A small-time merchant accosted by a coterie of Disfavored soldiers, Sterling is about to be liberated of the goods in his cart. He is a battlefield looter, reselling what he finds across the battlefield.
Sterling offers one of the earliest opportunity to demonstrate the Fatebinder's authority. This includes:
Deferring judgement to the Disfavored (earning their Favor).
Intervening and allowing Sterling to make an argument (Loss of Favor with Disfavored). At this point, the Fatebinder can:
Rule that his offer (mead, painkillers, and draughts) is essential for the war effort. →→
Investigate the nature of his goods with Subterfuge or Lore 30 (Lawbreaker and Hunter backgrounds work too).
This allows to interrogate Sterling using the Disfavored or Athletics 30. Sterling is revealed to be a battlefield looter.
As a result, the Fatebinder can decide to:
let him trade freely →→,
have him pay the Disfavored a tithe →,
strip him of his "wares" →,
or kill him on the spot →.
If Sterling is allowed to keep his goods, he will then set up shop, buying back junk at preferential prices and offering other odds and ends. Crucially, he sells the unique Sigil of Guarded Form.
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