

They don’t. Rise at the equator is slightly more due to the same reason the Earth bulges at the equator: centripetal force. The already-elevated sea level plays into the gravitational baseline at sea level, so gravity is 0. 5% weaker there than at the poles. The tides are also typically more aggressive at the equator and will only get worse, since it’s in the plane of the moon’s orbit.
The rules say you’re going to be attacked. Surely, the victor will hold the land for decades. Why not try to take it now first before the rest of the planet is desperate?

Emphasis on pea size. I don’t know the actual limit, but most soap is actually a problem in a washing machine. Laundry detergent is specifically non-sudsing. Dish soap puts you at risk of having a foamy mess to deal with.