in the underground nome kingdom, the nome king roquat is plotting to conquer the land of oz and recover his magic belt, which dorothy took from him in "ozma of oz". after ordering the expulsion of his general (who will not agree to such an attack) and the death of his colonel (who also refuses), king roquat holds counsel with a veteran soldier called guph. guph believes that against the many magicians of oz (the reputation of which has grown in the telling), the nome army has no chance alone. he therefore sets out personally to recruit allies.