a) From people who aren't abusive twinks, sure.
b) I think it makes complete sense to be able to sneak past the doorman as long as you look like you belong.
Granted, I'm not sure how that code works or how foolproof it is against sneaky-types, but sneak/hide is pretty powerful stuff that can conveniently breeze past posted guards, narrow hallways, and furniture-less rooms, so I'm not really willing to rely on the good roleplay of others to keep an area safe. Plus, the times I have had a PC who would peek into the Arboretum, it was always empty. That is probably why nobody gets ganked there. Because it is empty. Probably because it is not safe (and because everyone hangs out at the Gaj and the Red's). And around and around we go.
I'm totally fine with everyone hanging out at the Red's or the Gaj, mind you. Congregation is good. I just happen to agree with Bebop on this one - having zero militia protection in the most high-class establishment in the city is ridiculous, and probably due to a simple staff/builder oversight when it was created. The Trader's Inn had soldiers, and the Arboretum is the Traders' replacement.
Dar: say that to the noble that would always hang out in the Traders'. Or any noble or templar PC that is in the Arboretum bar area. But if it bothers you, then just put the important Templar/Noble NPCs inside the Arboretum and the high-up off-duty militia captain NPCs in the bar area. That would make perfect sense.
The other thing is that having the Aboretum guarded is that it increases the potential for RP and it is IG and canon for guards to be there. So if it's more desirable for people in high society to hang out there it creates more possibility for noble and commoner interaction. It also allows for player discrimination and a better emphasis on social class warfare because that won't fit in there like half elves, magickers and other undesirables won't be allowed and thusly won't be afforded the privilege of the protection the muckity mucks have.
I'm not anti PK. But assassination should be work. Following someone, catching them off guard. You shouldn't be able to walk into super crowded watering holes (especially ones where nobles and Templars hang out) and be able to kill someone without coded consequences or being identified. Especially not at night when these places would be busiest. In the Gaj maybe you can shiv a bitch. Less so in Reds. Definitely not easily in the Arboretum ...and that should be reflected codedly.
In some ways taverns in the rinth are literally more safe than the Arboretum if you have the right connections. Taverns are a place where plots and interactions that hook players happen. It's important that codely their relative levels of safety be codedly correct.
Here is my issue. No one has died in the Arboretum. More people have died in the gaj than in the Reds..So I am confused on how the Arboretum is not safe?
Nobles:
1. If you want to be 98% PK Safe, from all undesirables should host people in their estate.
2. If you want to be 75% Safe, go to the Arboretum
3. If you want to be 50% Safe, go to the Reds
4. If you want to live life on the edge, and jump right in without protection, go to the Gaj.
In all of the above scenarios the nobles should have their personal guard with them.
Commoners:
1. If you want to be 98% PK Safe, Marry into a Noble house, and follow the above steps
Assassination should be work, I agree, however, since the code is not robest enough to have a person in silks, quietly, walk up, stab you in the lung and walk away without drawing notice, we have to suffice with Backstab, which makes a huge scene, even though codedly, depending on how it is played out, should not. Backstab is"
Backstab (Melee Combat)
This skill is a generic term for 'critical strikes' against an opponent, be it an animal or a humanoid. The victim of a backstab is not necessarily 'stabbed in the back'-- the attack could be from any direction. If your character successfully backstabs someone, the target has been 'hit in a vital location,' and will be badly injured, the severity of the injury depending on your character's backstab skill level."
To me if you successful backstab someone you should not be wanted, you should have the option to be able to successful get away and leave them to succumb to their wounds (and stay unwanted), fatal or not OR continue to engage, draw notice and successfully finish the job(Get wanted) if your critical strike did not.