Building a dream [Logan]

[jdd2035]

(ooc: This is a series of threads in which Cain with the help of Logan will acquire a ship. A 24 gun frigate 12, 12 pounders, 12 9 pounders, with bow and stern chasers. For this I will be forgoing gold and XP throughout the series in lieu of the end reward.)

Cain was tired, incredibly tired of constantly being out gunned, out numbered, and out weighed at every turn when on the sea. He was a good tactical captain and when it came to ship to ship actions he could give ships twice the size of the Peregrine a run for their money and with luck on his side he could win, but every time he won it was a costly hollow victory, he lost men, supplies and parts of his own ship. It was too costly sometimes. To that end he wanted a larger ship.

Cain had spent a considerable amount of time searching through the different docks hoping to find a deal. No matter where he went he found the same basic story either get a smaller ship or get a larger one that was cobbled together with rotted knees, twice laid rigging, threadbare sails and robber bolts with great guns that would erupt at their first run. His other option was to have a ship write build it but even the least talented, write that would infest a potential ship with robber bolts was still a touch out of his price range. He had found the write he wanted, a fairly honest one that was used to dealing with merchants more than most others.

"Look sir, I know this is asking quite a bit. But I assure you that I am in good faith and would not offer you a lee shore. If you were to build this ship I would guarantee the safety of any cargo you may wish me to transport and with the kind of ship you would be building it would get from point A to B with a quickness." Cain was trying to make a deal highly in favor of the ship write in the long run.

How ever the ship write didn't bite "No sir, I don't do charity, and I don't run my business on credit. You either pay or your ship doesn't get built plain and simple."

Cain furrowed his brow a touch "How are you even in business if you're not running on credit? Ships are incredibly expensive no one but barons and rich merchant kings could afford one and even they would rather pay on credit rather than empty their coffers for a single ship."

The ship write shook his head "Those are my terms, heavy as they may be they are my terms. If you want credit go to a bank."

Cain wasn't done though "There must be some sort of a deal my crew has some highly talented carpenters, boatswains and able seamen that can work with your builders quicken the pace of the build, not only that but they may even volunteer to assist in building another ship or two to cut the cost down even more."

This made the ship write pause now he was intrigued "That will cut some of the cost but you still need a powerful lot of supplies, hard wood for your keel, knees, and hull. Tall trees for your masts, manila or hemp for your rigging, acres of sail cloth, not to mention brass or preferably bronze for your cannons. If you can get that plus enough surplus to build another ship, and have your crew assist in the building of the ship you want we just may have a deal."

It was probably the best deal Cain could get and the ship write knew it. Cain would get his ship and the ship write would get enough supplies to build another frigate sized ship. Something worth their while.

[Logan]

Logan could barely remember why he headed to the Bazaar that day. Marshal Stormcrow of the Corone Rangers tasked the psion with acquiring a couple of ships and captains eager to offer their services to the cause, and to do so under the nose of the Empire. The Imperials, for all their bluster and gusto, still believed they were in firm control of Corone, but the reality was far cloudier than that.

At the last major Coalition strategy session, Stormcrow, Logan and a host of other rebellion leaders landed upon a possible assault plan, which might once and for all return the rule of Corone to the people. The concept was flawed, certainly, but within its imperfections lie the foundations of the dismantling of the Empire's strongholds across the nation. If they held any hope of achieving success, however, they needed a fleet.

As the telepath passed the acres and acres of merchant tents stretched before him, he listened intently to the pitches offered.

"Twenty-five gold pieces for the finest silks this side of Fallien!"

"Fifty gold pieces for the strongest armors you've ever laid your eyes upon. Guaranteed to withstand blows from the toughest metals again and again!"

"One gold piece is all it takes, friend, to land you the newest invention known to the land. The zeebeesixtythree. You may wonder what it does, but wonder no more. For just one gold piece you don't just get the original zeebee, no sir, you also get a look into the future. Be the first in your family to own a real life zeebee, and I promise you everyone will beg you for your autograph. Why yes, the zeebeesixtythree has finally arrived, and at one gold piece I am practically paying you for the opportunity to own your very own zeebee. Who can say no to that?"

Apparently, Logan was more than capable of saying no, and he continued on his way past the rows of smaller shops, past the larger shoddy warehouses, and well past the largest enterprise-owned stores. The farther from the Bazaar's hustle and bustle he went, the more clearly he could make out sounds of the docks. The bells of the individual ships, the crashing of the waves near the piers, and the shouts and screams of captains, skippers, and a few would-be pirates ordering their crews filled the air.

Horse-drawn wagons passed by carrying goods to and from the various vessels. Some were coming, but most were going as it appeared export was on the upswing of recent. A couple pulled up to one of the largest boats docked at that moment. She was a sturdy vessel, but clearly she had seen her time in battle. Sixteen canon portholes below deck, and that was only on the starboard side. Logan guessed another sixteen on the other, and the thought put a gleam in his eye. The captain stood proudly next to the small ramp leading up to her deck.

"Where's she headed, captain," the psion asked with a hope to prod the captain into revealing the necessary details.

"This here is the Freebird's Bane, and she's marked for a tour of the coast of Kebiras," the peg-legged man in his mid to late fifties offered.

Logan shook his head. Certainly, the old girl was really the type of ship the Coalition needed, but if she was destined for Kebiras there'd be no hope of keeping her near Corone. He thanked the captain for his time and continued on down the docks. The interactions went basically the same, with each ship set to sail for some far-off locale on an export mission of some kind or other. His time felt wasted as he took a seat next to a small wooden stall with a shipwright and a would-be ship captain discussing a possible deal.

The psion stroked his chin as the young man stood to leave the stall, and stepped into his path. "Hello there young man, I do not believe the two of us have been formally introduced. The name is Logan McCloud, perhaps you've heard of me," he said as he thrust his hand outward in a rather forceful introduction.

Logan glanced back and forth a few times, making sure there weren't any Imperial bastards around, "we might be best served to take our introductions elsewhere for the time being, but I should let you know I might be able to assist you in acquiring the goods and materials you require for the build should you be willing to offer service in return as necessary."

[jdd2035]

Cain was already working out where he was to go and what he was going to have to do to get the supplies to build his ship. He wanted hickory for the keel and knees to make her stiff un-sagging and non-griping. The thought did cross his mind that maybe perhaps he could get a supply of Akashima redwood. He wanted the keel and knees to be stiff there was no question.

There was one thing the shipwright forgot to mention and that was either copper or bronze for the ships bottom. Bronze would be a touch stronger but either way he'd rather have sheets of metal sealing the bottom of his ship rather than pitch. That black tar like stuff that was used tended to wash away and start rotting the hull shortening the life of a ship, and this ship Cain wanted to last for quite some time.

There was several things on Cains mind from the disposition of his crew to where he might get enough supplies he just might have to get his supplies from more than one supplier. That would be tricky, and what he didn't want to do was to go from one supplier to the next to the next in an endless series of business deals to make it work but if that's where things went that's where things went.

He was about to head towards his crew and start giving assignments when a stranger with a confident heir stepped up and introduced himself to him. Cain smiled and brought his knuckle to the brim of his tricorne hat

"Good day to you sir. i am Captain Cain Jodin (pronounced Yo-Din) of the Peregrine. It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. McCloud." Cain was in the cargo trade and transport business and more recently the high seas privateer he was not in many social circles so his knowledge of Logan was minimal but he did hear of him. "I believe you are someone in the hierarchy of Corone if I understand right." Cain mentioned, he was some where close he hoped and took Logans offered hand and gave it just as powerful of a squeeze as he received while still being civil.

Cain indicated a twelve gun Alerarian corvette "My great cabin should have plenty of privacy. I'll lead the way." The Peregrine was a trim ship well maintained by Cains crew. It had a sail plan that set it up for speed and maneuverability. The wood was sanded and holy stoned till it was glassy, her hull had received a fresh coat of paint and every piece of brass and the occasional silver was polished and shined and glinted in the sun.

Cains great cabin was also well maintained with Alerarian accents in oak and the gallery widows were clear but edged with stained glass. Cain disliked a flash ship. One that was all show and no action but Cains ship was one of action and the money from those actions is what paid for all the little details on the Peregrine. "Welcome aboard MR. McCloud." Cain said letting his acquaintance take in his ship before entering the cabin. Once inside Cain asked "Now how may we help one another?"

[Max Dirks]

Moving this to Radasanth, folks.