@TheEdVerse Hi Ed! Are Cormyrean peacestrings made out of a specific material, or can virtually any string be used so long as it's not visibly suspicious looking and in a (current) secret knot?
— cluc2020 (@cluc2018) January 12, 2020
1)
Any easily-visible string can be used that someone glancing at it wouldn’t assume can be broken with ease (i.e. a cord, not a thread), that’s knotted. Yes, there are slipknots that can be pulled open with a single jerk, that veteran Purple Dragons will sneer at, 2)
..but most citizens would let them pass; they're only looking for at-a-glance assurance that this is someone armed but law-abiding. Most Dragon barracks, or shops nearby, sell nice-looking cord for peacestring use, but there's no requirement to use "approved" cord.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 12, 2020
You're very welcome. There's also this…https://t.co/Wv2LVFJgPD#Realmslore
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 12, 2020
But they were at least mandatory during Azoun IV's reign, right? I've read about travellers around 1367 needing to ask Purple Dragons to tie the knot (hehe) in some official procedure. When did this change? Or was Volo exaggerating?
— cluc2020 (@cluc2018) January 12, 2020
1)
Any Purple Dragon (or Crown official) has the right to INSPECT any peacestrings. Anyone anxious, or sullen, might ask Dragons to tie or re-tie their stringing, just to be safe. Having peacestrings unless you’re bearing your royal adventuring charter, or are 2)
…Crown-blessed to be armed (e.g. a Purple Dragon, recognized nobility of the realm, etc.), or have a Crown dispensation (written letter of permission) is indeed mandatory.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 13, 2020
Then is it more a recommendation when Volo (Volo’s Guide to Cormyr) writes that one “must seek out the nearest Purple Dragon guardpost” and have weapons inspected and tied in the “secret knots used by Purple Dragons” or else seek out a “dark mage” to (reliably) do the same? It's what Volo was sternly told to do, so he repeated it in his guide as gospel. Prudent folk, P-Dragons and civic authorities included, tend to want to keep a tight rein on Volo. The 'dark mage' was his dodge, knowing some Guide readers would shun authorities.#Realmslore
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 13, 2020