Border Crossings [Archive] - Wizards Community

Border Crossings [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
loseth
03-18-07, 07:48 AM There are many locations on the maps where either a lightning rail path or an Oriens trade route crosses a national border, but there is either no settlement at the crossing or a settlement on only one side. How do you see the various nations dealing with these crossings? Do you think they are simply left unattended? Is there a border outpost and tolling station on each side where passports are checked and import/export taxes are levied? Is there a significant military presence? Is a border crossing in Talenta or Droaam handled differently form one in Aundair or Breland? What are your thoughts?
Pawndream
03-18-07, 10:17 AM I think border security probably depends on which borders you are refering to. The Breland-Zilargo border is probably lightly patrolled (if at all), whereas the Aundair-Karrnath border is probably more heavily scrutinized (and patrolled).

Lightning Rail crossings would probably be handled in a few different ways:

1) Between friendly nations (Breland-Zilargo) you would probably present traveling papers at the originating port of call, declaring your intent to cross the border. There might be a representative clerk of the destination nation on hand to examine, and notarize your travel papers. You would then purchase your ticket from the station agent and be on your merry way.

This scenario would cut down on time lost due to having to stop at border crossings and inspect everyone's papers.

2) Where the rail crossed the border at village, town, or city, the rail might stop and an agent would come through and check papers. The only problem with this set-up is that if someone hopped on the rail without securing the proper paperwork, it could be a major administrative hassle sorting out the situation. What do you do with a passenger with no paperwork? This is not a very feasible situation, and I don't think it would be the norm with friendly nations.

Orien Trade Road crossings present their own challenge. Once again, it probably depends on the relationship between nations. Keep in mind also that just because the poster map of Khorvaire doesn't show villages etc at the border crossing, doesn't mean there isn't. They have just left that up the purview of the DM. I would think it is a good assumption that any Orien Trade Road has at least a village (or larger size) establishment at ANY border crossing. There might be a small outpost of guards at any of these villages that handles customs.

Bottom line: For lightning rail, I like the idea that traveling papers are secured when purchasing a ticket for friendly nations, and sometimes at border crossings for less than friendly nations.

Trade roads have a village located at crossings that examine papers.

Open border areas that are not along roads are patrolled, ranging from heavily to infrequently, where border crossers are questioned.
goblin_pride
03-18-07, 12:51 PM The Breland-Zilargo border is probably lightly patrolled (if at all)

Actually, the border crossing into Zilargo is the Sterngate which controls the Darguun-Zilargo-Breland border at the Marguul Pass. It's pretty heavily defended because it's on the Darguun border. I hope the Zil don't take it personally, but the goblinoids kind of made the security a bit tighter. Not that all parties involved couldn't just cross over the mountains and avoid all sorts of nastiness.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
loseth 03-18-07, 07:48 AM	There are many locations on the maps where either a lightning rail path or an Oriens trade route crosses a national border, but there is either no settlement at the crossing or a settlement on only one side. How do you see the various nations dealing with these crossings? Do you think they are simply left unattended? Is there a border outpost and tolling station on each side where passports are checked and import/export taxes are levied? Is there a significant military presence? Is a border crossing in Talenta or Droaam handled differently form one in Aundair or Breland? What are your thoughts?
Pawndream 03-18-07, 10:17 AM	I think border security probably depends on which borders you are refering to. The Breland-Zilargo border is probably lightly patrolled (if at all), whereas the Aundair-Karrnath border is probably more heavily scrutinized (and patrolled). Lightning Rail crossings would probably be handled in a few different ways: 1) Between friendly nations (Breland-Zilargo) you would probably present traveling papers at the originating port of call, declaring your intent to cross the border. There might be a representative clerk of the destination nation on hand to examine, and notarize your travel papers. You would then purchase your ticket from the station agent and be on your merry way. This scenario would cut down on time lost due to having to stop at border crossings and inspect everyone's papers. 2) Where the rail crossed the border at village, town, or city, the rail might stop and an agent would come through and check papers. The only problem with this set-up is that if someone hopped on the rail without securing the proper paperwork, it could be a major administrative hassle sorting out the situation. What do you do with a passenger with no paperwork? This is not a very feasible situation, and I don't think it would be the norm with friendly nations. Orien Trade Road crossings present their own challenge. Once again, it probably depends on the relationship between nations. Keep in mind also that just because the poster map of Khorvaire doesn't show villages etc at the border crossing, doesn't mean there isn't. They have just left that up the purview of the DM. I would think it is a good assumption that any Orien Trade Road has at least a village (or larger size) establishment at ANY border crossing. There might be a small outpost of guards at any of these villages that handles customs. Bottom line: For lightning rail, I like the idea that traveling papers are secured when purchasing a ticket for friendly nations, and sometimes at border crossings for less than friendly nations. Trade roads have a village located at crossings that examine papers. Open border areas that are not along roads are patrolled, ranging from heavily to infrequently, where border crossers are questioned.
goblin_pride 03-18-07, 12:51 PM	The Breland-Zilargo border is probably lightly patrolled (if at all) Actually, the border crossing into Zilargo is the Sterngate which controls the Darguun-Zilargo-Breland border at the Marguul Pass. It's pretty heavily defended because it's on the Darguun border. I hope the Zil don't take it personally, but the goblinoids kind of made the security a bit tighter. Not that all parties involved couldn't just cross over the mountains and avoid all sorts of nastiness.