Fellow stops by, promises to recompense base (9)
I believe the answer is:
nefarious
'recompense base' is the definition.
'nefarious' can be an answer for 'base' (thesaurus). I'm not certain of the 'recompense' bit.
'fellow stops by promises' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'F' (abbreviation - of a society etc.).
'stops' indicates putting letters inside (stopping can mean blocking a gap).
'by' becomes 'near' (I've seen this in another clue).
'promises' becomes 'IOUs' (promises to pay a debt).
'f' going into 'near' is 'nefar'.
'nefar'+'ious'='NEFARIOUS'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nefarious that I've seen before include "Extremely wicked" , "Wicked, criminal" , "Villainous" , "Very bad" , "immoral?" .)