Madam Maudine Dubois

Born in Ishgard as the bastard child of a noblewoman and her forbidden conman crush, Maudine was hidden away from the world by the patriarch of the House for most of her life.Her birth was seen as a stain, an omen. Never celebrated, always kept apart. A secret even to other scions of the House who's name she was never even told.When she was old enough, she ran away. Fending for herself with no skills except for a few parlor tricks wasn't easy, but Maudine has managed to carve out her place among the stones of Ishgard through her wit, beauty, and intelligence.

Basic information

NAME: Maudine Dubois
AFFILIATION: A citizen of Ishgard
OCCUPATION: A soothsayer, patron of the arts (theater) and rumoured professional paramour.
AGE: You don't ask a lady about her age
RACE: Ishgardian Elezen
GENDER: Female
ORIENTATION: Bisexual, male leaning
SERVER: Mateus/Crystal

Appearance

Madam Dubois is an Ishgardian beauty who puts great effort in her appearance, but isn't so narrowly focused on it that she grows shallowly vain.There is purpose to the manner in which she dresses and conducts herself, as her appearance is part of her profession.As a soothsayer, she likes the dramatics of dark make-up and dress to give her a hint of otherworldly mystique.As a paramour she adorns herself in a manner that celebrates curve and beauty, and is even known to dress in more risque, even scandalous, outfits in private settings.Maudine has a general love for dark make-up that pairs well with her raven locks and dark-green eyes, enjoys fashionable dresses and shoes and likes subtle but expensive jewelry.

RP Hooks - The Basics

ISHGARDIAN: While the treatment she endured as a child has left her somewhat mistrusting of Ishgardian nobility, she can't help but be attracted by its glamour and the allure of having friends in high places.Other Ishgardian characters might come across her in the city or at various parties and events. Though her status as a bastard is no secret, nobles that don't mind a bit of mingling with the less fortunate may find her a charming and witty conversationalist.She also pairs well with those of lesser acclaim like merchants, knights, and even the occasional foreign visitor to the Holy See, but does not leave the city without invitation.

RP Hooks - The Intricate

SOOTHSAYER: Maudine reads fortunes, but will insist that the cards hold no magical or mystical powers. Instead, she argues that they merely help open one's mind to new possibilities that would have otherwise never been considered.

THEATRE: She has recently gained an interest in acting, and is eager to learn more about theater even if she isn't quite ready to shine on stage just yet.

PROFESSIONAL PARAMOUR: Most of Maudine's income comes from a handful of wealthy 'friends' that favour her as their paramour, making her a kept woman. She is tight-lipped and discreet about this part of her life.

The Soothsayer

Maudine offers divination readings with a deck of a design that doesn't match the typical Eorzean fortune-telling cards.She claims there is no magical power in her deck, nor does she presume to know the future. To her, the cards are merely an aid, their symbolism designed to be interpreted in a myriad of ways to help people consider options and solutions that might have otherwise not crossed their mind.At least, that is what she tells people. Whether or not there is any magic or true divination involved or if it's all just conjecture is unclear. If it is the latter, at least she isn't conning anyone.Given how Ishgard may have, until very recently, handled claims of powers of divination by random nobodies, it is perhaps not too surprising that even if she did have such a talent, she'd keep it to herself.

A Session

A short outline of a typical session.
CONVERSE: Before Maudine agrees to do a reading, she first talks at length with her client about what they wish to know and what they can expect. They are asked to form a clear question for the cards to answer.During this conversation Maudine uses cold reading techniques to get a sense for the person across from her and their mood.She is by no means a mind-reader, nor does she possess the echo, but she does have an astute sense of people. Elaborate posts detailing information about her client's mental and psychical state and mood are encouraged if you feel like she'd be able to glean much of anything from observing your character at all.

Tarot

THE CHOOSING: Once a single question is chosen, Maudine will shuffle the deck and have her client choose a card. This card will have a special message for the client that they interpret together. For simple questions, this is enough to get some insights.THE SPREAD: If the client wants to know more, one of two different spreads will be prepared. Maudine will reshuffle her deck and they choose the appropriate spread together.THREE CARDS: A smaller spread with three cards representing past, present, and future.CAT'S PAW: A more intricate five-card spread that includes outside and inside forces to offer advice.

Harrowing

THE CHOOSING: Once a single question is chosen, Maudine will have her client choose a card from a selection of nine cards that fall under the theme of the question best. This card will have a special message for the client that they interpret together.THE SPREAD: After that the deck is reshuffled and she prepares the spread, with a row of three cards to represent the past, three for the present, and three for the future. The cards are interpreted per row, though which cards she interprets and which she ignores is at her own discretion.

Some Considerations

THE CARDS: I use either my 'Cat's rule the World' Rider-Waite tarot deck or a modified version of Pathfinder's Harrowing as the basis for this RP.TAROT: Please be aware that decks usually come with their own interpretation guides that can differ slightly from one another. If you own a deck yourself and get a different reading than I do, that is most likely why.HARROWING: We can choose the cards that come up in the Choosing and Spread via rolls, or I can use my real life deck. If you have a very specific outcome in mind, please feel free to let me know beforehand.

Some Considerations

GIVE AND TAKE: I don't want these session to be just me RPing at you or 'performing', but expect it to be a two-way street. Please don't be shy about giving detailed reactions, have your character speculate on meanings, and give hints as to what makes sense in emotes or OOC whispers. I'm fine with a reading going poorly or dealing with a skeptical client, as long as the RP is enjoyable for us both.OOC: I am not a tarot reader in real life, so please don't expect anything 'real' if you believe in that sort of thing. I tend to RP it quite like Maudine describes it, a technique meant to start a conversation and to make people think, not a magical plot-device (unless you want it to be such and feed me the information needed).ONE SHOT: I am open to doing one-shots when it comes to her fortune telling sessions.

The Theatre

One of her close companions has enthused Maudine about the theatre, even instilling a newly blossomed dream of becoming an actress herself in her.The fascination is quite a new one, as she only recently discovered her love for the stage and the spotlight, but she is serious enough that she started investing some of her money in this thespian's troupe.Whether or not this investment will pay off or her newly found dream will see fruition is anyone's guess at this point, but Maudine is certainly interested in meeting artistes and patrons of the arts alike.

Possible hooks

THESPIANS: Maudine is interested in meeting people that work in the theatre, preferably from Ishgard but travelling actors, troubadours, and bards may intrigue her as well. She mostly enjoys plays and symphonic music instead of the more dynamic (read: pop music) performances that are popular in some circles.PATRONS: Those who are interested in being patrons of the arts are of particular interest for her, as her mentor's troupe could always use more funding.NOT LOOKING FOR WORK, BUT...: Madam Dubois considers herself nothing more than an apprentice and interested party for now. It is unlikely for her to audition for any roles because of that, at least not without the blessing of her mentor.If she were to work for any production, it will most likely be backstage work, particularly in costuming or cosmetics.

Mature Content Ahead!

While nothing on this Carrd is particularly NSFW, I do want to warn people that there will be references to sexuality and prostitution ahead. If you find that distasteful or are a minor, please turn away.I am not actively looking for people to RP her paramour hooks with at the moment, so please consider this as FYI.

The Paramour

Maudine has no qualms about using her beauty and wit to attract a few wealthy paramours, allowing her to uphold her lifestyle of comfort and luxury.Though it is no secret between her and her paramours that these are relationships born from the transactions of gifts, favours, or money, she balks at the term prostitution.Instead Maudine considers these relationships to be genuine in their own right, and strives to be a source of comfort, support, and fun. While there is definitely a physical aspect to most visits, she regards that as more the result of sincere affection than the main goal. Someone could consider her services as a paramour even if they have no intention towards anything physical.

What she offers

DISCRETION: Under no circumstances will she speak of any of her paramours by name, confirm or denounce anyone as a client, or speak of things discussed between them with any third party, though some might certainly want to try to coax information out of her.SENSUAL ADVENTURE: Though she claims it is not the main goal, there is often a sensual undertone to her interactions when meeting in private. Maudine is of the opinion that, with a few exceptions, she should try everything at least once, and is enthusiastic about exploring different passions. If magic is involved, all the better.BEYOND THE PHSYICAL: Maudine strives to be a source of comfort, fun, and support to her paramours, often taking on the role of confidant and supporter, especially if they struggle with something. Troubled souls may seek her out to speak about their troubles without the need for anything sexual.

Possible Paramours

Since I prefer long-term and multi-paragraph roleplay, I prefer only one or two of her long-term clients, which she calls paramours, to be played out by other players. Below are some examples of the type of characters that I think might have an interesting dynamic with her.ISHGARDIAN: The most likely to take her on as a paramour are wealthy Ishgardians. Her services do not come cheap, so members of the nobility, knights, or merchant class fit best. Actors and other artists also fit her other interests, if they have the favours or coin to afford her.A corrupt or fallen member of the clergy can also make for some interesting roleplay. In fact other corrupt but wealthy individuals may also consider trying to hire her, including criminals. The success of this depends on the person and their crimes, and how much they'd tell her.WEALTHY FOREIGNER: Maudine may also take on a paramour from a different city state, but would prefer someone who has regular business in Ishgard or doesn't mind paying for her trips to wherever they live.She is particularly intrigued by the Far East and someone used to the services of a Geisha may make for an interesting exploration of Ishgardian versus Doman or Hingan roleplay.

Other Hooks

DOYENNE: Opened borders and an end to the war, both are things Maudine wouldn't have guessed possible just a relatively short while ago (yet another indicator that her cards do not, in fact, predict the future, though maybe she never thought to ask them). With it comes change, and the opportunity to learn and grow from professionals and enthusiasts from other lands. She is searching for tutors and confidants, on both a professional and personal level.FRENEMY: Other Ishgardian paramours or prostitutes may become a friend, rival, or both. Maudine is wary of potential rivalries, while at the same time seeking for companionship with men and women leading a similar lifestyle as she.

Some considerations

NOT LOOKING: As of the time of writing (March 2024) I am not actively looking for paramours for Maudine. I prefer to focus on her other hooks and see where things go from there.MATURE: As a professional paramour, she leans towards mature and even dark themes, but that doesn't mean my focus is on ERP.I prefer ERP to have meaning and influence her as a character and the story we write, and not just be gratuitous. I don't enjoy solely focusing on meaningless ERP and I prefer some time to build up to it and to have other scenes in between. If one-time ERP is all you're looking for, she is not the character for it.IC VS OOC: Maudine's opinions and preferences are not necessarily my own as her player. She is not an extension of me or my OOC views and I prefer to keep IC and OOC separate.THE EXCEPTION: I will not, under any circumstances, consider RPing with a minor on this character in one-on-one RP, be it IC or OOC. Child-like adult characters, including all Lalafell, are also not something I feel comfortable RPing her with.ABOUT PAYMENTS: All payments are IC only. Her exact rate is kept vague OOC as the 'worth' of things is hard to determine in this setting.

Contact information

IN-GAME: Maudine Dubois on Mateus/Crystal
DISCORD: On request (in-game) or feel free to poke me if you saw this advert in a Discord server

Availability

TIME ZONE: Central Europe, 6 hours ahead of ET/EDT
MEDIUM: I prefer the first scene to be done in-game, to get a feel for the character and to see if they go well together.
After that I prefer to have on-going multi-paragraph RP on Discord with the occasional scene in-game.
ACTIVE: Due to other characters and real-life obligations, my time for Maudine is limited. If in-game RP is preferred any RP partners should know that I won't have time to play her daily or even weekly. This is why I prefer slower, more intricate Discord RP on her with only the occasional scene in-game.

Preferences

MATURE: I RP with 21+ people only, and expect a certain level of OOC communication from long-term RP partners. In other words, please communicate, and let me know if you're having fun. I'll do the same.LORE ADHERENT: My stories and characters adhere to the lore as I understand it, though at times I will try to fill in the gaps with headcanon. Anything blatantly lore breaking or very implausible should be discussed beforehand.WRITING STYLE: I prefer paragraph RP and don't often do well with quick-fire one-liners unless it's in a busy group event.
On Discord I often write multiple paragraphs, but it depends on the RP partner and the scene.THEMES: Maudine is a character designed to navigate Ishgardian-related themes and high society, but has a subtheme of mysticism and witchcraft.As a paramour, she leans towards more mature and darker themes, but I like them to have a certain gravitas to them, and don't usually enjoy RP that just follows the rule of cool blindly, is mean-spirited, or makes light of serious issues like addiction or serious mental problems.

Things to consider

EROTIC ROLEPLAY: As a professional paramour, she leans towards mature and even dark themes, but that doesn't mean my focus is on ERP.
If one-time ERP is all you're looking for, we will not match well as RP partners. I prefer ERP, if it happens at all, to have meaning and influence her as a character and the story we write, and not just be gratuitous.
IC VS OOC: Maudine's opinions and preferences are not necessarily my own as her player. She is not an extension of me or my OOC views and I prefer to keep IC and OOC separate.
THE EXCEPTION: I will not, under any circumstances, consider RPing with a minor on this character in one-on-one RP, be it IC or OOC. Child-like adult characters, including all Lalafell, are also not something I feel comfortable RPing her with.
ABOUT PAYMENTS: All payments are IC only. Her exact rate is kept vague OOC as the 'worth' of things is hard to determine in this setting.