Doctor Bill

Doctor Bill is a middle-aged Faun who first appears in the Chibiloft comics in Quoth the Raven Issue 29.

Background

When first seen, Doctor Bill was in the Ethereal Plane, where he had encountered a portal that led to the Demiplane of Dread, and was apparently in discussion with some manifestation of the Dark Powers. The Doctor appeared to have wildly misinterpreted the nature of the Dread Realms, based on the fact that they were a place where no crime goes unpunished and the land itself monitors its residents' moral character. He was so enthusiastic about entering the portal that he enquired of the Dark Powers whether there was a waiting list or a requirement for him to sign any documentation; this appeared to amuse the evil forces greatly.

When next seen, Doctor Bill had apparently met and joined the Chibiloft Crew, and was assisting them in the development of Necromancy spells for use against the undead.

Return

Doctor Bill returned in the Chibiloft comics of Quoth the Raven Issue 30, when the 'Crew was hired by Ivana Boritsi to board the ship Dead Reckoning and find out why its predecessors had disappeared - and prevent the same thing happening to the Dead Reckoning.

During his stay on board the ship, Doctor Bill confided in Dr. Julio Huevo that the ship's masts reminded him of the great trees of his youth, and made him feel homesick for wild nature. Dr. Julio, who considered the Faun to be a friend, consoled him by suggesting Doctor Bill peruse Slap's alienism journals or that they should go see the sharks following behind the ship, to which he agreed.

When the ship's undead crew and cargo rose up and several long-standing enemies of the 'Crew - namely Arcael, D'Vaal, the Levkarest Lycanthrope and the Toothless Nosferatu - put in an appearance, Doctor Bill bravely positioned himself between the villains and his colleagues. He became heavily dismayed when Urtica revealed herself, identifying him as her husband and expressing delight in having found him. It appears at the very least possible that Doctor Bill did not enter the Demiplane of Dread merely because the idea of a land that enforced moral behaviour appealed to him, but also in hopes of escaping Urtica.

Powers and Abilities

Although Doctor Bill has not been seen using any magic, he functioned as a co-researcher when the Chibiloft Crew was developing new spells. He was also somehow able to enter the Ethereal Plane, before he came to the Demiplane of Dread. In spite of all this, the Doctor has identified himself as a 'man of science', and chided himself for becoming lost in reveries of his youth in the deep forests of his homeworld.

Relationships

• The Chibiloft Crew seem to unreservedly consider Doctor Bill one of their own. Dr. Julio Huevo thinks of him as a friend; a sentiment that the Faun appears to return, as the two of them spoke with each other cordially and respectfully. It could be assumed that Slap thinks well of him, as Julio Huevo assumed she would not mind if Doctor Bill borrowed and read her alienism periodicals.
• Urtica has identified Doctor Bill as her husband, which would logically make her his wife. Rather than holding her in affection, Urtica's appearance seemed to fill the Doctor with dread. This may be in part because Doctor Bill cannot escape the Demiplane of Dread, leaving him trapped with Urtica now that she's tracked him down and committed to following him.