Rogue City Watch Officer

[Heretic]

Yesterday my PC was sitting in at the campfire in the Eastern Farmlands RP'ing with other PCs when a City Watch Officer approached her and demanded that she remove her weapons and/or face covering immediately. I thought this was peculiar because A) This isn't, and has never been, a prohibition on weapons/mask in the Eastern Farmlands and B) The Watch Officer seemed to have singled out my PC even though there were other PCs present this sudden prohibition could have been applied to. Needless to say my PC was thrown in the clink because I had no idea what rule was being violated (as far as I was concerned this didn't happen IC since the only way this could have transpired would have been through DM intervention or a glitch and there was no response from the DM on-line when I inquired about it at the time)

So, Is there a reason why this would have occurred?

[DM Ink]

Justice in Baldur's Gate — City and Environs

The Council of Four herewith decrees that the City Watch and the Flaming Fist are deputized representatives of the Law of the Duchal Court, thus able to arrest, seize, apprehend and detain any person or persons that violate the will of the Council of Four. Shall a crime be committed outside the eye or ear of the City Watch or Flaming Fist, and should ample evidence be presented, it is hereby granted that authorities may seek out and capture those that violate the Peace and Prosperity initiated by Balduran himself.

- Withheld Identity, often in the case of masked or full-helmeted individuals, must present their full appearance to any and all City Watch or Flaming Fist officers when requested. Failure to do so shall result in imprisonment or banishment from the Gate.

Source: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=42477

The same rules that apply to the bridge and Baldur's Gate apply to the Eastern Farmlands.

[Theodore01]

Yeah and what is considered a mask depends on the item appearance of the old app-changer.

If someone uses a mask and changes it to something else with the 'new' app-kit - the guards will still consider it a mask and engage you.
Because that guard script is very old.

[Heretic]

Justice in Baldur's Gate — City and Environs

The Council of Four herewith decrees that the City Watch and the Flaming Fist are deputized representatives of the Law of the Duchal Court, thus able to arrest, seize, apprehend and detain any person or persons that violate the will of the Council of Four. Shall a crime be committed outside the eye or ear of the City Watch or Flaming Fist, and should ample evidence be presented, it is hereby granted that authorities may seek out and capture those that violate the Peace and Prosperity initiated by Balduran himself.

- Withheld Identity, often in the case of masked or full-helmeted individuals, must present their full appearance to any and all City Watch or Flaming Fist officers when requested. Failure to do so shall result in imprisonment or banishment from the Gate.

Source: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=42477

The same rules that apply to the bridge and Baldur's Gate apply to the Eastern Farmlands.

That's nice but in all my years playing this game that's rarely/never been enforced at the campfire in the Eastern Farmlands. My character doesn't wear a mask so I'm figuring her stave triggered it. Moreover why was this enforcement selective? If this is the rule then enforce for everyone as it's done on the bridge.

[Druchii]

From an opinion stand point, I do not really like the automated script as it is obviously inflexible and I've had a mage thrown in the clink too because I unequipped a staff after a warning in BG.. and then thinking the bridge was safe once leaving it.. re-equipped in preparation for the grind. Unfortunately.. I didnt spot the last guard and boom: Tossed in the clink and had to pay gp to leave. I have kept this OOC personally as I felt it was more an accident and that guards cannot use telepathy to communicate to one another.

On the flip side, I appreciate it is to keep immersion by allowing the system to self-police people who break rules that can be scripted for. There is an argument that people should just.. avoid having equipped weapons and sacrifice a little immersion where a mage staff might be concerned. I don't think most people envision mages treating their staves like weapons though to be honest.. they are. Also, I guess its still around because it doesnt receive a lot of complaints?

On balance - I do not think the gain is all that significant and its a little annoying.. I would rather it wasn't around. I believe people can self-police for the most part and any significant breaches can be reported to a DM. I get its more work for the team but chances are if people are going to be openly breaking rules its probably something a DM should get to sooner rather than later.. because there will be a later.

[Druchii]

I don't understand the issue here.

The law doesn't go away on the farmlands, the reason you don't get pegged by it every day is probably because there aren't guards with that script smack dab in the middle of the area like they are on the bridge. Your staff absolutely triggered it, yes, but it's still a well documented law and one guard that happened to have the script managed to catch you, that's probably all there is to it. A bug.

At the end of the day though you still can't and shouldn't have weapons out or masks on at that campfire, still violates the local law. I could always slap down a new guard nearby that would get mad at folk who do, that wasyit's consistent and fair.

I am surprised you do not understand the issue to be honest. Its a question of whether or not the script is more irritating than it is immersive.

Personally, I do not like it for reasons stated and nothing you have said is something I disagree with. I am not really arguing the law, just the script.

[Druchii]

I think it is and hey, it's not a big deal to me or anyone when it really comes down to it. I

[blowuup]

The rules as written for Masks:

- Withheld Identity, often in the case of masked or full-helmeted individuals, must present their full appearance to any and all City Watch or Flaming Fist officers when requested. Failure to do so shall result in imprisonment or banishment from the Gate.

The key terms is "when requested" does that mean folks can wear Masks in the Eastern Farmlands as long as they show their face to a guard first? It's weird that the law doesn't explicitly say that you can't.

[yyj]

I see people with weapons and face covered on Eastern Farmlands very very often and never get arrested. I think the law should be enforced equally to everyone or not at all.

[Mork]

I'm surprised to hear that. I'd think Baldurs Gate Guards are used to masks and weapons when there's friggin Crocodiles behind every corner

[tankteddy]

There are a few factors here;
First of all the law was written before and inforced when a DM is able to oversee such as there is not normally a guard scripted to enforce the law at all times. (honestly I myself would rather a DM be helping players or running events then having to enforce petty laws all the time.)

Secondly Due to the fact that this is often a "New player area" where oftentimes new players don't know about the scripts and being forced into jail when you just start on the server can really ruin the game for people. Veteran players should know, and follow the rule/law, as they should understand god-modding the guards. (this is also a great way for new players to learn from Veterans as it gives you a way to "call them over" and inform them nicely)

Third Weapons/summons have never really been allowed (aside from Familiers and non-monster animal companions IE Dogs) As for face covering the rule of thumb is No, you are not supposed to have them on. However, If the mask is removed when asked to do so, then I don't see why it would be an issue.

[Heretic]

The problem is the the Eastern layout makes enforcement (and self enforcement) of this rule difficult given it directly links to two grinding zones, namely the Graveyard and Thunder Ride which often makes disarmament a secondary thought when transitioning from these areas to the farmlands. I'm also of the opinion this rule should be universally and not selectively enforced as such I would welcome having enforcement guards positioned in area where it makes sense to enforce the rule (e.g. The area of the Eastern Farmlands that excludes area East of the Tradeway and the zone North of the Radiant Heart Keep and perhaps move the location where PCs zone in from the Nexus to the east side of the Tradeway)

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Much like actual law enforcement, the fuzz can't be everywhere, omnipresent, all the time. A passing guard saw an issue and addressed it from reading the OP.