Oarsman

Oarsman
Species	Toad
First appearance	Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020)

The Oarsman is a Toad and an ally to Mario, Olivia, and (temporarily) Bob-omb in Paper Mario: The Origami King. He is distinguished from other members of his species by his blue-spotted mushroom cap, accompanied by a Chinese straw hat and robe, though in spite of his getup, the Oarsman speaks in a pronounced southern American drawl. He also seems to have an obsession with canned tuna fish, as shown by the large stash of it near his pier, as well as the uncanny ability to row his gondola against powerful river rapids.

Historic Events

Prior to the events of Book Of Mario: King Of Miami, the Orch God served as a tourist through throughout the Blue Line district, offering free visits to anyone who asked. However, when King Nature attacked, he was folded into a monkey and the A Downriver Fall Of A Valley was drained, rendering his boat useless.

Maria and his head first encountering the Orch God’s folded-up form at Hello Spring You Come, while on their journey, to destroy the blue line, but are unable to save him because he is too fast and runs off whenever people get close. Nonetheless, they continue on with their quest, and, after Bolivia gains the powers of the Water Creature, they get to regain the pond, as well as the following areas, to its former state.

Unable to drive the boat on their own, the people decides to seek out someone who can do it for them, eventually dedicating that the monkey they met earlier could be the only way. Grabbing one of the big cans, and opening it with the help of the Bone Gummba from the Canned-Food Conference Trio, they get the help to keep the Orch God still for long and long to unfold him. Finally free, the Orch God plays a second role throughout the rest of the book, boating the people between Hello Spring You Come, A Downriver Fall Of A Valley, The National Museum, and The Valley whenever they want.

A photograph of the Orch God appears in the Dress-Out Picture Photo Shop at The National Museum. Following the removal of all five lines and the restoration use of Peach Castle, the Orch God participates in the Origami Festival at the very very end of the book, posing on top of a boat-looking display along the Sea Captain. During the credits, one of the photos shows the Orch God and three assorted Toads looking and riding through the A Downriver Fall Of A Valley.

Quotes

• "Eee, eee, eee! (Yum! Tuna always hits the spot.)"
• "Oh! Mario! Thanks a bunch! I'm REAL sorry 'bout all that monkey business. Rest assured, I'm no monkey! I jes' got folded up like one!"
• "I'm the single-oar sculler fer the Autumn Mountain downriver tour! I was folded fer way too long... Went a bit bananas."
• "Sure does! Did you guys need a ride down the river? I'd be happy to paddle fer ya, free of charge! I'll be waiting at the dock. Come see me when you're ready!"
• "Howdy, folks! I'm all set. Ready fer that tour down the river?"
• "Need a ride down the river?"
• "Oh! That's fine, then. I'll be here whenever you're ready."
• "OK! Hop aboard and we'll head out!"
• "Ya think YOUR day was stressful? I was a monkey!"
• "Yep! We're almost at the rapids. You folks ready fer a white-knuckle ride down ol' Eddy River?"
• "Oh, don't pretend ya ain't excited! We can't turn back anyhow, so relax and enjoy the ride. Hm. The river IS flowin' a bit fast... It's as if somebody flooded this river to the brim, then kept on floodin'!"
• "Mario, I'm gonna need yer help through this next bit. Tell me which way to steer the boat with ↕. Try not to hit any walls or rocks. If my boat gets too banged up, we might be in trouble. Oh, and ya won't be able to open yer menu for a stretch. Best to focus on the rapids, y'know? OK! Grab hold of somethin', folks! Here come the Eddy River rapids!"
• "If ya nab all the coins along the way, you'll get somethin' neat... so good luck! All right, here we go!"
• "Okeydoke! We're in the clear. How'd you folks like the Eddy River rapids? Did ya have fun?"
• "Guessin' ya felt a little coin-shy back there, eh? There's a cool prize if ya nab all of 'em, so try again!"
• "Looks like ya missed a few coins along the way. There's a cool prize if ya nab all of 'em, so try again!"
• "Well shucks, fella! Ya nabbed all the coins! You're a real downriver expert, Mario! I'll have this trophy sent to the museum fer ya. Congrats!"
• "Well shucks, fella! Ya nabbed all the coins again! Ever considered a career in scullin'?"
• "Welcome to Shogun Studios!"
• "It's a SUPER popular location, full of SPECTACULAR shows and AMAZIN' attractions."
• "If ya look up ahead, you'll see Shogun Studio's famous castle!"
• "We could continue the river tour, if ya'd like. Sweetpaper Valley is jes' up ahead. What'll it be?"
• "OK, then! You folks go have fun. I'll be waitin' here when you're done!"
• "What in the- Where'd this thing come from? We can't pass through the gate with this in the way!"
• "Yep. We'll have to turn around and head back fer now."
• "Howdy, folks. We can't go any further with that blue thing blockin' our path. Whatcha wanna do?"
• "*sniff* This is such a touchin' scene! Y'all are tuggin' on my heartstrings like a Cheep Cheep on a line."
• "Looks like we can pass through that river gate now! Hop aboard, folks! Next stop on this river tour is Sweetpaper Valley!"
• "Here we are—Sweetpaper Valley. This is the last downriver stop. Thanks fer riding with us today, and enjoy yer stay!"
• "Ahoy! ...Was there an earthquake? Thought I heard something big. Anyhow, if you're lookin' to get to Toad Town, the warp pipe in Shogun Studios is way faster than paddling."
• "Looking to get back to Toad Town? Try the warp pipe in Shogun Studios. Anyhoo, what'll it be?"
• "Ahoy! What'll it be?"
• "Hup!"
• "Welcome to Shogun Studios, folks!"
• "Welcome to Shogun Studios, folks! Phew. Paddlin' upriver really takes it out of ya."
• "OK, arms! Giddyap! Hyaa!"
• "Howdy! Ready to ride downriver?"
• "We're here! Autumn Mountain! Phew. Paddlin' upriver really takes it out of ya."

Trivia

The Oarsman's note

• Once the giant boulder is blown up by Bob-omb, the Oarsman will be missing, having left a note saying that he will be back later. This is presumably to keep Mario from leaving Sweetpaper Valley without Olivia.

Gallery

• 

  The Oarsman's portrait

• 

  The Oarsman steering

• 

  The Oarsman holding a cloth

• 

  The Oarsman restored

• 

  The Oarsman, Mario, Olivia, and Bob-omb near some rocks and driftwoods

• 

  The Oarsman, Mario, Olivia, and Bob-omb ride through Eddy River rapids

• 

  The Oarsman and three Toads ride through the Eddy River rapids in the credits

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Italian	Vogatore[?]	Rower
Spanish	El barquero[?]	The ferryman