#Terzo lore

[namelessdumbass]

Friendly reminder that Meliora, the name of Terzo's album, means "Towards Better Things” 🥲

notes / thoughts on Terzo's characterization (Terzo is so disappointed and depressed and i love him)

a few weeks ago i saw this post from slavghoul which has snippets of TF describing the Papas. it includes this quote:

“He represents this frustrated old guy who hates everyone, especially himself. But despite his wounds and his darkness, he has a sense of humour and is endearing, like most of my heroes. The late actor Christopher Lee was an inspiration to me. In many ways, he is Papa.” (Metallian 7/2015)

i thought this quote was really interesting because i'd never seen anyone talking about that side of Terzo before. Terzo hating "everyone, especially himself" felt at odds with the charming personality he typically displayed. i wanted to know how that developed and where his "wounds and darkness" came from. so i did some digging for quotes on Terzo's history and characterization. here are my notes + thoughts:

something that came up again and again in my research is that he is actually quite antisocial when he's not performing. it seems like he didn't want people to know anything about him past his stage persona.

TOUR MANAGER: No one in the crew really gets to see or speak to Papa, ever. Only Anna and myself have access. He is not in the building and then he'll just be there, just for show time. The only thing you really need to know about Papa is what you see of him on stage. Ghost - The Devil's Hands (Documentary) (2017)

he almost never interacted with any of the nameless ghouls or the tour crew. in fact, he really went out of his way to avoid them. he traveled separately, would appear right before the start of a show, and then he would disappear as soon as it ended. in "The Devil's Hands", it showed they sometimes had trouble locating him when he was needed.

With this new era, can you introduce Papa Emeritus III? NAMELESS GHOUL: I don't know him very well yet. We haven't really done our mileage with him, so I am sure that we will find out. But he seems nice. He seems okay. Obviously, he's very close relatives with Papa number two, who was a little bit of a hmm. I'm sure that he isn't like, completely different, but we'll find out. He's a bit of a recluse, and he sort of travels on his own. And he sort of appears when we're due onstage and then he disappears when we're offstage. So yeah, I guess we have a little bit of a social disconnect there, but I don't see a big problem with that. I mean he seems to be doing well on his own, and I don't know if he has a little harem somewhere that occupies his time offstage, I guess. I'm assuming that. Loud TV (July 2015)

INTERVIEWER: How has it been working with the third Papa? How is he fitting into the group? NAMELESS GHOUL: We like him, actually. He seems to be quite nice. Obviously, we haven't really done our "miles" with him yet, so we don't know him that well. And he doesn't travel with us- he sort of goes separately everywhere, and he appears just before the show and then he just disappears. So we haven't really had the time to sort of fully get to know him. But overall, he seems quite a joyful chap. Metal Injection (September 2015)

predictably, his bandmates did not know him very well. but they always remarked that they liked him and that he seemed like a nice, chill guy. (they also assumed he had a harem that he spent time with when he wasn't performing, which is probably not true, considering how much effort he put into avoiding people whenever possible.)

NAMELESS GHOUL: We don't really socialize with Papa, so… But he seems nice! But he's very occupied in his harem. [...] He's a little bit cooler. He seems to be the nicer of the two brothers --I don't know if there are two-- but he seems to have, I don't know, a kinder mother, probably, or something that makes him slightly.. INTERVIEWER: A little different. NAMELESS GHOUL: Yeah, he's a little bit different. AMBY (October 2015)

i don't think his charming, pleasant demeanor was just an act, though. i think it did come from a genuine part of himself... he wasn't always an antisocial recluse.

before he became Papa, he was a cardinal in Krakow, Poland. Bishop Necropolitus Cracoviensis (the character representing Zbigniew Bielak, the artist who does the album art for Ghost) characterized younger Terzo as having enthusiasm in all his endeavors. he was always a very devoted member of the clergy who had big dreams of progress and modernization for the Ministry and the world. he had a strong interest in Futurist art and philosophy.

Bp. Necropolitus Cracoviensis remembers: "...our relationship goes a long way back to the times before his papacy, that is when he was still a cardinal in my hometown, in Cracovia...(...) Although we had our share of juvenile recklessness - be it indulging his beloved cream pies - allegedly verging on six hundred sixty six portions a year but that must be a rumor I believe, or wild parties at the attic of seminary school (laughs) - even in his formative years, he remained a focused man of vision, looking far into the future, always addressing his people's needs and longings to keep our church together in those turbulent, rapidly changing times (...) there were so many temptations to syndicate among our good people (...) (...) We would sit down to studying exciting Futurist manifestos, sketched the blueprints of utopian metropoles, spiked with shiny skyscrapers stabbing at the heavens belly... Wantonly swollen zeppelins would to carry our gospel of indulgence to the farthest corners of the globe to summon and enslave. (...) Forged in nostalgia of steam and fire, this brave new world of ambition, vice, lust and greed - all so inherent to the enlightened modernity, was always with him through all these years. And it is now - when our church continues to grow stronger and wealthier under wise reign of Papa Emeritus III - that these visions may finally be witnessed and embraced in the preachings of 'Meliora' - his most contemporary and humane Encyclical." (https://www.facebook.com/thebandghost/posts/994031900615606)

those core values of ambition, vice, lust, and greed stayed with him when he became Papa. though he had a revolutionary spirit, he's actually described as "less rebellious" in Metal Myths. Terzo took his job as Papa very seriously, and he cared about being successful and achieving his goals. while he and Secondo certainly had vice, lust, and greed in common, it was Terzo's ambition that truly set him apart.

"It felt like the goal was to take Papa II's sense of modernity and remove the recklessness." Metal Myths: Ghost Pt. 2 (April 2022)

How would you describe the personality of Papa Emeritus III compared to his predecessors? NAMELESS GHOUL: "First of all, Papa Emeritus III is an entertainer! He loves projectors, he loves the public, and he loves success. The first Papa Emeritus was someone very rigid, very strict, and very solemn. A real son of a bitch! (laughs) To be honest, we don’t miss him at all! Papa Emeritus II was a pervert a little bit sadistic, and, in hindsight, I think he wasn’t very at ease on stage. He wasn’t a showman, unlike Papa Emeritus III! Him, he’s the guide we missed to rise up the quality of our shows, to reach the step above and communicate with our fans." (MyRock #44 (2017) translated from French by @ a-wandering-ghoulette)

unfortunately, his ambition eventually led him to become disillusioned and depressed.

Terzo looked forward to becoming Papa. he worked so hard for it his whole life, only to be confronted with the realization that his time as Papa --and therefore his achievements-- would be limited.

he was a nice guy, but he was also was egotistical. he was a showman and an intellectual, and he thought very highly of himself.

NAMELESS GHOUL: He's a little bit more chill. But obviously, all the Papas are definitely pompous assholes. INTERVIEWER: That's part of the job. SPECIAL GHOUL: That's one of the criterias, the prerequisites, that you have to be this sort of flamboyant diva, know-all, show-off. Metal Injection (September 2015)

his self-hatred came from his inability to be the person he wanted to be. it's not that he felt like he couldn't measure up, it's that he felt like he wasn't allowed to express his full potential. Terzo's mindset was "i know i'm good enough. and i could prove it if they would just let me." but he wasn't really in charge, and his vision was at odds with the goals of Sister Imperator.

Terzo felt so stifled, it makes sense that he became a "frustrated old guy who hates everyone, especially himself."

and i think this is the reason for the paradox of him having a kind, charming personality onstage and being unsociable offstage. he still gave it his all. he did the best he could with the time and resources he was allowed. that zealous man of the people was still in there somewhere. but he felt betrayed by the clergy, the organization he dedicated his life to. his career ended up being unfulfilling and he was ultimately really bitter about the way things turned out.

he was good. he never got to be great.

[blackbird5154]

In this Meliora era interview, Tobias suggests that Terzo has a nicer personality than Secondo because he had a better mother.

I like to imagine that Terzo had a caring and supportive mother who instilled in him good manners and respect for women. He is definitely the more empathic of the two brothers, maybe due to this. I also like to think that he became responsible and inclined to protect the weak because he was the only male around his mother, whom he cared for.

I also found this post on the official Instagram. Whoever this woman was (Tobias' mother?), she was very proud of her son.

[zzoupz]

I'm not saying I've been lurking. but well I've been lurking,

[wehavekookies]

Started a Tactician playthrough with a more hexblood flavoured cursed boy Vic, first impressions so far being like.

[astro-gh0ul]

I made Copia and Terzo dolls, and I woke up this morning to find that Copia pushed over Terzo during the night.

[ominouscrypt]

his father's father's father's father-

you get it :)

Anyhow - I haven't drawn anything in a few months (mostly due to work and a hand injury. I feel like I've lost my "touch"? I'm figuring it out, though <3 )

Let me know what you think. Thank you kindly.

[styona]

In chapter 9 Copia says he's got a strong jaw (holy shit, why do I remember not only the exact number of the chapter, but the actual lines🤦‍♀🤦‍♀🤦‍♀), I mean, honeypie, have you even seen this shit? (the cheekbones... don't even get me started)

[max-uhhhh-talks]

A re...re-do of the Ghost timeline...

☆ Primo born about 1930s (stated in wiki)

- Nihil AT LEAST in his 20s, technically

☆ Secondo+Terzo born about 1950s (stated in wiki)

☆ Dance Macabre mv (date unknown)

☆ Kiss the Go-Goat 1969

- Nihil about in his 50s?

- Primo 39

- Secondo + Terzo 19

☆ Copia born ≈ 1970 (stated in wiki)

- 2023 - 1970 = 53. Copia's abt 53 yrs

☆ 2018 Papas die, Copia is cardinal

- Primo ≈ 88

- Secondo + Terzo ≈ 68

☆ 2020 Nihil dies, Copia is Papa

- 110 IF roughly 20 years at primos birth…

☆ 2023 Sister dies, Copia is Frater Imperator

☆ Nihil says he's “almost 80” in 2023 (RHRN), which would mean he was born in 1943 OR 1940 if he died almost as an 80 year old. However that doesn't match with Primos birth year, as Tobias said he was in his 80s when Secondo and Terzo were in their 60s. So either that or the “almost 80” statement isn't accurate😭

[ghulah]

Papa Emeritus, Terzo and the weight of the Mitre.

Due to popular demand, here is my Terzo analysis. It has been significantly cut down(if you do want the uncut analysis, here) because most of it was bullet points and unhinged notes I made. To be completely transparent, this was inspired by @cityofmeliora's own Terzo analysis post as well as several other analyses which I will be linking (also some headcanon stuff the wifecule had cooked up together lol).

These are all the posts (1 2 3 4 5 ) I used as resources and this compilation of Ghost interviews, as well as the Metal Myths part 2, because that's sort of required viewing at this point, isn't it?

I'll be splitting this analysis up into sections, first are brief descriptions and explanations of my understanding of the different aspects of Terzo - as Papa, as a Cardinal and as himself.

As for my sources, I won't be inserting the direct quotes here(because this post would be the longest ever) and they are all available in the aforementioned links.

Anyway, onwards, Ghesties!

First of all, What is Papa?

This is in reference to Papa, the entity, the image - not the person. Papa is a character, he's a mask, he's a façade. He is an image and an idea and the face of the Clergy. He is everything and he is above all yet he is not. According to mister Ghost-man himself, he is a stereotype, he is someone you know from somewhere and often than not he's old, charismatic, maybe a little bit bitter. He is sort of nebulous, he is a concept.

All whom take up the mantle, the Mitre, live up to this to a certain degree, it's part of the job! It also might be part of the bloodline, but y'know.

In that case, who is Papa Emeritus III?

The character of Papa III, the performer, the leader, the one to show us the way. Papa III is the face of the Ministry, he is a showman, a diva who is perfect for the role of the Satanic Pope who is not only theatrical, but also charismatic and fun and ambitious! He is artistic and outspoken. He knows what he's doing, he loves having a good time - drinks, partying, sex! He encourages it, as long as everyone is safe. He wants to bring about a new age, something to thrive. He will lead us all to damnation!

Papa III cares for his people, he makes sure they are safe and sound even in the midst of the chaos of the Rituals. He is, after all, the messenger that leads the audience through the hero's journey - a guide.

Cardinal Terzo

Let me be clear, this is all derived from Bishop Necropolitus Cracoviensis (who is representative of the album artist Zbigniew Biela) testimonial on Terzo when they were buddies back in Poland.

Cardinal Terzo was a slutty slutty, party man with a revolution in mind. He actually had a lot of visions and ideas to keep the Ministry going and modernizing it. He seemed super, well, locked in. He also likes Futurism, which aligns with his Art Deco and German Expressionism in his box of early 20th century art movements. He saw a future and he wanted to bring it to life, he held the same sins as his brother, Vice, Lust, Greed - but he had Ambition (credit to user cityofmeliora for this epiphany). That's what set it all off. Cardinal Terzo had that joie de vivre.

But who is Terzo?

Terzo Emeritus is a man of many pleasures - it's just those pleasures don't often involve people. He likes early 20th century fashion, he likes early 20th century art movements, he likes theater, he participates in it. He does have a pleasant personality, perfectly charming and joyful and teasing - but, he's not 'on' all the time. Or rather, he might not genuinely feel that way unless something or someone actually interests him. He might not be as slutty as everyone thinks he is. He moves like a fucking cryptid when he isn't performing, which is even funnier considering how open he seems to act. He wanted to do so much as Papa, he cared a lot. He had so many ideas, he wanted to take care of his flock and wanted to spread his ideas and cement the Ministry as a real power by opposing all those mindsets that keep holding society back. He was a revolutionary taken out too soon for another agenda at play, which is his true tragedy.

If anything, his charming Papa persona is what draws people in - but it's untouchable, because it's an idea, a face he puts on. Terzo is most likely the mellow, a toned down version of that face. Secondo influenced him, not enough for him to be exactly like him, though, so.

On a very real level - he's sort of like that 'when your circle small but y'all are crazy' meme. He has only a few people who are truly close to him and know what he wants and who he is while everyone else is on the outside looking in. He seems to keep people at bay, even the ones he approaches first. It's the people who either stick around and play along long enough to catch all his little ticks or the ones who saw through it all in the first place who get close to him.

That self hatred and hatred of everyone came a little later, when everything started to not fit into place anymore. He had restrictions on him, he couldn't bring his vision to life - he began to resent that idea. He knew that he was expendable, it was inevitable that he would be gone soon. He was still Papa, he cared, he wanted better for the Ministry. But it was, to a point, all for nothing if he was going to be stifled.

Ambition and hubris being his downfall is just a repetition of every Greek Tragedy we've been told. And much like the Bringer of Light, Terzo was brought down to Hell. Thanks Sister Imperator.

Sorry if some of this sounds a bit silly, it is quite self indulgent and made when I was sleep deprived. But also, I love character analysis and I love Ghost so!

Bonus tidbit: All that talk of separate travel made me think that Terzo might like sightseeing as a fun headcanon. So in my mind he might have a film camera stashed somewhere to take with him. It fits with the idea that he is quite a recluse and takes time to himself, he doesn't need to socialize to go out and see things and take pictures. Of course this is also extrapolated from his nerdy film and art interests. (this part was inspired by a convo with @3hroo)

[can-of-pringles]

*fanon Copia having an interesting yet complex relationship with his half brothers*

Copia in the movie: *literally no said opinion besides thinking he's a better performer than them*

[cityofmeliora]

TF breaks character a little too much and accidentally makes it canon that Terzo has a child 💀👶

PAPA EMERITUS III: I guess you all know about the birds and the bees and how it's done, right? We don't have to educate you in that. [looks at parent and child in the audience] I know, I know. She will get there too, I promise. That's the thing, you know... I have a little one too... [puts hand over heart] My god! But that is a later worry. Geneva, Switzerland (November 19, 2015)

[blackbird5154]

I have a theory about the first song sung by the Papas characterizing them as characters.

Secondo's first concert song was "Secular Haze" - a song with a dark circus atmosphere, praising the Antichrist. As we know from Papaganda and interviews, he likes wigs, silly costumes and noisy parties, hiding his unhappiness behind this.

Terzo's first song was "From the Pinnacle to the Pit". His life path follows the path of Lucifer and Icarus, even the last word sung by him on his albums is "falling" ("Bible"). The higher one soars, the longer it takes to fall, the theme of hubris and the giddiness of success all reflect Terzo.

Copia's first song was "Rats" (acoustic performance). Rats prowl everywhere, small and inconspicuous, and bring death. I think he may have identified with death, as his reign began with the murder of the brothers. And as a bastard, he may have felt like a small animal, despised by all, but capable of revenge.

[kabukiaku]

altar server boys. 𐠒✨

ramblings below:

I got so many angsty thoughts revolving around the young emeritus brothers dealing with their abusive/absent father.

You have Secondo who just accepts the hardship, abuse, and constant pressure. He's become numb about it, but it still very much affects him internally. He just doesn't display it so much, not in front of others that is. He bottles it up to stay strong for his younger brother.

Then you have Terzo, the youngest, who is struggling to deal with the abuse and to stay faithful to his religion, he does not want to be a part of it. (this only grows stronger as he's older. you can even SEE in his song lyrics about his feelings towards religion and control of the masses.) And being the more free-spirited brother certainly does not mix well with Nihil. The number of times I think he and his father argued, resulting in some messed up stuff happening HURTS my soul. These two deserved better. hell, all three brothers.

I think we can all agree that the only true paternal figure they had was in fact, Primo. It was Primo, who was the only safe haven they had </3

anyways ramble over I love them so much I want to hold them gently in my hands.

[ratz0mbie]

Papal Companions

I started this as a series a while ago. This is basically what I think the Papas’ familiars/pets would be. Of course I had to give my beautiful husband his rats hehe

[foxybouquet]

So I have a theory. Again.

What if only Secondo and Terzo are Nihil’s sons?

What if Primo were his brother? And what if those weren’t their actual names? Let me ‘splain:

1.) the names of the prior Papas are never explicitly given—only Copia’s. They are Italian, and introduced themselves onstage as “I am Papa Emeritus the Second,” and “I am Papa Emeritus the Third” (I don’t remember Papa Emeritus I ever explicitly introducing himself). That’s just the order in which they became Papa!

2.) By this, I mean that First, Second and Third may have different actual birth names that haven’t been officially revealed.

3.) Primo is too close to Nihil in age. He’s an old mofo.

I am currently unemployed so brain is braining. Halp. Comment if interested in discussion .

[snekkysnekk0]

ghost bc planet lore teehee