Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The East Gates of Bloodhelm

The east gates are huge affairs which really haven't been shut against brigands in years, but are maintained so they can be.  Two towers border the gate which can allow five wagons through at a time, side by side.  The towers are four stories tall (as is the wall) and archers are always inside or along the length of the nearby wall.

The gate is always manned by no less then fifteen men and at least one mage (often termed a gate mage).  All the fighting men are decked in leather, the captains in chain, and the mages are in their robes.  Each guard has a sword, halberd and a bow on them, as well as a dagger.  Bloodhelm trains their guards well, (so consider them fifth level or so in game terms) and makes sure their equipment is sound.  The mage is usually not a powerful one, but is able to call upon help at all times via their magic, which can arrive in three minutes or less.

The gates are shut at night, though can be opened if the person needing in is important or carries important news for the Lords of Bloodhelm.  The gate is always manned by guards and in times of great distress, the patrol manning the gate is doubled, as well as adding two to three more mages.

Entry fee is a copper penny, though the guards may wave it if they see fit.  (The Lord of Bloodhelm wants commerace in his city, not gate fees.)  The guards will check over cargo or personages, though weapons are allowed, as long as they are peace knotted.

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