Courtesan in the wrong civ?

[El_Duderino]

Perhaps im the only one that thinks this but wouldnt the Courtesan UU fit in better in the calabim civ -a decdent vampire aristocray- rather than the Balseraphs civ -an insane carnival-

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Not really. It makes a lot of sense for the Balseraphs and the Sheaim (Keelyn's mother is stated as being a Sheaim Courtesan in the Balseraph court), but could really work for any civ (except a few, like the Elohim)

It may make sense to have courtesans infiltrating the Calabim Court, but courtesan units in FfH are just using this trade as a cover to be spies.

I suspect that the Courtesans in Calabim courts don't live very long after the lampire lords have had their way with them.

 

[Aurore]

Vampires would keep courtesans sure, but you wouldn't want to sneak one in as a spy. The vampires charm with a glance. Admitedly the sheim could probably protect her from that with spells, but it would really 'suck' as a mission for her (pun intended lol). Vamps almost certainly consider a nice drink an integral part of their love life and the poor spy would soon be either dead or a vamp herself.

Pent on the other hand is a good target. Assuming he doesnt kill the spy in an insane fit he will soon forget she even exists and leave her in place in the palace, which is what has happened. Though Keelyn was a bit of an unexpected accident I had to laugh at the back story though 'Giggles please explain to the nice men I am in charge when daddy is away' you have to be impressed at anyone who can get away with naming a Balor giggles

Aurore

 

[it-ogo]

Perhaps im the only one that thinks this but wouldnt the Courtesan UU fit in better in the calabim civ -a decdent vampire aristocray- rather than the Balseraphs civ -an insane carnival-

When I read the subject of your topic I immediately think about Calabim. To have a Courtesan as respectable powerful unit (not just a whore (sorry)) you need a high class aristocracy, not mad clowns. And not world-destruction fanatics. So agreed. And Courtesan should start with vampirism.

P.S. "decdent"=decent or decadent?

P.S. Upgradeble to "Vampire Lady"?

 

[xienwolf]

The theme of the Balseraph IS entertainment. It fits

I always read that backstory not so much as "Keelyn's mother was a Sheiam: Unitclass Courtesan" but as "Keelyn's mother was a Sheiam, pretending to be one of the Balseraph: Unitclass Courtesan." Thus no implication that anyone BUT a Balseraph considers position/unit.

 

[El_Duderino]

Well as Aurore said "The vampires charm with a glance" so wouldnt that mean that a vampire Courtesan spy a bit more effective at getting into a court to spy and influce those in power rather than a clown or a doomsday cultist?

 

[rusty217]

Well as Aurore said "The vampires charm with a glance" so wouldnt that mean that a vampire Courtesan spy a bit more effective at getting into a court to spy and influce those in power rather than a clown or a doomsday cultist?

Well if the courtesan was a vampire wouldn't they rather be a member of the aristocratic soceity rather than a courtesan, so not very trustworthy?

Otherwise as a non vampire the courtesan would likely not go back to the vampires....... for obvious reasons...

 

[El_Duderino]

a courtesan is part of an aristocratic socieity, historically they were mistresses' to people at the court and if they were in a foreign court then they could spy for the calabim as well as in effect be living in an all you can eat buffett

 

[it-ogo]

In style Courtesan surely closer to Calabim then to Balseraph. Keyword is "gothics". Passion and etiquette, thirst and self-possession. Courtesan is different kind of entertainment then promiscuity of carnival in Rio.

 

[Ringtailed]

I don't see how Courtesans would work in Calabim society. Mortal courtesans wouldn't last very long... domestically they'd be killed, in foreign courts they'd defect, and I doubt that female vampires would be interested in selling themselves to their male counterparts o_O

 

[El_Duderino]

well vampires in most stories and movies are amoral so i doubt they would see themselves as selling themselves (or care if they did see it like that) but rather manipulating mortals with sex and getting them to reveal sensitive information, and as for mortal courtesans they wouldnt necessarily be seen as cattle; as i understand calabim society there is a caste system of sorts so it would make sense to me if the vampires after getting bored of a courtesan would give her a moroi as a reward for loyal service, as well as for selective breeding of their favored mortals

 

[it-ogo]

Vampires may be strongly moral, though their moral is different from yours.

And again: good courtesan is not a whore, she neither sell herself nor serve anybody. She makes males serve her, use them for pleasure and sometimes accept their humble gifts... If their behavior is satisfactory.

 

[SwordofStriker]

Vampires may be strongly moral, though their moral is different from yours.

And again: good courtesan is not a whore, she neither sell herself nor serve anybody. She makes males serve her, use them for pleasure and sometimes accept their humble gifts... If their behavior is satisfactory.

I tend to disagree. Courtesans have historically used sex as a tool to get what they want. That is essentially what a whore does. Granted they also had many other talents, but they are essentially high class prostitutes. You don't think they did that for their enjoyment only, or free for that matter do you? You're romanticizing them a little too much.

 

[MacGyverInSpace]

Where oh where is CFC's delete post option?

 

[it-ogo]

I tend to disagree. Courtesans have historically used sex as a tool to get what they want. That is essentially what a whore does.

Well... It is a point of view of a true RoK follower.

Granted they also had many other talents, but they are essentially high class prostitutes. You don't think they did that for their enjoyment only, or free for that matter do you?

I do. You can find in history many examples pro et contra but for what I mean sex is not a keyword. Keywords are gender relations. Sex itself in most cases is inacceptable.

So courtesan used gender relations to get what she wants. Look: not to provide pleasure to patrons and earn money like contemporary actors, singers, models etc. but to get what she wants.

Historically many young girls of highest class dreamed to be a courtesan. And best of them sometimes succeeded being not in need of money: just for pleasure and influence. Not profession but hobby, respectable hobby.

You're romanticizing them a little too much.

Romanticizing? Sooner stylizing, I think. We are about fantasy game you remember? You can find different examples in history. Maybe even much more. But we are speaking about one of the strongest and most effective units in game. Which model is more relevant for FFH Courtesan unit: sideway girl or, let us say, Tais of Athens?

There were such societies and such persons. And I believe they match Calabim more then Balseraphs.

 

[Ksi]

Why are so many alluding to history and realism? I understand there is a lot of reality in some of the lore to the game but it's rather silly to say "Oh no the vampires would do x because it is historically correct." And comparing Balseraphs to a carnival in Rio? I hope you were being satiric. Let's not forget most of the high ranked Balseraphs are not themselves as insane as Perpentach and "meet to discuss what insane orders they can subdivert without his noticing." The vampires also do not possess mind magic which gives a different taste to the civilization.

 

[it-ogo]

And comparing Balseraphs to a carnival in Rio? I hope you were being satiric.

It was about stylistics. We like to see civs solid in style.

Let's not forget most of the high ranked Balseraphs are not themselves as insane as Perpentach and "meet to discuss what insane orders they can subdivert without his noticing."

You mean Balseraphs are natural users of CoE? Nice interpretation.

The vampires also do not possess mind magic which gives a different taste to the civilization.

Vampire Lords start with Mind I.

BTW I do not like to have shadow mana from Calabim palace. Mind is preferrable. I understand the logic: if Calabim are evil they should have one mana from Necromancy, but it does not fit them I think.

 

[Ksi]

I think CoE is rather nice for them, they have an excellent synergy with slave trade + freak show. I did not think of it from a stylistics angle. I can surely imagine the vamps with some kind of powerful and influencing femme fatale. The only question I have is, while they seem fine (strength and flavor wise) for Balseraphs, what changes would such a unit need for a more vampiric flavor?

 

[El_Duderino]

perhaps an added vampire promotion and then something to balance it out like vulnerability to fire or weakness againt divine units