Keep the gate shut long enough to stay safe, paid, and unblamed.

The gatekeeper wants a clean excuse to open the road without taking the blame.

• A stamped writ or seal
• A believable story about wounded folk, fire, or flood behind the party
• A small but real payment
• Mentioning the harbormaster's name
• Offering to settle a watch debt or delivery

• Calm talk with a clear ask
• Present forged or genuine paperwork
• Appeal to duty or compassion
• Threaten a complaint to a superior
• Offer a bribe without making it obvious
• Use a helpful detail only someone on the road would know

• Wary but listening
• Annoyed if rushed
• Softens if the party shows need, money, or authority
• Gets defensive if accused of laziness or corruption