Hobber
| Hobber | |
|---|---|
| Groups | Bridge Four |
| Residence | Urithiru |
| Homeworld | Roshar |
Hobber is a member of Bridge Four.
He is one of the first men that Kaladin rescued during a bridge run. Hobber expresses his thanks by being one of the first to believe in Kaladin, giving him his full devotion.[1] Upon healing, he assists Lopen with bringing water on the runs.[2] Once completely healed, he serves on the King’s Guard, protecting King Elhokar. During an assassination attempt on Dalinar’s life, Hobber is injured, losing use of his legs.[3] After the injury, Hobber serves as assistant chef to Rock until he was finally able to breathe in Stormlight, which restores the use of his legs.[4]
Appearance and Personality
Hobber is round-faced and lean. He has a gap between his teeth and short black hair.[5] He has a tattoo on his forehead to cover up his slave’s brand.[6] Hobber is frequently one of the more positive men in Bridge Four, always supporting Kaladin and the rest of the men. He likes to joke with the others and help wherever he can, even when he is severely injured.
History
Hobber was assigned to the bridge crews after getting into a drunken brawl along with his squad. While he was probably just going along with that the others were doing, a man ended up dead, and he was punished accordingly.[7]
Rescued by Kaladin
During Kaladin’s first run as bridgeleader, he found an injured Hobber laying beside the bridge. He had taken an arrow through the thigh and was moaning in pain. Kaladin grabbed him under the arms and pulled him to safety. Determining that the arrow hadn’t hit any major arteries, Kaladin returned to the battlefield to retrieve more injured bridgemen. After tending to the more severe injuries, Kaladin returned to Hobber and cleaned, stitched, and bound his wound. Kaladin ordered the men to tie Hobber and Dabbid to the top of the bridge so they could transport them back.[1]
When Kaladin checked on the wounded, Hobber was smiling opening. He thanked Kaladin for saving him. Kaladin told him he wouldn’t be able to walk for a few weeks, but that he would bring him food from the mess hall. Hobber just thanked him again, taking his hand, almost tearing up. Kaladin moved on to Dabbid and Hobber told Kaladin that he’d been sitting like that all night. Hobber thought he’d been hit in the head, but Kaladin disagreed, calling it battle shock and that it would wear off. Hobber just hoped he was right.[5]
Helping in Bridge Four
After a few weeks, thanks to the food and antiseptic Kaladin was able to get, Hobber limped out of the barrack and joined the rest of Bridge Four for their first pot of stew.[8] Before long, Hobber could walk without his crutch and it wouldn’t be long before he could start running bridges again. In the meantime, Lopen recruited him, along with Dabbid, to help carry water for the rest of Bridge Four.[2]
Relationships
Kaladin
Having been rescued by Kaladin, Hobber never wavers in his support of or devotion to the bridgeleader. He supports his efforts and is even the first to get a Bridge Four tattoo to cover up his slave brand. Kaladin, while strong most of the time, almost seems near tears whenever he talks to Hobber after his injury at the hands of Szeth. When Kaladin encourages Hobber to try to breathe in Stormlight, he tells Hobber that he has one of the best hearts of all of them.
Rock
Rock, or Lunamor, embraces having Hobber’s support in the kitchen even though he is barely passable as a cook. Hobber jokes after his injury that left him with dead legs that he could burn broth.[3] However, Rock appreciates his help knowing that he could always find the man where he left him.{book ref|sa3|37}}