What's the ruling on collecting Bounties from the quest in the Watch House, when the criminal spawns in a populated place, like an inn?

First off, spawn camping is a big turnoff for all DMs. Please do not just hang out at place X, or run directly to place X when you see the player log in so you can nail them. It's really abuse of OOC game mechanics (ie checking log-ins and knowing OOCly that that players character -must- be there due to game mechanics issues). To me it's mechanics abuse and fails to allow the other player time to log in, get up to speed, etc.--which you are taking advantage of when this occurs.

To answer your question, you can take any bounty down as you see fit, anywhere that is needed. You must realize that A) you must have DM supervision for PvP in any area populated with NPCs and B) you will IC be subjected to scrutiny for your actions by the watch PCs if deemed to have broken the law, etc.

Okay, thanks.

I wasn't really referring to PCs with bounties, but rather NPCs from the quest at the Watch House.

However, you've answered my questions! Thank you.

For the NPC ones, you can just kill them.

THRAWN!