Courtesans by Joe Adams and Brent Bailey is a role playing game supplement published by Columbia Games Inc. for use with Hârn and HârnMaster.
The supplement is available as a four-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $2.98 but was purchased at a reduced price during a sale.
The opening paragraph explains that courtesans are providers of luxurious entertainment and that members of the Courtesans’ Guild provide far more than the erotic arts.
A Night of Pleasure explains that for those that can afford them, houses of the Courtesans’ Guild provide experiences unavailable elsewhere in Hârn, and that they are far from common prostitutes. Not all of their work is done in a guildhouse either. A sidebar has the guild badge, an explanation of it and using courtesans as player characters and how their skills can be useful.
The Courtesans’ Guild looks at its origins and how there are few houses on Hârn, partly because they are expensive. The guild does not have a monopoly on the services they provide, but their badge indicates such services will be to the highest standard. The guild is known to be discrete and is very protective of its reputation, including the use of its badge. The ranks are also looked at, and most courtesans retire wealthy. Sidebars look at the structure of the guild on Hârn, which is currently lacking a guildmistress, the prices and the protections the guild provides.
Courtesans in Society look at regional variations in Hârn, with it most prevalent in the Thardic Republic, attitudes of various religions to the guild, ranging from good to bad, and relations with other guilds. Many guilds find the courtesans good customers, but they are unpopular with the Innkeepers’ Guild. The Lia-Kavair may control prostitution, but steers clear of messing with courtesans in general, as they often have powerful friends. A sidebar looks at the differences between courtesans and prostitutes and the fact that every house employs at least one male courtesan. Courtesans of both sexes are expected to provide services for clients of either sex.
Courtesans in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is short enough that they aren’t needed. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a single column with sidebar format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a number of colour illustrations. Presentation is good.
The supplement lacks any HârnMaster stats and is therefore suitable for any system, as it provides details on a guild rather than game stats. It’s a useful, albeit brief, supplement covering a fairly small but influential guild, one that is in general well-respected although as mentioned some religions take issue with it. Courtesans can be found by clicking here.
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