Quoted By:
This is too shifty for your tastes. And aside from that, this glorified merchant wants you to do his bidding without letting you know what exactly you stand to gain from this arrangement. Nor do you trust his plans; he has designs on this empire, and while he talks about using Raymond as a pawn, isn't he also hoping to turn you into a pawn? To be used to put strings on the empire, and to be discarded and sacrificed if the need arises. No, thanks, you deal with Prokopios the old-fashioned way. By running either your sword or your lance through him. Should he take the empire, you will dispose of him through a passage of arms. So you tell as much.
<span class="mu-i"> ''I must decline your offer, Your Serenity. But my conscience cannot permit it.'' </span> You said in a firm tone. Whatever this moustached peddler was trying to sell to you, you wouldn't have it. You were half of a mind to insult him with an insult made for his kind, something with copper, but you decided otherwise.
<span class="mu-i"> ''A pity; I had hoped for a productive cooperation, but I am not as petty or as small-minded to bear a grudge. I thank you for at least being willing to hear me out. I hope we can depart on friendly terms and that we may meet in favourable circumstances in the future.'' </span> If he is disappointed, he is hiding it well. Nevertheless, you decided against staying the night; you rode back inland and only set up camp when you thought yourself out of their reach.
It was hard riding back to Trorlinos; a hailstorm had made the roads into mud, and your cloaks couldn't handle the rains. It was a journey of dirty breeches, pulling horses out of the mud. And soaked clothing, but you managed to pull through. As you rode back through the gates and back inside, you changed clothes before receiving the report you wanted about the bandit Maurus.
<span class="mu-s"> To determine what kind of man Maurus is, roll a 1d100, if you please. </span>
1-34: Maurus is the last of a once-prominent noble family, whose estates had been burnt by the enemy. He led the survivors into the woods and hills, from where he wages a guerilla war. He is a true patriot and more than eager to help you in the war effort.
35-67: Maurus was once a lower-ranking officer in the imperial army; now, without purpose or master, he made off for the wilds, where he set up his own little army. Cynical and world-weary, Maurus is willing to hear you out, but yearns for something more peaceful.
68-100: Maurus is nothing more than a hoary old bandit, with no loyalties save his own coffers. He is willing to sell you iron at exorbitant prices but wants you to stay clear of his own turf.
