A city to live in. A place to call "my homestone."

I love Gor. The concept, the actions, the kajira of course but most of all I love being what I am. While some will scoff at the idea of trying to be something out of a book, or emulating something that is unobtainable...I believe in the ideals, the philosophy and yes; even the culture of Gor.

It's not perfect and mostly unworkable. It's unwieldy and at times incoherent. The books really are badly written. Yet, I am Gorean.

Thus I am looking forward to my return to Second Life and the Role playing life. The only problem I have is finding a city to live in.

At last count their were some 230 odd Gorean based or themed sims in the SL universe. Yet many of them are simply empty, devoid of the things that make city life interesting - people.

You can create some of the most beautiful sims, fill them with wonderful inns and activities yet if no one comes...then all you have is an open space. My beloved old city of Caithris Isle being a perfect example of a great build that few ever saw. Their are many reasons for this and I will not bore you gentle reader with the "hows" and "way's."

I will however ask for your help, I seek a city to live in.

I prefer a southern city, and even would not mind the Tahari even though I would have to don the robes of the merchant class or perhaps that of a scribe or physician (which is the caste I started in years ago). After all who heard of growing grapes in the desert?

I also seek a city that has a Good population of free woman, and hopefully men that know that not all woman are just "collar meat".

I seek a city that will not be constantly raided and if it is, one where the cries of the warriors is not INVALID!!! Hopefully their is a place where the OOC (or "out of character") drama is kept to a minimum. I've seen to many cities lost to drama that had nothing to do with Gor. In other words I'm looking for what I call the "True Gor" or a sim that is "by the books" or as close to it as possible.

Impossible? Perhaps. I ask for to much? Again this may be true. The ideals of Gor are universal, and strong...for how else could some badly written second rate sci fi adventures still be discussed, debated and create thought some 40 years on? Norman touched a truth in us, hidden but a truth nonetheless.

So I seek out others that think like I do, feel like I do. Who knows, I may just find what I am searching for.

My Home stone.

Happy Holidays!!!

May you and yours - either slave or free and no matter what religion you may follow - have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

Gimme that old time religion - the Initiates of Gor

Well I personally am not one to believe in religion, I am one to believe in God so I quietly practice a spiritually that suites me. One which brings me into conflict with my family and friends that believe in a more traditional God. For what ever reason this conflict seems to flare a bit over the Christmas season.

So with that in mind I thought I would discuss the way the Goreans in the novels viewed religion and those who practice it, in particular the Initate Caste. I was also wondering about the view of Goreans towards other religions, for we know that that the Men of Torvaldsland still practice the religion of Thor and the other Norse Gods. While the Tuchuks and the other Wagon Peoples seem to worship Nature itself, saying prayers while mounted to the sky itself.

Norman mentions in passing a sun worshipers but they are only mentioned in Tarnsman of Gor and are never referred to again. While not mentioning any religions other than Thor's being brought from Earth, I have often thought that it would be fun to have a small group of slaves practice a hidden Christianity in the back allys and hidden rooms of IRC channels and Second Life Gor. Imagine the role play possibilities as the Initiates try to find a dangerous sect! Or a sweet slave from Earth tries to convert her Master.

It should be noted that Goreans do not seem to have any belief in an afterlife. Often referring to death as "the cities of dust."

While the Priest Kings do not demand worship, their power in the world is rather well known. The Sardar, their home, is protected by a force shield. Their "blue flame" can and has struck down those that disobey Gor's laws regarding technology. The fact that they exist in some form is not debated on Gor.

Sadly it is nature of humans to take advantage of others, and Norman shows this with his Caste of Initiates. While not dwelling on this caste he does give us enough detail to paint a rather full picture of them.

Initiates are considered one of the high classes of Gor, perhaps the highest class since they may or may not be in direct communication with the Priest Kings. They are often held at arms lengh by most Goreans yet are honored by them. Their power varies from city to city, depending most likely on their influence over the lower castes and probably the gold they have in their coffers. As the following quotes show, they are a contradiction and often highlight some failing or strengh in Men.


"Initiates, incidentally, are not permitted by their caste codes to bear arms; nor are they permitted to injure or kill; accordingly, they hire men for these purposes." (Assassin of Gor, 267)"

"Some visit the temples, paying coins, buying incense and burning it, petitioning Priest-Kings for favors, such things as better crops and success in ventures, such things as luck for themselves and calamities for their enemies. Gorean petitions to the Priest-Kings seem on the whole to be very specific, and very practical. Most Goreans seem skeptical of an afterlife, or, at least, seem content to wait and see. The only Gorean caste which, as far as I know, officially believes in an afterlife is that of the Initiates, and they believe in it, it seems, only for themselves, and seem to believe it is connected with such things as the performance of secret rites, the acquisition of secret knowledges, mostly mathematical, and the avoidance of certain foods. Initiates commonly wear white and have their heads shaved. They also, supposedly, and perhaps actually, on the whole, abstain from alcohol and women. They count as one of the five high castes, the others being the Physicians, Scribes, Builders and Warriors. In some cities they are quite powerful, in others it seems they are largely peripheral to the life of the community. I have never been in one of these temples. Slaves, like other animals, are not allowed within. It is felt they would defile such places. They may wait, however, in special, small, walled areas outside the temples, usually at the back or sides, where their presence will not prove distracting or offensive to free persons. I have looked within some of these temples, from the street, through great opened doors, or through the open colonnades, such temples being roofed, but not walled, upon occasion. Some are lavishly decorated, even ornately; others seem very austere. It depends on the city, I suppose, or the tastes of the community of Initiates, those who care for the temples, in a given place. The Chief Initiate of Ar claims to be chief of all the Initiates of all the cities, but the other Chief Initiates, in the other cities, do not, it seems, at least on the whole, acknowledge this claim. I have gathered that in these temples there are no chairs or pews, or such, unless for Initiates near the altars. Goreans perform their rites, recite their prayers, and such, standing. The Gorean tends to regard Priest-Kings not so much as his masters as his potential allies, who might, if he is lucky, be flattered, wooed with gifts, and such. On the high altar in each temple there is supposedly a large, golden circle, the symbol of Priest-Kings, a symbol of eternity, of a thing without beginning or end. The 'sign of the Priest-Kings,' similarly, is made with a closed, circular motion. The teachings of the Initiates, their recommendations, exhortations, and such, seem to be taken most seriously by the lower castes." (Dancer of Gor, 280-281)

Incidentally, it is a teaching of the initiates that only initiates can obtain eternal life. The regimen for doing this has something to do with learning mathematics, and with avoiding the impurities of meat and beans. This particular teaching of the initiates, it is interesting to note, is that least taken seriously by the general population. The Gorean feeling generally is that there is no reason why initiates or only initiates, should live forever. Initiates, though often feared by lower castes, are also regarded as being a bit odd, and often figure in common, derisive jokes. No female, incidentally, may become an Initiate. It is a consequence, thusly, that no female can obtain eternal life. I have often thought that the Initiates, if somewhat more clever, could have a much greater power than they posses on Gor. For example, if they could fuse their superstitions and lore, and myths, with a genuine moral message of one sort or another, they might appeal more seriously to the general population: if they spoke more sense people would be less sensitive to, or disturbed by, the nonsense; further, they should teach that all Goreans might, by following their rituals, obtain eternal life; that would broaden the appeal of their message, and subtly utilize the fear of death to further their projects; lastly, they should make greater appeal to women than they do, for, in most Gorean cities, women, of one sort or another, care for and instruct the children in the crucial first years. That would be the time to imprint them, while innocent and trusting, at the mother’s or nurse’s knee, with superstitions which might, in simpler brains, subtly control then the length of their lives. So simple an adjustment as the promise of eternal life to women who behaved in accordance with their teachings, instructing the young and so on, might have much effect. But the initiates, like many Gorean castes, were tradition bound. Besides, they were quite powerful as it was. Most Goreans took with some seriousness their claim to be able to placate and influence Priest-Kings. That was more than they needed for considerable power." (Marauders of Gor)


It seems that the Initates are more worldly then they seem, and can have great power over the cities and people of Gor. Norman never really created a Gorean "culture" but borrowed and stole from a variety of different cultures, creating something unique and wonderful that shows us the failings of man, and our greatest strengths. In commenting on religion the way he does, I believe Norman is showing one of our greatest faults. How we can turn something wonderful into something crass and unholy.

Waiting on the "Waiting Hand"

To the best of my knowledge, Norman never mentioned any thing like a Christmas on Gor. However we live on Earth and for the majority of people celebrate the holiday with the giving of gifts and with feasts.

Since Goreans celebrate many holidays that have a direct tie in with ancient Roman and pagan holidays - for example the Roman holiday of Saturnalia and the Gorean holiday of Kajuralia share many similarities, we can probably assume they had something similar around the winter's solstice. Since history shows us that the shortest day of the year meant a lot to ancient peoples...around this time of year the Norse and various other "pagan" tribes celebrated the Yule, the Romans the Saturnalia.

It is within that spirit that I give out some links to some merchants I feel are deserving. Both online via the Second Life platform and in real life. So go ahead and get that special slave the silks she been praying for, or your Master a copy of the books so he will not call the kitchen the servery any more.

So lets start with the 3 movies. Fencer of Minvera I've already discussed, but their were two movies that were "loosely based" on the Gor novels. Gor and Outlaw of Gor are horrid pieces of dreck.


So horrid in fact that the famed MST3K folks made fun of Outlaw on their much loved TV show. To see a sample of their parody click here. If you have an old VHS player you can get these movies for under Five US dollars on Amazon.com

Amazon.com is also one of the best places to find copies of the books, although ebay and similar sites may have them cheaper.

I would also recommend ebay for those of you that practice the Gorean lifestyle in Real Life, simply because they have a good number of floggers, dance and everyday kajira wear, siriks and collars available. Although not all of them are "by the book."

My good friend Jack the Hungry Tiger is well known in some circles and although he is not Gorean by any means, his site is highly recommended for all rope geeks.

For those of you that prefer more second life, than real life in your Gorean explorations then I highly recommend the work of Emm Jacks. Her works are available via the Xstreet Marketplace, although you can generally just IM her in world or go to her city. Emm creates out of love for Gor and the Gorean way of life, so her things are well done and will not break your virtual bank.

I would also recommend the various markets owned and operated by the Gorean forum members. While not always by the book, they do strive to create realistic and workable clothing, weapons and day to day details.

And of course what would the holidays be like without your favorite Gorean inspired wine? Sadly it's not available in Second life anymore, but if you follow the links below I'm sure my friends at Emerine Estates be happy to help you out.

So may you and yours, slave or free, have a wonderful happy and safe holiday season. Please support the merchants mentioned and please let them know about this blog.

I look forward to writing about Gor in the coming year.

Updates/Gorean anime

It seems that the Gorean themed anime Fencer of Minerva is no longer available on Vuze.com. So I've updated the original post with additional information.

Kur of Gor - some issues cleared up at last!

John Norman recently released Kur of Gor, the 28th book in the Gorean Chronicles and from what I understand from the reviews...he still needs an editor and a good one at that.

In the issue of full disclosure, I've not read the book yet and am using these quotes perhaps out of context...but I am doing so to settle some debates. For example, would a kajira kneel in tower position or in nadu in front of a Free Woman? I have always argued that even if her Master was present she would kneel in Tower in front of the Free Woman because of the Free Woman's status.

"She is a pleasure slave,” said the Lady Bina.
"Yes,” said Cabot.
"Why is she kneeling, then, with her knees together?"
"She is in the presence of a free woman,” said Cabot.
The Lady Bina then looked at Cecily. “Show what you are, slut,” she said.
"Before a free woman, Mistress?” said Cecily, frightened.
"I like the word ‘Mistress’ on your dirty little slave lips,” said the Lady Bina. “It belongs there."
"Yes, Mistress,” said Cecily.
"Now!” said the Lady Bina.
Cecily spread her knees.
The Lady Bina then laughed, merrily.


And again here: "Slut!” snapped the Lady Bina.
"Mistress?” said the slave, looking up, the smears of berries about her mouth and lips.
I am told, incidentally, that Masters enjoy licking such residues from the lips and mouth of a slave, and, as it seems, one thing then not unoften leads to another.
"Your knees!” said the Lady Bina.
"Mistress?” said the slave.
"Should they not be spread?"
"She is in the presence of a free woman,” said Cabot. “It is thus appropriate that she kneels in the Tower position."
"Have her split her knees,” said the Lady Bina.
"Do not shame her,” said Grendel.
"Be silent,” she said.
"You would have her kneel in full nadu before me, with a free woman present?" "She may, of course, continue to feed,” said the Lady Bina.
"Nadu,” said Cabot to his slave.
She spread her knees before her master, and, head down, fed.
"How pretty!” sneered the Lady Bina.
...
"Put your knees together!” hissed the Lady Bina.
The slave looked to Cabot, for he had given her the nadu command. He nodded, and she placed her knees together, and, head down, continued to feed.


Another debate that I've often found myself in the various Gorean forums I visit is the status of a Free Woman once she falls into slavery. We all agree that once a woman becomes slave she loses all status. Any wealth that belonged to her would either convert to her family or over to her new owner(s). BUT some cried, would not her family seek her freedom if they had the means? After all, it was their Mother/daughter/sister that was a slave?

I've always argued no. In my understanding of Gor it would be seen as a disgrace that a Free Woman would either willingly submit or that the family failed to protect her. Once a slave, she would most likely remain a slave for the rest of her life. It's also been argued that a slave may be freed by her home city, being a former citizen of that city. The argument is based on a scene in Nomads of Gor, where a young slave is freed and sent to the gates of city where she is accepted as a free woman by her former city.

The important word though is freed. A slave is still property in Gorean eyes, by the citizens of her former home stone: Similarly, let us suppose a woman of a given city falls slave and eventually finds herself once more in her native city. There she will remain a slave, and may well be kept in a slavery more grievous than what was hers outside the city. Her bondage, that she has served others, rendered obeisance to them, cried out and leapt, collared, in their arms, and such, has shamed her city. Too, for such despicable activities, she is an insult to free women. To them she is an abomination. She has been a slave. Thus, she will remain a slave. Sometimes a fellow, who was once a spurned suitor, discovers a woman whom he had earlier courted in vain is now a slave, and buys her. He will see to it that she serves him splendidly.

Even it seems, by the family itself as the following quotes show: "As a last remark, it might be noted that it is generally understood that any woman who becomes a slave should be kept a slave. As an extreme example, let us suppose that the daughter of a household is captured, carried away, and enslaved. Then, let us suppose that she, say, through exchanges, buyings and sellings, and such, is recovered by her family. They will not free her, but, disowning her, will keep her as a slave, as any other slave in the house. She will serve as any other slave, and, as any other slave, if her work is not satisfactory, will be lashed. Eventually, once she has fully understood how she has shamed and humiliated her family, she will sold out of the house, as might be any other slave."


"Let us consider again, briefly, the “daughter of the household.” As we recall, as we left her, she had been cast into the markets, and was only goods. To be sure, interestingly, the girl, herself, is not displeased. Perhaps it would not do to tell her family, but she loves her collar. She is, of course, acutely aware of how she had shamed and humiliated her family, and perhaps, to some extent, regrets this, but, too, she felt a certain rightness in kneeling before her brothers and sisters, in her rag and collar, and serving them, and such. Similarly she dares not meet the eyes of her offended, scornful parents. How could she, once their daughter, now a slave, do so? In the kitchen and halls, where she scrubs and cleans, she accepts as her due, as any other slave, her reprimands and stitching's. Sometimes, at night, after humbly, head down, assisting in serving dinner, she is sent upstairs, and is chained to the slave ring at the foot of a visitor's couch, as might be any other slave, for his pleasure. This is fitting. She is now no different from any of the other house girls. But usually at night she clutches her threadbare blanket about her, and lies curled in her kennel, awaiting dawn, when she will be summoned forth to new labors. But she is pleased, surely, when, her lessons learned, her family's reproach suffered and accepted, its displeasure ventilated upon her, with abuse and switch, to its satisfaction, she is hooded, and taken to a slaver's house, where she is sold for a pittance, that her worthlessness may be made clear to her."

It's nice to see that Norman is making the points that I've fought for some time in the new book. While I don't believe this will solve all the debate that haunts the various forums and clear up the contradictions from book to book, it is a start.

Good reading to you!

What I've gained being Gorean

In my last few posts I spoke briefly about how Goreans can be misunderstood and how often we receive bad press. So I asked myself a few questions?


Why am I Gorean?

What do I gain being Gorean?


These two questions in fact go hand in hand. To me, the Gorean Philosophy is very similar to my own religious beliefs. As a Taoist, I find many similar quotes and views about life in Norman's work. As a student of philosophy in general, I actually minored in philosophy in college; I have read the authors and philosophers that have influenced Norman's thoughts as well. Although I do not always agree with them.

My path to Gor has been long and twisted, and I have stated previously how I read the Gor Chronicles as a young boy and how wonderful it was to find that at least one other person was having thoughts similar to mine about the status of woman.

I found IRC chat rooms but was disappointed in the lack of substance to them, and as I explored BDSM I found myself drawn to it. However the one thing that I've found lacking in BDSM is a lack of a coherent central idea...I suppose the ideas of RACK and SSC are as close as one comes, but again these are safety protocols. Not a way to live.

Now I did define myself as a "kinky bastard" with all that implies. I still enjoy the "fun and games" of BDSM and I'm glad to call them friends. Still though, their was a hole.

When I learned of the virtual reality program Second Life, and stumbled into the large Gorean community there I found my interest in Gor reignited. I started to explore and went back and reread the books, this time looking for something else.

At this time I was also going through a very dark depression, having lost a child and a job. In fact, my name ADAM ZADEH is a tribute to my boy.
My wife, who was non Gorean, and I were fighting all the time and SL become a escape...a fantasy world where I was in charge of my own life. Or at least felt I was.

Long story short, I lost everything.

I am still in the process of rebuilding my life. I struggle like most people to make a better life for myself, to regain what I have lost.

Gor has helped me do that. Being on Gor via a virtual reality game forced me to read up on medicine, since I was playing a physician originally. Then later, as I decided that endless slave exams were not for me, wine. Which lead to a job marketing wine and the start of my own independent marketing and distribution company.


The confidence that I started to regain from role play started to find it's way into my reality. When I thought I would never laugh again, I nearly peed myself when a kajira served me blackwine as "sweet as a slave girls kiss" which consisted of some 43 spoonfuls of sugar. In other words, my darkness was lightened by my friends I made online.

As I read about Gor and continued to explore I found it had much of what I was already looking for. I started to incorporate much of the philosophy into my own life, began to see the world differently. So what I've gained in confidence. Confidence in myself that I thought I had lost.

So that is what I've gained. That is enough for now, as I move forward in my journey I will find other jewels, wisdom and friendship. I am looking forward to it.