I'll have to disagree with you, Shryke. I'm sure there are Serenwilde folks who harvest more than their share, and the Nature users have the abilities that would allow them to be the most greedy harvesters, if they wanted to be.

As for guarding the herbs, it's just not feasible, with mobile or player type guards. Do you want to stand around watching over a single room for the benefit of a few stupid plants? I sure don't. I've got plenty of things to occupy my time. It is, after all, a game, and I'd like to have some fun in this game.

Besides, Serenwilders (alchemists for the most part) are the biggest buyers. You'd have to guard more than a few rooms.