Drawing from The World Book Encyclopedia, 1943,
Image courtesy ClipArt.com

Playing by the Rules

arani wishes here to make a confession. she is a role-player. Now, before anyone starts pointing fingers, she will clarify that what she is talking about is NOT Gor. No, this slave is a Trekkie. she participates in a number of different activities having to do with this, including LARP (live action role-playing) and on-line role-playing. she is also a published author in this genre, so that may be considered playing a role as well.

When a person engages in role-playing activities in the Star Trek universe, there are certain rules that have to be followed. You can’t go around waving light-sabers and talking about the “dark side;” that’s an entirely different movie. You must be familiar with, and abide by, something known as “canon.” (This refers to “facts” that have been established in several movies, as well as hundreds of episodes of four different television series--five if you count the cartoon.) Basically, you can’t claim that your character’s grandmother was Captain Picard’s sister, because it was established that he didn’t have one. Stuff like that.

That said, there is still a lot of room for fabrication. It’s a big universe; who’s to say that a particular planet doesn’t exist just because it has never been mentioned. As long as it’s plausible within the limits of what HAS been established, anything goes. In fact, when going into any great detail about a starship, it’s generally safer to make one up. This way, you don’t run the chance of some future movie or series episode stomping all over your hard work.

The particular medium that arani prefers to play in is through a simulation of a fictitious starship via e-mail. This works much like the game that children play, whereby one begins a story and another one takes it up, and another, and another, and so on. The players all write a selection involving their character, and send it to the rest of the group. Then, the players can react to what the others have written. this one has met quite a few interesting people in this way, living in places as far apart as South Africa, Israel, and Canada.

In fact, this one plays not only one character in this game, she plays several. At last count, she had about 10 minor characters that she used from time to time, in addition to her primary character. If she needs a nurse or a security guard for a particular situation, and there isn’t a player who has chosen to play such a role, then it becomes necessary to make one up.

Now, what does this have to do with Gor, you may ask? Well, some time back arani read, with some considerable amusement, a website that referred to Goreans as the Trekkers of the BDSM world. This statement, although meant to be disparaging, carries a certain amount of truth, and should not be seen entirely as an insult. Consider the following parallels.

There is no real planet called Gor, just as there is no real entity called Starfleet. The people who profess to live this lifestyle are afficionados of a series of science fiction books, just as Trekkers are fans of a series of science fiction movies, television shows, and books. It is the goal of most Goreans to acquire, or at least read, all of Norman’s novels, and to be conversant about not only the events portrayed but the philosophies propounded therein--just as it is the goal of Trekkers to see, read, and acquire, anything having to do with Star Trek. There are Gorean websites, chat rooms, and real-time gatherings. Trekkers have websites, chat rooms, and conventions. Now, when this one goes to her local toy store and finds a Tarl Cabot action figure, or a posable tarn model, then she will truly shake her head in wonder.

Now, what about the differences? Yes, all those who call themselves Goreans ascribe to a set of philosophies set down in these books. (Or at least they should.) There are many who have found that these ideals speak to them in a very meaningful way. Just like arani, there are a large number of people who have found real fulfillment in their lives after discovering the world of Gor. It is not just a game to them, it is life itself. While Gene Roddenberry propounded some very interesting but not original ideals when he created Star Trek (such as racial equality), these things in no way comprise an entire philosophy or way of life.

One important thing we do need to remember here. This is not Gor. This is Earth. We can simulate the life that we would experience if we actually were transported on silver ships to the Counter-Earth. But we cannot reproduce it exactly, for various reasons. There are certain societal and legal constraints that limit us.

One way that we can achieve a closer connection with the world described by Norman is in the chat room. We can pretend that we actually are in a Gorean tavern, or a home, or a camp in the Barrens. In this way, we can interact with those who share our philosophies, and make connections with others in the lifestyle, where such a thing might not be possible off line.

When a person decides to become a part of this world of Gor, be it on or off line, there are certain rules that must be followed. There are beliefs that must be expressed, activities that must be practiced, if a person is to be considered Gorean. What’s the old saying? “When in Rome. . .”

There is a certain amount of role-playing that goes on in a Gorean chat room. That is unavoidable; it is the nature of the chat medium. All those people are not really sitting on furs in a tavern, or drinking beverages that are not even available in actuality, or enjoying having a willing slave at their feet. They are not parading around skimpily clad if dressed at all, dancing at the pole, or serving in an alcove. No, these people are all sitting before computer screens, typing on keyboards.

Now, arani is not saying there is anything wrong with this. On the contrary, she has spent a good part of the past two years in such activity herself. But this one has noticed an increasing tendency to change the rules, to adapt the lifestyle to suit a person’s individual needs or belief structure. When this is done, we need to consider what changes are made, and why.

No, we may not actually be floating across a tavern, or polishing a goblet with our hair, or kneeling in nadu for hours at our Master’s feet. But, we are nevertheless to submit fully. What are the duties of a slave? To be absolutely pleasing. That means we don’t get to pick and choose. If a Master wants it done, then it better be done the way he orders it. Or she can expect to be punished.

arani has had it said to her that slaves in the books did not kneel to beg permission to enter a room. That may be so, but if the Owner of a room orders her to do so, then she had darn well better do it. These same people have said that the seven-step serve that is commonly used on line is not in the books, so a girl should not do it. Well, arani has said many times that she will serve in whatever fashion a Master orders her to. Is it for her to tell a Master that what He orders her to do is not “Gorean?” Or may she refuse to serve a Master for the same reason? No, it is not a slave’s place to judge. arani does not remember ever seeing in the books that a slave is not allowed to beg entrance to a room, that there is only one way to serve. What she has read is that she must obey at all times, regardless of the order.

That includes things that might be unpleasant or even scary, to some people. There is a lot of discussion as to how far the role-playing aspect of a Gorean chat room should emulate what would actually take place if this really were the planet Gor. But something that this one has learned from her Master is that if you’re going to play the role, you have to play it fully.

If you’re going to proclaim yourself as a slave, you need to be prepared to handle everything that entails. If you take a man’s collar, you give up ALL rights to Him. He can beat you, ignore you, even give you to another. There are those who say that a cyber-beating means nothing, that it’s just words on a computer screen. However, arani has been beaten, and she has friends who have been beaten. Believe her when she says that the emotional pain is very, very real. That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know you’ve been displeasing to the One who owns your heart is very strong.

Suppose you come on line one day, and are kneeling at the feet of your Master in a chat room. Suddenly He announces that He is giving you to another Master. What’s that? He can’t do that! Oh, yes He can. you gave Him that right when you took His collar. you are not His girlfriend, you are His property. And He can dispose of His property any time He wishes, to whomever He wishes.

Not long ago, arani was discussing this very concept with her Master. He told her that He knew of a Master who sold His slave at auction. This was not on line, this was very real. The slave was then sold to a third Master. The situation ended up very happily, as the last Master fell in love with the slave and they eventually got married. The last arani’s Master heard, they were living very happily. But, you say, isn’t true slavery illegal? Couldn’t the slave go to the authorities and protest her Master’s treatment? Yes, of course. But is she then a slave if she does that?

This is why it is very important to discuss these things with your Master BEFORE you take His collar. You need to find out just what His expectations are. Is this to be only an on-line slavery, or is it to be total--both on and off line? Just what kind of services is He going to expect You to provide? What, if any, rights is He going to allow you? There are a lot of people who will tell you that such a thing is not Gorean. No, if this really were the world of the books, that would be so. But this is not Gor. This is Earth. And as much as we can try to simulate the world of Gor, we cannot make it a fact.

arani plays another role in her “real” life. she is a teacher; she has been for the last 17 years. In her job, she must often do things that would be seen as very improper for a slave on Gor. she speaks to men as an equal, or even sometimes as a superior--but always with respect. she sometimes gets very dominant with her students. she remembers one time in particular when she made a very unruly young man in high school wash all of the tables in the cafeteria, as a punishment. Oh, he argued, but she did not back down, and she was praised by her superiors for her handling of the situation.

this one’s Master knows of her career, and approves of it. He listens to her stories of what happens during her day, and offers His opinions and insights. she likes to think He is proud of her. If there ever came a day when He ordered her to quit her job, so that she could serve Him more fully, she would gladly do so. But until He does, she will continue to do the job she went to college for seven years to learn how to do.

Even though arani must often assume a dominant role when she is at school, that does not mean she has a dominant personality. There have been many days when she has rushed home at the end of the day, to shed that role and once again become a slave--only a slave. But she rationalizes what she does in the following way: she is providing a service to the administration and to her student’s parents. If she must occasionally assume a dominant role to provide such service, then she will do so willingly.

Now, arani would never consider entering into such a role without something called a contract. This is a document that specifies clearly what her duties are, or what she is to do for the school. It also states explicitly what the school will do for her in return, in the form of salary and other benefits. This contract is negotiated before she begins work, and is renegotiated annually.

The concept of a contract in a Master/slave relationship is something that is commonplace in the BDSM world. However, for some reason Gorean Masters and their slaves seldom formulate such agreements. This is because a kajira is supposed to serve totally, to give all of herself without reservations, without rights or limits. In the books, that was reasonable and rational. But, as this one has said before, this is not Gor but Earth, as much as we might wish otherwise.

Sometimes, this “contract” can be as simple as both parties agreeing that there is to BE no contract. That the slave surrenders totally to the Master, places her entire life and future in His hands with no reservations.

However, on Earth we must make certain concessions to society and to the law. There are factors that must be considered which were not present in the books. arani does not recall seeing any mention of sexually-transmitted disease anywhere in the books. But, let her ask you this, sister in slavery: When you give yourself to your Master, are you prepared for the possibility that He will pick up something from another slave and pass it on to you? Something that cannot be cured? arani has asked that her Master ensure her safety, if and when He makes use of other slaves, and He has told her this is a reasonable and rational request.

arani has heard it said that the only kind of truly “safe” sex is cybersex. What happens when a girl is unable to take birth control pills, for medical reasons? Oh yes, there are other methods. But it has been shown that none of these are 100% foolproof. What happens when you go to spend a weekend with your Master, and then return home with a bun in the oven? Have you made preparations for this possibility?

You need to find out just what kinds of services your Master will expect you to provide. Don’t assume anything. You may think that your slavery is only to be in the evenings, after your husband and the kids are in bed. But what happens when your Master orders you to come to Him, or shows up on your doorstep? What happens when He orders you to quit the job that is helping to support those children? Or what about when He orders you to sleep on the floor? How are you going to explain that to your husband? Don’t laugh; it can happen. That’s why you need to discuss these things before you enter into the relationship.

arani is blessed to have a Master who does allow her limits. Some of these relate to the training process--as time goes by He expects more and more of her, and she eagerly obeys. These are not limits that she has insisted upon, but instead have been granted to her as He sees fit, and she is extremely grateful. Others have been given to her because of her physical or psychological make-up. There are certain things that a Master had best not do to a slave who has a heart problem. Because of her life experiences, there are certain things that cause her fear, even though she wants to obey. So, He allows her time to become accustomed to the realities of her slavery, knowing that she will be better for not having been forced.

There also needs to be some differentiation between what happens on and off line. We, as slaves, have to use a little common sense. arani knows of a Master who used to order uncollared slaves to call Him on the phone. she once had a Master order her to send Him a picture of her pleasuring herself. If a Master orders You to do something that you feel is not safe, then think twice. A Master that you are serving on line should not be ordering you to do things off line, unless the two of you have agreed that He has that right. There IS a difference between an on-line collar and one given off line.

So, what is the difference between the two kinds of role-playing that arani does? Well, one is done strictly for her amusement. While Star Trek does put forth some worthwhile principles, such as brotherhood between races, it is not something this one would care to base her life on. she has no desire to serve on a starship in real life, and most likely would not be accepted into any branch of military service, either in the present day or in the future.

However, her participation in the role play that goes on in a Gorean chat room is an entirely different matter. This is an expression of her lifestyle, one that she embraces with everything that she is. she discovered her submission on line, and this environment allowed her to explore her slavery in a medium that was relatively safe. Even now, when she is a slave off line to a Master who does not chat, she still uses her participation in chat as a kind of training tool. It enhances her life. It is not a game, it is another facet of her life that helps her be more pleasing to the One who owns her body and heart. she prays that she will be allowed to do so for a long time to come.

© arani_CsA 2/21/2001

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Text, graphics, and design © 2003 arani_CsA