Hob Gadling is an Englishman and an old friend of Dream's.
History[]
Granted immortality[]
In 1389, Dream and his sister Death made a stop at the White Horse pub, and overheard Hob Gadling -a lowly peasant- loudly declaring to his friends that he would never die because he chose not to. Intrigued by the very notion and sure that Hob would be begging for death if he received immortality, Dream convinced his sister, to let him undertake an experiment. Without introducing himself, he told Hob to meet him in 100 years time and Hob agreed. Thus, for the next five centuries they met at the same pub without fail. Each time, Dream asked if he still wanted to live and Hob continued to say, "I have so much to live for."
Hob and Dream to come an agreement
Each time they reconnected over the next couple of centuries, Hob had something different to share. In 1589, he’d been knighted by the queen after going north and coming back as his own son, for the second time. He had even found a wife and fathered a son. However, by 1689, he had lost it all, including his family, who had all died, and he was left roaming the streets looking for scraps after the town tried to drown him as a witch due to the fact that he hadn't aged. However, throughout all this, he never lost his will to live. In 1789, Hob was back on his feet after getting into the shipping business and slave trading, which Dream advised him against, remarking that it was a poor thing for one man to enslave another. While Dream knew so much of Hob's life, he knew so little of Dream, still having never even learned his name. Unfortunately, their meeting was interrupted by Lady Johanna Constantine, who had heard tales of the Devil and the Wandering Jew meeting once every century in the tavern. She sought for them to join her, but they declined, and Dream forced her to face her old ghosts.
Hob in 1989
During their meeting in 1889, Gadling accused Dream of being lonely. That he continued to meet Hob because they were friends, and that was why Death never came for Hob. Dream was outraged that Gadling would suggest that "one of my kind" needed friends and stormed out of the tavern. One century later, in 1989, Hob resolved to meet Dream once more despite their argument, hoping that Dream had forgiven him. While waiting for Dream who never turned up due to being imprisoned by Roderick Burgess, he learned that the pub was going to be torn down. He decided to wait at a nearby pub and left a message of where to find him. Finally, after freeing himself, Dream walked into the pub to Hob's surprise. Dream remarked, "I’ve always heard it impolite to keep one's friends waiting," showing he had changed and valued their friendship.[2]
Physical Appearance[]
Despite being over 600 years old, he looks to be in his 30s.
Relationships[]
Dream - A long time friend with a companionship that spans over centuries.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Immortality: Hob was granted immortality by Death.
Abilities[]
- Business Management
- Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat
- Indomitable Will
- Pedagogy: Gadling currently teaches History.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- While Hobb will no longer be a target of witch hunts, that doesn't mean his immortality won't have drawn attention post 21st century. Given exploitive governments would futilely attempt to replicate and weaponize it. Plus with all the security and record keeping being so up to date and computerized, Hobb will have a harder time getting new identities.
- Hobb could tell he poked the bear by bluntly suggesting Dream met him annually in later centuries out liking their odd friendship.