Merbleue

Known far and wide across The Kingdom of Ashalla and beyond as an attractive relaxation destination, Merbleue sits on the western coastline of Ashalla, bordering the Sea of Vallar. Close to the Ashallan capital city of Éternité, Merbleue has long been an escape for the nobility, with a reputation as a place where courtly and societal concerns and taboos can be left behind, at least for a short while.
Seeing the potential offered by providing such a rare escape, not only to the nobility, in recent decades the town's rulers, Michel Gavreau, Count de Merbleue and his father before him, have promoted the town's reputation as a playground for all, and have reaped the benefits in the post-Demon War years of peace from the throngs of tourists who frequent the rapidly growing town, year-round.
The town's "Anything Goes" reputation is reflected in how it is policed. Capital crimes, and acts which might make the town less attractive as a destination are dealt with swiftly and quietly, while more of a blind-eye is turned to activities which might be considered issues of morality in wider Ashallan society. The view is taken that so long as no-one is being hurt, then there is no need for an issue to be made of what visitors to the town might choose to spend their time doing.
Great pains have be taken to put across that the town is a place where one can relax and let their guard down. This truly is the flip-side of the Gavreau family's rise. Not only have their coffers been filled by the steady stream of tourists to their town, they secretly have eyes and ears everywhere, and have made a lucrative side-business in knowing the secrets and proclivities of any and all persons of note who pass through Merbleue.

Government

Ashalla as a nation, while by no means new to the world stage as a united entity, could very much still be considered in it's early days of true unification, with central government having little say in the way each individual settlement is run.
As such, Merbleue, like most Ashallan towns operates practically as its own semi-independent principality. Merbleue is governed by a single noble family. The town is currently governed by the Count de Merbleue, Michel Gavreau.
All decisions about the running of the town go through him, or in his absence, his personally selected advisors.

Defences

Close to the capital of Éternité, Merbleue has never truly been threatened from without. Like most settlements of its size however, it does have a small dedicated number of guards who man a series of watchtowers on the town's outskirts, in case of trouble.
Within the settlement itself, the town watch are a discreet presence, only getting involved when absolutely needed, in line with the directives of their masters; in contrast to the usual way in which town watches operate. Often operating in plainclothes, many visitors to Merbleue might assume that the town is not policed at all.

Tourism

Tourism is the industry upon which Merbleue, a century previously only a small fishing community, now relies completely. The town's location on Ashalla's western coast, near to the capital of Éternité, as well as its ever-growing reputation, have thankfully provided a constant and growing stream of visitors.
The town has, over the last century, completely re-geared its economy towards satisfying the needs of tourists. As such, the town is home to a large variety of inns, bars and other drinking establishments. Accomadations can be found throughout the town catering to whatever budget the visitor in need might be working with, from shared hostel-type bunkhouses, to lavish private chateaus. Casinos, dance-halls, and entertainment venues to suit all tastes and vices can be found within the town, if one knows where to look, all of which the ruling Gavreau family quietly owns a percentage of.
For many, however, Merbleue's gorgeous seafront, and miles of golden sands prove to be a major draw, and even those who cannot afford to stay in upmarket lodgings or gamble in a casino come to the town simply to enjoy a day on the beach.

Population

~50,000

Owner/Ruler

Michel Gavreau, Count de Merbleue

Owning Organization

The Kingdom of Ashalla