So, as indicated by the list of variables that I keep handy for writers, myself included, the first generated romanceable NPC happened to be generated polyamorous. I know very little about polycules, so I seek help from those who might know: Where is the line between interpersonal psychology and group psychology? What changes within group psychology when the relationship is a web of sexuality? How can polycules deal with prospective new members, assuming an equal power dynamic between all existent members? Supposing that an existent polycule owned a business, how do the group financials work? How does this change when a new member is added?
I don't have any experience in the topic myself, but if I was to create my own polycule, especially one that runs a business, I would try to make a direct democracy, taking inspiration from the ancient Greeks (or was it the romans?) who had a form of government where every eligible member of society would gather and discuss issues and vote on solutions. If you're going to introduce a 'main character' to the polycule, BE WARNED that unless the story ends up revolving around the ENTIRE GROUP, you'll most likely end up with the 'main character' becoming just that; the leader of the group, or a power imbalance in some other way, for example if the focal point, the PC, has some big quest to go on, or a big bad guy to defeat, the polycule cannot come along, unless they are ALL warriors of some variety. Which is an option, you could have a warrior polycule, I think that would be really cool. But if we're assuming a equal power dynamic and/or a business polycule, than it would be incredibly difficult to still have the PC go on their big adventure and keep a healthy relationship with the polycule.
On the topic of finances, it'd have to be (assuming an equal power dynamic, which to be fair, isn't nessecary to have a healthy power dynamic) something like, 40% for group funds (housing, groceries, business expenses, etc.) and the remaining 60% split among the members of the polycule for personal items, or something like that. Honestly I'm just tossing stuff at a wall until something sticks. As for sex/romance, the orgies will always be there, but I think that to a certain extent, it's probably better to have a few members branch off to do their own things, if only every so often. Every member should be loved, but it's okay to have certain personalities match better than others. Especially in a business polycule, where not every member can do every job, in the shop or in the bedroom. People have shortcoming and strong suits, and that's okay. A healthy dynamic, to me at least, allows at least a little personal space. Maybe some members take another out on a date every once in while. That's a good way to expand on the individuals that make up a polycule without moving the camera from the PC. A date with 1-2 members, just to get to know each other a little better. Just as long as everyone get enough love, you know?
Ask 6 people with experience of poly what being in one is like and you'll get 12 different answers. It's a huge topic with many variations. There is a lot of resources out there with detailed info, so if you're invested in the subject you'll be able to find plenty of resources. I've never been in a ploy myself, but I know a few people who have (I am active in the London kink scene where poly is relatively common). I'll attempt to answer your questions though: Where is the line between interpersonal psychology and group psychology? Depends on the set up. On the one hand, if you have a kitchen table poly, where everything is talked through and agreed amicably then the balance is very even. But if you have a patriarchal poly, with one man at it's head, then the psychology is/can be determined by the male head, so a single lead with a group that follows. To answer that question properly you'd first have to decide exactly what type of poly you were talking about, and then what the role of each individual is to determine their psychology. What changes within group psychology when the relationship is a web of sexuality? I'm not sure what you mean by this question. But, again, it depends on the type of poly you have. By definition, every poly has some sort of sexuality (among other things) at it's core, it's kind of the point a lot of the time. To what degree that is a 'web' depends on how open they are with each other. How can polycules deal with prospective new members, assuming an equal power dynamic between all existent members? Great question. If everyone is equal, like a kitchen table poly, then I would assume that there are ground rules in place to deal with this. Is it simply two couples who interchange with each other and do not want any more folks involved? Or is it a larger group who are actively recruiting more members? Normally there is some sort of mutual agreement in place about sex and relationships outside of the poly. Again, it depends on the exact type of poly and the viewpoints of those involved. Supposing that an existent polycule owned a business, how do the group financials work? How does this change when a new member is added? I've never seen anything like this IRL, so I've no idea how it works in the real world, I'd say it's fairly rare though. If it were me, and I was looking at this for a story, I'd base it on non-poly groups that have financial links, such as a kibbutz or a co-op. Here in London there is a football club that was bought out by the fans, they each hold a tiny share. There are also plenty of cases where locals in a small village have got together to by the village pub or shop when it's faced with closure. I'd research something like these examples to see how group dynamics work with shared finances and then apply my own version of it to the poly I was writing about. One thing I'll add, most polys I know of collapse under their own weight, they rarely last long term. The longest I've known was a woman who was in a poly for 7 years, but that is rare in my experience (I'm sure that there will be real examples online that prove otherwise though). It's difficult enough managing a relationship with two people, the more you add, the harder it gets.
Correct in this instance. However, also correct that I was seeking the more general answer just in case there's any other poly romanceables generated; I can't guarantee that every one of them will have backstories that mesh well with the concept. In this case (since posting the original post, I've come up with both number of members and roles for each member), individuality but collectively-minded (collectively-minded is pretty regular for the world in question, the two highest values in the dominant civilization are the state and harmony; said civilization is best described as some cursed mixture of Rome, China, and the HRE). Ah apologies, I should have said web of sexual orientations. Not everyone in the polycule in question is bisexual. In this specific fictional polycule, passively recruiting, not allowed to have sex with people outside the polycule (safety issue), but allowed to date them so long as the intention is to eventually attempt to being them into the polycule. And that just cemented my idea to add a hidden "polycule cohesion" variable; probably gonna start it very high, 90% or so. So long as the player character doesn't join it'll remain cohesive. However, if they do, and if the player character causes it to fall apart, . . . Long ago, the six members were living in harmony. Water, earth, air, fire. But then the player character attacked.
I like where you've landed. A given polycule, like the one in your story, has dynamics that keep the members together despite points of difference; the dynamics may change or disrupt as members' circumstances change, and some members may want rules to be explicit, while others are "vibes, but if E and F people are okay with it, then it should be fine, right?" Even a shared house or adventuring party might have these sorts of dynamics. Bring in love and sex and Our Future Together and you're running a lot of emotional amperage through whatever circuit you've built.
Co-operative businesses like, for example, a feminist bookstore collective, can have pretty fierce internal politics, leading to a split or a break-up, or a sell-up. Or they might fail to make it on the business viability level, and then what happens?
I’m poly but not in a polycule. I get enjoyment out of seeing other people’s relationships work out. Not in a cuckold type way. (ie I’m not masturbating to the idea someone is fucking my partner) a person I know who was in a polycule it was a bit of a mess. Basically everyone were roommates and fucked, but breaking up was terrible as it led to the polycule dividing. The difference between being poly and being in an open relationship is that being poly means you have no hang ups about hearing about your partner’s relationships while an open relationship tends to be “you get to see someone else, but I can’t hear or know anything about it or I’ll get mad”.
