The Gonfaloniere: Difference between revisions
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==Ruler of the Rivers== | ==Ruler of the Rivers== | ||
<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> | <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> | ||
[[File:Maskguild.png|alt=A silver half-mask.|thumb|A [[The Guild of Gondoliers| | [[File:Maskguild.png|alt=A silver half-mask.|thumb|A [[The Guild of Gondoliers|Guildmember]]'s mask.]] | ||
The Gonfaloniere is the leader of the [[Guild of Gondoliers]] who ply the waters of [[Jericho Locks]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_Gonfaloniere|Ask about the Gonfaloniere|Fallen London|}} ''"The head of the Guild of Gondoliers [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Jericho_Locks:_The_Lockside|Jericho Locks: The Lockside|Fallen London|}} ''"Jericho Locks is home to its Guild of Gondoliers [...]"''</ref> The title is traditionally selected and challenged for<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. [...]"''</ref> via a boat race to [[Hell]] and back.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_Gonfaloniere|Ask about the Gonfaloniere|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] only one way of becoming Gonfalionere. [...] a boat race. [...] fast on the waters [...] all the way to Hell – and back."''</ref> If challenged, a defeated Gonfaloniere would be condemned to Hell, while the victor would claim their title.<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> This practice became much less common recently after a string of short-lived terms.<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> | The Gonfaloniere is the leader of the [[Guild of Gondoliers]] who ply the waters of [[Jericho Locks]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_Gonfaloniere|Ask about the Gonfaloniere|Fallen London|}} ''"The head of the Guild of Gondoliers [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Jericho_Locks:_The_Lockside|Jericho Locks: The Lockside|Fallen London|}} ''"Jericho Locks is home to its Guild of Gondoliers [...]"''</ref> The title is traditionally selected and challenged for<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. [...]"''</ref> via a boat race to [[Hell]] and back.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_Gonfaloniere|Ask about the Gonfaloniere|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] only one way of becoming Gonfalionere. [...] a boat race. [...] fast on the waters [...] all the way to Hell – and back."''</ref> If challenged, a defeated Gonfaloniere would be condemned to Hell, while the victor would claim their title.<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> This practice became much less common recently after a string of short-lived terms.<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> | ||
Revision as of 13:51, 2 April 2023
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"The Gonfaloniere of the Guild of Gondoliers has taken up residence in one of your own carriages: first class. He sits with his golden cane against the black of his trouser leg, and a pipe placed on the golden lips of his serene mask."[1]
The Gonfaloniere is the leader of the Guild of Gondoliers.
Ruler of the Rivers
"The head of the Guild of Gondoliers, the one who wears the golden mask."[2]

The Gonfaloniere is the leader of the Guild of Gondoliers who ply the waters of Jericho Locks.[3][4] The title is traditionally selected and challenged for[5] via a boat race to Hell and back.[6] If challenged, a defeated Gonfaloniere would be condemned to Hell, while the victor would claim their title.[7] This practice became much less common recently after a string of short-lived terms.[8]
At least one Gonfaloniere was known to be a prolific explorer of Jericho's canals, but their spotty leadership led to frequent challenges.[9] Gonfaloniere typically retire after a while, but the current one held the position for fifty years,[10] an abnormally long time.[11]
Appearance and Personality
"She is a relic; a forgotten tradition. I have shown mercy enough letting her linger here like miasma off the canals. I have worked hard to modernise the Guild. I would hate to see my work wasted. Of course, I now have your word that you will do no such thing."[1]
The current Gonfaloniere wears a golden mask to denote his authority,[12] along with a sable cloak[13] and golden cane.[14] Behind his mask he has green eyes[15] and pale skin, lined with poisonous green veins.[16]
The Gonfaloniere is personable and authoritative,[17] but his reasonable demeanor conceals a dangerous cunning and manipulative streak.[18]
The Reign of the Gonfaloniere
"The Poisoned Priestess speaks of a doubtful husband-to-be, who knew his time was short and his ambition great. The husband was the most skilled bargeman on the waters: the time for his title was no doubt upon him. But he knew the cost of the title and the price owed to Hell when it was lost."[1]
"He spoke to the Lotus Pool, and the Pool answered. Blood for water."[1]

Before the current Gonfaloniere assumed his role, he was a member of the Guild of Gondoliers and renowned for his aptitude. He was an obvious candidate for leadership, but he knew the risks if his skill rusted over time. Thus, he ventured far and wide for a way to secure his title forever,[19] and found his answer in the Lotus Pool of the Sere Palace and its inhabitant, the Poisoned Priestess.[20] The Priestess offered to replace his blood with the canal's waters to become unbeatable, but this was too high a price,[21] so he manipulated the Priestess into allowing a stand-in.[22]

This proxy was his betrothed, the Swan Bride, whom he brought down to the Neath.[23] The Priestess wed the couple,[24] then replaced the Bride's blood with the canal's waters,[25] infusing a sample of this ichor into the Gonfaloniere to grant him his wish.[26][27] For her part, the Swan Bride retained only fragmentary memories of what happened to her,[28] and was condemned to wander Jericho alone.[29] Meanwhile, her husband spun up a cover story[30] and forbade the Guild from interacting with her,[31] ensuring she would remain a hated outcast for as long as he ruled.[32]
References
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