The City’s walls are broken by the North or South Gates, which are massive stone doors which swing open and closed noiselessly with shocking ease. When closed, they are bolted with bars of iron as thick as a man’s arm. The North Gate is opened only during the day, and is where the vast majority of traffic enters the City.
The City Watch are responsible for maintaining order and collecting any tariffs on trade goods, but there is always at least one Priest Militant present to determine who may enter the City and who must remain outside the walls. The Priest can bar anyone from entry without stating any justification, but all citizens (including dwarves) are entitled to an appeal to the Doge should the Priest block their entrance, and the last time a Doge denied a citizen entrance was when Baron Gavriel Verlime sought refuge from the Elven Hunt over a century ago (18.07), and most citizens believe that Gavriel voided his citizenship when he purchased his title from the Duke of Thring. It is rare for any human or halfling to be turned away, and even gnomes are usually waved through after answering a few questions about the nature of their business. Even the kobolds or goblins may be admitted under a geas.
The South Gate is only closed during the Long Night (28.04), the Lion’s Day (17.07.01), or times of war. It is solely the domain of the Priesthood, and it is the only way to get into the City after curfew. All Night Cattle that enter the City must be brought through this Gate, and all are inspected to insure that the brands and arcane marks are correct, and to insure that they aren’t just ordinary cattle that have been painted white or subjected to some glamour.
Cattle counterfeiting is anathema, as bad as conjuring demons, worshipping She Who Waits, or assassinating the Matriarch, but a surprising number of ranchers are stupid or desperate enough to risk impalement trying it. Priests of foreign gods also must enter through the South Gate, and worshippers of Alberon who are visiting on pilgrimage prefer to enter through the lighter traffic of the South Gate.
Finally, any elf who wishes to enter the City must use this Gate, so that they may pay the ear-geld and utter the ritual apology for the dishonor the Green Lady brought upon the God of the City during their Great Divorce.
Connections:
- Goblins and kobolds that attempt to defy their geases often find themselves in the seedier parts of the Gnomish Quarter (29.14.14).
Hooks:
- What happens if regular cows are used in a ritual that requires Night Cattle?
- What precipitated the Great Divorce?