Duck
Dr. Metalgesicht
NAME: Starduck VanderSquab
ROLES: Third Mate
PERSONALITY: Duck is the voice of reason aboard The Seahorse, often serving as the strategic thinker who keeps the crew on task during their treasure hunt. He takes pride in his organizational skills and ability to remain calm during crises. However, his level-headedness sometimes manifests as excessive caution, making him reluctant to embrace spontaneous adventures. He can be somewhat pedantic about proper nautical procedures and occasionally frustrates his crewmates with his insistence on doing things "by the book." While loyal to the captain, he secretly maintains a detailed log of all the crew's missteps and inefficiencies, which he hopes to address once the treasure is found.
BACKGROUND: Duck comes from a long line of navigational experts, a heritage he's immensely proud of and frequently mentions. Before joining The Seahorse, he served as a cartographer's assistant for a prestigious naval fleet, where he developed his meticulous attention to detail and fondness for proper protocol. He joined the pirate crew after a disagreement with his former commander over the most efficient route through the South Seas. Though he occasionally misses the structure of his previous position, he finds the camaraderie aboard The Seahorse fulfilling, even if he would never openly admit it. His extensive knowledge of global waterways makes him invaluable during their worldwide treasure hunt.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Duck is a sleek, well-groomed mallard with vibrant emerald feathers around his neck that contrast with his crisp white facial feathers. He stands with perfect posture and takes great pride in his appearance. His most distinguishing feature is the tailored navy blue vest he wears at all times, complete with polished brass buttons and numerous small pockets for his navigation tools. He keeps a small spyglass tucked in his breast pocket and wears a weathered compass on a chain around his neck. Unlike his more disheveled crewmates, Duck's feathers are always neatly preened, even during the most chaotic adventures, though he does develop an eye twitch when things become particularly disorderly.
DIALOGUE STYLE: Duck speaks with precise diction and a somewhat formal tone, often using nautical terminology with textbook accuracy. "I believe, Captain, that adjusting our heading by approximately 15 degrees starboard would be most prudent given the approaching weather system." When stressed, he tends to clear his throat repeatedly before speaking. During moments of excitement or danger, his carefully maintained composure occasionally slips, revealing a more colloquial manner: "Blimey! That was a close one!" He has a habit of sighing deeply before offering corrections to his crewmates and frequently prefaces his suggestions with phrases like "If I may" or "With all due respect." Despite his formality, there's an underlying warmth to his tone when addressing his fellow pirates.
