The Gonfaloniere
"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[edit | edit source]
"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 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]
Appearance and Personality[edit | edit source]
"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[edit | edit source]
"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]
References[edit | edit source]
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