Welcome to the updated Alt-Gor Pages
This is the information taken from the origianl Alt-Gor pages. i have pretty much left it the way it was when the document was orginally given to me (except of course for the formatting).The Warrior Codes listed below seem to be a synopsis of the full warrior codes found here
The Master Argument
Religious
God created man in his own image, then made woman from a piece of man.
He never made us equal.
Evolution
Few that follow the Big Bang Theory of Creation will admit that every
mixture of atoms creates an equal result each time
Nature
Each and every species of animal follows the law - the stronger will always survive/lead
So to claim all are equal is ludicrous. If that were true then I'd be making multi-millions playing some sport.
What is Gor?
Gor was created in the novels of John Norman, who presented an alternative style of humanity.
Scientifically in the books, Gor is a planet, similar to Earth, on the opposite side of the sun. It is hidden from view from the Earth by the "Sun-Shield Theory", which states that the planet Gor has the same orbital plane as Earth, and maintains that orbit as to always keep the Sun as a direct block between Earth and Gor.
It is a barbaric world, ruled by steel and concerned with honor, where the institution of human slavery is an accepted and integral part of the Gorean culture.
In today's society however, Gor also exists on Earth, as a daily part of life for those who live by the philosophy and beliefs set forth in the books of Gor. Gor is a State of Mind, a set of beliefs. Gor exists in the head, and in the hearts of Goreans. We choose to follow the teachings and codes, the honor and beliefs in real life.
Goreans, both men and women, are deeply passionate and emotional people, and openly express that passion. Their deep love for life and freedom of their natural selves is neither hidden nor suppressed. Gor is about honesty as to who you are and why.
It is a life of free men, women and slaves.
Life that's built on Honor, Trust, Respect, and Loyalty.
You may judge and scorn the Gorean if you wish.
To question their life as too hard, their pride & power misplaced or unfair.
But know this, they judge and scorn you.
To wonder why so soft, with shame and weakness glorified
Now lets clear a few of the misconceptions of Gorean
#1. That to follow any sort of lifestyle based upon FICTION is insane That is what the un-informed spout when they denounce the Gorean lifestyle. But what makes it FICTION? That an entire world could exist with humans? Tame and use huge beasts? Fine... but look at the remainder of the books. Each one depicts aspects of cultures from our past;Ancient Rome, Mongols of Asia, Feudal Japan, Medieval Europe, Viking Raiders, Barbary Coast Pirates, Nomadic Tribes in the African Deserts/Russian Steppes/American West, Aztecs,Mayans, and several others. Each had Masters and slaves; those that led and those forced to serve another. So now a part of the lifestyle is based upon historical references. Is it still insane since it is no longer truly fiction?
#2. On Gor females are slaves Considering Tatrix of Tharna is female and rules that city pretty much destroys that one. A female can be a Free Woman but as the Gorean society goes most males will expect to be obeyed.
#3. That whipping & flogging is a standard practice of everyday life for Gorean's While most equate BDSM + SciFi roleplay = Gorean, that is patently FALSE... Granted the whip was used upon the females new to the collar in order to bring their sexuality forth or used as a punishment on slaves for transgressions; but a Gorean Master rarely uses those items when taking his pleasure of a kajira, in making her yield her body and passion to his desires.
#4. No one can truly be Gorean Why not? Men are created hard and women soft for a reason. He protects and provides for her, she in turn serves and cares for Him. This is no different on Gor... but that the Men are Masters and expect to be obeyed since they are taking responsibility for their actions and those in their care. The kajira? They feel secure and treasured, proud of their skills and way of life... much as the geisha's of Japan. We can be truly Gorean... question is more can you not see it?
Now what does this all mean?
Allow me to put forth a riddle
***************************************************
What is invisible but more beautiful than diamonds?
What is silent but deafens thunder?
What depresses no scale but weighs more than gold?
One item answers all 3 questions - HONOR
To paraphrase of a common saying by travelers on Gor I want only as much space as my body or method of transport requires, and that only for as long as it takes to pass.
This shows the Respect Goreans have for others... we dont just take what we wish without regards to others.
That is what being Gorean is about... Honor & Respect... with taking responsibility being a by-product of those 2
THE WARRIOR CODES
- You know the codes, if you want her, you must challenge for her and meet me with the weapon of my choice.
- One who has shed your blood, or who's blood you have shed, becomes your sword brother, unless you formally repudiate the blood on your weapons.
- "I am of the caste of warriors, and it is in our code that the only death for a man is in battle."
- Be strong and do as you will, the swords of others will set your limits.
- Within the circle of each man's sword arm, therein is each man a Ubar.
- Steel is the coinage of the warrior, with it, he purchases what pleases him.
- "I would not have thought Sarus of Tyros would have used poisoned steel," I said. "Such a device, like the poisoned arrow, was not only against the codes of the warriors, but, generally, was regarded as unworthy of men. Poison was regarded as a woman's weapon."
- "The 97th Aphorism in the Codes I was taught," I said, "is in the form of a riddle: "What is invisible but more beautiful than diamonds?" "And the answer?" inquired Labienus. "That which is silent but deafens thunder." The men regarded one another. "And what is that?" asked Labienus. "The same." said I, "as that which depresses no scale but is weightier than gold." "And what is that?" asked Labienus. "Honor" I said. "He is of the Warriors," said a man.
- Let none who are not of the scarlet caste know of these things. The Codes are as the dust of diamonds in a hidden vault, which, exposed to the winds, will be scattered and trodden beneath the sandals of men and the hooves of beasts... worthless forevermore.
- "I can force you to take me," she said."How?" I asked. "Like this," she responded, kneeling before me, lowering her head and lifting her arms, the wrists crossed. She laughed. "Now you must take me with you or slay me." I cursed her, for she took unfair advantage of the Warrior Codes of Gor."
- "Warriors, it is said in the codes, have a common Home Stone. Its name is battle."
- "The warrior does not kill himself or aid others in the doing of it. It is not in the codes."
- "Even warriors long sometimes for the sight of their own flags, atop friendly walls, for the courtyards of their keeps, for the hearths of their halls. Thus admit the Codes."
- "Have you raised your arm against me?"I asked.(to raise your sword against a warrior is to issue a challenge) I released his arm, and he staggered back. Then he slung his shield on his arm, and unsheathed the blade slung at his left hip. "What is going on!" demanded the woman. "Be silent foolish woman," said the captain. She cried out with rage. But what did she know of the codes?
- "You have lifted a weapon against me," he said. "My codes permit me to kill you."
- "Could it be that I had, as the Codes of my Caste recommended, not even considered her, but merely regarded her as a right less animal, no more than a subject beast, an abject instrument to my interests and pleasures, a slave?"
- The Code of the Warrior is, in general, characterized by a rudimentary chivalry, emphasizing loyalty to Pride Chiefs and the Home Stone. It was harsh, but with a certain gallantry, a sense of honor that I could respect. A man could do worse then live by such a code.
- `I am a warrior,' said the young man proudly. Kamchak signaled the archers and they came forward, their arrows trained on the young man. He then threw, one after another, a dozen bags of gold to the floor. `Save your gold, Tuchuk sleen,' said the young man. `I am a warrior and I know my codes.'
- "And then, angrily, loftily, she walked to the deck before me and then, movement by movement, to my fury, knelt before me, back on her heels, head down, arms extended, wrists crossed, as though for binding. `You are a fool!' I told her. She lifted her head, and smiled. `You may simply leave me here if you wish,' she said. `It is not in the codes,' I said. `I thought,' said she,' that you no longer kept the codes.' ...`I do not want you!' I said. `Then slay me,' she said.'
- `You are a monster, Captain,' he laughed. `I am of the warriors,' I said. `I know your sort,' he said. `It is the fight you relish. What a wicked sort you are, and yet how useful!' I shrugged. `You see a fight you want, you take it,' he said, `You see a woman you like, you take her.' `Perhaps if she pleased me,' I said. `You would do as you wished,' he said. `Of course,' I said. `Warrior!' said he. `Yes, Warrior,' I said."
- `Flee!' she said. `I am of the Warriors,' I said. `But you may die,' she said. `That is acknowledged in the codes,' I said. `What are the codes?' she asked. `They are nothing and, and everything,' I said. `They are a bit of noise, and the steel of the heart. They are meaningless, and all significant. They are the difference. Without the codes men would be Kurii. `Kurii?' she asked. `Beasts, such as ice beasts, and worse,' I said. `Beasts such as the face you saw in the sky.' `You need not keep the codes,' she said. `I once betrayed my codes,' I said. `It is not my intention to do so again.' I looked at her. `One does not know, truly what it is to stand, until one has fallen. Once one has fallen, then one knows, you see, what it is to stand.' `None would know if you betrayed the codes,' she said. `I would know,' I said, `and I am of the Warriors.' `what is it to be a warrior?' she asked. `It is to keep the codes,' I said. `You may think that to be a warrior is to be large, or strong, and to be skilled with weapons, to have a blade at your hip, to know the grasp of the spear, to wear the scarlet, to know the fitting of the iron helm upon one's countenance, but these are things are not truly needful; they are not, truly what makes one man a warrior and another not. Many men are strong, and large, and skilled with weapons. Any man might, if he dared, don the scarlet and gird himself with weapons. Any man might place upon his brow the helm of iron. But it is not the scarlet, not the steel, not the helm which makes a warrior.' She looked at me. `It is the codes,' I said. `Abandon your codes, ' she said. `One does not speak to slaves of the codes,' I said.
- I had been so much a fool as to be sad. That is not the mood in which to enter battle, even the battle, which one knows one, cannot win, even the ultimate battle in which knows one is doomed to defeat. Do not be sad. Better to take the field with laughter, with a joke, with a light heart, with a buoyant heart, or to go forward with sternness, or in fury, or with hatred, or defiance, or calculation, but never with self-pity, never with sadness. Never such things, never them! The warrior does not kill himself or aid others in the doing of it. It is not in the codes."
- `No,' he said. `I do not keep you because of the gold. I am of the scarlet caste. I am of the warriors. I could cast the gold away, as a gesture.'
- It was lonely here. Yet such times are good in life of a Warrior, times to be alone, to think. He who cannot think is not a man, so saith the codes. Yet neither, too, they continue, is he who can only think.
- In most cities, on the other hand, a free woman may, with legal tolerance, submit herself as a slave to a specific man. If he refuses her, she is then still free. If he accepts her, she is then, categorically, a slave, and he may do with her what he pleases, even selling her or giving her away, or slaying her, if he wishes.
- Here we may note a distinction between laws and codes. In the codes of the warriors, if a warrior accepts a woman as a slave, it is prescribed that, at least for a time, an amount of time up to his discretion, she be spared. If she should be the least displeasing, of course, or should prove recalcitrant in even a tiny way, she may be immediately disposed of. It should be noted that this does place a legal obligation on the warrior. It has to do, rather, with the proprieties of the codes.
Planned Update
i would like to create a gallery of images of the members of O/our home on Alt. If Y/you would like Y/your image and a few lines about Y/yourself to appear on this site (maybe Y/you are looking for Y/your O/one or Y/you have already found Y/your O/one and would like to show 'em off to the O/other) just slip me an e-mail and i will add it. Risque or nilla, it's all the same to me.
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