Dame Sophia has contributed greatly over Her time on the Academy to lessons about collars, collaring and House Structure. This lesson will include many of Her contributions and insights, so I would like to express My thanks to Her before W/we begin.
A collar is a symbol of some level of commitment between a Dominant and a submissive. For some people, a collar is something truly sacred and cannot be taken lightly. There are many types of collars and the significance varies by the beliefs of Dominants and submissives who give or receive them. Here at the Academy, W/we recognize that there are a wide number of beliefs regarding collars and encourage Y/you to develop Y/your own beliefs. What will follow is how W/we generally see the subject.
Types of Collars
Some collars are meant to exist for a short period of time while others are meant to test the waters for something more serious. Others still represent a serious commitment. Then there are those that represent protection or guidance. A collar may symbolize the claim a Dominant has over a submissive, a deep relationship between a Dominant and a submissive, the intent for a Dominant and submissive to see where things lead or a Dominant’s protection over a submissive.
While in some circles, there are a lot more types of collars than I will address here, most collars fall into the following categories.
Play Collars- as indicated, these collars are meant to be worn during single session play or a short period of time. They are worn to show submission to a Dominant for the purpose of that scene and are then removed. On the Academy, members don’t change their usernames to indicate the use of these collars.
Training Collars- there are times when a Dominant may use a training collar as a representation of training a submissive to meet the Dominant’s needs. Not always used due to inexperience, these collars are mainly to show that there is an arrangement centered around learning and growth between the two parties.
Collars of Consideration- a collar of consideration is about the same as if two people have been on a couple of dates and have now decided that they wish to pursue the next step. It is, as the name states, a phase of consideration. Do W/we fit well with each other and can W/we meet each other’s needs and expectations? This is the first stage of collaring where the submissive will make an indication of belonging to another person on The Academy.
Protection Collars- there are two separate purposes for protection collars. The first and most traditional purpose is when a Dominant declares that a submissive is now being protected and guided. This is common if the submissive is in a vulnerable state, has recently ended a dynamic or needs the care and guidance that a Dominant can provide without entering a relationship.
The second purpose is a stepping stone from a Collar of Consideration into a more serious level of commitment. Some Dominants skip a protection phase and go straight into a locked collar while others choose to have an intermediary step toward a total commitment. During protection, rules are introduced and the submissive is completely protected by the Dominant from any outside interference deemed detrimental to the submissive.
Protection collars are marked on The Academy in a member’s username.
Locked Collars- one of the most serious types of collars, a locked collar indicates a step toward permanence between Dominant and submissive. These collars are an indication of a long term commitment akin to an engagement or promise. The only collar beyond a locked collar is the eternity collar. Locked collars are displayed in members’ usernames on The Academy.
Eternity Collars- an eternal collar is like a marriage and treated as the most precious and serious form of collar that exists. These collars are also displayed in members’ usernames on The Academy.
Those who take collaring very seriously don’t take this lightly. It is a very serious choice just as marriage.
-Dame Sophia
How to Display Collars
There are four collars that members will display on The Academy. These are Collars of Consideration, Protection Collars, Locked Collars and Eternity Collars.
A Collar of Consideration is displayed like this- submissive (Owner’s name CoC)
A Protection Collar is displayed like this- submissive [Owner’s name PC]
A Locked Collar is displayed like this- submissive {Owner’s name}
An Eternity Collar is displayed like this- submissive [[Owner’s name]]
Velcro Collars and Frenzy
A Velcro Collar is typically a collar given in haste with little to no thought.
-Dame Sophia
Dominants and submissives who jump from collar to collar are typically seen as giving meaningless or Velcro collars. Often times, this is the byproduct of what is called frenzy. More common in submissives, frenzy may also occur in Dominants.
Someone in frenzy is so obsessed with finding a Dynamic that the person will aggressively seek a collar or to offer another person one. W/we advise taking a relationship more slowly and getting to know the other person before considering whether Y/you wish to enter a commitment. Take Y/your time and avoid getting into a Dynamic too quickly.
People who are in frenzy may endanger themselves by entering relationships that are not in their best interest or to their benefit. If Y/you notice someone in frenzy, it is advisable to report this to a staff member so that W/we can decide how best to help the person.
High Protocol Houses
In High Protocol, a House is a hierarchal organization revolving around a single leader- known as the House Lord or Lady. It can also be the place where a House Lord resides, and entering that place makes one a guest of that Lord and subject to the rules of that House. Here at the Academy, W/we are visiting Haus von Agony, whose House Lord is Vorsteher Agony.
The structure of a House mirrors that of military command in that the Lord or Lady acts as the first tier with an alpha submissive representing the second tier and command flowing downward through the chain. Following are two examples. The first is Haus von Agony, which is a three tiered House and the second is a four tiered House.
As Y/you will notice, all authority flows up and down the chain of command with the House Lord or Lady having the ultimate authority.
House Lord/Lady
The House Lord or Lady is the leader of the House and is responsible for defining the rules and expectations for the House. As such, this person is also responsible for making sure that all House members are cared for and that all needs are met throughout the entire House. In the Lord or Lady’s absence, the Majordomo has any required authority to ensure that the House runs as intended.
Majordomo
Major domus (Latin) translates to chief of the house. Often in a high protocol house below the house Owner is the Majordomo. In Haus von Agony that is Me but W/we call Me Hauptmagd which is German for Head Maid.
-Dame Sophia
The function of a Majordomo is to run a house in the absence of the Owner. They are the Alpha Servant. They speak in the Owner’s place. They keep the other servants in line. They fully represent the Household following the rules and setting the standard. Sometimes they make decisions on behalf of the Owner and they always execute the will of their Owner.
No two High Protocol Houses are run the same and that is perfectly okay. It is up to the House Lord or Lady to decide how the House is run and what is expected of everyone within the Lord or Lady’s authority. The actions of every member in a House are a reflection of the House Leader.
The Academy 