[quote=BKburke]
Yea. I know there are ways, just not sure what the villains motifs should be. Could he simply be a diversion who is trying to draw attention away from the empires plans? It's possible. He could be an agent of the empire to serve as a distraction himself. Not sure here.
[/quote]

Oh easily. But, as the Empire is actively going to War and has conquered the Rostguard Port City already, he wouldn't be needed for a distraction for that.
(I've got some Background Scenes to do as you can tell... But I view the scenes with the PCs much more important)
Possibly the kidnapping of Elric... and their plans with him, they could use a distraction.

Possibly spy-work.

Many other opportunities for EVIL besides the EVIL EMPIRE. But as the EVIL EMPIRE IS EVIL, they do have a lot of EVIL Roles and Opportunities for hire.

But ah, rambling on that.