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Message: <blockquote data-quote="grimwell" data-source="post: 3137561" data-attributes="member: 3694">Drago tipped the ladel back and sucked down as much of the lukewarm water as he could. When he was finished he dropped the ladel back into the recruits bucket and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. It had been a hard day. No, it had  been a hard week. “I can't  believe Lord Doom ordered us to ask every damn person coming through this gate if they are a paladin!” Drago scowled as he thought of the countless urchins, beggars, and peasants whom he had to ask this question of. “SURE, I'm a paladin!” A voice laden with sarcasm pulled the guardsman from his thoughts. Looking over he saw that Franco and Sergi had stopped a wagon stuffed with trade goods to levy the question. A corpulent man in the scarlet robe of the Mendican'ts Guild glared at Sergi. The man was of high station in the guild, and clearly no candidate to be a paladin. “Now get out of my way so I can get to the market!” Franco and Sergi acquiesed to the Mendicant's demand and sullenly stepped aside. Sergi kicked a stone in frustration.“If he's so stinking powerful why's he afraid of a ninny in shining armor!” Dragos thought as a scowl crossed his face. The scowl was quickly replaced by a flash of fear and an utterance of prayer to Lambastnos the Shadow. “Damn Benders!” Lord Doom had recently taken on the employ of wizards who claimed they could read thoughts. Some said it was lies, others said it  was truth. Dragos didn't care either way, but he knew that a few heads were on a spike above his gate specficially because of the condemnations of the Benders.Looking down the line of the twenty or so people still waiting to get into the City of Badd, Dragos noted that it was capped with a noble looking warrior on a steed being led by a man in leathers. The noble looked grim and resolute, but didn't bear the markings of any local houses. The guardsman stepped over to help Franco and Sergi deal with the peasants between the merchant and the noble, finding four more 'paladins' in the process – fiilthy peasants thought everything was funny. Dragos was ready to snap, thinking that he'd beat the next peasant who answered 'Yes!' to a pulp. “Everybody's a troubador these days.” Sergi sighed, completing Dragos thoughts.Finally it was the warriors turn. Then the morning crunch would be done and the guardsmen would only have to suffer the occasional fool until the end of their shift. “If you will excuse the quesiton, my lord.” Dragos started with honey, better to assume the warrior was a noble and be wrong than the reverse. “It is the will of Lord Doom that all who enter his city are asked if they are a paladin.” Dragos raised his eyes to the meet the mans and await the answer. (Intimidate)“Get out of my way you fool! I've got business in this city and no time for your questions!” the warrior's voice cut through the air like a slap to Dragos' face. Clearly a noble, all pomp and conceit.(Failure)Franco and Sergi changed the grip on their spears. Everyone had to answer the question, no matter their station. Better to stop and hold a noble than to face Lord Doom's wrath. “Begging your lordship's pardon, but the will of Lord Doom will be seen through before you will pass these gates.” Dragos' clenched his teeth as he spoke, and his hand lowered to the hilt of his sword. The man at the reigns of the horse scratched at his back and Dragos nodded toward the other two guards, there was probably a long knife causing the itch, one that could appear in a flash if the guardsmen weren't ready.(Diplomacy)Producing a rag from his sleeve, the noble wiped his face and sighed. “Please forgive my tense nature, you men are just doing your jobs and honoring the will of Lord Doom. That said, why would a paladin try to enter the City of Badd? That's not conductive to a long life!” the noble chuckled and his man found that the itch was soothed. “Your drinks are on me tonight, all this nonsense about paladins must leave you each with great thirst.” the noble opened a coinpurse at his side and tossed down a few gold coins. “I've got a little business in town boys, Lord Doom is safe from my wrath.” he said with a chuckle. “The barmaids tonight will face worse from you boys...”(Success)Dragos caught the coins with a smile. “Our thanks my lord. The day is not half over and it's been a long one already. Your generosity is appreciated.” Franco and Sergi stepped back to clear a path for the rider and his man to enter into the city...***************Personally, it is a ridiculous setup and when you take it from the perspective of the guards at the gates of the city, they would be slacking on the task to a degree. Especially after all the backlash they would receive from everyone who isn't a paladin. That said, it's not my game and who am I to fault the people involved in this one?No need for the paladin to lie. No need for revocation. Smart roleplay and it's all gravy. It's not like the DC for diplomacy on a guardsman who is tired of asking this silly question is going to be all that high.</blockquote>

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