Freeport

Freeport is an island city with a strong national identity. Rather than tracing their origins back to Earth, or any other planet, most people who live in Freeport refer to themselves as "Freemen" and consider themselves true natives. However, this does not mean they are in any way xenophobic - indeed they are proud of what they have accomplished in creating; a huge hub for traders and travelers alike. Freeport has possibly the largest series of ports on Aberash - one on the east and one on the west side of the city, each defended by a thick stone sea-wall and gate capable of blocking off all trade. Each port is a bustling trade centre in it's own right - with merchants, stalls, shops and inns to greet any adventurers arriving or on their way to leave the island.

The Hunter Society

A Society comprising of the esteemed strategists, respected battlers, and elite victors in training of the great Gargantua Hunts. Based out of Freeport.

Adventurers, traders and hunters alike all seem to love Freeport as a centralized hub and many take advantage of the many opportunities that arise there, with many a famous name first starting their chosen careers in the free city. The main reason for this is due to the network of 'guild halls' that operate throughout the metropolis, ranging from vaguely named 'adventurer's guilds' to halls more fit for specialized professions, such as The Sixth' College (a mages guild) and also The Hunter's Society. These guild halls offer contracts and missions to it's members for pay, but also offer training and a sense of community.

Freeport is also known for it's political system - it sees itself as an independent city state, and has it's own centralized government and 'royal' family. However, rather than being a straight monarchy, Freeport is also a democracy in that the leaders of local guilds and trading societies are invited to sit on a council and vote to decide matters of domestic and foreign policy. The military, well-funded and equipped, is mostly a self-defense force comprising of Freeport natives, but often better trained soldiers and officers come in the form of retired guild members. The influence of the guilds can also be seen in that the military acts as a sort of guild itself - an almost private organization, or security force, that stays loyal only through oath and weekly payment from the city's coffers. However, the bulk of the soldiery ARE Freeport loyalists, and so it would be wise not to think of them as an easily bought band of mercenaries, especially if you plan to turn them against their homes.

The island itself is situated smugly off the coast and appears to 'fill' an 'alcove' in the main continent's shore-line. This is part of the reason why Freeport gets so many visitors, for men and women often need to travel through it simply to get to the other side. To get across the several miles of water and into the city, Freeport has it's own public transport system, where each man, woman and child can board a raft that travels from port-to-shore for only a single piece of coin. The rafts and waters themselves are guarded by the Merchant's Navy, a branch of Freeport military that keeps the sea around the island safe.

At the centre of the island, finally, is Freeport Castle - a large fortress like structure that has it's own set of inner walls (what with the island having it's own fortified wall running an outline around the entire coast aside for the ports, which have their own sea-defenses anyway). Freeport Castle is home to the royal family and their retinues, but is also home to an elite order of Knights known as The Knights of the White Flame.