[DarkCloud_PK]

I think it was planned mostly in consideration for what could have been, and not what the server is now.
If you remember GTA, Tyhm also blocked off newbies to a point because he absolutely hated the idea of them getting butchered by established PKers in 2 shots. Then newbie saint came and blah blah.
I think the idea is that the new players can't really experience the other aspects of the game anyway until they do those quests etc.
that problem would be more visible if classic had not started people off 6 and 2.
it will begin to rear itself as classic questing allows for more health and sword levels.