Maddened Magnate (Basic Lore)

Maddened Magnate (Heavy; CR 29)
True Chaotic - Medium - Aberration
This creature possesses the Heavy role, and therefore counts as 2 monsters for purposes of encounter size, XP award, and treasure. This monster frequently has the Heavy role, but may be set to other roles if desired. It is widely accepted among most intelligent creatures, at a very general level, that the world we all live in is balanced upon the surface of a much larger, darker, and far more terrible reality called the Outer Madness. Most people have little understanding of Planes, and in the minds of most people, Demons, Devils, Aberrations, and most 'weird' monsters are part of this terrifying background reality. However, there are always those who think that 'larger and more terrible' means, 'a convenient way to get power'. As a result, all over the world, in every race, creed, and culture, civilized or not, there are those with far too much greed and far too little wisdom who seek out this Deep Darkness and pledge themselves to it. The Creeping Madness is easy to access, easy to draw upon...and insanely dangerous. A fair number of those who attempt this foolish act are consumed utterly by their very first sup of that dark well, their lives, essence, souls, and flesh consumed entire. Many of those luckless fools do not quietly disappear, however. Maddened Magnates are those creatures, with the Spark or without, who have reached out to the Madness, and not only survived, they have grown exalted. Magnates are truly utter abominations, even though their physical forms are not nearly as monstrous as some of the Maddened. Magnates can readily pass as a humanoid creature with only some disguise rolls, which aids them in their long, dark plottings immensely. That said, Magnates are quite proud of their allegiances, and wear their characteristic heavily armored robes with distinction, and do not like to stoop to disguises. Of course, that's never stopped them, either. Unlike many lesser Maddened, Magnates are often created new and whole, as foolish mortals seek eternal youth and power in the embrace of the Great Insanity. If there is some guiding principal in the Deep Dark, its most clear expression is in the choosing of those wicked souls who become Magnates. Magnates are exclusively male, just as Mavens are female, and they serve as the dire, deadly leaders, spiritually, of the Maddened as a whole. If the Maddened were capable of being led, Magnates would be their Generals, their Priests, their Emperors. Magnates are the most terrible, because their insane desire to kill and destroy is well in abeyance to their intellect and wisdom. They are dangerous to far more than their neighbors, they are dangerous to nations, continents, the entire world. Maddened Magnates are the absolute foes of everything else in existence, but they have fooled the world into missing their nihilism. Magnates are deep, flexible thinkers, who advise even the great and terrible Dictats. Mavens often work with Magnates, as well, the Magnates using the Mavens appealing allure to their great advantage. Maddened Magnates are often drawn from the Civilized Races, people who should have known better, but often 'monstrous' races are also sources for genesis. It is possible for Xeph and Giants, among others, to be subsumed by the Lurking Deep, and thus become Maddened Magnates. Maddened Magnates, like all of the Maddened, are united in their allegiance to the Pure Night. They are deep and capable layers of plots, goal concealed within lesser goal, so that every action moves them toward The End. They work surprisingly well with their brother Magnates, always seem to have a few Mavens to aid them, occasionally some Travesties for expendable muscle, and they can usually call upon the aid of a Dictat for momentous plots. They frequently plant ideas in the heads of Mavens and send them off to see what flourishes. Magnates seek to kill and destroy everything in the world, just like every Maddened, but they relish taking a longer, slower approach then many of their Maddened brethren. Magnates have a noble demeanor, despite their awfulness, and can work with a surprising range of other monsters to further their goals.