Mace

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Mace (梅斯)
Alias(es)	Fat merchant
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Unnamed merchant guild
Occupation/Role	Merchant; merchant-guild manager
Status	Alive; parts ways with Rhode and Lize in Deepstone City 32
First Appearance	8

Background / History

Mace was transporting cargo by airship under the protection of Carter's mercenary group when the vessel was attacked by Wind Serpents and ultimately crashed. His Guardian Pendant saved his life in the crash, but was destroyed by the impact. The cargo was lost, leaving him facing substantial financial losses and compensation claims 8 24.

As one of only three survivors alongside Rhode and Lize, Mace joined them in cremating the wreckage and the dead. Though he initially presented himself with some bravado, the disaster left him terrified and dependent on Rhode's protection and knowledge of the wilderness 8 10.

During the journey through the Silver Moon Forest and Mist Ruins, Mace repeatedly struggled with exhaustion, fear, and the dangers around him. He alerted the Moon Soul wolf by falling on a branch, stumbled during the Gargoyle pursuit, and suffered from weakened magical traps while searching the ruined church 11 16 17. Despite this, he helped Lize search for the Gargoyle Control Hub and successfully identified it among the church's debris 19.

After reaching Riverwood Town, Mace attempted to compensate Lize and Rhode for saving his life. Rhode refused payment, instead seeking a lasting connection to Mace's merchant guild 24. Mace then arranged transport toward Deepstone City, defended his carriage reservation against hostile nobles, and traveled with Rhode and Lize until their arrival 24 25.

Before they separated in Deepstone City, Rhode warned Mace not to reveal the true circumstances of the shipwreck because unknown parties had previously pursued them. Mace agreed and departed to deal with the consequences of his lost cargo 32.

Appearance

Mace is a chubby, overweight merchant whose appearance and physical condition contrast sharply with the dangers he encounters on the road.

• Chubby face and small eyes 8 21
• Frequently described as a fat merchant
• Carries a travel bag closely, especially when frightened 15 16
• Becomes visibly disheveled and dusty while navigating the Mist Ruins 17

Personality

Mace is practical, financially minded, and observant. He immediately worries about his destroyed cargo and shattered Guardian Pendant, but he is capable of recognizing Rhode's unusual strength, composure, and apparent indifference to valuable magical equipment 8 20.

He is easily frightened by monsters, ruins, traps, and immediate threats. In dangerous situations, he tends to panic, complain, or seek Rhode's direction; however, he does not abandon the group when circumstances become frightening 11 16 17.

Away from the wilderness, Mace reveals a more assertive and shrewd side. He argues fiercely when nobles attempt to take his hired carriage and understands the value of building connections with powerful people. He becomes especially deferential toward Rhode, whom he mistakenly believes to be a high-ranking noble or member of an ancient family 20 24 25.

Abilities & Skills

Merchant Expertise

Mace has extensive commercial experience and manages a merchant guild.

• Understands the value of magical equipment and estimates that the items recovered from the Gargoyles could sell for tens of thousands of gold coins 20
• Recognizes the importance of commercial connections and attempts to establish a long-term relationship with Rhode 24
• Arranges transportation and negotiates carriage travel to Deepstone City 24
• Is trusted with handling cargo, supplies, and the financial consequences of the airship disaster 15 24

Item Identification

Mace shows an aptitude for noticing and identifying objects amid clutter.

• Locates the Gargoyle Control Hub in the abandoned church while searching with Lize 19
• His ability to identify items proves more useful than Lize's during the search 19

Limitations

• Has no demonstrated combat ability and is regarded as dead weight in a fight 11
• Is physically unfit for mountain travel and becomes exhausted during the journey 13
• Has little resistance to magic, making even weakened protective circles painful and frightening to him 17
• His fear can cause mistakes, including alerting the Moon Soul wolf and falling during the Gargoyle attack 11 16

Equipment / Items

• Guardian Pendant — Saved Mace during the airship crash, but shattered from the impact 8
• Travel bag — Used to carry supplies; Mace clutches it during dangerous situations 15 16
• Merchant-guild badge — A silver badge he offers Rhode while attempting to build a connection 24

Relationships

• Rhode — Rescuer, wilderness guide, and the person Mace relies upon most after the shipwreck. Mace is impressed by Rhode's strength and believes he may be a noble of extraordinary lineage 8 20 24.
• Lize — Formerly hired as part of Carter's mercenary escort. Mace thanks her for protecting him, while she repeatedly heals, shields, and encourages him during their journey 15 16 17 24.
• Carter — Mercenary captain whose group was hired to protect Mace and his cargo before the airship disaster 8 24.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Airship Disaster and Forest Escape

Mace survives the Wind Serpent attack and airship crash, but loses his cargo and protective pendant. He travels with Rhode and Lize through the Silver Moon Forest, relying on Rhode's route knowledge and combat ability to survive 8 10 11.

Mist Ruins

Mace accompanies Rhode and Lize into the Mist Ruins, where his lack of combat ability makes him vulnerable to Wraiths, Gargoyles, and magical traps. His key contribution is discovering the Gargoyle Control Hub, enabling Rhode to defeat the Gargoyles 15 17 19.

Riverwood Town and Deepstone City

Once the group reaches Riverwood Town, Mace attempts to repay Rhode and Lize, makes plans to compensate for his cargo losses, and shares a carriage with them toward Deepstone City. He later departs after agreeing to keep the shipwreck's circumstances secret 24 25 32.

Trivia

• Mace's terror of the Mist Ruins is partly restrained by embarrassment: Lize's calmness keeps him from fleeing the abandoned church outright 17.
• He views Rhode's casual distribution of magic equipment as evidence that Rhode belongs to an ancient noble family or royalty 20.
• Although his throw of the Gargoyle Control Hub misses Rhode badly, Rhode's Soul Bird catches it before the Gargoyles can reclaim it 19.