Bossman Bill - Master of the Hurdy-Gurdy

Officially, Bossman Bill’s title is Quartermaster, though his duties are often relegated to his underlings, whilst he partakes in the joys of song, dance and drink. While some detest Bossman Bill for his idleness and love of the drink, others see him as an essential part of the Gilded Seahorse; the sole raiser of morale among the crew apart from the war stories of Arakun or the tall tales of Trixie and Charlotte-Anne. Yet there is something that Bossman Bill brings that the others can’t: a song in their hearts. Shanties that set the pace for the crew and lift their spirits as they break their backs, bleed and sweat while the sun beats down upon them. Few things can temper that pain beside the spirit of song and grog. Despite his jolly demeanour, Bossman Bill is known to be a mediator among the crew, one who can stomp his foot down with surprising authority to settle scuffles and disputes. Thus the moniker Bossman is seen as one both endearing, seeing him end disputes that are out of earshot of the other officers, and teasing with his disregard for his duties and general lack of contribution to the overall running of the Seahorse. But those who use this title venomously are often scolded by the crew, for though they like to poke fun at the jolly quartermaster, most hold an unstated respect for him. For when spirits on the boat are lowest, his Hurdy-Gurdy and the singing of “Bottles of Booze from Bossman Bill” accompanied with the emptying of the liquor stores often brings even the dullest faces back to life. Though Bossman Bill knows he is no warrior, his songs bring more to a fight than a single sword ever would, inspiring men to fight with twice the resilience that they would have without him.