Fred and Sammo were hiking through the forest, when their journey was cut short by the somewhat sudden appearance of a stone wall. Mostly undeterred, the pair turned left and followed the wall, hoping to reach an opening.
After a nearly a league, Fred breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a gateway.
The relief did not last.
“Halt!” said a guard. “You’ve reached the border of the city of Marjoram.”
“Okay,” Fred said, studying the name badge on the guard. “We mean no harm, Clive. Can we come through?”
“I need you to tell me your names.”
“I’m Fred. This is Sammo.”
“We’re adventurer,” Sammo added despite Fred insisting that he not do that thing.
“What’s the purpose of your visit to Marjoram?”
“We’re literally just passing through,” Fred answered.
“How long do you plan on staying in our fair city?”
“However long it takes to walk from one side of Marjoram to the next,” Fred said.
“Unless we find adventure!” Sammo added.
“Do you have any weapons or anything to declare?”
“Not really. We just have our own food supply. Nothing exotic. No animals. No weapons.”
“We rely on our wits in our many adventures!” Sammo added.
“Stop,” Fred whispered to his partner.
“As you are not citizens,” Clive said, “it is not permissible for you to be paid coin for any adventuring you may do in the city limits.”
“Good sir, we’re generally paid in gratitude and acclaim!” Sammo said smiling.
“Move ahead to checkpoint two!”