Slave positions

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Slave Positions

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It should be noted that some of these positions are not found in the Gor novels, but are artifacts of the on-line environment. Where possible, arani has denoted these as such. Another point worth mentioning: these are described from a female point of view.

Nadu

Nadu is the position of the pleasure slave, the most widely known of the Gorean slave positions. Slaves are most frequently seen in this position, and it is the basis for many other positions. A Master may order a slave to assume this position by way of gesture, rather than verbally, by pointing downwards in front of Him with the first two fingers spread apart.

"Then I approached him, and, with my left hand, handed him the supple leather. He replaced it in his pouch, and indicated that I should position myself before him and to his right. I knelt there, and smiled at him. He spoke harshly. Immediately I knelt in the position I had learned yesterday, which had been clearly and exactly taught to me, back on heels, back straight, hands on thighs, head up, kneels widely opened. He then looked at me, satisfied."
John Norman, Slave Girl of Gor, p. 34

" 'Nadu!' he snapped. She swiftly turned, facing him, and dropped to her knees. She knelt back on her heels, her back straight, her hands on her thighs, her head up, her knees wide. It was the position of the pleasure slave."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 166

"He suddenly snapped his fingers and, in the swift double gesture of the Gorean Master, pointed to a place on the dirt floor before him, almost simultaneously turning his hand, spreading the first and index fingers, pointing downwards. I fled to him and knelt before him, my knees in the dirt, in the position of the pleasure slave, my head down, trembling."
John Norman, Captive of Gor, p. 143

There is some discussion, in on-line Gor, regarding the position of the slave's hands as she kneels. There are references in the books to show that it was proper for slaves to turn their palms downward as they rested on the thighs, however many on-line slaves will be instructed to show their palms. The following passage is presented here, in answer to this question.

" 'Position!,' I snapped. Swiftly she knelt again, as she had been commanded earlier. 'You obey with the alacrity of a slave girl,' I observed.
" 'If I do not,' she said, 'I could be punished as one, could I not?'
" 'Yes,' I said, 'and would be.' I walked about her, examining her, She kept her back very straight, and her head up. I was then again before her. I noted that the palm of her hands, so soft, so vulnerable, had turned on her thighs, so that they faced up. Among slave girls this is a common ways of signaling need, helplessness, a desire to please."
John Norman, Vagabonds of Gor, p.209

Tower

This is a variation of the Nadu, in which the slave's thighs are pressed tightly together. It is typically reserved for underage or whitesilk slaves, or girls who serve their Master in a non-sexual way. Some Masters will order their slaves to kneel thusly, to indicate their unavailability for sexual use. A male slave will usually kneel in this fashion as well, except when serving a Free Woman or his Mistress.

"The position of the Tower Slave, in which Vika knelt, differs from that of a free woman only in the position of the wrists which are held before her and, when not occupied, crossed as though for binding. . . The position of the Pleasure Slave, incidentally, differs from the position of both the free woman and the Tower Slave. The hands of a Pleasure Slave normally rest on her thighs but, in some cities, for example, Thentis, I believe, they are crossed behind her. More significantly, for the free woman's hands may also rest on her thighs, there is a difference in the placement of the knees. In all these kneeling positions, incidentally, even that of the Pleasure Slave, the Gorean woman carries herself well; her back is straight and her chin is high. She tends to be vital and beautiful to look upon."
John Norman, Priest Kings of Gor, p. 46-47

Bara

This position is used for a variety of reasons, including collaring and punishment. The slave lays on her back with wrists and ankles crossed.

" 'Bara, kajira!' he said. She rolled quickly to her stomach, placing her wrists behind her, crossed, and crossing her ankles, ready to be bound."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 77

Belly

This is a form of the obeisance position, with variations that can include the girl kissing the Master's boot. The slave crawls to the Master on her belly, placing her head to His boot or the floor.

" 'Belly,' I said to Feiqa. Immediately Feiqa, trembling, went to her belly on the stained, sooted stones near the fire."
John Norman, Mercenaries of Gor, p. 19

Blanket

A girl must remain silent when a blanket or covering of any sort is thrown over her, until the covering is lifted by a Free Person.

"I then threw the second blanket, the top blanket, over her, covering her completely. When a blanket, or cloak, or covering of any sort, is thrown over a slave like this she may not speak or rise. She must remain as she is, silent, until the master, or some free man, lifts the covering away."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 94

Bracelets

On command, the slave places her hands behind her back with wrists together, in preparation for slave bracelets to be placed on her. This position can be reached while standing or kneeling, simply by placing the hands behind the back.

" 'Bracelets,' he snapped. She put her head in the air and placed her hands behind her back."
John Norman, Hunters of Gor, p. 146

Capture

In this position, the slave lies on her back with her heels on the floor and knees raised. As of this writing, arani is not aware of a reference from the Gor novels regarding this position.

Collaring Position

This is also called the "Position of Female Submission." In this position, the slave kneels back on her heels before the Master, arms extended to Him with her head down between her arms, wrists crossed as though for binding.

" 'She is yours,' he said.
He took the strap off her throat, and unbound her hands.
'Submit,' I told her.
She knelt before me, back on her heels, arms extended, head down, between her arms, wrists crossed, as though for binding.
'I submit to you, Master,' she said.
I tied her hands together; she then lowered her bound wrists; I pulled up her head. I held before her an open collar, withdrawn from my sea bag. I had had one prepared.
'Can you read?' I asked her.
'No, Master,' she said.
'It says,' I said, 'I am the girl of Tarl of Teletus.'
'Yes, Master,' she said.
I then collared her."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 74

Common Gorean Usage

In this position, the slave falls to the floor and supports herself on her knees and her elbows, keeping her head down to the floor, with her buttocks thrust upward and her thighs parted widely in preparation for sexual use by the Master. She laces her hands together behind her head.

"He knelt me there. 'Put your head down, to the floor,' he said. 'Clasp your hands, firmly, behind the back of your neck.'
'Yes, Master,' I moaned.
He was then behind me. He put his hands under my arms, on my breasts, sweetly and firmly. Then he moved his hands back, caressing my flanks. My head was down. My fingers were together, behind the back of my neck. I was in his collar. It was steel, I could not remove it, I belonged to him. My body hurt, from his whip, that of my master. My head hurt, from my hair, where I had been conducted, unceremoniously, to this location.
'Please, Master,' I sobbed. 'Not like this! Not you, please!'
'The slave is pretty,' he remarked.
'Oh!' I cried. 'Oh!'
'You have a lovely ass,' he said.
'Ohhh!' I said.
'You may thank me,' he said."
Kajira of Gor, p. 434

Gorean Bow

In this position, the slave kneels in nadu and bends her body backward, her head to the floor, hands by her head and pulls up into a back bend. (This is frequently used in dancing, but may also be used for a variety of other purposes including sexual usage. It is very painful to maintain for long periods.) As of this writing, arani is not aware of a reference from the Gor novels for this position.

Hair

The slave stands slightly behind the Master, crouching slightly and bowing her head, so that she may be led or moved to another position.

"I held my left hand open, at my waist. She stiffened, and looked at me, angrily. I opened and closed my left hand once. I saw her training in Gorean customs had been thorough. But she never thought that such a gesture would be used to her. She came beside me, and a bit behind me, and, crouching, put her head down, deeply. I fastened my hand in her hair. She winced. Women are helpless in this position.
John Norman, Beasts of Gor, p. 409

Heel

This is the position in which a slave follows the Master at His heel, "where she belongs." She is to be slightly behind and to His left or right, depending on which is His weapon hand. The distance behind will vary. A coffle of girls, being led through a city, may follow inches behind, while in an open field she may follow at a distance of 5 to 10 feet behind.

"These things vary, I learned, from city to city, and depend, also, on such matters as context and conditions. In a market, in the crowding and jostling, for instance, a girl may follow so closely she presses against the back of his left shoulder. Girls seldom follow behind and on the right. If she is thusly placed it is commonly a sign she is in disfavor. If more than one girl is involved, she who follows most closely on the left is generally taken to be in highest favor; girls compete for this position. In an open area, such as the fields in which we trekked, the girl is placed some five or ten feet behind, and on the left. If he must move suddenly she will not, thusly, constitute an impediment to his action."
John Norman, Slave Girl of Gor, p. 30

"The girl normally heels a right-handed master on the left, that she not encumber the movements of the weapon hand."
John Norman, Magicians of Gor, p. 117

High Harness

This is a display position in which a kneeling, braceleted slave is leashed and commanded to hold her head very high, exposing her neck.

" 'Lift your head,' he said. 'Higher, higher!' She looked up at him, her head far back, the leash on her throat. . . 'You need not now keep your head in a high-harness position,' he said to the girl. She moved her head."
John Norman, Mercenaries of Gor, pp. 308-309

High Lesha

This is a variation of the Lesha position, in which the slave stands for application of the leash.

Karta

This is the position that a slave will typically assume upon requesting to enter a room. The slave assumes the position of nadu, and leans forward to place her upper body to the floor. She reaches out with her arms fully extended, her palms against the floor or upturned. Her ankles may be crossed or uncrossed.

This position has caused much controversy in the on-line Gorean community. There are some who insist that there is no reference in the Gor novels to support the existence of such a position. It is the opinion of arani that this position is an extension of a practice common in the D/s rooms--that of requiring a sub/slave to request permission before entering or leaving a room. To her, it makes sense to require a kajira to make such a request, as she should not be free to enter or leave a room at her own will. Such movement should be done only upon the whim of the Free. However, a slave must defer to the wishes of the room Owner, and do as He requires.

Knee Walk

When so ordered, a slave travels on her knees, without standing, to fetch items or to tend to her regular duties. At present, arani is not aware of a reference from the Gor novels to this position. There is mention of a Turian Knee Walk, but this is not described except to say that it is sometimes used by dancers.

Kneel to the Coffle

A group of slaves kneel, closely one behind the other, as their left wrists are placed in wrist rings. This is usually followed by the order to stand, and then the order, "Lower chain," at which the girls are to lower their wrists. They are thus in a line, standing, coffled and ready to be led or displayed. To date, arani is not aware of a reference from the Gor novels pertaining to this position.

Kneeling to the Whip

The slave is to kneel and bow her head to her knees, exposing her back to the whip. The wrists are to be crossed, either under her or over her head, as if bound.

"I went to Targo, trembling, and knelt at his feet. . . I crossed my wrists beneath me and touched my head to the floor, exposing the bow of my back. It is the submissive posture of a slave girl who is to be punished. It is called Kneeling to the Whip."
John Norman, Captive of Gor, p. 200

Leading

In this position, the slave bends forward at the waist, with her head at the Master's hip, so that He may grab her hair and guide her where He wishes her to go.

"The slave was pulled to her feet. She was roughly turned about. The hand of Tanalion's man was then in her hair, fastening itself deeply therein. It was like the closed talon of a bird of prey. She, bound, held, was helpless. She cried out softly, so held, startled, in pain. Then, bent over, her wrists confined in the cruel, encircling binding fiber, that which I had earlier put well on her, holding them so mercilessly, so helplessly, behind her back, her head at his hip, stumbling, weeping, she was conducted swiftly from our presence."
John Norman, Mercenaries of Gor, p. 437

Lesha

This comes from the Gorean word which is translated as "leash." The slave is either standing or kneeling, depending on her previous position. She turns and puts her back to the Master, chin up and shoulders straight, her head turned to the left slightly, so that the leash may be attached to her collar. Her wrists should be placed side by side at her back, so that slave bracelets may be attached.

" 'Lesha,' snapped the second officer to the blond girl. She spun from facing him, and lifted her chin, turning her head to the left, placing her wrists behind her, as though for snapping them into slave bracelets."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 76

Nestle

The slave nestles in the crook of the Master's arm.

" 'Nestle,' I told her.
'Yes, Master,' she said. She nestled obediently in the crook of my left arm."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 279

Obeisance

This is a position of extreme deference, one of the most submissive postures a slave can assume, in which she assumes a basic nadu before the Master. She then may flatten her hands against the floor, leaning forward to lick and kiss His boots. She may take His boot and place it upon her neck, demonstrating His control over her.

" 'There are many ways to perform obeisance,' I said.
'I am a free woman,' she said. 'I know none of them.'
'I shall instruct you briefly in three,' I said. 'First, kneel before me, back on your heels, yes, with your knees wide, wider, your hands on your thighs, your back straight, your breasts out, good, your belly in, good, and now lower your head in deference, in submission.'
'Now that,' I said, 'may not be exactly a performance of obeisance, for authorities do not all agree, but for our purposes we shall count it as one. It is, at any rate, a beautiful position, and it is, certainly, a common position of slave submission.'
'Now,' I said, 'and this is clearly a form of obeisance, bend forward and put your head to the mat, the palms of your hands on the mat. Good. Now lift your head a little and come forward, substantially keeping the postion. Forward a little more.'
'Yes,' I said. 'Good. Now put your head down and lick and kiss my feet.' "
John Norman, Mercenaries of Gor, pp. 409-410

Prostrate

In this position the slave kneels, bows and touches her forehead to the floor, stretches her arms out before her with palms face down and fingers spread.

Run

When this command is given, the girl runs toward her objective, taking short rapid steps, with her legs almost straight, her feet hardly leaving the floor. As she moves her back is straight, her head is turned to the left and her arms are at her sides, her palms facing outward at a 45 degree angle from her body. Upon reaching her objective, she drops gracefully to her knees and typically reassumes the position of nadu. To date, arani is not aware of a reference to this position in the Gor novels.

Serar

In this position, the slave drapes her body over the legs of the Master, who is seated. If she is able, she keeps her hands and feet firmly planted to the floor on each side, raising her posterior, giving her Master complete access. The important part of this position is that her derriere is in such a position that it becomes easily accessible to her Master, for purposes of discipline or sexual usage. To date, arani is not aware of a reference to this position in the Gor novels.

She Sleen

This is also known as "assuming the modality of the she-quadruped." The slave falls to her hands and knees, her head low to the floor, her hindquarters upthrust for either viewing or her Master's pleasure. A variation of this is "serving in the modality of the she-quadruped," in which she performs her regular duties upon her hands and knees, able to use only her mouth to grasp and manipulate objects, and is not allowed to speak.

"In this discipline the female is forbidden human speech. She is also forbidden human posture, in the sense that she is not allowed to rise to her feet. Her locomotion, unless commanded to roll, or put under similar commands, suitable for a pet, will be on all fours. Her food will be thrown to her, or put in pans on the ground. In either case, she must feed without the use of her hands. She may also, of course, be fed by hand, but, again, will not be permitted to touch the food with her hands. She may be taught tricks. Sometimes these are taught as functions of arbitrary sounds, so that she must learn them as any animal might, without the benefit of an earlier understanding of the word used. If she is slow to learn, of course, she is punished, as would be any other animal. When used, too, it will commonly be in the modality of the she-quadruped. This discipline is often used as a punihsment, but it may figure in the training of a new girl. It helps her to understand what she now is, an animal totally subject to her master."
John Norman, Mercenaries of Gor, pp. 215-216

Slave Lips

The slave turns her head up to the Master, her lips pursed in preparation to be kissed. She must remain motionless until she is granted the kiss of a Master.

"Similarly, I was not required to respond to certain sorts of commands, for example, to make 'slave lips,' pursing my lips for kissing, or to writhe slowly before my viewers."
John Norman, Kajira of Gor, p. 224

Slave Rape

This is a discliplinary position, in which a slave is required to lie on her back and motionless, in preparation for sexual usage by the Master.

"I went to the side of the room and picked up my sea bag. I threw it to the center of the room. She looked down at it, puzzled. It was of heavy blue material, canvas, and tied with a white rope.
'Lie down on it,' I told her, 'on your back, your head to the floor.'
She did so.
'No, please,' she said, 'not like this.' It is a common position for a disciplinary slave rape. In it the woman feels very vulnerable, very helpless. I then took her."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 202

Slaver's Caress, or Whip Caress

This is a method of touching a slave without warning, especially one who is being sold, in order to exhibit her slave heat to potential buyers. It is commonly done with a coiled whip.

"Then, before I could realize what he intended, he had subjected Miss Cardwell to what, among slavers, is known as the Whip Caress. Ideally it is done, as Kamchak had, unexpectedly, taking the girl unawares. Elizabeth suddenly cried out throwing her head to one side. I observed to my amazement the sudden, involuntary, uncontrollable response to the touch. The Whip Caress is commonly used among Slavers to force a girl to betray herself."
John Norman, Nomads of Gor, p. 168

Slaver's Kiss

The slave falls to the floor on all fours, her head lowered to the ground. Her buttocks are to be high in the air, thighs widely parted, exposing her slave heat for sexual usage. To this date, arani is not aware of a reference from the Gor novels to this position.

Stand for Display

The slave is to assume a standing position with her feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. She places her hands behind her neck with fingers laced, her head up and her eyes lowered. To date, arani is not aware of a reference to this position in the Gor novels.

Stand for Inspection

In this position, the slave is to stand and lift her arms above her head with elbows bent slightly and her wrists crossed, she tilts her head back and licks parted lips. She then turns one hip to the Master and bends her knee slightly, her head turning to the left, offering a view of her collar as well. As of this date, arani is not aware of a reference in the Gor novels to this position.

Suga

This position is very similar to the karta, however the slave's wrists are to be crossed. To date, arani knows of no reference to this position in the Gor novels.

Sula

A slave lays on her back, palms facing upward at her sides, awaiting her Master's pleasure.

" 'Sula, kajira!' said the man. She slid her legs from under her and lay on her back, her hands at her sides, palms up, legs open."
John Norman, Explorers of Gor, p. 94

Sula-ki

This is a variation of the sula, in which the slave bends one knee slightly, lifting her hips in invitation to her Master. To date, arani is not aware of any reference to this position in the Gor novels.

Table

In this position, the slave may be used as a table or a foot rest. She falls to all fours, her back straight and legs parted. Her arms are perpendicular to her body, palms flat on the floor. Her hair is pulled over her left shoulder. To date, arani is not aware of any reference to this position in the Gor novels.

Tile

When a slave is passed by a Free Person in a hallway, room, or otherwise, she is to go down to their knees into a nadu position, and then to lower her forehead to the floor with arms outstretched, and to remain in this position until the Free Person has completely passed by, or S/He decides to command the slave to do otherwise. At the present time, arani is not aware of a reference to this position in the Gor novels.

Walk

When this command is given, a slave turns in a graceful pirouette, her hair swinging. She then walks, gliding across the room with her feet hardly seeming to leave the floor, her hips swaying sensually and her body erect and proud. When she reaches her objective, she stops and stands, her body erect and shoulders back, her chest thrust forward with her belly tucked in. She turns her hip out a bit, her hands at her sides, and points one foot forward. Her head is up and her eyes lowered. To date, arani is not aware of a reference to this position in the Gor novels.

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