★ Iain "Trots" Campbell

Iain “Trots” Campbell — Human Version (Still Wakes the Deep)

Full name: Iain Campbell Nickname: “Trots” Gender: Male Age: Late 20s to early 30s Height: ~5′9″ (1.75 m) Eyes: Brown Hair: Light brown, neatly kept Build: Slim, slightly wiry Nationality: Scottish

Appearance

Trots stands out less for physical presence and more for how put-together he tries to look — even on an oil rig.

• Face: Narrow features, thoughtful expression, often slightly tense.
• Glasses: Wears rectangular prescription glasses — frequently adjusting them when nervous or thinking.
• Hair & Grooming: Light brown hair kept tidy; prefers looking orderly rather than rugged. Usually clean-shaven.
• Clothing:
  • Standard rig coveralls, but worn properly and zipped correctly.
  • Keeps his space and gear unusually organized compared to most of the crew.
• Posture: Slightly stiff, shoulders tight — carries himself carefully.
• Overall presence: Intelligent, anxious, and noticeably meticulous.

Personality

• Highly organized (OCD tendencies):
  • Needs things in order — tools aligned, routines followed, procedures respected.
  • Becomes visibly stressed when chaos disrupts structure.
• Intellectual and thoughtful:
  • Loves history — especially Scottish history and political movements.
  • Often references historical events or figures in conversation.
  • Enjoys debates and discussions more than physical confrontation.
• Politically opinionated:
  • Open supporter of the SNP (Scottish National Party).
  • Passionate about Scottish identity and independence.
  • Can get defensive if challenged, though not aggressive.
• Anxious but not cowardly:
  • Fear hits him hard when things spiral out of control.
  • Struggles deeply when routine collapses.
  • Despite anxiety, he doesn’t abandon people.
• Earnest and sincere:
  • Means well, even if he can come across as pedantic or intense. Trots isn’t built for chaos — and that’s exactly what makes his situation so cruel.

Role & Background

• A rig worker with a more academic lean than most of the crew.
• Likely well-read and educated beyond what his job strictly requires.
• Nicknamed “Trots” either for his political leanings or his tendency to go on long historical tangents.
• Keeps mental lists, routines, and structured thinking to stay grounded.
• When disaster strikes, the breakdown of order hits him harder than the physical danger.

Voice & Accent

• Speaks with a clear Scottish accent, slightly softer and more measured than some of the crew.
• Talks quickly when passionate — especially about politics or history.
• Voice tightens when stressed; breathing becomes shallow during panic.
• Occasionally corrects others or adds factual details mid-conversation.

Themes & Symbolism

• Represents structure vs chaos.
• His OCD tendencies make the rig’s collapse psychologically devastating.
• Embodies the idea that intelligence doesn’t shield someone from terror.
• Shows how deeply people cling to routine when the world begins to fall apart.

Summary Table

| Field | Details | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | Full Name | Iain “Trots” Campbell | | Gender | Male | | Age | Late 20s–early 30s | | Height | ~5′9″ | | Eyes | Brown | | Hair | Light brown | | Build | Slim | | Nationality | Scottish | | Distinguishing | Glasses, meticulous habits | | Personality | Intelligent, anxious, organized, passionate | | Interests | Scottish history, politics | | Political Lean | Supports SNP | | Core Theme | Order collapsing into chaos |

Iain “Trots” Campbell feels like someone who survives life by keeping everything in its proper place — mentally and physically. When the rig descends into something unknowable and uncontrollable, it’s not just the horror outside that threatens him… it’s the destruction of every system he relies on to feel safe. If you’d like, I can also write an infected Trots version — which would be especially tragic given his need for order.