The Gorean male

In the past few entries I've talked about the role of the Gorean woman, both slave and free. Now it's time to discuss the Gorean male.

In the wrong hands, especially in Second Life, its easy for the Gorean male to become abusive. Being an Asshole does not make you a Master. To quote the books Moreover, the Gorean culture tends, for better or worse, to be male oriented and male dominated, …" Assassin of Gor,




Most Gorean males in the world of John Norman would have never owned a slave, remember that slaves only made up two percent (2%) of the general female population and generally when something is rare or in short supply they tend to be owned by limited number of people.

That's not to say that they would not have used a slave in a paga tavern, or owned one for a period of time. Only that the majority of men would not have been a slave owner.

We can only base the actions of the Gorean man off of the characters in the books. That's not to say that all Gorean men would act this way, indeed in the books their were outlaws, thieves and liars. Both fools and cowards and those of incredible conviction, love and dignity. Norman created a rich world, and what I hope to do here is show what would have mattered to your typical run of the mill Gorean male. Why, in general, he would act the way he did.

Lets start with a simple concept...the home stone.

“Gor,” he said, “is the name of this world. In all the languages of this planet, the word means Home Stone.” He paused, noting my lack of comprehension. “Home Stone,” he repeated. “Simply that.”
“In peasant villages on this world,” he continued, “each hut was originally built around a flat stone which was placed in the center of the circular dwelling. It was carved with the family sign and was called the Home Stone. It was, so to speak, a symbol of sovereignty, or territory, and each peasant, in his own hut, was a sovereign.”
“Later,” said my father, “Home Stones were used for villages, and later still for cities. The Home Stone of a village was always placed in the market; in a city, on the top of the highest tower. The Home Stone came naturally, in time, to acquire a mystique, and something of the hot, sweet emotions as out native peoples of Earth feel towards their flags became invested in it.”
My father had risen to his feet and had begun to pace the room, and his eyes seemed strangely alive. In time I would come to understand more of what he felt. Indeed, there is a saying on Gor, a saying whose origin is lost in the past of this strange planet, that one who speaks of Home Stones should stand, for matters of honor are here involved, and honor is respected in the barbaric codes of Gor.
“These stones,” said my father, “are various, of different colors, shapes, and sizes, and many of them are intricately carved. Some of the largest cities have small, rather insignificant Home Stones, but of incredible antiquity, dating back to the time when the city was a village or only a mounted pride of warriors with no settled abode.”
My father paused at the narrow window in the circular room and looked out on to the hills beyond and fell silent.
At last he spoke again.
“Where a man sets his Home Stone, he claims, by law, that land for himself. Good land is protected only by the swords of the strongest owners in the vicinity.” -
Tarnsman of Gor
Around a simple stone is your family. Your Free Companion (equal to a wife), your sons and daughters, your property (human and other wise). If a male, your charged with protecting them from birth. Raised to guard your land, to protect what is yours.

Then take that a step further. You have your caste...your brothers in trade and which you can see as your extended family. Then take that a step further. The city that you all live in...your "country". Their are several quotes dealing with that concept here.

Looking at the home stone in that light, as a circle with family at the center then caste then city....it makes sense that the average Gorean would rather die than bring dishonor on his home.

Honor is an odd idea. To be, being Honorable on Gor means doing the right thing. To be truthful and acting in accordance with one's codes. Sadly Norman only concerned himself with the codes of the warrior. So we have to imply that the codes of any cast would be similar, with changes made for that particular caste.

When on Gor I am a wine maker. I try to make the best product I can, caring for the ground and plants. Treat my customers well, etc. Not only is it good business sense for me to do so, but being part of my caste code it is part of how I define myself.


Goreans see no difference between being Male and being a Man. Which is a concept that may seem foreign to some new to Gor. Your sex determines how you are supposed to act, your place in the world. The traits you have as a person are individual, but your born male and males act a certain way. You are born to the caste of your father...and will be raised in that caste, again learning how to act. Your born a man and will be raised to care of, provide for and protect the females in your family, your caste, your city. To do any less is simply "not Gorean."

Slaves are a different type of female, and you will learn on how to control them and how to treat them. Although the following quote is a bit disturbing due to the ages involved, it is a good example of the mindset of a Gorean man.

"Ai!” said Feiqa, suddenly, startled, moving.
"Kneel, slave girl,” said a young, imperious voice.
Swiftly Feiqa knelt.
"Kiss my feet, female slave,” said the voice.
Feiqa was kneeling before a boy, perhaps some eleven or twelve years of age. His face was dirty. He was barefoot, and in rags. I assumed he must live in the rooms somewhere. Feiqa, a full-grown and beautiful female, but a slave, put down her head and, doing him obeisance, kissed his feet, and fearfully, and humbly. He was a free person, and a male.
"Go away, you disgusting child,” said Boabissia.
"Be silent, woman,” he said.
"I have a good mind to strike you,” said Boabissia.
"Lift your head, slut,” said the lad to Feiqa.
She obeyed.
He regarded her. “You are a pretty one,” he said. “What do you say?” he demanded.
"Thank you, Master,” she said.
He then stood close to her and ran his hands through her hair. He then took her collar by the sides in his small fingers and jerked it forward, towards him, against the back of her neck. He then, by the pressure on the collar, forced her head rudely from side to side. He then pressed it up, cruelly, under her chin, forcing her head up. He was exerting his force on her through her slave collar. She would have no doubt it was on her. He did these things, incidentally, with the typical awareness of men who know how to handle women in collars, in such a way as not to injure or threaten the windpipe. Such a thing is never done, unless it is intentional. “A good, solid collar,” he said.
"I am pleased that master is pleased,” whispered Feiqa, frightened.
"It is on you well, isn't it?” he said.
"Yes, Master,” she said.
"What does it mean?” he asked.
"That I am a slave,” she said.
"Go away,” said Boabissia.
"Oh,” said Feiqa.
The lad had put his hands rudely within her tunic and caressed her. Tears sprang to Feiqa's eyes.
"Go away,” said Boabissia.
"Are you not grateful, slave?” asked the lad.
"Yes, Master,” said Feiqa.
"You may kiss my feet in gratitude, slave,” said the lad.
"Yes, Master. Thank you, Master,” said Feiqa, and put her head down, kissing his feet.
"More lingeringly,” he said.
"Yes, Master,” she said.
The lad than turned about. “It is pleasant to master slaves,” he said.
“Perhaps when I am older, and rich, I shall buy myself one, much like this one, though perhaps younger, nearer my own age."
He then left.
"He lives in the building,” said the proprietor. “He, and some of the others, sometimes in gangs, enjoy playing “Capture the Slave Girl."
"I see,” I said.
Feiqa, still kneeling, somewhat shaken, adjusted her tunic.

He is in control. He is aware of his surroundings and of the role he plays in the society.

How a Gorean man relates to those around him is based on those simple premises. "How is this person related to me? To my caste? To my city?" His actions will then be dictated accordingly.