Guiding Light Companions
A religious courtesan's guild based in Glila, with several temples and charitable organizations scattered throughout Miranthor. As acolytes of the god Aelor, the Guiding Light, the Guiding Light Companions engage in sex work as part of their religious practice, viewing themselves as vessels of Aelor, and allowing others to experience their divine light through them. Their companionship is expensive and highly sought after. Some clients purchase services simply because they are exceedingly skilled in their trade, while others seek a spiritual experience. Companions keep half of their earnings and contribute the rest to the Temple to fund their businesses and charitable operations. Many Companions are also skilled artisans and performers, and may be hired as such as well.
Their temples are built to honour Aelor, but accommodate the worship of the whole Guardian Pantheon, particularly worshippers of Somnaria, the Dreamweaver. Some Companions choose a nomadic lifestyle and conduct their work as they travel, sending half their earnings back to Glila. While sex work is legal in the Estari Dominion, sacred sex work is forbidden, as all guilds must register with and swear fealty to the Crown above all else. Because of this, they are seldom found there, but a handful do operate in secret. Despite being forbidden, many wealthy imperial clients knowingly and discretely purchase their services.
New initiates are trained in a secluded temple in Miranthor. Training takes about two years. All tutors and administrators are also in active service. Retiring from service means retiring from the guild. This is to ensure the wellbeing of working Companions is always prioritized within the hierarchy of the guild. The experience level of a Companion is never revealed to clients. This is to prevent the coveting or fetishization of new initiates. If any client exhibits violent or harmful behaviour toward a Companion, or if the guild becomes aware of violent or harmful behaviour they have exhibited toward non-guild sex workers, they are automatically blacklisted. Blacklisted clients are forbidden entrance to any guild temples or events, and no Companions will see them.
Companions may accept or decline clients for any reason. Clients cannot usually choose their Companion, but they may express a preference of gender and ancestry. Payment is done beforehand, after which the client is assigned a Companion. The primary exception to this is when the guild hosts events at their temples, in which case patrons are welcome to respectfully pursue the company of any Companions working the event. A client may request to be put on the waitlist of a specific Companion, but the Companion does not need to accept the client and is not required to inform the client if they have been rejected.
Guiding Light Companions consider themselves committed first and foremost to Aelor, and are not permitted to marry while they remain active guild members. Romantic love is not expressly forbidden, but any perceived romantic committment is frowned upon, as it suggests a Companion may be placing their relationship with another above their relationship with Aelor.
The Guild is revered and respected within the Traders' Union and many other parts of @Myrathis. Their dedication to Aelor and their mission of provide spiritual, emotional, and physical companionship has made them a symbol of shelter and compassion. Their charitable works further enhance their reputation, and the orphanages they operate are well-known for providing a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable children.
The temples of the Guiding Light Companions are known for their striking beauty and serene atmosphere. They are designed to invoke a sense of tranquility and reverence, adorned with intricate murals and stained glass windows depicting scenes from the mortal lives of Aelor and the other Guardian Pantehon. The main temple in Glila is particularly grand, with towering spires reaching towards the heavens, and a grand pavilion where the Guild often hosts events.
While Companions are not permitted to marry, they often form close bonds with one another, supporting each other emotionally and spiritually. The guild considers themselves a family, and the bonds between the Companions are often strong and enduring. This sense of camaraderie and mutual support is a core value of the Companions, and it helps them to navigate the challenges and complexities of their work. Romantic love is not expressly forbidden, but it is generally frowned upon, and romantic committment more so, as it may indicate one's relationship with another comes before one's relationship with Aelor.
In the Estari Dominion, the few Guiding Light Companions who work in secret face considerable risks. Should they be discovered, they could face harsh punishment or even execution for their defiance of the empire's laws. These brave individuals rely on a network of trusted allies and informants to maintain their secrecy, providing their services to those who value their unique blend of spiritual and physical connection.
Despite the risks and the occasional controversy surrounding their work, the Guiding Companions remain a powerful force for good in Myrathis. Their commitment to Aelor shines brightly, offering hope and solace to those who seek their guidance and companionship.
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