Carnal Circle

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THE CARNAL CIRCLE

A guide to the often misunderstood sect of the Holy Church of the All Father. In towns where the Circle is not thought out nor Established correctly it is equal to a whorehouse; but if run in the correct manner by the rules and guidelines of the church it is a sanctuary for the mind, body and soul. Circle members offer services that extend beyond sex to nurturing psychological and emotional well-being in the name of the All-Father and the good of all humanity.

WHAT THE CIRCLE IS, IN A NUTSHELL!

The Carnal Circle is a mixture of Geisha, Companions (Firefly), Old Circle (SC) and French Courtesans (Cortigiana Onesta). The Circle members will be skilled professional entertainers. In stories and sometimes in life, they are/were often romanticized and considered almost equal to women of royalty.They were usually very well-educated and worldly (sometimes more so than upper-class women) and often had simultaneous careers as performers or artists. They were typically not chosen solely for their physical attributes, as much as they were for their social skills, intelligence, common sense, articulateness and companionship. Often, it was their wit and personality that set them apart from regular women. They were prostitutes in a sense, seeing as the act of sex was one of many contributions they would make to their companion. But unlike regular prostitutes, sex was only one form of their services, and that alone could not maintain their position or achieve their goals. While various ranks provide sexual entertainment, Circle members will also use their skills in the traditional arts, music, dance, and storytelling. They are generally very fashionable, well dressed as well as well versed, and could equally juggle conversations about fashion/shopping as well as politics.Examples of traditional 'entertainment' that Circle Members may learn are: the guitar, the sitar, flute, and drums, as well as traditional songs, classical dance, serving ceremonies, design and the fine arts, literature and poetry. Some were socialites from the start, coming from either well-to-do, or semi well-to-do backgrounds.

In some societies, highly sought after Circle members who have retired and started families would often send their children to their Circle houses for their education. The life of a Circle member was seen with great honor, for there was nothing better than dedicating your life to the service of the all-father and charity. During their childhood, circle members in training sometimes worked first as maids or assistants to experienced Circle Members, learning humility, servitude, and what the life was like. By watching other Circle members, and with the assistance of the owner of the house, circle-members in training also become skilled in the complex traditions surrounding selecting and wearing outfits that show off their skills and form, and in dealing with potential clients.

Circle members otherwise not contracted to work directly inside of the Circle house will be allowed to work freelance at parties outside the various pleasure quarters, while some Circle members will entertain at parties within the pleasure quarters. Because of the various degrees of study and the wide variety of talents that the Circle members will show, where you work will depend on demand of your mind and body. Lazy or 'inactive' circle members who offer ill advise will, for example, not be contracted often and not be sought out for advice. All Companions are required to under go a physical examination by a legal and respectable doctor on a yearly basis.

PURPOSE

The Carnal Circle was developed as a safe alternative to the once-prevalent practice of prostitution. The teachings of the All Father say that children come as bits of the soul that are shared between those involved in mating together, with compatible pieces of soul creating a new life. Unfortunately, in prostitution the soul is still shared and can 'pollute' both or either of the partners and allow the taint to spread and possibly interfere with future attempts within Marriage.

The Carnal Circle Rite was developed after many attempts and much research by the Holy Church of the All Father, which altered the Member's soul so that it would no longer mingle during sex, and would actively prevent mingling in a way that was described as 'being slippery'.

HOW TO JOIN

If you are pious and devoted enough to the All Father you must seek an IC audience with the Matron that has been put in control of the Circle. Asking any high enough ranking member of the priests should yield whom they are. You will be judged on your skills and abilities, as well as personality. When found to be pure enough of intent for this awesome responsibility, the rite will be performed, and you will henceforth be a Member of the Circle. (As a Note: The positive benefits of the Rite that allows people to join the Circle include the inability to spread any taint from partner to partner, as well as safely being able to involve multiple people and isolate them. The Member's sexual cycle is also effected while eliminating PMS and giving those with a Heat cycle a sort of mild heat all the time, without the strong urges that come with it. Conversely, those that have had the Rite done to them are far less likely to bear or sire children, as their soul cannot mingle to form a new life with another's. They may also not indulge in marriage.)

QUALIFICATIONS A Carnal Circle Member is not an average run of the mill believer in the All Father or an average priest. The Circle Members must be fair enough to draw a client and refined enough to accompany their client on a wide variety of 'dates'... all while maintaining their faith and fair judgement.

Being pretty and nice was once one of the only really necessities, but things are a bit different in the modern Church. The Circle looks for quality over quantity, and Circle members must attempt to solve the lust of a patron, not just sate it. In other words, every Circle member is certified to perform weddings, must have a more than suitable education, and will often have trained in a form of entertainment such as music or theatre. They will also provide services of counseling to all parts of the mind, including existing marriages to keep them together.

The minimal age that a person can begin in the Circle is at the age of 7 or 8. Children under the age of 7-8 given to the Circle will often be foster-housed or sent to a church run orphanage until they come of age; then they make the decision whether or not to join the circle without any pressure from any outside sources. Children given to the circle will be treated as equals; birth holds no rank inside of the Circle. The children must choose a life in the Circle and will apprentice until they are between the ages of 17-18. Then and only then will they be educated enough and learned enough to be able to be a practicing circle member. Apprentices are not active members, and will not participate in entertaining clients. They will practice theater, arts, learn about politics and ettiquette, be trained on the manners of their position, and be otherwise educated. It is said that few people other than nobles are as well taught as a Circle Apprentice. Apprentices approaching the age of their initiation (18) will be expected to entertain groups down in the entertainment hall of the House, demonstrating their artistic abilities.

Having sex before initiation is immediately frowned upon, for it is seen as 'tarnishing' the soul, and punishments will be dealt out. Any sexual abuse of an apprentice from ANYONE will result in immediate and severe punishment. Apprentices will often wear clothing less regal than the full Circle members, so no confusion can be made about what their status is. The first time that a member is initiated (has sex), it is often customary for the patron to bestow a gift upon the member, which the member may kept and reflect upon as a memorial to their initiation into the service of the all-father. The first time that a member engages in sex is generally a lovely affair, and the patron is chosen by careful examination and study over the years. It is not unheard of, though, for Circle Members trusting their Matron to choose for them so that they may help the person in the greatest need as soon as possible.

Stat-wise can be as follows; A high intelligence and High Charisma are always a good place to start; everything else is up to the players discretion. What you want for skills depends on what you would like your Circle Member to focus upon; do they enjoy political gossip? Do they like watching spars? Do they enjoy fishing, sailing? Hike your skills and sub skills to what you deem necessary, although you will need Etiquette, Lore, and Linguistics in all aspects of 'working'.

If you do not meet the qualifications, do not fret. If you can show your devotion and good side to the priests in an interview, you may still be allowed into the sect.


RULES OF THE CIRCLE

The Circle Shall Not Have Secular Titles or Favorites.

Circle Members who are of noble birth do not command those of common birth. In addition, Carnal Members may not marry or be presently married when joining, nor carry a certain 'favorite' that they allow full control over their active time. While they may care more for some clients than others, they cannot neglect the emotional welfare of other people This is also to prevent attachments of jealously that could disrupt the harmony within the Circle and discourages political intrigue, although it has occurred.

In the past, Circle-Members would betray one another in acts of political intrigue in attempts to climb into higher positions of power within courts or the minds of their companions. There are many cases where one would attempt (sometimes successfully) to take an acting Circle-Member’s place themselves. This often was precluded by their discrediting the official companion, often divulging secrets that could lead to the standing companion being cast aside, and replaced by them. However, this was a delicate process, and if a Circle-Member was not careful when they acted in a manner against the rules of the house and their own calling it would often result in them being exiled from the Circle House, or at times, eliminated all together. There are many examples of Circle-Members who were able to give long-life to their career, by remaining discreet and respectful to their benefactors, retiring financially secure and at ease with all of the charity work they had done in their life. There are also many examples of Circle-Members who took advantage of their involvement with powerful individuals to their own gain, which usually ended in their demise or downfall.

The Circle Shall Be Free to Those in Need.

The Carnal Circle operates on the principles of helping those in need. It is supported completely through donations made by those that find its cause to be just and needed. The fine line which separates the Circle from the morally corrupt act of Prostitution is that the money goes to the Circle itself and not to any individual Member; unless the offer is made as a personal contribution, but even then it goes back to the Circle house; feeding and clothing its members and its aspiring apprentices. Because of its location in the frontier, the Carnal Circle will indulge in more personal gifts from its Patrons in efforts to give back to the community; money from Patrons will result in free luncheons for the poor, free bathes, places to sleep for those who have none and the clothing of those who are in the cold.

The Carnal Circle may service customers from any walk of life.

This includes those that are married, though it has the stipulation that a married Client must prove that their mate has approved the meeting with the Circle. This burden of proof rests with the Client, and the member may request at any time that a married member renew such a proof.

The Circle Shall Be Supervised.

The Client makes arrangements through the Matron or current house-holder, which keeps each circle members schedule and makes their appointments both for entertaining and for training. Companions choose their own customers, and can have ungracious customers banned from any Companionship.

To Serve and Protect.

The circle members are notoriously not warriors nor fighters. Thus, any circle member may request or be assigned a Church Knight as a protector. Often times, a squire who is particularly crafty will be assigned to guard an apprentice at an early age, and it is not uncommon to allow such squires to become the protectors of the Circle Apprentice, when they achieve full membership. A person who wishes to become a protector may apply to the leader of the Church Knights and the Matron for entry into the Knighthood with the expressed intent of protecting a particular member of the Circle. If friends of the circle member wish to protect the member, there is nothing stopping them. However, such friends do not act in a legally sanctioned manner. The Protector of a Circle Member may resort to any means they deem necessary to protect their charge, and are well trained in the ettiquette and responsibilities of their position. They are often crafty, quiet, and usually unseen. It is their duty to protect, without being intrusive upon the Circle Member's client. Untrained individuals attempting to protect the Circle Member may do more harm than good.

The Circle May Refuse Services.

The Carnal Circle may refuse any kind of service to any potential client. Any Member may refuse an approach or make an appointment for a later date if approached by a Client. Those that Abuse the Circle will be refused service. Those that try the patience of the members of the Carnal Circle will be dealt with by those whom protect the Circle in a way that ensures they will no longer abuse the members or their services.

The Circle Shall Be Guarded From Harm.

While all manner of varying tastes must be accounted for, outright abuse that has not been agreed upon must be prevented in order to safeguard the Members. If applicable, each Member shall set up a safe word with their supervisor that is to be used only when their level of acceptable play is exceeded. This safe word will never change, and will be set up during the first year of their service in the Circle.

Acceptable Play must be determined and agreed upon by both the Client and the Member before anything is done, so that each knows the limits of the meeting. When the safe word is utilized, the Client/Patron must stop all play or resort to softer efforts unless the Circle Member requests to leave.

And for another Clarification: Those that Abuse the Circle will be refused service. Those that try the patience of the members of the Carnal Circle will be dealt with by those whom protect the Circle in a way that ensures they will no longer abuse the members or their services.


RETIRING

A Carnal Circle Member may retire from the Circle once they have reached an optimal state of emotional being. This may be because they wish to raise a family, have fallen in love, or wish to explore other venues in life. The Matron has the final decision in letting a Member retire or not, but there has never been an instance of a request being declined. As the rite imposes a nearly complete cleansing of the soul, those that retire before it runs out naturally are very, very few, as they will still be unable to bear young or engage in a Marriage until it completely runs out. When the Circle ritual is allowed to wear out, the member will find their fertility resumes.

There is a single way to remove the Rite from a Member, but it imposes a terrible cost. The changes to the Member's soul that occur are many, and forcing things back as they were brings forth the strange alterations that are often known as 'Gaia's Wrath'. The risk is great and therefore this is not normally done unless it is absolutely necessary. A Circle Member may also be punished in this way and exiled from the circle, but there has never been a written instance of this occurring for it is very grave.

It is remotely possible for a circle member to become with child, or to impregnate a female client. Remotely possible doesn't happen often, but when it does, the circle member is allowed to concider their life, and choose to leave the Circle in favour of raising their child. If a female chooses to keep their child, she is not allowed to remain in the circle. If the female's client chooses to keep the child, she is not allowed to continue serving that client, for fear of favouritism. If a male chooses to stay, he may not service the client whom he impregnated, for the same fear of favourtism. If a member chooses to stay, after having seperated themselves from their child, they must reinitiate the circle rite, to ensure that they are still covered under it. Women must wait until after they have born their child.

A few notes about this information, and what it means to you

1) The circle is not looking for prostitutes. Especially in the north. There is a small need in the north, which needs very few people. Selectivity, adaptability, and the ability to function in roles outside the traditional entertainer roles are prised in members.

2) The Matron is Gone. The Matron who set up the circle in the north has left, for whatever reason. If you deeply desire to play a circle member, Seek Staff Assistance, preferably Cyrus or Ariadne, since they are the most familiar with this information. If you need a Church Knight as a protector, See Astraea ICly.

3) The Circle in the North is 10 years removed from the circle in the South. Please, remember this and plan accordingly.

Thanks. Sao

Members Past and Present

Past:

Present:


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