Step Into My Office: Shipping Mace, a different kind of Ship

One of these days in your travels, a guy is going to show you a brand-new deck of cards on which the seal is not yet broken. Then this guy is going to offer to bet you that he can make the jack of spades jump out of this brand-new deck of cards and squirt cider in your ear. But, son, do not accept this bet, because as sure as you stand there, you're going to wind up with an ear full of cider.
Sky Masterson

Following on from Kavel and Sorrel version of Voyage of Legacy

Written with Kavel and Derthaad and expertly manipulated by the esteemed Mr Mace

The Tri-Tooth Wharf.

Furious reconstruction efforts dominate the scene. Warehouses and merchant estates being rebuilt, the artificial islands covered in scaffolding like a demented giant spider had looked at the ruins and said "absolutely not."

A stately manor, surrounded by a fenced garden. Scorch marks showing on the grass and the stonework, but otherwise the palace seemed to have survived the dragon fire relatively well or at least damages having already been repaired.

The group is being let in by a butler, led through dark corridors and into a huge, dark wood panelled office. And there, behind a desk large enough to fit a stately dining room sits the red skinned tiefling known far and wide as "Mr Mace" and by many less charitable names to boot, scribbling furiously away on a piece of parchment, moving it to a precariously balanced stack and drawing a new one from a similarly sized paper mountain, quill dipping into inkwell and repeat.

As the door closes he looks up.

"Ah! Guests! The indomitable Master Darkfire, and associates - Welcome! So glad you could find the time to join me. Tea? Wine? Water? Please help yourselves." And he gestures to a serving table with a variety of refreshments. He gets up from behind his desk, passes a particularly life-like stone statue and pats it affectionately on the shoulder as he passes. "I get so few guests these days. Work is keeping me very busy indeed. Terrible affair, that Githyanki invasion. But we rebuild, one house and street at a time." He smiles and waits for a moment, inviting a response from the group.

"But I guess you didn't come all the way to see me in my humble abode just for the pleasantries and the pastries? What can I do for you today?"

Sorrel bows her head. "At your service as ever Mr Mace, and in a position to discuss matters that I hope are of enormous mutual benefit. But first I am delighted to hear of your recent elevation and shocked - shocked - at the damage wrought on your fine city. I only wish I and my small team had been able to act that tiny bit faster to save the Dawnlands, but you will be delighted to know that many of the potions and devices I purchased from your fine establishment played a critical role in securing our mutual survival. Perhaps just one pastry..."

Kavel finished pouring himself a tea, and seized the moment to address a related matter he feared had not been given the concern it deserved. As Sorrel paused for a pastry, now was a good time. So, Kavel turned to face the owner of the manor and spoke: "Speaking of the invasion - I trust you received our note about the Hellfire Engine? I hope it defended Port Ffirst well, and on behalf of the adventurers involved; we apologise for not bringing the matter to your attention in person." Matter of concern mentioned, Kavel's eyes wandered down towards the pastry tray, "... pecan slice. I'll have that..."

Upon hearing of refreshments, Derthaad gives a nod of appreciation towards Mr. Mace, being thankful for water that he is more than happy to see after 7 days at sea. His glass freezes in front of his face upon hearing Kavel's mention of the Hellfire Engine, remembering that it was an absolute annoyance to control. He's seen the destruction set across all of Port Ffirst and he only hopes that not a lot of it has been made as a collateral from the engine.

Noticing that both Mr. Mace and Sorrel seem to know each other, he'll stand back and let her lead the negotiations.

Mace nods thoughtfully. "The destruction wrought here was great. I did what I could with what means I had available, but it seems the Council had their reasons for focusing their efforts on Daring Heights. They kept their council, aha, to themselves to... But thanks for that contraption you left behind, my people tell me it merrily crushed quite a number of the Gith. Next time maybe ask first though? It gave the Town Guard quite a fright!"

Seeing as all guests are cared for, his demeanour shifts from introspection back to his usual cheery attitude, the toothy smile blossoming once more on his face.

"But while I appreciate your well wishes you did mention a matter of mutual benefit. What might that be? I am all ears..."

Sorrel clears her throat. "Mr Mace, my colleagues and I have come into possession of what can only be described as a ship, the Legacy. She's a fine vessel, with the most remarkable sails. Even if there's not a whisper of wind in the sky they fill out and the thing fairly screams across the water. It's light, fast and a good sized hold. The thing is, we are - perhaps I only speak for myself - but we're more the landlubber type. It's not that we'd never use her - my brother Kavel here has come into possession of an island, for instance, and may want to visit. But honestly, she's going to spend an awful lot of time moored in port. And moored in this port. And I believe you are now the town... burgomaster? So we wanted to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement." She gives what she hopes is a charming smile.

Mace cocks his head sideways, observing each of them in turn, then scratches his chin as he ponders the ceiling.

"Oh well now, you have a ship? How did it get here, what of its crew? No, wait, don't answer that."

His smile returns, the tiefling's pronounced incisors now uncomfortably apparent.

"When you arrived, did you pay the Landing Fee? The Dock Levy? Waterway toll? No?"

A mock frown, he looks to the statue and sadly shakes his head as to an inaudible reply.

"...do you even have a sailing licence?"

The smile grows wider, a pearly white promise of appetite, and you being the meal.

" Jeeesh, looks like you owe the harbour master quite some money! But tell you what, we know each other, you are all good citizens in my book, if you graciously donate the ship to the Grey Zephyr Armada to help defend the good people of Port Ffirst after the horrific tragedy that has so recently befallen them, I can put in a good word for you and explain that, shall we say, all of that money you owe me-, sorry, THE TOWN, was all a little misunderstanding? And if you then want to take it out occasionally for an adventure, I'm sure we can arrange something... "

He pauses for a moment as if to dare them to protest, the smile hanging between them, all of the salesman's friendly mirth having leaked away to reveal undiluted menace.

"How does that sound? Do we have a deal? Or can I expect to hear soon that you paid your 10,000gp debt to society?"

"I believe the previous owners were fully paid up, so any money outstanding would cover the past 60 odd minutes," Sorrel's smile stays firmly in place. "And obviously as defenders of the port's very existence I'm sure we have a good, longstanding friendship with the town. That being said, we do find your suggestion that Port Ffirst takes a majority shareholding in the Legacy enterprise very appealing. We will be very pleased to continue helping the town recover from the recent tragedy and contribute to its continuing defence."

Then Sorrel's face looks stricken with grief. "But this fine addition to your armada was secured at considerable personal cost - financial, emotional and physical. Poor Kavel here may never dance again."

She muses idly as if a though has just hit her. "So, we propose you.... the town takes a 75% stake in the Legacy and all associated revenues from her use. Our respective shares of those revenues - our five per cents - can help cover costs incurred, matters arising and so forth, with any additional revenues earned going towards future purchases from your fine establishment. I believe I have 100gp down on a cloak of Elvenkind still, so my take can pay further into that advance. Or, if this is not to your liking, as we have Kavel's potential grandchildren to think of, we can take the Legacy off at a speed no other ship can match to alternate berthing. The previous owner - Jimmy, a water genasi, has agreed to pick up our costs until sundown and you can find him on Proxima Island where he has a veritable trove of treasures."

Mace's face is like granite, apart from the smile. She tries one last gasp. 

"I mean Mr Mace, the money you could make from ship racing alone will buy you a new pala... the town a new civic headquarters... especially if racing against Faerun customs vessels."

Mace's smile holds steady, frozen in time. For a second, Sorrel thinks he might relent and to a very small degree he does.

"I think donating the ship for the defence of Port Ffirst would be most charitable. Admiral Jarnos Saltborn would surely allow you to remain honorary crew members and retain a 1% stake in the ship, and it may indeed be available for young Kavel here to go and look after his island from time to time. Land ownership is the real treasure after all. As are the children to be raised there? Though I recommend Port Ffirst for that, better schools and amenities, you see. But I consider myself a humble community organiser, and I am sure the community would be most grateful for your selfless contribution! In fact, I can add this to sweeten the deal..."

He returns to his desk, rummages through a drawer, and returns with five brass stars that he carefully pins to each of your shirts or lapels. The inscription reads 'Hero of Port Ffirst'.

"There, that's better, isn't it? I reserve these for special occasions and high civic deeds, but you five have clearly earned them, handing over a new ship for the fleet. The people will be cheering you on the streets, I have no doubt."

Kavel looks at the brass star on his lapel, and then to Sorrel. The goliath leans down so his head is closer to his sister's, and whispers, "is this the best deal we will get, Sorrel? Should I even mention mine and Anabeal's construction of the Green Room next to the Flourished Hook?"

Sorrel is uncertain. She hadn't expected the conversation to go quite the way it had and she's not certain if it's gone well or badly. She has been outplayed in a game of chess she wasn't aware had started where the board was flowing water, the pieces were made of smoke and no move she'd make had any effect on the outcome. What is there to lose by another last desperate move? “I mean, it’s worth a try. Aim for 3% and you’ll name the first town on the island Maceton…?”

"Worth a try, to be honest," added Derthaad

Kavel turned to look at Mace. "I should mention me and Anabael constructed the 'Green Room' which we donated to the Flourished Hook and it was integral in the Singing Frog performance that helped raise a lot of money for Port Ffirst's renovation work. In addition - me, Anabael, Celina, Felix and Elias were actually the singing frogs. For 3%, I would gladly name a town or maybe you'd prefer the port of my island after you? Port Mace?"

"That's very commendable! Truly, a friend of the people you are. Here, have another gold star!" and Mace pins another on Kavel.

"But I think our deal is solid as it is. I really must commend you for your work to improve the lot of this community. I am sure, when the time comes, you will be well served by the Grey Zephyr Armada having taken on the Legacy and maintaining it while you are off on adventures on more solid and familiar ground than a ship. It takes a lot of maintenance. And the fees, did I mention the fees? Really, I am doing you a favour here."

He smiles and nods, utterly devoid of warmth. "I think that concludes our business. Always a pleasure. Come back soon! And do enjoy the weather, it is so beautiful these days..."

“Thank you Mr Mace,” Sorrel says cheerfully. “ Would you do me the honour of pinning the badge on and maybe saying a few appropriate words to mark the moment?”

Mace gives the brass star pinned to Sorrel's shirt a tug and a polish with the hem of his sleeve and begins reciting what is clearly a stump speech given with the assured practice of having done so many times before.

"Fellow citizens of Port Ffirst,
We have come together today to celebrate the distinguished contribution these people have made in service to our beloved city. Misfortune may have befallen us, but we are still here. We yet survive. And we will rebuild. Together! Individually, you may be fishermen, merchants, or even adventurers, but together, you become true heroes. And our continued prosperity is assured by the number of heroes I see before me today. As long as these stars shine, so long will Port Ffirst endure. Because you are the stars. You make it shine. You are Port Ffirst. You are all heroes."

As the speech comes to an end, however, Sorrel detects a rare note of sincerity in Mace's voice. He then suddenly begins to clap enthusiastically, the sound echoing through the dead air of the large office.

Kavel looks down at his hands, befuddled, to find he is clapping along with Mace. Then, for further celebration he helps himself to another pastry - comrade Derthaad did his best to keep the adventurers fed on their voyage, but the empty carbs of pastries were much desired.

Derthaad accepts the pin and cheers, but it is hollow. He wasn't fond of being called the hero of anything, for there's usually a lot behind it and it brings a lot of expectations with it. But he's not gonna ruin the mood, and thus thanks Mr. Mace for his hospitality.

Sorrel is oddly moved by Mace’s enthusiasm. She hasn’t quite realised how genuine his concern for the town is. Behind his dangerous cynical menacing ways beats a dangerous cynical and menacing heart that loves this dirty old town. She bows her head in sincere thanks and figures, well, at least he didn't kill us.