The Pearl Coast
"One would be hard-pressed to find a dour-looking fellow here. That is not to say that the miserable do not exist, but rather that the appearances of such are diminished. Most folks wear a pleasant expression in public whenever possible; to smile at strangers is considered good luck, as I’ve learned, especially to children."
- Alan Swift's Travels of the World
Most folk born along the coast seldom see reason to leave, so they don’t. That is not to say that the culture is isolationist, far from it. Travelers are welcomed with open arms, and travel itself is encouraged for the sake of trading wares with passing ships.
The most common jobs are, of course, related to the fishing industry. Sailors, fishmongers and the like are among the most popular jobs. Fishing aside, other prominent industries include woodcarving and weaving— art and fashion flourish in the villages along the coast.
Language
Like the rest of the Isles, these Mistan speak Common as their main language, alongside a local dialect referred to simply as Afkayna (uff-kay-nah, meaning "our tongue"). Both variations of the Mistan dialect bear a cadence similar to the Ancient Tongue, no doubt due to the higher population of elves along the coast. It isn’t uncommon for it to be spoken along the coast. Indeed, even most humans know at least a sentence or two in Elvish, if only simple things such as “Good morning” or “How much does this cost?”
Some Elvish terms and phrases even make their way into the common tongue. The popularity of Elvish seeps into the culture of poetry and song as well, Elven poetry is highly popular, and even local poetry traditions feature a blend of Common language and Elvish vocal inflections.
Customs & Rituals
The Pearl Coast, much like the rest of the Isles, is home to a communal culture where connecting with others is emphasized. One such occasion is the New Dawn, a festival celebrating the coming of the New Year. It takes place during the season of Typhon, celebrated on the first of Reflection. Music is played and songs are sung, group dances are performed by jubilant crowds, though the most anticipated event consists of mock-battles fought with blunted weapons. The fights are, of course, accompanied by singing and dancing and poetry, people performing to encourage their preferred champion. The fights themselves are dramatic, seeming more like elaborate dances rather than combat.
The coast also boasts a strong oral storytelling tradition, most stories are told through word of mouth rather than being written down. This has led to some confusion when documenting, largely due to the changes a story can go through when passed from ear to mouth. It is not uncommon for words and wording to change or for multiple variations for the same story to be passed around, and the same goes for much of the songs and poetry as well.
Another point of note is the usage of nicknames along the coast. Names are often used to denote how close a person is; for example, a stranger may be referred to by their proper name, but it would be odd to greet a friend the same way. Instead, most people of the coast refer to each other by nicknames. Usually these nicknames are fairly straightforward (i.e a tall person will be nicknamed after their height, a soft-spoken person will be nicknamed after their quietness, etc). Due to the rather blunt nature of these nicknames, they may come across as quite rude in some cases.
Beliefs & Spirituality
The people of the Coast hold a certain respect for the otherworldly. One such example is the Siren Serene; an odd figure, both loved and feared at the same time. Even the least pious folk on the coast will pay tribute to her for fear of her wrath.
The Siren is often associated with not just the sea, but storms as well. During the wet season where rain falls harsh and heavy, it is common for folk to pay tribute to the Siren, so much so that a festival is held; Hirka Nololsha ("the Tide of Life"), celebrated in the summer during the month of Bloomburrow during the dugong calving season. Folks are encouraged to care for the ocean during this time; fishing comes to a halt, and the shore is cleaned up and decorated with colourful lanterns. Charms made from cowrie shells are worn, often given out as gifts to children in particular. Meals are cooked and shared together, with a focus on wasting as little as possible; everything edible is eaten, and what is left over, such as bones, gets repurposed into jewelery and tools.
Dugongs, also referred to as geelmanyo (gail-man-yo, meaning "sea camel" or "sea cattle"), are beloved creatures, to the point where it is completely unheard of on the Coast for anyone to hunt them. They are not only a symbol of Hirka Nololsha, but of the Siren Serene herself as they are often called “the Siren’s children”. To kill a dugong is seen as an affront to the Siren Serene of the highest degree.
However, the Siren Serene is far from the only otherworldly figure of note. Stories are passed down of supernatural creatures of mist and smoke and magic. Sometimes appearing human, sometimes not. Sometimes bringing fortune, sometimes not. Their only consistency is their lack of consistency and a particular distaste for iron. These beings are referred to simply as jinn.
Fashion & Culture
"The local dress puzzled me, at first. Men’s clothing, women’s clothing, all bore the same silhouette and colours. The differences are subtle, hard to catch unless one is already familiar; the variations in patterns used, the placement of embroidered trim, the specific manner in which a headscarf is wrapped— all these careful details come together to create distinct looks. The lines between the two fashions are a touch blurred here, but once one becomes familiar with the unique beauty it is hard to return."
- Alan Swift's Travels of the World
Clothing tends to be quite loose to accommodate for the hot and humid climate, with a general trend towards lighter and brighter colours. Patterns and embroidery are especially popular. While the cut and construction of the garments are relatively simple, most garments are simply draped and held in place with ties, it seems that the complexity of the fabrics themselves more than make up the difference.
Necklaces, chokers, bracelets, armlets, anklets and the like are popular amongst both women and men. Common materials for jewelry include gold and silver, but also amber, seaglass, seashells, and of course, pearls. Carved wooden jewelry is also fairly common, particularly in the form of charms for necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.
Cosmetics are worn for special occasions, popular amongst both women and men. Kohl, a dark substance worn to line the eyes, is especially common, along with henna, a reddish dye used to either dye hair or to stain the skin with patterns.
Scarves of colourful silk and cotton are popular, especially amongst women. Headscarves are common amongst married women, a local tradition observed by most. These scarves are often adorned by decorative pins and other jewelry. Married men tend to cover their hair as well, either with a cloth headwrap or a kufi, an embroidered skull cap.
