Baxton Mandrim

Mr. Pinstripe Suit

(a.k.a. M, The Disfigured Man)

A Career In Turmoil

Baxton Mandrim wanted nothing more than to be a politician. He always had a way with words, and people used to love him. Early on in his career, he was sure to climb the ranks and earn the favor of the masses. However, this career was cut short after a terrible incident left his face disfigured: certainly, he thought, nobody would elect someone as hideous as him.
Never giving up on the people of Ashport, Baxton decided to generously spend his vast wealth to establish the First Great Scholars Guild of Ashport, an organization that's dedicated to selflessly sharing knowledge and education to all those whom the university (and, indeed, society as a whole) would have otherwise left behind. In this capacity, Baxton personally supplied so much of the funding for the university's Library of Aeons that, when it came time to decide who should manage it, there was nobody better suited.
Of course, his tenure at the library ended when the library was abruptly destroyed by the House of Crystal, for "security reasons". There are unconfirmed reports that Baxton personally watched the destruction himself, another scar on a life that had already seen too many.

The Writing On The Wall

After his death, it became apparent that Baxton was a terrible caretaker of books when nobody was watching. Though his private book collection was extensive and contained many one-of-a-kind items, every book was heavily dog-eared, with his notes scribbled throughout and passages highlighted. One gets the sense that this was a man who valued sharing knowledge with others, only when he was one of those "others".

Harmless

Though the commoners fear or distrust Baxton because of his appearance, most intelligent people (and some of those in positions of power) are capable of seeing through this mask to find the kind, caring man who desires nothing more than a world full of knowledge, shared by everyone. After all, what other reason would he have for financing and carefully curating such a massive library, and personally assisting so many individuals from all walks of life to achieve their university dreams?
Baxton has a penchant for high-class presentation, preferring to walk around in his signature pinstripe suit and walking stick. Those fortunate enough to earn his favor have reported to receive gifts from him, always neatly wrapped in ornate packaging.
Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, Baxton prides himself on his loyalty to those closest to him, stopping at nothing to make sure that his people are given the protection that they need. Even if one were to sneak around and interfere with government business (like a terrorist), Baxton would surely speak up on their behalf and vouch for them.
A true patron of the arts, Baxton is often found at The Red Lady in Ashport's Pearl District, enjoying the shows and taking in all that the city has to offer. In fact, he rarely leaves -- where does he find the time?

Mostly Harmless... OK, Not At All Harmless

It was later discovered that pretty much every aspect of Baxton's life was carefully crafted to put on a show. Baxton is known to have had direct influence over multiple individuals, including Lady Rosalin Violett and Sol DeWork. His walking stick is known to be an arcane focus for his sinister magics, and even his pinstripe cloak seems to have been magical in nature.
Baxton's participation in upper-class high society gave him regular access to people who held real power in government and society, whom he manipulated (through blackmail and other means) to give him favorable treatment. While it is not directly known why he took an interest in curating a massive public library or helping marginalized individuals attend the university, it is hard to imagine that these were purely altruistic in nature.

Unsubstantiated Rumors

Despite Baxton having left his career in politics behind, there are still some bad actors out there who spread baseless rumors about this man, no doubt to ruin what reputation he has left and take what he has rightfully earned.
Some have linked Baxton to the freaks from The Order of Imagination, the wildest among them claiming that he commands them as their leader. This is, of course, ridiculous.
Supposed "eyewitnesses" at the Red Lady have even gone so far as to claim that Baxton used some sort of mind magic to kill a mentally ill gentleman at the Red Lady. This has never been confirmed one way or the other.
A single homeless gentleman swears on his life that he saw Baxton chatting with a terrifying-looking fellow dressed in a plague doctor's outfit like they were close acquaintances who had a recent falling out of some sort. An individual matching the description has not been seen in Ashport before or since, and nobody else has corroborated his claims.

Partially Substantiated

Baxton actually singlehandedly eliminated almost the Ashport chapter of the Order of Imagination. With them gone, he was able to take their masks and use them to disguise several simulacra so that they could move around the city (and elsewhere throughout the country) to carry out his bidding. Of course, it helped that most commoners tend to find the monks repulsive, so they never look too hard.

A Man of the People

After Isaiah Loprair was arrested by Annu Adabra, Baxton seems to have decided that enough was enough. He threw his hat into the ring, rallying Isaiah's supporters throughout the city, and stormed The Albatross demanding that Isaiah be freed. This seems to have ignited an already tense relationship between Baxton and Annu, as Baxton was seen at the palace gates shortly after this, publicly declaring that he, not Annu, should lead Ashport's House of Crystal.
Before he could get the chance to ascend to that position, he was attacked by a group of adventurers at the Red Lady. His response was to use an extremely powerful bit of magic that caused everyone around him (not just his assailants) to see one another as enemies. Nevertheless, Baxton was slain during the commotion, as were his two bodyguards and two innocent bystanders.
Just before his death, a telepathic voice emanated from around him saying, "An inadequate disciple. Unruly.  My vision: rescinded."

Not As Dead As We Thought

After his death, Baxton's soul automatically entered a Ring of Mind Shielding. Once Dazki Sylroris learned of this arrangement, he used the communication afforded by the ring to threaten Baxton that he would relinquish the ring to Annu as soon as Baxton stopped being useful to him and his party. Dazki accused Baxton of cheating his way out of whatever fate awaits him and the other entities who represent the Manifestations of the Mirage, insinuating that he may be able to escape that fate for good if he helps eliminate the threat.

Physical Description

Facial Features

The right half of Baxton's face was completely blank, with the notable exception of what appeared to be a single large scar going down it.
Under some conditions, this apparent scar would open up to reveal that it was actually a horrendous-looking eyeball.

Special abilities

Abilities that he had used so far:

• Created a portal that disappeared after he walked through it.
• Produced flame from his hand.
• Forced his will onto an individual.
• Had a damaging mental attack of unknown strength.
• He could see invisible targets.
• He was very alert to his surroundings.
• He could cast magic missiles from a wand he carried around.
• He could cause people to see everyone around them as copies of himself.
• He could also create actual pseudo-copies of himself that could absorb attacks that were aimed at him.
• He was able to make an enemy run away from him as fast as possible with nothing more than a mutter of some words.
• He emitted a some sort of black ooze around him that was able to trap people for a short time, in a very Arms of Hadar-like fashion.

Apparel & Accessories

Baxton was never seen in public without his signature pinstripe suit. He also carried around a walking stick with a crystal on top.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Baxton valued knowledge and sharing it with the world, over all else (including life itself). As a former politician, he also naturally desired power.

Social

Speech

Baxton tends to speak in long sentences with lots of big words.

Current Location

Ashport

Species

Human

Circumstances of Death

Betrayed by his warlock patron
Then stabbed by Dazki Sylrios

Gender

Male

Quotes & Catchphrases

"With knowledge comes power, and that power is the greatest threat to the order fabricated by the unknowing."
"A piece of the Mirage himself flows within me. This altercation was decided before it began!"

Aligned Organization

Ashport's Scholars Guild