[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

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[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

Postby Revali on October 8th, 2015, 4:02 pm

1. Overview

Definition:
Seduction is the skill of deliberately enticing another person to engage in different levels of intimacy. This is not to be confused with Flirting. Though flirting is similar, seduction is different in that seduction is done with purpose, while flirting is most often simply fun.

Though seduction may be commonly thought of as a skill for prostitutes and similar professionals, it is really a skill for average, everyday people. Seduction can be used to get lucky at a bar or to persuade the love of your life to marry or have a child with you. On the contrary, it can be used for less positive reasons. Because seduction is much like persuasion in that it aims to make other people favor you, it can be used to get a promotion or raise at your job, for example.

2. Related Skills
While there aren't any required prerequisites, there are multiple skills that can be learned and used in conjunction to Seduction, to increase its effectiveness.

[[Flirting]]: Flirting is a social and sometimes sexual activity involving suggesting an interest in a deeper relationship with the other person. Some people flirt playfully, for amusement, while others use it as a means to seduction.

Flirting, while separate from Seduction, is often a precursor. Most people will flirt when they first meet someone to judge interest, before moving on to the more serious implications of seduction.

[[Cosmetology]]: Cosmetology is the practice of beautifying the face, hair, and skin.

Cosmetology can be used to apply cosmetics to the seducer, to create a more desirable appearance, and thus increasing the chances of success. This may include cosmetics, hair products, perfume or cologne.

[[Socialization]]: Socialization refers to the process of inheriting and interpreting norms, customs, and ideas, providing an individual with the skills needed for interacting within their own society.

Socialization is important to seduction, because it affects how graceful the seducer is with their words. If the seducer cannot hold a conversation, it can create an awkward atmosphere and decrease the effectiveness of the seduction.
Similarly, if the one seducing is not proficient in socialization, they may accidentally offend the one they are talking to. This would affect the outcome for obvious reasons.

[[Leadership]]: Leadership is considered to be both a learned skill and a developed art. Of many definitions, perhaps the most accurate is that leadership is the art and science of influence and directing people to accomplish an assigned task.

Leadership can be, because of its dominant power and strong persuasion, be a catalyst in the seduction process. Though it can cause problems if used with a dominant personality, a submissive individual will react greatly to someone displaying qualities of a leader.

[[Hypnotism]]: Hypnotism is a discipline of personal magic centered on the control and manipulation of others.

Hypnotism can be used to induce an aroused or interested feeling in another individual, as well as place thoughts of attraction in their minds. At the most extreme levels, it can create an obsession with the hypnotist, driving the hypnotized mad with want. Though this may be frowned upon if it is discovered as some consider it immoral, it is nonetheless a possibility.

3. Steps to Seduction

Conversation
Conversation is the beginning to most interaction, and therefore the beginning in most seduction attempts. This often starts with introducing oneself and learning the other's name, making small talk, and exchanging vital information such as profession or hobbies. This process lets both individuals get to know each other a little better, and ensures that they really want to seduce this person before carrying on to the next step.

Flirting
The conversational step can be skipped for those who are skilled, already familiar with the other person, or simply bold. These brave souls will move directly into flirting. Flirting consists of usually subtle hints or euphemisms indicating ones desire for the other. Flirting may manifest as suggestive gestures or expressions, verbal flirting or pick-up lines, or gentle touches to the hand, shoulder, face, or leg.

Intimacies
By the time one reaches the stage of intimacy, most will take their activity to a more private spot. Although sexual intercourse is typically the main goal of seduction, it is not always. If intimacies stop before reaching that point, it is not necessarily considered a failure. Sometimes, intimacies can be a type of seduction themselves, rather than an endgame, as they may leave the partner craving more for the next meeting. Therefore,the goal of seduction may be something such as simple as a kiss.

4. Techniques/Methods

Body Language
Body language is an oft forgotten component to seduction, though very essential. Body language can convey interest or disinterest, intrigue or boredom, or whether to move forward to the next steps. If one does not notice the body language of another, they are setting themselves up for disaster. Therefore, in this technique, observation is a key skill.

For example, one who is sitting with arms crossed, head down, or is leaning away from you is most likely taking a defensive stance. This could mean you are coming on too strong, and need to slow down. On the contrary, one who is leaning towards you, is looking directly at your eyes, lips, or body, or is sitting with legs open in a relaxed manner may be comfortable with what you have been doing, and encourages you to move forward.

This can be taken to the seducer's advantage because the reverse of the examples is also true. If you can convince someone to lean in, when they do so, they have a higher chance of becoming interested. In this way, one can be manipulated into being attentive and receptive to the seduction.

Confidence and Leadership
Another rarely considered discipline, leadership gives a large boost to one's success rate in seduction. If one can take charge and exude confidence, this is an attractive trait to many.

To those who are nervous, or simply submissive, having someone make their decisions can be comforting and appealing. However, one must be careful not to express leadership over those who wish to be independent, or who are naturally dominant. This can cause a tension and conflict, and reduce one's chance at seduction.

Cosmetics/Appearance
Improving one's appearance through cosmetics and other beautification is a common and effective method of seduction. This makes the seducer seem more appealing. Unlike the other methods of seduction, this can cause the seducer to attract others without initiating.

There are two downsides to using cosmetics. The first is that makeup is only temporary. When one moves on to intimacies, it is not uncommon for makeup to rub off or be removed entirely. While more experienced cosmetologists can prevent this, but the average user is very likely to experience accidental makeup removal. This will allow the partner or partners to see what the seducer truly looks like. If they are not already committed, this may be a downfall for the seducer.

The second downside is that beautifying oneself may attract unwanted attention. If a seducer is wearing revealing or translucent clothing, or has a particularly eye-catching appearance, they may, in turn, become targets for others attempting to seduce someone.

Gifts and Favors
Good for the shy and crafty, gifts and favors are one of the simplest ways to show affection. It is a slow process, to do favors over a long span of time, or to create and gift a present to someone, but it can be rewarding.

Doing these services for someone increases your reputation in their mind, and opens them up to you. This allows the shy to bypass the initial "conversation" step, and that decreases the chances of making a mistake.


Alcohol
Alcohol is incredibly useful for a quick and easy seduction, so long as it is only one time. Alcohol, and other substances such as certain types of drugs, can decrease the inhibition of the drinker, meaning that the seducer does not have to work as hard to achieve their goal. This makes it a good technique for beginners, and an easy technique to combine with other methods and increase their effectiveness.

Alcohol and like substances are not good, however, for long term goals. If one is trying to seduce someone so greatly that they fall in love and want to become married, alcohol is the wrong method. It cannot be used over a long period of time, and may even ruin other future chances, because the target may feel cheated into doing things they did not want, or think that they were otherwise wronged.

Other Skills as Seduction Techniques
Many other skills can be used as seduction techniques, and these can be very effective if they are tailored to the object of affection. They can be personalized and are often unique, which creates the impression of commitment and adoration. Some skills that can be used as seduction techniques include dancing, singing, painting, writing, or even acting, but almost any skill can be applied.


5. Learning and Improving Seduction

Trial and Error
The easiest and most natural method of learning seduction, trial and error is an age-old practice. It allows the learner to test out which techniques of seduction work best for them, and gets the learner practice in socialization that they could not get otherwise.

Though some practitioners of trial and error may be intimidated by the competition and ashamed at their failure, those who continue on despite their failures usually become some of the best seducers.

Observation
The second-most common technique, learning by observation is a fairly dependable way to learn the seduction skill. It shows the learner what they should and should not say to succeed, how they should portray and hold themselves, and the techniques they need to use to get what they want.

Observation of seduction is typically used by beginners, and for those too shy or insecure to use trial and error, but is useful for a wide range of skill levels and personalities. Experts may learn much watching a master at work. Likewise, a bold and outgoing individual may benefit from taking a step back to realize his mistakes through others.

Teaching
Perhaps the rarest and least effective way to learn seduction, there are those who attempt to learn by being taught- either through a class, master, or book. Because this method frequently lacks ptoper experience in socialization, it can lead to awkward encounters, which may stunt the seduction process or collapse it altogether.

It can be useful for those who are book-savvy, and enjoy learning through description of the process rather than employment. However effective it may be for some, there are multiple risks to copying someone's technique. There must exist a level of trust in the teacher and their skill, as well as the ability of the student to apply what they have learned.

6. Skill Progression
Novice (1-25):
Novices in the Art of Seduction are barely better than those unskilled at all. They may have a grasp on good conversation and flirtations, but are unskilled when it comes to the intimacies. Many in this skill level falter when it comes to confidence. While it is not impossible to seduce someone at this point in one's pursuit of the art, most require outside assistance from things such as alcohol or other substances that lower the inhibition of others. While lacking overall technique, these individuals find members of the same or opposite sex more attracted to them than if they had no seductive ability at all.

Competent (26-50):
Competent Seduction is a highly sought after skill, as those who possess it are quite adept at seduction. They have a knack at engaging in witty conversation and experience much less difficulty reaching the beginning intimacies than the Novice. While they often still employ things like alcohol in their art, these individuals know how to move, dress and act to loosen up their targets with some amount of grace. Those of the competent level find others more naturally drawn to them, as their skill becomes habit, thus making it easier to begin the seduction process.

Expert (51-75):
Experts in Seduction are those who can persuade most anyone they wish to become intimate. They have mastered their method of seduction, and their ability to start, maintain and/or drive conversation to become seductive comes easily to them. These individuals seem to know exactly what to say, how to move, what to wear and how to touch one, so as to take their seduction to the final stage without much difficulty. These are the individuals who give off a seemingly intoxicating aura that draws members others to them. They take less time to seduce, and have a high success rate.

Master (76-100):
Masters of Seduction can entrap another with but a toss of their head, curve of a smile or wave of a hand. They have learned to adopt the correct appearance, movement, and attitude to succeed. They find that seduction becomes instinctive and with little more than a look, they can have the target groveling at their feet. The Master has multiple methods of seduction at their disposal, and it is rare that they find an individual who can resist them.
Last edited by Revali on November 29th, 2015, 4:45 am, edited 8 times in total.
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[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

Postby Crystal Nightshade on October 8th, 2015, 9:11 pm

A wonderfully written article with impressive detail. I don't have much to say, but the few things I do are in my opinion, very minor. Great work!

such as using seduction to get a promotion or raise at your job, or using it to get someone to side with you in an argument.


This sounds more like persuasion to me. Maybe a snippet of how seduction is different from persuasion?

For example, one who is sitting with arms crossed, head down, or is leaning away from you is most likely taking a defensive stance. This could mean you are coming on too strong, and need to slow down. On the contrary, one who is leaning towards you, is looking directly at your eyes, lips, or body, or is sitting with legs open in a relaxed manner may be comfortable with what you have been doing, and encourages you to move forward.


And maybe another smirk on how the observation skill can be helpful as well?

All in all you've done a wonderful job here. :)
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[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

Postby Lisana on October 14th, 2015, 2:21 am

My first time peer reviewing, but I'll do my best. :)

On the contrary, seduction can be used for less positive reasons, such as using seduction to get a promotion or raise at your job, or using it to get someone to side with you in an argument.
The slight repetition here makes the sentence a bit less smooth than it could be. Maybe changing the second one to some form of pronoun, like "it," or "the skill" would make it a bit easier to read.

Some people flirt playfully, for amusement, while others use it as a means to seduction.
Being that the word "seduction" is a noun, the phrase "to seduction" doesn't quite work. "To seduce" might work a bit better. Unless you meant it in the sense that it would lead to seduction. In that case, maybe a "means leading to seduction" may work a bit better..

This would effect the outcome for obvious reasons.
In this case, it would be "affect," with an A.

Intimacies
Under this section, you might want to clearly state that seduction can be used when it comes to things other than bringing someone into bed. you implied it, but it isn't that clear.

leadership gives a large boost to one's success rate in seduction.
You may want to note leadership under related skills.

Perhaps the rarest and least effective way to learn seduction, there are those who attempt to learn by being taught- either through a class, master, or book. Because this method lacks actual experience in socialization, it can lead to awkward encounters, which may stunt the seduction process or collapse it altogether.
This isn't always the case. If one were to learn from someone else, role-playing between the two of them, or something like that could have some socialization involved. Therefore, you may want to state that it usually lacks experience in socialization.

most require outside assistance from things such as alcohol or other substances that lower the inhibition of others.
I think you should elaborate on how some of these substances can assist seducers, and how they may use them to their advantage, maybe under Techniques and Methods.
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[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

Postby Revali on October 15th, 2015, 9:09 pm

Thank you both for your input. :)
I'll get to work on this soon, and note the changes when I do so, but for now I just want you to know that I am taking your suggestions into consideration.

EDIT:
@Crystal
I added a blurb to the initial paragraph about the distinction between Persuasion and Seduction.
Because seduction is much like persuasion in that it aims to make other people favor you, it can be used to get a promotion or raise at your job, for example.


As for the observation bit, I added a sentence to the end of the paragraph.
If one does not notice the body language of another, they are setting themselves up for disaster. Therefore, in this technique, observation is a key skill.


If you think these changes aren't sufficient, please notify me so I can add or rearrange something again.
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[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

Postby Revali on October 22nd, 2015, 1:00 am

@Lisana
Thanks again for your review. I made the following changes based on your comments. If you think anything is still confusing, or if I added something that seems wrong, please let me know.

Fixed repetition.
Fixed grammatical errors.
Clarified section on intimacies with an extra sentence.
Therefore,the goal of seduction may be something such as simple as a kiss.

Fixed "lack" socialization in teaching to "typically lacking" socialization.

Added Leadership to related skills.
[[Leadership]]: Leadership is considered to be both a learned skill and a developed art. Of many definitions, perhaps the most accurate is that leadership is the art and science of influence and directing people to accomplish an assigned task.

Leadership can be, because of its dominant power and strong persuasion, be a catalyst in the seduction process. Though it can cause problems if used with a dominant personality, a submissive individual will react greatly to someone displaying qualities of a leader.

Added section on Alcohol to Techniques and Methods.
Alcohol is incredibly useful for a quick and easy seduction, so long as it is only one time. Alcohol, and other substances such as certain types of drugs, can decrease the inhibition of the drinker, meaning that the seducer does not have to work as hard to achieve their goal. This makes it a good technique for beginners, and an easy technique to combine with other methods and increase their effectiveness.

Alcohol and like substances are not good, however, for long term goals. If one is trying to seduce someone so greatly that they fall in love and want to become married, alcohol is the wrong method. It cannot be used over a long period of time, and may even ruin other future chances, because the target may feel cheated into doing things they did not want, or think that they were otherwise wronged.
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[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

Postby Colt on November 16th, 2015, 3:37 pm

Revali wrote:...these individuals find members of the same or opposite sex more attracted to them than if they had no seductive ability at all.


Revali wrote:Those of the competent level find members of the same or opposite sex more naturally drawn to them...


Revali wrote:... members of the same or opposite sex to them.


This is relatively minor, but the use of the phrase "same or opposite sex" seems a little redundant, as, to my knowledge, all of the races only have two sexes to begin with; if someone is trying to seduce someone that is not a male, then by process of elimination it has to be a female (unless one is seducing a nuit... which would be really weird.)

If it isn't a member of one sex, then it has to be a member of the other sex because there's only two. I'd suggest shortening these to "others," or perhaps "targets," as that gets across the same information and can apply to both a male and female individual.
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[Skill] Seduction (Peer Review)

Postby Revali on November 29th, 2015, 4:46 am

I changed the phrases according to your suggestions, Shahar. Thanks. :)
As a note to any reading this article, I am retiring this character. However, I will continue working on the article under the new name/face, Urkut.
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