Take on a Fardel of Cider on credit

The Apple Filchers are not in the lending game, but they dabble in racketeering. The Handsome Bumpkin, laughing, orders one of the loan-sharks under his protection dragged into his office.

The rates are bad even with your friend smirking behind his desk. "Business is bad," the Unsavoury Lender explains. "Scum-sucking muscle out for their cut," she adds under her breath, eyeing your Filcher companion. "Risks need to be managed and some people need encouragement before they repay their loans." She gives you a half-smirk. "If you can believe that."

You can.

"Anyway, I can offer you 200 now and – you’re in shipping? And some flexibility. 240 on your return. I’ll wait but I won’t wait forever – and you’re not likely to get a better deal anywhere else. Pay me back on time and we will become fast friends."

The Bumpkin takes most immediately but leaves you with a sizeable pouch.

You have gained 50 Taler

You now have {@50 Talers} Taler

You are now: Indebted to Unsavoury Personages

"Pleasure doing business with you," he says to you – or maybe to her – and then waves you off. "We'll have it delivered by nightfall."

And his goons do move the barrels, sweating and cursing as they arrive with the setting sun.

You have taken on [1] Fardel of Cider

{if Hold > 3} The Demeter’s deck has not lowered much, the buoyant beast swimming nimble and hungry for more cargo. You still walk the hold to count your meagre riches and to plan your next steps. {else} The gangplank sways less with the Demeter’s deck lowered to quayside height, with the ship laying as heavy as a sated beast. You again walk the hold, marvelling at the stacked riches, at the lure of future commerce.{endif} They did surprisingly acceptable work, no breakage and only a few loose ropes, an oversight you fix in passing.