Sex and Sexuality in Demeria

[Grandmaster]

The medieval view of sex and sexuality is reflected in Demeria - it is a mixed bag of attitudes, standards and mores that can be confusing, contradictory and generally complicated. However, since human beings are innately sexual creatures, sex happens!

Important Note: While the creators acknowledge that sexual practices are a valid part of any world created, there are restrictions to what is allowed on the forum. We respectfully request that players refrain from posting excessively explicit sexual threads; if a thread contains adult content, please mark it accordingly.

Also - under NO circumstances will threads containing child pornography, sexual activity involving children, or child molestation be tolerated. If such a thread is created, it will be immediately removed and the player may find themselves removed or banned. We are bound by ProBoards' terms, and legally liable to uphold these terms.

In the realm of Demeria, here is a general overview of how sex and sexuality is perceived:

Premarital Sex:

In theory, ladies were supposed to be virgins on their wedding nights. A lovely thought, but more often than not, they weren't. Sex happened. Sex happened a lot. The trick was not only not being caught, but for the ladies, preparing to cover your tracks and ensuring no child came of the intercourse.

In Demeria, the concept of premarital sex - especially for women - is frowned upon. It happens, of course, but there will be consequences if caught in flagrante.

Affairs/Mistresses:

Those locked into unhappy or unwanted marriages often looked for the affection they lacked within their marriage outside of it. Noble lords had their mistresses, ladies had their lovers. So long as each party was discreet and did nothing to shame the other, and care was taken that no illegitimate children came of the affairs, most turned a blind eye to their spouse's infidelities.

Men took mistresses and lovers regardless of the marriage's duration, but women were often urged to wait until after they'd safely delivered at least their husband's heir and perhaps a second child before venturing out into an affair.

Homosexuality:

In a time when marriages equaled success and power, and the bearing of children ensured the family's legacy, homosexuality was not so much viewed as forbidden or immoral as it was inconvenient, a barrier to what was expected of a man or woman in their duty to their family and House.

To be openly gay is frowned upon; discretion is always urged, yet so long as duty was fulfilled, a blind eye was often turned towards those emotional and sexual relationships. It was not unusual in the slightest for noblemen or women to keep a 'special friend' nearby, allowing a more discreet pursuit of their true love and lover.

That does not mean that every family or character is accepting of homosexuality; some are naturally more understanding (or willing to overlook) of the situation than others.

Prostitutes/Brothels:

Prostitution is often referred to as the 'oldest profession in the world' for a reason - sex is a commodity for which there is always a market of buyers and sellers whether the market is for men or women. In Demeria, prostitution and brothels absolutely exist, ranging from a common streetwalker to the exclusive, expensive bordellos offering the services of well-trained courtesans.

Every city has its shadowy nooks where sex can be bought and sold for the right price.

Incest:

In Demeria, incest is deemed absolutely forbidden, a vile, black sin that can result in exile, disowning or worse, execution. Those who are caught in the act face a level of condemnation that defies description. No one turns a blind eye to this sexual practice. Those who indulge in incest do so at mortal peril of their very soul.