Contraband Items and Smuggling

To prevent people from bringing magical gear that would just reave newbies to the ground they could be declared as contraband and illegal to bring into some of the towns. You'll be demanded to leave to them to the guard house to enter the city. This could be expanded to also include substances that give high short period buffs before hitting with a large debuff - the more questionable things that alchemists are able to make.

Which could lead to smuggling small items in your person and give the player a bit of a flavour as the life of a criminal.

 

Yes, it would be nice to see an occasional customs style checkpoint and people having to smuggle in specific quest items via the Catacombs (say if they entered through the sewer or wherever the entrance happens to be). It would also be interesting to see a town that outlawed magic outright (leave your items at the gate for safekeeping) or npc guards that treat you differently if you are wearing a weapon (cue guard with itchy sword hand). There's a ton of possibilities here for various towns and their odd local ways.