“Red ribbon that messengers are oddly fond of.
The thick, pungent red was drawn from the organs of some unfortunate victim.
A strange choice indeed, but perhaps for the messengers, wearing this accessory constitutes
a form of mourning.”
“What’s up guys, I’m Dave Klein, and welcome to Yharnam Tales. In this tale, we’ll
be exploring the tragic life of Father Gascoigne.” (Playing music box in the background).
Father Gascoigne came to Yharnam from a foreign land where he earned the title of “Father”.
“”Father” is a title used for clerics in a foreign land, and there is no such rank
in the healing church.”
At some point, though, “Father” Gascoigne made the trek to Yharnam. For what reason
is unclear, but like most others, he was probably inflicted with a curse and came in search
of Yharnam’s healing blood.
Like other foreigners who receive blood transfusions upon trekking into Yharnam, Father Gascoigne
became a hunter and became friends with another hunter by the name of Henryk. “The taciturn
old hunter Henryk was once partners with Father Gascoigne, and though they were a fierce and
gallant duo, their partnership led to Henryk’s tragically long life.”
This was likely due to Gascoigne eventually joining Yharnam’s very own church, the Healing
Church.
“As you know, the Healing Church is the foundation of blood healing. Well, I’m a
simple hunter, quite unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the institution. But I have heard
that the holy medium of blood healing is venerated in the main cathedral. And that councilors
of the old church reside in the high stratum of the Cathedral Ward. If you seek blood healing,
and the church is willing, you should pay them a visit.”
It’s likely this blood of the healing church was something Gascoigne not only partook in,
but also shared with his former colleague, Henryk – leading to Henryk’s longer than
average life.
At some point, however, Father Gascoigne decided to leave the church. [His]
“Dingy scarf [] a Holy Shawl and symbol of the Healing Church, from which Gascoigne
would eventually part ways.”
Perhaps, as he moved up the echelon of the church, he decided that he disagreed with
the church’s teachings. Or perhaps, it was in order to pursue another, more personal
avenue…
“A small music box received from a young Yharnam girl. Plays a song shared by her mother
and father. Inside the lid is a small scrap of paper, perhaps an old message. Two names
can be made out, however faintly. Viola and Gascoigne.”
Gascoigne met Viola, a woman he would fall in love with and gift a Red Jeweled Brooch.
“A woman’s bright-red brooch, engraved with the name Viola. Perhaps the jewel is
a gift from a hunter.” Eventually, he and Viola wed and had two daughters and together,
they began raising a family. However, as the night of the hunt drew nigh, problems began
to surface.
(Daughters dialogue 1)
Like the other Yharnamites, Father Gascoigne slowly began losing himself. And it seems,
his dealings with the church and partaking in their blood, as a member of the church
would, didn’t help.
“Ludwig was the first of many Healing Church hunters to come, many of Whom were clerics.
As it was, clerics transformed into the most hideous beasts.”
As the hunt and night draw on, Father Gascoigne begins to go through another episode… and
he and Viola head to a familiar place, the Oedon Cathedral, likely to help Gascoigne
remember himself. They leave their daughters at home, again, likely to keep them away as
he goes through his episode. But… this time… things are different… and in their rush
to get Gascoigne away from the kids… Viola forgets her music box.
(Cutscene of Father Gascoigne)
Without the Music Box, Viola is helpless as Gascoigne once again begins to transform into
a beast.
“…What’s that smell? The sweet blood, oh, it sings to me. It’s enough to make
a man sick…”
Like the other church members who partook in the Healing Church’s blood, Gascoigne
transforms into a hideous beast seeking blood. And why not… for the Healing Church Gascoigne
was a member of… were believers in the Great One Oedon. “Human or no, the oozing blood
is a medium of the highest grade, and the essence of the formless Great One, Oedon.
Both Oedon, and his inadvertent worshippers, surreptitiously seek the precious blood.”
He tears apart all inhabitants who cross his way, in a frenzy for more and more blood.
His clothing, “tainted by a pungeant beastly stench that eats away at Gascoigne.” And,
in the end, completely loses himself to the curse, transforming entirely into a beast
until he’s finally put down…
(Eileen dialogue)
But, it’s all too late… the damage has been done. Viola… murdered by her own husband
is found dead atop a roof in the Oedon cemetery.
(Daughters dialogue 2)
With Father Gascoigne and Viola gone, their children are left orphans. Henryk seeks vengeance,
and attacks the hunter who killed his former partner. Meanwhile, depending on what the
hunter tells Gascoigne’s daughter, she leaves either in search of her parents or in search
of a safe place…
(Daughters dialogue 3)
Only to come across a maneater boar…
Between all of the misfortune, Gascoigne is survived only by his second daughter… who
too begins to be affected by the Blood Moon and goes insane.
(Daughter dialoge 3)
In her insanity, she eventually falls from a ladder to her own demise.
“White ribbon that messengers are oddly fond of.
A ribbon made of fine lace that shines remarkably, more suited to pretty young girls than silly
old messengers.”
And with that… Gascoigne, a once active member of a foreign clergy inflicted by a
curse lost everything.
Alright guys, that wraps up this Yharnam Tale on Father Gascoigne. I hope you enjoyed my
first Bloodborne Lore video, and if you did, make sure to keep checking back on my channel
for more Bloodborne Lore. Also, there’s an active community making Bloodborne videos,
and I highly recommend supporting everyone involved. Until then, I have an entire series
on Dark Souls 1 & 2 lore, and if you’re looking for something a little more light-hearted,
check out my super shows. I put a lot of work into them, and hope you’ll enjoy. Alright,
I’ll see you guys next time. Happy hunting.