Showing posts with label Clothing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clothing. Show all posts

Friday, January 31, 2014

Slave Attire & Types

Slave Attire


"I suppose it makes sense that they might enjoy putting them on us, like brands and collars. Some men even dress their girls, and, always, the girl's choices of such things as garb, cosmetics, perfume, jewelry, and such, and, indeed, her entire ensemble, are subject to the Master's approval. Indeed, most often, whether in only a simple tunic, before she hurries forth to a shop, or in luscious slave silk and exciting adornments, before she is to welcome and serve her Master's guests, displaying herself as one of his treasures, she is expected to present herself before him, for his inspection. She is owned". Dancer of Gor, Pg 226

"Slave girls on Gor, on the other hand, when permitted clothing, are usually dressed briefly and lightly, that their charms be muchly revealed. Gorean men wish it this way. That, accordingly, is the way it is." Slave Girl of Gor, Pg 237

"In short, Gorean Masters concern themselves closely with their girls. Clothing, like other matters, is quite important. It must be perfect for its purpose. It's purpose may be to humiliate or brazenly and publicly display the girl, to discipline her, to keep her humble, to remind her she is nothing, only a wench in bondage; it may be to reveal her beauty, of which he is proud, for the eyes of all, or for his own pleasure and that of his peers; it may be to reveal his wealth, the value in girl and raiment which he owns; it may be to augment his prestige, or to incite envy in others; it may be to stimulate her with beautiful things; it may be to excite her sexually, and so on. These purposes, of course, are not all incompatible. Clothing, too, it might be mentioned, like food, is a useful instrument in controlling the girl. Few girls, for example, enjoy being sent nude to the market to go shopping." Slave Girl of Gor, Pg 76-77

"The attire of Gorean slave girls is of great importance to their Masters. They concern themselves with its tiniest details. The clothing, you see, as well as the girl, belongs to the Master; it is natural for him, thus, to take an interest in it; both, in their diverse ways, can be a reflection upon him, his taste, his judgement, his discrimination. What a girl wears, if she is to wear anything, is of great interest to him. After all, she is not a wife; she is much more important; she is a prized possession." Slave Girl of Gor, Pg 76
 
 
 
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Camisk  

A poncho like garment, belted at the waist, it normally hangs high on the thighs.
The camisk is a rectangle of cloth, with a hole cut for the head, rather like a poncho. The edges are commonly folded and stitched to prevent raveling. The camisk, I am told, normally falls to the knees...The camisk, I am told, was at one time commonly belted with a chain. However, the camisks that I have personally seen, and those we were given, were belted with a long, thin strap of leather binding fiber. This passes once around the body, and then again, and then is tied, snugly, over the right hip....The belt of binding fiber not only makes it easier to adjust the camisk to a given girl, but of course, the binding fiber serves to remind her that she is in bondage. In a moment it may be removed, and she may be secured with it, leashed, or bound hand and foot....The camisk, in its way, is an incredibly attractive garment.It displays the girl, but provocatively. Moreover, it proclaims her slave, and begs to be torn away by the hand of the master. Men thrill to see a girl in a camisk.
Captive of Gor, page 64

 

Turian Camisk

"The Turian camisk, on the other hand, if it were to be laid out on the floor, would appear somewhat like an inverted "T" in which the bar of the "T" would be beveled on each side. It is fastened with a single cord. The cord binds the girl at three points, behind the neck, behind the back, and in front at the waist. The garment itself, as might be supposed, fastens behind the girls neck, passes before her, fastens between her legs, and is then lifted and, folding the two sides of the "T's" bar about her hips, ties in front. The Turian camisk, unlike the common camisk, will cover the girl's brand; on the other hand, unlike the common camisk, it leaves the back uncovered and can be tied, and is, snugly, the better to disclose the girl's beauty."
Nomads of Gor, page 90

 

Chalwar  

A diaphonous trouser garment, gathered in at the ankles, but billowy otherwise. It is normally worn with a matching vest, tight, four hooked, that keeps the midriff bare. It is a Tahari outfit.
She wore a high tight vest of red silk, with four hooks; her midriff was bare; she wore the sashed chalwar, a sashed, diaphanous trousered garment, full but gathered in, closely, at the ankles; she was barefoot; her wrists and ankles were bangled; she was veiled; she was collared.
Tribesmen of Gor, page 105
 
 

Clad Kajir

This is the term used to denote a slave who is clad in the way of the Wagon Peoples, this clothing varies for the kajirae and kajiri. For the female she wears a red cord called the Curla tied around her waist which holds in place the Chatka, anarrow strip of black leather that passes through her legs. The Kalmak which is a black leather vest and the Koora, a strip of red cloth which holds her hair back. A kajiri must only wear the Kes, which is a sleeveless black work tunic.
Among the Wagon Peoples, to be clad Kajir means, for a girl, to wear four articles, two red two black; a red cord, the Curla, is tied about the waist; the Chatka, or long , narrow strip of black leather, fits over the cord in front, passes under, and then again, from the inside, passes over the cord in back; the chatka is drawn tight; the Kalmak is then donned; it is a short sleeveless vest of black leather; lastly the koora, a strip of red cloth, matching the Curla, is wound about the head, to hold the hair back, for slave women, among the Wagon Peoples, are not permitted to braid, or otherwise dress their hair; it must be, save for the koora, worn loose. for a male slave or Kajirus, of the Wagon Peoples, and there are few, save for the work chains, to be clad Kajir means to wear the Kes, a short, sleeveless work tunic of black leather. Nomads of Gor, page 30
 
 

Kes

A short, sleeveless tunic of black leather "For a male slave, or Kajirus, of the Wagon Peoples, and there are few, save for the work chains, to be clad Kajir means to wear the Kes, a short, sleeveless work tunic of black leather." Nomads of Gor, page 30
 
 

Kirtle

A sleeveless dress of white wool which hangs down to the ankles, the neckline is split down to the belly for better display. This is worn in the North areas like Torvaldsland.
"I saw four small milk bosk grazing on short grass. In the distance, above the acres, I could see mountains, snowcapped. A flock of verr, herded by a maid with a stick, turned bleating on the sloping hillside. She shaded her eyes. She was blond; she was barefoot; she wore an ankle-length white kirtle of white wool, sleeveless, split to her belly; about her neck I could see a dark ring." Marauders of Gor, page 81
 
 

Red Hunter Slave Dress

"Before he had left, he had them sew northern garments for themselves, under his instruction. From the furs and hides among the spoils at the wall they had cut and sewn for themselves stockings of lartskin and shirts of hide, and a light and heavy parka, each hooded and rimmed with lart fur. Too, they had made the high fur boots of the northern woman and the brief panties of fur, to which the boots, extending to the crotch, reach. On the hide shirts and parkas he had made them sew a looped design of stitching at the left shoulder, which represented binding fiber. This designated the garments as those of beasts. A similar design appeared on each of the other garments. About their throats now, too, they wore again four looped strings, each differently knotted, by means of which a red hunter might, upon inspection, determine that their owner was Imnak." Beasts of Gor, page 176
 
 

Red Savage Slave Dress

"About her throat, narrow, sturdy and closely fitting, was a steel collar. I stepped back that I might see her better. She wore a short, fringed, beaded shirtdress. This came up high on her thighs. It was split to her waist, revealing the sweetness and loveliness of her breasts. It was belted upon her with a doubly looped, tightly knotted rawhide string. Such a string is more than sufficient, in its length, and in the strength and toughness, to tie a woman a number of ways. She was barefoot. About her left ankle there was, about two inches high, a beaded cuff, or anklet. Her garb was doubtless intended to suggest the distinctive, humiliating and scandalously brief garment in which red savages are sometimes pleased to place their white slaves." Savages of Gor, page 102
 
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Silks

Brief, sleeveless garments made of silk, usually short. Worn only by slave girls, though not all slave girls wore silks. The status of slave girls is often denoted by the color of her silks (though she may not actually be wearing the silks). For example, a girl may be wearing the silks of a Slaver (blue and yellow in color) or depending on her experience, she is called 'white silk' or 'red silk'. The silk colors (especially red and/or white are used as labels as well as actual colors of their garments)
"I slipped on the bit of silk. I looked in the mirror and shuddered. I had been naked before men, many times, but it did not seem to me that I had been so naked as this. It was Gorean pleasure silk. Not naked, I seemed more than naked." Captive of Gor, Pg. 322
"Slave Silk, and certainly that sort which is commonly worn in page taverns and upon occasion in brothels, when the girls are permitted clothing there, is generally diaphanous. It leaves little doubt as to the beauty of the slave. Some girls claim they would rather be naked, claiming that such silk makes them 'more naked then naked,' but most girls, and I think, even those, too, who speak in such a way, are grateful for even the wisp of gossamer shielding it provides against the imperious appraisals of masters, even though it must be pulled away or discarded instantly at a man's whim."
Dancer of Gor, Pg. 224
"There are a large number of ways in which slave silk is worn. It can be worn, for example, on the shoulder or off the shoulder, with high necklines or plunging necklines, in open or closed garments, tightly or flowing, and in various lengths. Sometimes it is put on the girl only in halters and G-strings, or mere G-strings. Sometimes it is done, too, in strips wound about her body. The tying of slave girdles, with such silk, and otherwise, to emphasize the girl's figure and make clear her bondage, is an art in itself. Often, too, and as usually in paga taverns, it is worn in brief tunics. Most of these are partable or wraparound tunics. Such may be removed gracefuly. Some tunics, however, like some regular slave tunics, have a disrobing loop, usually at the left shoulder, where it may easily be reached by both a right-handed master and a right handed slave. A tug on the disrobing loop drops the tunic to the girl's ankles, also gracefully."
Dancer of Gor, Pg. 225
  • White: denotes a virgin (though often the girl doesn't actually have to wear white silks. If she is a virgin, she is said to be 'white silk')


"Are you white silk?' I asked.
'I am virgin,' she said.
'Then you are white silk.' I said." Explorers of Gor, page 172
 
"She trembled. I kissed her upon the lips. Her body, that of a white-silk girl, fresh to the collar, was terribly frightened." Hunters of Gor, page 95
 
"To be sure,' I said, '"white" in the context of "white-silk girl" lends less to suggest purity and innocence to the Gorean than ignorance, naivety, and a lack of experience. One expects a red-silk girl, for example, to not only be able to find her way about the furs, but, subject to the whip, owned and dominated, perhaps chained, to prove herself a sensuous treasure within them." Savages of Gor, page 206
 
" The buyers were also informed that I was 'glana' or virgin. The correlated term is 'metaglana' used to designate the state to which the glana state looks forward, or that which it is regarded as anticipating. Though the word was not used of me I was also 'profalarina' which term designates the state preceding, and anticipating that of 'falarina' or the state Goreans seem to think of as that of being a full woman, or, at least, as those of Earth might think of it, one who certainly is no longer a virgin. In both terms, 'glana' and 'profalarina' incidentally, it seems that the states they designate are regarded as immature or transitory, state to be succeeded by more fully developed, superior states, those of 'metaglana' or 'falarina.' Among slaves, not free women, these things are sometimes spoken of along the lines as to whether or not the girl has been 'opened' for the uses of men. Other common terms, used generally of slaves, are 'white silk' and 'red silk' for girls who have not yet been opened, or have been opened, for the uses of men, respectively."
Dancer of Gor, page 128
  • Yellow: worn by paga slaves..girls who serve paga in the taverns and can be bought for the price of a cup of paga.

"I looked about myself. There were men at the tables, the girls, in slave bells, and yellow silk, serving them. The proprietor had now returned behind the counter, as was polishing paga goblets." Hunters of Gor, page 55 "She came through the kitchen door, in the tiny slip of diaphanous yellow silk alotted to paga slaves, bells locked on her left ankle."
Hunters of Gor, page 56
 
"He nodded to the girl. To the music she unhooked her slave halter of yellow silk and, as though contemptuously, discarded it...."
Tribesmen of Gor, page 104
  • Red: a slave who is not a virgin (though again, the girl doesn't actually have to wear red silks all the time, if she is a slave who is not a virgin, she is red silk)

"Similarly, the expression, 'red-silk,' in Gorean, tends to be used as a category in slaving, and also, outside of the slaving context, as an expression in vulgar discourse, indicating that the woman is no longer a virgin, or, as the Goreans say, at least vulgarly of slaves, that her body has been opened by men. Its contrasting term is 'white-silk,' usually used of slaves who are still virgins, or equivalently, slaves whose bodies have not yet been opened by men. Needless to say, slaves seldom spend a great deal of time in the 'white-silk' category. It is common not to dally in initiating a slave into the realities of her condition."
Blood Brothers of Gor, page 472
  • Various: The silks came in many styles and colors...striped, tunic-styles or halters...dancing silks, etc etc...

"The other girls, the common slaves, like Tendite, went with the price of a cup of paga."
Hunters of Go, page 55


I missed in the crowd, the presence of slave girls, common in other cities, usually lovely girls clad only in the brief, diagonally striped livery of Gor, a sleeveless, briefly skirted garment terminating some inches above the knee, a garment that contrasts violently with the heavy, cumbersome Robes of Concealment worn by free women."
Outlaw of Gor, page 66
 
"...on the shoulder or off the shoulder, with high necklines or plunging necklines, in open or closed garments, tightly or flowingly, and in various lengths...in halters and G-strings, or mere G-strings...in strips wound about her body...in brief tunics...wraparound tunics...or with a disrobing loop...at the left shoulder." Dancer of Gor, page 225
 
"Low on her hips she wore, on a belt of rolled cloth, yellow dancing silk, in Turian drape, the thighs were bare, the front right corner of the skirt thrust behind her to the left, the back left lower corner of the skirt thrust into the rolled belt at her right hip. She was barefoot; there were golden bangles, many of them, on her ankles, more on her left ankle. She wore a yellow-silk halter, hooked high, to accentuate the line of her beauty. She wore a gold, locked collar, and, looped about her neck, many light chains and pendants; on her wrists were many bracelets; on her upper arms, both left and right, were armlets, tight, there being again more on the left arm. She shook her head, her hair was loose."
Tribesmen of Gor, page 87
 
"From one side a slave girl, barefoot, bangled, in sashed, diaphanous, trousered chalwar, gathered at the ankle, its tight, red-silk vest, with bare midriff, fled to him, with the tall, graceful, silvered pot containing the black wine. She was veiled. She knelt, replenishing the drink. Beneath her veil, I saw the metal of her collar." Tribesmen of Gor, page 88
 
 
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Sirik

A 'chain dress' of sorts...made of looping chains from the collar to wrist and ankle rings. The chain is usually light and shiny. A chain system with a collar from which flows a chain down to the slave's feet, off of this chain are chains with terminations for the ankles and wrists of the slave.
Then, when I was absolutely naked, a golden collar, to which a chain was attached, with wrist rings and ankle rings, was brought. It was a chaining system of that sort called a sirik. My chin was thrust up and I felt the golden collar locked about my throat. Almost as the same time my wrists, held closely together before me, were locked helplessly in the wrist rings. In another instant, my ankles, held, were helplessly in the ankle rings. A chain then ran from my collar to the chain on my wrist rings and from thence, the same chain, to the chain on my ankle rings. My ankle rings chain was about twelve inches in length, and my wrist chain was about six inches in length. The central chain, where it dangled down from the wrist rings, lay on the floor before the throne, before it looped up to where it was closed about the central link of the ankle ring chain.
Kajira of Gor, pages 185-186
 
"....both girls wore the Sirik, a light chain favored for female slaves by many Gorean masters; it consists of a Turian-type collar, a loose, rounded circle of steel, to which a light, gleaming chain is attached; should the girl stand,the chain, dangling from her collar, falls to the floor; it is about ten or twelve inches longer than is required to reach from her collar to her ankles; to this chain,at the natural fall of her wrists, is attached a pair of slave bracelets; at the end of the chain there is attached another device, a set of linked ankle rings, which,when closed about her ankles,lifts a portion of the slack chain from the floor; the Sirik is an incredibly graceful thing and designed to enhance the beauty of its wearer; perhaps it should only be added that the slave bracelets and the ankle rings may be removed from the chain and used separately; this also, of course, permits the Sirik to function as a slave leash."
Nomads of Gor, page 42
 
"She lifted up some loops of chain; there were linked ankle rings and linked wrist rings and a lock collar, all connected by a length of gleaming chain running from the collar. It was rather lovely...'Sirik,' said Eta.
Slave Girl of Gor, page 83
 
 

Slave Livery

The most common of slave outfits, it is basically a very short dress, split down the middle, held together with a cord. It rides high upon the thighs and comes in a variety of patterns and materials.
She wore the briefly skirted, sleeveless slave livery common in the northern cities of Gor; the livery was yellow and split to the cord that served as her belt; about her throat she wore a matching collar, yellow enameled over steel.Assassins of Gor, page 7
 
 

Taharian Slave Dress

 
"Following him was a woman, in a black haik. Suddenly I was startled. As she passed me, her stride small and measured, I head the clink of a light chain, the sound of ankle bells. She was a slave....Beneath the haik, I supposed her collared, naked."
Tribesmen of Gor, page 45
 
"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, page 44
 
 

Ta-Teera

Sometimes called the Gorean Slave Rag, it is scandalously short and of brown cloth, fastened tightly about the body to accentuate every curve of the slave which wears it. It is an utterly sensual garment.
 
Eta pulled at the bit of rag she wore. "Ta-Teera," she said. I looked down at the scrap of rag, outrageously brief, so scandalous, so shameful, fit only for a slave girl, which I wore. I smiled. I had been placed in a Ta-Teera.
 
Slave Girl of Gor, page 81"It was with joy, later in the morning, that I felt, thrown against my body by my master, a bit of brown cloth. It was a few threads, fit for a bond girl...Joyfully I drew on the garment, slipping it over my head, and fastened it, more tightly about me by the two tiny hooks on the left. The slit made the garment a rather snug one, easier to slip into; the two hooks, when fastened, naturally increased the snugness of the garment, drawing it quite closely about the breasts and hips, deliciously then, from the point of view of a man, the girl's figure is betrayed and accentuated; also the two hooks do not close the slit on the left completely, but permit men to gaze upon the sweet slave flesh pent, held captive within." Slave Girl of Gor, pages 75-76
 
"One of the most exciting slave garments, if a slave is permitted clothing, is the Ta-Terra or, as it is sometimes called, the slave rag. This is analogous to the tunic, but it is little more, and intentionally so, than a rag or rags. In it the girl is in no doubt as the whether or not she is a slave. Some cities don not wish girls in Ta-Teeras to be seen publically on the streets. Some masters put their girls in such garments only when they are camping, or in the wild. Others, of course, may prescribe the Ta-Teera for their girls when they are within their own compartments." Guardsmen of Gor, page 107
Eta pulled at the bit of rag she wore. "Ta-Teera," she said. I looked down at the scrap of rag, outrageously brief, so scandalous, so shameful, fit only for a slave girl, which I wore. I smiled. I had been placed in a Ta-Teera." Slave Girl of Gor, page 81
 
 

Thrall Tunic

A short work tunic of white wool that male slaves of Torvaldsland, called thralls, are dressed in.
Men in the fields wore short tunics of white wool; some carried hoes; their hair was close cropped; about their throats had been hammered bands of black iron, with a welded ring attached.
Marauders of Gor, page 82
 
 

Tunic

The simplest form of dressing a slave, the work tunics were generally brown, made of rep cloth. Both males and females wore such garments.
"I wore a brief, one-piece brown work tunic. It was all I wore, with the exception of the collar. We wore such tunics when engaged as work slaves. The tunics of work slaves are usually brown or gray." Slave Girl of Gor, page 265
It was a sleeveless tunic pullover of brown rep cloth. It was generously notched on both sides at the hem, which guarantees an additional baring of its occupants flanks." Magicians of Gor, page 21

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 Slave Rules



  1. Slaves have "NO" belongings or rights. They have nothing that is not given to them or allowed by their Owners. A slave must realize any and all things can be taken from them including their name. 
  2. A slave will always be respectful. If a slave feels like arguing with a Free, they will remember that they will have the last words, those being "Yes Master/Mistress.'
  3. Slaves are required to ask permission to leave. If no free is about they must ask the first girl or another slave within the home. If you are alone and need to leave for r/t then post something in the room. And do so. You DO NOT have to ask 3 times before leaving. 
  4. When entering Tarsk Head a slave will greet individually in the following order: Ubar, Masters of the Home, Visiting Masters, Ubara, Free Women of the Home, Visiting Free Women, slaves of their chain if any, First Girl, Home Slaves, Visiting Slaves 
  5. Always ask permission to PM a Free. If a Visiting Free PM's without permission of a Home Free, the slave should post it publicly. Or post it to the boards and allow a Free to handle it.
  6. When a raid occurs. Please proceed to the slave cages. lock yourself in and stay there until a Member of the Home lets you out.
  7. Slaves do not talk of their purchase/services. They should refer the matter to their Owner.
  8. Slaves traveling is up to their Owner. Those in the Home collar normally do not travel unless with an accompany Free. 
  9. When serving, your attention is on the Free you are serving. You do not acknowledge anything until the serve is complete or the Free dismisses you from the serve. Or you are released by said Free. 
  10. As a slave you are to offer serve to all Free's in the Home plus those visiting. BUT, only offer a visiting Free serve if you know them or if a Free of the Home has acknowledge them. This is for the slaves safety. 
  11. Slaves must ask/beg permission to keep, eat, wear or use anything given to them. 
  12. You should spend as much time as you can in the Home. If you are alone it is a good time to do chores. 
  13. Do not touch money with their hands unless your Owner allows it. If you take coin it is within your lips and given to the Free it belongs to. Post to the board. 
  14. Slaves do not touch weapons or other items that maybe mistook for a weapon. Without permission of a Free to do a chore. 
  15. Visitors to the Home are not greeted until a Free of the Home acknowledge them. Unless it is a Guest of the Home. 
  16. If an uncollared slave enters the Home. Greet them, let them know they may ask questions. And tell them to read the pages. 
  17. Leave real time issues outside of the Home. If you are not capable of exquisite beauty and absolute obedience don't enter. 
  18. If you need to ghost let someone know. And come back ASAP. if you will be gone longer than expected. then leave and come back when possible. 
  19. You are required to do 3 chores a week. 
  20. All slaves are required to do chores even those whom belong to visiting Free. If you are caughts sitting and doing nothing you can and will be caged by the First Girl. the reason why posted to the board until a Free releases you. 
  21. The Ubar is the last person to know of problems amongst the slaves. If you have a problem with another slave or with your training. Take it to the First Girl. If she cannot handle it then she will take it to the Free. And it will be handle from there.
 
 

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Slave Types


Gorean Slaves differ in many ways, each serving a different purpose, each having unique qualities then another. Some are used for pleasure, some for work, some for cooking and some merely to look at. Depending on the preference of the Master and his use of a slave, girls are sought out for different reasons. Luckily for Masters wishing a particular slave, there is a vast variety to choose from. Certain slaves are only good for one thing, however, slaves can be taught.
 

Barbarian

" 'Are many Gorean slave girls of Earth origin?' she asked.
'I assume all human Goreans are of Earth origin,' I said.
'I mean,' she said, 'like me, a girl born and raised on Earth, and then brought to Gor as a slave.'
'Statistically,' I said, 'surely few. How many I would not know.'
'Ten,' she asked, 'twenty?'
'Perhaps some four or five thousand,' I said. 'I would not know.' Such a number, I conjectured, would not even be missed in a population which teemed like that of Earth."
Beasts of Gor, page 247
 

Bath Girls

Beneath the toweling Nela wore nothing; about her neck, rather than a common slave collar, she like the other bath girls, wore a chain and plate. On her plate was the legend: I am Nela of the Capacian Baths. Pool of Blue Flowers. I cost one tarsk. Nela was an expensive girl, thought there were pools where the girls cost as much as a silver tarn disk. The tarsk is a silver coin, worth forty copper tarn disks. All the girls in the Pool of Blue Flowers cost the same, except novices in training who would go for ten or fifteen copper tarn disks. There were dozens of pools in the vast, spreading Capacian Baths. In some of the larger pools the girls went as cheaply as one copper tarn disk. For the fee one was entitled to use the girl as he wished for as long as he wished, his use of course, limited by the hours of the pool’s closing. The first time I had seen Nela, several days ago, she had been playing in the pool alone, rolling about. It took but one glance and I dove into the water swam to her, seized her by the ankle and dragged her under, kissing her, rolling about beneath the surface. I liked the lips and feel of her and when we broke surface, she and I laughing, I asked her how much she went for. “For a tarsk,”she laughed, and turned about, looking at me, “but you will have to catch me first.” I knew this game of the bath girls, as though they, mere slaves, would dare to truly flee from one who pursued them, and I laughed, and she, too, sensing my understanding, laughed. The girl commonly pretends to swim away but is outdistanced and captured. I knew that few men could, if a bath girl did not wish it, come close to them in the water. They spend much of the day in the water and , it is said, are more at ease in that element than the Cosian song fish.
Assassins of Gor, pages 158 - 166...
 

Below Deck Girls

...The girls in the deck cages are permitted to keep their hair. The hair of the below-deck girls, mercifully, is shaved off; indeed, our body hair, too, was shaved off, completely. These precautions prevent, to a great extent, the nesting of ship lice...
Slave Girl of Gor, 16:321
 

Bond Maids

"The women cried out in misery. To enter the circle, if one is a female, is, by the laws of Torvaldsland, to declare oneself a bond-maid. A woman, of course, need not enter the circle of her own free will. She may, for example, be thrown within it, naked and bound. Howsoever she enters the circle, voluntarily or by force, free or secured, she emerges from it, by the laws of Torvaldsland, as a bond-maid."
Marauders of Gor, page 44
 

Bred Slaves

"I remembered, too, the girls in the last tavern, if it was a tavern, lascivious in their dancing silks, pleasure slaves bred like animals for passion. If there were natural slaves and natural free men, as the Older Tarl had insisted, those girls were natural slaves. It was impossible to conceive of them as other than they had been..."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 61
 

Chamber Slave

"As I had expected about her white throat there was fastened, graceful and gleaming, the slender, close-fitting collar of a Gorean slave girl.
It was a collar ike most others, of steel, secured with a small, heavy lock which closed behind the girl's neck.
'You see', said the girl, 'I did not lie to you.'
'Your demeanor,' I said, 'does not suggest that of a slave girl.'
She rose to her feet and backed away, her hands at the shoulders of her robe.
'Nonetheless,' she said, 'I am a slave girl.' She turned away, 'Do you wish to see my brand?' she asked, comtemptuously.
'No,' I said.
So she was a slave girl.
But on her collar there was not written the name of her owner and his city, as I would have expected. Instead I had read there only the Gorean numeral which would correspond to '708'.
'You may do with me what you please' said the girl, turning to face me. 'as long as you are in this room I belong to you.'
'I don't understand,' I said.
'I am a Chamber Slave,' she said.
'I don't understand,' I said.
'It means,' she said,irritably, 'that I am confined to this room, and that I am the slave of whoever enters the room.'
'But surely you can leave,' I said.
I gestured to the massive portal which, empty of the door or gate, led only too clearly into the corridor beyond.
'No,' she said bitterly, 'I cannot leave.' I arose and walked through the portal and found myself in a long stone passageway beyond it which stretched as far as I could see in either direction. It was lit with energy bulbs.
Standing in the passageway outside the room I extended my hand to the girl. 'Come,' I said. 'there is no danger.'
She ran to the far wall and crouched against the it, 'No,' she cried.
I gathered her in my arms and she fought like a she-larl, screaming, I wanted to convince her that there was no danger, that her fears were groundless. Her fingernails clawed across my face.
I was angered and I swept from her feet so she was helpless in my arms.
I began to carry her toward the portal.
'Please.' she whispered, her voice hoarse with terror. 'Please, Master, no, no, Master!.'
She sounded so piteous that I abandoned my plan and released her, though I was irritated by her fear.
She collapsed at my feet, shaking and whimpering,and put her head to my knee. 'Look!,' she said, pointing to the great threshold.
I looked but I saw nothing other then the stone sides of the portal and on each side three rounded red domes, of perhaps four inches width apiece.
'They are harmless,' I said, for I had passed them with safety. To demonstate this I again left the chamber.
Outsife the chamber, carved over the portal, I saw something I had not noted before. In Gorean notation, the numeral '708' was carved above the door. I now understood the meaning of the numeral on the girl's collar. I re-entered the chamber. 'You see, I said, 'they are harmless.'
'For you,' she said, 'not for me.'
'Why not,' I asked.
'There,' she said, pointing to the small rounded domes set in the sides of the portal.
'I don't understand,' I said.
She moved from my arms and approached the portal. When she was within perhaps a yard of the exit the small red domes began to glow."
Priest Kings of Gor, pages 35 - 39
 

Coin Girl

"The girl had been half naked, in a brown rag. I had thought she had been superb. To be sure Coin Girls are usually regarded as the lowest form of Gorean street slave."
Guardsman of Gor, page 144

"I continued to walk up the Street of the Writhing Slave. Such girls, now, as it was late, past the nineteenth Ahn, would surely, at least for the most part, be chained in their basement kennels, lying on their straw mats, trying to sleep, clutching their thin blankets about their nude bodies."
Guardsman of Gor, page 144

" 'It is late,' said the girl with the leash. 'It is past the nineteenth Ahn. That you should be out now is even against the agreements of the renters of Coin Girls.'
Guardsman of Gor, page 149
 

Dancing Slave

Dancers bring high prices on Gor. Some slavers specialize in dancers, renting them, and buying and selling them. Two such houses in Ar are those of Kelsius and Aurelius. Some say that the finest dancers on Gor are found in Ar; others say that they are found in Port Kar, and others that they are in the Tahari, or in Tuna. These controversies, I think, are fruitless. I have been in many cities and in each I have found marvelous dancers. The matter is further complicated by the buying and selling of girls and their shipment, as merchandise, among cities. A dancer has usually had many masters; her fair throat has been graced by many collars. In some cities if a dancer is not thought to have been sufficiently pleasing she is thrown to the patrons of the tavern to be torn to pieces or beaten. If she is thought to have been sufficiently pleasing she may be auctioned, for the period of an Ahn, to the highest bidder.
Explorers of Gor, 33:343
 

Display Slave

I felt the collar on my throat. It was the collar of Ionicus. I was a work slave. Yet, tonight, I had not served as a work slave, but a pleasure slave. Too, Aulus had chained me at his stirrup. He had used me as a display slave, to enhance his appearance, to add to the effect he might make when he came into the presence of Pietro Vacchi. It is a use for slaves. I was proud that I had been put at his stirrup. In such small ways a slave may gather that she is exciting and beautiful....
Dancer of Gor, 27:367
 

First Girl

" 'You are 1st girl,' I told Constance.
'Yes, Master' she said. 'Constance is 1st girl,' I told her who had been the Lady Tina of Lydius.
'Yes, Master', said she who had been the Lady Tina of Lydius.
'Address her as Mistress,' I told the former free girl.
'Mistress,' said she who had been the former Lady Tina of Lydius, frightened, to Constance.
'Slave,' responded Constance to her, confirming the former free woman as second girl.
...the two girls, the blond and the brunet, first girl and second girl, yet both really new slaves, neither of whom had as yet even been branded." Beasts of Gor, page 135
 

Flute Girl

"This is not unusual at an inn. The proportions, then, would be one part paga to five parts water. Commonly, at a paga tavern, the paga would be cut less, or not cut at all. When wine is drunk with Gorean meals, at home, incidentally, it is almost always diluted, mixed with water in a krater. At a party of convivial supper the host, or elected feast master, usually determines the proportions of water to wine. Unmixed wine, of course, may be drunk, for example, at the parties of young men, at which might appear dancers, flute slaves and such. Many Gorean wines, it might be mentioned, if only by way of explanation, are very strong, often having an alcohol content by volume of forty to fifty percent."
Renegades of Gor, page 70
 

Guard Slave

" ...too, a free person on Gor is almost never in any danger from a slave unless it be a guard slave, and he is attacking it's Master."
Kajira of Gor, pg 123
 

House Slave

...I knelt small there by the table, trembling, my head down. I knew I had done wrong, daring to touch Milo, I, he so favored by the master and I only a house slave, but I had been unable to help myself....
Magicians of Gor, 19:312
 

kajiru

"The brand itself, in the case of the girls, is a rather graceful mark, being the initial letter of the Gorean expression for slave in cursive script. If a male is branded, the same initial is used, but in a block letter."
Outlaw of Gor, pages 186 - 187
"In some cities, including Ar, an unchained male slave is almost never seen; there are, incidentally, far fewer male slaves than female slaves;"
Assassin of Gor, page 51 " 'You seem to have no male slaves,' I observed.
'They are now scarce in Schendi,' he said. 'Bila Huruma, Ubar of Lake Ushindi, uses them for work on his great canal.' "
Explorers of Gor, page 125
 

Kettle Slave

On her throat as well were wound the five coils of binding fiber, declaring her slave. Of the four girls only she did not wear silk, for she was only a Kettle Slave. She wore a brief tunic only of rep-cloth, already stained with grease and the spatterings of the kitchen. Her hair was not combed, and there was dirt on her knees and face. Her face was tired, and strained, and red, flushed from the heat of the cooking fires. Her hands had been blistered from scrubbing and burned from the cooking, roughened and reddened from the cleaning and the washing of the bowls and goblets. I found great pleasure in seeing the proud Telima, who had been my Mistress, as mere Kettle Slave.
Raiders of Gor, 9:112
 

Lure Girl

...Such devices, of course, but without the authenticity and ultimate surrender, are often resorted to by "lure girls," slaves who serve as bait for captains who need crewmen, masters of work gangs, and such. Such work can be very dangerous, given the astuteness of many Gorean masters....
Dancer of Gor, 13:244
 

Male Slaves

"Gorean men do not surrender their birthright as males, their rightful dominance, their appropriate mastery. They do not choose to be dictated to by females."
Magicians of Gor, page 51
"A male slave can be slain for touching a free woman."
Kajira of Gor, page 144
"For a male slave, or Kajirus, of the Wagon Peoples, and there are few, save for the work chains.”
Nomads of Gor, page 30
"The brand itself, in the case of the girls, is a rather graceful mark, being the initial letter of the Gorean expression for slave in cursive script. If a male is branded, the same initial is used, but rendered in a block letter."
Outlaw of Gor, page 187
 

Mat and Kettle Slave

...At the minor blocks in the small houses, or even the minor blocks in the Curulean, sales are conducted with a swiftness and dispatch that gives the girl little time to interest and impress buyers, with the result that even a very fine girl, to her indignation and shame, may be sold for only an average price to an average buyer, who may use her for little more than, as it is said, kettle and mat.Assassin of Gor, 9:112
 

Mul

"I am Mul-Al-Ka," said one, "honored slave of the glorious Priest-Kings."
"I am Mul-Ba-Ta," said the other, "honored slave of the glorious Priest-Kings."
"In the Nest," said Misk, "the expression 'Mul' is used to designate a human slave."
Priest-Kings of Gor, 12:94
 

Paga Slave

I noted that Tendite now, again, served in the tavern. I noted, too, that, clad in yellow silk, belled on the left ankle, as another paga girl, the dancer, she whom Thurnock had sported with, too, carried a vessel of paga about. When she was not dancing, Sarpedon, I gathered, used her as a common paga slave, not unlike the others. It was more economical, I supposed, to do so.
"Greetings, Captain," said Thurnock.
"Greetings, Captain," said Rim.
Both men seemed well relaxed.
I nodded with my head toward the dancer, now serving as a common paga slave. I did not wish my men to be cheated. "How much did she cost you?" I asked Thurnock.
"Since, when not dancing, she serves with the common slaves," said Thurnock, "she came, like the others, for the price of a cup of paga."
Hunters of Gor, 4:62
 

Pierced Ear Slave

Another custom, long practiced in the far south, below the Gorean equator, in Turia, for example, is the piercing of the ears of the female slave; this custom, though of long standing in the far south, did not begin to spread with rapidity in the north until, again, it was introduced in Ar. At a feast Marlenus, as a special treat for his high officers, presented before them a dancer, a female slave, whose ears had been pierced. She had worn, in her degradation, golden loops in her ears; she had not been able, even, to finish her dance; at a sign from Marlenus she had been seized, thrown to the tiles on which she had danced, and raped by more than a hundred men. Ear piercing, from this time, had begun to spread rapidly through the north, masters, and slavers, often inflicting it on their girls. Interestingly, the piercing of the septum, for the insertion of a nose ring, is regarded, generally, a great deal more lightly by female slaves than the piercing of the ears. Perhaps this is partly because, in the far south, the free women of the Wagon Peoples wear nose rings; perhaps it is because the piercing does not show; I do not know. The piercing of the ears, however, is regarded as being the epitome of a slave girl's degradation. Any woman, it is said, with pierced ears, is a slave girl.
Marauders of Gor, 8:113
 

Pleasure Slave

"I remembered, too, the girls in the last tavern, if it was a tavern, lascivious in their dancing silks, pleasure slaves bred like animals for passion. If there were natural slaves and natural free men, as the Older Tarl had insisted, those girls were natural slaves. It was impossible to conceive of them as other than they had been..."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 61
 

Red Silk

"Cernus smiled. 'Our Physicians ascertained,' said he, 'that she is only a Red Silk Girl.'
'I scarcely supposed,' said I, 'that you would permit a White Silk girl to go alone on the streets of Ar.'
Cernus chuckled. 'Indeed not,' he said. 'The risk is too much, sometimes as much as ten gold pieces.'"
Assassin of Gor, page 45
 

Seduction Slave

"The handsome, charming, suave, witty Milo," said the fellow, "is a seduction slave."
"A seduction slave?" she wept.
"Yes," he said. "He has much increased my stock of slaves."
She tore at the net, in tears, but helpless.
"Had you, and your predecessors, not been so secretive, so much concerned to conceal your affairs with a slave, Milo’s utility as a seduction slave would have doubtless been much diminished by now. On the other hand, the concern for your reputation and such, so natural in you free women, almost guarantees the repeatability, and continued success, of these small pleasant projects."
Magicians of Gor, page 8
 

Silk Girl

" 'Look!' cried Pudding. 'a silk girl!' The expression 'silk girl' is used, often, among bond-maids of the north, to refer to their counterparts in the south. the expression reflects their belief that such girls are spoiled, excessively pampered, indulged and coddled, sleek pets, who have little to do but adorn themselves with cosmetics and await their Masters, cuddled cutely, on plush, scarlet coverlets, fringed with gold. there is some envy in this charge, I think. more literally, the expression tends to be based on the fact that the brief slave tunic of the south, the single garment permitted the female slave, is often of silk. southern girls, incidentally, in my opinion, though scarcely worked as their northern sisters in bondage, a function of the economic distinction between the farm and city, are often worked, and worked hard, particularly if they have not pleased their Masters."
Marauders of Gor, page 144
 

Thralls

There were only a few bosk visible, and they were milk bosk. The sheds I saw would accommodate many more animals. I surmised, as is common in Torvaldsland, most of the cattle had been driven higher into the mountains, to graze wild during the summer, to be fetched back to the shed only in the fall, with the coming of winter.
Men in the fields wore short tunics of white wool; some carried hoes; their hair was close cropped; about their throats had been hammered bands of black iron, with a welded ring attached. They did not leave the fields; such a departure, without permission, might mean their death; they were thralls."
Marauders of Gor, page 82
 

Tower Slave

"The position of the tower slave, in most cities, is very similar to that of the pleasure slave. The major difference is that the tower slave, whose duties are commonly, primarily, domestic, kneels with her knees in a closed position, whereas the pleasure slave, in a symbolic recognition of the fuller nature of her bondage, and its most significant aspects, kneels with them in open position. The tower slave, of course, like any other slave, is fully at the disposal of the master, in any and every way. The distinction between the tower slave and the pleasure slave, though honored in some markets, some specializing in girls sold primarily for housekeeping purposes and others in girls sold primarily for the pleasures of men, is not really a hard and fast distinction; it is not absolute; indeed, it can even be transitory. A girl who is ordered to open her knees, or who finds them kicked apart, for example, realizes that she has now become a pleasure slave. Similarly a girl in one context may function as one kind of slave and in another context, as another sort. Serving supper to a young man and his mother, for example, the girl may appear merely efficient and deferential. She kneels nearby, her knees closed. After the mother departs, however, she may kneel differently before the young man, with her knees open, his."
Blood Brothers of Gor, page107
 

Whip Slaves

--In the Mines of Tharna--
"The Whip Slave, another of the slaves of Tharna, but one in charge of the chain, was pleased with his task. Though he might never see the light of the sun, yet it was he who held the whip, he who was Ubar in this macabre dungeon.

There was pleasure in the eyes of the Whip Slave as he enjoyed the tormenting moment of suspense which his uplifted whip inflicted on the ragged, hungry slaves. The whip cracked. 'Feed!' he shouted."
Outlaw of Gor, page 169
 

White Silk

"Cernus smiled. 'Our Physicians ascertained,' said he, 'that she is only a Red Silk Girl.'
'I scarcely supposed,' said I, 'that you would permit a White Silk girl to go alone on the streets of Ar.'
Cernus chuckled. 'Indeed not,' he said. 'The risk is too much, sometimes as much as ten gold pieces.'"
Assassin of Gor, page 45
 

Work Slave 

"About her forehead, tying back her dark hair, was a strip of rep cloth, brown, of the same material as the work tunic. I knew this meant she had authority among the girls. Ena was high girl in the camp, but I suspected that Ute might be first among the work slaves."
Captive of Gor, page 285
 
 
 

 
 

Free Women

Clothing


City WomenRobes of Concealment
The norm for the Free Women of the cities of Gor is for them to wear robes of concealment and veils. Women of high caste are much more likely to wear robes of concealment and veils though many low caste women do as well. The general idea of this garb is to conceal a woman from head to toe, allowing only her eyes to be revealed, perhaps not even that. This garb is reminiscent of the clothing worn by Muslim women on Earth, though the Gorean garb may be even more intricate and bulky. Basically, the higher your caste or station, the more complex your clothing will be. A low caste woman may only own a single or a couple robes, while a high caste woman might own dozens of different ones. The robes are worn in layers, each outer layer being stiffer and bulkier than the one below it. Only a couple of robes were specifically named in the books though undoubtedly other robes are named as well. The street robe is a very stiff robe and it goes over the house robe, which is more flexible. The robes are kept secure by a series of eyes and hooks and it can take some time for a high caste woman to dress in her multiple layers. She will need help dressing properly. Gloves are also commonly worn. The robes may be of any colors though one's caste colors will often be the predominant color. Beneath these robes, a woman may wear a slip-like undergarment, its fabric dependent upon the wealth of the woman. High caste women are more likely to own an undergarment of silk or a similar material. A low caste woman is more likely to wear an undergarment of rep cloth. Bras, panties and hosiery are not worn on Gor.
 
Veils
Like robes, veils are worn in various numbers and combinations dependent upon one's Caste and station. Many low caste women possess only a single veil which must suffice for all occasions. High caste women often own many veils and will wear a number commensurate with the occasion. Some wealthy women may wear up to ten veils on a formal occasion. In general, most women will wear only one or two veils, such as the last veil and the street veil. Each veil is heavier and more opaque than the veil beneath it. A veil is commonly a long length of fabric that is wound around a woman's head and secured by veil pins. A narrow gap is left for one's eyes. There are a number of veils named in the books and others may exist as well. The last veil, also known as the light veil, is often worn next to one's face. It is similar in some ways to the intimacy veil. The intimacy veil is also worn next to the face but it is diaphanous. This veil is long though and can be wound several times around one's face, thus making it more opaque with each revolution. T he freedom veil, also known as the citizeness veil, is worn above the last veil. The pride veil is then worn above the freedom veil. The house veil is worn over the pride veil. The house veil is often worn indoors when the household is having guests, especially guests unfamiliar to the woman. The street veil is commonly the topmost veil worn in public. This veil is very heavy and absolutely opaque. There are also veils that signify one's position, such as the veil of state, an item worn by a tatrix or ubara. This will be an intricately embroidered item, fancy but still opaque.
 
Conventions
In many Gorean cities, such as Ar and Ar's Station, it is not legally mandatory for Free Women to wear robes of concealment and veils. It is more a matter of custom, tradition and modesty. But, there are some cities that make it mandatory and repeated violations can lead to enslavement. Part of the justification for this garb is to protect Free Women from being kidnapped by raiders. Most men will not risk their life to try to abduct a woman who might turn out to be ugly. It is much more profitable to steal a slave who they can easily see is attractive. Gorean men are aware that many Free Women do not take care of their figures. There are slavers, though, who specialize in the abduction of Free Women.
"There is a Gorean saying that Free Women, raised gently in the high cylinders, in their robes of concealment, unarmed, untrained in weapons, may, by the slaver, be plucked like flowers."
(Hunters of Gor, p. 118)
In the robes and veils, it is easy for a Free Woman to disguise her identity while she travels around the city. Another justification is that Free Women are supposed to be modest and not act like a slave in any way. Wearing clothes that are too revealing would be a social faux pas. Even in cities where such garb is not mandatory, there will still be laws that prevent Free Women from baring too much flesh in public. Violations of such laws can lead to enslavement. In addition, some high caste women do not want the low castes to see their faces. They feel they are above the low castes who are not worthy to look upon their faces. Normally only one's family may look upon a Free Woman without her veil. Within their homes, some women may not wear a veil in the presence of certain special guests. Free Women, when drinking in public, commonly lift their veils with their left hands to drink. Others will drink right through their veils. In public, some low caste women don't wear veils and a few bold high caste women may also not wear them. This is more likely to lead to negative ramifications for the high caste woman. Peer pressure helps to contribute to women wearing veils. If a high caste woman does not wear veils in public, she may find herself shunned by other women or even publicly insulted. Women of the barbaric lands often do not wear veils, and even women of some of the northern cities do not commonly wear veils. In the cities, it is often a serious crime for someone to face strip a Free Woman, to remove her veils against her will. It can be dangerous for other reasons as well.
"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, p. 402)
Footwear
Footwear for Free Women is commonly either sandals or slippers, dependent on caste. Boots may also be worn, dependent on the situation. Some women wear platform shoes, especially those of high caste or station. For example, Talena once wore platform shoes that were about ten inches high so she could look down upon the citizens of Ar.
 
Cosmetics and Hairdressing
Most Free Women rarely wear cosmetics or perfume, believing they are only for slaves. In certain cities, such as Ar, many Free Women do commonly use them. There are even stores that cater specifically to Free Women. Those stores do not commonly stock products for slaves, only Free Women. It is interesting though that many perfumers, hairdressers and cosmeticians treat their Free Women clients almost like slaves. This does not stop the Free Women from patronizing their establishments. Free Women may wear upswept hairdos, something generally not permitted to slaves who must often wear their hair long. Some Free Women even may purchase wigs or falls though they only want items made from the hair of Free Women. Women's hair is a common trade item and is especially prized for catapult ropes. During times of war, some Free Women will give their hair to the city to use for catapults.
 
Other Clothing
Certain women may wear garb other than robes, dependent on the situation. For example, wealthy Free Women who own orchards, fields, ranches, vineyards or such may wear different clothes when they are supervising or inspecting their properties. One type of such outfit includes a full skirt, its hem about six inches off the ground, a blouse, a belted jacket that falls to the thighs, a hood attached to the jacket by hooks, leather boots, and an opaque veil. The height of the skirt hem is to protect it from dirt, water or mud. Interestingly enough, it also functions as a slave control device for kajiri. The sight of a Mistress' ankle, even booted, is very alluring to a kajirus. He will want to stare at it but understands he can be punished for doing so. This will make him a bit tense and wary around his Mistress and this can be used to control the kajirus. Women who go hunting may also wear different garb such as hunting leathers or a tunic, trousers, a cape and boots. In the North, a kirtle is commonly worn. This is a dress similar to a robe, except that it may be more tailored to the figure. It can be plain or ornamented, belted, sashed or no waist binding. Additional items include vests and cloaks. Because of the colder climate, boots are commonly worn, though slippers may be worn indoors.

Free Companionship

Free Companionship Elsewhere
On Gor, except for Port Kar, free companionship lasts for a single year at a time, then it either must be renewed with the wines of love or it will dissolve. The renewal must be performed by the twentieth ahn, midnight, of the anniversary date. If either party dies or is enslaved, the free companionship will also dissolve. It is unknown whether the parties can voluntarily choose to dissolve, like a divorce, the free companionship prior to the year's end. As it is a contractual matter, the possibility exists, but the books do not speak on this matter. Free companionship is a very serious matter to Goreans. It is not entered into lightly and seems unlikely that Goreans would see a need to end it earlier than the year's end. There are others who feel differently about free companionship.
"Some Goreans think of the Free Companionship as being a form of contract slavery."
(Blood Brothers of Gor, p. 246)
Free companionships may either be arranged or entered into voluntarily by both parties. If it is an arrangement, there is often a companionship price also known as a bride-price. This is the amount of money or goods that the prospective man must pay to the father of the woman he desires to be his free companion. The bride-prices of high caste women are often in gold or tarns. A beautiful woman might cost as much as forty tarns while the daughter of an administrator could go as high as one hundred tarns. The daughter of an ubar might even cost one thousand tarns. Low castes also arrange free companionships, though the bride-price would be much lower. The woman is often not consulted concerning the matter. She must accept what her father arranges for her. Some women might not even see the face of their intended until the free companionship ceremony. Many low caste women will know their intended companion, though they will pretend otherwise. It will often be someone of their caste, someone they might see in the market or on the city streets.
The woman might be "…the same girl who slapped him with a fish yesterday and hurled such a stream of invective at him that his ears still smart,…"
(Outlaw of Gor, p. 68)
The books do not contain a complete free companionship ceremony, only small bits of information about its contents. In addition, it is clear that the ceremonies vary city to city. The only common denominator is that the ceremony includes the drinking of special wine, the wine of love. In some ceremonies, the couple will interlock their arms as they drink the wine. The wine must often be drunk to conclude the ceremony. In some ceremonies, the woman will wear eight veils, several which will be removed during certain phases of the ceremony. Some cities then have the final veils removed in private by the man while in other cities the final veils are removed in public during the ceremony. A person is only permitted to have a single free companion at a time. There is no limit to the number of subsequent free companions you may have. Free Women do not change their names in a free companionship like Earth women do in a marriage. A free companionship generally is supported by a companion contract outlining the conditions of the companionship. The books again do not contain the details of such contracts. There may be a feast celebration of the free companionship. At this event, it is common for the woman to wear a garland of talendars. If the prospective free companions are of different cities, the ceremony may be preceded by a companion or betrothal journey, where the woman journeys to the man's city. The wealthier the couple, the more involved this journey will be. Tarnsmen have a custom where the warrior playfully captures his intended woman and binds her across the saddle of his tarn. He then flies away with her, tossing her clothes to the ground below. Some men will even free a slave to make her his free companion. A female free companion, especially one of high caste, will often perform only the type of work they choose to do. They do not commonly work as a domestic servant in their home. There are public slaves who tend to chores such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. Such work is considered beneath most Free Women, especially those of high caste or station. This does give Free Women a lot of free time, especially if they do not work in their caste and do not have children.
 
ChildrenA vital function of the Free Women of Gor is to reproduce, to provide children to give longevity to their family and caste. The child of a slave is most often legally considered a slave. Few free men will thus have children with their slaves. That is considered a privilege of Free Women. In general, it is Free Women who care for and teach the children in their crucial beginning years of development. Slaves are not permitted to teach free people so they could not teach even children. Slaves are limited to lesser roles with children, more a playmate than much else. Children will thus learn a lot from their free mothers so it is the obligation of their mothers to ensure they learn the proper information. It is likely they are the ones that begin to teach children about the caste codes, their proper modes of behavior. Goreans are fond of children and rarely would cause them harm or suffering. Even slave children are seldom abused. Slave children may not even realize they are slaves until they are in their teenage years. Despite this general love of children, there is also a dichotomy involved as well. Some Free Women sell their infant children into slavery, mostly their daughters. Some women even do this on a regular basis. The standard price for an infant girl is about two tarsk bits, a very low value. Some infants, if they appear sickly or too weak, may be left out to die, exposed to the elements. Some children are left in the Voltai Mountains, a wooden skewer through their heels. Goreans do not consider this to be cruelty. Female children learn many ways to please men, including such matters as the preparation of exotic dishes, the arts of walking, standing and being beautiful, the care of a man's equipment, and certain dances. These dances may include the love dances of their city and the stately dances of free maidens. These stately ones might be performed to honor and welcome visiting dignitaries. It is a slow and graceful dance, very modest. Female children must also learn how to submit to a man as they never know when that might save their life one day. The threat of enslavement is a very real danger for all women. Thus, they want to be prepared as most women would prefer slavery to death.
 
FrigidityIn general Free Women are seen as frigid and sexually repressed. Many know little about sex and see it more as a duty and a chore rather than as a matter of mutual pleasure. This frigidity is considered acceptable for free women though slaves are not permitted that quality. Men are commonly disappointed by this frigidity, especially if they have experienced the wanton sexuality of a slave. It generally takes from a third to a quarter of an ahn, 18 to 24 minutes, to arouse a Free Woman to orgasm. Some Free Women are proud of their frigidity. They consider it important to show how different they are from slaves. Other Free Women seek to change that aspect and learn how to be more sexually responsive. Physicians commonly tell Free Women who seek advice on changing their frigidity to learn slave dancing. Most consider it appropriate, though, that Free Women remain ignorant of the sexuality of the slave.
"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, p. 17)


Free Women Laws

Within the books, there are basically two types of laws that deal with Free Women. There are laws that protect Free Women and there are laws that state when a Free Woman may be legally enslaved. In addition, there are certain universal conventions that exist dealing with the enslavement of Free Women. Though these do not have the power of law, honor often dictates that the conventions will be followed if appropriate. An important point to consider is that it is generally illegal to collar a Free Woman, within the city of her Home Stone, on your own. Even if a Free Woman violates one of the city laws where the punishment is slavery, the legal process must still be followed. Either magistrates or a court will decide if the woman's actions warrant her judicial enslavement. Men will act to protect women of their Home Stone from being illegally enslaved. Also remember that the following list of laws may not apply in all Gorean cities. This is simply a list derived from the books. Each city will have their own laws and may or may not follow one of the laws listed here. Other laws, that are not listed here, will also exist.

Laws
It is illegal to touch pleasure silk to the skin of a Free Woman. It is considered too sensuous a material for them. Face stripping, removing the veils of a Free Woman against her will, is considered a serious crime. A Free Woman may engage in a form of limited self-contracting where she legally becomes a slave for a specific time period, commonly ranging from one night to one year. She cannot end this contract earlier than the specified time period. Once the contract takes effect, she becomes a slave with no legal powers at all. This curious contractual arrangement is not described in great detail. It raises numerous legal dilemmas that can only be speculated about. The books do not state that the contract does or does not cover any contingencies or limits the slavery in any way. The woman does becomes an actual slave. That would seem to mean she could be freely killed. What would happen if she was sold? Does the contract prevent that? Would the time period still apply if she was sold? What would happen if she was stolen? This passage seems to raise far more questions than it answers.

The Couching Law states:
"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, p. 7)
This basically means that a Free Woman cannot have sex with a male slave she does not own. It does not prevent her from having sex with a slave she does own. It also means that she only has to prepare to have sex with someone else's slave to be in violation. Actual sex is not a requirement. Special seduction slaves are used by some owners to trap Free Women. Milo, from Magicians of Gor, is a prime example of a seduction slave. Tarl Cabot uses him to entrap Talena and enslave her by this law. The Couching Law exists in Ar and may have been adopted by other cities. There are other cities, like Vonda, that clearly do not have such a law because Free Women there may freely give their male slaves to a female guest. Debt can lead to a Free Woman's enslavement in either of two ways. First, if a father cannot pay his own debts, then his daughter may become the property of the state. She would then be publicly auctioned and her sale price would be used equitably to pay off her father's debts. The books do not state that sons are also susceptible to this law though it would seem unlikely that would be the case. Second, a Free Woman who cannot pay her own debts may be enslaved. There are redemption laws whereby another person can pay off the woman's debt and thus gain ownership of that woman. If no one chooses to pay off her debts within a specified time period then she will be sold to a slaver, the proceeds used to pay off her debt. The books do not specify the exact length of time before she would be sold to a slaver. This law is sometimes used by unscrupulous people to entrap Free Women. They may purchase a woman's debt from another and then request that the woman make good on the debt immediately. If the woman cannot do so, she will be enslaved. A Free Woman can sell herself into slavery but once the transaction is completed, it is too late for her to revoke it. If a Free Woman willingly submits to be a slave to a specific man, the city laws vary on what can happen. Some cities state that the woman becomes a slave automatically even if that particular man does not accept her submission. It seems probable she would thus become a state slave at that point. Other cities state that the woman remains free if that particular man does not accept her submission. If a Free Woman kneels before a man or addresses him as Master, this is sufficient to make her a slave. Her actions are interpreted as a gesture of submission. There is no law in the books that states a Free Woman may be legally enslaved for being insolent, insulting, ridiculing or demeaning a man. Some city laws require women to wear robes of concealment and veils. Repeated offenses of failure to wear them can lead to enslavement. Even in cities where the robes and veils are not mandatory, a Free Woman can still be enslaved for baring too much skin, especially her legs. There is an important legal principle concerning Free Women and "conduct indicating suitability for the collar." It deals with overt conduct that shows a predisposition to slavery, behavior that is considered sufficient grounds to legally enslave a woman. It will be judges or magistrates who make the decision on whether a particular woman's behavior warrants such a penalty. There would sometimes be a hearing with a presentation of evidence. Some of the behaviors known to warrant such a sanction include fraud, theft, indigency, vagrancy, prostitution, and performing sensuous dance. In addition, Free Women who show an inordinate amount of interest in slavery may also be found suitable for this sanction. If a woman tries to spy on men and their slaves, if they disguise themselves as a slave, or linger around slave markets, then they might find themselves being judicially enslaved. These cases will not always be clear cut and could entail a lengthy hearing.

Conventions
Here are two important conventions dealing with enslavement and Free Women. They do not have the effect of law but honor often dictates these conventions will be followed. These conventions are part of the Gorean tradition and thus are accorded much respect. The institution of capture is practiced by nearly every, if not every, city on Gor. If you capture women from another city, your own city will recognize the legality of that capture and your rightful possession of the new slave. Remember that those women must belong to another city. You cannot legally raid your own city to obtain women to be your slaves. The city you are raiding will defend its women but they also understand that captures are a part of life. If a man saves the life of a woman, convention states that he has the option to enslave her. In essence, the man has won the right to the woman's life by saving it. Though this is not a law, few people would refuse a man this right. Even a woman's own family would be likely to honor this convention. It would be considered to be the honorable course of action.

Restrictions
Free Women have a number of freedoms and restrictions within different cities, not all that reach the level of an actual law. They are much more based on tradition and Goreans are very supportive of tradition. The general freedom of a Free Woman is closely tied to each particular city. Ko-ro-ba may be the Gorean city that accords the most personal freedom to Free Women and Tharna, after its revolution, may be the most repressive. For example, in Tharna, Free Women who visit must temporarily wear a collar, slave tunic and leash. The other cities of Gor fall somewhere in between this spectrum. In some cities, Free Women are not permitted to leave their homes without the permission of a male relative or their free companion. In addition, some cities permit their women only to speak to blood relatives. Women commonly travel outside the cities only accompanied by a sufficient group of armed guards. They do not commonly travel with only a single guard. It can be very dangerous for women outside the cities. Even within the cities, some women will travel with guards though they are more apt to only travel with a single guard. This would apply more for women of high caste or high station who can afford such protection. The average peasant woman would not walk around Ar protected by an armed rarius. There are no known laws limiting the type of weapons that women may carry but practicality commonly limits their choices to daggers and/or poisoned needles. Poison is considered to be a woman's weapon, not a weapon of warriors or assassins. Women will carry their weapons concealed, hoping to rely on surprise if they ever need to actually defend themselves. Without the element of surprise, most men could easily disarm a woman. Some Free Women engage in the sport of hunting and are skilled in the use of the crossbow or small bow. They may even dress in hunting leathers, ride a tharlarion and hunt on their own, though that is dangerous. When sitting, Free Women kneel in what would be considered almost a tower slave position. Their hands though lie on their thighs, palms down. Free Women maintain good posture while kneeling. Free Women do not sit cross-legged as that is only for men. It is considered an insult to men for women to sit cross-legged. Free Women may enter a house first, rather than behind a man like a slave. Free Women commonly drink delicately and eat in small bites. A Free Woman might eat larger bites, though that is most often done to arouse a man she desires. Free Women are rarely permitted to observe slave dances that are erotic or especially sensuous. This is not because they might be offended but it is for their own protection. It is thought that such sights might inflame the slave desires within a Free Woman. Most Free Women dislike the theater, especially its more vulgar and ribald minor forms. If anything, they will attend performances incognito so others can not identify them. It is only the more serious and major forms of theater that Free Women feel comfortable attending. The Twelfth Passage Hand, just before the solemn Waiting Hand, is often a time of great festivities, a carnival. Carnival is also a time for people to don masks and bizarre costumes, allowing an opportunity for jokes and pranks. They also permit incognito assignations between free people. Some Free Women even go as far as to masquerade as slaves and run naked through the cities. Another common game during the Carnival is called Favors. In the basic version, Free Women are given ten scarves, each set unique to each woman. The Free Women then pass out the scarves to men and receive a kiss in return. The first woman who passes out all of her scarves and returns to the starting point wins. This gives Free Women a valid way to flirt during this specific time.

Rhetoric

The Gorean novels are filled with much rhetoric concerning beliefs about Free Women. Many of these sayings allege that all women are natural slaves. Most of these sayings are not mentioned in the presence of Free Women. They are what men say when they get together to discuss women.
"Every woman in her heart wants to wear the chains of a man."
(Priest-Kings of Gor, p. 204)
"The institution of freedom for women, I decided, as many Goreans believed, was a mistake."
(Nomads of Gor, p. 286)
"…the garments of a free woman are designed to conceal a woman's slavery,…"
(Rogue of Gor, p. 276)
"On Gor it is said that free women are slaves who have not yet been collared."
(Magicians of Gor, p. 22)
"A Gorean saying came to mind, that the free woman is a riddle, the answer to which is the collar."
(Magicians of Gor, p. 50)
Some of these sayings also allege that true love can only exist between a man and a kajira, not a Free Woman. The general idea is that, for women, the price of being free is that they must sacrifice love. Again, these are sayings generally not spoken of in the presence of Free Women.
"A woman , I had learned, must choose between freedom and love."
(Slave Girl of Gor, p. 412)
"A man can truly love only that woman who is truly his, who belongs to him. Otherwise he is only a party to a contract."
(Slave Girl of Gor, p. 444)
"…no free woman, because she is free, can truly compete for the attention and affection of a man as can a slave girl."
(Fighting Slave of Gor, p. 217)
"Bondage is a soil in which it is natural for love to blossom."
(Blood Brothers of Gor, p. 113)
Yet, despite all this rhetoric, Free Women remain in the overwhelming majority on Gor. If all women are natural slaves, then why have not the majority of women been enslaved? If true love is only found with a slave, does that mean the vast majority of male Goreans live without love? It seems obvious, based on the evidence within the books, that all of this rhetoric is mostly just talk. It is manly banter that has little basis in the realities of Gorean society. Though generalizations can be made about Free Women, there are surely many exceptions as well. Some Free Women are capable of intense passion and love. Many men must find contentment with their Free Companions as Gorean men in general are said to be happy people. Do not confuse the rhetoric with the reality. Look deeper than the surface to find the true answers of Gor.


Slave Ownership

Free Women may own slaves, both male and female. There are no legal restrictions on their ownership rights concerning slaves. Silk slaves are special male slaves trained to please women. In the presence of Free Women, slaves are commonly required to be more modest. This applies mostly in public places, though it may apply elsewhere as well depending on the circumstances. On city streets though, kajirae are rarely punished for a lack of modesty. Free Women must tolerate almost any type of slave behavior that occurs there. A Free Man can walk his kajira naked through the streets if he so desires and the Free Women would just avert their eyes. Men are often solicitous of Free Women so they would rarely walk their slaves naked except maybe as a form of discipline. Men generally do not openly flaunt the sexuality of their slaves in front of Free Women. They often try to respect the sensitive feelings of the Free Women. In general, Free Women despise kajirae, treating them with cruelty and viciousness. If a slave is especially attractive, a Free Woman will treat her even worse. This is motivated in part by envy and jealousy. Free Women know that men often prefer the company of slave girls. This resentment is thus taken out on the slaves and not the men. Free Women also envy the slave's freedom to be sexual beings, especially of those slaves that seem the happiest. Some Free Women also despise slaves in a denial of their own feelings and desires to be a slave. The consequence is that most kajirae fear Free Women. They understand the power Free Women have over them and they do not want to irritate Free Women any further. They dread the possibility of being owned by a Free Woman. Since most men do not interfere when a Free Woman punishes a slave, a slave knows she has little recourse except to be as pleasing as possible to Free Women.


Society

The proper role of Free Women in Gorean society is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Gor. This misunderstanding is perpetuated by several factors. First, the rhetoric in much of the books states that all women should be slaves. Second, a cursory reading of the novels shows that basically all of the major Free Women characters, who are often haughty, end up as slaves. Third, there is a popular myth that male dominance is absolute on Gor. These three matters combine to skew one's view of Free Women on Gor. It is only through a deeper study of the novels do you better understand the actual complexity of the role of Free Women on Gor. They are far more than just potential slaves. The vast majority of the women on Gor are Free Women. Only 2 to 3% of all the women on Gor are actually slaves. That statistic alone speaks volumes about the place of Free Women in Gorean society. Despite all the rhetoric, Goreans do not follow through on those platitudes and enslave most of their women. They do not even enslave a significant portion of their women. There must be some compelling reasons to support this stance. Free Women must be able to fulfill important roles that slaves cannot. The need for those roles must supersede the need for slaves. Free Women are commonly treated with respect, courtesy and honor, especially Free Women of high station or caste. Free Women on Gor would be considered to possess a greater status than a typical Earth woman. Free Women, especially those of high station, are often referred to as "Lady." On the other hand, men are not referred to as "Lord" in the books. Free Women may often say what they wish, without anyone's permission, and many men will listen to what they have to say. Part of the key is that those Free Men and Women who share a Home Stone have much in common. Thus, they are more apt to listen to the thoughts and feelings of one another. Free Women may often be bold, within certain limits.
"A free woman is inordinately precious. She is a thousand times, and more, above a mere slave."
(Players of Gor, p.92)
"For example, there is no higher person, nor one more respected, than the Gorean free woman."
(Hunters of Gor, p. 311)
Free Women are rarely raped unless it is leading to direct enslavement. Even a Slaver who enslaves a Free Woman will treat her with courtesy until she has been branded. Many men find Free Women boring, preferring the company of slave girls. Free Women are seen to be ignorant, arrogant and frigid. Yet, Free Men often will take no action against a Free Woman who annoys them.
"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, p. 221)
A male relative or a free companion of a Free Woman does have some options to discipline her. The punishment will fit the woman's status and dignity. The books do contradict themselves as to whether Free women may be whipped or not. If so, they are whipped differently from a slave, much easier. A free companion might chain his woman to his couch, like a slave. This may occur even though a Free Woman is muchly loved. Some men do take risks to get back at a Free Woman who they feel requires punishment. This is a risk because their actions are generally illegal. One extreme example is that sometimes Free Women are captured, bound and gagged and then made to work in a brothel for a night. One key to the treatment of Free Women is their station and caste. The higher a woman's station or caste, then the more likely she will be treated with courtesy and deference. Her wealth and position are powerful factors that must be considered. A man ignores these factors at his peril. A second key is whether or not one shares a Home Stone with a woman. Those who share Home Stones generally respect and protect each other. Men do not willingly let men of other Home Stones enslave their women. They do not let their women come to harm if they can intervene and protect them. A third key is simply tolerance for the actions of Free Women. I think Tarl Cabot said it best, "It is not difficult, of course, to take insolence from a woman." (Mercenaries of Gor, p. 7) Many Gorean men will just laugh off a woman's insults.

Free Women Roles
Free Women on Gor fulfill a number of different roles, roles that essentially cannot be filled by kajirae. These are important roles, ones that contribute significantly to the effective functioning of Gorean society. These roles include positions of power, caste membership, rree companions and mothers. These roles are far more important than the role of a slave. Slaves, in general, contribute little to the operation of Gorean society. Though there are work slaves, the primary purpose of the majority of slaves is for the pleasure of men, a type of luxury. A city could exist without slaves but not without Free Women.

Positions of Power
In general, Gorean men do not prefer to place women in positions of power.
"Women, …, seldom release the following instinct in men. Men, accordingly, do not on the whole, care to follow them. In doing so they generally feel uncomfortable. It makes them uneasy. They sense the absurdity, the unnaturalness, of the relationship. It is thus that normal men commonly follow women only unwillingly, and only with reservations, usually also only within an artificial context or within the confines of a misguided, choiceless or naïve institution, where their discipline may be relied upon. Their compliance with orders in such a situation cannot help but be more critical, more skeptical. Their activities tend then to be performed with less confidence, and more hesitantly. This often produces serious consequences to the efficiency of their actions. It is interesting to note that even women seldom care to follow women, particularly in critical situations. The male, biologically, for better or for worse, appears to be the natural leader. In the perversion of nature, of course, anything may occur."
(Players of Gor, p.288)
This is a generality for which there are a number of exceptions. A Free Woman of superior ability can achieve much, including ruling a city. That is fully supported by the philosophies of Gor. Women have ruled on Gor as administrator, ubara and tatrix. An administrator is an elected position, so a woman would have to win either the vote of the high council of the city or the vote of the high castes. Tharna was led by a woman administrator until she chose to step down. An ubara is a female ruler of the Warrior Caste. She may rule as the free companion of an ubar or on her own. As the free companion of an ubar, an ubara possesses great power, second only to the ubar. There is nearly nothing she cannot accomplish with her power. An ubara, with no ubar, can rule on her own if the city supports her. Talena was made the sole ubara of Ar when Marlenus was thought dead and the Regent had been deposed. She would thus possess ultimate power within Ar. A tatrix is similar to a civil ubara. It is a female dictator who does not belong to the Warrior Caste. She remains in power only through the support of the people though she was not elected into her position. Tharna, Port Olni and Corcyrus were all ruled at one time by a tatrix. If a woman can attain the highest position in a city, its ruler, then there is no logical reason why a woman could not fill other positions of leadership within a city such as a member of the high council of castes or caste leader. There are no specific prohibitions in the books that prevent Free Women from attaining such positions. It simply takes a woman of superior ability to be found worthy of such a position. On Gor, it may be rare but it is definitely within the realm of possibility. Women may also possess power in other ways. They may own and operate their own houses, often merchant houses. Their business skills and wealth allow them to possess various degrees of power. There are a number of examples in the books of women who own houses by themselves and wield power through their wealth and status. There are no laws prohibiting their ownership of property or real estate. It is often said that merchants are power brokers within many cities. Female merchants enter into that equation as well as men.

Caste
Free Women belong to almost all of the castes on Gor except the Initiates, Players and Assassins. The books specifically state that women may not belong to the Initiate Caste. Though there is no specific prohibition in the books against women belonging to the Player and Assassin Castes, the evidence supports their exclusion. Both are castes you must actively petition to join. Mere birth does not grant one membership in those castes. The books state that generally women do not or may not play kaissa. The books also state that the Assassin Caste seeks men of a particular caliber. There is no indication that either caste permits women or has female members. Free Women are either born into their caste, assume the caste of their free companion, or petition to join a caste. Children take on the caste of their father. This permits a woman to become a member of the Warrior Caste if her father is a member. Normally, free companions share the same caste though it is permitted for people to free companion people outside of their caste. When a woman joins in free companionship, she has the option to assume the caste of her mate. She can choose to retain her caste. It is unknown if the woman retains the option to change caste throughout the length of the free companionship or if there is a time limit on her choice. Even if she retains her caste, her children will still assume the caste of their father. Women can petition to join a caste and they follow the same rules as a man would in such a petition. The high council of the city would need to approve of the change as well as the intended new caste. When you become a member of a caste, you will receive all of the normal benefits of that caste, such as caste sanctuary and charity. You generally cannot work in your caste until you complete an apprenticeship or accepted training program. You may be permitted to engage in some limited caste activities without such training but your role would always remain limited. Many women choose not to perform the work of their caste but there are numerous exceptions. In general, women do not engage in work requiring a lot of physical strength such as working at a forge, woodcutting and such. Women often work as scribes and merchants. There are even female slavers, some who engage in field captures though the majority just manage slave houses within the cities. Women also engage in work in the Physician Caste. There is a common limitation on such women. They cannot engage in the full practice of medicine until they have first given birth to two children. It is likely their function before birthing the requisite children might be akin to being a nurse. In many cities, at age fifteen, a woman of the Physician Caste will be given two bracelets to wear. She can remove one bracelet each time she has a child. When she has removed both bracelets, she may then practice medicine as a full physician. The rationale behind this prerequisite is that professional women tend not to have children. If this were allowed to occur, it would serve over time to diminish the quality and size of the caste. Thus, the rule helps to preserve the future of the caste. The welfare of the caste takes priority over the ambitions and desires of specific individuals. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. Caste is vitally important to Goreans so this logic is accepted as valid and is not questioned. Women may become members of the Warrior Caste by birth or Free Companionship. Yet, women are never trained by the caste to become warriors. There is no instance in any of the novels where a woman was ever trained as a warrior in the Warrior Caste. The books do not explicitly state that women are never trained as warriors, but the evidence supporting that conclusion is very compelling. Probably the most compelling argument is the same logic used by the Physician Caste. Female warriors would be less likely to reproduce and their deaths in combat would also serve to decrease the birth rate. Combined, these would tend to destroy the Warrior Caste over time, and this would never be permitted to occur.



Submission

If at any time, or for any reason, a Free Woman decides that it is in her best interest either to become a slave or to openly submit herself to a man for his protection and use, this is accomplished by the performance of a formal gesture of submission in which she invokes the ancient Gorean "rite of submission." Many Free Women would rather die than perform such a subserviant act. It is important that a Free Woman understand that when this rite is invoked, there is no going back. Typically there are only two possible outcomes when a Free Woman submits so: either she is enslaved and becomes the personal chattel of the man, his to do with as he sees fit, or she is found lacking in desirability by the man in question and is driven from him in disgrace. In the case of a warrior, the consequences are even more dire, since a warrior is not permitted by his codes to abandon the woman while she is still alive. Therefore, most warriors have no qualms whatsoever against putting the submitting woman to death on the spot. Indeed, to a warrior's mind, it is better by far to take the supplicant's life than to abandon her to be randomly enslaved by the first person who comes along. In such a situation the warrior is acting to preserve the honor of the former Free Woman and her caste and family. The way the rite is invoked is:
  • The Free Woman typically face strips herself, publicly announcing that she willingly submits to the individual she has chosen.
  • She then assumes "the position of female submission." A mat is used upon which to kneel for this. The Free Woman kneels at the man's feet. She leans back on her heels and extends arms upward, crossed at the wrists as though for binding. She lowers her head in supplication.
  • If the man accepts her, she becomes his slave and forfeits all titles, rank and property immediately. If he does not, she accepts the consequences of her actions, even if it means her death.
  • It should be obvious that a Free Woman does not invoke the Rite of Submission hastily or without serious consideration, as the very act can cost her life.