I think centurions are too expensive to pay. I am under the impression that a centurion is basically like a toll collector, and that their purpose is to raise funds for the empire. With that in mind, they want people to pay them. If they are priced reasonably, then people are incented to pay them, if they are priced high, then people are incented to go around. Right now I really think they are priced too high, particularly with the new economy and it being more difficult to get gold. sure you can pay with an item, but the cost gets up to like 10 or 15 gold at the higher ranks, which means you need to forage for a good high priced item. I'm not saying that I can't forage for some gear etc, I'm saying that it's just not worth it to bother. If it was maybe 3 or 4 gold at hero, I would probably pay assuming I was a sort of empire-neutral cabal like say tribunal. At 15 Gold, I'll just walk around, it's nowhere near worth it. Just a thought.

When I talked to a certain Emperor about lowering the toll he said 'I don't think this is a good idea'. And after that he said: 'Perhaps I should raise the tithe instead.' So, basically I am under the imperession that the centurions are meant to block the passage from honest people. Imperial reply to such request would likely be: 'Take the oath and you'll get past them free.' Don't worry, Your character will learn to hate the Empire in no time he doesn't hate it yet. A few imperial full loots of your characters set will teach you the lesson of trusting the Imperials. They are evil and don't you forget it(I have forgot and paid the price as a reminder).