Courtesans' Guild

The Courtesans' Guild is an independent guild of female entertainers and artists within the state of Vht'shjenjé, originally based in the city of Kt'sjeshé but has since spread to appear in various places. 
==History==
The city of Kt'sjeshé was famous during the Thousand-Year War as a place of immense beauty, whose halls were decorated with exquisite fabrics and jewels, and the men and the women were of exceptional beauty. The city was a protectorate under the Mósharenja and enjoyed a long time of peace and prosperity under their protection, out of the reach from the Shadowborn armed forces, until one fateful day when the Azure Army appeared by their gates. The defence of the city fell quickly and the blood-thirsty troops fought their way into the heart of the city. They met little resistance, which was unusual in the bitter Thousand-Year War where both sides commonly fought to the last man. The invading troops found themselves breaching into perfumed and glittering halls of serene beauty, and the population of the city were dancers and singers, not warriors or insect-worshipping shamans. It is said that the commander of the invading army, having promised that the city would be destroyed, broke into tears and committed suicide to avoid having to fulfill the promise of destroying the city. The general's lieutenant took command and ordered that the city be spared and occupied, and that no plunder would be allowed. Throughout the entire war, it became the only black-blooded settlement that was spared this fate. Therefore, it remains as one of the last living remnants of the extinct black-blooded culture which once flourished in the northern Mír region.
The Courtesans' Guild was formed by the population of the city and were officially recognised by the Vht'shjenjé government, becoming a highly prestigious part of their society almost overnight. It is one of the oldest independent organisations and still stands outside of the class structure imposed by the Shadowborn state.
==Culture==
The Courtesans of Kt'sjeshé maintain several ancient traditions that otherwise would have disappeared with the demise of the Mósharenja. They are artistically distinct from other Vht'shjenjé traditions in many regards. The use of colour is an excellent example, as the courtesans commonly wear extremely colourful and elaborate costumes quite different from the monochrome, dark clothing commonly worn by the Vht'shjenjé. While the Vht'shjenjé generally have a very pragmatic view on jewellery and wear it sparingly, the courtesans adore it and frequently adorn themselves heavily with precious metals and stones. Throughout the centuries, many of these traditions have blended in with mainstream Vht'shjenjé culture as well as influenced it in turn, but most Scorched would still agree that the Courtesans maintain an aesthetic entirely their own that the Shadowborn have whole-heartedly embraced.
The Courtesans commonly employ dancing, music and poetry as part of their entertainment. A number of musical instruments are employed but the most popular are the following:
Amrins'ésh - a long and heavy lute whose music is beloved throughout the Iron Desert. It is played resting against the shoulder and cannot be played while standing. Due to it being large and somewhat cumbersome, it is associated with urban life and refinement. 
Stvít - an archaic frame drum that has been used in the desert for thousands of years, producing a deep and characteristic beat.
Atjyrstk - a lighter string instrument commonly fashioned out of insect chitin. It is played with a bow traditionally made from human hair, but sometimes also plucked with the fingers. It has a cheerful tune quite unusual in other Shadowborn music which tends to be rather melancholic.
==The Talmoä Guild==
The Courtesans' Guild only has a single house outside of the Iron Desert, located in the Syannic city of Talmoä. Officially sent there as part of a trading agreement the guild has since settled and become an independent business in the foreign city. It caters both to Syannic clients who are willing to pay for their services as well as to other Scorched who reside in the city. 
In the year --- according to the Syannic calendar, the Guild was involved in a major incident where a courtesan was murdered by xenophobic activists in the city, whereby large numbers of Scorched mercenaries in the Talmoän army committed mutiny and turned against their employers, killing large numbers of officers and troops before being destroyed themselves. (under construction)
Category:Culture
Category:Vht'shjenjé