Baldhead

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Baldhead (秃头)
Alias(es)	Neil; Bald Neil; Baldy; Green Toad 5 14 17
Gender	Male 5
Age	Uncertain; estimated by himself as either eighteen or twenty 5
Affiliation	Roger Campbell's followers; Bandit Suppression Army; Milkhouse Manor 14 25 48
Occupation/Role	Street thug, recruiter, ranged rear guard, and manor guard 17 28 48
Status	Active; serving as a guard of Milkhouse Manor at his latest appearance 48
First Appearance	Chapter 5 5

History

Neil grew up in a flea-infested hovel on the outskirts of Brodick Town. His mother died when he was young, his father was killed fighting the English, and he was raised alongside his half-blind grandmother. Though known for petty theft, he is not described as a murderer or violent robber; he is frequently beaten when caught stealing chickens or dogs. 5

Known around Allen Island as the Green Toad for his green sweater and protruding eyes, he became one of Roger's old companions. After Roger's confinement following his injury, Baldhead climbed over the manor wall almost daily to visit him and brought him food. 5 He later introduced Roger to Gray Rat and Ponytail in Lamlash. 7

At the Red Mill, pirate leader Ulf publicly beat and humiliated Baldhead. After Roger killed Ulf, Baldhead helped intimidate the remaining pirate lackeys, claimed clothing and small items from Ulf's body, and accepted Roger's share of the spoils. 12 13

Roger entrusted Baldhead with recruiting men for an attack on the pirates. Moved by Roger calling him “Brother Neil” and giving him Ulf's black-sheathed dagger, Baldhead promised to risk his life for the task. 14 15 He spread an exaggerated story of a northern assault on Roger, offering free food and silver to draw islanders to Brodick. His altered message created confusion but helped bring a large crowd to Roger's free lunch. 17 21

Baldhead joined the Bandit Suppression Army against the pirates. Although he initially secured a padded coat, Roger reassigned him to the rear as a crossbowman. He guarded the column against deserters, helped hold the cave camp, and commanded two hunters outside the pirate mill during the night raid. 25 26 28 He hesitated before the battle but ultimately rallied several wavering men and joined the charge. When Blackhide Dog was wounded, Baldhead killed the attacking pirate with a crossbow bolt. 30 34

Roger awarded Baldhead first-rank merit for his part in Ulf's death, his recruitment work, and his combat contribution. Baldhead chose loot for himself but set aside clean clothing for the unconscious Blackhide Dog. 35 Afterward, he helped escort captives and crew the seized pirate ship, sent money home to his grandmother, and assisted Roger at Holy Island's saltworks. 35 38 41

By Roger's knighting ceremony, Baldhead and Ponytail had become guards of Milkhouse Manor rather than street thugs. 48

Appearance

Baldhead is a bald, raggedly dressed young man with bulging “toad eyes.” His appearance changes noticeably after he takes clothing and equipment from the defeated pirates. 5 13

• Wore a tattered green wool sweater year-round, giving rise to the nickname Green Toad. 5
• Has mottled baldness and prominent, frog-like eyes. 5 17
• Later dressed in black wool clothing taken from Ulf and wore Roger's black-sheathed dagger on a rope belt. 13 15 17
• At Roger's knighting, wore padded armor beneath half-mail, carried an iron-winged short spear and kite shield, and wore a sword despite not knowing how to use one. 48

Personality

Baldhead is deeply loyal to the people he considers his own. He regularly visited Roger during Roger's confinement, remained with him after Ulf's death, and treated Roger's recognition as “Brother Neil” as a profound act of trust. 5 14 15 His concern also extends to Blackhide Dog and his grandmother: he secretly fed Blackhide Dog after his release from prison, reserved clothing for him after the pirate raid, and sent much of his earnings home. 25 35 38

He is cowardly in immediate danger but can act decisively once encouraged or shamed. He hid from Ulf, suggested fleeing Allen Island when threatened by the pirates, and initially considered retreating during the raid. Nevertheless, he recruited fighters, stood guard against deserters, rallied hesitant men, and entered the battle himself. 12 14 26 30

Baldhead is boastful, excitable, and prone to improvising beyond his instructions. He inflated his role in Ulf's death, turned Roger's recruitment plan into a fabricated north-versus-south conflict, and repeatedly made grand claims about his own influence. 17 21 22 Despite this lack of judgment, Roger recognizes that Baldhead can think ahead, particularly when he raises the problem of pirates left aboard the ship. 28

Abilities & Skills

Recruitment and Agitation

Baldhead knows the island's thugs, idlers, and poorer villagers well enough to mobilize them quickly.

• Gathered recruits through his personal network across southern Allen Island. 17
• Used free meals, silver pennies, local resentment, and exaggerated rumors to motivate attendance. 17
• Recruited fighters for Roger's pirate expedition and explained the planned poisoning of the pirate band to volunteers. 23
• His improvisation can undermine orders; Roger berated him for changing the recruitment story without permission. 21

Ranged Combat and Rear-Guard Duty

Roger reassigned Baldhead from the front line to ranged support during the pirate campaign.

• Operated a crossbow and was stationed outside the pirate mill with two hunters to shoot escaping pirates. 25 28
• Helped enforce discipline from the rear of the marching formation, with authority to kill deserters. 26
• Killed a pirate with a crossbow after the man stabbed Blackhide Dog. 30 34
• Remained inexperienced with the weapon; Roger had to warn him not to carry a loaded crossbow carelessly or point it at allies. 29

Guard and Supply Duties

Baldhead is repeatedly trusted with practical work after the pirate victory.

• Collected rentable weapons from islanders and retrieved food supplies for the Bandit Suppression Army. 25
• Guarded captured pirates and helped escort them aboard the captured ship. 32 35
• Helped guard the prisoner Olaf at Milkhouse Manor. 44
• Assisted Roger with salt processing at Sea Salt Bay. 41

Equipment

• Black-sheathed dagger — Given by Roger for protection before Baldhead began recruiting fighters. 15
• Padded armor — Initially claimed a damaged padded coat from Brodick Castle's stores; later surrendered it when reassigned to ranged combat. 25
• Crossbow — Used during the raid on the pirate mill; credited with killing a pirate who wounded Blackhide Dog. 28 30 34
• Pirate spoils — Took the second chief's leather boots, belt, and wineskin after receiving first-rank merit. 35
• Guard equipment — Later wore padded armor and half-mail, carrying an iron-winged short spear, kite shield, and one-handed sword. 48

Relationships

• Roger Campbell — Former companion and later commander. Baldhead becomes fiercely devoted after Roger entrusts him with recruitment work, a dagger, and the address “Brother Neil.” 14 15
• Ponytail — Fellow thug, pirate-operation partner, and later fellow guard of Milkhouse Manor. They jointly guarded captives, received first-rank rewards, and crewed the captured ship. 32 35 48
• Blackhide Dog — Fellow street thug. Baldhead welcomes him after his prison release, shares hidden bread with him, kills the pirate who wounds him, and saves clothing for him from the spoils. 25 30 35
• Gray Rat — Fellow thug with whom Baldhead has a hostile rivalry after Gray Rat fled the Red Mill; Baldhead attempts to beat him when he returns and rejects his request to join the raid. 23 28
• Baldhead's grandmother — His half-blind grandmother and remaining family. He sends her money and asks that she buy food and good clothing. 5 38