Gorean Cities
ANANGO:
A large island not far from Schendi. Similar in some respects to 18th
century Jamaica on Earth. Reputed to be the home of mythical "black wizards"
though in actuality there is no magic on Gor.
AR:
The largest, most populous and luxurious of all Gor. Its walls, its
countless cylinders, its spires and towers, its lights and beacons, the
high bridges are unbelievably exciting and fantastic, particularly as seen
from the more lofty bridges on the roofs of the higher cylinders. Ar is
most marvelously viewed when seen at night from tarnback. All gorean cities
save one are built by free men.
ARGENTUM:
Sister city to Tharna, and a producer of much of the silver mined on
Gor. One of the "Silver-Cities" of the Gorean north. Similar to any of
the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.
AR'S STATION:
A freshwater river port town on the Vosk, originally established as
a river colony and tributory of the Ubarate of Ar. Recently it has split
away from the Ubarate and follows its own political agenda, even allying
with the enemies of Ar herself. It is considered an ally of Port Cos. Conquered
by Cosian Invasion forces several years ago, its Home Stone nevertheless
survived and was returned to the town.
BRUNDISIUM:
A large walled city, a saltwater port located south of the Vosk delta
on the shores of Thassa. Its port facilities rival even those of Cos and
Tyros, and much of the merchandise and supplies which are transported into
the landlocked northern interior come through Brundisium. Through the treachery
of her former Ubar, the city of Brundisium, though officially allied with
Ar, served as the staging point for the great Cosian invasion of Ar which
took place several years ago. Needless to say, Brundisium and Ar are no
longer allies. Similar to any of the walled seaports of ancient Earth Greece.
CITIES OF DUST:
The land of the Dead.
CORCYRUS:
A city southwest of Ar, which until recently was ruled by a Tatrix,
Sheila of Corcyrus. She was deposed for her tyranny, and, after a lengthy
war, the fortunes of the city are again on the rise. Similar to any of
the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.
COS:
An alliance of several cities which all exist on the island of Cos.
It is known for its famous wines and its vast fleets of trading ships,
as well as its imperialistic tendencies. It is at war with the city of
Ar, and along with its ally the Ubarate of Tyros it is currently at war
with the city of Port Kar. Similar in certain respects to the ancient Earth
Minoan culture.
FORT HASKINS:
A smallish fortress town at the edge of the "barrens," vast grasslands
northeast of the mountains of Thentis, which guards the trade routes in
that region. Known for its large contingent of kailla and Tarn cavalry,
used to resist and suppress raids by the Red Savages which inhabit the
barrens. Similar to various western frontier settlements during the Indian
wars of North America on Earth.
KASSAU:
A seaport in the far north, southwest of Torvaldsland. Though sharing
a similar "Earth-nordic" culture with that place, it is far more cultured
and civilized. A major trade center of the frigid northern climes of Gor.
Similar to early medieval Copenhagen on Earth, or other Danish settlements
of the same period.
KO-RO-BA:
Also known as "The Towers of the Morning," this city was once destroyed
but has long since been rebuilt. It is a cultural center similar to Ar,
but its citizenry is known for their fierce love of independence. The city
produces many excellent Warriors. It is somewhat similar to the city of
Athens during the Hellenistic Period of ancient Greech, on Earth. Ko-ro-ba
is in a perpetual state of semi-war with the city of Treve.
LARA:
Walled northern city-state, allied with Ko-ro-ba, which occupies the
strategic juncture of the Vosk and Olni rivers. A freshwater port, it is
otherwise typical of the mighty walled settlements of central civilized
Gor. Known for its skilled Warriors, excellent sailors, and superbly trained
slaves. Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.
LAURA:
A rough frontier town located on the Laurius River, upriver from Lydius.
It serves as a staging point for the transport of bulk goods such as lumber
and furs. A favored trade town for the various outlaws and woodsmen of
the northern forests.
LYDIUS:
A northern free port, neutrally aligned. Govered by merchant law rather
than by civil law, and loyal to no Ubarate. Located at the juncture of
the Laurius River and Thassa (the sea). A large trade town, it handles
much of the distribution of the raw materials harvested from the great
Northern Forests, and is a major supply port for both northern and southern
shipping.
PORT COS:
A freshwater river port town on the Vosk, originally established as
a river colony and tributory of the Ubarate of Cos. Recently it has split
away from the Ubarate and follows its own political agenda, even allying
with the enemies of Cos itself. It is considered an ally of Ar's Station.
PORT KAR:
Referred to as The Tarn of the Sea. Her name is a synonym in Gorean
for cruelty and piracy. The fleet of tarn ships are the scourge of Thassa
plying their trade of plunder and enslavement from the Ta-Thassa Mts of
the southern hemisphere to the ice lakes of the North,westward beyond the
terraced island of Cos and rocky Tyros, with its labyrinths of vart caves.
This northern city has no cylinders...it is built like a fortress over
many canals of the Thassa waters. The only city in Gor built by slaves.
A port city located on the shores of the Tamber gulf, at the coastal edge
of Thassa (the sea). Its precise location is open for conjecture, as it
guards its privacy tenaciously. Surrounded on the landward side by the
vast Vosk Delta Marshes, it is virtually inaccessible except by ship or
tarnback. Known as a den of thieves and pirates, its raiding fleets are
among the most feared upon Gor. Squalid and decadent, and often virtually
lawless. Similar to the pirate cities of the Barbary coast during the Golden
age of Piracy on Earth, and to Dakar on the Gold Coast of Africa during
her slave trading heydey.
PORT OLNI:
A large freshwater port on the Olni River, which is a tributory of
the mighty Vosk river. Walled and well defended, it guards the mouth of
the Olni where it joins the Vosk. A member of the Salerian Confederation.
SCHENDI:
Mighty seaport/riverport which exists on the edge of the subequatorial
rainforests and jungle regions of Gor. A free city, governed under merchant
law. The primary city of the black tribesmen of Schendi, and home of the
League of Black Slavers. Due to its strategic position at the mouth of
the southern Cartius river, it is a major trade center for the various
spices, raw materials and trade goods of the jungle regions. Similar in
certain respects to the ancient capital of Ethiopia, and to other large
african seaports of the same period on Earth.
TABOR:
One of the other "exchange islands," south of Teletus. Also governed
according to merchant law. A free port, allied to no city or Ubarate.
TELETUS:
The largest of the central "exchange islands," governed not by civil
authorities but rather according to merchant law. A free port, allied to
no city or Ubarate.
THARNA:
Once controlled by a a total gynocracy, it is still governed by a female
ruler, or "Tatrix." The male portion of the population has long since regained
control over the city, and with the exception of the Tatrix, Tharna is
ruled almost entirely by men. There are few freewomen in the city of Tharna,
the entire female population consisting almost completely of female slaves.
Tharna, and its sister-city of Argentum to the south, are known for their
silver mines and production of that metal. Tharnan Warriors can be distinguished
by their blue helmets. Tharnan males are recognized by the two yellow cords
they wear tucked in their belts, to bind slaves. Similar in some ways to
the ancient Earth city of Carthage.
THENTIS:
A fortress city in the Mountains of Thentis. Possessed of some agriculture,
particularly the export of wool from its goat-like mountain hurts and its
export of beans used to make "Black Wine" (coffee). Also famed for its
great Tarn flocks, which are indigenous to the Mountains of Thentis. Most
of the tarns on Gor are bred here. Not currently at war with anyone, except
perhaps the city of Treve. Similar to several Tyrolean mountain cities
found in the southern alps in ancient Earth.
TI:
Walled river city situated on the Olni River north of Tharna. It is
the seat of the Salerian Confederation, an alliance of four cities dedicated
to the restriction of imperialism and piracy on the Olni River. Known for
its superb Warriors. Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient
Earth Greece.
TOR:
The largest and most populous of the desert city-states of Gor. Located
in the far south, to the northeast of Turia, at the edge of the vast Tahari
wasteland. It is a major trade center and the focal point of hundreds of
desert caravan routes. It is also a cultural center for the tribesmen of
the Tahari, providing the bulk of trade goods both to and from the desert
regions. Similar in many respects to ancient Earth Baghdad.
TORCADINO:
A walled city-state not unlike Vonda. Recently served as a mercenary
stronghold during the Ar/Cos conflict. Occupies a position of great strategic
importance in the central north. Similar to any of the walled city-states
of ancient Earth Greece.
TORVOLDSLAND:
Not actually a city, but a scattered group of settlements in the far
north. Famous for its inhabitants, the Torvaldslanders, who are similar
in most respects to Earth Vikings of the early medieval period. Known for
its superb sailors and the rough mannerisms of its denizens.
TREVE:
A hidden city in the Voltai Mountains, accessible only by Tarnback.
It has little or no agriculture, and exists solely through raiding and
warfare. Known for its fierce independence, its love of warfare and its
superb tarnsmen. Currently at war with practically everyone, notably the
city of Ko-ro-ba. Many years ago it was the target of a retributory tarn
strike by the forces of Ar, which turned out to be the largest and bloodiest
tarn battle in the history of Gor, in which thousands of tarnsmen clashed
in aerial battle for days. It ended in a draw... Ar did not pierce the
defenses of Treve, but Treve suffered terrible casualties in fending them
off. Neither side wishes to repeat the action, and Treve no longer raids
the territories of Ar. Treve is similar in certain respects to the ancient
Earth city of Sparta.
TURIA:
Often referred to as "the Ar of the south," it is the largest of the
southern Gorean cities. A walled city of the southern coastal plains, it
was once conquered by the Nomadic Tribes of the Wagon Peoples, but has
long since been rebuilt. It is an opulant trade center similar in many
ways to Constantinople
TYROS:
An alliance of several cities which all exist on the island of Tyros.
Known for its great fleets of raiding ships. Along with its ally the Ubarate
of Cos it is currently at war with the city of Port Kar. Similar in certain
respects to the ancient Earth island of Crete.
VICTORIA:
A freshwater port on the Olni River, which is a tributory of the mighty
Vosk river. A thriving river town which was instrumental in the defeat
of the Vosk Pirates several years ago. A member of the Vosk League, 19
river towns united against river piracy on the Vosk.
VONDA:
A fairly large port city on the Olni river, which took part in a disastrous
territorial war against Ar several years ago. Now rebuilt, it is known
for its production and training of male Gladitorial fighting slaves. It
is therefore a large Gladitorial center. Free women are typically well-received
there, and several of the training houses are owned by such free women.
Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.
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