Companion Guide
Contents
What is a Companion
A companion is a well educated, highly skilled and socially respected courtesan. She (or he) is similar to the geisha and Italian courtesans of Earth-That-Was, artistically refined while also engaging in legalized prostitution. Companions are considered to be among society's most elite, and garner a great deal of respect. Girls and boys as young as twelve may begin training, which includes a well-rounded education and years of physical discipline, religious study, and the arts. They are taught dance, martial arts, calligraphy, how to play musical instruments, and singing. The children undergo rigorous testing on all subjects, and those who fail are sent back to their homes. They are taught the art of love play only upon successful completion of their schooling.
When dealing with a Companion, that person is the center of the world, and are made to feel as such. Companions are incredible listeners, and have an affinity for making others feel they have been heard. The primary goal of a Companion, whether on duty or not, is to make those around them, especially their client, feel important, liked and respected. To make them feel special.
What Do They Do Besides It
People often think hiring a Companion means paying IC credits to TS. Certainly, sometimes, that might be the case (or depending on the players involved, it might be FTB love making). But other times, there's no sex involved at all. There's so much more to Companioning. Even the name, is Companion, not SexPartner. Being with a Companion is about comraderie, being open and trustful to someone who's sole job is to be the person you can be open and trustful with, with no repercussions or baggage or judgement. It's about comfort, compassion, relaxation, confession, therapy... It's about a lot of things, that are NOT sex.
Many Companion encounters are not about sex at all. Perhaps a client is seeking information about business. They may hire a Companion to teach them a new language. Music lessons are not unheard of, nor are art lessons. Sometimes a Companion might be hired just simply to be seen with the person, on the arm of a Noble at a grand ball, or sitting at a bar to bring attention to the new establishment. It may even be a matter of needing someone to play a refined piano piece in a reception hall for mingling dignitaries.
Becoming a Client
The first step to becoming a Companion's client is to register. A character must travel to Persephone, to the Companion House Daska. In the lobby, there is a registration device. To register, it costs 100 credits, and instructions to do so can be found by looking at the device. Once paid, the character is on the list of active clients, and may then use +client commands to request a Companion's company. This is a yearly fee, that only grants the privilege of becoming a registered client. It is not the money paid to actually be with a Companion.
Once registered, a character may then use the +client commands to place a request for a Companion. Companion prices are set by the Companions themselves. Staff has set out a guideline that Companions in this game generally charge between 75 and 150 credits, depending on the service provided, their availability and various other factors. While that is a guideline, Companions can charge whatever they'd like. Some clients will also tip extra above the stated price for a service, some won't.
This price can be negotiated with a Companion on both an IC and OOC level, if the players involved agree. After discussion, Companions will often happily role play an agreed fee and payment of 150 credits, but OOC will actually take a smaller amount of coded credits to accommodate a new client character who perhaps does not have enough money yet. Talk to your Companion if coded credits are an issue, as most agree the role play aspect is more important than the coded money. Please respect that this is how Companion characters get their credits, however, and do not abuse their generosity and OOC understanding.
Current Companions
Specialty: Cooking, Fencing
Location: Persephone
Profile: Maija is a former Priestess of House Daska, retired from that position to take on the role of House Mentor to students and Companions needing a friendly ear. She still takes clients from time to time, but is known to be very particular about selecting them. The ladies or gentlmen she does take as clients, however, seem to be somewhat loyal. She's well known throughout the Verse for her beauty and simple, generous nature.
Specialty: Portraiture, Dance, Intimacy
Location: The Valiant
Profile: Taylor is a young Companion, only having been off Sihnon two short years, but in that time has attracted a great deal of attention as an artist. It's considered an impressive sign of status by many nobles to have a Daisan painted portrait hanging above their mantle, and many request his services to include the honor of being a model for his work. He is also a talented ballroom dancer, and incredibly adept with the charm of making anyone he encounters feel as if the entire Verse revolved around them.
Specialty: Dancing, Piano, Archery
Location: Persephone, Ethereal Embrace
Profile: Helena is but six months or so since she has taken her vows. She is a picture of elegance and grace, waiting for some gentlemen to write her name on his dance card. With skills in the pleasurable arts as well as massage, piano, dancing, tea making and archery, she is content for whatever the client may wish to ask for. Whether it be a walk in the park, a weekend at a resort, or an escort for a ball.
Specialty: Art, Music, Storytelling
Location: Persephone
Profile: Lisa is a newly qualified Companion, a good listener, and recommended for sessions that have a 'therapeutic' nature. She is also a versatile entertainer. For matters of business, her Quaker background gives her a talent for diplomacy, and you may find her useful for negotiations or the settling of disputes.
Specialty: Politics, Singing
Location: Persephone
Profile: Berylle is known for her keen perception, of people, events and history. A 'chess master' draped in languid sensuality, at ease in most any role, excelling in all.
Specialty: Painting, sculpture, as well as the Art of Tattoo
Location: Persephone
Profile: Sierafina has recently returned to House Daska after an absence during a long term contract. She is competent in several forms of tattoo artistry, including henna, Japenese Tebori and Polynesian chilel and comb. She's also been known to do airbrush art and body painting, focusing on its erotic nature of combining art and the human form. While her primary focus is on artistry, she’s classically trained in all realms.
| NAME | POSITION | LOCATION | HOUSE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eleanor | Companion | Persephone | House Daska |
| Verain | Companion | Persephone | House Daska |
| Katarina | Priestess | Persephone | House Daska |
| Aria | Teacher | Persephone | House Daska |
| Kassandrah | High Priestess | Sihnon | House Madrassa |
| Sybella | Companion Tutor | Persephone | House Daska |
| Lisa Fey | Companion (Neophyte) | Persephone | House Daska |
| Sierafina Della Franca | Companion | Persephone | House Daska |
