Rufus Geldenleaf
Rufus Geldenleaf (a.k.a. Raggedy Man)
This information is exclusive to those who have crossed the Infinite Line. Speaking of the knowledge herein will trigger interference from the Monad, or his Other Side equivalent. Proceed with caution.
Rufus Geldenleaf is a member of the Creator Gods, with domain over the aspect of Mind in Tyrnog. While often described as the strongest of the Creators on his side of the Infinity Petal due to its true nature, many Walkers know that his power waxes and wanes during the Entwined Infinities, often rendering him no stronger than a mere mortal. However, none can question his supreme intelligence, with each of his schemes accounting for a dozen different problems, fueled by his knowledge of every Iteration that came before this one.
Rufus, like Jestyr, is unique among his triad in that he himself is one-third a Splinter of another person, combining with the Monad and Maximus Erebus to form the psyche of Baxter Logan. As of the war in the Boneyard that took place in 318 AG, Rufus has fused with his counterparts to create one half of the Godhead, rivaling the strength of Crow without his Groetus moon.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Unlike Vic or Nazima, Rufus' transition from End Day to the next stage of existence is guaranteed, as it is the very event that marks the creation of a new First World in Tyrnog. He is always accompanied by a "canine" figure (typically Kauma Gonjodonque) on his journey backwards, and most often selects Vic to be the scion of Soul in the new world, whereas Nazima becomes the scion of Body. During this time, the entity known as the One God (a false Godhead made of Rufus Geldenleaf and the Centurion) and Rufus Geldenleaf are one and the same, and rule in that form throughout most Iterations' First World.
Vic's article contains pertinent information about the One God up until the Twilight War, where Rufus usually takes a silent role in uniting the warring gods against the horrors to come from across the Mirror. This leads to the creation of Abeir-Toril, which Rufus rules over for some time until he is "beheaded" (the method varies), splitting the planet into two and separating the Centurion from the One God. Of note, this cycle seems to have been broken in the current Iteration (see Thaumaturgy), during which Rufus was beheaded well before the Twilight War in the village of Turin. It is the opinion of the System that this was a calculated move by Rufus, and has led to the many irregularities of this Iteration.
Regardless, Rufus Geldenleaf is born again on Toril millennia later as a mortal (ignorant of his role in the larger cosmos), as the Halfling son of Benjamin Hardheart and Sophia Brittletongue. His adventures with his companion Cylia, Katrina Velder, and Maximus Erebus mark the beginning of the first End Day each Iteration (where the two infinities touch), and create a warp in time so significant that the aftermath spawns subgradients of the current reality — this includes David Bastion's journey that leads to the creation myth of the Centurion, David's journey that leads to his status as a Dark Walker, the tales of the Ashen and Scourge, and a path so terrible that none who have witnessed it in the Akashic Record who have survived with their mind intact. It is the opinion of the System that this is Nyarlathotep's entry point into the Infinity Petal.
After the time break at End Day collapses into the next infinity (specifically the one containing Golarion), Rufus the mortal is often given a curated list decisions without the full context of his existence, the availability of each choice decided by his former divine self ages past. While generally choosing to take up the mantle of the Lost Prince or Ng the Hooded, the current Iteration is unique in that Rufus chose exile himself the Void, unmaking his essence and spreading it across the realms.
While this worked for countless Void years, the prolific usage of Blood of the First Vein (which always returns to Rufus when used) during the adventures of the Knights of Dawn and the Zodiac Braves forced a divine vessel of Rufus to reform, which was cared for by the Centurion and later returned to the Material Plane. It is the opinion of the System that the Centurion manipulated events in the Mirror of Azlant to create this outcome, and was aided by accomplices that allowed Asmodeus to later threaten the realms.
This string of events led to the unnatural death of Oliver Lyons, a regular informant and guide of the Dream Team, but conformed to the standard pattern in that Rufus' confrontation with the gods resulted in the Gap (seen partially in A White Bone Mask / Pain and Screams).
Rufus was first seen by the Dream Team in 317 AG (see It Won't Be Long - Season 1), the vision implying the beginning of a plot, and again in another vision (see It Won't Be Long - Season 3) just before the crew first logged into G.O.L.A.R.I.O.N.. This plot was later foiled directly by Caesura (see Why?) and indirectly by the Dream Team's lack of participation in the game due to several distractions. It is the opinion of the System that these distractions were manufactured by the Cult of the Elder Mythos to create the current timeline.
Rufus was seen in a manifestation of the Barrow Garden during Isra's temporary mantling of Sara No-Name (see S7E6: "Barrow or Bust") through Styx's mortal form. There he pushed the party towards the Battle of Great Shadar, leading to the collapse of the Other Side and the summoning of the next End Day. It is the opinion of the System that this was the intended result of Rufus' plan, although slightly modified by the meddling of Wynrey, leading to the Dream Team's survival.
The final sighting of Rufus Geldenleaf separate from his other aspects took place at the end of the final conflict at the Scoured Stars, where the Dream Team discovered the Monad and broke the prison that separated him from the aspect of Mind. It is the opinion of the System that the crew was pushed to this outcome by Sara No-Name, although her plot to kill them was thwarted by the divinity of Desna and aid from Valentina Terris.
After the party escaped, later visions from the Dreamlands (see Amalgam and It Won't Be Long - Season 10) confirmed that Rufus had begun to transition into the form of Bast.
Divine Classification
Species
Realm
Currently Held Titles
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Brown/Green/Blue (Changes)
Hair
Golden Yellow
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White
Height
3'6"
Weight
45 lbs.
Aligned Organization
Comments