Omid Gul (Persian: امید گل) was a Persian topman on the Obra Dinn during its ill-fated voyage in 1802. He fell overboard while the Kraken attacked the ship.
Story and fate
Gul was the only Persian onboard the ship. He is seen with a scimitar, which he uses during the attacks of both the crab riders and the Kraken. He did not survive the Kraken attack, as he ultimately fell overboard.
Although his body is never seen, Gul can be seen falling down the rigging to his death in on the starboard side of the ship in The Doom, part 6. It is not shown what caused this to happen. One possible scenario is that he was attempting to climb the rigging but lost his grip, possibly due to the explosion caused by the midshipmen's attempts to fight the Kraken.
The East India Company insurance assessment on the Obra Dinn incident praised Gul for exceptional performance of duties. His estate was awarded £35 in outstanding wages and reward.[1]
Identification
In The Doom, part 2, a scimitar can be seen hanging by Gul's hammock (#36). Gul used the scimitar in a number of scenes in chapter VI. Additionally, Gul can be identified as early as The Doom, part 6, where he falls overboard. It can be inferred that Gul must be falling from the rigging, and is therefore a topman. Alternatively, his topman identity can be formally confirmed in Soldiers of the Sea, part 1. Given that he is the only Persian (as made remarkable by his turban) topman on board, he can be clearly identified.
Appearances
Gul appears in seven memories. Chronologically, his first appearance is in A Bitter Cold, part 1, though he cannot be highlighted. He perishes during the events of chapter VII. He also appears in the Under Way sketch.
- A Bitter Cold, part 1 (cannot be highlighted)
- Soldiers of the Sea, part 1
- Soldiers of the Sea, part 4
- Soldiers of the Sea, part 7 (cannot be highlighted)
- Soldiers of the Sea, part 8
- The Doom, part 2
- The Doom, part 6