A Matter Of Proof

**A Matter Of Proof** is one of the quests in *The Age of Decadence*.

Commercium quest.

## Possible Rewards

This point onwards contains minor spoilers

* 0-6 civil skill points
* 15-20 skill points
* 150 Imperials
* 1-2 (Bronze) Lorica Segmentata
* Imperial Guards' Writ
* Impersonate/Streetwise/Persuasion, +15 SP training from Cado if you signed the contract
* Commercium reputation -17 to +5
* House Daratan reputation -5 to +1 (t.b.c.)
* Loyalty -1 to -5
* Lose trait: Agent
* Gains trait: Extremely Persuasive

## Quest Overview

This point onwards contains major spoilers

1. *Commander Carrinas must be stopped. Talk to Neleos, the guildmaster of the Boatmen, about it.*
2. *You need to convince Antidas to place the hit on Commander Carrinas.*
	* Convince Antidas without proof - goto Resolution [1]
	* Otherwise, talk to Linos about proof
3. Figure out what to do next
	* *It's time to pay Carrinas a vist. After all, that's where all the evidence is.*
	* *You can't forget the evidence without a sample of Commander Carrinas' handwriting and signature.*
	* *Antidas won't act until he has the evidence. See if Mercato can help you there.*
	* *Cado should be able to help you get inside the barracks.*
4. At Teron Barracks
	* Dress as a merchant and enter
	* Dress as an Imperial Guard and look for Mercato
	* Dress as an Imperial Guard and enter with a writ
	* (Betrayal) Talk to Carrinas and offer him your services
5. Preparation
	* Nothing - you have authentic proof
	* Carry out the forgery
6. Present the evidence to Antidas
7. Resolution
	* Convinced Antidas to put the mark on Carrinas
		1. adds quest: The Loose Ends
	* (Betrayal) Talk to Carrinas and offer him your services
		1. Convince him to let you join
		2. starts quest: The Wind Sweeping Through Towers

## Detailed Walkthrough

This point onwards contains spoilers

1. *Commander Carrinas must be stopped. Talk to Neleos, the guildmaster of the Boatmen, about it.*
2. *You need to convince Antidas to place the hit on Commander Carrinas.*
	* Convince Antidas without proof - goto Resolution [1]
	* Otherwise, talk to Linos about proof
3. Figure out what to do next
	* *It's time to pay Carrinas a visit. After all, that's where all the evidence is.*
	* *You can't forge the evidence without a sample of Commander Carrinas' handwriting and signature.*
	* *Antidas won't act until he has the evidence. See if Mercato can help you there.*
		1. If you succeed in enlisting his help, Mercato will help you in infiltration
		2. Visit Quintus's quarters to obtain his armor
			1. Gains (Bronze) Lorica Segmentata
		3. Meet Mercato at Teron Barracks
	* *Cado should be able to help you get inside the barracks.*
		1. If you had signed a contract with Cado, he'll help you in impersonation by providing you with a writ
			1. Gains Imperial Guards' Writ
		2. Cado will attempt to sell you an armor to complete the disguise for 100 imperials
			1. Gain (Bronze) Lorica Segmentata
			2. Gain Training in Impersonate/Streetwise/Persuasion, +15 SP
		3. Visit Teron Barracks
4. At Teron Barracks
	* Dress as a merchant and enter
		1. Convince Carrinas to provide you documents to get a sample of his handwriting and signature
	* Dress as an Imperial Guard and look for Mercato
		1. Convince the guard outside Carrinas quarters to let you pass
	* Dress as an Imperial Guard and enter with a writ
		1. Convince Carrinas to provide you documents to get a sample of his handwriting and signature
	* (Betrayal) Talk to Carrinas and offer him your services
		1. Convince him to let you join
		2. starts quest: The Wind Sweeping Through Towers
5. Preparation
	* Nothing - you have authentic proof
	* Carry out the forgery
6. Present the evidence to Antidas
7. Resolution
	1. Convinced Antidas to put the mark on Carrinas
	2. Debrief by Linos
	3. adds quest: The Loose Ends

## Statistics, Skills and Backgrounds checks

1. *Commander Carrinas must be stopped. Talk to Neleos, the guildmaster of the Boatmen, about it.*
	* *No checks*
2. *You need to convince Antidas to place the hit on Commander Carrinas.*
	1. "What proof do you have? I can't start a war with the Guards based on the words of a drunken soldier."
		* (hidden check) Etiquette:[2] + Charisma = [12]
	2. Make it quick.
		* Streetwise + Persuasion = [12]
	3. "If only it was that simple. It's true that our relationship with the Guards was better and simpler in the past, but I'm not sure that killing their Commander will earn me their gratitude and bring back the era of peace. The Guards will be bound to respond."
		* (hidden check) Intelligence: [8], Persuasion + Charisma = [16], gains trait (Extremely Persuasive)
3. Figure out what to do next
	* Mercato
		1. "Is there any proof of what you've told me?"
			+ Charisma:[7] if you persuaded him in the previous quest or Charisma:[10] if you threatened him
		2. You entered Quintus' house and look around...
			+ Look around
				- "I'd like to buy your old armor."
					* Trading:[3], pay him 120 imperials
				- Cheat him of his armor
					* Streetwise:[4], you pay him 10 imperials
			+ Perception:[9], Look for the armor
				1. *Failure leads to Quintus' return*
	* Cado (if you signed a contract)
		1. You get Imperial Guards' Writ
		2. Cado offers you an armor for sale
			+ Pay 100 imperials for armor
			+ Trading:[3], pay 65 imperials for armor
			+ Streetwise:[4], get the armor for free
		3. You gain Impersonate/Streetwise/Etiquette training, +15 SP
4. At Teron Barracks
	* Dress as a merchant and enter
		1. Etiquette:[3] or Trading:[4] or if it fails Persuasion:[4], gets you a copy of his writing and signature
	* Dress as an Imperial Guard and look for Mercato
		+ Bluff the guard outside Carrinas quarters
			1. Streetwise:[3], "Where are the orders?"
			2. Impersonate+Streetwise=[7], "You were told to get the orders..."
			3. Impersonate+Streetwise=[8], "You're in deep shit then, friend..."
		+ Bribe the guard
			1. Trading:[3], "I'll pay you 500 imperials for five minutes inside this room"
				- Pay 1000 imperials - pass immediately
				- Write a payment note Commercium Reputation > [1]
					* Commercium Reputation <= [6], death
					* Commercium Reputation > [6], success
	* Dress as an Imperial Guard and enter with a writ
		1. Impersonate:[3], "It says that I'm speaking with the voice of..."
		2. "Tell them the plans are already in motions."
			+ Impersonate+Persuasion=[7], "I think it would be a good opportunity for you to reassure them that you won't fail."
				- If failed, checks for Impersonate+Streetwise=[7], "Need I remind you about the chain of command, Commander?"
			+ Impersonate+Streetwise=[7], "Need I remind you about the chain of command, Commander?"
				- If failed, checks for Impersonate+Persuasion=[7], "I think it would be a good opportunity for you to reassure them that you won't fail."
		3. "They wouldn't dare to court-martial me, if I hand them Teron on a plate."
			+ Streetwise:[4], "Would you bet your future on it?"
			+ Persuasion:[4], "In the absence of facts people assume the worst."
		4. Success: You gain a copy of his writing and signature
		5. Failure: Hidden check Charisma:[10] to gain a copy of his writing and signature
	* (Betrayal) Talk to Carrinas and offer him your services
		1. "Indeed. And what do you bring to the table, other than your loyalty?"
			+ (hidden check) Lore:[2], "I know the Charter inside out..."
				1. Lore:[3], "Is it? You're counting on the Charter's provision..."
			+ Persuasion+Charisma=[12], "Not every problem can be solved with a sword..."
				1. (hidden check) Trading:[3], "Give me a good offer to take to him and I will"
			+ Failure: You fight against two guards. If you kill them, Carrinas will reconsider your offer and let you join the Imperial Guards
5. Preparation
	1. Nothing - you have authentic proof
	2. Carry out the forgery
		1. Talk to Linos, forge a proof with Perception+Lore=[10]
		2. (hidden check) Intelligence:[9], you manage to make a perfect forgery
6. Present the evidence to Antidas
	1. You have authentic proof - no checks
	2. If you forged the proof with Intelligence:[9] - no checks
	3. If you forged the proof with Intelligence<[9]:
		* Streetwise=[4]
		* Streetwise+Etiquette=[7]
7. Resolution
	1. Convinced Antidas to put the mark on Carrinas
	2. Debrief by Linos
		1. Intelligence = [8]

## Rewards

* Convinced Antidas to put the mark on Carrinas
	+ Convinced without proof
		- 6 civil skill points
		- 18 skill points
		- 150 imperials
		- Commercium Reputation +4
		- House Daratan Reputation +1
		- Gains trait: Extremely Persuasive
	+ Otherwise...
		- 4 civil skill points
		- 18 skill points
		- 150 imperials
		- Commercium Reputation +4
		- House Daratan Reputation +1
	+ Debrief by Linos
		- Commercium Reputation +1 (if you pass Intelligence check with Linos)
* (Betrayal) Talk to Carrinas and offer him your services
	+ Commercium Reputation -17
	+ House Daratan Reputation -1 to -5 (t.b.c.)

## Next Quest in Chain

* The Wind Sweeping Through Towers (Imperial Guards path)