"There are some things we were not meant to know, they say. But you wouldn't be down here if you took that seriously."
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"...the Good Book, as we are continually discovering here in the Neath, painted a few details with a broad brush. And one doesn't become a Bishop without learning to find new meanings in Scripture. Even God wears a mask. Sometimes, we must look behind it for the truth."[1]
The Bishop of St. Fiacre's is a Church official who presides over St. Fiacre's Cathedral in London.
The Reluctant Cousin[]
"Oh, it might seem very carefree, prowling London, pulling the faces off anyone you fancy. But changing one's habits from week to week? Endlessly leaping out of windows to avoid the Constables? And the only place to find wax, here, is in candles."[2]
As a clergyman, the Bishop preaches that "God always forgives."[3] More reflective and nostalgic than charismatic[4] and a man of many contradictions,[5] the Bishop keeps no shortage of secrets and spends plenty of time in solitude.[6] His beliefs are frequently unorthodox,[7] although a constant among them is the aforementioned conviction that all may be redeemed;[8] his Anglican faith is simply one of the lenses through which he portrays his beliefs.[7] He admits to sometimes envying the dead,[6] and views Death itself as "our greatest ally" and not something to be feared.[9]
The Bishop is not human, but a Snuffer.[10] He resents his origins, having followed the path of Christianity in order to better fit in among humans,[11] and chooses to only take faces from the dead and the willing.[10] Like the rest of his kind, however, he is engaged in a long-term search for the Garden;[12] this pursuit has led him to become a noted member of the Dilmun Club, where he once worked closely with the Youthful Naturalist.[13]
As a player of the Marvellous, the Bishop has formed an alliance with his fellow player, the Boatman,[14][15] and made a deal with him to escape temporary death.[16] This in turn led him to negotiations with the Boatman's "kin,"[17]December of the Calendar Council, who also has goals involving the Garden.[18] The Bishop's desire to become something other than a Snuffer has also led him to an interest in the Prison of Flint[19] and its chaotic life-essences[20] - although this conflicts with his sincere wish to return home with his people to the Garden.[21]
While we use the term "Snuffer" here for clarity, the Bishop considers the term to be offensive, and prefers his kind to be called "Cousins."[22] He has a sister, the Woman in Yellow, with whom he has a turbulent relationship.[23] She resents that he has converted to Christianity, and mistrusts his plans for their species' return to the Garden.[24]
↑The Bones of St Fiacre's, Fallen London"His Grace leads you through hidden galleries, into deep catacombs, lighting foxfire candles with a flame on a long-handled wick. [...] Entire generations crowd the walls, crammed into vaults. [...] "I often come here to pray for the dead. They deserve God's blessing too.""
↑Flint, Fallen London"I am a man without a face, but I have many faces. I am a man who has neither mother nor motherland. I believe in forgiveness, but I cannot receive it. I like jam, and I dislike crumpets. But I adore candles."
↑ 6.06.1Speak with the Bishop of St Fiacre's (Loyalties 2), Fallen London"Sometimes I envy these bones. No more decisions to make. No more pleasure, but no more pain either. They never lie or deceive. Death makes even the worst criminals honest. I can speak freely when I'm around them, without having to worry about treachery. Without betrayal waiting in the wings."
↑ 7.07.1Flint, Fallen London"I have some quite heterodox beliefs. I take care to ensure these beliefs are not visible in the pulpit, or in the newspapers. I believe in God; in fact, I believe in several. I believe in salvation, or at least in digestion. And I believe in hope. Hope is not necessarily fashionable."
↑Flint, Fallen London"I believe in redemption; or, at least, in redaction. The universe is not a kindly place. We subsist in a fragile shadow – a transient refuge from the gaze of the heavens [...] I hope that the Bazaar can be redeemed – and the power which it serves. And if they can see their mistakes erased, then surely the rest of us can too? The heavens are not merciful. But we are free, down here. I believe that we can manufacture our own mercy.""
↑Ask about the Bishop's alliances, Fallen London"We all wear masks. False faces to cover the truth. Life itself is a mask, and the face it covers is Death. When the flesh falls away, Death remains. [...] Death is our greatest ally. More cunning than any mortal. More subtle. More generous too. Life is fickle. Brief. Life cheats. But the bones play fair. [...] We must work with Death. Not shamefully hide our faces."
↑ 10.010.1Flint, Fallen London"("You're a Snuffer. A Cousin.") "I am. I trust you'll keep it to yourself. [...] I only borrow my faces from those already dead, or those who choose to surrender them.""
↑Flint, Fallen London"And I am tired. I found the doctrines of your God, but they are not enough. I had hoped to become human, but I cannot. I had hoped to win a soul, but I can only steal it."
↑A word with the Bishop of St Fiacre's, Fallen London""We lost the precise location, long ago," the Bishop whispers. "We remember so little about it. I was there, you know, once... I could tell you such things. But you'll see it soon, I hope. You'll open the way. You have a knack for opening things. When we have its location, you will ensure that... all our needs are satisfied. Yes? You will eat of the fruit of the Garden, too. You have my promise. All shall be well.""
↑Receive certain privileged information, Fallen London""His Lordship and I, every now and again, meet a few friends to play cards," explains the Bishop. "[...]You might know one other member? Thin fellow. Rows a boat. Loves to gamble. Chess is his favourite, but anyone can play chess. The Marvellous is a more exclusive game. [...] Some time ago, the Boatman himself won.""
↑Study the cards on the table (Malleability), Fallen London""If you're seeking immortality, it helps to have Death on your side," the Bishop continues. [...] "Game after game, year after year, I sat across from him at the card table. We got to know each other rather well.""
↑Discuss the Dilmun Club (Loyalties 3), Fallen London"The Bishop has been courting allies [...] You'd never suspect the cafés he visits. His card-playing days introduced him to Death, as you're well aware. But I have it on good authority that he's also negotiating with Death's twin. They've been in contact for some time."
↑Flint, Fallen London"I can, however, hope to be no longer a Snuffer. I will end what I was. I will use these essences you have brought me. I will abandon my self to find a lesser self: but perhaps a better self. Like a new shape found in flint."
↑Ask about the Bishop's own heart's desire, Fallen London"To be forgiven. To be welcomed. To end all these darkened days of wandering. To taste sweet fruit upon my tongue and walk in pastures gold. [...] And I would not walk there alone. I would open the gates, and lay a path so that others could follow, those who knew the signs."
↑Flint, Fallen London"(Ask about the Cousins) He's been at pains to use a politer term than 'Snuffer'. You should, too."
↑Flint, Fallen London"("Do you know anything about a woman in a yellow dress?") "My family has shown an interest. I was afraid of this. I have cut my ties with them, and they work hard to spite me. Especially my sister.""
↑Flint, Fallen London"All the Cousins want to return to the Garden. But I deeply mistrust my brother’s methods. And I cannot abide his disgusting fixation on the Christian faith. But we were always together… we both came half-formed from the same source. I miss him."
