Gillion Tidestrider

> "Howdy, bitch; I'm a fish!" *-Gillion's opening line in the song "Hole in Your Heart."*
>
>

Gillion is a triton paladin (6) / sorcerer (6) man and he is one of the three co-captains of the Riptide Pirates. He is played by Slimecicle, aka Charlie.

## Character Information

### Aliases

Gill
(See titles section)

### Class

Paladin (Oath of the Undersea)/Sorcerer (Divine Soul)

### Location(s)

The Undersea (former home)
The Big Chipper (former residence)
The Albatross (current residence)

### Family

Finn Tidestrider (grandfather)
Edyn Tidestrider (older sister)
Reed Tidestrider (father)
Falyn Zomezath (mother)

### Connections

Pretzel (best friend/pet)
Jay Ferin (best friend & co-captain)
Chip (best friend & co-captain)
Marshall John (bromance)
Caspian (bromance)
Puddle (creation/familiar)

### Affiliations

Riptide Pirates (co-captain)
Grandberry Pirates (allied)
The Undersea (allied?)

## Description

### Appearance

Gillion is a triton with blue-green skin with light markings and chin length, dark seaweed green hair with lighter green highlights. On the top of his head is a crown of blue coral that sprouts from his head. He has fin-like ears that point out of his hair.

In nearly every episode, he is seen wearing dark armor over a dark sleeveless turtleneck and baggy pants; his arms are exposed, and he is often barefoot. On his hip, he has a bubble of water that carries his pet Pretzel, a frogtopus that he adores and trusts deeply.

When using his paladin magic, such as his smite, his eyes glow a light blue and his hair and coral crackles with lightning-like energy.

After the Loffinlot Arc, a crescent moon tattoo with the initials "NK" below it appears on his wrist due to a deal made with the "Wish Doctor," Niklaus Hendrix.

As of Episode 67: A Grimm Finale, he wears a bit of Grimm's cloak as a trophy.

In Episode 87: Swimming in Circles his appearance changed. His hair is tied up into a man bun. His new armor is more traditional/fantasy, It’s more spiked, the shoulder pads are exaggerated and the colors are black, blue, gold to match Destiny’s Blade along with gauntlets that are larger and chunkier with whirring energy in them (for helping hands) and the palms have spouts for water, similar to a shower head. Destiny’s Blade has a gold and black sheath that is minimalistic but pretty. He has reddish lightning scars that peak out of the neck of the armor.

### Titles

Gillion is known often for jumping into battle and introducing himself by his full name and a series of titles either bestowed to him or self proclaimed. As of yet his full list of titles is:

* Sir Gillion Tidestrider, Champion of the Undersea, Hero of the Deep, Pigeon Lord, The One, Warrior of Rock and Roll, Singer/Songwriter of Gillion and the Tidestriders' hit single "The Hole in Your Heart", Moisture Master, Horse Tamer, Defenestrator of the Adulterous, Friend of Dugon, Dugon's Best Friend, Dugon's Pal, Walking Fish, Fish, Dirt Eater, Chum of Chibo and Chums, Co-Captain Gill of the Riptide Pirates, Co-captain of the Albatross, Companion of Pretzel, Paramount Champion, Knighter of Julian That One Time, Pretzel Carrier, Leviathan Tamer, Serpent Rider, Brother of Dugon, Healer of the Sick, Friend of Duke D Dukem Duke of Dooke, Eater of Grass, Beater of Ass, Grandma's Good Boy, Dismantler of Evil, Eater of Shit, Capitalism Hater, Royalty Assassinator, Sufferer of the Spice, Weed Eater, Slayer of Evil, Loffinlot Liberator, Fruitninja, Eater of Sand, Juice Enjoyer, Rescuer of John, Fishy, Bitcoin Miner, NFT Purchaser, Driplord, Grandmillion, The One Who Will Change The World, Roller of Tens, Grimm Slayer, In Need of a Dad, Goblin Gobbler, Lime Lord, Tuber, Chip's Nightmare Fuel, Monsoon And Moon Son, Eater of Ass, Pretzel Seeker, Vibe Master, Pussy Slayer, Murderer of Vice Admiral Kuba Kenta, Gillion Mother-fucking Titty-sucking Tidestrider, Egg Hater, Bong Obliterator, Baby signer, Babygirl, The Red One, Skillion Liedsneaker, Fishy Boy, Tidestrizzer, Rizz Reverent, Jorts Storm, Hero of the Hour, Popper of Sacks, Tree Hugger, Summoner Rider, Brother of Lucy and Gilly.

### Personality

Gillion is a strong and courageous man who throws himself into danger with no hesitation. He has no qualms with being hurt (and almost seems to encourage it), and he loves to fight, seeming to revel in the violence at times. When fighting, he tends to get overly excited or become somewhat wild. At times, he is oddly eager to have violence inflicted back on him, such as suggesting to others to be hit in retaliation on more than one occasion. While circumstantially, such as when he and the other Riptide Pirates are fighting an enemy or monster, this comes from a place of wanting to protect others, it also comes off masochistic at times.

   Everything Gillion does is done with complete confidence that it is the right action to take. Additionally, if he *truly* believes he needs to do something (which is often), he will (half-jokingly, perhaps) proclaim it is his "destiny" to do so. He is stubborn in that he will not listen to others if he really feels the pull to do something, and will even run off on his own at times or "go off script" of plans. He can, therefore, be described as somewhat impulsive as well. His drive to do whatever he feels is right, regardless of the circumstances or even consequences, also likely comes from a deep-rooted sense of duty and need to be helpful, instilled in him by the Undersea Elders in his training. He is the "chosen one" of the Undersea, after all. His strong desire to right any wrongs that cross his path and shoulder any burdens, even if they do not involve him in any way, is what he likely feels to be the epitome of being a good person - and the person he must be, because he is important and chosen, and therefore, it is his gods-given responsibility to do so.
Gillion has a fairly rigid black-and-white morality that separates good from evil, and he has a difficult time understanding moral grayness. While he is kind with those who are definitively "good" and those who are close to him, if one is determined to be truly evil he believes getting rid of said evil - killing them - is easy and the best action to take. He is often confused when he cannot decipher if someone is definitively good or evil with his Divine Sense.

   He holds a deep dislike of lying and can barely physically do it himself, and if he finds one he trusts has lied to him, his honor and pride become terribly damaged. Regardless of this, he deeply cares for his friends and those he looks up to, forming close relationships with certain people extremely quickly. This can include Jay and Chip, but also Marshall John, Caspian and Aslana. He seems to like people, in general, quite a bit.

Gillion seems to put on a persona of grandeur and is joyous most of the time, seeming to stamp down negative emotions and/or distance himself from said emotions in general. He keeps up this high-energy, confident mask even under many instances of distress. He only speaks quietly when discussing things that actually likely bother him, such as when he talks about the Undersea's prophecy in Episode 63: Farewells, or his treatment during training with the Elders in Episode 58: The Tides Between Us.

## Background/History

Gillion was born just outside the capital of the Undersea. The only two family members he has mentioned by name so far are his older sister Edyn Tidestrider and his grandfather Finn Tidestrider. In Episode 50: The Block, though, he asks Oliver if he would come back from the C-Mart unlike his parents after dropping him off for training, though the topic is quickly brushed off. Gillion has seldom, if ever, brought up his parents otherwise, suggesting a distant relationship with them. In Episode 58: The Tides Between Us, after reuniting, Edyn tells him that they are not even aware he is gone, to which Gillion is not surprised, though still somewhat bitter.

Gillion seems to have had an interest in scholarly studies of the Undersea in his childhood, as in Finn's flashback in the Black Rose Pirates one shot he is briefly mentioned as one of his students who looked up to him, lighting up when given a tome by Finn. His scholarly interests were lost at some point in his childhood though, as he never mentions studying, research or reading as even mere hobbies in the events of Riptide. It has, however, been mentioned that Gillion struggled with learning and it is possible he either gave up due to struggling and/or the passion was beaten out of him by the Undersea Elders that trained him to be a proper fighter.

On that note, perhaps one of the most important parts to Gillion's backstory is his involvement in "destiny". The prophecy of which the Elders spoke, which he is allegedly a part of as the "Chosen One", is not brought up for much of the show until Episode 63: Farewells, when finally asked about it by Jay and Chip. He relays to them that the prophecy is as follows:

*A hero born of moonlight, storm and sea. / They shall rise or fall to bring unity. / They will be tested or bested by evil’s hand. / By their choice one will remain: sea or land.*

Gillion trained to fulfill this destiny laid out by the prophecy for most of his life, living in a palace and council chambers isolated from friends and family. His sister, Edyn, was allowed to visit him, but much of his "free-time" was still dedicated to training. It's implied that this training was rough and Gillion endured harsh treatment by his mentors, by the way he speaks about it in Episode 58: The Tides Between Us. In the months leading up to when he was sent away from the Undersea, the cause being a banishment after he attacked a Navy officer during negotiations (admitted in Episode 52: Death March), Edyn was prevented from seeing him, and his whereabouts or what happened to him were left in the dark.

    After being banished from his home, Gillion met and joined Chip and Jay Ferin's pirate crew out on the sea when they found him floating aimlessly in the water, on his back looking up at the sky. He was pulled onboard by Chip in an effort to keep him safe, and from then on traveled with the two humans up until the current events of Riptide.

## Notable Items

### Whalebone Longsword (Lost)

Unnamed as of now, this sword was a gift from the Elders in the Undersea. He appears to have a strong connection with the weapon, often mourning its loss after the confrontation with Jayson Ferin in Episode 53: Not Ferin Well.

### Necklace of Tidestrider

A gift made by Aslana, this coral-colored sea glass pendant necklace wrapped in brass and other metals prevents Gillion from being targeted by telepathy, being mind controlled (including Charmed) and gives him a +1 bonus to Dexterity saves. It represents self-love, creativity and balance.

This necklace was briefly stolen by Chip in Episode 33: Thunderdome of Destiny. It was later returned in Episode 41: Growing Pains, with Gillion being under the impression he simply dropped it during the previous battle. It is still unknown what purpose this theft served, and is left up to audience interpretation.

### Callnch Shell

A large conch shell that enables the user to cast a modified Sending spell to a connected shell. A shell phone, basically. Gifted by Marshall John. In Episode 88 Gillion smashed it, so he doesn't have the callnch shell anymore. Gillion bought new callnch shells in Allport after that and gave them to Jay, Chip, and Ollie in Episode 94.

### Destiny’s Blade (Prev. Golden Lotus)

Formerly a shifting golden blade with a black sheath previously owned by Caspian, lent to Gill since Episode 57: The Hull of the World after their arrival at Allport due to Gill's loss of his Whalebone Long sword.

As of Episode 67: A Grimm Finale it was found to be sentient and completely changed appearance upon Gillion taking an oath to it. Said oath is, essentially, as follows: "You promise to slay all evil before thee, crack corruption that takes hold of this world, strike swiftly enough to split the seas, and even if the thread of fate poses an obstacle against us, we shall sever it." Since taking the oath, the blade of the sword is a deep blue. The hilt is comprised of a crescent-moon shaped cross-guard with sea grass-like wraps around the grip. It has a secondary crescent-moon shaped gem of some sort in the center of the cross-guard that glows a brighter blue (along with the blade of the sword) when in use. The pommel is a shining bluish crystal.

In Episode 87: Swimming in Circles the Luxbris Pearl fragment is at the base where the crescent moon is.

## Relationships

### Edyn Tidestrider

Edyn is Gillion's older sister, though it is not specified how many years apart they are. With parents that were distant, and later abandoned Gillion at training, Edyn was more family & caretaker to him than anyone else. Edyn is very protective of Gillion and concerned for his well-being. She knows how to calm him down and comfort him and does so regularly, being comparable to a gentle ripple in the water vs. Gillion being a riptide. When Gillion blames himself for or says self-deprecating things, she is quick to shut him/negative talk down, refuting his words. She reiterates that nothing he has been through is his fault or something he deserved, which Gillion is very appreciative of. She has been a continuous support for Gillion throughout his youth, visiting him when possible where he trained with the Elders in the Undersea. However, as time would go on it seems that Edyn was able to visit less and less. She is also the one to gift him Pretzel when she was just a tadpole, shortly before Edyn would not see him again (presumably due to training), implying that she has been (literally) attached to his hip for quite some time. In Episode 58: The Tides Between Us, Grizzly refers to the time they spent apart as a "very, very, very long time".

Gillion is visibly a bit different with Edyn around following their reunion in Episode 57: The Hull of the World. He immediately is unable to stop himself from crying (the first time Gillion had seriously cried in campaign) and jumping over the bar in The Tank to hug her. Rightfully, he trusts her entirely and wholeheartedly. Gillion is, later, noticeably quieter and relaxed around her; comfortable in her presence, though still notably excited -- more childlike, even. He is also more emotionally vulnerable in general, something that Gillion rarely if ever is around people. It is enough of a change for Chip to be thrown off by his behavior when they meet up again in Episode 58. It is clear that Edyn is one of if not the most important person in Gillion's life, and he cherishes her immensely.

Edyn was seemingly prevented from seeing Gillion leading up to his exile, as she voices to him her guilt of "not being able to see [Gillion] or visit [him] when [he] was stuck." After Gillion was exiled, Edyn was kept in the dark about his whereabouts by the elders, but was convinced something was wrong when they stopped letting her see him entirely. She tells her brother that she left the Undersea after a few months to look for him. She heavily implies that she was very worried that he was dead until Caspian told her about his whereabouts, but "never lost hope", repeatedly saying that she is so glad Gillion is alive upon their reunion. It seems she harbors resentment towards the Elders for what they taught and did to Gillion, rightfully.

### Pretzel

Pretzel is Gillion's beloved pet frogtopus, gifted to him by his sister, Edyn Tidestrider back when he still lived in the Undersea, since she says he "seemed lonely back then". He always carries her on a glass bubble at his hip, sometimes letter her out to play or other things. He sees her more like a friend than pet it seems, though, given how he frequently has her take turns keeping watch throughout nights. He has additionally taught her basic fighting techniques.

Gillion says in Episode 58: The Tides Between Us that he wasn't sure if he could have gotten through "everything" without her, suggesting she is also like an emotional support animal to him.

### Marshall John

Marshall John is an ex-Navy previously stationed in Zero on the island of Canella. He was inspired by Gillion to finally leave his occupation and become a pirate. Considered great friends.

### Chip

*Main:* Relationship between Chip and Gillion Tidestrider

## Trivia

* In Gillion's level 3 and 4 character sheet, he was listed as 5'1". In his level 5 character sheet, this has been changed to 5'9".
* Gillion's first appearance was in the Black Rose One-shot as an NPC within Finn Tidestrider's flashback to his time in the Undersea.
* In a tweet made by Gillion's player, Charlie Slimecicle, he was confirmed to be canonically asexual.
* On his character sheet, Gillion's faith is listed to be "The Ancients", Undersea gods from times long past. The details of said religion are unknown.
* The paladin oath that is Gillion's subclass was made by Charlie Slimecicle, and is usable on DND Beyond.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Riptide PCs lvl 5 character sheets
2. ↑ Gillion talks training back home
3. ↑ Details on the Sending spell
4. ↑ Official art of Destiny's Blade by kollapsart
5. ↑ Screenshot from Grizzly's discord explaining Pretzel's origins
6. ↑ Riptide PCs lvl 4 character sheets
7. ↑ Charlie's Tweet about Gillion

## Art References

1. ↑ Official art of Gillion Tidestrider by Saturn\_Digital\_
2. ↑ Official art of Gillion in Episode 8 by paincake101
3. ↑ Official art of Gillion in Episode 57 by paincake101
4. ↑ Gillion + Pretzel fanart by val\_ur\_pal\_