So if you're not part of a nation the blocks in your town aren't protected?
I'm pretty sure sure cicatrix isn't part of a nation and its blocks are protected?
50g to start a town, and for every plot you want to buy for your town, you pay 15g. Remember, this all comes out of the town bank, not yours. Towns are charged 10g a week, also.
poor as much money as you can into plots, they're expensive as poo but sooner or later your citizens will start bitching for V.I.P plots, trust me, I'm a former mayor.