House Valerian

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House Valerian

Statistics
House	Valerian
Canon	Algolagnia and submission
Motto	"I yield."
Dogma	Unknown
Dowayne	Thomas
Second	None
Image Credit	©2007 Elegaer, used with permission of the artist.

1 Training
2 Debuts
3 History and Current Events
4 Quotes
5 Members
6 Former Members

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Training

Training in House Valerian is strictly regimented, with the Dowayne Valerian establishing the course of study for each Novice, and working with the House Courtesans, and occasionally outside instructors, to see the lessons implemented.

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Debuts

Debuts in House Valerian vary greatly, depending on the strong points of the novice debuting and the wishes of the Dowayne. In the past, Valerian debuts have been much more private affairs than those of many Houses, for the citizens of the City who were inclined towards the sharper pleasures often did not wish their desires publicly known. With the rise of the Kusheline court however, more and more debuts have been done with doors open to all, as desire for the talents of Valerian House has become a much more popular taste.

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History and Current Events

The history of House Valerian is as twisted and vibrant as the marque carved into each of its courtesan's backs. For years throughout the reign of both King François and his now passed daughter Elirisse, Valerian House was under the leadership of Leonore Bujold, a woman as well known for wisdom and patience in her older years as she was for grace and beauty in her younger ones. Those who remember Leonore now recall a warm maternal figure, who gave the students in Valerian house the love and attention they would need to live a life devoted to suffering and still believe themselves of great worth. She paid special attention and care to those fosterlings left to the House, giving them more of her company than many other Dowayne's might.

The thirty three years for which she led the house saw the coming and going of several Seconds, none who ever lingered to serve for more than a handful of years. Some passed away, some moved on to open their own salons, and others chose to retire quietly after having felt they gave Naamah her due. Leonore was always particular about her choices, wanting someone in the position who would manage the mundane affairs of the House while she tended to its future and vision.

It was Athenais nó Valerian, a House fosterling whom Leonore had taken under her wing, who was holding this position when the Dowayne took ill during the bitterest winter. Her duties of tending to the House books and arranging for adepts training grew suddenly more burdensome, as she did what she could to care for the ill Leonore while becoming a figure of note herself. To Athenais, the old woman was like a mother, and it was a deep sorrow when Leonore did not live through the winter to see her married at its thawing to the Duc of Kusheth.

For a very short time, Athenais served as Duchess and Dowayne both, doing what she could to ease the House through inner transition while the country went through turmoil awaiting the Royal Vote. And with her coronation the term of service ended, leaving Valerian House once again without leadership.

Ariana and Chloe were young girls then, still freshly debut and filled with the wonder of Naamah on their faces. No one is quite certain why Athenais looked to them. Perhaps it was because she saw no one fitting among the older and seasoned of the House. Perhaps it is because she thought that a fresh outlook would better serve the future. Or perhaps it is as most believe. That being a young girl herself, it was her friends she looked to when help was needed.

Chloe Lancour became the Dowayne of House Valerian, with Ariana serving diligently as her Second. But the strain put on both young girls to lead proved heavier than expected at times. Chloe was seen to take longer and longer assignations away from the city. And Ariana strained to lead the House in her place while she balanced the rest of what life put on her path. Eventually it was decided that Thomas nó Valerian, a former Servant of the House who was now devoted to the priesthood, might be sough for help. He returned to House Valerian with firm ideas about shaping its future.

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Quotes

" I do not say that the adepts of Valerian House are unskilled in the arts of algolagnia, Miriam, but how long has it been since they had a true anguisette under their roof?"

― Kushiel's Dart^{Pg 26}

" It begins with the lesson of the spiced candies of course...we do it with children of six. An adept explains that the pleasure of the taste is due to the touch of pain the spice provokes. Those who understand, we keep; others will have their marques sold. After that it is a simple matter of consistancy and conditioning. Never is a fosterling or apprentice of Valerian House allowed to experience pleasure without pain, nor pain without pleasure."

― Kushiel's Dart^{Pg 127}

" "We have a reciprocal agreement with Mandrake House," Didier Vascon said. ...Sometimes we have patrons who take pleasure only in watching, so we might contract a flagellant and an assistant to perform the excruciation on one of our adepts. And of course sometimes Mandrake has clients who must needs observe an abasement performed to move them, for which we provide subjects.""

― Kushiel's Dart^{Pg 128}

" I never saw a single patron throughout the tour. It is the policy of the Night Court to provide privacy, but there were always patrons at Cereus House who treated it as a salon, meeting with friends and acquaintances to enjoy each other's company as well as the services of Naamah. By contrast, Valerian House was marked by an air of hushed secrecy. Fêtes and galas were arranged with great care, Didier said, for very select guest lists."

― Kushiel's Dart^{Pg 130}

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