Nephon Khoumnos was a capable officer in the army of the Empire of Videssos. Generally well-liked and well-esteemed, Khoumnos quickly made friends with Marcus Scaurus and his "Ronam" followers. Khoumnos was canny enough to ask for, rather than order, the Romans' help in quelling the sectarian riots that rocked Videssos prior to the Maragha campaign. Marcus Scaurus found two soldiers of the Imperial Guard dozing at their posts, and rebuked them harshly. The pair went to Khoumnos with a lying story that Marcus had attacked them for no reason, but upon questioning the soldiers the true story came out and Khoumnos apologized to Marcus, admitting his error.