Baconica, an R-Rated domain. Need Help.

[WolfKook]

(Before anything else is said: Even though I'm trying to create an R-Rated domain here, I want this thread to be kept at PG-13. I want help, and I don't want the thread to be deleted before I get it)

As some may have guessed, I'm currently exploring different themes of Horror in Ravenloft: The Fairy-Tale Horror I explored in Fairhafen, A Steampunk kind of horror I'm currently working on (In Mistopia, an advanced version of Paridon), the Lovecraftian horror in Bluetspur, etc.

Now, my next project is to create an adult-oriented domain, where the theme explored is that of lust, sadism and debauchery in all its forms.

I already have an idea for a Darklord: A mesh between the Marquis of Sade, the characters Merteuil and Valmont from Les Dangereuses Liasons (Kathryn and Sebastian from the movie Cruel Intentions), and Wheeler from Wild Orchid: Basically a man with a magnetic personality and an enormous fortune who uses both to manipulate and corrupt others, discarding them when they are not amusing to him anymore.

With such a darklord in mind, I would like to create a (rich) domain which explores the themes around such a character, and which is evocative of the darklord's personality. I was thinking on an ambience of a hypocritical social puritanism and behind-the-doors debauchery, with an overzealous clergy, and people from the upper classes using those below them as toys to play with.

However, I haven't decided on the scenery. Ravenloft doesn't really need another near-revolution france domain, so I was thinking on using the background for other characters, such as Casanova (Venice, though that has also been done, in the domain of Monte Mal, by Scipio; the themes seem to fit, though); Don Juan (Spain; Again, done, in the Lonesome Road's remake of Richemulot - Ricoba. And again, the scenery is compatible), or using the backdrop of the character from Wild Orchid (Brazil, which I like because of the tropical ambience which would probably reflect the "warm feelings" of the populace, but that would also bring around other stuff -slavery, santeria -already touched in other domains -souragne -, and which will deflect the mood I want to set). I could even use another source for inspiration entirely, but I don't know where to look.

So, any suggestions?

[Jasper]

As for scenery I would go with an Bostonian feel. A ivy leage style domain where the rich send their children off to learn not only the ways of books but the inner workings of the creme de la creme of sociaty.

Toss in a healthy mix of sororities and fraternitys with a even bigger dose of secret Skull and Bones style rich boys clubs, mix liberaly with a thinly vailed sense of racism and served chilled over a pile of old money.

It fits nicely with the other points you wished to touch on-
-A heavly ritualised and pervasive church whos centuries old religon has been mired in politics and buricratic red tape so deep that just about any scandal you can imagine can be going on behind cloistered doors.
-Slavery of another sort. While they are free to do what they want the poor they offten end up as nothing more then indentured servents milling away in factories and business owned by the rich elite. With entry in the old money club denied to them by thier birth they will take any offer that gives them a taste of the good life no matter how debasing or imoral.

[Brandi]

I was thinking on an ambience of a hypocritical social puritanism and behind-the-doors debauchery, with an overzealous clergy, and people from the upper classes using those below them as toys to play with.

Victorian England, baby. (Yes, I know we have Paridon already.)

My Secret Life will give you all the material you need and then some. NOTE: LINK'S CONTENTS ARE DEFINITELY NSFW, though there are no explicit illustrations or visuals.

[HuManBing]

My Secret Life is awesome. Fanny Hill and Moll Flanders also have similar themes - of how a repressed society teems with depravity beneath the veneer.

[WolfKook]

NOTE: LINK'S CONTENTS ARE DEFINITELY NSFW.

It took me some time (and just a little embarrassment at the office), but I finally discovered that NSFW doesn't stand for "Naval Special Warfare Foundation", nor "Nova Scotia Wildlife Federation".

Well, I've learned something today: Even if it embarrasses you because of your lack of expertice in the english language, it's better to ask your fellow forum members before looking for an internet slang term on your own.

Great link, though, Brandi. Thanks a lot!

[Rotipher of the FoS]

Seems to me that Sanguinia might already be an appropriate venue for such an adult-rated domain. Weren't the nobles in the original Masque of the Red Death short story engaging in all sorts of debauchery and self-indulgence, while the countryside was ravaged by plague? Sanguinia was inspired by that story, and Mircea's palace could easily host all sorts of orgies and perversions behind closed doors, that its vampiric darklord can spy on voyeuristically, and select his victims from among the most lustful of the participants.

What's sicker than falling into the clutches of an aristocratic, Sade-esque pervert? Falling into the clutches of an aristocratic, Sade-esque vrykolaka pervert.

[High Priest Mikhal]

Now there's a terrifying thought. When he's not researching an alchemical cure for vrykolaka vampirism I shudder to imagine what things that pervert does with his time.

And thanks for the tip, Rotipher. I may have to do some more research on Sanguinia and put it in the Lost Journals. Does anyone know what culture and historical period the domain is aping?

[Creepy Old Woman]

As far as I know, very little is written about Sanguinia - I should know, I tried searching for canon stuff on that place - apart from the fact that the darklord became one in an event that was heavily borrowed from Poe's Masque of the Red Death. But given that Mircea is supposed to be living in the ruins of his castle, if I remember correctly, as a slavering mutant-like vampire, I don't know how your campaign that take place there unless you make heavy revisions to the domain.

About perversion, I always thought that the reason they switched Tokok-Ann's gender in the domain of Khalidnay was because a male darklord watching over the comatose body of the woman he was obsessed over could give rise to plenty of uncomfortable sexual situations bordering on necrophilia...

[Rotipher of the FoS]

Mircea's palace isn't a ruin, AFAIK, although the commoners in his domain are afraid to go near it. At least in the RLPHB description of Sanguinia, it's rumored that their reclusive Prince is very handsome, suggesting that the darklord either employs a stand-in or (to play off Poe's motif) he wears a fancy full-face mask whenever he holds court.

IIRC, Kalidnay's darklord changed sex because the writers found out they'd contradicted what the Dark Sun products had to say about it, but I suppose the sexual implications might've been an unstated reason as well.

[Guzrath]

Euhm, it might sound a little silly, but for some weird reason this sprang to mind:

I the Netherlands (and maybe in other countries as well, I dunno) we have the so-called "bible-belt". A range of small towns and villages over holland that seem to be aligned like a belt over the country.

Now I know that you are looking for something more in style of Venice and the classical settings, but this would form a nice contrast with the Darklord itself.

I'm not really a religious man and for some weird reason I associate religion with corruption *quickly steps away, hoping not to have stepped on anybody's toes*. The church is just a way to keep people in line in this region.

Anyway, on this bible belt are basically Reformed protestants (I think) who live in communities.
If you would change it all a bit, you could put the following setting;
They are sober people and very religious. Holy days are really important and everyone goes to church, there is a strict dresscode, hard work, holy days are celebrated with minimum joy, etc. Those who don't are not really shunned, but you will get a glance I would think.

The whole atmosphere is in sheer contrast with what you would like to explore. The aristocrats are extravert and have no boundaries and are master over this very sober and strict religion, while the populace is firmly holds on to this religion in hope of not becoming like the aristocrats and actually makes them feel "better" then them because they have well determined boundaries.
I guess for players to live in such a sober and reserved environment and slowly getting tangled up in the aristocray, discovering a whole new "adult" world, which might shock them or which might draw them.

Anyway, for a background, might seem silly, but just a thought.

[Creepy Old Woman]

It's not a silly idea, Guzrath. It's historically proven that the more "well-behaved" a society is on the surface, the seedier the underbelly is. Victorian England was known to be an exaggeratedly proper time, when you couldn't even expose the bare leg of a piano because that would be rude, but that era was also infamous for the huge amount of pornography produced and eagerly purchased by the masses.

Which is my roundabout way of suggesting to WolfKook that inspirations from Victorian England may suit what he or she may be looking for.

Mircea's palace isn't a ruin, AFAIK, although the commoners in his domain are afraid to go near it. At least in the RLPHB description of Sanguinia, it's rumored that their reclusive Prince is very handsome, suggesting that the darklord either employs a stand-in or (to play off Poe's motif) he wears a fancy full-face mask whenever he holds court.

Now that Sanguinia borders Vorostokov, I wonder what this means for both domains. Vorostokov is no longer the infinite snowy tundra where folks starve anymore - some people must have found their way to Sanguinia to escape the boyars, I'm sure. What does this mean for Sanguinians? Fresh meat? It will be interesting if someone from here or somewhere else ever do some kind of updated write-up on the Frozen Reaches cluster.

[Guzrath]

I agree that Victorian England has that. My point was more for ambiance. People might not show bare legs and all, but clothing was still mostly lavish and grand, just more coverup.

I'm thinking more "Amish crosses Reformed PRotestants" ambiance. Wolfkook said he was looking for a setting not used before. Just like the France ambiance and Italy are a bit the same, yet totally different in atmosphere.

That was the silly part I meant

[WolfKook]

I'm thinking more "Amish crosses Reformed PRotestants" ambiance. Wolfkook said he was looking for a setting not used before. Just like the France ambiance and Italy are a bit the same, yet totally different in atmosphere.

That was the silly part I meant

Not silly at all, Guzrath, and actually very interesting idea. Amish crosses reformed protestants... Sound very interesting for an alternate backdrop, with the trappings of a puritan society like Victorian England, but without overlapping a time period that has already been explored in Paridon. I like it a lot, and the sole idea creates an interesting background for the darklord I have in mind... I'll have to investigate a little more about this "bible belt".

As for Sanguinia... Well... I'm not sure if the domain's purpose is to explore such a theme. The freezing climate and the hideous vampire darklord don't really evoke the ideas I want to explore.

The masquerade balls and the idea of Mircea hidden behind a full-face mask, however, evokes images from Eyes Wide Shut and the Phantom of the Opera, which should not be ignored...

Thanks a lot, everyone!

[Guzrath]

Here's the info about the Dutch Bible belt (choose 1st result):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Se ... etherlands

Of all those villages, Staphorst is best known:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staphorst

Not much, but a start

[Brandi]

Well, I've learned something today: Even if it embarrasses you because of your lack of expertice in the english language, it's better to ask your fellow forum members before looking for an internet slang term on your own.

Uh, whoops. I've gotten used to seeing it as a standard abbreviation on my other forums, so I didn't realize it might not be known to everyone here. (Even better that the site didn't have illustrations, then!)