A serious question for serious role players...

[Jai_V]

Considering we are discussing a brothel here, this comment takes on entirely sinister new meaning. And I cannot scrub the visual from my mind's eye, no matter how hard I try.

You're terrible. I like you.

[Vaelek]

Helm approves.

[sonuvalich]

What is the fantasy equivalent of "I'm in Love With a Stipper" ?

[Jai_V]

"A wretch hath claimeth mine affections?"

[Edit]
On a more serious note, anyone got any ideas, comments, or suggestion they want to add that are not comical in nature? I mean, I love the laughs; always thankful for the fun in Sundren, but I'd like to hear honest feedback, as well.

We had an inmate, once, when I was working a minimum custody unit that was a pimp. Anything I know of pimping comes from information gleaned from overhearing his many conversations about his business. (He loved to talk about it with the other inmates.) But anyone out there that has any knowledge of this stuff, even if it's just from reading a wiki or something, is welcomed. And any fancy, interesting ideas that could add other RP dynamics to the place is welcome, as well.

[Doubtful]

I've had flashbacks to a NWN server I used to play on which featured a large Shar festhall complete with 'rods' of unlimited grease casting and all other sorts of stuff.

The DMs took an amusing approach to dealing with TS situations - They'd post it on the forums complete with everyone's names for public shaming. There was much mirth to be found in that and the "Riffri gently fondles her cervix' thread still makes me laugh to this day.

[sonuvalich]

Curious if you are a Game of Thrones fan, because I think the way the show has been depicting the brothels has been great. The women are open, fun-loving, and amenable to their customers, though you see behind the curtain this is because the man that own the brothel will murder them or worse if they are "bad investments." Some of the prostitutes also serve as ears for various political factions, or "rewards" for powerful people in exchange for political actions.

Basically beautiful women who have no other way to make money and stay alive, who are equal parts dangerous vipers, tragic tales, and poker chips.

[Jai_V]

I haven't gotten around to GoT, yet. But...yeah, that's about every trope you can cram into a brothel, aside from the hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold, and the doesn't-know-she's-really-nobility-lost-as-a-child.

[Edit] Threatened whores are not happy whores, and happy whores give better service. It's got to be a balance; enough intimidation to show that you mean business and can protect the whores from predators, but not so much that they're afraid and will flee at the first opportunity, or screw up customer-interactions.

[Edit+] I like the idea that whores could be used as barter, though. But I doubt that's going to become something common practice. "Lissette, I'm presenting you to the court of Esmond Aurelianus as a good-will gift. Try not to get your eyes clawed out by Myrios Blackwell, hmmm?"

[sonuvalich]

I haven't gotten around to GoT, yet. But...yeah, that's about every trope you can cram into a brothel, aside from the hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold, and the doesn't-know-she's-really-nobility-lost-as-a-child.

Yeah, there was a hooker with a heart of gold, but she died because George Martin sustains himself with your tears. There was also a hooker who had the king's bastard child...but see above. (not really a spoiler, the king nailed EVERYONE)

[Edit] Threatened whores are not happy whores, and happy whores give better service. It's got to be a balance; enough intimidation to show that you mean business and can protect the whores from predators, but not so much that they're afraid and will flee at the first opportunity, or screw up customer-interactions.

I agree, but in the setting it is basically do what this man tells you, or the best you can hope for is death, the worst is probably to be sold to a necromancer for twisted experiments or to sadistic politicians for torture. This series is brutal in its treatment of women and the poor, which makes it feel somehow historically accurate. In a place like Sundren (slightly happier?) I think your point holds more weight. There should be cruel, greedy, probably wandering hands guys running the place, but the women who are underperformers should not be sold into slavery to the Enclave *cough*

[Edit+] I like the idea that whores could be used as barter, though. But I doubt that's going to become something common practice. "Lissette, I'm presenting you to the court of Esmond Aurelianus as a good-will gift. Try not to get your eyes clawed out by Myrios Blackwell, hmmm?"

This sounds like a great RP opportunity, and I cam imagine the Myrios with a cast-iron skillet in one hand and a women's head in the other. But it might be less send the women to the court and more "hey, come to my brothel under cover of darkness for a night alone with my most beautiful and skilled courtesan, no questions asked no money required."

[Jhickey]

I endorse any sort of workplace that helps young, single mothers pay for their education.

I cant stop laughing!

[Doubtful]

Found another peice of officialness for you..

Some festhalls, brothels, and clubs signal whom or what they cater to, but most don’t; locals just “know” (and tavernmasters and innkeepers will discreetly answer queries as to “where to go” without misleading or reacting with hostility to such questions; correctly guiding guests without making judgments is just part of their livelihood). Carved signboards are the most common advertisement (depicting entwined, kissing couples or triads or quartets, usually in no more detail than heads, arms, shoulders, and bared breasts, with the participants indicating what “goes” inside: for example, two men together, or a lizard man and a human female, with a free hand raised to hold a glass if it’s also a drinking club, or holding a hand of cards or a platter of food to indicate a gambling establishment or that food is served, and so on).

Traditionally the realms does seem to depict the various workers of the brothels as being the type who've chosen the life willingly, again the lore posted on the last page would be best read and understood in putting the brothel together. We've clear established boundaries on some parts that might come up with the construction and implementation of a brothel and it's also one of the few areas where I really, really do have a zero tolerance approach to things.

The previously mentioned lore also gives you an out for presenting folk with bribe opportunities where there's no reason at all for folk to be jealous. Social norms and all that.

[Orlitoq]

Not at all.

[Doubtful]

I agree, but in the setting it is basically do what this man tells you, or the best you can hope for is death, the worst is probably to be sold to a necromancer for twisted experiments or to sadistic politicians for torture. This series is brutal in its treatment of women and the poor, which makes it feel somehow historically accurate. In a place like Sundren (slightly happier?) I think your point holds more weight. There should be cruel, greedy, probably wandering hands guys running the place, but the women who are underperformers should not be sold into slavery to the Enclave *cough*

Martin does like his rape. He really does go pretty hard on the whole medieval attitudes to women thing, though I am amused by anyone who cites historical accuracy for a totally made up fantasy setting.

FR really doesn't have the gender inequality that Martins world does, the lore is pretty clear on that, men and women are equal with no consideration to gender given to their roles in society. There may be minor local prejudice against sexuality if it falls outside existing social norms but even then it's not likely to be that severe. Rember, FR isn't even close to historical in any way, because it's made up fantasy land.

As to sexual attitudes in the Realms, there is indeed local prejudice against individuals who have “different” or “unusual” sexuality—bigotry and a dislike of change and “what’s not usual” is everywhere and is (unfortunately) part of being human.

Specific religions often invoke temporary abstinence as punishments for transgressions against the creed of the faith, but other matters sexual are usually ignored in doctrine, rather than policed by doctrine (consecration or baptism of willing, old-enough-to-choose offspring being an important exception; this is urged and promoted by almost all Faerûnian faiths).

Yet in a polytheistic setting in which everyone “believes in” and worships (in some fashion, even if it’s only “Here’s a prayer, now please don’t bother me today”) ALL of the gods, clergy avoid endorsing discrimination against someone because of sex. Which doesn’t mean they won’t severely speak to someone they think does something inappropriate, like trying to fornicate with grieving individuals at a funeral, or anyone forcing their attentions on someone except a recipient receiving such attentions as part of a ritual to Loviatar or Sharess or Sune or Shiallia the recipient has agreed beforehand to take part in, and knows what this will mean [[in other words, self-chosen submission is acceptable, but being on the receiving end of forced and unwanted sex is not]].

Shiallia wants all creatures to reproduce and multiply, which means fertile females should engage in sex with partners of their choice, regardless of their marital state (and all devout worshippers of the goddess should help in the feeding and rearing of said offspring); it does NOT mean those fertile females have to accept the advances of every passing creature.

In general, “anything goes” in the wilderness, the settled status quo is most valued (and adhered to) in small villages and towns, and as places get larger and have more contact with the wider Realms (market towns, being on caravan routes), the more tolerant and varied sexuality can be found and is tolerated/ignored. Bisexual characters exist in the Realms and always have done, as have “out” homosexual characters, May/December partnerships, polygamy, and just about everything else.

[sonuvalich]

Martin does like his rape. He really does go pretty hard on the whole medieval attitudes to women thing, though I am amused by anyone who cites historical accuracy for a totally made up fantasy setting.

Glad to amuse you. I don't know why, I just have grown sick of fantasy settings that glorify all the medieval stuff in near-impossible ways (chaste knights, codes of honor, selfless leaders) and are pure fantasy. What really entices me about Martin is how he makes a setting that feels more honest about the way people were in olden times (and frankly in many modern cases) and just injects the magical fantasy setting into that. I think this is a growing trend in entertainment, to start having wildly flawed characters that you can root for one day and wish to see die the next.

This might be an American thing. Our history courses and education in general are saturated with examples of glossing over things to make us out to be the good guys. As I get into my early 30's and start pulling back more and more of the veneer, I find a much more engrossing and rich history, that is honest with just how crappy people can be for land, wealth, and fame.

Back on topic, I have only been offering opinions. If Doubt has realm-related source material, that obviously trumps my opinion, but I would love to see a more complicated setup than "boobies for stags!" Ranges of women from Sunites who do it to spread their message, to clerics of Loviatar (same rationale, scarier implementation), to hopeless destitute Fantines, doing it for their daughters out of desperation.

[thaelis]

I would be fine with it, long as there aren't kiddies in there.

I think it does raise some grey-area issues. For example, in real-life a lot of people are forced into that profession by drug debts/threats of violence etc. If stuff like that is allowed it certainly might upset some people, and those people might also be hesitant to speak up in a thread like this.

What really entices me about Martin is how he makes a setting that feels more honest about the way people were in olden times (and frankly in many modern cases) and just injects the magical fantasy setting into that. I think this is a growing trend in entertainment, to start having wildly flawed characters that you can root for one day and wish to see die the next.

Agreed...makes the magical fantasy stuff stand out all the more!

[Mournas]

*approved*

LOL The second set of approved had me laughing to tears!

On the + Side this is just in time for my Sharessan

Edit: Will there be a place for Evard's Black Tentacles here?