Difference between revisions of "The Emerald Coast"

Revision as of 15:27, 17 December 2006

Longitude: Undisclosed

Latitude: Southern Hemisphere

Climate: Temperate

Note: The Emerald Coast is presently a member of the Tenka Fubu Alliance and a prefecture of The New Meritocracy.

The Emerald Coast is a NationStates Port-of-Call, boasting a proud and generous harbour that plays host to numerous vessels enroute between larger stations. A wealthy mix of indigents composed of immigrants from several cultures (Viking, South Seas, African, etc.) has created a hodge-podge stewpot of active mercantile and exploratory ventures.

The Emerald Coast collects a flat-rate modest stipend from all ships claiming it as a stop on their trade routes, sparing the necessity for more extensive harbourmaster practices. It can be honestly claimed that "never was a hold opened by warrant or on account of the governor, on the fine shores of the EC". Naturally this makes it rather difficult to summarize the extent and quality of trade being delivered via The Emerald Coast, but this freedom has led to its considerable popularity as a stopover for navigators. It has also created prosperity for those residents who entertain and house shore-leave visitors from the many ships of all makes, sizes and origins that frequent these waters.

Noteworthy Landmarks

Harbour Town, a.k.a. "The Colony"

Along Main Street - unmistakable where it follows the shoreline, and the first road you'll set foot upon off any wharf - a number of establishments have sprung up to serve their varied clientele. Most prominent and famous (some claim it infamous, who were too churlish with its mistress and landed outside on their ear) is the Wa Da Du Ga Inn with its high peak, broad porch, and unbeatable pie.

Harbour Defences

The Emerald Coast may consist of a fluid, unlawful mishmash of low and highbrow occupants, but its defences are far less haphazard. A sturdy collection of shore batteries at Dolphin's Head Point overlooks the harbour entrance, and an additional artillery garrison commands a 360-degree firing range from the prominent hill on Two-Bits Island at harbour's centre. The garrisons are all manned by a circulating gang of volunteers, but not one of them lacks for depth of cannon firing experience from their years at sea - "and sightin' upon a target from a steady aim ain't nothin' by comparison," says one veteran volunteer.

Historical Lore

Origins

The Emerald Coast is said to have earned its monikor from the brisk trade in emeralds once shipped through the area from a natural cave discovered by government surveyors. The mines were a 100% government operation, as was their transport, but when piratical elements caught wind of the secret location they descended in a storm of gunshot and cutlasses, harassing the local militia to such an extent that the mine ceased to operate. Before retreating, government employees dynamited the mine entrance. It is believed a considerable portion of the mine, if not its entirety, collapsed as a result of this action. The mine has never been re-opened, due in large part to a lack of organization and trust among any company formed thus far to ressurect its operation.

In the course of assaulting the crown's mining operation, a small settlement sprung up within the main harbour in the same location where the town resides today. The raid had brought together so many like-minded individuals (and continued to draw more by rumour even long after the mine episode was ended), and the previously little-known harbour so ideally located, these independents could scarce resist the opportunity to create a safe haven where all would be welcomed - and none questioned.

It did not escape the memory of these founders, however, that the government was well aware of this location and its value. Several skirmishes, arson attempts and militia raids later, government elements were finely repelled for good by early defences established by the harbour's new owners, later evolving into the current defence arrangement.

Government patrol ships are now satisfied to remain outside of the core area of The Emerald Coast, doing what they can to interfere with trade moving in and out of the port. This is piteously little and amounts to a token gesture, since there are many exits from amongst the isles surrounding the main harbour and the entire region is prone to experiencing fog banks that obscure naval activity.

"Government" Structure

Following several early disputes resolved only by strength of cutlass and pistol, a congregation of citizens of The Emerald Coast eventually formed an Assembly to create a judicial structure. This pseudo-government's sole purpose is to maintain at least some semblance of coordinated order in the colony, modelled on the universally honoured tradition by which the harbour is defended.

The regional 'Captain' (usually a ship's captain, but the title may be awarded to anyone upon whom the Assembly agrees) bears ultimate responsible for overseeing the colony's activities and conduct. To share the task he may appoint a First Mate and various Lieutenants to assist him/her. Appointment of these assistants does require the concurrence of the Assembly, although this is largely a formality since the Captain's opinion is generally trusted (normally). This arrangement usually works to the satisfaction of all. If it does not, a majority vote by the assembly can wipe the slate clean and new nominations will be sought.

Essential Pirate Glossary

Arrr!

'Golly gee', or 'Oh my goodness'

Afore

in advance of something else

Ahoy

'Greetings to you'

Albatross

don't shoot it

Avast

'Please desist with your current activities'

Bilge

the part of the boat you don't want to clean

Bloke

'fine gentleman' (when he's not angry)

Bloody

universal adjective

Boatswain

a large man you shouldn't wrestle with

Brig

you wrestled with the boatswain

Cabin

the part of the boat you want to sleep in

Captain

the person who insists it's a 'ship'

Cannon

do not stand at the open end

Cannonball

see definition of "cannon"

Chart

avoid areas marked 'Here there be monsters'

Compass

the original GPS

Cove

good place to hide your boat

Cutlass

useful cutting tool (if you're the one holding it)

Deck

the boat's outdoor floor

First Mate

heir to the boat if the captain is keelhauled

Furl

wrap up the sails (and hang on to something)

Gale

really fast sailing weather

Git yer hands off

'Cease touching at once'

Government

the worst scallywags you could ask to meet

Hammock

the place you end up sleeping

Harbour

parking lot for boats

Hold

best part of the boat to hide someone in

Hurricane

find a cove

Keel

centerpiece on the bottom of the boat

Keelhaul

don't let anyone do this to you

Landlubber

what your mom wanted you to be

Lass

your girlfriend (see definition of "hold")

Map

vague geographic directions

Mast

the tall pole to which sails are attached

Matey

friend (for now)

Me

'my valued [possession]' (e.g. me treasure)

Merchant Ship

see definition of "me"

Mutiny

a series of unfortunate events (from the captain's perspective)

Plank

a handy diving board used at sea

Pistol

even better than a cutlass

Pirate

likeable fellow (see definition of "matey")

Port

the left side, or a pleasant place to stay for the evening

Rock

what they forgot to include on the chart

Rum

the only thing you are permitted to drink

Sail

big sheet of canvass

Sailing

action by virtue of which the boat is moved

Scallywag

insufferable insult (see definition of "cutlass")

Scurvy

eat more fruit

Ship

any boat with sails that a pirate thinks he's captain of

Starboard

the right side (as opposed to left);String:if followed by the words 'you up', turn and run

Tack

the wind is not cooperating

Tankard

a generous-sized mug

Tavern

best source of rum

Tiller

steering device; useful in conjunction with sailing

Treasure

the whole point to being a pirate

Waves

really bad sailing weather

Wharf

a big dock to park your boat at

Weigh anchor

'Please lift that anchor out of the water so we can leave'

Ya

'You whom I am addressing'

Yardarm

crossbeam attached to the mast

Zzzzz

too much rum

Example: "Git yer hands off me treasure, arrr, afore I string ya up by the starboard yardarm ya scallywag!" translates as "Cease touching at once my valued treasure, oh my goodness, in advance of my 'stringing up' [turn and run] you whom I am addressing, adjacent to the right side [as opposed to left] crossbeam attached to the tall pole to which the sails are also attached, you insufferable insult."