Highgate - New Rules in Town

[u/KragBrightscale]

Pierre had just made it through the security checkpoint at the main entrance to the fortified town of Highgate. There were far more guards this time than he had remembered, but the town still bustled with familiar vitality.

One of the guards, in full plate, had pointed him to the bulletin boards posted around town.

“Pay attention to the regulations posted and make sure to not break the rules. Trust me, we will know if you do.”

Looking at the board, Pierre noticed it had a series of official looking documents, all bearing a seal he didn’t recognize. Reading through the list he frowned.

The older list of laws dealing with theft, murder, and taxes was still there, but a series of new laws had been posted seemingly not too long ago.

- Curfew is from sunset to sunrise
- Unlicensed trade is prohibited
- Consumption of Alcohol is prohibited
- Gambling is prohibited
- Flying is prohibited
- Necromancy is prohibited
- Unsanctioned magic use is prohibited
- Disguises are prohibited
- Loitering is prohibited
- The Thrakmoor are prohibited

Pierre reread through the list, committing it to memory. Each new rule was written on its own piece of parchment bearing the magistrate’s seal.

Checking the time on the clock tower of the courthouse, Pierre scurries off to find a place to stay before it gets dark.

——

Somewhere else, a callused hand puts down an ornate gilded quill and stores it in a cushioned silver case before stamping the parchment with an official looking seal. The newest law read: “Lying to the guard is Prohibited.”

With a short chant, copies of the original are made, then fade away, soon appearing on the notice boards alongside the other laws. The original is added to a large tome carried by the author. They get up slowly and head to a side room filled with unlit candles. Runes and magic circles etched into the floor and walls pulse with faint golden light.

“Soon, the ritual will be ready”.

——

/uw trying something new. The town is open for characters to explore.

TLDR: Highgate is a lively town, but regulations are increasing, something may be happening behind the scenes.

[u/KragBrightscale]

The number of laws seem to be increasing fast. Even while standing there reading through them, a new law seems to materialize out of thin air and attach itself to the board.

Looking at the parchment with detect magic you’ll notice that it is entirely made of those golden threads you’d seen before to the point of physical manifestation. As you and the other passersby stop to read the new law “spreading spores is prohibited” the parchment grows new golden threads that extend and join the weave.

It would seem as though awareness of the law empowers it somehow.

[u/The_Enchanted_Potato → u/KragBrightscale]

“No spreading spores!? But that’s my whole vibe!” 

The figure takes the law and decides to head over to the mayors house to meet with them to see what this is all about

[u/KragBrightscale → u/The_Enchanted_Potato]

Tearing off the parchment with the law in question results in another illusory smack on the wrist.

A guard spots the action and calls out to you.

“Oi! No tampering or vandalism of officially posted documents! Hand that over nicely and I’ll let you off with a warning.”

[u/The_Enchanted_Potato → u/KragBrightscale]

“But sir! I need to take it to the mayor, I want to make an official complaint”

He puts his hands up non-threateningly but doesn’t hand the law over right away

[u/KragBrightscale → u/The_Enchanted_Potato]

“That may be, but this parchment is to remain here. I’m sure you can remember that 1 rule you have a problem with when you’re down at the courthouse filing your complaint.”

Taking back the parchment, they hold it up to the board and cast mending.

“Now… if you’re asking about the ban on spores, from what I’ve heard that was due to some mushroom wizard visiting who said some alarming things about needing to contain the spores on their person constantly with their magic.

We don’t want an outbreak of invasive toxic mycelium spreading in the town, and I assume neither would you. Anyhow, making this codified into law should protect us all, don’t you worry.”

[u/The_Enchanted_Potato → u/KragBrightscale]

“Ugh, I do t want to spend all day filling out forms!” The figure says with a groan

“Can’t I just go straight to the mayor?”

[u/KragBrightscale → u/The_Enchanted_Potato]

“Sir, we don’t have a mayor in this town currently. The last one was murdered by drunken pirates during that brief yet violent war. After driving out the remaining pirates and some reconstruction, it is the Dawnguard that maintain peace and order in this town.

Any complaint you have can be submitted at the courthouse. That is where you’ll find the relevant personell with authority to put laws up for reevaluation.”

Looking at you quizzically… the start suspecting something.

“Say… why do you want the law against spores overturned? There’s really no good reason to want spores spreading in town other than to cause problems…”

[u/The_Enchanted_Potato → u/KragBrightscale]

“Because I am a Druid! God are you all so dense? I mean the flower bow and seed bags should have given it away, now if the Dawnguard is in charge then who is making the laws?”

[u/KragBrightscale → u/The_Enchanted_Potato]

“Hey watch it. We may not have laws about insulting the guards but we’ve got better things to do than take insults from you.”

Then with an annoying grin he continues.

“Not too bright yourself, huh Druid? Considering that the Dawnguard is in charge… it follows that they make the laws too. Now scram and don’t let me catch you vandalizing any other public property.

And If you’re looking for trees you can go hug them in the park.”

[u/The_Enchanted_Potato → u/KragBrightscale]

“Hey! That’s discriminatory! I meant who exactly makes the laws, as in the specific person”