Courtesans Guild

Originally founded in the Feline Ferox city of Amsai, the Courtesans Guild is now a near-global network of high status artists, entertainers, socialites, and advisors. People of all races and genders who devote their lives to the guild will undergo rigorous training and study across hundreds of disciplines, becoming some of the most well-educated and highly skilled artists in the world. It is popular for the nobility and high status houses to keep a personal Courtesan to handle their social affairs and offer them counsel, and Courtesans who inhabit a city will be graced with gifts by tradesmen seeking to earn their patronage.

An established Courtesan often travels with their own entourage, hosting events, and choosing their clients with care. The Guild network is prolific and well-informed, and to cross a Courtesan is to bar oneself from many of the upper social echelons they inhabit. To train to become a guild-sanctioned Courtesan is not a decision made lightly, as it demands years of difficult study, and a lifetime of perfection and confidence. It is not common for those born into wealth or power to become Courtesans, rather, it is for those born without privilege, who want to work their way up to a respectable position.

Being a Courtesan does not guarantee perks and respect, nor can it guarantee how others will treat you, but it does offer an opportunity for even those from humble beginnings to climb the social ladder… so long as they have what it takes.

People of any gender identity can be a Courtesan.

History

For the Udjamu Feline Cities, millennia of wealth and prosperity were carried on the backs of enslaved people. In recent decades, the call to end cruelty among the cities has been suppressed by the wealthy oligarchs of the ruling class - yet in the year 1765, despite threats of trade sanctions and hostility from its neighboring cities, the City of Amsai became the first of the Udjamu Cities to have finally outlawed the practice of slave ownership in its entirety. This left certain trade contracts broken and threatened to beggar the city, which could only afford to pay its newly-freed labor force from its own coffers for so long before it would need new sources of income. Further, the Avian Federation of Trade cut ties with the city almost entirely, which left them with only a small percentage of the airships they once could rely on for trade.

Fortunately, the Feline Ferox were not without options. Much of their culture had been predicated on social etiquette and high standards in cultural studies such as theater, dance, and art. Additionally, the lands they cultivated were rich in precious metals and stones. Entertainers and craftsmen had always enjoyed a high rung on the social ladder, often striving to outdo one another, to the delight of wealthy patrons. Socialites were expected to be not only beautiful, but intelligent and well-informed, as well as literate and capable of quality conversation. Courtesans were a popular staple of their culture, some of them free and some having been enslaved, but all being known for their exceptional beauty and social grace.

The leaders of the city of Amsai decided to collect their best entertainers, and elevated them into Guild Masters. They were given a palace to conduct their affairs, so long as they paid taxes back to the city. Soon the Courtesans Palace was operating like a university, and the first true Guild Courtesans were being trained in cross-disciplinary studies from ballet to belly dancing, from sculpture to fashion, from history to linguistics- the list was as endless as the masters they could find to teach their new students.

The Courtesan Palace became so popular that travelers were overbooking airships just to try to make time with the fabled Catlike Courtesans. The Courtesans, once they graduated with enough talents to be sanctioned by the Guild, began to rent properties in the rest of the city to try to make more space for their clientele. But even this was quickly outgrowing the city, and so a flood of highly trained Ferox were suddenly moving out into the wider world, bringing their alluring culture and impressive roster of skills with them.

As word spread about the Courtesans and their many talents, new schools were founded in new cities. Now, people of all races could be trained and sent out to ply their trade, all the while sending coin back to the Guild Palace to keep Amsai thriving. Not only were they earning high wages, but they were often given gifts by local tradesmen, who were seeking favor with this glamorous guild of heavy spenders. These, too, would be sent in part back to the Palace, who could then reinvest further into the elite training of Courtesans. Courtesans within the cities were also finding themselves gathering their own entourages, as servants, handmaids, guards, and socialites would flock to their parties, eager to engage with their soirées and become part of the Courtesans’ circles of influence.

As the success of the Courtesans Guild continued, an unintended phenomenon began to occur. Powerful families, from wealthy magnates, to nobility, to even esteemed generals, began to offer a wing of their estates to their own personal Courtesans. The Courtesans would fill the estates with their entourages, and take on social obligations for their hosts. This would, in turn, gain them the confidence of highly influential people throughout various parts of the world.

The highly educated Courtesans found themselves offering counsel to their hosts, or helping them achieve their goals among their peers by setting up amicable meetings and overseeing deliberations. After all, two rival families may despise one another, but their Courtesans could be perfectly friendly. With instructions from the Guild, the Courtesans might even begin to work together in secret, subtly pushing their hosts to come to agreements that they otherwise might never have considered hearing from less friendly faces.

As it stands, the Courtesans Guild is a highly influential court, which bears the unique feature that anyone can join it - so long as they can devote themselves to the rigorous schooling involved. The Guild is not interested in those who cannot manage the skills needed, and so will reject those who don’t excel. It is also a lifelong commitment, and not simply a job that one can pick up and put down. Courtesans will pay tax to the Guild their entire working career, and when they retire, they are expected to either marry into a highly influential family or take to training new Courtesans beneath them. Often, a retired Courtesan will do both, settling into their spouse’s estate and filling it with young Courtesans looking to hone their skills. Others may start up new schools, or open boarding houses for the children of other Courtesans who are still working. Once sanctioned, a Courtesan represents the Guild for the rest of their life, and so their public actions will be taken note of by other Guild members and their networks.

Crossing the Guild, whether a Courtesan breaks their code, or a client mistreats one of their members, earns a black mark that cannot be redeemed. From then on, Courtesans and their social spheres will shun the offender’s presence, deny them entry to their events, and spread the ill word of their misdeeds. Courtesans may even encourage their hosts and clients to shun the offenders as well, leading to social ostracization. While the Guild has no legions or militants, their opinion is something that ought to be respected by any who mean to make use of their vast networks or social influence. Curiously, the Guild maintains close relations with the rebellious Avian Ferox called the Harpy Queen. Her fleet of both legitimate cargo ships and pirate captains consider the Courtesans Guild to be close allies, as both feminist pro-freedom groups seek to make progressive changes in the world.

Life as a Courtesan

Being a Courtesan does not mean that others will respect someone outright, but it is a means by which someone of humble birth can amass their own influence through clever social climbing. No fancy title or guild approval can control how others perceive an individual, and it is entirely up to the Courtesan to establish, maintain, and grow their own popularity and renown in the world. Sex is sometimes circumstantial to their work, but by no means is it compulsory, or even expected. A Courtesan chooses their own clients, and offers whatever skills they are most capable of.

Courtesans not only enhance any location in which they live by brightening the air with their presence, but they also tend to amass an entourage of activity around themselves. When moving to a new city, sometimes a small group of Courtesans will live in a home together, using it as their main place of business while they grow to know the locals and build up a network of support for themselves. Otherwise, an apprentice will sometimes serve as a handmaid or servant for an established Courtesan, serving their needs and learning from their daily lives.

A single Courtesan who is well established in a city may have a posse of handmaids, servants, and other entertainers who fill out their estate. Some will establish small Courtesan Palaces together, where multiple Courtesans work out of the same location. In such cases, they will elect among themselves a “Palace Keeper” who sees to the needs of the palace or house, and who will take on a lead role in setting up parties, finding clients, matchmaking with patrons, and debuting newcomers. These Courtesans become close friends with tradesmen who can supply them with jewelry, clothing, wine, musical instruments, or anything else they desire to purchase. To have a Courtesan’s patronage is a stamp of immense respect and appeal, meaning that artisans often shower them with gifts in the hope of earning their favor. Some even employ personal physicians to tend to their every need, or to serve as personal trainers who keep their bodies up to whatever standards they desire.

The most important member of a Courtesan’s entourage, however, is their Confidant. The Confidant sees to matters of the Courtesan’s safety. They are not just a guard, but a lifelong servant, the most trusted attendant, and the person who is always in charge of the Courtesan’s wellness. They often remain nearby even while the Courtesan is attending clients, at least within shouting range. They are well-dressed and equally cared for by the Courtesan, who ensures that they live in relative luxury in return for their loyalty. A Confidant must not only be entirely trustworthy with even a Courtesan’s most private affairs, but also physically capable of protecting them, while remaining clever and alert enough to stop danger before it arises. They must also not impede on the Courtesan’s events, meaning they should understand matters of etiquette and know how to blend into the background. They should offer trusted counsel, however they must also allow the Courtesan to carry out their work, and understand that their advice does not supersede the Courtesan’s final say.

It is common for a Courtesan to host soirées, which will vary based on the Courtesan’s unique set of skills. They may host tea, or a dinner, or a dance, or a show. It can be a lighthearted affair with games and a theme, or an atmospheric night spent with a few attendants in a lounge. In any case, the goal is the same. Introduce oneself to new people, screen potential clients, and get immersed in the local social scene. Often people will bring gifts to a Courtesan once they have made a name for themselves, but early on, it is the Courtesan who is trying to impress others. These parties are vital to a Courtesan building their reputation, and just as important to an established Courtesan keeping up appearances and maintaining relevance.

To be an entertainer is to accept work and make ends meet. To be a Guild-sanctioned Courtesan is an entire lifestyle choice, which requires devotion. As soon as one can establish themselves, they should not take any other work which demeans their status. They can work with other Courtesans or make business arrangements to entertain guests at fine establishments, but their presence demands respect, and they should accept nothing less.

It is not necessarily required by the Guild that a Courtesan follow the letter of the law, but recurring arrests would lead to a negative image of the Guild overall, and may result in one being ousted. The network of courtesans is prolific and well-informed, and should not be underestimated. However, if working for a criminal society affords a courtesan luxury, power, access, and influence, then such a position should be encouraged. As the career requires a level of public presence, most courtesans should strive at least appear legally neutral.

Those who achieve great renown will often adopt a moniker, applying a ‘personal brand’ to their entire image, and never letting it falter. For example, the legendary courtesan “Ilyasha the Dancing River” specialized in using flowing silks to accentuate her performances, letting their signature blue and silver ripple through the air, and often employing dozens of backup dancers to create the illusion of twisting waters. She dressed only in blue silk, and wore no jewels but sapphires. “Tea Master Riohtep Jahomali” was said to have mastered the craft of over 100 specialty tea blends which could cure any affliction of mood or body, and developed his own tea ceremony which included three days of preparation, 100 servants, and one very well-trained elephant. The diversity of specializations across courtesans is as unique and incredible as the individuals who make up the order.

Disciplines

The disciplines which a courtesan masters are not the sort of things a person simply learns to do throughout their life, but are the sort of skills that would require the guidance of a master, and true study as an apprentice. There are dozens of disciplines a courtesan might be expected to master, including the following, which is not an exhaustive list. A courtesan should lean into their specific strengths when they choose their disciplines, but must master at least twenty to be considered part of the guild. To note, disciplines like “Music” may have several areas of study within them, and each of those can be considered a specific area of training, whether it means playing the harp, writing music, playing the flute, et cetera.

Note: These are for RP purposes, and offer no in-game mechanical benefit, and do not require a point investment. They are for flavor and fluff, only.

Cosmetology	History	Specialized husbandry	Eroticism	Acrobatics	Dressage
Massage	Dance (various)	Spinning	Coffee brewing	Shooting (firearms)	Botany/Cultivation
Henna	Music (various)	Weaving	Distilling/wine making	Archery	Bookbinding
Tattoo/piercing	Vocalist training	Tailoring	Styling	Chess	Body language
Yoga/meditation	Cigar rolling	Embroidery	Theatrical performance	Emotional counseling	Knife throwing
Incense crafting	Horticulture	Fine arts	Linguistics	Etiquette	Prestidigitation (mages)
Perfume making	Calligraphy	Appraisal	Cross-cultural studies	Sculpture	Aromatherapy
Poetry	Letter writing	Tea ceremonies	Medicine and alchemy	Lace making	Carving
Literature	Falconry	Oration	Fencing	Glass blowing	Anointment

Though some of these skills are based on common trades, the difference should always be the amount of specialization and luxury the Courtesan can provide. For example, weaving common fabrics used as household items does not count, but weaving complex images on a wall loom that depict scenes from history would count. Having a garden does not count, but cultivating specialized breeds of long stem roses by hybridizing rare specimens for their specific traits would. Playing the guitar does not count, but being a master of the guitar does. Speaking the language one is born in does not count, but being able to speak multiple languages well enough to be considered graceful in high society does. (And so on.)

Codes of Conduct

Because the trade of Courtesans varies so much between individuals, there is not a specific set of rules pertaining to what they are or are not permitted to do. Courtesans who wish to maintain the status of their Guild must simply upkeep their code of conduct, which is in short, don’t embarrass the guild. Those who disgrace the Guild will be excommunicated from it, and may even have to sell their finery to pay back the cost of their education to the Palace.

The only true set of rules has to do with how a Courtesan behaves in public. Because their value is tied to the perception of the guild, all courtesans must behave in a respectable manner, and show respect to each other.

• No speaking ill of oneself. While humility can be an attractive quality in moderation, one would not be a courtesan of this guild if they were not confident and capable in all their abilities. Respecting oneself is part of demanding respect for the entire Guild.

• No speaking ill of other Courtesans. Any feuds must be kept private, while an air of camaraderie is shared publicly. This ensures that all members of the Guild maintain that the Guild itself is desirable and stable. Feuds can still exist, but should never demean either Courtesan.

• No speaking ill of clients. Sharp wit and respectability demand that one is capable of dishing shade and criticizing when needed, but it should be done with a glib tongue, and then moved on from. A courtesan who sullies themselves with needless conflict is lowering themselves to a spectacle. (Although if a public scene is made, do try to be the victor.) The only caveat to this rule is that a Confidant can be sent to handle affairs of pride on the Courtesan’s behalf, partaking in honor duels as needed.

While some Courtesans may work with high class establishments, such as renting out a venue to host their event, absolutely no Courtesan should ever work with a brothel. They may not be an employee of any other person, no matter what type of establishment, and may not rent a space in a brothel to conduct their business. No one is able to tell a Courtesan how to conduct their affairs, and those affiliating with brothels or being seen to take orders from anyone outside the Guild will likely face excommunication from the Guild, and a public denouncement from the Guild Masters. The Courtesans Guild is about elevating people for the betterment of themselves as individuals, not about being part of a service industry, and certainly not letting anyone to act as a madame or pimp. All Courtesans are equal, in practice. To be more blunt, the Courtesan's Guild did not abolish slavery only to allow some man to dictate their members' affairs. They can only work for themselves and the Guild, and go through years of training in order to separate themselves from common entertainers, and thus would want to avoid being misclassified among them as much as possible.

Courtesans are permitted paramours while they work for the guild, but are expected not to marry until they enter into a courtship with a person from a suitably wealthy or upper class house of some renown. Following this, they are expected to allow apprentices to train beneath them, filling their spouse’s estate with beautiful, talented people for many more years, which is generally considered a benefit. While a courtesan pays taxes to the guild during their working years, a retired courtesan can earn coin from the guild for as long as they continue teaching apprentices, whether they marry or not. If a Courtesan wishes to marry below their station, they will be excommunicated from the Guild, unless they continue to serve by operating a school or boarding house.

Many retired Courtesans come together to establish finishing schools for noble young people, while others train the next generations of Courtesans, or run boarding homes for the children of Courtesans who are still working elsewhere. Children who grow up in these homes often become skilled artists and performers, historians, and craftsmen in fine trades, and some become Courtesans themselves in adulthood.

It is generally not recommended for members of any type of nobility to become Courtesans themselves, as the trade involves accepting coin for services, which implies that the noble house is in need of money. Because the Guild is meant to be mostly neutral, occupying all corners of the globe across political alignments, intermixing nobles as Courtesans can cause undesirable conflicts. However, it is not an outright rule that nobility cannot join, and some high houses that are experiencing heavy struggles may send their non-heir relatives to be trained so that they can earn good coin and avoid economic ruin. It is still considered a downgrade from nobility, but may be the only option one feels that they have left. Additionally, any wealthy house should simply be able to afford tutors for their children, and can already attend and host soirées any time they like. A wealthy house who wants to partake in Courtesan activities ought to instead seek out and court a personal Courtesan, to take into their estate.

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Accreditation
Writers LekkuLord, LadyLekku Artists LekkuLovers Processors Ashurism, Bimberi	Last Editor LekkuLord on 03/30/2025.

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