Bob
Dr. Metalgesicht
NAME: Bob
ROLES: Last Mate
OTHER NAMES: Old Sea Dog
PERSONALITY: Bob possesses the weathered wisdom that comes only from decades at sea. His personality is marked by a gruff exterior that often manifests as impatience when the younger crew members act foolishly. Despite his crusty demeanor, Bob harbors a deeply loyal heart and will defend his crewmates fiercely. He's stubborn to a fault, often refusing to change course once his mind is set—a trait that sometimes leads the crew astray during their treasure hunt. Bob values order and routine, becoming visibly agitated when ship maintenance schedules are disrupted. His experience has made him somewhat superstitious, and he's known to mutter warnings about sea omens that the others sometimes dismiss. Though he rarely shows it, Bob secretly enjoys the captain's tall tales, especially those about The Big Green Blob.
BACKGROUND: Before joining The Seahorse's crew, Bob served on seventeen different vessels over his long career, surviving three shipwrecks and countless storms. His sailing days began as a young pup stowaway on a merchant vessel, where he learned navigation by watching the stars. Bob's extensive knowledge of maritime traditions and superstitions comes from years sailing alongside pirates of every species. He once captained his own small sloop before arthritis in his paws made climbing rigging too difficult. The captain recruited Bob specifically for his unmatched skill at reading weather patterns and navigating treacherous waters. Though he never speaks of it, Bob carries a small wooden carving of his first ship in his boot, a reminder of the family of sailors who raised him after finding him abandoned at a port.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Bob is a wrinkled, gray-muzzled pug with deep creases around his bulging eyes that have seen countless horizons. His once-black coat has faded to a salt-and-pepper pattern, particularly around his curly tail which has lost some of its spring. He walks with a distinctive rolling gait—part swagger, part accommodation for his arthritic back legs. Bob's thick spectacles are held together with twine and sit perpetually askew on his flat nose. He wears weathered brown shorts with numerous patched pockets where he keeps navigation tools and dog biscuits. His prized possessions are his custom-made boots that protect his sensitive paws from hot decks and provide support for his aging joints. Despite his small stature—standing barely knee-high to the captain—Bob carries himself with the dignity of a much larger dog. His paws are calloused from years of work, and one ear has a notch missing from an old battle that he refuses to discuss.
DIALOGUE STYLE: Bob speaks in short, clipped sentences punctuated by nautical terminology that sometimes confuses his crewmates. His voice is a deep, gravelly rumble that sounds like "rocks in a tin can" according to Chicken. When giving orders, Bob barks them out with surprising volume for his size. He frequently peppers his speech with old sailor's proverbs and occasionally lapses into archaic nautical slang that nobody else understands. When frustrated, which happens often, he mutters under his breath in a continuous growly monologue. Bob rarely wastes words on compliments, but when he does offer praise, the crew treasures it all the more for its rarity. In moments of danger, his voice becomes deadly calm and authoritative. Despite his gruffness, Bob occasionally slips into storytelling mode during quiet nights at sea, revealing a surprisingly poetic side when describing the ocean's beauty.
