Panther Girls are the fabled wild girls of the northern forests, such
bands being comprised of runaway slaves and the occasional Free Woman
who has fled from the dictates of Gorean society and taken up residence
amidst the primitive camps of the unexplored woodlands. The Panther Girls
are fierce fighters when encountered, since they can expect only enslavement
or death upon capture. Their weapons of choice are slim spears, short
bows and hunting knives, and they make do by trading with outlaws and
the inhabitants of certain outlying settlements for metal and other difficult
to obtain supplies, and by hunting and trapping game in the wild. They
are free-women in the technical sense of the term, since they are not
enslaved and have little or no discourse with civilized Gorean society.
They are a rare breed and are cautious about accepting newcomers to their
ranks... those who seek them out and are found lacking in necessary survival
skills are commonly captured by them and sold as slaves in trade for civilized
foodstuffs and items of equipment. In the jungle regions of the far south
they also exist, living in amidst the jungle rainforests much as their
sisters do in the Northern Forests. Members of this southern version are
referred to as "Talunas." There are no Panther Girls or Talunas
in any of the major city-states, including Ar. If a Panther Girl ventured
that far into civilized territory, she would undoubtedly be enslaved upon
sight.
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There are no panther girls or talunas in the High Cities of Gor, which
include Ar, Ko-ro-ba, Tharna, Thentis, Turia, Treve, and many other major
settlements. All Free Women in these cities are expected to wear the robes
of concealment and veil themselves in public at all times. The only exceptions
to this practice tend to be in Tharna, where few if any Free Women are
allowed, and in Ko-ro-ba, where the customs regarding Free Women's fashion
are somewhat lax.
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