So, what monsters have you used as masterminds other than those listed here? (Any edition is fine.) How'd it play out?
Lycanthrope (Werewolf).
The players did not see it coming, I intertwined this with a backstory of a PC (a sword-mage) whose mentor, a dabbler in magic and alchemy, was on the run from crimes in another nation* he supposedly never committed (he did). His student (PC) helped him a handful of times escape from the authorities or provide him with monies. Meanwhile in the campaign they had an ongoing saga to catch a werewolf known as The Hound who was supposedly the mastermind of the lycanthropes in their duchy. Many stories and myths about The Hound were spun. A legendary figure who evaded authorities for well over a decade.
He dabbled in potion-making as he had found an alchemical mixture which could mask the scent of lycanthropes from animals (cats, dog and horses) which was particularly useful. The PC believed he was more of a Don Juan providing potions of "love" and special fragrances to noblewomen and wealthy ladies given what he had seen as his apprentice during 1-2 early sessions. Little did he know he was actually providing masking potions to his were-foxes who were then distributing his wares to the greater lycanthrope network. It was all an elaborate cover.
Years later when the Hound had gone into hiding*, things turned ugly when the PCs managed to track down one of these werefoxes known as the Mistress (who happened to be The Hound's actual lover) and one of the PCs decided to execute her while the others were distracted (This was not planned). In any event The Hound came out of hiding and started assassinating all those that led to the death of his lover one by one - starting off with allied NPCs, retired PCs and eventually he attacked the PCs and his student...twice he tried and twice he was thwarted by some clever role-play, however The Hound was never captured, but alas now his actual identity has been revealed.
* There was a Black Seal Warrant against him (for those who know the Minrothad Guilds)
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