Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-27144409-20180503164124/@comment-27450328-20181001142754

I've always wondered if there were some kind of free cities or other things like this in RWBY. Most words/countries have those lawless places, but in Remnant, that would be kinda difficult with all the Grimm and negativity. So here is my take in it.

Name: Basalte

Name Meaning: french name for a volcanic rock

Location: South-east coast of Vacuo

Layout: A mining town set on a rocky peninsula. The town itself is built on the main "mountain" with the castle, then the high places, the worker's/middle class habitations, the mines, the slums and then the walls.

History: Founded by a few discarded nobles and aristocrats and their saleswords after the world, Basalte was meant to be a place where people from all political, religious or racial background could make a living as long as they follow one simple rule : work hard, and do not disturb the public peace.

For centuries, Basalte have welcomed political and economical refugees, keeping the ones willing to work and sending the others out. Even if a criminal underground began to arrive, the local militia was keen on keeping order on the streets. But as it became too much, another law was passed : the militia -and only her- can publish bounties on people troubling the peace. As such, perturbators were dealt with, and hot-blooded habitants had a release that did not imply riots and other chaos-inducing actions.

To top that, kings and aristocrats must patron artistic and musical activities for the people, in order to counterbalance negativity amongst the middle and lower class.

Finally, to ensure security for all, a costy defense system was built on the benefices of the mines : an imposing wall mounted with several turrets encircle the city, with only a reinforced land road connecting it to the continent.

Community: The population is quite diverse, with rich merchants, miners, common workers, soldiers... They all live in relative peace, respecting the law and thanking the king for their autonomy regarding to the laws of the kingdoms.

Government: The king is the authority, even if he have to make regular reports to the Vacuan government in exchange for their near-autonomy.

Inspiration: Rohannapur in Black Lagoon, but tamed down a notch.