Yeah, I think that's my real problem.

All the people who gather in places like this are generally pretty unique in some way, and more often then not it has something to do with their combat ability. Just about everyone has training and experience and magic powers and high pain tolerances and joy at the thrill of a fight.

I can make threats all I want, but I don't have what it takes to back it up. Especially not against people who actually know what they're doing.