The Gonfaloniere: Difference between revisions
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{{Character|image1=maskamber.png|caption1=The Gonfaloniere's mask.|location=[[Jericho Locks]]|allegiance=[[The Guild of Gondoliers]] (leader)|relationships=[[The Swan Bride]]}} | {{Spoiler}} | ||
<blockquote>''"The head of the Guild of Gondoliers, the one who wears the golden mask."''<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_Gonfaloniere|Ask about the Gonfaloniere|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>{{Character|image1=maskamber.png|caption1=The Gonfaloniere's mask.|location=[[Jericho Locks]]|allegiance=[[The Guild of Gondoliers]] (leader)|relationships=[[The Swan Bride]]}} | |||
''' | The '''Gonfaloniere''' is the leader of the [[Guild of Gondoliers]],<ref name=":0" /> who wears a golden mask as a symbol of their authority.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==Ruler of the Rivers== | |||
Traditionally the Gonfaloniere is selected, and can be challenged for their position, via a boat race to [[Hell]] and back.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_Gonfaloniere|Ask about the Gonfaloniere|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] they tell you there's only one way of becoming Gonfaloniere. The traditional method is a boat race. You and him, fast on the waters speeding you all the way to Hell – and back."''</ref> The winner claims or retains the title, while the loser is condemned to Hell.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"Should he lose, his very person will be forfeit to Hell. [...] Should you win, my title is yours."''</ref> The practice has all but died out more recently, however, after a string of short-lived Gonfalonieres.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"A [...] monograph details the choosing of the Gonfaloniere by boat-race, and [...] the challenge to that position, [...] a new boat-race. [...] practice [...] has all but died out in recent years, following [...] short reigns."''</ref> At least one early holder of the title spent their time exploring and charting Jericho's canals, but they were a worse leader than an oarsman, and their position was challenged frequently.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"A pale tome in deep midnight explores the early Gonfaloniere whose wanderings much extended the network around Jericho, but whose absences and misguided leadership encouraged challenges to their position with zealous frequency."''</ref> | |||
==The Reigning Gonfaloniere== | |||
{{Major spoiler small}} | |||
The current Gonfaloniere has held his title for the last fifty years.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"The Gonfaloniere [...] He has captained these waterways for fifty years [...]"''</ref> He is a personable but cunning man,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''[...] "Do you serve brandy [...] Pity. Still, your interest has been noted. [...] Ask what you will. [...] Understand, [...] if you pursue this matter beyond the confines of this carriage, there will be consequences for your position."''</ref><ref name=":2">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] But he could read men well, [...] to him I was an open book. [...]"''</ref> with green eyes behind his golden mask;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"His green eyes glint [...]"''</ref> he is seen wearing a sable cloak<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}}</ref> and brandishing a golden cane.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"The Gonfaloniere [...] sits with his golden cane [...]"''</ref> From what little one might see of his pale skin, the veins beneath it run a poisonous green.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"His face [...] pale, [...] threaded with veins of [...] green."''</ref> | |||
By the time the Gonfaloniere assumed his position, he was already a senior member of the Guild of Gondoliers and renowned for his great skill and speed as a boatman.<ref name=":1">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] The husband was the most skilled bargeman [...] the time for his title was no doubt upon him. [...] he knew the cost of the title [...] the price owed to Hell when it was lost. When time withered him [...] skill curdled into complacency. [...] challenged him for his crown. [...] So he searched, [...] his journeys came to many forgotten and forbidden places."''</ref> He was a natural fit for his role, but knew what would happen if his skill deteriorated with age, so he ventured far and wide to find a way to prevent a gruesome demise at the hands of Hell.<ref name=":1" /> He found his answer in the [[Poisoned Priestess]] and the toxic waters of the Lotus Pool;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he found the answer [...] "He spoke to the Lotus Pool, and the Pool answered. [...] The Poisoned Priestess. [...]"''</ref> she told him that he would need to replace his blood with the canal's waters, thus becoming one with the waters themselves, in order to be unbeatable in a race. This was too high a price for him to pay,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] Blood for water. If the canals flow through you, how can you lose a race [...] "The price was too rich for his blood. [...]"''</ref> so he manipulated the Priestess into allowing him to make a substitution.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
That substitution was his betrothed, who still lived on the [[Surface]].<ref name=":3">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"The Swan Bride was indeed a bride, destined to be married to a senior ranking Gondolier. [...] the Swan Bride says. [...] I remember the sea. Green and the [...] streets running down [...] And then dark stairs, a spiral. [...] he did not marry me. The pool did, or something in it. [...]"''</ref> He brought her to the Neath,<ref name=":3" /> and used the unwitting young woman as a sacrifice in the ritual. The Priestess wed the couple;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"The Swan Bride steps closer, [...] "You married me to him," [...] The Priestess nods."''</ref> then she replaced the bride's blood with the canal's waters,<ref name=":12">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}}''"[...] Blood for water. If the canals flow through you, how can you lose a race [...] I allowed a substitution."''</ref> and infused this ichor into the aspiring Gonfaloniere's veins, securing his reign indefinitely.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] In his blood, poison runs: a poison drawn from you. [...]"''</ref> The bride, now known as the [[Swan Bride]], was transformed into something inhuman by the ritual.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] "Too much time in the waters. [...] prolonged contact has altered the pigmentation." [...] My physician thinks she bears some relationship to the Drownies. [...]"''</ref> She retained only fragmentary memories of what had happened to her,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] I remember him, my almost husband, but I can't remember her face."''</ref> and was left to wander Jericho. Meanwhile, her would-be husband spun up a cover story<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Poisoner%27s_Library|The Poisoner's Library|Fallen London|}} ''"'[...] Why is there a monster in the marginalia of the manuscript?' [...] 'Because he reminds us who we are by showing us what we should not be.'"''</ref> and forbade anyone from interacting with her,''<ref name=":02">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Canals|Our Lady of the Canals|Fallen London|}}</ref>'' ensuring she would be a hated outcast for as long as he reigned. | |||
==References== | |||
{{Scroll box|text = <references/>}} | |||
[[Category:Characters]] | |||
Revision as of 05:32, 1 April 2023
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Beyond this point lie spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include midgame or minor Fate-locked content. Proceed with caution. You can find out more about our spoiler policy here. |
"The head of the Guild of Gondoliers, the one who wears the golden mask."[1]
The Gonfaloniere is the leader of the Guild of Gondoliers,[1] who wears a golden mask as a symbol of their authority.[1]
Ruler of the Rivers
Traditionally the Gonfaloniere is selected, and can be challenged for their position, via a boat race to Hell and back.[2] The winner claims or retains the title, while the loser is condemned to Hell.[3] The practice has all but died out more recently, however, after a string of short-lived Gonfalonieres.[4] At least one early holder of the title spent their time exploring and charting Jericho's canals, but they were a worse leader than an oarsman, and their position was challenged frequently.[5]
The Reigning Gonfaloniere
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Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk. You can find out more about our spoiler policy here. |
The current Gonfaloniere has held his title for the last fifty years.[6] He is a personable but cunning man,[7][8] with green eyes behind his golden mask;[9] he is seen wearing a sable cloak[10] and brandishing a golden cane.[11] From what little one might see of his pale skin, the veins beneath it run a poisonous green.[12]
By the time the Gonfaloniere assumed his position, he was already a senior member of the Guild of Gondoliers and renowned for his great skill and speed as a boatman.[13] He was a natural fit for his role, but knew what would happen if his skill deteriorated with age, so he ventured far and wide to find a way to prevent a gruesome demise at the hands of Hell.[13] He found his answer in the Poisoned Priestess and the toxic waters of the Lotus Pool;[14] she told him that he would need to replace his blood with the canal's waters, thus becoming one with the waters themselves, in order to be unbeatable in a race. This was too high a price for him to pay,[15] so he manipulated the Priestess into allowing him to make a substitution.[8]
That substitution was his betrothed, who still lived on the Surface.[16] He brought her to the Neath,[16] and used the unwitting young woman as a sacrifice in the ritual. The Priestess wed the couple;[17] then she replaced the bride's blood with the canal's waters,[18] and infused this ichor into the aspiring Gonfaloniere's veins, securing his reign indefinitely.[19] The bride, now known as the Swan Bride, was transformed into something inhuman by the ritual.[20] She retained only fragmentary memories of what had happened to her,[21] and was left to wander Jericho. Meanwhile, her would-be husband spun up a cover story[22] and forbade anyone from interacting with her,[23] ensuring she would be a hated outcast for as long as he reigned.
References
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