A Sexual History of Krynn
Though storm clouds loom on the horizon, many of the citizens of solace have chosen to bury their heads in the sand and avoid dealing with their impending doom. While the majority of the people have taken steps to flee or have already have left, a portion of the population, especially the young, have taken to distracting themselves with the pleasures of the flesh. Often times they are the same folk who spend their hours in the gambling houses, the smoking dens and the taverns. As I explore more of this little town I learn that it is anything but average, and that its citizens battle demons from within as well as without. I truly suspect that my tavern informant was all too correct when he blamed the prevalence of debaucherous behavior on the boredom, fear and despair that hangs over the town like a thick blanket. If this is the atmosphere of a free realm, I cannot imagine what tortures the minds of those in the conquered lands have created for themselves.
Every town across the world has places where customers can, for a small fee, retain pleasant company for a time. Solace is no different. The oldest profession has as long a history here as anywhere else, though, as is typical of small towns, it was rather discreet and not very widespread. My informants have told me that in the past, even in their fathers and grandfathers times, there was a few places along the roads of the area where services could be obtained for a price. These small-scale operations became somewhat of local institutions, with long and colorful histories, often involving some of the areas most famous (and infamous!) residents. There was no shame in visiting one of these places; they were accepted as a part of daily life because they were few and far between.
This changed with the coming of the wealthy refugees from Haven. They brought organized brotherly to Solace, opening houses of ill repute in several parts of the town, usually along the main roads, and attaching them to their other businesses- the gambling dens and smoking lounges. Needless to say, the residents were not pleased, especially those with homes near the noisy establishments. Petitions were made, local laws were passed, but nothing changed, the pockets of the magistrates and the sheriff padded by the prospering pleasure palace proprietors.
In these dark times many of the roadside businesses are gone, fearful of attack by bandits and their ilk. Most simply closed up, the owners taking their money elsewhere leaving the employees with no means of income. Some moved their businesses into Solace, some turned to theft or begging, while others migrated or were hired on in Solace by the new businesses. A few shut down for more suspicious reasons, the kind of reasons the Knights of Solamnia refuse to discuss. My cohorts have hard the rumors though, of buildings and farms full of dead bodies, murdered in the most grisly ways, tales of strange circles and symbols written in blood on the walls. Anytime anyone other than the knights have gone to investigate, though, they find that the Solamnics have already burned the place to the ground, and removed any remains.
The people of Solace have adopted many of the indulgent ways of the wealthier more cosmopolitan Havenites. Given the shadows looming over them and the dooms that stalk their roads, is there any wonder they seek escape of all kinds.
Savin Palico, New Library of Khrystann, Tarsis
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The following is excerpted from A Sexual History of Krynn, by Shayir Heyit, Chapter Three, The Gods-born Mortal Races
The Bakali (12000-10000PC):
Legends and deciphered bas-relief murals in Bakali ruins seem to depict a very different social structure than any other culture on Ansalon. The social structure of the mysterious lizard folk is largely unknown, but the females were known to have especially high social standing due to their role in reproduction. Males however have a significant role in reproduction, a fact that may be part of the reason the communities, though savage, are so close-knit.
As is widely known by scholars, the Bakali, unlike the more fertile and numerous Jarak-sinn, have an estrus cycle that is much slower than even other animals, with the females entering a reproductive period for only a few months every five years. Gestation lasts for about three months, but incubation of an egg takes almost two full years. Contrary to many other races child-rearing patterns, it was the male of the Bakali who guarded the egg until hatching and the males who were responsible for much of the raising and enculturation. This freed the females for procurement of food and other tasks essential for culture.
It is widely held by scholars that a caste of unmated males existed for the pleasure of the females, to use while their own mates were performing tasks of incubation and rearing. The well-known low-fertility level of the Bakali means that after an egg is laid, a mated pair may not have relations for several years. The male of the species, when incubating experiences an apparent decrease in sexual drive while the females increases. The males who then gratified them were paid in various forms of items, and in some cases, the promise of future consideration as a mate. Thus the existence of 'prostitution' among the lizard folk appears to be integral to the social structure, lessening tension and keeping social structures close-knit.
The High Ogres (9000-5000PC):
In their gray cities in the mountains, the high ogre sex trade followed the races known obsession with triads. Among the first of the star-born, there were three types of what could be called 'prostitutes.' Each had a different role, each had different methods and consequently, each had very different levels of social power. Over their long lives, these various types of men and women could amass and lose huge fortunes, alter politics, or die disease-ridden deaths in dark brothel-cells, their used bodies disposed of pitilessly on windswept peaks.
The first type, the Dictarae, were what could be called common whores, those of low-birth and little skills, save gratification for pay. They were most commonly found in the districts where caravans traded and unloaded their wares. They were usually slaves to a brothel owner, or of such poor means that they couldn't afford to live on their own.
The second type, the Aulutrae, were highly regarded in ogre society, for they were highly skilled musicians, bards and dancers, talents which allowed them to charge incredible fees for their services. Such were their talents that in many cases, it was easier and more affordable for an admirer to simply marry such a person, for their charms were known to send merchants into poverty. These individuals were almost never attached to brothels, for the commoner could never afford them. Instead, they lived in palatial apartments, disdaining short encounters in favor of long relationships. From all accounts, these were not mere profiteers, but rather they became close confidantes and were intimate on more than the physical level with their clients. They often became celebrities of sorts, their entertainment skills becoming highy prized by festival organizers and the merchant elite.
The third type of high ogre prostitute was the Hetarae, and they were people of an incredible amount of power in some ogre cities. These people were often involved with the social, political and military elite, whereas the Dictarae and Aulutrae were not permitted to associate with the rulers or warriors of the culture. Their fees were not of gold or jewels, but of prestige and title. Many were the wars secretly fought for their approval, and many a rival for their attention disappeared into one of the cavernous cisterns in the cities.
The ogres human slaves were used for many purposes, labor typically, but novelty gratification as well. In their decadent lifestyles, the ruling class could afford to keep human concubines, though they were as likely to kill them for sport as gratify themselves with them.
Though they worshipped the dark gods, the ogres were intelligent enough to know that they must placate those deities who could harm them if displeased. Consequently, a form of appeasement temple prostitution dedicated to Mishakal existed, in which each adult member of society must spend one full day each year. On that day they were required to remain within the shrines confines from sunrise to sunrise, lest Mishakal become displeased and not bring them bountiful harvests. In their hoods they lounged unclothed, some might be called to serve, other were not, but it was a social duty that was essential and loyal ogres never shirked in their social duties. The collapse of their society ended this practice, but the three types, Dictarae, Aulutrae, and Hetarae still exist among the ogre culture of Blode, though in a much less formalized sense.
Elven Cultures (5000PC-Present):
In Elven society, prostitution is extremely rare, especially among the Silvanesti. In both societies, the trade is typically plied by individuals that live outside of the cities and towns, in cottages as hermit herbalists. The roads and trails of the forested lands are the haunts of the Beyarotha, who emulate the nymphs they worship by using magic and seduction to trap clients for short times. With magic they can detect the intentions and willingness of a potential 'victim' and set about 'trapping' them. They leave their companion asleep near roads, taking only what they need to survive, never more than an individual would willingly give. Often times they do not even take money, but rather items or books, appreciating the finer things in life for they will allow them to become more skilled in their activities.
The cities are the domain of the Cupritha, who are similar to the highest class of prostitute in Ogre or Ergothian cultures. Unlike those cultures though, the Cupritha never engage in sexual relations with a client, rather it is the anticipation of such an encounter, the hope for such an event that keeps a client enamored with them. Male and female, they are both masters of sexless seduction, driving even the conservative elves displays of passionate devotion. As in other cultures, they often end up quite wealthy and powerful, their intelligence, wit and charm giving them coveted roles as advisors and counselors.
Human Cultures
Ancient Ergoth (2600PC-Present):
The first true human empire was much influenced by its ancient ogre masters. Ergoths three classes of prostitution were almost identical to the high ogre types, even in name. The Dyktah were the lowest, most common of the breed, while the artistic Ahlutrah may have been instrumental in the founding of the renowned bards college. The Hetrah, the power-minded master class of prostitute plied their trade much as they forerunners in the Ogre cities, pulling strings, whispering promises and making deals, all for their own secret agendas.
The Hetrah in Ergoth differed from those of the Ogre empires in that they were rarely independent in their operations. Often times they ran bordellos and baths, taking a role as administrator and host in addition to performer and gratifier. They also took it upon themselves to act as trainers for other prospective Hetrah and Ahlutrah, for they may appear anywhere, even amongst the lowest of the low. Education and training in skills of pleasure and entertainment turned many a brothel-whore into a wealthy celebrity. The baths of Ergoth were infamous for their debauchery; massages, feasts and hedonistic orgies being almost daily occurrences. The steam-filled rooms and pools were also the sometime domain of the Hetrah both male and female, where they could manipulate politics and play rivals against each other for their amusement and profit. They too trained future generations of their ilk, instructing them in literature, debate and philosophy, as well as the pleasures of the flesh. Any whore can arouse a body, it was taught, but if you arouse a mind, you can control a body. The implications of such training are both fascinating and sinister, and there is likely far more in Ansalons history that has been affected by these men and women than we will ever know.
As Ergoth declined it made dying grasps for power, one of these being the Nordmaar Islands, where it established colonies for the spice trade and mineral wealth of the region. As the colonies grew, more and more of Ergothian culture was brought to the colonies of the islands, including the extensive prostitution of the empire. As they had already enslaved much of the native population, the Ergothian brothelkeepers found many workers readily available for the many sailors that passed through the bustling colony ports. The pirates, merchants and navies of the continent paid well for the pleasures of the exotic red-haired Nordmaari, men and women alike.
The significant addition made to prostitution by the Ergothians was with the intertwining of magic and alchemy with the trade of favors. Often times philters, salves, potions and aromatics were used to enhance the experiences. These materials were often made by the Hetrahki, who were old Hetrah who could no longer ply their trade as before, but still had their names and reputations to trade on. The substances were sometimes real and effective, and sometimes false concoctions, but their efficacy lay mainly in the mind of the user. So it was that these herbalists often became wealthy in their own right, for they also influenced the spice trade as it grew across the continent in the fledgling human civilizations.
The Istaran Empire (1700PC-First Cataclysm):
The domain of the kingpriests was notoriously pious, at least on the surface. Underneath its holy veneer, the moral center of the world was rotten to its core. The Hetrah-class, in their Istaran guise, the Lupana, were present, but their subordinates were not broken into distinct subclasses- they were collectively known as Lumbroso. It was not illegal to be a prostitute, it was merely illegal to advertise or solicit customers. Those suspected of such immoral acts were promptly thrown in chains and removed from the city. Of course, as in all types of politics, heads could be made to look the other way for certain considerations, which were gladly provided by the proprietors of the bordellos and brothels of Istar. Those who would not or could not play the political games found themselves sent to the outlaw city of Jaggana on Istars northern frontier. Such was the fate of many that would not bow before the corruption of Istar. Their was always another person willing and able to take their place.
Prior to their public outlawing, the political climate in Istar was far from friendly to workers in the sex trade. Unless one was a Lupana, which were usually masked by 'legitimate' social positions, a prostitute had to wear a long dark blue shift, whether male or female, coupled with a white shawl to cover the shoulders. If a known prostitute appeared without one, it was immediate cause for imprisonment. In addition to the restrictions on clothing, these individuals could only walk the streets for one hour before sunset and one hour after. Truly they were little more than prisoners to their keepers in the brothels. The laws forbididng their appearance in public removed even this small freedom.
The decadence of the corrupt clergy came to the fore with the kingpriests desecration of the Daughters of the Light, a virginal sect dedicated to the worship of Paladine. Through his and his inner circles manipulations, the secretive group and its mountain citadel became little more than the kingpriests private harem, and it is widely held that the barbarian leader Fordus Firesoul, who lead a rebellion against Istar, was born to a member of this sect.
The northern coast of Istar, home to her more rebellious ports and provinces, had very active sex trades, especially those ports along the spice trade routes from Istar to Ergoth. Many a sailors and travelers journal has survived to tell of the bawdy waterfront towns of Falthana and Gather. Vellas, the city famous for its spice markets and canals, was one of the largest centers for the trade of favors. As brothelry was officially outlawed in the Empire, the enterprising workers took to the waters, plying their trade on the canals or in floating brothels anchored offshore. The officials were always willing to look the other given proper motivation, and a cut of the higher fees such waterborne novelties earned were just the right type of incentive.
Little has survived about the courtesans of the upper classes of Istar, most information of that type was rarely spoken, and never recorded. It is likely though that as in other cultures, they manipulated and supported their favored as a noble does the gladiators in their stable, and to the same effect. These individuals often developed long-term relationships with their clients, and in some cases politically legitimized themselves through marriage to them or by long-term association. So it was that some if Istars lowest born, through education and manipulation, could rise to her upper levels.
Solamnia (1750PC-Present):
From its very origins, Solamnia was different from its parent nation of Ergoth. Prostitution was illegal from the nations inception, the founding circle rightly seeing the corruption such activities could cause a society when taken too far. For all their laws though, Solamnia and its knights have never eradicated the oldest profession, in fact, their suppression actually stimulated creativity in its patrons and workers.
In 1742PC, shortly after the formation of the new nation, one of the first laws was the banning of prostitution. Enterprising brothel owners, already wealthy, decided to work within the new laws rather than oppose them openly. Consequently, brothels disappeared across the new nation of Solamnia, but wagon and coach charter services were booming. Instead of the client coming to the prostitute, the prostitute came to the client, in the form of a large coach complete with food, bed and drink. The coaches traveled the city or countryside at the patrons whim, before returning them to their home or other destination. The arrangement was strengthened by crafty advocates, who capitalized on the Solamnic obsession with obeying the letter of the law, not its spirit. When an outcry was raised against the practice, the proprietors protested that they were being discriminated against by a hypocritical public. The rulers of Solamnia, anxious to avoid civil disorder and public scandal after so many years of war were forced to agree that they could not in good conscience legislate against such activities without targeting a particular group. Such a practice they declared, was unwholesome, but obeyed the laws of the nation because no houses of ill repute were operated.
The coach and wagon based trade continued smoothly for centuries, until 659PC, when a sleigh registered to Solanthus was found in a pass approaching Palanthas, the grisly remains of its driver and proprietor entombed within. Several weeks later, at the next high sanction of Nuitari, another coach was found, this time in the docks of Palanthas. Three weeks later, another, in the wealthy manor district of Caergoth. For almost two years the 'ripper murders' as they came to be called, happened throughout Solamnia. They came to be concentrated in Solanthus, holding an entire district of the city in fear for almost two months. Gangs prowled the city, torches in hand, searching for the Ripper, trying to stop the next murder. but they always met with failure.
At the same time, in late summer, Samus uth Maylen, a wealthy widower and Knight of the Rose, was elevated to the rank of High Clerist and left Solanthus, taking his triplet sons, also knights, with him as his entourage. No evidence was found to link the knights to the grisly murders, but as suddenly as they began the murders stopped when the family left Solanthus. From time to time, down through the centuries, even after the First Cataclysm, coach-bound murders have again occurred, but no killer has ever been found.
Since they couldn't be outlawed, they were tolerated in the cities. In the field though, the generals of the knights of Solamnia would have none of it. As every commander knows, every army has camp followers. Solamnic General Tiryn Vaegoth, during the Third Dragonwar, decided to make use of them rather than just have them feed off his troops. Rounding the camp followers up, he declared to them that they would have to either help the army or fend for themselves should the ogres rout them. Realizing that they really had no choice in the matter, the followers agreed. They could still ply their trades, but they also had to help the healers, the cooks, and the other army workers. After seeing their skills with these tasks, Vaegoth began to use them in more daring ways. In several instances, he dressed them, their wagons and mounts in the spare livery and colors of the knights, using them to deceive the ogres by sending them away from his own troops, so he could then flank the ogres that pursued the fleeing 'knights.'
The tradition of camp followers in the Solamnic military became somewhat of a proud tradition after that, with the workers boasting of their time on a particular campaign as though they had been on the front lines with the knights themselves.
Prostitution is still officially illegal in Solamnia, but it continues much as it did before, in wagons and secretly wherever money is plentiful and a person is willing.
Barbarians (9000PC-Present):
The numerous barbarian cultures of Ansalon, both before and after the First Cataclysm, never had what could be termed 'institutionalized' prostitution, where clients pay trade workers for services. Rather, the promiscuity displayed in such cultures could be regarded as a form of prostitution. This liberal attitude towards intimacy is often exploited by sailors, travelers and missionaries, who turn it into formalized brothelry as we know it.
Some cultures gifted renowned guests with seasonal wives, who went willingly because the guest brought things to the group as a whole or to their family. In many cases over their sojourn, the travelers would develop genuine love for their erstwhile 'wife' but the origin of the relationship should always be remembered. In some cultures, particularly among the indigenous people of northeastern Istar, it was common for young men and women to hire themselves out in order to earn their dowry and bride or groom price.
The promiscuity of savages is linked to their very social structure, for often times they have family and kinship patterns very different from our own, involving multiple spouses and communal child-rearing. In turbulent times such as these, where brother turns against brother, their idyllic and generally stable social networks leave one to wonder who is 'civilized.'
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