The Men and Women |
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The Men of Torvaldsland are typically blond-haired, blue-eyed, tall and
muscular Men. Their hair is often long and may even be braided. Many are
seven to eight feet tall, taller than the average Goreans of the cities
and elsewhere. Most are raised on isolated farms close to the sea. Much
of their early education is done through harsh games where they learn
the essential skills of Manhood. They learn to run, jump, swim, hunt,
and wield the sword, axe and spear. They are also taught important rune
signs, tallying, counting, addition, subtraction, and weighing. They become
inured to the cold weather. They eventually become used to the labors
of ship rowing and the ways of war. Most Men are also very handy with
their hands. But, it is not dignified for a Warrior to be expert with
letters. Such a task is considered to be beneath Them. They are proud
of their illiteracy or semi-literacy. Torvaldsland does not have Home Stones or a Caste system. Nearly all the Men are Warriors, Hunters and Seamen. They are generalists which is essential to the survival of their People. They live by hunting, fishing, trade and raiding. Though They speak Gorean in Torvaldsland, some of their dialects can be quite difficult to understand. The Men commonly wear shaggy jackets, trousers of skin and wool tunics. More important or wealthier Men may wear cloaks of scarlet or purple. The Free Women of Torvaldsland do not veil Themselves. They wear wool kirtles but Theirs are not split at all. Free women have much power in the north, probably more than the Women of the south. A ring of keys or scissors on a belt signify an important Mistress of a great house. All Free Women commonly carry a knife. |