It was a beautiful and warm morning; the birds were tweeting and no cloud in sight. Merchants entering the city were pleasant, helpful and willing to pay the entry fees. Little did poor Bob the city gate guard know that with each passing moment the bane of his career was fast approaching like a dark stormy cloud blocking the sun.
The group headed towards the city of Azelton as instructed by the wizard Sionaas who had tasked them with delivering his research journal to the mages guild. After a week of travelling the road and the odd random fight with worgs and other nasty beast that saw them as an easy evening meal, they finally stood on the edge of a large hill which rolled down towards the large city.
The city was indeed enormous, on the far western side the sea could be seen along with countless masts from the many ships docked at the city’s large port. Buildings stretched far and high whilst glimmering in the late morning sun giving the city a peaceful look, a constant stream of wagons could also been seen on the roads travelling to and from the city.
The group headed down the road towards the city with questions in mind that needed to be answered from their last little adventure. As they approached the city walls it came clear that from atop the hill they could not appreciate how large the city actually was, the closer they approached the larger the city still became.
The gates to the city were so large that at least 2 adult sized dragons would easily be able to walk through unhindered. In front of the gates stood a number of city guardsmen that stopped each visitor or wagon asking questions, performing searches and collecting dues. This as Bob was about to learn was where his day would turn into a headache.
"Halt!!" Shouted the shiny guardsman as the group approached, he stood almost 6 feet tall clad in brilliant full plated armour that was so well polished it reflected the late morning sun like a mirror.
"Name yourselves and state your business!!" he continued.
"My name is Govan...good sir!, these are my friends and travelling companions Ox, Leonid, Ivan and Maria. We're adventurers whom wish to enter your amazing city to seek opportunities and to deliver a tome to the Mage's guild...and might we know your name?" responded Govan trying to pour in as much charm as he could.
"Bob, my name is Bob Mr.Govan" The guard responded back "Have you and your friends been to Azelton before?" he asked.
"No, this believe it or not is our first visit to your city, may we pass and complete our business with the Mage's guild?" Govan adding a tone of hurried importance to his question.
"Very shortly sir, I just need to explain to you the special rules of the city before I can allow you to enter incase you refuse to comply." Bob answered in return and then proceeded to explain the rules that the group would need to follow if they wished to enter the city.
Each member of the group would need to pay an levy of 1 gold piece to enter the city. Also in order to enter the city each person had one of two options to follow, the first is to hand in all weapons they carried and enter the city unarmed and upon leaving the city gates all weapons will be returned. The second option is to allow Bob to peace tie each weapon which will allow the wielder to carry his or her weapons into the city.
"What the F*** is a peace tie?" interrupted Ox
Bob smirked thinking to himself 'it's always the big brutes that asked that question'. "A Peace-tie is this; my warrior friend", Bob held up a length of pink ribbon for the group to see. "You see, this ribbon is pretty normal. What we do is tie this ribbon around each of your weapons which prevents you from either drawing it from its scabbard or from physically wielding it in a violent manner."
"So what's stopping me from just walking in with this silly ribbon and then just taking it off?" Snorted Ox thinking him clever for out-foxing the system.
"I think dear Ox that there is more to this ribbon than our friend Bob here is telling us, am I right? Especially after your comment of it being pretty normal." Govan asked
"Indeed! It's good to know that someone pays attention to the little details" Bob smiled. "The ribbon is normal till it's tied and then it becomes magical at which point there are only 2 ways to remove it, you could break it off because after all its only a ribbon or an official member of the town guard can remove it."
"And what would happen if we were to break it off?" Govan inquired.
"Ah that would then cast an Alarm like spell alerting all nearby guards that someone had broken the ribbon and in turn the law." Bob smirked looking at Ox.
"Pffft!!" Ox started his response "It will take more than a few guards to take the Mighty Ox down" he grinned
Bob looked amused "Possibly, but there's just one of you and over a thousand city guard plus a few hundred royal guards ready to respond." Bob returned with a larger Grin
For those that knew Ox they knew he was smarter than he looked and he obviously liked Bob and decided that a little fun was in order to wipe the guard’s smugness from the guards face.
"Well that should be obvious; the city guard will arrive and deal with the situation." Bob responded
"So the City guard will respond to all problems?" was Ox's comment in return
"Yes All issues of law and conflict is initially dealt with by the city guard otherwise the Royal council deals with other issues of trial and negotiations." Bob's voice reiterated with a slight tone of annoyance.
"Ah! But what if swords can't resolve the issue? What if it was a delicate situation?" A smirk now appeared on Ox's face
"*sigh* Well the city guard are trained in negotiations if the need should arise otherwise then either the Royal guard or Royal council are also highly skilled in negotiations...does that answer everything?" Bob exasperated.
"Hmmmm what about if the situation was of a more magical requirement?" Ox now leaning on his Glaive with an amused twinkle in his eye.
"Then the job would obviously fall to the Mages guild wouldn't it!" exasperated Bob
"Oooh getting a little touchy are we? Not very professional now is it?" Smiled Ox
"My apologies sir! but I just can't see where this conversation is leading to nor its purpose. All I want to know is are you leaving your weapons here or are they to be peace tied?" Bob now looking tired finally replied.
"Well that's what we're trying to determine, you know we want to know how safe we'll be without our weapons should our lives be at risk. Though I do have one more question if I may?" Ox smirked
"Whhaaaattt?" Bob now tired and wishing these people would leave him be.
"Dragons" Ox spurted out
"What about Dragons?" replied Bob
"What if a Dragon attacked?"
"Sir no Dragon has attacked the city in hundreds of years" Bob proudly proclaimed.
"But what if a Dragon was to attack?"
"Sir there have been no Dragon attacks in hundreds of years and no-one has reported seeing a Dragon near the city in that period either!" Bob now rubbing the upper part of his nose between his thumb and finger. (I was doing this motion at this point!)
"True, but let’s say a Dragon does attack what would you do?" Ox loving the fact he was getting to the Guard (and the GM)
"If a Dragon was to attack the city then I guess the entire Militia of Azeleton would band together to tackle the creature without the aid of any civilians or adventurers." Bob shrugged.
"So it would take the entire city Militia to take out one Dragon?" Ox chuckled
"Yes"
"So what if 2 Dragons attacked?" Ox straightened himself from leaning
"I...I...Please just let me tie your weapons and let me be, your holding everyone up behind you" Bob begged.
"I'm sorry for my comrade Bob, please tie our weapons and we shall leave you in peace." Govan jumped in before Ox could quiz the guard further.
Each member of the group presented their arms to be tied with a peace tie, paid the 1 gold entrance fee and entered the city of Azeleton.
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