Loan Shark

*"Be careful. All debts come due in time."*

The token for this card is unlocked by acquiring Loan Debt and paying off the loan.

## Event

*You arrange to meet with Badger - a shady businessman whose main line of work involves offering bad loans to people too desperate or foolish to say 'no'.*

If the token for this card is not unlocked:

*You decide that your current circumstances demand such drastic action as to undertake such a proposition.*
Otherwise, if Fame is 16+:

*His eyes widen in surprise at the sight of you.*
*"Not often we see a genuine hero of the Empire around here!"*
Otherwise, if Fame is 7 to 15:

*He looks you up and down before saying, "I hear you're handy with a sword. Can always use another bit of muscle around here here."*
Otherwise, if Fame is below 7:

*He gives you little more than a glance, remarking, "Gods, another no-hoper with a sword who fancies themselves a hero."*
*"Well?" Badger prompts. "You looking for a loan, or a job?"*

1) Borrow money from Badger.

*"You look like a trustworthy sort," Badger says, appraisingly. "How much money would you like to borrow?"*
A) Borrow 10 gold
**The player acquires Loan Debt.** (You must payback 15 gold in 5 steps.)
**The player gains 10 Gold.**
B) Borrow 25 gold
**The player acquires Loan Debt.** (You must payback 37 gold in 5 steps.)
**The player gains 25 Gold.**
C) Borrow 50 gold
**The player acquires Loan Debt.** (You must payback 75 gold in 5 steps.)
**The player gains 50 Gold.**
*"Well, now. I hope wealth doesn't change you. My boys will be along later to recoup the payment. You don't want to renege on me!"*
**Encounter ends.**
**Payback encounter will trigger when the player takes their 5th step.**
2) Offer to collect a debt on his behalf. (If the token for this encounter is unlocked)

*"I see you'd rather crack a skull than grease your palm - an adventurer after my own heart."*
*"It so happens that there's a shopkeeper who owes me a substantial amount of gold. Now, everybody knows that I'm a reasonable man when it comes to business - but I'm not running a charity."*
*"I expect you'll have no trouble getting my gold."*
**The Dealer places a counter on the map that triggers Protection Money when encountered.**
**Encounter ends.**
3) Leave.

**The Dealer draws 2 Greed Monster cards.**
*Brawny goons bar your exit.*
*You turn back to Badger, his face turned sour.*
If the player owns equipment:
**The Dealer reveals an Equipment Card owned by the player.**
*"My time is valuable."*
*He continues, "if we have no business, then I'll need to find another way to extract some value. Perhaps your [equipment] would make amends for your time-wasting."*
1) Give up your [equipment]
**The player loses [equipment].**
*You hand over your [equipment].*
*"See, you scratch my back and I don't stab yours. Now be on your merry way." Badger waves you away with a flick of his gloved hand.*
**Encounter ends.**
2) Refuse.
*Badger hisses through a clenched jaw. "Why does business always become so messy? My boys will show you out."*
*With a nod from the boss, Badger's goons hurl you out the door and square up for a fight.*
**The player enters Combat.**
*By the time you dispatch the goons, Badger has fled.*
**Encounter ends.**
If the player does not own equipment:
*"My time is valuable."*
*He continues, "if we have no business, then I'll need to find another way to extract some value. I would say that 25 Gold will suffice for your time-wasting."*
1) Pay 25 Gold.
**The player loses 25 Gold.**
*"See, you scratch my back and I don't stab yours. Now be on your merry way." Badger waves you away with a flick of his gloved hand.*
**Encounter ends.**
2) Refuse.
*Badger hisses through a clenched jaw. "Why does business always become so messy? My boys will show you out."*
*With a nod from the boss, Badger's goons hurl you out the door and square up for a fight.*
**The player enters Combat.**
*By the time you dispatch the goons, Badger has fled.*
**Encounter ends.**

## Token Unlocks

*For successfully paying back your loan...*

* Sapper's Bolt