Molnar Giancardi

Molnar Giancardi was a dwarven banker, owner of the Giancardi Bank, and director of its branch in Gors Velen.^[2]

Biography

Living in Vengerberg

Back when the Giancardi family lived in Vengerberg in the early 13th century, they were nearly the victims of a pogrom that had broken out in the city. They were spared this fate due to the intervention of the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg. She saved Molnar and his family, and he would be eternally grateful to her for this. After these events, the Giancardi family left Vengerberg, and Molnar relocated to Gors Velen. There, he became the owner of the Giancardi Bank and ran its Gors Velen branch as director. Due to Yennefer having saved him and his family, he granted her unlimited credit at the bank and also handled letters for her, sending them on her behalf. Besides the bank, he also owned some shops and storehouses,^[2] as well as being heavily involved in the gem trade.^[3]

Borsody Auction

Molnar attended an auction at the Borsody Auction House in Novigrad at the behest of Yennefer. He was to bid on a pair of witcher swords that were up for auction that day. Despite a fierce bidding war between himself and Nino Cianfanelli, Molnar won with a 4,000-crown bid. After the auction, he talked with Yennefer about it, saying she needn't thank him for this as the money was from her private account, and he had simply bid on a lot at an auction.

He looked away as Yennefer cast a spell and asked if it would cause problems for the agent he watched walking away. She assured him that it wouldn't, as she had taken a cheque and not gold. She then told Molnar that the swords were to remain in the bank's safe deposit and that she would send for them soon, as she was leaving the city that very day. Molnar explained that he too would be leaving, as he planned to inspect the branch at Tretogor before heading back home. They both thanked each other and parted ways.^[1]

Meeting Ciri

In June 1267, Yennefer came to Molnar's branch together with Ciri. He heartily welcomed them into his office and asked a clerk to fetch him a bottle of Castel de Neuf. At Yennefer's request, he gave Ciri a book, Physiologus, to read while they talked business. As he poured them both wine, he informed Yennefer that someone had taken an interest in the letters he handled for her. He mentioned that a disloyal clerk at the Vivaldi Bank in Vengerberg had attempted to track the transactions of her private accounts, but that Vivaldi either didn't investigate or refused to do so. The clerk later ended up drowned in a ditch.

Molnar then inquired whether she planned to attend the mages' conclave at Thanedd, implying that important decisions were going to be made there. He informed her about changes in tax policies aimed at fighting the Scoia'tael, as well as the rising prices of gems. He explained that gems were easier to take along when fleeing from the Nilfgaardians than gold, and that there were a lot of boats being built and transported to the Yaruga. Jokingly, he reminded her that the mages shouldn’t forget about the dwarves or their banks when making their decisions.

They then proceeded to discuss banking matters. At Yennefer’s request, Molnar made a 1,500 oren donation to the Temple of Melitele in Ellander and paid 2,000 crowns anonymously to Aretuza as tuition for a student enrolling there. She also asked for 300 crowns in cash, but Molnar instead provided her with a banker’s draft for 500. Additionally, he made his shops and warehouses available to Yennefer and Ciri, should they need anything. When Yennefer inquired about the interest rate, Molnar rebuked her, saying she had already paid the Giancardi family in advance with her actions in Vengerberg all those years ago.

He then asked if he should cancel a debt that Geralt of Rivia had incurred, but Yennefer told him to raise the reward for Geralt’s contract in Hirundum instead. When Molnar asked if she planned on going to Hirundum, she told him to change the subject. Before doing so, he suggested that Ciri go explore the city and recommended that a clerk of his accompany her. After the clerk, Fabio Sachs, introduced himself, Molnar gave him a half-noble and five groats, instructing him to use it should Ciri wish to buy something—if not, he was to return the money. After Ciri and Fabio returned in the company of Margarita Laux-Antille and Tissaia de Vries, who had mistaken Ciri for a runaway novice, Molnar admonished Fabio so harshly that the boy started crying.^[2]

Appearance and personality

Overweight and modest, Molnar dressed in expensive fabrics with a golden chain around his neck. Due to his profession as a banker and entrepreneur, he was well aware of economic and political developments. He was also very grateful, as evidenced by his continued gratitude toward Yennefer for having saved his family and himself years ago."^[2]

References