"War brings ruin to everything, and makes little but suffering and orphans. But there are men able to stand up from the ruins of their life, men like Marcus Blackeye."

"Let me tell you, when I’ve seen Marcus the first time, there wasn’t much to speak of - a tall, skinny lad, barely grown up, lost his whole family in war, their house burned down. We kicked the bastards out all right, but many stayed behind like Marcus. But if there is one good thing about this miserable country, it is the law of retribution. It doesn’t give the victims money, you see, taken from some other poor wretch, no, it allows you to take what is yours. They come here, to plunder, burn and rape, and we always beat them back. And then we will take to our ships, and get it out of them, no matter if they have to be skinned alive. It’s only just."

"And Marcus was a fine buccaneer, I tell ya. I taught him all I know, and we sailed the seven seas. He made it to a captain, and commanded three ships! We got heaps of money, and spent all on women and rum. Those were the times! I remembered once how he made a bet that with a single rope and two girls he would -"

Your companion starts to get a bit carried away, so you remind him of what you need to know.

"And now? Well, he lives good, and you can see it on him, not the skinny lad anymore, if you know what I mean. He’s an important officer for the Sea, got wealthy and famous, the baron rewarded him for that. He is busy all the time, but if you need something, I know how. Nah, not money. He’s the only honest man in the office! He’s missing the old times, you know? You need to get him to tell you a couple old stories, and tell him some of your own, you know, a _good_ story, of courage and sailors and all that stuff. For the old times. And he won’t mind if you bend a few details to make a better story, he’s just a great guy, I tell ya. He’s got some humor, man, you should have listened to him. So go tell him a good story, and he will help you. He would even invite you for a beer - or a dozen! Tell him I sent you! Now where’s my beer?"

The real Marcus

Not quite the legend of all pubs, Marcus is a nice chap, and could indeed suffer a story or two to remind him of old times. If you play the cards right, he is just the man to know. Everyone knows him, he’s in an important office (but not so high as to be unreachable), and is good to hang out with.

If you don’t mind the stories.

Plot Hooks

- Not so wealthy - gambling has eaten bigger estates, Marcus has to find a good investment opportunity, or even a job. He knows all the tricks, but is not the youngest anymore…
- Not so funny - either the PCs told him a completely fake story, and he learned of it, or somebody else framed them. Now they are out of favor all over town and they have to make it up.
- Not so beloved - enemies don’t forget, and there is still a reward on his head. The PCs shall either lure him out (not necessarily knowing that), or save him if he was snatched.

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