The Kingdom of Laurien, a country known for its art and culture. In particular, the Kingdom’s famed Doves. Beautiful girls considered to be living pieces of art, not people. The Kingdom of Laurien is ruled by House Niktaris: King Aleron, Queen Hesperia, Crown Prince Thorne (age 21), and Prince Dorian (age 18). The royal family lives in the Capital city of Valadis. Connoisseurs are “merchants” who sell beautiful young girls to nobility as art. They are often well versed in the arts and/or business. Connoisseurs usually work in pairs. Their business is usually passed through the family and it’s very difficult to start in the business with no connections or money. Connoisseurs are very well respected in Laurien high society. Two Connoisseurs own each Dove House. Girls sold by Connoisseurs are called Doves. They are not considered people, but as works of art. They are trained in painting, dance, and music. Most Doves are either orphans or sold to Connoisseurs by poor families. Many Doves are also used for sexual pleasure, by both noblemen and noblewomen. When girls become Doves, they are given new names. Dove’s training routine: Doves wake no earlier than 9. A light breakfast followed by painting lessons until lunch. A light lunch. Then music and dance lessons until dinner. And then their evenings are free until mandatory bedtime at 10. There are 12 Dove Houses across Laurien. Dove Houses are where Doves and Dove trainees live and prepare to be sold. Dove Houses range in size, most averaging 6 girls. The biggest, in Valadis, is able to house 12 girls. The smallest, in Pinemoor, can only house 4 girls. A Dove’s training must be at least 5 months before they can be bought. If a Dove is not bought for 3 years, the Connoisseur sponsoring them can demand repayment from the girl. The Dove Houses: The Gilded Cage (Whitecliff) The Menagerie (Bellpoint) The Golden Feathers (Valadis) The Feathered Crown (Valadis) The Silver Nest (Quicktide) Crystal Garden (Fardenn) The Sapphire Aviary (Rosemoor) The Conservatory (Pinemoor) Nightingale Hall (Dunharrow) Starling House (Seadorne) The Velvet Perch (Freyhallow) The Rose Hall (Mayhill) The fashion of Laurien for the nobility is reminiscent of Rococo fashion, mostly in deep, rich colors, which sets them apart from Doves, who wear regency style dresses in light, pastel colors.