Aerionian Courtesan

Aerionian Courtesans go back as far as to early tribal days of Aerion, at which time they were actually considered semi-priestesses among the southern and eastern tribes. To this tradition some Courtesan Houses still harkin back to. They are trained in exquisite grace, high society manners, dance, entertainment, and most importantly intellectual conversation which distinguishes them. They are far from the common street lady.

Courtesans are somewhat accepted in Aerionian High Society, to the point where some men of the elite bring the most distinguished courtesans to social occasions on their arm even when married. The more religious in high society, such as Christians or Buddhists, may look down on such activity but accept it as it is socially acceptable.

Courtesans are often distinguished by the way they carry a fan, and hold the fan in a myriad of elegant ways. They have an dance known as the fan dance (or Jurekala) which is performed in private, and is very evocative. It is similar to the belly dancing style of tribal Aerion, but much more refined.

Traditions

The Aerionian Courtesans are an modern development from the Ladies of Abeshala, goddess of the moon, an early group of semi-priestesses who performed the same function with religious significance. They were often the gift to great warriors upon their completion of some great deed, or mistresses to the tribal chieftans. They were also wisdom keepers, and had a great knowledge of the arts.

Thus in the same way many courtesans today still honor Abeshala, and many Courtesan Houses have a discreet altar to her or more open statue of her in their courtyards.

The tradition of Jurekala, or the fan dance is perhaps one of the direct traditions the modern Courtesans have drawn from the Ladies of Abeshala.

The name for the training the Courtesans, Shashealia, is also named for the ancient tribal name for the Ladies of Abeshala. Most modern Courtesan Houses can trace their lineage back to the Shashealia, but do not publicize this lineage for they feel that they will be known by the skill in their art.

Training in the Art of Shashealia

The Art of the Courtesan is known as Shashealia, and is is much more complex than simply knowing the arts of seduction or pleasure. The Ladies of Abeshala had over five hundred years to perfect their art, and the modern Courtesan Houses refined this even further.

Training beyond the arts of seduction includes grace, body language, psychology, diplomacy, hypnotism, and even illusionism. They are so trained in high society graces that they outmatch women of high birth. It is said that an Aerionian Courtesan can say everything with her eyes, and are said to be able to hypnotize with their eyes. The way they hold a glass of wine is an art form.

They are also trained well academically, and most hold the equivalent of a Master’s Degree. They are often trained in three languages, as the standard Aerionian high society is trained in two.

Aleshu (Life-Courtesan)

Aleshu are the highest ranked courtesans of the modern Courtesan Houses, and often form the leadership of the house. They are often orphans or their families send them at the age of 8 to live in an private courtesan school ran by the Courtesans along with other teachers. Here they will receive typical schooling along with the equivalent of being tutored in the ways of high society as well as receive the tutoring in social graces high society ladies will. Their more adult training does not begin until they are 17 at an actual Courtesan House..