Jergi

Jergi
Jergi, from Ultima VII
Species:	human
Appearances
Ultima VII Location: Minoc

Jergi is the "king of the gypsies" who is encamed with his kumpania outside of Minoc during Ultima VII.

Description

Shocked by the violent mutilation killings of his sister-in-law, Tania, and his brother, Frederico, Jergi was in deep mourning at the time of the Avatar's travels through Minoc. Burdened now with the unexpected mantle of leadership he had inherited from his sibling, the somber man despaired over the fate of his people, who had long suffered the prejudices of Sosarian and later Britannian ignorance. Fearing that the Britannian gypsies were a dying race, Jergi feared the further persecution of the Minoxian people, and was resigned to the fact that his company may soon have to leave the City of Sacrifice.

If asked more about his slain relatives, Jergi would nostalgically reveal that he had courted the beautiful Tania, and that for a long time he had secretly carried a torch for her, even after she had wed his brother. It was only after marrying the beautiful Margareta in the past year that he claimed his broken heart had been mended. He spoke with anxiety over his former beloved's now orphaned son, Sasha, who was torn in his loyalties due to his alliance with the Fellowship. While Jergi claimed no personal opinion of the philosophical organization, he indicated that ultimately Sasha would have to choose between it and his people.

While Jergi's final decision as to whether or not to leave Minoc was never revealed, the presence, in later years the Britannian gypsies could still be found near this area in large numbers, implying that the heavy-hearted man may ultimately have bade his people settle there.

Lore

“

We also have a band of Gypsies. Though I find them more than friendly, some say that their reputation must spring from some seed of truth. Were they truly the thieves others claim, I would not object to seeing them make a hasty departure to some other city - Buccaneer's Den, perhaps. However, I, myself, have yet to see any evidence that a Gypsy performs any more harm than the next man. – from Key to the Black Gate (Ultima VII)

Trivia

• In reality, the historical title of "King of the Gypsies" was a claim with different ramifications depending on regional and cultural norms. It was certainly not uncommon for the title to be claimed by multiple persons. In several instances it seemed to be taken purely as a means of stabilizing relations with antiziganist gaje, who could use the "King" as a scapegoat rather than punishing Romani communities as a whole for individual slights. In actuality, most Romani groups have no cultural notion of kings or inherited rulers.