Of Romance and Races

Ever since the Great Passive Aggression, entrance to the Polis of Pleasure to any man, be he elf, dwarf, or human, has been forbidden with the utmost severity. In a world with few rules, this one has been strictly applied and there are no recorded violations of this sacred commandment.

Scholars are divided on the reasons behind the law. A consolidated majority, deems male of any race to be intrinsically incapable of respecting the better sex. Whenever men and women live together, the former will inevitably try to enslave the latter. There is no point inviting in one’s home an animal that would believe itself master of the household.

Other thinkers speculate that the presence of males within the city walls might have a corrupting effect on the youth, making the young dark elves less appreciative of the superiority of the female form. Such an opinion is not widespread and is never spoken out loud.

Curiously enough, this otherwise strict norm is applied with a lot more leniency when it comes to more beastly humanoids. The utility of giants and beastmen alike is generally recognised, no self respecting dark elf would take on any form of manual labour, and females from other races should not lower themselves to performing hard work. Goblins will take care of the sewers, while ogres and minotaurs can move cargo.

Nevertheless, it is a poorly kept secret that such creatures can have other uses beyond their physical prowess. Those dark elves willing to walk the Stenchstreets or the less reputable alleys of the Bazaar, may find them face to face (or face to crotch) with an ogre, a troll, or a minotaur. 

Experimenting with the beasts is an ill reputed but disturbingly tolerated practice.

While “civilised” men are by nature unmanageable, more beastly male know their place and perform whatever duty they are commanded without feeling the tempting whisper of ambition.