The Porters

The dwarven porters are responsible for the security of the Guildhall and the University and are charged with maintaining law and order within the walls. The Porters will be the first of the Guildhall's many denizens that visitors will encounter. The porters are all uniformly strict in the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the Guildhall and stalwart in the performance of their duties. Under no circumstances will they admit anyone who is not a Guildmember or enrolled as a student at the University (and they keep lists-long lists!).

Guests are allowed in at the express invitation of a Guildmember, but their names must be entered in the guest book before dusk the previous day. The only exception to this rule is visitors willing to buy, sell, or exchange magical items and spell components with the Mage of Exchange. These individuals will be escorted to Kondradis 's study and back by two of the porters. No amount of bribery will persuade the porters to do otherwise, despite the legendary dwarven greed for precious metal. Anyone foolish enough to attempt to force an entry via magical means will discover that the great black adamantite gates have a 75% chance to negate all spells cast at or through them, and the great magics used in the creation of the Guildhall prevent the casting of all mind-affecting spells such as charm person. The use of teleport or dimension door to gain entry is also impossible (but these spells can be used to get out). One further, slightly disturbing, aspect of the gates is that the peephole for the porters to peer at visitors prior to admitting them, although at dwarven eye-level on the inside of the gate, can appear anywhere on the outer surface.

The porters are always gruff and give short shrift to strangers or those whom they perceive as inferior or undeserving of respect. It's an entirely different matter with those in positions of authority, who will always be greeted with the utmost respect: "A very good morning to you, Mr. Jalucian, sir: Miss Sallavarian awaits you in the refectory, sir," or "Good afternoon, Mr. Tenser, sir; important message from Mr. Bigby for you at the porters' lodge, sir."