All About the Free Men of Gor

What is "Mastery"?  Why would you care to know?

"Mastery" of a man over a woman is achieving control, but it is something more than merely that. A man is usually, but not always, larger and stronger than the female. Mastery in this sense, does not depend on that. There is a manner, a way, in which a handicapped male may wield as much control, as a large, muscular vibrant man. Show me a man being harsh with a woman to prove he is a tough man, and I will show you a fool with no more grace or talent of mastery, than a brute.

Granted that Gor is and should be all things stated, still Gor and mastery of women requires a further step. This step is the distinction between intelligent mastery and abuse. Remember that famous Gorean quote: Perhaps it should only be added that the Gorean master, though often strict, is seldom cruel. The girl knows, if she pleases him, her lot will be an easy one. She will almost never encounter sadism or wanton cruelty, for the psychological environment that tends to breed these diseases is largely absent on Gor. this does not mean that she will not expect to be beaten if she disobeys, or fails to please her Master.
~ Outlaws of Gor, pages 53-54

It is mindless force, mental and/or physical, to force a woman to do something, merely to show one is a "strong or Dominant man". The mastery, and the Gorean way, is to treat a pleasing slave in such a way as to cause her to be more pleasing, or to achieve some other logical purpose or outcome.

Men and women think differently, and are better at different things. The skillful Master uses knowledge of this, and other gender-general and individual-specific nuisances, so as to achieve his perfect "slave".

Hopefully the following pages will help You achieve the balance needed to be a Master on Gor.

        Quotes
  Even though each Master is different, in Their ways, it is also important to understand, from the scrolls, the wisdom they follow....

Honor is important to Goreans, in a way that those of Earth might find it hard to understand; for example, those of Earth find it natural that men should go to war over matters of gold and riches, but not honor; the Gorean, contrariwise, is more willing to submit matters of honor to the adjudication of steel than he is matters of riches and gold; there is a simple explanation for this; honor is more important to him." ~ BEASTS OF GOR, Pg. 42

"It is said in a Gorean proverb, that a man, in his heart, desires freedom, and that a woman, in her belly, yearns for love. The collar, in its way, answers both needs. The man is most free, owning the slave. He may do what he wishes with her. The woman, on the other hand is institutionally and helplessly subject, in her status as slave, to the submission of love."
~ Slave Girl of Gor Page 180

"Among many men, it might be mentioned, however the monthly anniversary of a girls acquisition as a slave would be marked by this and similar ceremonies. A slave girl is a delight to her man; she is extremely prized and precious; that the day of her acquisition should be celebrated each month with special ceremonies and rites is not surprising."
~ Slave Girl of Gor page 46

But a Gorean Master will know every inch, and care for every inch of one of his slave girls. He will know every hair, every sweet blemish on her. In a way she is nothing to him, for she is only slave. But in another way she is very important to him. She is one of his women. He will want to know her completely, every inch of her body, every inch of her mind. Nothing less will satisfy him. She is his property. He will choose to know his property thoroughly." ~ Hunters of Gor, page 145

"One of the pleasant things about owning a slave, " I said, "is the opportunity to converse with her, to listen to her, to hear her express herself, her feelings and ideas. One can learn much from a slave. Many slaves, like yourself, are highly articulate, clearly, trenchantly and lyrically. It is great pleasure to talk with them." "I see", she said. "Then when one wishes," I said, "One puts them again on their knees"
~ Beasts of Gor (Book 12) page 203

They know that another girl, at the masters whim, may become first girl, and that they themselves may then be under her almost absolute power. In my own house I often rotated the positions of the first girl among my slaves who were native Goreans. I never made an Earth Girl slave first girl. This is fitting, let them always be slaves of slaves. ~ Explorers of Gor

 
 
         Clothing of Free Men
   
Tunics

Note that we don't see pants, trousers, or "leathers" among the men of cities. The belted tunics and sandals likely look something like the tunic.

On a Warrior in Koroba
I was clad in some sort of tunic of a reddish color, which was tied at the waist with a yellow cord. ~ Tarnsman

I shook the thought from my aching head, made an unsuccessful effort to muster a decent sense of shame, failed, and was belting my tunic when the Older Tarl entered the room. ~ Tarnsman

I opened the leather bundle. In it I found the scarlet tunic, sandals and cloak which constitute the normal garb of a member of the Caste of Warriors. ~ Outlaw

On a Scribe in Koroba
Torm was of slight build and reminded me of an angry bird which enjoys nothing so much as scolding squirrels. His blue robes were worn through in a dozen spots, only two or three of which had been ineptly attacked by thread. One of his sandals had a broken strap that had been carelessly knotted back together.  ~ Tarnsman

I was honoured that the little scribe had separated himself from his beloved scrolls long enough to share my happiness, only that of a warrior. He was wearing a new robe and sandals, perhaps for the first time in years. ~ Tarnsman

On a Tavern Proprieter, of the Merchant Caste, in Ar
The Assassin turned to the man in a black apron, a fat, grimy man, who wore a soiled tunic of white and gold, stained with sweat and spilled paga. ~ Assassin

On a Vintner in Ar
"Game!" I heard, an answering cry, and a fat fellow, of the Caste of Vintners, puffing and bright eyed, wearing a white tunic with a representation in green cloth of leaves about the collar and down the sleeves of the garment, stepped forth from a doorway. ~ Assassin

On a Man of the Caste of Thieves
The man, who wore a simple dark tunic and sandals, dropped out to the ground. His hair was dark and clipped short; his face intelligent, but hard. On his right cheek, over the cheekbone was the Thief brand of the Caste of Thieves of Port Kar, who use the small brand to identify their members. "Look," said the man to Cernus, leading him about the side of the ship. ~ Assassin

On Warriors in the employ of a Slaver Caravan
The men, saving the one called Targo, wore tunics, with helmets. They looked rather frightening. The opening in the helmets reminded me vaguely of a "Y". the swords they carried in scabbards slung over their left shoulder. They wore heavy sandals, laced with thick straps, more than a foot up their leg. Several of them, besides the small swords, carried a knife as well, this attached to a leather belt. They wore pouches also at the belt. ~ Captive

In Port Kar
One of the guards fetched Rim a tunic, and he drew it on his body. He belted the broad belt, with its large buckle. He shook his shaggy black hair. ~ Hunters

The tunics of sea men, entering Lydius
I did not, on nearing Lydius, fly the flag of Bosk, that bearing the head of a bosk, black, across a field of vertical green bars, the famous flag of Bosk, from the Marshes.
I did not wish to be recognized. I, and Rim and Thurnock, wore the simple tunics of seamen. ~
Hunters

The tunic of Tyros
He stood alone, high on the beach, his sandals on its pebbles, a lonely figure. He was unshaven. The tunic of Tyros, once a bright yellow, was now stained and tattered.
~ Hunters

The men in the tunics of Tyros threw their yellow caps into the air and cheered, and splashed water on one another, laughing. The forest was behind them. They had come safely to the sea. In the darkness of the forest, I smiled.
~ Hunters

Sandals

On Marlenus, even in a cave in the Voltai mountains
One of the tarnsmen of Marlenus thrust his hand in my hair and forced my lips down to his sandal. I forced my head up and kept my back straight, my eyes granting my captor no satisfaction. I knelt on the granite floor of a shallow cave in one of tha Voltai peaks, a sheltered fire on each side of me. Before me, on a rough throne of piled rocks, sat Marlenus, his long hair over his shoulders, his great beard reaching almost to his sword belt. ~ Tarnsman

On a Warrior in a storm, on the road to Tharna
I continued forward and stood where it had struck. In spite of the icy wind and rain I could feel the heat of the stones through my sandals. I raised my eyes to the storm, and my spear and shield, and shouted into the storm, a defiant puff of wind hurled against the forces that seemed arrayed against me. ~ Outlaw

On a Peasant in Tharna
On market day I saw a peasant, his sack of Sa-Tarna meal on his back, whose sandals were tied with silver straps.
~ Outlaw

Boots

In addition, the mounted warriors inevitably wear a high, soft pair of boots called tharlarion boots. These protect their legs from the abrasive hides of their mounts. When a tharlarion runs, its hide could tear the unprotected flesh from a man's bones. ~ Tarnsman

Talena blushed and lowered her face, rubbing vigorously on the leather of my tharlarion boots.  ~ Tarnsman


Captain of the Palms of Schendi
A closely woven red aba (cloak) Ankle-length white robe, loosely sleeved All eyes turned toward the back. A tall man stood there, lean and black. He wore a closely woven seaman’s aba, red, striped with white, which fell from his shoulders; this was worn over an ankle-length, white robe, loosely sleeved, embroidered with gold, with a golden sash. In the sash was thrust a curved dagger. On his head he wore a cap on which were fixed the two golden tassels of Schendi.  ~ Explorers

Tribal men are commonly bare-armed
“Are you armed?” asked Msaliti, both in the inland speech, some of which I had learned-from Ayari, and in Gorean.
“Why, yes,” I said pleasantly, revealing the sleeve sheath, and handing him the dagger.  For an instant, just an instant, I saw in the eyes of Msaliti a flash of incredible fury. Then he nodded, and accepted the dagger, which he handed to an askari.  I showed the sleeve sheath to Bila Huruma, who was interested in it. Such sheaths are common in the Tahari but, in the equatorial interior, where men are commonly bare-armed, I gathered they were an interesting novelty.
~ Explorers

 
         Being Responsible
 

Although Gor is a hard and unforgiving place in the books written by John Norman and many of the role-play rooms strive for realism according to the books it is important to remember that this is about fantasy role-play and regardless of how realistically you can portray a true man of Gor. There are still real human beings at the keyboard on the other end of the chat room.  Earth people that come from the real world, not a fantasy world and they have real feelings and emotions.   Aside from the real-time aspects we talk about in the 'Real-Time' & 'Online Gor' sections on the main menu, please keep the following guidelines in mind when engaging in Gorean online role-play:
(These rules were found some time ago on another site that I can no longer locate so forgive me for not giving the appropriate credits)

1. Approach Mastery with humility. Consider the gift your slave gives you in granting you control of her mind and body. Abuse her gift at your peril.

2. Know that the slave controls the ultimate limits of her submission. You may test her limits. may be even encouraged to do so, but respect her fears. Grant her a safe-word, discuss limits, hers and yours. (This should be done before in depth rp begins.

3. Read up on Gor. Look at the Gor web pages, find a couple of Norman's books to read. Gor is more complicated than it first appears, and many (most) Masters are less well educated in it's lore than are their slaves.

4. Consider the concept of honor. A Gorean Master is nothing without it.

5. Consider the concept of pride. A Master's pride is in himself and his honor, his slaves pride in her Master and in her submission.

6. Examine the Homes you frequent. Some Homes are strict, some relaxed. Fit your behavior to the Home you are in. Do not expect the Home to change to fit you.

7. Be polite.

8. Show respect. Do not abuse the property of other Masters. When speaking to a slave find out who her Master is, what limits he has placed on her service, and respect those limits. Just because slaves in Gor serviced any Master that wished them, does not mean you should try to dive into the furs with every slave you find in role-play.  SHOW RESPECT!

9. Know your caste, color, and history...the question keeps coming up...and doh? isn't much of an answer.

10. Gorean Masters don't take a lot of crap from anyone, (see 4 & 5)..but this is is Gor, and any battle here is a battle of wits...try to come armed. Also remember that although you may think you can master a virtual sword, many here have spent years developing their characters and just because its a mere Saturday evening thrill for you, doesn't mean you should rush in to kill off a character that simply happened to cross your path when you were in the mood to kill something.   Be realistic and respect the level of realism that others put in their role-play.  A warrior would not just kill some traveling merchant simply cause he was in a kill/capture zone or insulted you on an out of character basis.

11. The same thing applies to slaves. it's a tough life sometimes. Don't confuse submission with weakness. Or with stupidity.....

12. Gor is supposed to be enjoyable. Enjoy it. Let others enjoy it. Or go elsewhere. We are not here to boost your ego or make you feel more like a man.   If you are confused on those points or are here simply cause your looking to make up for the bully that beat you up after school, MOVE ON.  Your not mature enough to engage in this sort in depth role-play and are probably not old enough either.

 
         Sword Brothers
 

Among the caste of warriors, one who has shed your blood, or whose blood you have shed, becomes a sword brother Do not harm him," said Kazrak. "He is my sword brother, Tarl of Bristol." Kazrak's remark was in accord with the strange warrior codes of Gor, codes which were as natural to him as the air he breathed, and codes which I, in the Chamber of the Council of Ko-ro-ba, had sworn to uphold. One who has shed your blood, or whose blood you have shed, becomes your sword brother, unless you formally repudiate the blood on your weapons. It is a part of the kinship of Gorean warriors regardless of what city it is to which they owe their allegiance. It is a matter of caste, an expression of respect for those who share their station and profession, having nothing to do with cities or Home Stones.
~ Tarnsman page 119

 

 
          Sharing Salt
 


Men of regions that are traditional enemies (here Torvaldsland and Port Kar), having respect for one another, agree to be friends and share salt "Your city," he asked, "what is it?" "You may think of me," I had said, "as one of Port Kar." "Very well," said he, "but I think we shall not make a great deal of that, for the men of Port Kar are not overly popular in the north." "The men of Torvaldsland," I assured him, "are not overly popular in the south."  "The men of Port Kar, however," said the Forkbeard, "are respected in the north." "The men of Torvaldsland," I told him, "are similarly respected in the south." Gorean enemies, if skilled, often hold one another in high regard. "You play Kaissa well," had said Ivar Forkbeard. "Let us be friends."  "You, too, are quite skilled," I told him. Indeed, he had much bested me. I still had not fathomed the devious variations of the Jarl’s Ax’s gambit as played in the north. I expected, however, to solve it. We had shaken hands over the board. "Friend," he had said. "Friend," I had said. We had then tasted salt, each from the back of the wrist of the other.
~ Marauders
 

 
          Sharing Salt
 


Men of regions that are traditional enemies (here Torvaldsland and Port Kar), having respect for one another, agree to be friends and share salt "Your city," he asked, "what is it?" "You may think of me," I had said, "as one of Port Kar." "Very well," said he, "but I think we shall not make a great deal of that, for the men of Port Kar are not overly popular in the north." "The men of Torvaldsland," I assured him, "are not overly popular in the south."  "The men of Port Kar, however," said the Forkbeard, "are respected in the north." "The men of Torvaldsland," I told him, "are similarly respected in the south." Gorean enemies, if skilled, often hold one another in high regard. "You play Kaissa well," had said Ivar Forkbeard. "Let us be friends."  "You, too, are quite skilled," I told him. Indeed, he had much bested me. I still had not fathomed the devious variations of the Jarl’s Ax’s gambit as played in the north. I expected, however, to solve it. We had shaken hands over the board. "Friend," he had said. "Friend," I had said. We had then tasted salt, each from the back of the wrist of the other.
~ Marauders
 

 
          Blood Brothers
 


Cuwignaka’s knife moved on his own forearm, and then on mine, and then on Hci’s. “You cannot be a member of the Sleen Soldiers of the All Comrades,” had said Hci, “for you are not Kaiila, and you do not know our dances and mysteries, the contents of our medicine bundles.” “There is another thing,” had said Cuwignaka, “which can be done.” “Do it,” had said Hci. Cuwignaka held his arm to mine, and then I held my arm to that of Hci, and then Hci, in turn, held his arm to that of Cuwignaka. Thus was the circle of blood closed. “It is done,” said Cuwignaka. “Brothers,” I said. “Brothers,” said Hci. “Brothers,” said Cuwignaka. Blood Brothers