. Irregular spots of sickly green are scattered across his hide, while numerous prominent warts cover his body. A crest of small horns extends backward from the top of his skull, giving his otherwise ungainly appearance a more threatening aspect. Although comparatively short, Wartle possesses extraordinary physical strength. His compact body is capable of delivering powerful blows with claws and teeth, while his magical abilities allow him to confront enemies far larger than himself. Wartle can also assume a humanoid form. In this guise, he ordinarily appears as a short, overweight man whose body remains covered in warts. His voice is whining and rasping, reinforcing the impression of an unpleasant and ineffectual individual. He frequently employs this appearance when dealing with creatures who are unfamiliar with his true nature. Wartle is also capable of transforming himself into an ordinary toad, allowing him to assume a considerably less conspicuous form. These different manifestations do not diminish his formidable intelligence or supernatural power. His tendency to appear weak and foolish has repeatedly contributed to his reputation as an incompetent creature, although those who judge him solely by his appearance may discover that he is an extraordinarily dangerous opponent. ### Domain and Influence Wartle originates from Limbo, the Outer Plane of pure chaos. Within this realm, matter and energy continually change form. Earth, air, fire, and water exist in unstable combinations, creating landscapes that may emerge, transform, or disappear according to the unpredictable forces surrounding them. The slaadi are among Limbo's most recognisable inhabitants. Their violent dispositions and erratic behaviour reflect the chaotic nature of their home plane. Wartle occupies an extraordinary position among these creatures because he has attained the unique supernatural status of a Slaad Lord. However, his title does not establish that he governs a conventional kingdom or possesses unquestioned authority over other slaadi. Indeed, Wartle is generally regarded with contempt by many of his own kind. His behaviour frequently brings him into conflict with the other Slaad Lords, particularly because he delights in insulting them without regard for the consequences. Despite this hostility, certain lesser slaadi find his behaviour appealing and have demonstrated a willingness to associate with him. His influence is therefore less closely connected to territorial sovereignty than to his personal supernatural strength and the unpredictable relationships he maintains with other creatures of chaos. No independently named fortress, palace, or permanent territory has been established as Wartle's personal residence within Limbo. His association with the plane is nevertheless unquestioned, and he remains one of the distinctive powerful beings known to have emerged from its chaotic substance. ### Symbols and Icons No established personal symbol has been identified for Wartle. His most recognisable features are his wart-covered body, small backward-pointing horns, and ungainly toadlike appearance. Although his name and appearance are distinctive, no published account establishes a particular religious emblem, ceremonial insignia, or personal heraldic device associated with him. ### Followers and Servants Wartle possesses no extensively documented army or organised religious following. His abrasive personality and habit of insulting other slaadi have made him unpopular among many creatures who might otherwise acknowledge his supernatural status. Nevertheless, some lesser slaadi are attracted to his behaviour and appear to appreciate his particular expression of chaos. Among his known servants is a green slaad that accompanied him into Mount Celestia following his defeat by Ygorl. This creature remained loyal even after Wartle had been transformed into a meteorite. The green slaad concealed itself within the citadel where its imprisoned master had been taken, assuming the form of a spider to avoid detection. Its purpose was to secure Wartle's release by forcing living creatures into contact with the meteorite. Through this activity, the servant attempted to restore the energy necessary for its master to regain his original form. The green slaad's loyalty demonstrates that Wartle is capable of inspiring devotion in at least some members of his kind, despite his widespread unpopularity. Wartle can also summon small groups of green slaadi through supernatural magic, providing additional servants when he is confronted by dangerous enemies. His relationship with other creatures is often opportunistic. Although he generally considers slaves more trouble than they are worth, Wartle is perfectly willing to trade enslaved individuals to other slaadi when doing so secures a favour. This conduct reflects the complete disregard for consistency that characterises his behaviour. He may reject slavery as a personal inconvenience while simultaneously exploiting the institution whenever it benefits him. No established clergy, organised cult, or network of temples is associated with Wartle. ### Powers and Abilities Wartle possesses immense supernatural power despite his relatively unimpressive appearance. His abilities combine extraordinary physical strength, powerful magic, resistance to hostile enchantments, and the capacity to drain the life energy of his enemies. Although weaker than Ssendam and Ygorl, he remains an exceptionally dangerous being capable of overwhelming opponents who underestimate him. **Physical Strength** Wartle possesses tremendous strength in both his natural and humanoid forms. His physical attacks are capable of inflicting serious injuries, while his compact body allows him to strike with surprising speed and force. In his slaad form, he can attack with two powerful claws and his enormous mouth. **Life-Draining Bite** Wartle's bite is particularly dangerous. In addition to inflicting considerable physical injury, it can drain the life energy of creatures unable to resist its supernatural effects. Those who survive such an attack may suffer a devastating reduction in their vitality and abilities. **The Dancing Morning Star** Wartle's favoured weapon is a powerful enchanted morning star possessing the ability to fight independently of its wielder. The weapon can continue attacking opponents after Wartle releases it, functioning in a manner similar to an enchanted dancing sword. He frequently employs this ability while changing from humanoid form into his natural slaad shape. This allows the morning star to threaten enemies while Wartle attacks them directly with his claws and bite. **Shapechanging** Wartle can transform between his natural slaad form, a short humanoid appearance, and the form of an ordinary toad. His shapechanging ability provides considerable versatility, allowing him to appear harmless or unremarkable when he wishes to conceal his true nature. **Illusion Magic** Wartle possesses the ability to create powerful magical illusions. These enchantments allow him to deceive observers and alter their perception of the surrounding environment. His skill in deception is therefore supported by supernatural powers capable of concealing the truth from those who encounter him. **Magical Darkness** Wartle can create regions of supernatural darkness, obscuring the vision of creatures within the affected area. This ability can provide protection against enemies and interfere with their attempts to locate or attack him. **Fire Magic** Wartle can create magical spheres of flame and unleash powerful fireballs. These abilities give him considerable destructive power at a distance, allowing him to attack opponents without relying exclusively upon physical combat. **Teleportation** Wartle can transport himself instantaneously through supernatural magic. His ability to teleport with exceptional accuracy allows him to escape confinement, reposition himself during combat, or travel to otherwise inaccessible locations. **True Seeing** Wartle can perceive the true nature of creatures and objects concealed by illusions or transformations. This power makes him particularly difficult to deceive through magical disguises. **Summoning Green Slaadi** Wartle can attempt to summon small groups of green slaadi. Their arrival is not guaranteed, but the ability provides him with potential reinforcements during dangerous confrontations. **Powerful Magical Symbols** Wartle can invoke magical symbols capable of producing extraordinary supernatural effects. These enchantments provide additional means of attacking, disabling, or otherwise interfering with opponents. **Stunning Magic** Wartle possesses a powerful supernatural utterance capable of stunning an enemy. This ability allows him to incapacitate creatures without necessarily killing them. **Manipulation of Earth and Stone** Wartle can transform solid rock into mud and create powerful barriers of stone or iron. These abilities allow him to alter the surrounding terrain, obstruct enemies, and establish defensive positions. **Regeneration** Wartle possesses supernatural regenerative abilities that allow him to recover from injuries. His unusual resilience makes him difficult to defeat through ordinary physical attacks. **Immunity to Fire** Wartle is completely immune to fire, allowing him to withstand both ordinary flames and magical fire without injury. **Magical Resistance** Wartle possesses exceptional resistance to hostile spells. His supernatural nature allows him to ignore many magical effects that would overwhelm ordinary creatures. **Psionic Power** Wartle also possesses considerable psionic ability, making him a dangerous opponent in conflicts involving mental powers. His complete range of psionic techniques has not been individually established. Together, these abilities make Wartle a formidable Slaad Lord, even though his reputation and physical appearance encourage others to underestimate him. ### Personality and Treatment of Others Wartle is extraordinarily flippant, rude, inconsistent, and deceitful. His behaviour is characterised by a complete disregard for the expectations of others, particularly those who believe themselves entitled to respect or obedience. He delights in insulting powerful beings and frequently directs his mockery toward the other Slaad Lords. This habit has repeatedly provoked retaliation, although Wartle appears unwilling or incapable of learning from the consequences. His insults are not restricted to enemies. He may ridicule allies, acquaintances, and creatures who have offered him assistance, apparently without considering that his behaviour may destroy relationships that could otherwise prove valuable. Nevertheless, Wartle is not universally hostile. He may demonstrate genuine kindness toward particular individuals, especially those he considers useful or entertaining. Such kindness is unreliable. A creature favoured by Wartle might later discover that the slaad lord has betrayed it for some minor advantage or merely because the opportunity amused him. His inconsistency makes it impossible to establish a dependable code of behaviour through which his future actions can be predicted. Wartle is not inherently evil, but his chaotic nature is sufficiently extreme that he frequently behaves with extraordinary cruelty. His willingness to trade slaves, betray acquaintances, and endanger innocent creatures demonstrates that the absence of evil intent does not make him harmless. He is also highly intelligent. Despite his buffoonish behaviour, Wartle is capable of deliberate deception and possesses sufficient magical and intellectual ability to challenge powerful extraplanar beings. This combination of foolish appearance and genuine cunning makes him especially dangerous. ### Rivalry with Ygorl Wartle's most significant established enemy is Ygorl, the Lord of Entropy. Ygorl is one of the oldest and most powerful Slaad Lords, exercising considerable influence over the creatures of Limbo. Wartle's extraordinary rudeness brought him into repeated conflict with other slaad masters, and Ygorl eventually became the most important of these adversaries. The two entered into a struggle that ended in Wartle's decisive defeat. Rather than merely injuring the lesser lord, Ygorl employed his extraordinary power to transform Wartle into a meteorite. This transformation imprisoned the troublesome slaad lord within a solid mass resembling a strangely formed stone. Ygorl then arranged for the meteorite to be deposited within the Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia. His intention was clear. The lawful and good powers of that plane would encounter the imprisoned embodiment of chaos and, Ygorl expected, destroy it permanently. The punishment removed Wartle from Limbo while transferring the responsibility for dealing with him to the inhabitants of another plane. Yet Ygorl's plan did not unfold as simply as he intended. Instead of immediately destroying Wartle, the inhabitants of Mount Celestia became exposed to the extraordinary chaotic influence radiating from his prison. The resulting disaster demonstrated that even a defeated Slaad Lord could threaten creatures normally protected by the inherent goodness and law of their home plane. ### The Meteorite of Lunia After being transformed by Ygorl, Wartle descended upon Lunia, the Silver Heaven and lowest layer of Mount Celestia. The meteorite entered the celestial plane as a blazing object, falling toward the great ocean surrounding its islands. Its arrival was accompanied by a tremendous impact that attracted the attention of the inhabitants of a nearby citadel. The fortress belonged to Arelsis, an astral deva charged with guarding against dangers entering the plane and providing hospitality to worthy travellers. Several hours after the meteorite's descent, it appeared upon the shore of the island containing Arelsis's citadel. The object's arrival was unusual. Rather than sinking beneath the celestial ocean, the meteorite had been repelled by its holy waters and carried toward the nearest land. Unaware of its true nature, Arelsis ordered the strange stone brought into his fortress for examination. The deva subsequently travelled to Solania, another of the Seven Heavens, where he sought guidance concerning the unexpected arrival. During his absence, Wartle's influence began spreading throughout the citadel. The imprisoned slaad lord radiated powerful chaotic energy, altering the minds and bodies of celestial creatures who came into contact with it. Beings normally dedicated to law and goodness became irrational, violent, or consumed by bizarre obsessions. The order upon which the citadel depended gradually collapsed. When Arelsis returned, he discovered that his once-loyal companions had become dangerously unpredictable. Rather than welcoming their master, the corrupted inhabitants drove him away. The deva recognised that the meteorite represented a powerful intrusion of chaos and sought assistance from mortal adventurers, believing that their comparatively adaptable natures might provide some resistance to its influence. ### The Corruption of Arelsis's Citadel The influence of Wartle transformed the orderly citadel into a place of extraordinary disorder. Among those affected was Kalyron, a powerful sword archon who served as Arelsis's second-in-command. Normally responsible for maintaining order within the fortress, Kalyron became consumed by an obsession with his own authority. In Arelsis's absence, he regarded any challenge to his commands as intolerable. His behaviour deteriorated until he killed an agathion who questioned him, demonstrating the terrible change brought about by Wartle's influence. Other inhabitants suffered equally disturbing transformations. The citadel's servants became irrational, while creatures once devoted to peaceful contemplation engaged in pointless arguments, violent disputes, and destructive behaviour. Gerhaund, the lammasu who maintained the fortress's library, abandoned his ordinary scholarly responsibilities and became absorbed in producing strange criticisms of the moral and philosophical traditions associated with the Seven Heavens. Elsewhere, the corruption altered the behaviour of creatures who had previously shown hospitality and compassion toward visitors. The atmosphere of the fortress became increasingly dangerous. Wartle's influence did not simply produce ordinary madness. It distorted the assumptions and duties that had formerly governed the lives of the celestial inhabitants. A guardian might become obsessed with authority, a servant might lose all respect for established responsibilities, and a peaceful creature might suddenly resort to violence. These disturbances were accompanied by physical mutations. The victims were not permanently beyond recovery, however. The effects of Wartle's chaotic corruption were capable of fading with time, while certain celestial beings could regain their proper nature through rebirth. ### The Imprisoned Slaad Lord Within the laboratory of Arelsis's citadel lay the meteorite that concealed Wartle. The object resembled an enormous, irregular egg with a grey, uneven surface. An unnatural light pulsed from within it. Through this illumination, observers could perceive the dark silhouette of a developing frog-like creature, revealing something of the slaad lord imprisoned inside. The meteorite continually emitted a noxious grey-green smoke. These fumes had spread throughout the citadel when Wartle's remaining strength was greatest, contributing to the corruption of its inhabitants. For mortal creatures, the smoke could cause dizziness, disorientation, and difficulty maintaining concentration. Spellcasters exposed to the vapours risked disrupting their own magic, while warriors found their movements and attacks increasingly unreliable. The meteorite also possessed a dangerous ability to drain life energy. When a mortal native of the Material Plane touched its surface, the object could absorb a portion of that creature's vitality. Each successful draining strengthened the light radiating from within the stone. If Wartle absorbed sufficient energy, the imprisoned lord could recover the power necessary to escape his transformed condition. The green slaad accompanying him understood this possibility. Concealing itself within the laboratory in the shape of a spider, the servant attempted to seize intruders and force them against the meteorite. Its loyalty provided Wartle with a means of recovering power even though he could not act freely in his imprisoned form. Despite this danger, the meteorite could be contained. A pentagram formed from properly blessed and enchanted silver dust could prevent Wartle's influence from spreading beyond the enclosed area. The barrier also confined the poisonous smoke, allowing the vapours already dispersed throughout the laboratory to dissipate. Such containment offered a means of ending the immediate danger without requiring the slaad lord's destruction. ### The Uncertain Fate of Wartle The ultimate fate of Wartle remains unresolved. After the discovery of his prison within Mount Celestia, the celestial powers possessed the means to contain him and prevent further corruption. Yet the imprisonment presented a difficult question. If Wartle remained within the Seven Heavens, his continued presence represented an intrusion of chaos into a plane whose nature stood in direct opposition to his own. If he were destroyed, the celestial powers would eliminate a dangerous being and prevent any possibility of further contamination. One possible fate involved transporting the meteorite to Chronias, the highest of the Seven Heavens. There, the extraordinary powers of the plane could destroy the imprisoned Slaad Lord permanently. Another possibility involved returning Wartle to Limbo. Such an action would remove the danger from Mount Celestia while restoring him to his native plane, where his fellow slaadi would once again be forced to endure his insults and unpredictable behaviour. Returning him might also serve as a warning against using the Seven Heavens as a convenient place to dispose of dangerous chaotic beings. Neither outcome has been conclusively established. The surviving account therefore does not confirm whether Wartle was destroyed in Chronias, returned to Limbo, or otherwise dealt with by the celestial powers. His known history ends with the uncertainty surrounding his imprisonment and the possible decisions concerning his ultimate fate. ### Encounters with Wartle's Influence Wartle's influence is most clearly associated with his fellow slaadi, his conflict with Ygorl, and the chaotic disturbances produced by his imprisonment within Mount Celestia. **The Slaadi of Limbo:** Wartle is regarded with contempt by many of the other Slaad Lords, although certain lesser slaadi appreciate his rude and unpredictable disposition. His supernatural power remains considerable despite his reputation. **The Wrath of Ygorl:** The Lord of Entropy defeated Wartle and transformed him into a meteorite. Their conflict remains the most significant established event involving Wartle's relationship with another Slaad Lord. **The Meteorite of Lunia:** Wartle's transformed body fell into the celestial ocean surrounding Lunia before being repelled by the holy waters and carried to the island of Arelsis. **The Citadel of Arelsis:** Wartle's chaotic influence corrupted numerous inhabitants of the fortress, causing madness, mutations, and destructive changes in behaviour. **The Green Slaad Servant:** A loyal green slaad followed Wartle into the Seven Heavens and attempted to restore him by forcing mortals into contact with the imprisoned lord. **The Noxious Smoke:** The meteorite emitted grey-green vapours capable of disorienting mortals and interfering with their ability to cast spells. **The Enchanted Silver Pentagram:** A protective barrier formed from blessed and enchanted silver dust could confine Wartle and prevent his chaotic influence from continuing to spread. **The Fate of the Meteorite:** The celestial powers might have destroyed Wartle within Chronias or returned him to Limbo. His ultimate disposition remains unknown. ### Conclusion Wartle is one of the most disagreeable and unpredictable Slaad Lords of Limbo, a being whose unimpressive appearance conceals extraordinary supernatural strength and intelligence. His chaotic neutral nature does not prevent him from behaving with remarkable cruelty. His rudeness, habitual dishonesty, and willingness to betray those who trust him have made him unpopular even among the other Lords of Chaos. Although weaker than Ygorl and Ssendam, Wartle possesses formidable magical abilities, exceptional physical strength, and the capacity to drain life energy from his enemies. His most significant known conflict ended in humiliation when Ygorl transformed him into a meteorite and deposited him within Mount Celestia. Yet even in defeat, Wartle remained dangerous. His presence corrupted the inhabitants of Arelsis's citadel, demonstrating the extraordinary destructive potential of concentrated chaos within a realm devoted to law and goodness. The uncertainty surrounding his final fate remains an important part of his history. Whether destroyed within Chronias or returned to Limbo, Wartle's imprisonment demonstrated that even the most foolish-seeming of the Slaad Lords possesses power that few creatures can safely disregard.