Hetaira - Ancient Greece - 469BC to 409BC
Prostitution in ancient Athens was a very legal and regulated trade. As citizens were not allowed to partake in the both revered and reviled profession, porne (buyable women - basic prostitutes) were usually made of up of slaves and low-borne immigrants, and Hetaira (courtesans) of the wealthier non-citizens.
Hetaira were educated women, taught not only to read and write (which itself was a gift not often given to the commons, let alone girls), but were highly respected as Artists. They were skilled at the various dances of the day, as well as music and singing. She wore glittering jewels that a farmer’s wife could not even dream up, but it was not the sparkle of bronze that caught eyes.
Another thing that set them apart from women of this era was that they were almost completely independent- owning their own property, control over their own money and how to spend it. The Hetaira paid taxes. They could not marry, as they were non-citizens of Athens, but many became the kept mistress of noble and political leaders.
Perhaps the most impressive of all, however, was that they were welcome at the Symposium- the parties of intellectuals such as Plato and Xenophon, where their opinions were heard and they could debate with the best of them.
A famous Hetaira was Aspasia.
An immigrant to Athens from another Greek town, Aspasia came from a wealthy family (sadly, not much else is known of them).
What this meant was Aspasia was educated, impressively so. When she became a Hetaira, her presence was quickly noticed and she rocketed into popularity.
Aspasia was considered an amazing beauty, but that is not all that her suitors found attractive; she was of a sharp mind and wit, familiar with politics and poetry alike. She was so well verse in political intrigue, in the state of Athens and more, that she became the permanent mistress of the Greek senator Pericles- and acted as his confidant and advisor.
So, how can we apply the above into roleplay?
Hetaira are mainly immigrants. We can easily fit this in to the FFXIV setting, as there are plenty of lands other than Eorzea to come from. In fact, the personal storyline implies that you are in fact, not from 'here'.
Since education is a big part of being a Hetaira (the need to be able to read, write, and have some skill in the arts), and the fact such education is severely lacking in the setting, characters with backgrounds of wealth, or at least a teacher, fit perfectly.
Any of the Eorzean city states could become home to such a character and can fit well within each society.
For example; Seda Molkot is a Moonkeeper Miqo'te who just moved to Lima Lominsa. Her family is of decent wealth, and so she had managed to get a fair education in her youth. Wanting to strike out on her own, she chooses to become a courtesan. She entertains the city's rich at parties held both on and off land- though she knows better than to have a dalliance with a pirate. Because of her education, she becomes fast friends with the scholars (actual scholars, not faerie wielders) of the city. She can partake in political debate, wonder about the sciences, and travel far should she keep up with the right people- or fall hard, should she take a dangerous risk.
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