You offer paid companionship to those with enough coin. You serve as a friendly ear, an inspirational muse and yes, a fantasy made flesh. As such you are well versed in seduction and have made a career of complying with the desires of your clients, both body and mind.
Based in a brothel or 'house of delights' you can be found entertaining regulars in private boothes or perhaps on stage. Your admirers may pay the house but they often give a tribute to you in the form of gifts, secrets and favours.
- Skill Proficiencies: You have learned many social skills in your time. Choose one of the following: Persuasion, Deception, Performance or Insight.
- Languages: Never turning away a payday you have 'serviced' clients from all walks of life and as a result have learned the speech of your more ardant admirers.
Choose two languages to learn.
These are examples of the kind of history a character with this background can have.
| d6 | Background for a Brothel Courtesan |
|---|---|
| 1 | You are a runaway, the brothel took you in |
| 2 | You work at the brothel to pay off a loved one's debts |
| 3 | You were sold to the brothel against your will |
| 4 | You have had troublesome clients since joining the brothel |
| 5 | You are the most popular courtesan in the brothel |
| 6 | Your family were courtesans, and now you are too |
You learned early that studying your quarry was the best method to getting into their hearts, heads and purses. As a result you have compiled something of a fact file on your regular patrons. This can include: Residence, Family, Trade, Preferences and a 'secret' to be discussed with your DM.
When you encounter a past client you can obtain resources such as money, a place to stay or information either by recounting past pleasures or threatening to reveal their secret.
(This can be a literal book or simply recalling facts. Speak to your DM if you have to roll to 'remember' something to do with a particular patron. It is helpful to discuss previous patrons before hand and what secrets they may have.)
Suggested Characteristics
Courtesans live and die by ensnaring their prey. They develop and master the skills of seduction, learning to read their client's hearts and present to them what they most desire.
The brothel is a world of make believe and you play your part well; which comes with it's own challenges and triumphs.
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I love attention and enjoy flattery |
| 2 | Performing for an audience is what I love most |
| 3 | I lie, often and well |
| 4 | I'm a survivor, I'll do what I have to |
| 5 | I have a golden heart and actually care for my clients |
| 6 | I play stupid, but really I'm playing the long game |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beauty will fade, so make the most of it |
| 2 | Diamonds are a girls best friend |
| 3 | Trust is earned, loyalty is bought |
| 4 | Life is unfair, I try not to make it worse for others |
| 5 | Giving up changes nothing |
| 6 | I favour clients who are respectful, pay up front and don't cause trouble |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I wish to be the most popular courtesan of all time |
| 2 | I wish to earn my freedom and live on my own terms |
| 3 | I want to amass as much gold and gifts as I can |
| 4 | I wish to be reunited with a lost love |
| 5 | I want revenge on those who have betrayed me |
| 6 | I long to travel and see the world my clients have told me about |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I get jealous easily |
| 2 | I have a sharp tongue and sometimes fail to think before I speak |
| 3 | I sometimes steal from clients |
| 4 | I discard people when they are no longer of use |
| 5 | I can be naive about the world outside the brothel |
| 6 | I can REALLY hold a grudge |
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