The Brass Coast was my first nation and it is still the brief that makes my heart sing the most.
Colours and Life
No other brief will justify you looking like you have been dragged through a rainbow hedge and come out looking fabulous.
Every charity store contains at least 3 bright clashing items that belong in the Coast - and once you’ve played it once, you will never be able to stop going “ooh, that gaudy necklace would be perfect for {long-dead character}”
Aggressive Honesty
The joy of being a straightforward person in word and deed. Of not having to tell polite lies, of qualifying all your exaggerations with clarity on how exaggerated they are, of being blunt when people ask you questions and taking others at their word.
Of being able to say “Oh yes, my fiance is a terrible slimy person but that is just because he is in the League - once he joins the Coast, he will become as honest and true as I”. Or even better, saying “I cannot answer your question, I’m under contract not to confess to any of those crimes - I can only break this clause with the rest of my coven present. Would you like me to fetch them?”
Or meddle in other’s romance. “Ah, I see you have been dating for several months. Have you planned what you will do in the event of unexpected children yet? You really should get a contract to sort this out…”
Contracts as neurodiversity
I find subtext and nuance hard. And sometimes I like playing games that are hard, but sometimes it is nice to slip into an IC pretext to force all conversations to make explicit their subtextual meanings.
It can be glorious.
You wish me to help you and promise to return the favour in future? Please fill in the blanks in this contract explaining how will you return it and when, and who I can complain to if you renege.
You want to swear to be a loyal general to the Empire? Excellent, could you specify what that means to you - please be specific on if I can rebel against the Military Councils decisions if I believe they will be bad for the nation, and if so, how often can I do it. Who do I need to notify if I wish to cease being loyal and persue my own ambition instead, should I organise someone to raise a judgement removing me from position if I want to commit an illegal act or would you prefer me to resign pre-emptively?
Are you asking me out on a date? Excellent, could you please outline the activities you intend for us to do, under what conditions you will allow the date to end early with no hard feelings, and what payment you are prepared to put down for my attendance.
Paying the Price
Reducing everything to money is overly simplistic, but it gives a lovely option for solving anything you want to do. Want in on a meeting - ask how much and go raise the cash. Hungry? Pay someone to give you their dinner. Want to sway a vote in Senate - treat your senator to lunch and negociate the price of their vote over fruit tea and cake. Want to stop the vengence of someone you wronged falling on your head? Ask them how much to forgive you.
Not to mention, it confuses or insults almost every other nation when this custom collides with yours. Insist on paying for every seat, every drink, every piece of information or courtesy another does for you.
If you are in the Coast, the rings just go round and round and will come back to you when you help someone else. If you are not in the Coast, it will remind people of your nation and provoke fun conversation - especially in Varushka, Dawn and the League.*
*This is not binding Hakima advice. No Amys should be blamed if you get chased out of camps on suspicion of being inhuman monsters.
