Big Bob
| NPC | Enemy |
- BigBo's Farm
- Rhodes Island (collaborator)
- Reunion (formerly)
- Babel (non-canon)
- Proprietor of BigBo's Farm
- Originium slug farmer
- Mercenary (formerly)
Big Bob is an NPC in Arknights. He is the antagonist of Grani and the Knights' Treasure and made a cameo appearance in Heart of Surging Flame, as well as the deuteragonist of the Great Escape from Bunkerhill arc of Angelina: Sketches of This Messenger's Journey.
Background[edit]
Little is known about Big Bob other than he and his brothers contacted Oripathy a few years ago. He joined Reunion to have a change in their lives, but was disillusioned with Reunion, noting that their situation remains the same as before they joined. Therefore, Big Bob left alongside his brothers, wandering from place to place around Terra for a time until he heard of the fabled Knights' Treasure in Dewville, Kazimierz. Big Bob intents to claim it so he and his brothers could lead a better life in Columbia, which treats the Infected fairly.[1]
Big Bob was also a close friend of Mudrock during his time in Reunion.
Story[edit]
Grani and the Knights' Treasure[edit]
During his search in Dewville, Big Bob encountered Grani and Carol who were being cornered by bounty hunters and used a flashbang to disorient them and saved the two, taking them to the forest outside Dewville. Big Bob offered to lend his expertise for the two in finding the Treasure before the bounty hunters could in exchange for a share of the treasure, which they accepted while remaining cautious towards him.[2]
While trekking through the forests overlooking Mt. Terrat, Grani, Carol, and Big Bob encountered Skadi, with Big Bob having already been aware of her notoriety as a "Catastrophe on foot". When Skadi attempted to take Carol by force, the trio escaped only to be ambushed by other bounty hunters.[3] Big Bob was injured during the fight and Grani tried to patch his wounds after the bounty hunters were defeated, only for him to refuse, fearing that Grani might be contracting Oripathy. When Grani revealed that she is a Rhodes Island operative, Big Bob was surprised and asked her whether she's afraid of him, but Grani replied that she's used to it.[4]
Big Bob continued to help Grani and Carol as they made it to the tunnels connecting Mt. Terrat and Mt. Mortica. As they explored the tunnel, Big Bob argued whether R.I. was truly helping the Infected or not by employing someone dangerous like Skadi to their service, combined by their apparent lack of help to people like him, dismissing them as being motivated by financial gains. Grani tried to apologize, saying that she can't save everyone in the past, and the same also applies to R.I., though Big Bob rebuffs it by saying that Grani is still a kid. He also believed that his presence might be bothersome to Grani and Carol, but the former reassured him otherwise.[5]
Big Bob correctly assumed that the Treasure was located somewhere deep inside Mt. Mortica and led the way as Carol asked, but they ran into Reunion soldiers who recognized Big Bob (that were actually Big Bob's men) as they reached the exit.[5] In the ensuing pursuit, Big Bob was immobilized by his injury earlier and remained behind to allow Grani and Carol a safe passage,[6] but the two were unaware that he was faking the condition to reunite with his warriors and then deal with the bounty hunters, clearing the path to the Treasure.
As Grani explored the labyrinthine caves under Mt. Mortica, she encountered Big Bob who revealed his true colors, though Grani had already figured it out.[7] After Skadi appeared, Grani asked Big Bob what he'll do to Dewville after he gets the Treasure, but he assured their safety before demanding that she tell him where Carol is, leading to a heated argument between the three. While this was going on, Carol appeared, having found the Treasure, prompting Big Bob to throw a less-lethal grenade to incapacitate her – unwilling to kill the two Kuranta ladies whom he owed a favor to, but Skadi shielded Carol from the blast. Unable to reach a compromise, an intense firefight over the treasure ensued.[1]
Defeated, the injured Big Bob accepted his loss, claiming that he wasn't strong enough, and watched as Grani opened the Treasure's chest. Honoring the deal between them, Carol gave Big Bob his share of the Treasure, much to his thanks even though he apologized for being unable to do anything to restore order to Dewville. As Grani and Carol leaves, Big Bob gave the former a piece of the bounty hunters' coin as a memento of their encounter, which Grani promised to cherish.[8]
With his share of the Treasure, Big Bob and his brothers moved to Columbia, where he lives peacefully in a rural manor where they are planning to grow crops to sustain themselves, and holds a better view towards R.I. thanks to his encounter with Grani. Big Bob explained this in the letter he wrote to Mudrock, who was still with Reunion, hoping for her to made a better decision for herself and looking forward to seeing her again.[8]
Heart of Surging Flame[edit]
During Obsidian Festival 1097, Big Bob, referred to as Male Tourist B, was among the tourists on Siesta. While visiting the beach, he commented about a fight that broke out between fans of the musical acts taking part in the event with another tourist.[9]
Interestingly, Big Bob still wore his armor even amidst the subtropical climate of Siesta, which was questioned by the tourist he was talking to.
Rewinding Breeze[edit]
While not appearing personally, Big Bob is mentioned by Mudrock in the letter she wrote to him as a reply to Bob's previous letter.[10]
Integrated Strategies[edit]
Despite his business successes, Big Bob was eventually targeted by the Columbian authorities. He was falsely arrested by the tax bureau and sent to prison.[11] Fortunately, he used his wealth earned through his business to bail himself out and was successfully released ahead of schedule. Currently, he is expanding his business to Sami through the Icefield expedition teams where he earns business from them.[12]
| The following contains story information that are non-canonical to the plot of Arknights. |
In an alternate timeline, however, Big Bob is a Babel employee who has transformed an outpost in Kazdel into a resting stop for any traveler who passes by. Oddly enough, all of his comrades also wear identical gear.[13]
Angelina: Sketches of This Messenger's Journey[edit]
Big Bob was indeed arrested for alleged tax fraud and later taken under the Tax Bureau's custody to cooperate during the investigation, so the Rhodes Island Bunkerhill branch office requests Angelina deliver him a suitcase for humanitarian help at the tax office rather than the brewery. Despite what happened in Dewville, Big Bob has been receiving medical assistance for him and his brewery's employees through Rhodes Island's aid. But after Angelina arrived at the office, Steve —An agent of the Tax Bureau's office in Bunkerhill— ordered her to handle the suitcase to investigate it, but then Bob decided to personally attend despite his custody. It was discovered that Bob didn't commit tax evasion, yet Steve accused him of lack of insurance payment, as the BigBo's Farm employees, who are Infected workers, supposedly haven't received the insurance payment from Bob. However, Bob stated that none of his workers were under contract.
Steve accused Bob again, this time of money laundering. Having had enough of Steve's actions, Bob decided to finally open the briefcase, which actually contained Oripathy medications and an apology letter from the local Rhodes Island Branch, which failed to save one of his workers, Kent Johnson. The tax bureau's agents were left speechless, and Bob only left on evidence that they actually tried to excoriate him. Bob then asked Angelina to deliver the suitcase to his brewery, but then she discovered a mysterious commission paper related to the Siesta City Council that Bob himself signed. It turned out Bob agreed to handing over the ownership of his Brewery to Siesta, because he wanted to look for a better place for him and his people to settle down, and thus the Columbian authorities no longer have sway over his business. In fact, he was also being aid by Schwarz for the plan. After Big Bob had been escorted back to the brewery, he was welcomed by his workers, Steve came to realize that Bob did want to leave Columbia, he wasn't actually exploiting his employees. At the same time, Bob stated that his current brewery will simply earn enough money to move to Siesta.[14][15][16]
Despite having used Angelina for his plan, Big Bob thanked and apologized to her, which she accepted as long as they don't collaborate with her in such a way.
Mudrock: In Kazdel[edit]
Not long after leaving Columbia, Big Bob, who thought that something might've happened to Mudrock and her squad after finding their campsite empty, decides to look for her and bring some of his beer along the way. The two finally rendezvous in the outskirts of Kazdel, where they decided to temporarily settle, and invites her and her comrades to some beers, courtesy of Bob's farm. Amidst the celebrations, Bob reassures Mudrock that he somewhat likes the Kazdelian soil since at least he doesn't have to deal with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Arts Units and Originium's taxmen, being the reason why he had to personally deliver the beer. He jokingly ask Mudrock to add the ATAO to her blacklist, assuming she eventually comes to Columbia.[17]
| The following story events are not necessarily in chronological order. |
Delicious on Terra[edit]
He is the first inhabitant of Terra encountered by Laios's party. His initial appearance, wielding a chainsaw while wearing his armor, leads the group to perceive him as a threat. However, after Laios introduces himself, the misunderstanding is quickly resolved. Big Bob then explains the intricacies of Originium Slug cuisine, teaching them how to safely handle, decontaminate, and cook the creatures. His lesson results in a shared feast. Recognizing the party's genuine interest in Terra's edible flora and fauna, Big Bob provides them with his personal guidebook, ‘Bob’s Gourmet Guide’. Furthermore, he advises them to seek assistance from Rhodes Island, requesting them to say hello to Mudrock for him. [18] He is later mentioned as having been sent to jail, later either breaking out or making bail before setting up a grocery store in Sami.[19]
Trivia[edit]
- According to a special interview commemorating the 5th anniversary of Arknights CN, Big Bob was originally meant to be released as an Operator alongside Episode 08 instead of Mudrock.