Velvet Coaster

Velvet Coasters are the predominantly Human inhabitants of The Velvet Coast.

Culture

Common Etiquette rules

Social conduct on the Velvet Coast is governed by a refined yet ruthless culture of performance, reputation, and subtle dominance. Civility is expected at all times — even amidst betrayal — and one’s choice of words can carry as much weight as a blade. Insults are rarely direct; instead, they are veiled in wit or couched in compliments, with polite smiles masking contempt.
Reputation functions as a secondary currency. A well-maintained image, impeccable dress, and public associations are essential for navigating Mevania’s salons, markets, and Tribunal halls. Appearances matter more than truth, and a single public embarrassment can destroy years of careful advancement.
Hierarchy is rigidly observed in formal settings. Deference must be shown to nobles, guildmasters, and magistrates, even when such deference is insincere. Displays of humility or admiration are expected when addressing one’s betters, particularly during negotiations or public events.
Privacy is both respected and exploited. Direct questions about lineage, love affairs, or personal loss are considered crass, but whispered gossip remains the lifeblood of Velvet society. Knowledge of others’ secrets is a weapon, though to wield it without finesse is to court disaster.
Generosity, too, is performative. Lavish gifts, patronage, and well-timed hospitality are tools of influence. To appear ungenerous — even to an enemy — is to appear weak or provincial.
Conversations around elven heritage, particularly concerning half-elves or those with ties to the old Elven Kingdoms, are treated with caution. A misjudged remark may win applause or provoke outrage, depending on one’s audience and affiliations.
Ultimately, etiquette on the Velvet Coast is less about morality than about mastery of image. Success belongs to those who can strike without seeming to, flatter without kneeling, and endure insult with a glass raised and a dagger ready

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Beauty Standards on The Velvet Coast have seen a great degree of change from the days of The Imperial League, fluctuating rather drastically with the decades.

Men

The beauty standard for Men in 201IE is largely centred around fashion. Wealthier men will clad themselves in a half cape that hangs from their right shoulder. This serves a double purpose of being fashionable as well as being useful in concealing weapons. Tunic and shirt sleeves are padded above the elbow, artificially broadening the shoulders of the wearer. Men also wear very tight breeches accentuated by a cod piece, which is often padded to increase the apparent size. Physically, the desired male form is slender but with broad shoulders and a strong jawline.

Women

The ideal woman is curvacious and has a full figure, in contrast to Imperial era beauty standards which favoured lithe, petite women. Current Coaster dresses worn by the upper class feature a deep neckline, showcasing the wearer's collar bones and chest. The sleeves are often wide and puffed. The waist was to be accentuated as the smallest part of the body, whilst the skirts are designed to make the lower body appear as full as possible.

Relationship Ideals

On the Velvet Coast, relationships are shaped less by morality than by style, discretion, and utility. Marriage is treated as a contract — often political, economic, or social in nature — while passion and companionship tend to exist outside of it. Affairs are common and often conveniently ignored, provided they are conducted with discretion and tact.
Sexuality is broadly fluid and socially accepted. Courtesans often wield real influence, serving as intermediaries, advisors, or collectors of secrets.
Religious doctrine offers little opposition, but the Order of Alerio stands as a notable exception. It condemns interracial relationships — particularly between humans and elves — as threats to “Imperial purity,” and often targets half-elves with violence or social exclusion.
Despite this, diverse romantic and domestic arrangements persist, from companion bonds and contract unions to communal households. The guiding principle is not who one loves, but how well one navigates the expectations of society.
In the Velvet Coast, love is expression — and the only real taboo is poor taste.

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Organizations

• Order of Alerio
• The Scholum Argentum
• The Silvertower Republic