Prostitution

Despite the general openness towards sex that makes finding willing sexual partners extremely easy, sex work of all kinds is not only completely legal everywhere in the world of EarthUnbound, it is extremely widespread and diverse. However, formal prostitution is by far the least common type of sex work. Generally speaking there are two sorts of prostitutes in the world of EarthUnbound: private/freelance operators, and professional contractors who work at hotels or dedicated brothels.

Private/Freelance

Although prostitution is legal everywhere in the world in the EarthUnbound universe, street-walking in public is not necessarily legal everywhere. This can be compared to the real-world example of street vendors selling food: while perfectly legal, they may be restricted from operating in certain places, or may require a permit before setting up for business in other places. Furthermore, many legal jurisdictions require anyone charging money for sexual activities to obtain certain licenses, and/or to register formally as a self-employed business operator for tax purposes, etc. But with these caveats in mind, there is no place in the world it is illegal for a person to provide sexual favors in exchange for money in a private place, provided they are fully complying with local ordinances.

There are a few sex-industry-specific accreditation groups and associations which exist to “certify” freelance prostitutes. This distinction is typically earned by completing certain training courses, and paying regular association fees or dues. These organizations and certifications have no legal role, and there is no place where membership is a legal requirement to operate as a prostitute. However, membership is often considered a “stamp of approval,” or guarantee of quality. The general idea is to let prospective clients know that they are contracting with a reputable, well-trained professional, rather than an amateur looking for some quick cash; and in turn the association members are able to attract a more premium class of clientele than they might have been able to otherwise by advertising their accreditation, which offsets the nominal fees associated with maintaining their certification status.

The role of a “pimp” is all but unknown in the world of EarthUnbound. Since prostitution is not illegal, the sort of shady business/racketeering arrangement such a role fills is largely unnecessary. Occasionally, a group of freelancers in an less urban area where steady customers are harder to come by may organize semi-formally, and use a single contact person who distributes clients among the group’s members, but this rarely has the same exploitative nature as the stereotypical “pimp” of the real world.

Hotels/Motels

Hotels and motels of all kinds typically have sex workers on staff. At a small motel, these are usually freelance prostitutes who have made an arrangement with the motel for mutual benefit. A guest typically arranges for the services of a prostitute at the front desk, but the freelancers usually negotiate services and rates personally, and simply provide a commission to the motel. The larger chain motels, however, typically employ their own staffers, and a fixed menu of services and prices. Such official employees are usually referred to as “sex workers” rather than as prostitutes, to distinguish them from private operators.

At a major hotel one can typically order one or more sexual companions in the same way one could order room service, either from the front desk during check-in, or by calling down from one’s room—whether per act, by the hour, or per night. These workers are always well-trained professionals in the employ of the hotel, and the talent of a hotel’s sex workers are often one of the key marks of quality which contribute to the location’s “star” rating.

At a hotel or a chain motel where the sex workers are employees rather than freelance prostitutes, accreditation of the sex workers by the sort of association described above is less emphasized; the quality of the hotel is presumed to speak for itself regarding the quality of their staff. The largest hotels and chains sometimes even train their workers internally, rather than hiring independently trained and certified professional sex workers. A small motel using freelancers, however, is likely to prominently advertise the certification status of their sex workers, in order to assure potential customers that they will be receiving quality service at the establishment; they often require sex workers to be accredited as a condition of their in-house referral arrangements.

Brothels

Brothels are not illegal anywhere in the world of EarthUnbound. However, operating a brothel requires certain permits and licenses, much like any business. Dedicated brothels, in contrast to “normal” motels in the world of EarthUnbound, where the services of a prostitute is just as easy to obtain, typically don’t offer overnight accommodations, and usually provide few services aside from a place in which to engage in sex with a professional (although the highest-class establishments can seem more like high-end spas, with many amenities and services available in addition to the sex itself). In contrast to a motel, a brothel is more likely to charge by the sex act and/or person, rather than the room/bed.

As with freelance prostitutes, there are a few industry groups which provide rankings and certifications to help brothels and potential patrons establish standards of quality. The best brothels not only make sure that the business itself obtains a good certification, but also ensure that all their workers are personally accredited with the freelance organizations: being able to advertise both certification standards to potential clients creates the impression of premium quality (and therefore allows the establishment to charge premium prices).

Brothels are uncommon in the world of EarthUnbound: since sexual services are readily available at ordinary motels, hotels, and many other sorts of businesses, only major cities tend to have such highly-specialized establishments.