Story Spoilers: Nyarlathotep?

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Well, I take my hat off, sir. Everything just fits.

"He spoke much of the sciences - of electricity and psychology - and gave exhibitions of power which sent his spectators away speechless, yet which swelled his fame to exceeding magnitude."

Maybe he was the Engineer?

"Nyarlathotep delights in cruelty, is deceptive and manipulative, and even cultivates followers and uses propaganda to achieve his goals. In this regard..."

The Machine was cruel, Mandus was deceived into all those vision, one of which ended tragically for his children. Mandus was manipulated into restoring the Machine under the premise of rescuing his children.

"...he is also a servant of Azathoth, his father, whose wishes he immediately fulfills. Unlike the other Outer Gods, causing madness is more important and enjoyable than death and destruction to Nyarlathotep. It is suggested by some that he will destroy the human race and possibly the earth as well."

He drove Mandus crazy. Vision of this cleansing as a way to destroy the human race.

You just gave me a lot to think about. Thanks.