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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, 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 over time, after a string of brief reigns.[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] Gonfalonieres typically retire in their old age, but extraordinarily, the current one has held his position for the last fifty years.[10][11]
"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 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 senior member of the Guild of Gondoliers who was renowned for his aptitude. He was an obvious candidate for leadership, but he knew the risks if his skill waned with age. 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 make him 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]
↑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. [...]"
↑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."
↑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."
↑The Poisoner's Library, Fallen London"A [...] tome [...] explores the early Gonfaloniere whose wanderings [...] extended the network around Jericho, [...] whose absences [...] misguided leadership encouraged challenges [...] with zealous frequency."
↑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."
↑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."
↑The Poisoner's Library, Fallen London"[...] he found the answer [...] "He spoke to the Lotus Pool, and the Pool answered. [...] The Poisoned Priestess. [...]"
↑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. [...]"
↑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. [...]"
↑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. [...]"
↑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.'"
