Good question! And good ideas.<br/><br/>Eis has never really had a bandit problem.  It's too hard for them to operate in the climate for long periods.<br/><br/>Eis does not have a standing army. They do, however, have village militias, which also serve as the police force, primarily comprised of people without an active Aura or Semblance. So, they're not too effective, except as a way of policing themselves.<br/><br/>Overland travel wasn't too rare. There would be periods, such as blizzards, where it would be temporarily impossible; and some times, passes would became impassable due to massive snow accumulation, or avalanches, needing to be cleared out. But yeah, before the mist, there was pretty steady travel along the roads. Most travelers use sleds pulled by domesticated wolves (I don't think RWBY has ever mentioned if real animals exist alongside the Grimm, but at least in this RP, yes, they do. So wolves, elk, bears, and other natural animals that can handle the cold, do exist; mostly as snacks for the Grimm, hah).<br/><br/>There's also the ferry between Feur and Eis. That's always been running, ever since the place stopped being a penal colony. That's actually the safest travel for the moment, since aerial Grimm are a very rare sight, and there aren't any ocean Grimm (Or are there? Dun dun dun!).<br/><br/>And at some point, the 'kids' might get to ride around in an airship.  8-)