The Court of the Erotes are devotees of Suion, Dragon Goddess of Love, Passion, and Desire. Their ancient lineage hearkens back to the Age of Dreams, it is said, when the younger, more innocent, and immortal elves were discovering Her gifts. As such, they continue to celebrate them. Outsiders might scoff, calling them courtesans or temple whores, and to some extent they are correct, but this is reductive. They have, each and every one, taken holy vows in Her service, and see that service rendered by offering revelation of Her gifts to those in need.
Currently, their order operates out of Temple of Suion Areia on the Acraerion in the City of Champions, with chapterhouses in most major cities of Sol'Valen. Many itinerant Erotes travel by land, by sea, by air, or by magic and are afforded accommodations wherever they roam by the pious.
While Suion is the patron of all love, all sex, and all prostitution, the Erotes are the pinnacle of a pyramid—both the height of quality and the smallest in number. Below them are the Hetairai, expensive, well-educated hired companions, who are usually self-employed and sometimes provide sex to their customers. Below them are the Pornai, cheap street prostitutes typically owned as slaves by wealthy pimps. Violence against any of Suion's beloved is anathema unless it is consensual, although some might argue the minutiae of consent.
The Erotes are given training that even the hetairai envy. Often consecrated to the temple in their youth, their education rivals that of princes. They are also raised by those of more common birth, the idea being that they should understand people from all walks of life.
At thirteen, if they and their instructors deem them ready, their instruction in sensual arts begins. At sixteen, if they and their instructors deem them ready, they begin to take clients. From the beginning, there are structures in place to keep them safe, and they are taught how to keep their clients safe, as well.
Much of the training is considered the Mysteries of Suion, but some texts have been shared with the larger Hytori populace, whether by divine decree or the exigencies of surviving disasters and occupations. Some titles are: "The Thread of Desire," "The Flowers of Suion," "Ecstatica," "Three Thousand Joys," and "The Diary of Seven Hundred Kisses."
Not all of the love nuns—as they are sometimes affectionately called—practice the same. Many fulfill their duty repaying the Court for their training and support in other ways, and many who continue to perform the sacraments of the Erotes do so in unique ways.
The current leader of the order's chapterhouse in Silfanore, the Temple of Suion Melaenis, is known as Pater Themis Enediel.
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