Prostitutes and Wenches

[Mickeroo]

I was just wondering why seduction wasn't listed as a skill for prostitute or serving wench. It seems like at least one of these would have it. I notice both have soothing platitudes, but it would seem to make sense that at least the prostitute, who has soothing platitudes, falsehood, and persuasion, would have seduction.

Also, for serving wench, are the traits :
1) Extremely Bitter and Ugly or 2) Drop deaed gorgeous and Buxom
-or are they-
1)Extremely Butter 2)Ugly 3) Drop dead gorgeous 4) Buxom

In either case, only half being allowed to any one character.

I ask these questions because a player is going to be an ex-prostitute turned serving wench trying to better herself and she was pissed that she'd have to spend all of her general points to get a good seduction skill and wanted to know how many traits she had. And the player just happens to be my girlfriend...*worries*

[Viper]

Well, I think that in general, what prostitutes do has nothing to do with seduction. Seduction, as listed in the book, is a means of persuaion buy which one gains information through sexual enticement. Prostitutes don't really have that problem, as it's not their job to gain information, it's their job to have sex. Yes, prostitutes need to sweet talk the client sometimes, or make sex-related conversation, hence the soothing platitudes... however, information gathering is not part of their regular job description. Even if a prostitute was asked to obtain information from a wealthy client, she would have a hard time using seduction to accomplish it- seduction is as much about teasing and denial of sex as it is the act itself, and since she is being paid for her trouble, the prostitute is in no position to deny anything.

Still, if you really feel that it's appropriate, or you just want to be nice to your girlfriend, allow her to take seduction as a regular skill, as if it was listed under prostitute. I don't think it will break the game or anything. You could just as easily create a new prostitute lifepath that includes the skill using the rules in the MB, but why go through all the trouble?

[Thor Olavsrud]

I think Viper pretty much has the answer. If you want Seduction, there are several lifepaths available, including: Lady from Noble, Court Artist and Courtier from Noble Court, and Harem Slave from Servitude.

As for the Serving Wench question: I believe the answer is A.

[luke]

I was just wondering why seduction wasn't listed as a skill for prostitute or serving wench.

I just saw a movie about children of prostitutes in india this weekend and I was reminded of this part of BW, so it's funny that you bring it up.

Think about it. Prostitutes don't seduce. They stand out and sell something. Something very easy to sell. So easy, in fact, that men flock to them to buy it.

They stand it rows at the sides of the streets, offering half-hearted come ons. Doesn't sound like seduction to me.

So, um, quit watching Pretty Woman.

If you want to play the high-priced whore who manipulates the men she fucks, take the Courtier lifepath in Noble Court.

-L

[Leningrad]

I was just wondering why seduction wasn't listed as a skill for prostitute or serving wench.

I just saw a movie about children of prostitutes in india this weekend and I was reminded of this part of BW, so it's funny that you bring it up.

-L

Was this "Born into Brothels"?

[luke]

Was this "Born into Brothels"?

yes.

[Leningrad]

Was this "Born into Brothels"?

yes.

Totally off-topic, but that's a fantastic movie.

[Mickeroo]

Silly me, I thought that "Born into Brothels" was a joke about a new LP you could take.

As for Courtier, the character in mind definately is not a noble or high priced whore, but she does take advantage of her clients, or at least, that was the intent.

[luke]

As for Courtier, the character in mind definately is not a noble or high priced whore, but she does take advantage of her clients, or at least, that was the intent.

Being a theif or murderer does not require seduction skills.

-L

[Thor Olavsrud]

However, it is perfectly acceptable for her to have Seduction with General points, as you noted. Maybe what she really wants though are Extortion or Blackmail. :twisted:

[Mickeroo]

Well, she didn't plan on killing or stealing from these men (I think) but maybe blackmail or extortion are more for her.

[Eric Minton]

Also, for serving wench, are the traits :
1) Extremely Bitter and Ugly or 2) Drop deaed gorgeous and Buxom
-or are they-
1)Extremely Butter 2)Ugly 3) Drop dead gorgeous 4) Buxom

In either case, only half being allowed to any one character.
In the Burning Wheel, serving wenches are subject to peculiar metaphysical stresses. Young, pretty serving wenches live in fear of the day when, in a single instant, their gorgeous buxom looks dissolve into hideous ugliness. Naturally, this mysterious affliction leaves them very, very bitter.

There is probably some sort of curse involved.

[Mickeroo]

I find it amusing that your (Eric's) current avatar is prostitute. Poor wenches though. It probably is a curse, kind of like how Asian women can't be middle aged, they go straight from young schoolgirl to old woman.

[Redoid]

After a couple of beer, the customer usually ignore the ugly & bitter traits and they're magically replaced by the buxom & gorgeous.


:lol: My title is Drunk as I am posting this :lol:

[Mickeroo]

Call it luck, but I find it ammusing that at the time of this post, your avatar is Drunk.

*EDIT* Poo, you edited your message and beat me to it!

[Piikki]

Most serving wenches seem to be ugly and buxom or bitter and beautiful for what i have seen ;) So i guess it would be possible to let players mix those things up if they want to.

[Mickeroo]

Ahh this is true. To be buxom is not to be beautiful....but I don't think it would be wise to say to my girlfriend, "Hey, why not take the ugly trait?" and then add "I think it fits/You could play it well."

[stormsweeper]

Ahh this is true. To be buxom is not to be beautiful....but I don't think it would be wise to say to my girlfriend, "Hey, why not take the ugly trait?" and then add "I think it fits/You could play it well."

"I think it would be a real challenge for you"

[Mickeroo]

Hmmm...are you saying I should say something when I actually mean the opposite? Brilliant! She'd never see it coming.

If I don't post in the next 2 months, I'm in a coma.

If I don't post in the next 2 years, I've died.

[Redoid]

Ahh this is true. To be buxom is not to be beautiful....but I don't think it would be wise to say to my girlfriend, "Hey, why not take the ugly trait?" and then add "I think it fits/You could play it well."

"I think it would be a real challenge for you"

You mean, an incredible opportunity to earn a Challenging test for Ugly Truth? :)

[Apologies to Mickeroo's girlfriend] :oops:

[Mickeroo]

Ouch...good thing she doesn't read this.

[AnyaTheBlue]

Is it just me, or is there something vaguely disquieting about this thread?

Not to be a humorless feminist or anything. It just feels a little icky.

[Mickeroo]

I think I understand. But you must realize, back in the setting of Burning Wheel, women didn't have all of the rights that they enjoy today, like equal pay and freedom from discrimination...ummm...at least you can vote?