I'm trying to roleplay a khajiit assassin but was wondering if khajiits (not khajiit caravans) are aloud within the cities of Skyrim. I know you are obviously aloud into cities as a khajiit but does it go against lore?

Yes, it's just the caravans that sell skooma that aren't allowed, I believe. It's kind of like how the Alik'r aren't allowed in, but several other Redguards are.

Individuals not connected with the caravans can. You encounter a Khajiit in a city during the MQ.

Who was that? I can't remember.

Ohh right. Remember now.

Only the Khajiit traders are not allowed in cities.

Oh right I forgot about that khajiit. Seems like I got my answer. I just wish playing as a Khajiit was more immersive.

You're not the only one. Hanging around the caravans can be really fun, try traveling with them and see what happens.

It's silly how my Khajiit can just waltz into Whiterun.

Actually, Whiterun's probably the only one that does it right(barely). You should be stopped at the gates of every city and have persuasion/bribe/intimidate options to get inside the gates as a Khajiit. Even if you play as Dragonborn and follow the main quest diligently, you should still be forced to prove you are Dragonborn by shouting like you do at the College.

True. Windhelm was the most ridiculous. Apart from the occasional bit of anti-Dunmer dialogue, I felt like a Nord the entire time.

I like the sound of that. I think that would help the immersion

Yeah the caravans are not allowed in as they are seen as skooma dealers and thieves. Which is funny because Riften's skooma problem has nothing to do with the khajiits in any way. And not all of them are thieves and dealers.

But I do think playing as a khajiit there should have been more difficulty getting into cities. Like the guard in Whiterun "City is closed" or the Riften guard "Pay a entry fee."

This one kills those who don't want him in the cities.

That's not entirely true... I am a Khajiit, I trade regularly, and usually have a supply of skooma on me at all times, and Vilja and I are always hanging about in the cities. I find it is a nice place to pick up some extra business, going from city to city selling my wares, that I've 'acquired' during my travels

It's the groups of Khajiit traders they don't trust.

Khajiit aren't allowed, the guards at the gate have water spray bottles to keep you out

Come to think of it, they probably don't let M'aiq in either. Bloody rascal, that one

Come to think of it, I never thought of doing that with my Khajiit. My Khajiit will be their personal brawler! Cat for hire no more!

Back in Morrowind, if you even had moon sugar on you, you couldn't trade with certain people. They'd tell you to lose the stuff or get lost. I think this also goes for bottle skooma as well.

Would be crazy if they started rumors about you carrying skooma after being caught by multiple shop owners. Get all Cops 101 style on your hero with Dunmer police

The only possible answer is "Yes, but we'll make an exception for you"

You know how in certain cities there are secret ways out... do these only open when you do the quests that involve them, or is it possible to sneak into certain cities?

I like the idea of my Khajiit character sneaking in to start with, and then the guards would be like: "Oh, well someone must have let him in, so he's obviously ok. If he got past the fellas on the door, he must be in here for a reason."

Not really. You encounter other Khajiits in a few quests.