Editing The Ophidian Gentleman

}}<blockquote>''"A staunch ally of the Fingerkings, the Gentleman has interests concerning the Fourth City, the Glass and, of course, the serpents of Parabola."''<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Call_on_the_Ophidian_Gentleman Call on the Ophidian Gentleman, ''Fallen London'']</ref></blockquote>The Ophidian Gentleman is an agent of the [[Fingerkings]]:<ref name=":2">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Parabolan_Panther Parabolan Panther, ''Fallen London''] ''"When you enquire as to the Ophidian Gentleman's identity, your panther flicks her tail. "Once, he was a priest of the Fourth City, and the Curator of the Gallery of Serpents. Now he is a turncoat, and someone I have no desire to meet again." She takes you back to the mirror you entered by."''</ref> a mercurial, haughty,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Ophidian_Gentleman_in_the_Pavilion|The Ophidian Gentleman in the Pavilion|Fallen London|}} ''"He regards you with a fond expression that contains just the slightest hint of amusement. He does not invite your attention, instead, he seems to expect it in due course."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Dismiss_the_Ophidian_Gentleman|Dismiss the Ophidian Gentleman|Fallen London|}} ''"The Ophidian Gentleman gives you a look of quiet disdain. Sighing, he stands from his pile of cushions and begins to gather his things. "Carry on as you are if you like. Though don't feel you need to disappoint me further," he says by way of parting. You get the sense that he doesn't wish to leave."''</ref> and self-serving figure<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_your_Generals|Ask about your Generals|Fallen London|}} ''"The Ophidian Gentleman beams. "Why, always! Set them to your tasks at once! This is precisely what serv— treasured allies are for.""''</ref> who appears to dreamers when least expected,<ref name=":0">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Recruit_the_Ophidian_Gentleman Recruit the Ophidian Gentleman, ''Fallen London''] ''"He doesn't respond to your invitation and appears when you had put all thought of him out of mind. He invites you to share his hookah pipe; it helps sharpen his mind, he claims. Almost immediately, he occludes your Pavilion with colourful smoke."''</ref> offering inspiration in whispered deals. Many a bohemian owes their good fortunes to his influence.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_an_invitation Accept an invitation, ''Fallen London''] ''"It is from the 'friend' who made so many artists great. He wishes to meet you."''</ref><ref>''[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_an_invitation Accept an invitation, Fallen London] "The Ophidian Gentleman shakes your hand. [...] He smiles, delighted to meet you. He has been observing you – your work, of course. Your work! – for a long time. [...] But he can still give you more: insight into dreams, whenever you wish. It'll be on your desk when you wake."''</ref> He appears as a bald man,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Gallery_of_Serpents_(7_FATE) A Gallery of Serpents (7 FATE), ''Fallen London''] ''"He is bald like an egg"''</ref> but looks just a bit ''off,'' with his long,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Masque_in_the_Marshes A Masque in the Marshes, ''Fallen London''] ''"They see […] peculiar things through the bindings of Parabola-linen. […] All agree it was […] worth the journey out to Bugsby's Marsh. […] You do not speak of the thirteenth guest you saw: a long-necked gentleman, […] who watched from the party's edge […]"''</ref> sinuous neck<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Shed_your_skin|Shed your skin|Fallen London|}} ''"The serpent-coils wind hypnotically above. The Ophidian Gentleman nods, once, his neck uncannily flexible."''</ref> and a smile with too many yellowed<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Betray_the_Genial_Magician%27s_Trust Betray the Genial Magician's trust, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Ophidian Gentleman smiles. You can count his yellowed teeth."''</ref> teeth.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_massive_snake_in_the_Dome_of_Scales Ask about the massive snake in the Dome of Scales, ''Fallen London''] ''"I have not had the pleasure. Introduce me, will you?" The Ophidian Gentleman smiles with his many teeth. "On second thought, best not. There are many powers in Parabola, and few of them are tamed. Don't look for history where there is only myth."''</ref> He is always impeccably dressed in a cream suit,<ref>''[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Parabolan_Panther Parabolan Panther, Fallen London] "A coracle drifts across the lake. The Gentleman in it wears a neat cream suit and an avid expression. He raises a hand to catch your panther’s attention. She bares her teeth. The waters around the coracle froth with wriggling eels."''</ref> paired with a red-, black-, and yellow-striped tie (the colors of a Fingerking's stripes).<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Gallery_of_Serpents_(7_FATE) A Gallery of Serpents (7 FATE), ''Fallen London''] ''"He adjusts his cuffs. His tie – gamely striped in red, black, and yellow – stirs sinuously about his collar, neatening its knot."''</ref>

<blockquote>''"I should like to pretend that it was altruism that compelled me. But, if I am entirely honest, I just wanted the Satrap's gifts for myself alone."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Enshrinement_of_Waters|The Enshrinement of Waters|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>Centuries ago, the Ophidian Gentleman was a [[Fourth City]] priest who served as Curator of the Gallery of Serpents<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Gallery_of_Serpents_(7_FATE) A Gallery of Serpents (7 FATE), ''Fallen London''] ''"The Gentleman commends your decency. The serpent door exists here, too, in your dreams. It opens for him. "Your Lost Majesties, I bring tidings and solace from the Castle of Forests..." The door closes behind him. You wake up."''</ref> and assisted in the city's imprisonment of the Fingerkings.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Hollow_Triptych The Hollow Triptych, ''Fallen London''] ''"Speaking personally, we thank you. We are bound to follow certain rules – both by our old masters in the Fourth, and our new behind the glass. Our direct interference in another's bargain was not permitted. And yet we greatly regret our involvement in the construction of that Entanglement. You have extricated us from a significant quandary." The Ophidian Gentleman performs an elaborate formal bow. "We wish you pleasant dreams."''</ref> He was tempted to betray his former cause, and now serves the beings he once held captive.<ref name=":2" /> At some point after his alliance with the Fingerkings, he went on pilgrimage with a group<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Comply Comply, ''Fallen London''] ''"In the old days there would have been twelve of us, but alas this fallen age."''</ref> that would enter the service of the powerful Satrap of Shallows,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Approach_the_fountain|Approach the fountain|Fallen London|}} ''"The Gentleman follows your gaze and sighs. "That was the past. When many of us neophytes would make pilgrimage to the Satrap of Shallows. We would do obeisance here, and then enter into her lustrous service.""''</ref> but in an apparent double-crossing, he convinced his fellow neophytes to abandon the path<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Approach_the_fountain|Approach the fountain|Fallen London|}} ''"I was part of the last group. The others were from my temple. I convinced them to leave the pilgrim road before we reached here. I can be quite convincing when I wish to be." The humour in his tone does not reach his smile. "I entered alone."''</ref> so that he could claim the Satrap's gifts for himself.<ref name=":3">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Enshrinement_of_Waters The Enshrinement of Waters, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Ophidian Gentleman sighs, a long, rich exhalation. "I should like to pretend that it was altruism that compelled me. But, if I am entirely honest, I just wanted the Satrap's gifts for myself alone. [...] The punishment was unpleasant. But also a gift, in its way. I was to take the place of the other eleven. Over and again I would be renewed. And should I wish to end my debt early, well. I must find others. Personages of a superior quality to a mere Fourth City novice.""''</ref> The Gentleman claims he has been alone in future journeys since the Fourth City was destroyed,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_other_pilgrims Ask about the other pilgrims, ''Fallen London''] '''''"'''The Gentleman frowns. "Cowardice, mostly. I have tried to entice others to come since the Fourth City neophytes fell to lacre or roses or the call of the zee. I have made bargains and offered gifts, secured debts and promises – but none have had the courage to share these trials." He smiles. "You are the first to witness this pilgrim way in many long years.""''</ref> but in fact he was cursed by the enraged Satrap to stand in place of the eleven he turned away, renewing himself again and again until his debt was repaid — or until he found another to take his place.<ref name=":3" /> Even with the Satraps long gone, his duty remains, and he waits sorrowfully for their return.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Follow_the_Gentleman Follow the Gentleman, ''Fallen London''] ''"Beyond, you find the Gentleman, kneeling before a great altar. The icons of throned Fingerkings are arrayed around it, displayed in majesty. The thrones themselves, however, are empty. There is nothing here but for the Gentleman, the knife and the oils he has displayed around him. [...] The Gentleman, now suppler, tauter, brighter-eyed, nods his thanks. "One day they will return," he says by way of explanation. "And it would not do to have accrued interest in that time." His expression invites no further comment. He makes no move towards your own skin. He leads you from the temple in silence. His tears are washed away in the mists."''</ref>