The Dink Network

The main reason to have Cthilmor on a side quest is that he already got what he wanted and what he'd try and do next is kind of a mystery (although I had some plans for that), whereas Monkeynuts doesn't have what she wants yet and is explicitly making trouble in order to get it. In story terms it makes sense for Monkeynuts to be more associated with the main story, with Cthilmor as a side line. Which wouldn't mean that he wouldn't be a major boss, any more than Jameil wasn't a major boss for being outside of the main story path. (None of which is to say his presence wouldn't have had a major impact on the story - again, like Jameil - but that he could have had a large or a tangential role in the story and it would have still made sense).

Actually your thought about Jack & Jill as a recurring nuisance trying to resurrect Lord Duckington is very close to how I wanted to use/had started to use them in CC3. The trade off there is that using Jack & Jill leaves less room for introducing new villains (in a way that using Cthilmor wouldn't have, as he'd never show up in a room and have a conversation with you in the places that they do. And if he has allies who would, then that'd be a great way to tie him into the plot, don't you think?) It would have been good to have a cameo at least if we decided that other figures needed the spotlight more.

All pretty much hot air now, of course. Interesting to hear that reaction about Cthilmor though.