The main gate to Pax is known as the Forest Gate. It is usually manned by two bored looking guards of the Pax Honestus, the legion formed to keep order in the new outpost. Apart from the usual farm traffic that comes to and fro on a regular basis, most new arrivals come through the portal and the gate guards have little to do save stare into the nearby forest. Paths from the gate lead down into the forest and the River Clearwater.
The most notable thing apparent to new arrivals is not the gate or guards but rather the long, high, elegant walls of the town. The Wall (Pax) has an air of balance and grace to it, despite the fact that it also looked sturdy enough to withstand whole armies - and its design was somehow foreign to the eyes - unlike everything else in Pax, which was simple and functional and the very opposite of beautiful, the wall was built to some completely different standard. As if it had been plucked from elsewhere, from another city, and simply plonked here without thought. Or as if it had always been here, in spirit.
The dapper looking Sergeant Caverton often tends the gate. He is assisted by Private Jarren Youngblood
After a long journey, Ayolin catches his first glimpse of the walls of Pax Balthasar. All dirty and smelling terribly like the fish he caught a few days ago (it's head accidentally ended up in his backpack where it was left to rot for a few days) Ayolin is looking up to the walls in awe. He sighs to himself in relief. "I am glad I travelled on last night, I'm so weary and hungry, but at least I have reached my destination."
Looking up to the gate Ayolin sees two men standing at the gate. One is an experienced looking soldier who looks to be totally at ease, the other younger man is looking rather twitchy. "I don't like the look of that man. I don't know these people, but I do know I don't trust that youngster one bit."
Driven mainly by his stomach rather than his wits, Ayolin starts to approach the gate. The closer he gets to the two men the more insecure the dwarf is feeling. Trying not to show his insecurity too much, Ayolin walks straight to the older man. From the corner of his eye he is constantly checking the hand of the young guard which is hovering nervously over the handle of his sword. Being suspicious of unfamiliar people Ayolin rests his hand on his axe.
Making himself as big as possible the dwarf tucks in his stomach and puts out his chest. "Zahlen" Ayolin says, looking up to the guard. To his regret he's sounding more shy as he intended to. To make things worse his stomach makes a loud roaring noise, which can probably be heard all over Pax Balthasar.
, you may now enter Pax.)