Corrupt Watch
In some towns, the watch is a proud group of citizens seeking to uphold whatever the local laws and customs dictate. In others, they are little more than thieves and extortionists, demanding “donations” from incoming travelers to ensure an incident-free visit and are permitted to supplement their wages by their employers.
Paying the Toll. If the party is willing to pay the demanded gold equal to 5 × tier (minimum 5) per head, they automatically trigger a success.
Local Patronage. Wearing the symbol of a well-known church or local noble of the area gives an adventurer an expertise die on ability checks against this challenge.
The party can refuse to pay and avoid being extorted by making a group Intimidation or Persuasion check (all adventurers must make the same check).
Critical Failure. The party insults the guards and are later is accosted in a narrow street by members of the local thieves guild (2 bandit captains and 4 bandits ) who attempt to extort the party for 200 gold ‘to ensure their safety’. If the party refuses, they attack. The party can choose to flee and suffer a level of fatigue instead.
Failure. The party refuses to pay and the guards let them pass with a few choice insults. After their first night, the party finds dealing with almost anyone in the settlement difficult as word spreads that they are not welcome. All social interactions with citizens of the settlement suffer disadvantage and prices for any goods are increased by 25% or simply not available.
Success. The party convinces the gate guards that they are not worth the hassle. They laugh off the attempted shake-down as a misunderstanding and welcome the adventurers to the settlement.
Critical Success. Publicly showing up the guards has caught the attention of a potential benefactor. The adventurers receive a token gift (roll on the Boons and Discoveries table) which, if gracefully accepted, is followed by a request for a discrete meeting and a potential offer of employment.