[leveena ophelia glendale]

Well, not really FAQs, but no doubt, questions that may have been crossing your mind - answered. These are all in-character, clarifying how the underground slave trade works.

1. What is the USTC?
The Underground Slave Trade Corporation, founded by Jeremy Carter, is precisely as it sounds, though not necessarily literally underground. By this, we mean under wraps, and hush-hush. The golden rule is that anyone who knows about it knows too much, especially if they are neither slave nor master.

2. What are hunters, and what do they do?
Hunters track down slaves, whether they be runaway slaves or potential, future slaves. Hunters also can be "hired" by masters who find an interest in a free person, and for a sum of money, they will track that person down and mark them down in the Cage Hotel's database, which is the official collection of information of all people involved in the trade.

3. What is the Cage Hotel?
This is where captured slaves are held hostage. It is well-hidden in Portsmouth, and many slaves are held below in the dungeons, which is regularly expanded as slaves are added. In the east wing of the hotel's basement are where the females are held, and the west wing consists of the males. Each cage, about as large as a small bathroom, consists of nothing more than a toilet and a bed with a single blanket, and there is little walking space. These cages are also spaced fairly far apart, and with the dungeons being as dim as they are, they cannot see the other prisoners unless their eyesight happens to be keen by nature. There are shower rooms, and shower day is every day.

Note: A new Cage Hotel has finished construction in Williamsburg. It is the fancier one that houses more of the well-behaved slaves. These slaves have their own bedroom and bathroom, but no windows.

4. How do the auction houses fit in?
Slaves in the Cage Hotel are given about three days before their first auction. If a master has not come to the cages to purchase them, they will be taken the closest auction house, set up on a platform, and usually humiliated somehow. If no one bids, they will be put back into the cage, and will be taken to the auction in another three days.

5. How many slaves can a master have, and what are slaves used for?
For now, no more than three. Slaves are used for many reasons: labor, financial gain, meals (for creatures such as vampires and incubi), cooking, sex, entertainment, and security. It also depends on what the master does for a living. If he is a businessman, he may use his slave as a home secretary.

6. How much do slaves generally cost?
Whether it's at a cage or auction house, human slaves usually sell cheap, unless they are royalty or famous. This can be anywhere between three to five grand. From there, prices go up based on rarity of species. There are other factors as well. The price goes down if they are damaged goods, ill, criminals, or if they are just hard to handle.

7. What kind of supernatural characters can we have?
You may use anything and anyone - vampires, were-animals, shifters, sorcerers, demons, deities, etc. You may even be creative and make up your own. Just keep in mind that mary-sues are not allowed. Do not give them tons of powers.

8. How do succubi/incubi really feed?
Not many people know that these demons do not require sex to feed. Some of the kin even believe it themselves, perhaps because it is easiest to feed on a vulnerable host that is either sleeping or blinded by arousal. Sexual acts are not required, but simply make the process easier for the demon.

9. What are the real weaknesses for vampires?
Holy water, crosses, and garlic are completely off the list on this site. Sunlight and silver are just about it. And our vampires DO NOT GLITTER. =]

10. What is the difference between werewolves and shifters?
Werewolves shift at the full moon, and that's about it. Shifters change at will (as long as they are conscious).

11. Where are these gods coming from?
Some characters from Sapphiric Haze (another slave/master site I once owned) have been brought over to this site, some of them having been deities. Don't worry, though. They will be very limited.

12. What happens if a slave is constantly disobedient to multiple masters?
If given permission from the master, a slave may be sent for execution or extreme disciplinary sessions. Also, if a slave has been caught running away multiple times, he or she will be executed without question.

13. How are certain supernaturals unable to just use their powers to escape the Cage Hotel or auctions?
When captured, the slaves are usually unconscious at some point so that they can be "read", which means that they are identified by a mind-reader (specifically Lolita Bellefast) that determines every basic detail about them, down to the age, species, name, etc. If they are discovered to be capable of strong powers or shapeshifting, a collar is secured around their necks in order to keep them from using these abilities. If they attempt to use it, a strong jolt of electricity is sent from the collar. The collar also can only be open with a small key. Some have died by repeatedly trying to use powers with these collars on.

((More to be added.))

[leveena ophelia glendale]

EDIT TO #1: As of the new year, the slave trade is no longer under wraps. It is deemed legal by governmental law, as the president is also a master.

EDIT TO #2: Hunters may also work at emporiums or auction houses. Some are breakers, and others are handlers that simply teach their slaves.

EDIT TO #3: The "cage hotels" are no longer called hotels. They are now Emporiums. Their standards and conditions have also improved with time, including warm water for the shower rooms and healthier diets for the slaves.

EDIT TO #12: Hunters are permitted to kill runaways on sight, if need be. They still need permission from the master first.

EDIT TO #13: Collars are no longer in use as of 2013, but instead, a tiny chip is put into the back of every slave's neck, just beneath the surface of the skin, as they are admitted into the emporiums. It has the same purpose, but does not inflict pain. It simply makes it impossible to perform any kind of supernatural abilities. Removal of the chip is relatively easy, but if the slave attempts to do it himself, it may be messy and painful.