GOR as visitor

Possibly my experience is atypical, but for a long time I played Tourist of Gor, always as a FW and without anyone trying to collar me. I just made sure to stay out of the few places that weren't appropriate for FW, which are generally clearly posted as such (if in doubt, stay out of the tavern). I also made sure to dress and act modestly, though I've never been hyperstrict like some are nowadays.

There were already over forty Gorean sims at the time, and it was easy to spend many hours each week just exploring, without retracing my steps very often. I am sure someone could do that for months now that there are so many Gorean sims. I was banned only once, for reading a book in a scribery off-limits to slaves, but when I explained I was a FW and not a slave the ban was lifted.

Since then, I've become more involved in Gor, and I still have a lot of learning ahead of me, but I have to say I probably know more at this point than many in SL who are far more active than I am.

The people who came to SL from Gorean chat in IRC or TSO have a tendency to feel they're doing things the "right" way and this sets the tone of many of the older sims. They may or may not be closely following the books, but are more likely to have actually read them than many of the newbies.

The actual source text most of the Gorean scriberies build from is not the books, except in collections of quotes, but is instead Ubar Luther's discussion of them, at http://www.geocities.com/delphius2002/. Reading this site will get you a good idea of the basics of etiquette and social structure. Be prepared for a lot of local variations and always read the laws you get on arrival. Listen and watch before you jump in, just as you would in any foreign country at first.

The newer sims in SL are more and more combat oriented. However, there are still people trying to take Gor to the next level as a philosophy. I think it's all easier for me because I have a democratic streak such that I wind up befriending slaves OOC and then at that point we're all just women, although the slave/Mistress distinction is still there. However, I really do have the Free thing going on, to the core, and the odds I'll ever get collared, without asking for it, are about zero.

Like everything else in SL, Gor is often a mirror to the participant. There ARE things in the books that go too far for me, and there are some lifestylers that go too far for me, and I may wind up either as a pure roleplayer or a heretic, but I doubt I'll ever leave Gor completely, because the aesthetic of it has me entranced. Also, there is a core philosophy in the Gorean books that doesn't have much to do with slavery, except that for some people slavery is their way of living it out. But not all Goreans have to have slaves.

Please do not pass judgement on all Goreans just because of a few nutjobs who go way overboard. This is just like saying all Trekkies think they're Spock, or that everyone who is religious is a cultist. It's better to know the abusive dynamic and bail out whenever and wherever you see it, which could be anywhere, including right where you least expect it.

Some time ago, when i was acting as Magistrate in a Gorean Sim, i had occasion to Hold court on, and Punish a free woman who's behaviour went well beyond the bounds of good behaviour by anyones definition.
What her offence was, and her punishment are not really the issue, During my interviews with her i Laid out to her What it Was to Be a Gorean Free Woman. The rights, but more importantly, the responsibilities that Freedom entails. I Kept the conversation on Note cards, because it's been useful elsewhere. A Free Woman of Gor has her behaviour held to a higher Standard than most women are used to. Unfortunately most people equate Freedom with the right to behave as an Uncultured Barbarian, or a Slovenly Trollop. On Gor freedom is a Privilage, Not a right, and as with all privilages there Are Responsibilities to live up to. I showed her how Damaging her actions were not only to herself, but to the reputations of All Free Women. I showed her how she had Let her greater community Down.
Her Remorse, and Contrician were quite genuine. I was able in her case to Make it Possible for her to return to the community of Free Women and her behaviour since then has been exemplary.

Basicly, the problem is, When something is Freely given, or Easily Attainable, People lose all Sense of it's Value. When Freedom has to be Fought for, one tends to place a Greater value Upon it. You seem to be asking for an Iron Clad guarantee you won't end up in a Collar. In Gor, there Isn't One. Not for Woman OR Man. If you want your freedom, you have to Work for it, Fight for it Every day, Not just against others, But against yourself as well. In the end though, maintaining ones freedom amid such an environment makes being free that much sweeter. That much more a source of Pride.

When i was in the Community, I Acted according to that Higher Standard required of all Free Women. Was i Meek, or Subservient? Not a hope, There were more than a Few Warriors who were sent off with thier tails between thier legs after dealing with me. I Had been forced on a few occasions to defend my status, But i was never in any Real danger, I knew my actions were correct and could prove it, but the important fact here is They WERE CORRECT. I saw nothing honorous in Not Dressing like a slave, I found it Easy to comport myself with Grace, Dignity, and Honor. Contrary to Popular Misconceptions (Even among Goreans unfortunately) it is NOT an Offence for a Free Woman to be Disrespectful to a Male. For those few who HAVE read the Gor books they would also Know it was a common Planet wide tradition that, When a Free Woman Enters a room ALL the Males Regardless of Station Stand and greet her, and wait until she sits or Invites them to do so before resuming their seats. Conspicuous by it's Absence in most of the Role Play sims.
Freedom Has it's Perks.
I was a Free Woman, I never felt steel on my neck, I was a Magistrate, and I was Respected by those who Knew me. Because in All ways I was a Lady of Quality.

Angel.

Not a guarantee, never that. =)

I've been an avid role player for years and I enjoy the somewhat more difficult roles in any society. They give me something to work for and a pride in that work. Sadly, the rules I read and at least one scene I witnessed led me to believe that a newcomer without a chaperon, guardian, papers, or home city ran the risk of being stripped and collared for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time- regardless of conduct. I don't make the jump from reading to participating quickly and I've done my research into dress and conduct. I'm not really ready to commit to a certain city or a set number of hours a week yet- but I'm a devoted player when I find a place that suits me.

I was simply looking for a place that someone was willing to vouch for that might be safe to do more in depth learning and a little bit of finding the *actual* accepted conducts (book learning is great, but rarely exact) without necessarily committing to the city or risking a collar while I get a few scenes under my belt and find my feet in an unfamiliar role.

Iaomai was an excellent suggestion- there's no force collaring, the people I ran into were friendly to a pretty skittish player, and I had just gotten cozy in the Scribery to read when I had to go to dinner. =) There seems to be a heavy push towards getting involved with the city and their set up, but I felt very safe without my observer titler as a visitor- or tourist, if you will.

I don't want to be consequence-less, just safe while I find my character and make sure everything I've read has percolated properly. =)

Hi Sommerland!!

I discovered online Gor when I was conducting research on D/s (Dominance/submission) for a graduate class in Human Sexuality. I didn't even really know what the terms D/s or BDSM stood for. I am very traditional and was very naive.

Deciding that offline research was dangerous for this, I looked around on IRC and found the first online Gorean venue begun in 1996...6 months after it began. I thought there was going to be all kinds of "in-your-face" sexuality which, although not a prude, I really didn't want to see. To my surprise, the channel reminded me of Medieval role play and anything overtly sexual took place in pm's (IM's) in "alcoves." I began reading the books, wrote my term paper and actually turned it into my Master's Thesis.

Any online venue can be a hotbed of all kinds of activities. Gor has gotten a bad reputation from some of the "bad apples" - and unfortunately more of those are probably around. The main reason I stayed in a Gorean channel on IRC long after the research was the friends I made. (I am 45+ and the people in my channel are as well.)

In a strictly text-based environment like IRC, some kids (or older people who act like kids *grins) run around playing "assassin" and try to "force collar" women, etc. Our channel laughs and kicks them out.

Several months ago, a man from SL visited our channel and told us about SL. Our group cut their teeth on IRC so none of us were that interested in coming over. But, being the nosy....errr curious type...I came over and checked it out. I was fortunate that I had the man I met as a contact so went straight to their sim...which is the largest Gorean Sim on SL. They practice complete consensuality as does our group on IRC. Since then, my group has arrived and are slowly building our little piece of Gor.

NOW...unfortunately, since SL is a visual environment and there are scripts that can cage, and leash and so forth...the same idiots running around with inflated egos on IRC can now wield what they perceive as "power." Having been involved with Gor for 11 years, I know all the correct protocols, dress, language, etc. But I won't go to the (unfortunately majority) of the Gorean sims to visit due to the so-called non-consensuality.

If you, or anyone reading this, is curious about Gorean sims...I am a member of two that can be visited with no special clothes and no concern about forced anything..in fact visitors are welcomed most warmly. Please feel free to IM me on grid and I will personally escort you. *smiles*

Advice: If you go to any sim (Gorean or not) and you feel the least bit uncomfortable - TP out!! There really is no such thing as forced anything on SL...just those with inflated egos who THINK they can do such. And the people who enjoy that type of role play but then...they CHOSE that so it is still consensual. *smiles*

As the Gorean farewell goes:

I wish you well

EDIT: Just read Capella's post and Iaomai is the sim I was referring to as the largest and very newcomer-friendly. The other is my IRC home that is now on SL - A^Turian^Gate. NOT, I repeat, NOT Turia. Our channel is #Turia on IRC and we were dismayed another Turia was already on SL. We visited it and were sorely disappointed in the forced stuff...so we created our own and had to use a different name. I am involved in both...so again...my offer as chaperone stands.

Tal Czari ~

As a non-rp kinda Gorean, I would like to take you up on the tour since I am nonetheless a curious sort. I will IM you next time I am in-world that we may make arrangements.

IWYW

A

Talk about being naive and curious, I visited the woods at Tarnburg yesterday as a FW....and before I knew it I was captured by a Panther...and there I was, naked and in tower 5 mins later! I was like OMG....after 3 years of experience in Gor I should've known!! Interesting though to see the submissive side, although I hope to be set free. We had lots of fun OOC btw. the Panthers soon realized that I was actually taken by surprise. Maybe if one reads this: "Release me!!"


Mandy C

And you want to show ME around Gor? Pffhhhtt!

We should go as a tour group...safety in numbers and all that. Forum Cartel get together, maybe? lol

That's not a bad idea actually.

Tal

It would be my pleasure to take you on a tour. I look forward to meeting you in game.

IWYW,

Czari (I am a Free Woman, btw *smiles*)

LOL! That's right, rub it in!

Mandy C

I went a couple places yesterday and ended up A)On a ship observing people on deck and the dock role-playing (not all in languages I understood) and B)Something like a library. Both places I looked for "visitor" type information/rules/clothes but didn't have any luck and didn't want to barge through the crowd to look around--I didn't know if flying was allowed. I was able to camera around and look at some of the builds and it looks like a lot of thought and work went into them--impressive! To the extent that I understood what was being said, I was pretty much left alone as I stood off to the side undoubtedly looking lost.

As am I. I will look forward to it.

I would be interested on going with a group. I'm transgendered though and I would worry about how I would be received. I usually stay away from places where I wouldn't be welcomed.

If you wear an observer tag, ppl politely ignore you.

Mandy C

lol as you should have been, tarnburg woods are where the outlaws and panthers live and there are signs that your going into an unsafe environment

i am but a sub so i can not help arrange your freedom but you never know some nice master might purchase you and save you from the panthers

Well if Ann organizes that group tour for the Forum Cartel , you can come with us.

Uh uh, I'm an idea woman, not an organizer!

I might take that offer as well, if you don't mind Czari.

ROFL! I hope so, I could've smacked myself in the face yesterday....for I knew all that but went with a Physician Apprentice to find herbs. I'm such a naive woman sometimes...

Any Masters out there? *waves*

Be well, girl.

Mandy C

/me digs out her Wonder Woman costume in preparation for a rescue of Mandy.

If I see you in a Wonder Woman costume there there'll probably be no movement on my avi because of me laughing.

Mandy C

Humph! See if I give you a ride in my invisible jet plane.

Aww pls can I? Pls?

Mandy C

Underoos and a beach-towel cape?

Mari