Quoted By:
"Greetings, Lord Viscount! I am <span class="mu-s">Vettorio de Camento</span>, certified master of the <span class="mu-i">Honourable Silenian Artillery Guild</span> and a wandering merchant of my trade. Upon learning of your call for mercenaries; I thought to make my services available."
"An artillery master, you say? What services do you offer" you ask, prodding the lively man.
"The service of artillery, of course, your lordship! I bring with me my own cannon, handcrafted by yours truly, as well as the aides necessary to operate it. You have my assurance that any wall made of stone or any company made of men would fall when targetted by it; anything short of an earthen rampart can be easily destroyed! I will handle all maintenace and the supply of munitions as well, of course. All that is necessary is your payment."
Your interest grows. "And what payment do you request, artillery master?"
"For a month's of service, milord? Sixty Imperii."
You almost spit when you hear those numbers.
"Sixty Imperii?! Hugues, does this man speak reasonably?!" you turn to your major, wondering if this Vettorio is attempting to swindle you. The tired expression that your captain returns you, however, does not give you hope.
"I am afraid so, sire. The Artillery Guilds are quite secretive of their craft, and charge plentifully for it. I have seen Bachman Siege Masters be paid double or even triple what this man asks for. It is...a <span class="mu-i">very</span> rich profession."
"My apologies if my words seemed avaricious, lord viscount" Vettorio says. "The guild is quite clear on the minimum to their services however; were i to charge even a single copper coin less, they would most certainly have me used as ammunition for my gun."
<span class="mu-i">That much you know he is truthful about</span>, however. You've read plenty of books to know such a gruesome tradition is more than reality. The Artillery Guilds are as cut-throat as they are wealthy. It is said that, in the League of Bach, where merchant rule is law, competing guilds will wage wholesale 'gang wars', stopping only to brutally stomp out any who dare break the guild secrets. Attempts at breaking this monopoly on the part of statesmen usually end with the assassination of the craftsmen and the offer of rather favourable rates for the rivals of the nation. Not even the Emperor of Mirevalia itself has been able to avoid their grasp.
Still, there is a reason for it; and that is the sheer power of artillery in the field of battle. Even a single gun is capable of breaking entire companies by itself, if positioned well enough. <span class="mu-i">Don Carles would most certainly be thankful, if you were to bring him an artillery piece.</span> Yet there is no denying it will also <span class="mu-i">slow your army down.</span> What should you do?
<span class="mu-s">CHOOSE YOUR OPTION</span>
>Hire Vettorio
>Do Not
