Advice for Free Women
General Requirements for Free Women
This page covers:
This page will try to make
your stay as Free Women more comfortable in Gorean Shores,
and any misconceptions about a Kill/Capture zone.
Coming
to Gor as a Free Women is easy - Remaining one for long, though, is not.
"A free woman is inordinately precious. She is a thousand
times, and more, above a mere slave."
Players of Gor
p92
Gor
is a man's world, plain and simple. Yet, Free Women can not only survive on
Gor, but participate and significantly contribute to Homestones and taverns
which exist on Gor. Presented below is a collection of writings which might
help keep Free Women from experiencing that most common of sensations of
Gor: the feel of a band of cold steel being locked upon one's throat.
Just a few notes for any who wish to be a Free Woman: The slaves can be your friend, they will serve you loyally, never go a
time without praising them for their care and serves, and learn to pay with
coins or something special that you alone will use to bond with
them…..remember, at a moment's notice you could become a slave. Always ask questions, form bonds with other Free Women; keep observing;
learning and above all else, Respect the Gorean
male. He rules Gor!
If you are a
Free
Women on Gor would not normally frequent a paga tavern, especially in the city of
Port Kar. The slaves in the tavern are expected to serve the pleasure of the
Masters in whatever manner requested. Many slaves are eager to do so, and show
this to the Men when they serve food or drink. If you are easily embarrassed or
disturbed by such things, recognize that the slaves are only doing what they
must: please - Masters.
Robes of
Concealment:
Warrior/Panther Girls A
woman claiming to be a warrior is not acting according to the standards and
station of a Free Woman, and will be treated as a barbarian. Typically, the only
weapons carried by Free Women are those which can be concealed under her robes:
knives, daggers, and small pins coated with poison. According to the scrolls,
there are no women warriors, and only Panther Girls carry weapons. If you
claim to be a Panther Girl, then be sure you comport yourself to that standard.
Do not attempt to challenge a Man. You would be killed or enslaved. It is that
simple. The Council will not recognize Free Women as Warriors. Free Women on Gor
are required to abide by the protocols as set forth on the Homepage. This grants them with certain protections while in the tavern.
Provided they maintain their clothing and demeanour as expected, Free Women
cannot be collared in the tavern.
The tavern
further recognizes that females can be Panther Girls rather than Free Women.
However, Panther Girls are accorded no protection, and may be challenged in duel
at any time. If challenged, the criteria of "Realism" is going to weigh heavily
against a Panther Girl, because unless she is the ultimate female fighter, she
simply could not match a trained Gorean Warrior. A Panther Girl who loses her
duel may either be killed or collared at her opponent's discretion. Likewise,
should she be victorious, she may either kill or collar her opponent. If you
claim to be a Panther Girl, you had better know what you are doing, and exactly
how to act. A Panther Girl in Port Kar is a very rare event. Ex-Panthers like
former slaves should petition the Council for admittance in Gorean Shores as a
Free Woman to stop any problems before happening. From the Council of Captains of
Gorean Shores Collaring of Free Women
It is the decision of the Council
that no further warnings need be provided to the regular Free Women of the
tavern should any of them act in a manner which warrants a forced collaring.
All new Free Women should receive at least one warning and be directed to this
Homepage. If a Free Woman is collared in the tavern, they will be given a choice
to either accept the collar and remain in Gorean Shores as kajira, or to leave Gorean Shores never to
return.
Update #2
NOVEMBER 1st 2005
It is wise
to check the most
recent decisions regarding Free Women. Force Collaring
It is noted
herein that infractions by Free Women which would constitute valid grounds for
force-collaring must be acted upon within a reasonable time after such incident
occurs. Further, it is not mandatory that a Free Woman be collared if she
acts or dresses inappropriately. Such force-collaring is at the will and
pleasure of the Men present. Some Men are tolerant, some are not. The Free Woman
accepts the risks incumbent with her activities when she acts in a manner
inappropriate to her station.
Free Women are expected to abide by
the Protocols of the tavern and the recommendations in the Gorean Shores
Homepage. Failure to act in a manner consistent with a Free Woman's station in
Gorean Society will result in a loss of protection in the tavern and may subject
her to collaring if it so pleases a Master. In order to assist Free Women, the
Captains, Advisors, and regular patrons will continue to educate and address
newcomer Free Women to ensure their compliance with the protocols. Further, all
Free Persons should continue to receive direction and dance, where appropriate,
on proper conduct in the tavern.
"It is not
wise to try to tear away the garments of a free woman with one's bare hands.
They may contain poisoned needles."
[Beasts of Gor
p402]
Free Woman Advice - by Moonglow Sitting back in my chair and remembering my first day in Gorean Shores
and the days since, reflecting on the many lessons I have learned, the life
I have chosen, friends and enemies I have met along the way, and the choice
to just be me "Moonglow". My first day in Gorean Shores was intimidating to say the least. I
quietly entered the Tavern of Gorean Shores and slipped into the shadows
against the cool stone wall, watched and observed without speaking to
anyone. I noticed the Tal's being spoken as I entered but still sat
silently. A few weeks later I realized I was no longer a watcher but had begun to
learn what I was observing. I had visited the Gorean Shores Home Page and
after reading it went to other sites and began seeking more information; I
entered Gorean Shores daily, silently observing the patrons of the Tavern.
After nearly two months of silence, I entered Gorean Shores one day and
actually said "Tal A/all"; from there I moved forward daily to becoming a
Gorean Free Woman. My choice was made and I decided then and there to be the
best Free Woman possible and to enjoy my choice of lifestyle and chosen
path. I was met with smiles and Tal's and greetings, felt as if I had found
my Home. I had watched and observed long enough to know who were the true
Goreans and who were not, who to study and learn from and who to just simply
chat with. I watched the Senior Captain Xern, First Sword Rollo the Ax,
Slave Master Kli Kodesh, and Captain of the Guard Belial and knew they were
strict and well-versed in the ways of Gor. So without them realizing it, I
began to use them as Mentors of sorts, asking questions and learning more. I
have learned what they constantly preach...Gor is Harsh, Gor is a Man's
world, and Gor is not fair...but still I stay and have grown from the
teachings of my Mentors. For those first two long months I studied the Free Women, Panther Girls,
and slaves...soon I realized all women have a slave within them but that
sometimes, as in my circumstance, the Free Woman is the strongest and
survives over the other. I respected the choices that each Gorean makes for
themselves, as they have to live that choice, otherwise they do not belong
on Gor for Gor will either capture your heart, mind and soul or kill yours. As stated, I chose to be a Free Woman, so I adorned myself in a gown of
soft spun gold and mauve silk and covered it with a robe of linen and topped
it with a golden brocade robe for cooler weather. Long sleeves, high neck,
and the length flowing to just above the ankles, I attached 3 veils to a
scarf-like covering and tucked my unruly copper tresses up beneath it, hid
my face behind the veils except for eyes that watch and observe. I have
chosen to wear sandals and no gloves as after many readings it seemed Free
Women can be a little different and choose some variations in their clothing
attire. I chose to be comfortable in my Home and lifestyle. I knelt in the furs near the cool stone wall Free Woman style, which
meant legs together and palms down against the robe. I smiled beneath my
veils and sometimes laughed and chuckled, but no one could see more than the
flash of blue eyes that sparkle and twinkle in merriment or tears shed in
sadness. I have learned that cold red kalana is my choice of drink on Gor,
but have seemed to slightly attain a taste for paga at times. I sat for days
and watched the slaves interact with the Warriors and Masters, found the
slaves to be beautiful and sensuous, but knew I was a Free Woman. I became
more comfortable in my Home and learned who I could laugh with, talk with,
and call Friend. I slowly came out of the shadows and began to speak aloud,
laugh, tease, taunt, tempt, and be mischievous in a way that only a Free
Woman could be. I learned quickly where the thin line lay between a Free
Woman and slave and knew to stop at that line, for I enjoy the naked neck
that hides beneath the cloth of my robe. A Free Woman must realize that she is Free only by the choice of the Male
population of Gor and should respect that freedom and behave in a manner
befitting her status. Free Women never show their face beneath the veils or
shed their robe or gown in public. She can give subtle hints as to her
figure, ideas, emotions, and thoughts without giving complete and full
details, this she must learn how to do as well as the
teasing/taunting/tempting ways, for they must be done in a way that still
allows her to stay free. It takes time and is never easy, but well worth the
effort. A Free Woman is special in her own way, just like a slave is special
in her own way. Free Women receive serves from slaves and should always
watch, admire and reward a slave for the care they take in the Free Woman's
well-being.
Some Common Free Woman Quotes:
"The
institution of freedom for women, I decided, as many Goreans believed, was a
mistake." [Nomads
of Gor p286]
"Free women, in being free, command
attention when they speak. It is their due."
[Explorers of Gor p354]
"A free woman may often make a man angry with
impunity, she being lofty and free, this latitude is seldom extended to the
slave." [Blood Brothers of Gor p221]
"Free Gorean women, incidentally, enjoy a prestige and status which, it seems to
me, is higher than that of the normal Earth woman."
Explorers of Gor
p 459"It
is not difficult, of course, to take insolence from a woman."
Mercenaries of Gor p7
“There is no freer nor higher nor
more beautiful woman than the Gorean Free Companion.”
[Nomads of Gor p290]
"Free women on
Gor do not travel attended by only a single warrior, not of their own free will"
[Tarnsman of Gor p113]
"Did you strike
me because I challenged your manhood?" she asked……..
It is not wise to try to tear away
the garments of a free woman with one's bare hands. They may contain poisoned
needles." Beasts of Gor
p402
A free woman is inordinately precious. She is a thousand
times, and more, above a mere slave."
[Players of Gor
p92]
"For
example, there is no higher person, nor one more respected, than the Gorean free
woman." [Hunters
of Gor p311]
"Any
free woman who couches with another's slave, or readies herself to couch with
another's slave, becomes herself a slave, and the slave of the slave's master."
[Magicians of Gor p7]
An unowned girl, a free woman, thus,
can never experience her full sexuality…Passion, it is thought, deprives the
free woman to some extent of her freedom and important self-control; it is
frowned upon because it makes her behave, to some extent, like a degraded female
slave; free women, thus, to protect their honor and dignity, their freedom and
personhood, their individuality, must fight passion;… the free woman must remain
cool and in control of herself, even in the arms of her companion, to avoid
being truly 'had,'…"
[Tribesman of Gor p17]
Please
enjoy your time in Gorean Shores
General Rules and
Behaviour of Free Women
Warrior/Panther Girls
Collaring of Free Women
Notes & advice from Free Woman
Some Free Women Quotes
Free Women are welcome in Gorean
Shores
Make your choice wisely after watching, observing and learning….never
make quick snap judgments... but do remember a Free Woman can become a
slave, either by choice or at the hand of a Gorean Male and once a slave
there is no turning back.
Become the best that you can as a Free Woman, enjoy the position of Free
Woman, learn the limits of playfulness and enjoy those limits…dress
appropriately in gown, and robes; a head covering with attached veils; the
number of robes and veils can vary. Learn to accept your position as Free Woman, for the slaves come first in
the Gorean males eyes and there are days you will feel quite alone, but the
rewards are many…a Free Woman can be looked up to by others and respected in
her own right.
Let it be known, however, that Free Women are required to be veiled, and clothed
in robes of concealment in The Gorean Shores Tavern. A woman's face is never
shown, unless she wishes to find herself as a paga slave. Other areas of Gorean
shores such as the Piazza and Forum rooms veils are optional since one is OCC
and the other is in keeping with being off the street of Port Kar and there is
no telling what might enter.
The normal dress of the Free Women of the South is for them to be dresses in
robes of concealment and veils. This means a Free Woman is covered from head to
toe. The material of the outer robes are usually heavy brocade, which may be of
any colour, usually though a Free Women wears the colours of her Caste. Beneath
these robes, a woman may wear an undergarment usually a sleeveless and white.
“Many of the free women of Gor and almost always those of High Caste wear the
Robes of Concealment, though, of course, their garments are seldom as complex or
splendidly wrought as those of a Ubar's daughter. The Robes of Concealment, in
function, resemble the garments of Muslim women on my own planet, though they
are undoubtedly more intricate and cumbersome. Normally, of men, only a father
and a husband may look upon the woman unveiled.” Tarnsman of Gor; p. 87
“Free women in most of the high cities of Gor, particularly those of higher
caste, go veiled in public. Also they commonly wear the robes of concealment
which cover them, in effect, from head to toe. Even gloves are often worn. There
are many reasons for this, having to do with modesty, security, and such.”
Magicians of Gor p12
"It is not wise to try to tear away the garments of a free woman with one's bare
hands. They may contain poisoned needles." Beasts of Gor p402
Veils often ranged from one to ten, often depending on Caste.
In some areas of Gor veils are not worn but may vary from one to ten. The common
number is five and is known as:
The first, or outermost veil is waist length, and normally of brocade to match
the outer gown. It is called the Street Veil.
The second veil, beneath the Street Veil is called the House Veil. It is also
waist length, and of a lightweight brocade, and may be of a contrasting color to
the Street Veil.
Next is the opaque white Pride Veil, which hangs to just below the breasts.
Fourth is the Freedom Veil, sheer and hanging to just below the collar bone.
Lastly is the chin length, wispy modesty veil.
"Eta, from behind me, pinned the
first of five veils about my face. It was light, and shimmering, of white silk,
almost transparent. Then, one after the other, she added the freedom veil, or
veil of the citizens, the pride veil, the house veil, and the street veil. Each
of these is heavier and more opaque than the one which lies within. The street
veil, worm publicly, is extremely bulky, quite heavy and completely opaque; not
even the lineaments of the nose and cheeks are discernible when it is worn; the
house veil is worn indoors when there are those present who are not of the
household, as in conversing with or entertaining associates of one’s companion.
Veils are worn in various numbers and combinations by Gorean free women, this
tending to vary by preference and caste. Many low class Gorean women own only a
single veil which must do for all purposes. Not all high-caste women wear a
large number of veils. A free woman, publicly, will commonly wear, one or two
veils; a frequent combination is the light veil, or last veil, and the house or
street veil. Rich, vain women of high caste may wear ostentatiously as many as
nine or ten veils. In certain cities, in connection with the free companionship,
the betrothed or pledged beauty may wear eight veils, several of which are
ritualistically removed during various phases of the ceremony of companionship;
the final veils, and robes, of course, are removed in private by the male who,
following their removal, arms interlocked with the girl, drinks with her the
wine of the companionship, after which he completes the ceremony."
Slave Girl of Gor p106
Footwear for free women is commonly either sandals or slippers,
dependent on Caste. Boots may also be worn, dependent on the situation and area
of Gor.
“She wore shoes of black, polished leather, which folded about her ankles, laced
twice, once across the instep, once about the ankle.” Marauders of Gor p25
"The haik, black, covers the woman from head to toe. At the eyes, there is a
tiny bit of black lace, through which she may see. On her feet were soft, black,
nonheeled slippers, with curled toes; they were decorated with a line of silver
thread.”
Tribesmen of Gor p 44]
Update #1
As stated during a Forum on March 10, 2003, a collaring
of a Free Woman will only be official when recognized by a vote of the Council
of Captains.
Free Women will be permitted entry to the tavern all day of Forums The time frame is based on Gorean Shores or CST times. They are expected
to act with proper decorum befitting their station. Free Women will be permitted
to enter the Training Yard, and that they act with proper decorum befitting
their station.
A
Free Woman who is force-collared will be given the choice of either accepting
said collaring and submitting herself to the Master as slave, or departing from
the tavern permanently and being placed on a tavern ban. It is her choice.
However, resistance from a Free Woman to a force-collaring is futile at best,
and foolish at worst. A trained Gorean Warrior can easily overcome any
defence
by a Free Woman and strip and bind her before she can defend herself. Free Women
exist in Gorean Shores at the will of Men. If the Free Woman has a guard and
that guard is challenged under the Battle Rules, the guard is expected to accept
the challenge and the Free Woman is expected to willingly submit to the
challenger if her guard is defeated. If she does not, she will be banned.
Free Women are not permitted to lap any man while in the tavern. Lapping will
constitute inappropriate behaviour which may subject the Woman to a
force-collaring.
"An ignorant free woman is a commonplace.” I said. “An ignorant slave is an
absurdity."
[Savages of Gor p196]
“The men, save I, rose as one to their feet, for Gorean men commonly stand when
a free woman enters a room.”
[Guardsman of Gor p255]
"You were not struck for such an absurd reason," I said. "You are, after all, a
free woman, and free woman are entitled to insult and to attempt to demean and
destroy men. It is one of their freedoms, unless men, of course, should decide
to take it from them. You were struck, rather, because you were attempting to
manipulate me." [Mercenaries of Gor p422]
"In
the room, which now had no occupant, I saw an open wardrobe closet, some chests
of silks, a silken divan of immense size, several choice rugs and cushions
about, and a sunken bath to one side.
It might have been the private compartment of a lady of High Caste."
[Assassin of Gor
p117]
