..:Free Women I:..

There are honor among the Free Men - Warriors of Gor. Many different castes also - which is mentioned on the castes pages. Here is some more info:

The third rider placed himself, reining in suddenly, pulling the mount to its hind legs, and it reared snarling against the bit, and then stood still, its neck straining toward me. I could see the long, triangular tongue in the animal’s head, behind the four rows of fangs. The rider, too, wore a wind scarf. His shield was red. The Blood People, the Kassars. NOMADS OF GOR-; 4; Page 14

Wagon People
There are several cultures on Gor outside of the cities. These include the Red Savages of the Barrens, the tribesmen of the Tahari, the natives of the jungles near Schendi and The Kassar Blood People. These cultures are considered by the Goreans of the cities to be barbarians. The focus of this scroll shall be one of those allegedly barbaric cultures, the Wagon Peoples. The Wagon Peoples share a number of characteristics with the Mongols of Earth.
The Wagon Peoples claim the southern prairies near the city of Turia in the southern hemisphere. These prairies extend from the coast of Thassa to the southern foothills of the Voltai Range. The Wagon People also claim the lands to the north, up to the banks of the Cartius River, a tributary of the Vosk River. These prairie lands may be called the Plains of Turia or the Land of the Wagon Peoples, depending on who is speaking. The great city of Turia sits in the midst of these lands and must continually deal with the threat of the Wagon Peoples. The Wagon Peoples consist of four separate tribes: the Paravaci, Kataii, Kassars and Tuchuks.

The Paravaci are the "Rich People", the wealthiest of the tribes. During the time of Nomads of Gor, their Ubar was Tolnus. But, he betrayed the Wagon Peoples and was later killed. It is unknown who is the current Ubar of the Paravaci. Their standard is a boskhead-shaped banner made of jewels strung on gold wire. The Paravaci sometimes wear jeweled belts on their necks to incite envy in others and accrue enemies. The purpose is to encourage attacks so the wearer can test his skills and need not tire himself seeking foes. Their brand is an inverted isosceles triangle surmounted by a semicircle, representing the head of a bosk. Like all of the Peoples, they use the same brand for their slaves and bosk. A slave brand though is only about an inch high and a bosk brand forms a six-inch square.
The Kataii are blacks and their Ubar is Hakimba. Their standard is a yellow bow bound across a black lance. They also carry yellow shields. Their brand is a bow facing to the left.

The Kassars are the "Blood People" and their Ubar is Conrad. Their standard is a scarlet bola hanging from a lance. Their brands symbolically represent this with three circles joined at the center by lines. They also carry red shields.

The Tuchuks are known as the "Wily Ones" and their Ubar is Kamchak. The Tuchuks are the primary tribe discussed in Nomads of Gor. Their standard is four bosk horns. They also carry black shields. Their brand is four bosk horns, resembling the letter "H." It is said that it is hard to outwit a Tuchuk in a bargain. They hate to be fooled or made the butt of a joke.

The Peoples are primarily herders of bosk, living off their meat and milk. They will not grow any food and will not eat anything of the earth. They have no manufacturing and thus must often either buy, trade or raid for what they need. They trade with Turia, usually acquiring highly prized metal and cloth items for bosk horn and hides. They also trade items they obtain from raiding. The only two things they won't trade to Turia are a living bosk and a girl who once came from Turia. As no caravans, and few merchants, travel to the Wagon Peoples, they must often journey to Turia to seek needed goods.

They speak a dialect of Gorean so can be understood by most city dwellers. They are very proud and generally regard city dwellers as vermin living in holes. It is said the Wagon People are killers and that they slay strangers. This is mostly true. A few merchants are permitted to trade with them but for that privilege they must receive a tiny brand on their forearm. The brand is in the form of spreading bosk horns. This guarantees safe passage for the merchant but only during certain seasons. Some entertainers can also receive the brand. But, to acquire the brand, you must first present yourself to the Peoples. If they do not like your merchandise or are not pleased with your entertaining, they will deny you a brand and simply slay you. The brand does carries some shame as it suggests that you are a slave.

They do not have normal castes like most Goreans. Every male is expected to be a warrior though there is no Red Caste among the Peoples. This is true of most of the barbaric cultures of Gor. All males must also be able to ride, hunt, and care for the bosk. After the primary duties of war, hunting and herding, there are certain clans that specialize in other duties. These clans include healers, torturers, leather workers, salt hunters, camp singers, year keepers, scarers, and more. These clans are still warriors but also have added duties.

They are the only Gorean culture to have a group of professional torturers. The torturers are very well trained in the arts of detaining life, detection and persuasion. They can be effective interrogators. They always wears hoods unless their victim has received a sentence of death. Only the victim will then see their face. They hire out to other cities, mainly to Ubars and Initiates, and a few others similarly interested in their skills.

The Wagon People do not trust important matters to paper because paper can be too easily destroyed. Most of the People have excellent memories and have been trained since birth for such retention. Because of this, few can actually read. Many of them use signs to signify their names and they also place them on the collars of their slaves. They do have a large, complex oral literature. This is passed down through the generations by word of mouth and memorized anew by each new generation. These works may be recited by the clan of Camp Singers, also known as skalds.

The Peoples use two different systems to mark time. The free women keep a calendar based on the phases of Gor's largest moon. It lists fifteen moons, named for the fifteen varieties of bosk. This calendar functions independently of their other calendar that tallies years between each Season of Snows. Their years are not numbered but are instead given names. They are named toward their end, based on something that happened to distinguish that year. Year Keepers are the clan that memorizes the names of the years and some can recite several thousand consecutive years.

The bosk is said to be the Mother of the Wagon Peoples and they revere it. The bosk is a huge, ox-like animal, with a temper to match that of a sleen. It is a shaggy beast with a thick, humped neck. It has a wide head and tiny red eyes. It possesses two long, wicked horns that reach out from its head and suddenly curve forward to terminate in fearful points. Some of these horns, measured from tip to tip, exceed the length of two spears. There are fifteen varieties of bosk including the brown bosk, red bosk, and milk bosk. It is indigenous to the plains near Turia though it is also raised by people all over Gor.

The bosk herds form the vanguard and rampart for the advance of the wagons. The herds are branded and composed of smaller herds watched over by their own riders. The Peoples use basically every part of the bosk. They eat its meat and drink its milk. They use their hides to cover their wagons. Their tanned skins also are used for clothing. The leather of its hump is used for their shields. Their sinews form their thread. Their bones and horn are made into many different implements such as awls, punches, spoons, drinking flagons, and weapon tips. The hooves are used for glues including a waterproof glue. Their oils are used to grease the bodies of the Peoples against the cold. Even their dung is used, dried, for fuel. Someone who kills a bosk foolishly is either strangled to death or suffocated in the hide of the animal he killed. If you kill a bosk cow with unborn young, then you are staked out alive in the path of the herd.
The Peoples use domesticated prairie sleen, as shepherds and sentinels. They herd the bosk and also help to protect their camps and track down errant slaves. These sleen move rapidly and silently. They will attack any trespassers without provocation. They will respond only to the voice of its master. When the master dies, the sleen is then slain and eaten.

Male youths must learn to wield the bow, quiva and lance before their parents will consent to give them a name. This is because names are very precious to them and they do not wish to waste a name on someone who is likely to die. Until a male is considered worthy, he is known only by the number of son he is. Thus he will be referred to as first son or second son of such a father.
The Wagon People are a warlike people and often war among themselves. Many years ago, the Kaiila Wars were fought among the different tribes of the Wagon Peoples. The primary object of the Wars was the acquisition of kaiila, the common mount of these peoples. The capture and acquisition of slaves was almost an afterthought. But, the Wagon People soon realized the benefits of having such women as slaves and the idea became much more prevalent.

The Wagon People value courage above all else and this is reflected in their Scar Codes. The scars are worked into the skin by needles, knives, pigments and bosk dung over a period of several days. Some men have even died in the fixing of such scars. Each scar has a specific meaning and all the Peoples can read the scars. Most of the scars are set in pairs, moving diagonally down from the side of the head toward the nose and chin. The Courage Scar is a bright red scar and is always the highest scar on your face. It is a prerequisite for all other scars. Without this scar, you cannot pay court to a free woman, own a wagon, or own more than five bosk or three kailla. Not all wear their Courage Scar visibly though, depending on the circumstances though it would be very rare. They also have facial tattoos but little is said if they possess meaning or not. Kamchak had seven scars: red, yellow, blue, black, two more yellow, and one more black. The books do not explain the meaning of these other scars.

The military organization of the Peoples is simple. They are broken down into three different sized groups. These are the Oralu, Orlu and the Or. This translates respectively into the Thousand, Hundred and the Ten. In respect for the leader of each group, the Peoples will smote their lances on their shield. They do it once for the commander of a Ten, twice for a Hundred, three times for a Thousand. The commander of a Thousand is the next level under the Ubar. Each warrior knows his place within his group so each group works very well together.

During the day, the movement of these groups is dictated by drums, the bosk horn and movements of the standard. By night, it is done with drums, bosk horns and war lanterns slung on high poles carried by certain riders. The lanterns come in different colors such as red, yellow, green, and blue. When the bosk horns blow, as an attack occurs, the women cover the fires and prepare the men's weapons, bringing forth arrows, bows and lances. The women are also able to read the signals of the war lanterns. But, the women do not fight. If the Peoples conquer a city, they usually destroy it completely. They kill or enslave everyone, poison the wells, salt the earth, etc. It is said that some cities still lay in ruins that were conquered hundreds of years ago.

A thousand years ago, united Wagon Peoples carried their devastation to the walls of Ar and Ko-ro-ba. Luckily, both cities were able to stop and push back the Peoples. During the events of Nomads of Gor, the Tuchuks conquer the city of Turia that had never been conquered before. But, Kamchak, Ubar of the Tuchuks, decides to return to its Home Stone to the Turians. This is done ostensibly so the Wagon Peoples would always have an enemy but may also have been done in part because Kamchak's mother was Turian.
Nowadays though, after the reunification of the Peoples under Kamchak, as the Ubar San of the Wagon People, some matters have changed. The Wagon Peoples rarely enslave their own anymore. They raid others for slaves and have allegedly traveled as far north as Venna and even the Sardar. It is said that a woman is not safe within a thousand pasangs of the wagons. A strike against the cities of Ar and Koroba could occur again one day. This poses some interesting story ideas for cross-city role-play.

The Wagon People use a variety of weapons in war and hunting. These include the lance, horn bow, quiva, rope and bola. They rarely use swords. Defensively, they wear conical helmets that are often fur rimmed and may have a net of colored chains over the face with holes only for the eyes. They also use small, round leather shields that are lacquered to a glossy finish. The color of the lacquer depends on your specific tribe.

The three-weighted bola consists of three long straps of leather, about five feet long each, terminating in a leather sack which contains a heavy, round metal weight. If it is thrown low, with its about ten-foot sweep, it is almost impossible to evade. It can entangle legs or even break legs. Thrown higher it can lock your arms to your body. Thrown even higher, it can strangle a man around the neck. A difficult cast to the head can even crush a skull. A Wagon Person commonly entangles a foe and then kills him with the quiva. It is also used to hunt tumits and men. A tumit is a large flightless bird of the prairies with a hooked beak as long as a forearm.
The Wagon People use a horn bow, primarily from the saddle. It is a small, double-curved bow about four feet long. It is built of layers of bosk horn, bound and reinforced with metal and leather. It is banded with metal at seven points including at the grip. A Wagon Person can commonly fire twenty arrows in half an Ehn. The horn bow though lacks the range and power of a longbow or crossbow. But at close range, it is a fearsome weapon.

The People use a Kaiila lance often when they are mounted. They are black, cut from the poles of young tem wood trees. They are so flexible that they may be bent almost double before they break. They are not couched but are rather carried in the right fist. They are used for thrusting not the battering ram effect of European lances. They can be almost as delicate and swift as a saber. A loose loop of boskhide, wound twice about the right wrist, helps them retain the weapon. It is rarely thrown in battle. Some lances have a rider hook under the point to help dismount their opponents.

The quiva is the almost legendary, balanced saddle knife of the Wagon Peoples of the prairies. It is about a foot in length, double edged, and tapers to a dagger-like point. The quiva is used more as a missile weapon than a hand-to-hand weapon. It is not necessary to throw it hard as its sharpness and weight do the work for you. Most quivas are made in Ar and sold in sets of seven, as there are seven sheaths in the kaiila saddles of the Wagon Peoples. The quivas are almost always in the saddle sheaths. The quivas are made differently for each tribe of the Wagon Peoples. Despite the fact that they are manufactured in Ar, the quiva is almost exclusively a weapon of the Wagon People. In the novels, Tarl Cabot is the only non-Wagon Person who ever used a quiva. Tarl even creates a carnival act out of the use of the mysterious quivas, a weapon known to few.

Their mount is the kaiila and their children are taught to ride before they can walk. The Southern kaiila are different in some ways from the desert kaiila or the kaiila of the red savages. The Southern kaiila is a lofty, graceful and very agile animal. It can easily outmaneuver a high tharlarion. It is carnivorous but requires less food than a tarn. Once a kaiila eats its fill, it won't eat for several days. It normally stands about twenty to twenty-two hands at the shoulder. They are fast creatures and can cover as much as six hundred pasangs a day, about 420 miles. They are commonly tawny-colored but some are also black. They are trained to avoid the thrown spear and until it is proficient in this skill it is not allowed to breed. Those who cannot learn are killed. A kaiila saddle is big enough to hold a bound slave across it.

The free women of the Peoples are generally a dour lot. They wear long leather dresses, their hair in braids and are unveiled. Slaves must always keep their hair unbound. The free women do not receive scars. They cannot wear silk as it is for slaves only. It is said that any women who loves the feel of silk is a slave at heart. They tend to do many chores around the camps such as cooking. They hate and envy female slaves. The free women also do not fight in battle. Their function is to prepare the weapons of the men and help read the war lanterns. All women wear nose rings, free and slave. The bosk also wear nose rings though their rings

are heavy and gold unlike the tiny gold rings worn by the women. The Peoples regard ear piercing as barbaric.
The Peoples are nomadic but settle on occasion in large camps for a time. This becomes a City of Harriga, or Bosk Wagons. There are sufficient wagons so it almost seems like a real city with streets and such. Their wagons are brightly colored and most are square, each the size of a large room. They are drawn by a double team of bosk, four in a team. The wagon box stands almost six feet from the ground. It is formed of black, lacquered planks of tem-wood. Inside the wagon box is fixed a rounded, tent-like frame, covered with painted and varnished bosk hides. The wagons compete to look the boldest and most exciting. The wagons are guided by a eight straps, two for each of the four lead animals. The wagons are commonly tied in tandem fashion, in long columns and thus only the lead wagons need to be guided.

The herds would circle Turia, for this was the portion of the Omen Year called the Passing of Turia, in which the Wagon Peoples gather and begin to move toward their winter pastures; the second portion of the Omen Year is the Wintering, which takes place far north of Turia, the equator being approached in this hemisphere, of course, from the south; the third and final portion of the Omen Year is the Return to Turia, which takes place in the spring, or as the Wagon Peoples have it, in the Season of Little Grass. It is in the spring that the omens are taken, regarding the possible election of the Ubar San, the One Ubar, he who would be Ubar of all the Wagons, of all the Peoples. Nomads of Gor

In the Wagon Peoples, their slaves are commonly clad in a style called Kajir. For slave girls, this means she wears four articles of clothing, two red and two black. These include the Chatka, Curla, Kalmak and Koora. The Curla is a red cord that is tied about the girl's waist. The Chatka, a long narrow strip of black leather, fits over this cord in the front, passes between the girl's legs and passes over the cord in the back. The Chatka is drawn tight. The Kalmak is a short, open, sleeveless vest of black leather and is worn donned after the first two items. Lastly, the Koora is placed on. It is a strip of red cloth, matching the Curla, and worn as a head band. Slaves cannot braid or dress their hair so the Koora is the best they can do. For a male slave to be clad Kajir means only that they must wear the Kes, a short, sleeveless work tunic of black leather. They have few male slaves except for some on work chains.
The Wagon Peoples enjoy paga and fermented milk curds. That is an alcoholic drink made from bosk milk and drank exclusively by the Wagon Peoples. The Peoples also have public slave wagons that are a combination paga tavern and slave market. There is nothing else like it on Gor. Girls can be bought, sold and rented there. They may also set up a curtained enclosure for dancing girls. This idea would make an interesting story-line, having a group of Wagon Peoples decide to travel all over Gor with such a wagon.
The Wagon People revere the Priest-Kings but they do not worship them. They worship the sky and beseech the "Spirit of the Sky." In their myths, the rains came out of the sky and formed the earth, bosk and the Peoples. The Wagon Peoples pray only when mounted and with weapons at hand. They pray to the sky as a warrior to an Ubar. Free women are not permitted to pray. The Peoples also hold bosks and the skill at arms as holy items.

The Peoples are fascinated with the future and its signs. Although they may claim not to place store in them, they actually give them great consideration. They often practice omen reading. Slaves were once sacrificed by all of the tribes but now only the Paravaci do so. The hearts and liver of slaves are now generally considered untrustworthy in judging omens. Their haruspexes also sell amulets, talismans, philters, potions, spell papers, wonder working sleen teeth, powdered kailiauk horns, colored magic strings and other such things. Like most Low Castes of the cities, they believe in magic.

Though the Wagon Peoples war among themselves, every ten years they all gather together during what is called the Omen Year. It is actually a season that occupies part of two of their regular years. The Omen Year lasts several months and consists of three separate phases. First is the Passing of Turia that takes place in the fall. During this time, the Peoples gather and move toward their winter pastures. Second is the Wintering that occurs north of Turia and south of the Cartius, the site of their pastures. Lastly is the Return to Turia that occurs in the spring, or as the People call it the Season of Little Grass. It is a time of truce, a time for trading.
It is near Turia in the spring when the Omen Year is completed. The omens are then taken, usually over several days by hundreds of haruspexes. They are trying to determine if the omens are favorable for the choosing of a Ubar San, a One Ubar, a Ubar of all the Wagons, all the Peoples. There had not been a Ubar San in more than one hundred years before Nomads of Gor. The Omen Year was instituted more than one thousand years ago.

The sacrifices are performed in the Omen valley and the animals will later be used as food. The chief haruspex of each tribe presides at the central altar. There are hundreds of smaller altars in the grassy valley where other haruspexes perform. The sacrifices last for several days and consume hundreds of animals. A tally is kept from day to day. The first Omen taken is always to see if the Omens are propitious to take Omens. At the completion of the sacrifices, a final tally is taken to see if a Ubar san will be chosen. At the end of the events in Nomads of Gor, Kamchak of the Tuchuks is chosen to be Ubar San. He frees his slave Aphris who then becomes his Ubara Sana.

The People love to gamble on almost anything. It is a great honor for a woman to be a stake in such gambling. In spear or lance gambling, the weapon is placed in the ground, point first, and you wait to see in what direction it falls. The winner is the one the weapon falls toward.

They also enjoy a variety of games. In one such game, a lance is placed about four hundred yards away. A slave girl is placed into a circle made by a bosk whip. The girl must run to the lance, trying to avoid capture. Time is judged by the heartbeat of a standing kaiila. The girl receives a headstart of fifteen heart beats which will normally take her about halfway to the lance. A man on a kaiila rider must then ride after her and use a bola to capture her. He also has a binding thong to bind the girl when he captures her. He must capture the girl, secure her and return her in as little time as possible back to the circle. Some girls are specially trained to evade the bola.

Another game is the lance and tospit with the living wand. This is a very dangerous game where a slave holds a tospit in her mouth. The object is for a rider to hit the fruit with his lance without striking the girl. The girl may either stand sideways or facing the lance. The Peoples even have spitting contests, seeing who can spit the farthest. Some People play a game with Turian slaves. They release them in sight of the city and let them run for the walls. The People then chase them down using bolas.
Every spring the games of Love War are held between the Wagon Peoples and Turia. The institution of the Love War is an ancient one. It is held on the Plains of a Thousand Stakes located some pasangs from Turia. Judges and craftsmen come from Ar to officiate at the games.

They are guaranteed safe passage across the plains and are very well compensated. Their fee is sufficient to support a man for a year in Ar. The stakes, flat-topped, are about six and a half feet high and seven to eight inches in diameter. They stand in two lines facing one another in pairs, separated by about fifty feet. Each stake in a line is separated by about thirty feet and the lines extend for over four pasangs. The stakes are painted colorfully, trimmed and decorated. Retaining rings are bolted on the stakes. In between each pair of stakes is a circle of about twenty-four feet in diameter. The grass is removed from the circle and the ground is sanded and raked.

About two hundred from each of the four Wagon People tribes attend the games. Only the best warriors can compete and only the most beautiful women can be used as prizes. Essentially, the Wagon People and Turians battle for their women. A Turian woman and Wagon Person women are tied on opposite stakes. The two men fight and the winner gets the other's woman. Though the Turian women wear robes and veils, they may be face stripped at the request of any of the Peoples. When men of the same side wish to fight for the same staked woman, it is determined by rank and prowess. In alternate years, each side gets to choose the weapon that will be used in combat. You can withdraw after the choice of weapon and before your name is officially entered in the lists. Each year, the overall winner varies. The overall winner is determined by which side won more of the other side's women.
Remember the proper place of the Wagon Peoples and other such cultures. They primarily exist in their natural surroundings. A few do travel to other parts of Gor but not entire tribes. The Peoples do not accept strangers easily into their lands. The few that are accepted are generally those that get branded, the merchants and entertainers. Tarl Cabot is a major exception in this regard and in many regards in the books. The Peoples act very differently from city dwellers.

Most castes maintained their own Shops and personal purchases were made from the caste workers, not a merchant

You likely sleep on a stone couch, may be warmed by pans of burning coal - Furniture & Furnishings

You will be served food. Here are foods you might be served or request be served to you Gorean Food. What you eat depends largely on where you are on the planet, and possibly the trade agreements the city has made.

You will be served drinks. Here are the Gorean Drinks. What you drink also depends largely on where you are on Gor.

Slaves served differently outside paga taverns (in homes, halls, etc) Serving meals & wine

Tarn ships

You might be in one of the cities that utilize tarns

You might be in one of the many cities that traveled via Saddle (High) Tharlarion

Those in the Southern Hemisphere often traveled by Kaiila

Got some heavy stuff to move? A wagon or cart needing to be pulled? You might use Draft (Low or Broad) Tharlarion

Travel Times between cities and regions of Gor

Weapons

Warrior Training

Bows - Long bow & Crossbow - weapons you might need to be knowledgeable of when fighting.

Hook knife of Ar

Shields

Spears

Warfare

Alarm bars

Catapults

Frame of Humiliation

Tarn wire in defense

Basics

Literacy & Illiteracy on Gor

Paga Taverns were for the pleasures of men.

Most castes maintained their own Shops and personal purchases were made from the caste workers, not a merchant
Wool on Gor
Vulo
Urts
Planting Feast of Sa-Tarna
Sa-Tarna, grain on Gor
Ka-la-na
Salt on Gor - its importance & uses
Some Free Men were Pirates
Paga
Costs of goods & services on Gor
Gorean Laws
You likely sleep on a stone couch, may be warmed by pans of burning coal - Furniture & Furnishings
Items Exported by City & Region
You will be served food. Here are foods you might be served or request be served to you Gorean Food. What you eat depends largely on where you are on the planet, and possibly the trade agreements the city has made.
You will be served drinks. Here are the Gorean Drinks. What you drink also depends largely on where you are on Gor.
Slaves served differently outside paga taverns (in homes, halls, etc) Serving meals & wine
Gorean Meals were generally simple and based on local culture.
Here are Animals on Gor you might encounter and perhaps even hunt.
Goreans loved nature and beauty. Here are Gorean Plants
Horts? Tefs? Talus? Gorean Measurements you should know.

Feel like hunting Larls in the mountains?
You may just want to interact with others beyond "Tal" - Here is Who you can go to for what

* You were born to the caste of your father.
* You likely are that same caste now. Switching caste was frowned on, though it could happen.
* You would normally choose an FC from the same caste.
* Women may be "of a caste" but generally did not do caste work. You support them, be it a sister, a daughter, or your FC.
* In times of trouble you would seek your Caste Brothers for "Caste Sanctuary" and / or "Caste Support".
* You would have experienced an apprenticeship in the workings of your caste. You would have received documents of your standing within the caste.
* Those of high caste have a more refined speech than those of low caste. Physicans, Builders and Scribes for example would say "You" instead of "Yer" and "don't" instead of "dun". That is more suitable for low caste, indicating uneducated common speech.
* Castes of Gor General information about castes, and specific details relating to many castes.

As shown below in quotes, Men addressed Men by caste or position (Warrior, Officer, Praetor, Guardsman), by name, or as "Sir", or sometimes "Master". They also addressed other Men as "Stranger", "Fellow", "Man of (City)" or "Citizen".
Men addressed Women as "Lady", or with her name such as "Lady Florence".
Women addressed Men by caste or position, by name, or as "Sir".
Women addressed other Women by name or position ("Keeper").

Often addressed by their caste or position, whether the man was well-known to them or not.

"Proprietor!" I cried, pounding on the table with my spear.
"Yes, Warrior," cried he.
Outlaw

"Welcome, Killer," said the man, addressing the Assassin by what, for that caste, is a title of respect.
Assassin

"And that Ahn," I said, "is to be made up in extra work in the evening."
"Yes Captain," said the kitchen master.
Raiders

I strode to the stern castle of the Dorna.
"Greetings, Oar-master," said I.
"Greetings, Captain," said be.
Raiders

Samos looked to Bosk. "Captain," said he, "begin work."
"I shall, Captain," smiled Bosk.
Slave Girl

"My thanks, Officer," said I 'The lines are long," he said. "I wish you well," I said.
Beasts

'Leave us, Warrior,' I said.
Kazrak laughed again, winked at me, and backed with mock ceremony from the tent.
Tarnsman

'Oh, Ubar of Merchants,' I said, 'I would not willingly see your profits jeopardised.'
Tarnsman

'Do you know, Tarnsman,' he asked, 'that there is no justice without the sword?' He smiled down on me grimly.
Tarnsman

All eyes turned to face a paunchy man, in a robe of blue and yellow silk. "I am Portus," he said. "Do not interfere, Assassin."
Assassin

“Where did you find such a girl?” I asked.
“Near the Spice Pier;” he said.
“My thanks, Guardsman,” said I.
Explorers

“The slave is awarded to Ulafi of Schendi,” ruled the praetor.
There were cheers from the men present, and Gorean applause, the striking of the left shoulder with the right hand.
“My thanks, Praetor,” said Ulafi, receiving back the slave papers from the magistrate.
Explorers

When not addressing with positions, titles or caste, men used the names if they knew them.

'Great Mintar,' I spoke up, 'forgive this she-tharlarion. Her father was a goat keeper by the swamp forests of Ar, and I did steal her, but she begged me to take her from the village.
Tarnsman

"Come, Thorn of Tharna," I said, beckoning to him. "Let us try our skill."
Outlaw

"I am not pleased with her," he said to the proprietor.
"I am sorry, Noble Surbus," said the man, "I shall have her beaten."
Raiders

The Physician looked up from the paper. "Greetings, Ho-Tu," said he.
"Greetings, Flaminius," said Ho-Tu.
Assassin

“Greetings, Captain,” said Thurnock, from the boat.
“Greetings, Thurnock,” I said.
Explorers

"Greetings, Kenneth," said Borto, the driver of the low bedded tharlarion wagon. "I see you have the slave."
"Greetings, Borto," said Kenneth. "Yes, and I think she is now well ready for her sale."
Fighting Slave

“Come Masters, Kind Sirs,” called the auctioneer. “Can you not see the promise of this slender, blond, barbarian beauty?”
Explorers

The proprietor approached our table and I stood up, holding my goblet of paga to welcome him. "You fought well, Jason," he said. "Thank you," I said. I looked down. Kneeling at my right knee, her cheek against my knee, was the red-haired dancing girl. She looked up at me timidly, her eyes shining. As she knelt the slender chains at her collar depended to the polished floor. "You fought well, Jason," said the proprietor. "She is yours for the night. Use her for your pleasure." "My thanks, Kind Sir, " I said.
Rogue

"Have you no work to do this day," asked the man in whose fee I was that afternoon. "That I have, Sir," I grinned and turned again to my labors.
Rogue

Seeing the officer whose sword I had, I laughed and flung the weapon into the deck at his feet. "Sir," I said, "your sword."
Raiders

"See!" said the second officer. "Look!"
"You are to be at your station!" shouted the captain.
"I submit, Sir," said the officer, "you should turn about."
Slave Girl

"Where are the platforms of Tenalion of Ar?" I asked a man. They had been his property.
The fellow pointed to the two hundreds.
"My thanks, Sir," said I. Tenalion is a well-known slaver.
Beasts

"Passage, Master?" inquired a fellow. "I would deal with others," I told him.
"We are cheap," he called. "Cheap!" "Thank you," I said to him, and continued on. I had discovered in various towns that I was likely to get the best fares at the quays themselves.
Rogue

"Unless, said Kliomenes, rising to his feet, "you care to meet me with steel. My hand, wet with sweat, fingers moving against one another, opened and shut at the hilt of the sword I wore. Kliomenes looked at me grinning.
"Please Master," said Hibron, the proprietor of that low tavern, "I do not wish trouble. Please, Master!"
Rogue

"You are a beggar?" asked Kuurus.
"Yes, Master," said Hup.
"Was the begging good today?" asked Kuurus.
Hup looked at him in fear. "Yes, Master," he said, "yes!"
Assassin

"Only a quarter tarsk!" called the man. I brushed her aside. At the other end of the control stick there is a leather loop. This goes about the right wrist of the master. Behind me I heard the girl cry out in pain and struggle to her feet. "You worthless slut," said the man to her. And then he again was calling out, "Rent her! Rent her, kind masters!"
Beasts

“You are one of the most honest slavers I have ever met,” I said.
“My thanks, Master,” breathed he, bowing low.
“I wish you well,” said I.
“I wish you well,” said he.
Explorers

"Don't touch me," she cried, drawing back.
"A barbarian," said the tam keeper.
"Yes," said the slaver's man.
"And the others?" asked the tarn keeper.
"They are all barbarian, Master," said the slaver's man.
Beasts

"A tarsk bit to enter, Master," said a slaver's man at the entrance to the pavilion.
I handed him a tarsk bit from my pouch, and pushed through the canvas.
Beasts

“Yes, Master?” asked the auctioneer. “‘Is there another bid?”
“Yes,” said the man.
“Yes, Master?” asked the auctioneer.
“I take him to be a merchant captain,” said a man near me.
I nodded. The conjecture was intelligent. The fellow wore the white and gold of the merchant, beneath a seaman’s aba. It was not likely that a merchant would wear that garment unless he were entitled to it. Goreans are particular about such matters. Doubtless he owned and’ captained his own vessel.
“What is his name and ship?” I asked.
“I do not know,” said the man.
“What is Master’s bid?” asked the auctioneer.
There was silence.
We looked at the man. The girl, too, in the sales collar and position chain, her hands behind her neck, looked at him.
“What is Master’s bid?” asked the auctioneer.
“One tarsk,” said the man.
We looked at one another. There was some uneasy laughter. Then there was again silence.
“Forgive me, Master,” then said the auctioneer. “Master came late to the bidding. We have already on the floor a bid of forty tarsks.”
Explorers

"I have sold her for five," said the proprietor, "to this noble gentleman. Do not interfere, Stranger, this man is Surbus."
Raiders

“We shall send two guardsmen to investigate,” said the praetor. “Thank you, Citizen, for this information.”
Explorers

"Man of Tharna," I asked, "where can I find an inn?"
"There are no inns in Tharna," said the man, looking at me closely.
Outlaw

"Do you, Fellow," said he, addressing me, "desire a champion?" The man was armed. Over his left shoulder there hung a leather sheath.
Rogue

"Will the Lady Tina of Lydius deign to face me?" asked the judge, using the courteous tones and terminology with which Gorean free women, often inordinately honored, are addressed.
Hunters

"Finish with her," said the Lady Elicia, rising, angrily, from the curule chair. "And when you are done with her see that she is cleaned and groomed, and presented to me in a fresh tunic."
"Yes, Lady," said Tellius.
Slave Girl

"He is a brigand from the forests north of Laura," said the lady.
"No, Lady," said I, deferentially. I inclined my head to her, for she was free, and obviously of high station.
"You have been greeted," she said, icily. "Now stand aside."
I thought her tone surly.
I did not move.
"This is the retinue of Constance, Lady in Kassau, enroute to Lydius, returning from the sights of Ar."
"She must be rich," I said. Surely this was true, for her to travel as she did, not in public caravan.
"Stand aside," said the captain. "A moment, Captain," said I. I looked to the free woman. "I am a man, dear Lady," said I, "and am of the warriors. I have journeyed far."
"I do not understand," she said.
"I assume," said I, "that you will linger briefly here, to fill the flasks of water, if not camp for the night."
"What does he want?" she asked.
"He is of the warriors, milady," said the captain.
"Forgive me, Lady," said I, "but my need is much upon me."
Beasts

He regarded her. She shuddered. Her Home Stone was not that of Lara, times were troubled,, and Strobius was master in his own inn. Too, she had for a time owed him money. Would he like to see her stripped and collared?
"Please kind sir," she said. Gorean men are sometimes slow to release their grip on the bodies of females. They enjoy holding them. They are men.
"Of course, Lady," said Strobius smiling, again bowing. He then signaled the fellow to release the woman, which he did. She then drew back angrily and smoothed down her garments. Then straightening herself, she cam regally to where I stood.
"My thanks, Sir," she said looking up at me.
Rogue

"My thanks, Lady Teela," said Turbus Veminius, proprietor of the shop, accepting coins and handing to a robed woman a tiny vial of perfume.
Fighting Slave

"He is splendid, Lady Florence," said Kenneth, warmly. "He is a true champion. He has beaten already the champions of five stables, those of Kliomenes, Policrates, Gordon, Dorto and Miles."
"I abhor violence," she said, shuddering, the quirt in her hand.
"Of course, Lady Florence," said Kenneth. "Forgive me. They are, of course, only slaves who are set at one another"
Fighting Slave

She had not known of my presence, and yet she did not seem much surprised. This was a moment she had apparently expected for many days, and now it had come. Her head lifted and her eyes, fine, grey eyes, dulled with sorrow and perhaps hunger, regarded me. She seemed to take no great interest in me, or her fate. I gathered that I might have been anyone.
We faced one another without speaking for a moment.
"Tal, Warrior," she said, softly, her voice emotionless.
Outlaw

"You have disarmed me, Warrior," she said. "Will you now, please, hand me my robe."
He threw the robe to the side of the room. She looked at it, crumpled at the side of the room.
"Please," she said. "I am rich. I can give you much gold."
Slave Girl

“If you should attempt to do that again, my dear,” said the praetor, “your ankles will be tied, and you will hear the rest of the proceedings while lying on your belly before the tribunal.”
“Yes, Officer,” she said.
Explorers

She looked into my eyes for a long time. And then, as Thorn and the warrior picked up the litter with their wounded companion and began to depart, she said to me, "Goodbye, Tarl of Ko-ro-ba."
"I wish you well, Vera of the Towers of the Morning," I said.
Outlaw

He regarded her. She shuddered. Her Home Stone was not that of Lara, times were troubled,, and Strobius was master in his own inn. Too, she had for a time owed him money. Would he like to see her stripped and collared?
"Please kind Sir," she said. Gorean men are sometimes slow to release their grip on the bodies of females. They enjoy holding them. They are men.
"Of course, Lady," said Strobius smiling, again bowing. He then signaled the fellow to release the woman, which he did. She then drew back angrily and smoothed down her garments. Then straightening herself, she cam regally to where I stood.
"My thanks, Sir," she said looking up at me.
Rogue

"Keeper," said the woman who had been examining me.
"I am here," said the Lady Gina.
Fighting Slave

"How pretty he is at your stirrup, Lady Florence," said the veiled woman, reclining in the palanquin, its draft slaves now halted.
"A lengthening of his hair, a white ribbon binding it back, a silken tunic make quite a difference, Lady Melpomene," responded the Lady Florence.
Fighting Slave

Free Companionship is not marriage, but as close as it gets on Gor.
Free men and women have only one Free Companion (presumably only one at a time).

There is no marriage, as we know it, on Gor, but there is the institute of the Free Companionship, which is its nearest correspondent.
Outlaw

One may have, at a given time, an indefinite number of slaves, but only one Free Companion.

However, among the tribes in the jungles near Schendi, we find that a man having hundreds of companions is acceptable.

“Do you truly think that Bila Huruma,” I asked, “who owns or is companion to perhaps hundreds of women would pursue you into the jungle at great risk to himself and his empire to get back one girl, a girl whom he doubtless realizes has by now been reduced to slavery, and has thus been rendered politically worthless, and a girl who was never more to him to begin with than a convenience in a minor political situation on the Ngao coast?”
Explorers

“Lady Tende, daughter of Aibu, high chief of Ukungu,” said Mwoga, “is being conveyed in honor to the ceremony of companionship, to be mated to his majesty, Bila Huruma.”
“She is being sold to seal a bargain,” said Kisu. “How could she be more a slave?”
Tende’s face remained expressionless.
“Of her own free will,” said Mwoga, “the Lady Tende hastens to become Ubara to Bila Huruma.”
“One of more than two hundred Ubaras!” scoffed Kisu.
Explorers

Additionally, this restriction on only one FC is perhaps why the Free Companionship is not recognized in Port Kar. We see mention of "His women" and "My women" throughout scenes in Port Kar which refer to both free women and slaves.

Port Kar does not recognize the Free Companionship, but there are free women in the city, who are known simply as the women of their men.
Raiders

High caste women are more often companioned to men who benefit their families (fathers) politically.

Companionship with such a person, for anyone of position or power, was unthinkable. It would result in the equivalent of ostracism. With her as companion one could be only rich. Companionship with such a person, an ex-slave, one without caste, one without family and position, would be, politically and socially, a gross and incomparable mistake.
Hunters

Bosk considers many women for potential political alliance, rejecting each for various reasons.

I wondered of the daughters of Ubars. It was unfortunate that the great Ubar, Marlenus, had no such daughter. Had he one, she might have been ideal.
Lurius of Jad, Ubar of the island of Cos, was said, by a long-dissolved companionship, to have a daughter. Phanius Turmus, of Turia, was said to have two daughters. They had once been enslaved by Tuchuks, but they were now free. They had been returned, though still wearing the chains of slaves, as a gesture of good will, by Kamchak, Ubar San of the Wagon Peoples. Turia was called the Ar of the south.
Cos and Port Kar, of course, are enemies, but, if the Companion Price offered Lurius were sufficient, I would not expect him to hesitate in giving me the girl. The alliance, of course, would be understood, on all sides, as not altering the political conditions obtaining between the cities. It was up to Lurius to dispose of his daughter as he saw fit. She might not desire to come to Port Kar, but the feelings of the girl are not considered in such matters. Some high-born women are less free than the most abject of slave girls.
Clark of Thentis had a daughter, but he was not a Ubar. He was not even of high caste. He, too, was of the merchants. Indeed, there were many important merchants who had daughters, for example, the first merchant of Teletus and the first merchant of Asperiche. Indeed, the two latter individuals had already, in the past year, approached me with the prospect of a companionship with their daughters, but I had declined to discuss the matter.
I wanted a woman of high caste.
Hunters

Beauty in a companion, of course, is not particularly important. Family and power are.
Hunters

The pledged companions, the Lady Sabina of Fortress of Saphronicus and Thandar of Ti, of the Four Cities of Saleria, of the Salerian Confederation, had, as yet, according to Eta, never laid eyes on one another, the matter of their match having been arranged between their respective fathers, as is not uncommon in Gorean custom. The match had been initiated at the behest of Kleomenes, who was interested in negotiating a commercial and political alliance with the Salerian Confederation.
Slave Girl

Surprisingly enough, a woman who is bought from her parents, for tarns or gold, is regarded as a Free Companion, even though she may not have been consulted in the transaction. More commendably, a free woman may herself, of her own free will, agree to be such a companion.
Outlaw

These alliances, of interest to the expanding Salerian Confederation, were not unwelcome. Such alliances, naturally, might presage the entrance of Fortress of Saphronicus into the Confederation, which was becoming a growing power in the north. It seemed not unlikely that the match would ultimately prove profitable and politically expedient for both Fortress of Saphronicus and the Salerian Confederation. In the match, there was much to gain by both parties. The Companion Contract, thus, had been duly negotiated, with the attention of scribes of the law from both Fortress of Saphronicus and the Confederation of Saleria.

Goreans normally choose companions among their own caste.
If the companionship is of mixed caste, the woman commonly keeps her own caste.
The woman may however change caste to that of the man.

Normally mating takes place among caste members, but if the mating is of mixed caste, the woman may elect to retain caste, which is commonly done, or be received into the caste of the male companion.

Surprisingly enough, a woman who is bought from her parents, for tarns or gold, is regarded as a Free Companion, even though she may not have been consulted in the transaction.
Outlaw

She replied proudly, "My bride price would be a hundred tarns."
I whistled softly to myself--my ex-slave would have come high. On a Warrior's allowance I would not have been able to afford her.
Tarnsman

"She would have brought a thousand tarns," said Marlenus. "Proceed with the impalement."
Tarnsman

A Gorean free woman does not change her name in the ceremony of the Free Companionship. She remains who she was. In such a ceremony two free individuals have elected to become companions. The Earth woman, as a consequence of certain mating ceremonials, may change her last name. The first and other names, however, tend to remain constant.
Explorers

Veils are removed in some cities
Friends gather to celebrate
There may be a Companionship Feast

In certain cities, in connection with the free companionship, the betrothed or pledged beauty may wear eight veils, several of which are ritualistically removed during various phases of the ceremony of companionship; the final veils, and robes, of course, are removed in private by the male who, following their removal, arms interlocked with the girl, drinks with her the wine of the companionship, after which he completes the ceremony. This sort of thing, however, varies considerably from city to city. In some cities the girl is unveiled, though not disrobed, of course, during the public ceremony. The friends of the male may then express their pleasure and joy in her beauty, and their celebration of the good fortune of their friend. Slave Girl

A crown of talenders was often worn by the girl at the feast celebrating her Free Companionship.
Outlaw

When I returned to Ko-ro-ba with Talena, a great feast was held and we celebrated our Free Companionship. A holiday was declared, and the city was ablaze with light and song. Shimmering strings of bells pealed in the wind, and festive lanterns of a thousand colours swung from the innumerable flower-strewn bridges. There was shouting and laughter, and the glorious colours of the castes of Gor mingled equally in the cylinders. Gone for the night was even the distinction of master and slave, and many a wretch in bondage would see the dawn as a free man.
To my delight, even Torm, of the Caste of Scribes, appeared at the tables. I was honoured that the little scribe had separated himself from his beloved scrolls long enough to share my happiness, only that of a warrior. He was wearing a new robe and sandals, perhaps for the first time in years. He clasped my hands, and, to my wonder, the little scribe was crying. And then, in his joy, he turned to Talena and in gracious salute lifted the symbolic cup of Ka-la-na wine to her beauty.
Talena and I swore to honour that day as long as either of us lived. I have tried to keep that promise, and I know that she has done so as well. That night, that glorious night, was a night of flowers, torches, and Ka-la-na wine, and late, after sweet hours of love, we fell asleep in each other's arms.
Tarnsman

When,” I asked, “High Lady, will you drink the wine of the Free Companionship with Lurius, noble Ubar of Cos?”
“I shall return first to Tyros,” she said, “where I shall be made ready. Then, with treasure ships, we shall return in festive voyage to the harbor of Telnus, where I shall take the arm of Lurius and with him drink the cup of the Free Companionship.”
Raiders

“Drink with me the cup of the Free Companionship,” said Relius, rather sternly.
“Yes, Master,” said Virginia, “yes!”
“Relius,” said he.
“I love you!” she cried. “I love you, Relius!”
“Bring the wine of Free Companionship!” decreed Marlenus.
The wine was brought and Relius and Virginia, lost in one another’s eyes, arms interlocked, drank together.
He carried her from the court of the Ubar, she lying against him, weeping with happiness.
There were cheers in the court of the Ubar.
Assassin of Gor; p. 402

By Gorean Law, the companionship must be renewed each year with the drinking of the wine.
Either party falling slave dissolves the companionship.
“The companionship is gone,” said Telima. “More than a year has passed,” she pointed out, “and you have not, together, repledged it.”
“That is true,” I admitted. By Gorean law the companionship, to be binding, must, together, be annually renewed, pledged afresh with the wines of love.
“And,” said Telima, “both of you were once enslaved, and that, in itself, dissolves the companionship. Slaves cannot stand in companionship.”
Captive

How beautiful she would have looked as we had, arms interlocked, drunk the wines of a renewed, repledged companionship.
Hunters

It was true that the Companionship, not renewed, had been dissolved in the eyes of Gorean law. It was further true that, had it not been so, the Companionship would have been terminated abruptly when one or the other of the pledged companions fell slave.
Hunters

At that point, in Gorean law, the companionship had been dissolved. The companionship had not been renewed by the twentieth hour, the Gorean Midnight, of its anniversary.
Marauders

Lurius of Jad as a daughter by a long-dissolved companionship.
She remains his to contract in companionship as benefits him.
Lurius of Jad, Ubar of the island of Cos, was said, by a long-dissolved companionship, to have a daughter.
...
Cos and Port Kar, of course, are enemies, but, if the Companion Price offered Lurius were sufficient, I would not expect him to hesitate in giving me the girl. The alliance, of course, would be understood, on all sides, as not altering the political conditions obtaining between the cities. It was up to Lurius to dispose of his daughter as he saw fit. She might not desire to come to Port Kar, but the feelings of the girl are not considered in such matters. Some high-born women are less free than the most abject of slave girls.
Hunters

Note that we don't see pants, trousers, or "leathers" among the men of cities. The belted tunics and sandals likely look something like this - Tunic

On a Warrior in Koroba
I was clad in some sort of tunic of a reddish color, which was tied at the waist with a yellow cord.
Tarnsman

I shook the thought from my aching head, made an unsuccessful effort to muster a decent sense of shame, failed, and was belting my tunic when the Older Tarl entered the room.
Tarnsman

I opened the leather bundle. In it I found the scarlet tunic, sandals and cloak which constitute the normal garb of a member of the Caste of Warriors.
Outlaw

On a Scribe in Koroba
Torm was of slight build and reminded me of an angry bird which enjoys nothing so much as scolding squirrels. His blue robes were worn through in a dozen spots, only two or three of which had been ineptly attacked by thread. One of his sandals had a broken strap that had been carelessly knotted back together.
Tarnsman

I was honoured that the little scribe had separated himself from his beloved scrolls long enough to share my happiness, only that of a warrior. He was wearing a new robe and sandals, perhaps for the first time in years.
Tarnsman

On a Tavern Proprieter, of the Merchant Caste, in Ar
The Assassin turned to the man in a black apron, a fat, grimy man, who wore a soiled tunic of white and gold, stained with sweat and spilled paga.
Assassin

On a Vintner in Ar
"Game!" I heard, an answering cry, and a fat fellow, of the Caste of Vintners, puffing and bright eyed, wearing a white tunic with a representation in green cloth of leaves about the collar and down the sleeves of the garment, stepped forth from a doorway.
Assassin

On a Man of the Caste of Thieves
The man, who wore a simple dark tunic and sandals, dropped out to the ground. His hair was dark and clipped short; his face intelligent, but hard. On his right cheek, over the cheekbone was the Thief brand of the Caste of Thieves of Port Kar, who use the small brand to identify their members. "Look," said the man to Cernus, leading him about the side of the ship.
Assassin

On Warriors in the employ of a Slaver Caravan
The men, saving the one called Targo, wore tunics, with helmets. They looked rather frightening. The opening in the helmets reminded me vaguely of a "Y". the swords they carried in scabbards slung over their left shoulder. They wore heavy sandals, laced with thick straps, more than a foot up their leg. Several of them, besides the small swords, carried a knife as well, this attached to a leather belt. They wore pouches also at the belt.
Captive

In Port Kar
One of the guards fetched Rim a tunic, and he drew it on his body. He belted the broad belt, with its large buckle. He shook his shaggy black hair.
Hunters

The tunics of sea men, entering Lydius
I did not, on nearing Lydius, fly the flag of Bosk, that bearing the head of a bosk, black, across a field of vertical green bars, the famous flag of Bosk, from the Marshes.
I did not wish to be recognized. I, and Rim and Thurnock, wore the simple tunics of seamen.
Hunters

The tunic of Tyros
He stood alone, high on the beach, his sandals on its pebbles, a lonely figure. He was unshaven. The tunic of Tyros, once a bright yellow, was now stained and tattered.
Hunters

The men in the tunics of Tyros threw their yellow caps into the air and cheered, and splashed water on one another, laughing. The forest was behind them. They had come safely to the sea. In the darkness of the forest, I smiled.
Hunters

Sandals
On Marlenus, even in a cave in the Voltai mountains
One of the tarnsmen of Marlenus thrust his hand in my hair and forced my lips down to his sandal. I forced my head up and kept my back straight, my eyes granting my captor no satisfaction. I knelt on the granite floor of a shallow cave in one of tha Voltai peaks, a sheltered fire on each side of me. Before me, on a rough throne of piled rocks, sat Marlenus, his long hair over his shoulders, his great beard reaching almost to his sword belt.
Tarnsman

On a Warrior in a storm, on the road to Tharna
I continued forward and stood where it had struck. In spite of the icy wind and rain I could feel the heat of the stones through my sandals. I raised my eyes to the storm, and my spear and shield, and shouted into the storm, a defiant puff of wind hurled against the forces that seemed arrayed against me.
Outlaw

On a Peasant in Tharna
On market day I saw a peasant, his sack of Sa-Tarna meal on his back, whose sandals were tied with silver straps.
Outlaw

Boots
In addition, the mounted warriors inevitably wear a high, soft pair of boots called tharlarion boots. These protect their legs from the abrasive hides of their mounts. When a tharlarion runs, its hide could tear the unprotected flesh from a man's bones.
Tarnsman

Talena blushed and lowered her face, rubbing vigorously on the leather of my tharlarion boots.
Tarnsman

Indeed, there is a saying on Gor, a saying whose origin is lost in the past of this strange planet, that one who speaks of Home Stones should stand, for matters of honor are here involved, and honor is respected in the barbaric codes of Gor.
Tarnsman page 27

There is a Gorean proverb that a man who is returning to his city is not to be detained.
Outlaw

There is a saying on Gor that the laws of a city extend no further than its walls.
Outlaw

“Only one can sit upon the throne,” said Msaliti.
“That is a saying in the north,” I said.
“I know,” said Msaliti. “But it is a saying that is also known east of Schendi.”
“Even east of Schendi,” I smiled, “the throne is a lonely country.”
“He who sits upon the throne, it is said,” said Msaliti, “is the most alone of men.”
Explorers

It is said that only a man knows how to tie a Turian camisk on a girl properly. There are many such saying on Gor.
Captive

Gorean thinking on this matter tends to be expressed by the saying that a slave girl grows bold if her lips are allowed to touch the name of her master. On the other hand, I, like many Gorean masters, provided the girl was not testing or challenging me, and provided that free women, or others, were not present whom I had no wish to offend or upset, preferred as a matter of fact to have my own name on the girl’s lips, for I think, with acknowledged vanity, that there are few sounds as pleasurable as the sound of one’s own name on the lips of a beautiful woman.
Priest Kings

Slave girls relish compliments. Indeed there is a Gorean saying to the effect that any woman who relishes a compliment is in her heart a slave girl. She wants to please. Most Gorean men would not think twice about collaring a girl who responds, smiling, to compliments. A desire to please her Master. When she is complimented she knows she has pleased him.
Beasts page 17

"No man respects a woman who knows what else to do with her," she said.
"It is a Gorean saying," I said.
Beasts page 434

It is said that he whose lips have never touched those of a slave girl does not know, truly, what it is to hold a woman in his arms.
Beasts page 438

"Buy me, Master," begged Beverly.
I then made her respond to me, and she began to moan. "I want to be bought," she moaned.
To beg to be purchased is a slave's act. That is a saying of Goreans. I think it is true. In this, then, Miss Henderson provided further confirmation of the rightness of the collar upon her throat, that she was a natural and true slave.
Rogue page 221

There is a Gorean saying that free women, raised gently in the high cylinders, in their robes of concealment, unarmed, untrained in weapons, may, by the slaver, be plucked like flowers.
There is no such saying pertaining to panther girls.
Hunters page 118

A Gorean saying came to mind, that the free woman is a riddle, the answer to which is the collar.
Magicians page 50

There is a Gorean saying that only a fool buys a woman clothed.
Magicians page 76

No master, it is said, who has not denied his girl food knows her.
Tribesmen page 48

"Only in a collar can a woman be truly free," I said. It was a Gorean saying.
Tribesmen page 75

"It is said," she remarked, her eyes mischievous, "that any man who frees a slave girl is a fool."
Nomads page 285

"You will learn when you are sold to him," said Targo. "Curiosity is not becoming in a Kajira," said Targo. "You might be beaten for it."
I remembered that the large man, on the planet Earth, had said to me this thing. I gathered that it was a Gorean saying.
Captive

She was a juicy slave, and one of high intelligence. She was not without interest. I rather liked the look of my collar on her throat.
I reminded myself that it was said that panther girls, once conquered, make excellent slaves.
I think it is a true saying.
Hunters

There is a saying in Gorean, that the chains of a slave girl are heaviest in Port Kar. I did not think, truthfully, however, that Port Kar was unusual in its treatment of female slaves. Gorean men, generally, are not easy with them. The saying is probably motivated not so much by an objective analysis of the treatment of enslaved women in that city as by the fear and distrust which Port Kar has historically precipitated in the hearts of its enemies.
Explorers

"Tonight," she said, "let us drink wine."
It was a Gorean expression, a fatalistic maxim in which the events of the morrow were cast into the laps of the Priest-Kings.
Tarnsman page 132

It is said that only the heart of the mountain larl brings more luck than that of the vicious and cunning sleen.
Outlaw page 37

Once one has been a tarnsman, it is said, one must return again and again to the giant, savage birds. I think that this is a true saying.
Outlaw

To live a tarn must fly, high, far and often. A Gorean saying has it that they are brothers of the wind, and how could one expect such a creature to survive confinement? Like its brother the wind when the tarn is not free it has no choice but to die.
Priest Kings

"Do you not remember what he said in his insulae," I asked Marcus, "that it would be no more than a sneeze?"
"Yes," said Marcus. That is a Gorean expression, incidentally, that something would be no more than a sneeze.
Magicians page 404-405

There is a saying on Gor, "Gold has no caste." It is a saying of which the merchants are fond.
Nomads page 84

This was a paraphrase of a saying common on Gor, given by passing strangers to those through whose territories they would travel: Only the span of the wings of my tarn, only the girth of my tharlarion, only the width of my body, and no more, and that but for the time it takes to pass.
Raiders page 11

"It is said, " said Samos, "that only weaklings, and fools, and men who deserve to be slave girls, fall slave to women."
Hunters page 13

But the Goreans have a saying, which came to me in the darkness, in the hall, "Do not ask the stones or the trees how to live; they cannot tell you; they do not have tongues; do not ask the wise man how to live, for, if he knows, he will know he cannot tell you; if you would learn how to live, do not ask the question; its answer is not in the question but in the answer, which is not in words; do not ask how to live, but, instead, proceed to do so."
Marauders page 10

I had been taught, long ago, by Kamchak of the Tuchuks, at a banquet in Turia, that where weapons may not be carried, it is well to carry weapons.
Marauders page 41

"But," said the Older Tarl, "you are a Warrior."
"Yes," I said, "I am a Warrior."
"Until you find Talena," he said, "your companion is peril and steel."
It was on old Warrior saying.
Priest Kings

In the codes of the warriors, there is a saying, "Be strong, and do as you will. The swords of others will set your limits."
Marauders

"There is a time and a place for speaking, as there is a time and a place for steel." It is a saying of the warriors.
Slave Girl page 269

"You know the desert?" asked T'Zshal.
"The desert is my mother, and my father," said Hassan. It was a saying of the Tahari.
Tribesmen

A good fight, I have heard men of the Tahari say, licking their lips, justifies any cause.
Tribesmen page 177

"It was an amusement on my part," smiled Saphrar, "to speak your name at that time to see what you would do, to give you something, so to speak, to stir in your wine."
It was a Turian saying. They used wines in which, as a matter of fact, things could be and were, upon occasion, stirred mostly spices and sugars.
Nomads

...and yet I knew that in each dirt-floored cone of straw that served as the dwelling place of a peasant and his family, there was, by the fire hole, a Home Stone; the peasants themselves, though regarded as the lowest caste on all Gor by most Goreans, call themselves proudly the ox on which the Home Stone rests, and I think their saying is true.
Raiders

He who can bend the longbow, a peasant saying has it, cannot be slave.
Women, of course, it might be noted, lack the strength to bend this bow. I suppose if they could bend the bow, the saying would not exist or would be altered. That is the way men are.
Slave Girl

I threw the cloak to the grass and knelt at his feet, as though chained. I looked up at him. He was now standing on his feet, and he looked down at me, tenderly.
"I am chained at your feet," I said. It was a saying of a Gorean slave, to express her feelings.
"Yes," he said, gently.
Captive

"Excellent," said Verna. She looked down at me, and laughed. "Any panther girl," she said, "who falls to men deserves the collar." She fingered the hilt of the knife. "There is a saying among panther girls," she said, "that any girl who permits herself to fall to men desires in her heart to be their slave."
Hunters

Gorean society tends to be tradition bound.
There is little questioning of the wisdom of one's fathers.
Beyond this, lastly, it might be mentioned that Gorean society, on the whole, tends to be tradition bound, and that there is little questioning of the wisdom of one's fathers; in such a society individuals usually have an identity satisfactory to themselves, and a place in which they feel comfortable; accordingly they are less susceptible to the social confusions attendant upon a society in which greater mobility is encouraged and traditional prestige considerations replaced with materialistic ones.
Raiders

The small bow, interestingly, has never been used among tarnsmen; perhaps this is because the kaiila is almost unknown above the equator, and the lesson of kaiilaback has not been much available to them; perhaps it is of tradition, which weighs heavily in Gorean life, even in military affairs for example, the phalanx was abandoned only after more than a century of attempts to preserve and improve it;
Assassin

Goreans have little idea of "progress'.
Takes great care in his workmanship.
Expects things to last a hundred generations.
(Note - this goes hand in hand with the gorean belief in "tradition".)
The road, like most Gorean roads, was built like a wall in the earth and was intended to last a hundred generations. The Gorean, having little idea of progress in our sense, takes great care in his building and workmanship. What he builds he expects men to use until the storms of time have worn it to dust.
Outlaw

The Goreans generally, though there are exceptions, particularly the Caste of Initiates, do not believe in immortality. Accordingly, to be of a city is, in a sense, to have been a part of something less perishable than oneself, something divine in the sense of undying, Of course, as every Gorean knows, cities too are mortal, for cities can be destroyed as well as men. And this perhaps makes them love their cities the more, for they know that their city, like themselves, is subject to mortal termination.
Outlaw

They believe that it is a man's deeds which truly live after him, and that the difference, great or small, which they make in the world, the difference which he made, for having been there, is what is important.
No matter how insignificant or tiny one is, in the Gorean belief, one is an incredible part of history.
The graves of the men had swords thrust in the earth, that they might thus be marked. Mirus scratched a board, taken from the ruins of the building about, which he fixed on the common grave of Borko and Hendow. I cannot read Gorean. Mirus told Tupita it said, "Borko and Hendow, Hendow was of Brundisium. He was my friend." Most Gorean graves, incidentally, are not marked even in so simple a fashion. Most Goreans do not care for such things. They believe that it is a man's deeds which truly live after him, and that the difference, great or small, which they make in the world, the difference which he made, for having been there, is what is important. No matter how insignificant or tiny one is, in the Gorean belief, one is an incredible part of history. That can never be taken from anyone. That is better, they believe, than scratched wood or marked stone.
Dancer

Pity humiliates both the one who is pitied, and the one who pities.
One may love, but one may not pity.
He threw down the ax, which rang on the stones of the road to Ko-ro-ba. Zosk sank down and sat cross-legged in the road, his gigantic frame shaken with sobs, his massive head buried in his hands, his thick, guttural voice moaning with distress.
At such a time a man may not be spoken to, for according to the Gorean way of thinking pity humiliates both he who pities and he who is pitied. According to the Gorean way, one may love but one may not pity.
So I moved on.
Outlaw

Begging is not favored and may be regarded as an insult to them and their city.
Goreans do not generally favor begging, and some regard it as an insult that there should be such, an insult to them and their city. When charity is in order, as when a man cannot work or a woman is alone, usually such is arranged through the caste organization, but sometimes through the clan, which is not specifically caste oriented but depends on ties of blood through the fifth degree.
Assassin

Unlike the men of Earth, the Gorean had little sensitivity to race, but much to language and city. Like ourselves, he finds his reasons for hating his fellow-men, but his reasons are different.
Outlaw

Goreans are suspicious of strangers.
Pikes on the walls of Gorean cities are often surmounted with the remains of unwelcome guests. The Gorean is suspicious of the stranger, particularly in the vicinity of his native walls. Indeed, in Gorean the same word is used for both stranger and enemy.
Outlaw

Strife is common among Gorean cities, each tending to be belligerent and suspicious of others.
Captive

Goreans seem to take time to "stop and smell the roses".
The average working day is ten Ahn, or about twelve Earth hours. The amount of time spent in actual work, however, is far less. The work day of a free man in the arsenal is likely to be, on the whole, a rather leisurely one. Free Goreans do not like to be pressed in their tasks. Two Ahn for lunch and stopping an Ahn early for paga and a talk in the late afternoon are not uncommon.
Raiders

The pace of life in a Gorean city, even a large city such as Ar, does not tend to be swift. Sometimes when there is an especially beautiful sky many people will close their shops and men will flock to the high bridges to watch.
Fighting Slave

I was served a cup of paga, and I drank it slowly, waiting for Rim and Thurnock.

They would not hurry. Gorean men do not.
Hunters - Rim and Thurnock are entertaining themselves with slaves in alcoves.

This slower pace may be due to Goreans being far more interested in beauty and workmanship than pursuing wealth.
This is not to say that they would have any objection to being rich; it is only to remark, in effect, that it has never occurred to them, no more than to most Goreans, to take very seriously the pursuit of wealth as their universal and compelling motivation; being ignorant, it seems, they, like most other Goreans, are more concerned with other things, such as, as I have earlier noted, the building of fine and beautiful ships. I make no pronouncements on these matters, but report them as I find them.
Raiders

For the Gorean, though he seldom speaks of these things, a city is more than brick and marble, cylinders and bridges. It is not simply a place, a geographical location in which men have seen fit to build their dwellings, a collection of structures where they may most conveniently conduct their affairs.
The Gorean senses, or believes, that a city cannot be simply identified with its natural elements, which undergo their transformations even as do the cells of a human body.
For them a city is almost a living thing, or more than a living thing. It is an entity with a history, as stones and rivers do not have a history; it is an entity with a tradition, a heritage, customs, practices, character, intentions, hopes. When a Gorean says, for example, that he is of Ar, or Ko-ro-ba, he is doing a great deal more than informing you of his place of residence.
Outlaw

The gorean is proud of his city
I now dressed myself in the scarlet garb of a warrior of Gor. I was puzzled that the garb, like the helmet and shield, bore no insignia. This was contrary to the ways of Gor, for normally only the habiliments of outlaws and exiles, men without a city, lack the identifying devices of which the Gorean is so proud.
Outlaw

Each time we moved from a thicket, if we had built such a trap, we destroyed it. This, incidentally, is a standard Gorean practice. He never leaves a trap set to which he does not intend to return. The Goreans, often so cruel to one another, tend to have an affection for wildlife and growing things, which they regard as free, and thereby deserving of great respect. This affection and respect, unfortunately, is seldom extended to domestic animals, such as bosk and slaves. The Gorean woodsman, it might be mentioned, before he will strike a tree with his ax, speaks to the tree, begs its forgiveness and explains the use to which the wood will be put.
Captive

Goreans prefer the light of flames over energy bulbs. The flames are beautiful, alive, and must be watched & tended.
Saphrar was a rich man indeed to have energy bulbs in his home; few Goreans can afford such a luxury; and, indeed, few care to, for Goreans, for some reason, are fond of the light of flame, lamps and torches and such; flames must be made, tended, watched; they are more beautiful, more alive.
Nomads

Cuwignaka’s knife moved on his own forearm, and then on mine, and then on Hci’s.
“You cannot be a member of the Sleen Soldiers of the All Comrades,” had said Hci, “for you are not Kaiila, and you do not know our dances and mysteries, the contents of our medicine bundles.”
“There is another thing,” had said Cuwignaka, “which can be done.”
“Do it,” had said Hci.
Cuwignaka held his arm to mine, and then I held my arm to that of Hci, and then Hci, in turn, held his arm to that of Cuwignaka. Thus was the circle of blood closed.
“It is done,” said Cuwignaka.
“Brothers,” I said.
“Brothers,” said Hci.
“Brothers,” said Cuwignaka.
Blood Brothers

Men of regions that are traditional enemies (here Torvaldsland and Port Kar), having respect for one another, agree to be friends and share salt
"Your city," he asked, "what is it?"
"You may think of me," I had said, "as one of Port Kar."
"Very well," said he, "but I think we shall not make a great deal of that, for the men of Port Kar are not overly popular in the north."
"The men of Torvaldsland," I assured him, "are not overly popular in the south."
"The men of Port Kar, however," said the Forkbeard, "are respected in the north."
"The men of Torvaldsland," I told him, "are similarly respected in the south."
Gorean enemies, if skilled, often hold one another in high regard.
"You play Kaissa well," had said Ivar Forkbeard. "Let us be friends."
"You, too, are quite skilled," I told him. Indeed, he had much bested me. I still had not fathomed the devious variations of the Jarl’s Ax’s gambit as played in the north. I expected, however, to solve it.
We had shaken hands over the board.
"Friend," he had said. "Friend," I had said.
We had then tasted salt, each from the back of the wrist of the other.
Marauders

Tahari warrior gains respect for Tarls skills, shares salt with him
The Warrior, who had been paid to teach Tarl, returns the fee to him then, on the grounds that they "have shared salt"
For ten days had we trained, for ten Gorean hours a day. Of the past forty passages eight had been divided, no blood adjudged drawn. In thirty-two I had been adjudged victorious, nineteen times to the death cut.
He pulled his sand veil, yellow, from his dark face, down about his throat. He thrust his burnoose back further over his shoulders. He was Harif, said to be the finest blade in Tor.
"Bring salt," he said to the judge.
The judge gestured to a boy, who brought him a small dish of salt.
The warrior slipped from his saddle, and, on foot, approached me.
I remained mounted.
"Cut the leather from the jaws of your kaiila," said he. Then he gestured to the boy, that the boy should remove the claw sheaths of the beast. He did so, carefully, the beast moving, nervous, shifting in the sand.
I discarded the exercise sheath, and, with the bared blade, parted the leather that had bound the jaws of the kaiila. The leather sprang from the blade. Silk, dropped upon the scimitar of the Tahari, divided, falls free, floating, to the floor. The beast reared, its claws raking the air, and threw back its head, biting at the sun.
I lifted the curved blade of the scimitar. It flashed. I sheathed it, and slipped from the saddle, giving the rein of the mount to the boy.
I faced the warrior.
"Ride free," he said.
"I will, "I said.
"I can teach you nothing more," he said.
I was silent.
"Let there be salt between us," he said.
"Let there be salt between us," I said.
He placed salt from the small dish on the back of his right wrist. He looked at me. His eyes were narrow. "I trust," said he, "you have not made jest of me."
"No," I said.
"In your hand," he said, "steel is alive, like a bird."
The judge nodded assent. The boy's eyes shone. He stood back.
"I have never seen this, to this extent, in another man." He looked at me. "Who are you?" he asked.
I placed salt on the back of my right wrist. "One who shares salt with you," I said.
"It is enough," he said.
I touched my tongue to the salt in the sweat of his right wrist, and he touched his tongue to the salt on my right wrist. "We have shared salt," he said.
He then placed in my hand the golden tarn disk, of Ar, with which I had purchased my instruction.
"It is yours," I said.
"How can that be?" he asked.
"I do not understand," I said.
He smiled. "We have shared salt," he said.
Tribesmen

One who has "not even shared salt" is not expected to follow a fellow into danger
"Get your kaiila, escape!" said Hassan. The roof was hot; the inn, below, was burning; to our right, through the roof, flames licked upwards.
"Are you not coming?" I asked.
"Presently," he said. "I am curious to see one of these Kavars."
"I am coming with you," I said.
"Save yourself," said he.
"I am coming with you," I said.
"We have not even shared salt," he said.
"I shall accompany you," I said.
He looked at me, for a long time. Then he thrust back the sleeve of his right hand. I pressed my lips to the back of his right wrist, tasting there, in the sweat, the salt. I extended to him the back of my right wrist, and he put his lips and tongue to it.
"Do you understand this?" he asked.
"I think so," I said.
"Follow me," said he. "We have work to do, my brother."
Tribesmen

Although one man thinks the goal of another is pointless and hopeless, when reminded that they "have shared salt" he agrees to help
"You cannot save him," said Hassan. The beams beneath the body of the kennel master were drenched with blood. My forehead was drenched with sweat. I saw the wounds in the shifting torchlight above and behind me. There was salt on my hands, blood. I pressed together, as I could, the serrated flesh.
"I did not know there could be so much blood in a man," said one of the men behind me.
"Bring me what I asked for," I said.
The lance shaft broken, was found floating near the raft. The lacings which had reinforced the head were removed. The dagger was thrust in the wood beside me.
"Help me," said I, "Hassan."
"Be merciful," said Hassan. "Kill him."
"Help me." I said.
"There is no hope," said he.
"We have shared salt," I said.
"I will help you," said Hassan.
Tribesmen

One who has shared salt is a brother
Then the two men stepped back from one another, "You fight well," said Ibn Saran. He stood unsteadily. "I could always beat you," he said "
"That was years ago, said Hassan.
"Yes," said Ibn Saran, "that was years ago." Ibn Saran lifted his scimitar to me in salute.
"One gains a victory," I said. "One loses, an enemy."
Ibn Saran inclined his head to me, in Taharic courtesy. Then his face went white, and he turned, and staggered to the parapet of the tower. He fell to the desert below.
Hassan sheathed his sword. "I had two brothers," he said. "One fought for Priest-Kings. He died in the desert. The other fought for Kurii. He died on the tower of Tarna's kasbah."
"And you?" I asked.
"I thought to remain neutral," he said. "I discovered I could not do so."
"There is no neutrality," I said.
"No," be said. Then he looked at me. "Once," he said, "I had two brothers." He clasped me about the shoulders. There were tears in his eyes. "Now," he said, "now I have only one.
We had shared salt at Red Rock, on a burning roof.
"My brother," I said.
"My brother," he said.
Tribesmen

Among the caste of warriors, one who has shed your blood, or whose blood you have shed, becomes a sword brother
Do not harm him," said Kazrak. "He is my sword brother, Tarl of Bristol." Kazrak's remark was in accord with the strange warrior codes of Gor, codes which were as natural to him as the air he breathed, and codes which I, in the Chamber of the Council of Ko-ro-ba, had sworn to uphold. One who has shed your blood, or whose blood you have shed, becomes your sword brother, unless you formally repudiate the blood on your weapons. It is a part of the kinship of Gorean warriors regardless of what city it is to which they owe their allegiance. It is a matter of caste, an expression of respect for those who share their station and profession, having nothing to do with cities or Home Stones.
Tarnsman page 119

Kazrak agrees to give the remainder of his wages to Tarl, and have Tarl take his place in the service of a merchant, because Tarl has done Kazrak honor and is his sword brother
'Then I cannot pay the debt I owe you,' I said.
'I am a merchant,' said Mintar, 'and it is in my code to see that I am paid.'
I set myself to sell my life dearly. Oddly enough, my only fear was what would happen to the girl.
'Kazrak of Port Kar,' said Mintar, 'do you agree to surrender the balance of your hiring price to Tarl of Bristol if he takes your place in my service?'
'Yes,' responded Kazrak. 'He has done me honour and is my sword brother.'
Tarnsman

Tarl argued with Kazrak to keep half the wages, on the grounds that they are sword brothers
Kazrak, as he had promised, turned over the balance of his hiring price to me - a very respectable eighty tarn discs. I argued with him to accept forty, on the ground that he was a sword brother, and at last convinced him to accept half of his own wages back.
Tarsnman

It is natural and expected that one will enlist the aid of a sword brother when needed
It is natural and understood by others that the sword brother will go
Mintar looked up, and he, too, seemed pleased. 'You are the only man who has ever escaped the tarn death,' he said, something of wonder in his voice. 'Perhaps it is true, as they say, that you are the warrior brought every thousand years to Gor - brought by the Priest-Kings to change a world.'
'How did you know I would come to the camp?' I asked.
'Because of the girl,' said Mintar. 'And it was logical, was it not, to expect you to enlist the aid of your Kazrak, your sword brother?'
'Yes,' I said.
Mintar reached into the pouch at his waist and drew forth a golden tarn disc, of double weight. He threw it to Kazrak.
Kazrak caught it.
'I understand you are leaving my service,' said Mintar.
'I must,' said Kazrak.
'Of course,' said Mintar.
Tarnsman

Fighter in the stadium described as cruel and scornful to swordsmen, disabling their sword arms so they might never raise steel again, but offering the courtesy of a sword brother to common foes fighing for their freedom
Equaling and perhaps exceeding the fame of Gladius of Cos was that of the swordsman Murmillius, of the cruel games observed in the Stadium of Blades. Since the beginning of En'Kara he had fought more than one hundred and twenty times, and one hundred and twenty foes had fallen before him, which, following his unusual custom, he had never slain, regardless of the will of the crowd. Some of the best swordsmen of Ar, even Warriors of High Caste, eager to be the one to best the mysterious Murmillius, had dared to enter the arena against him, but each of these bold gentlemen he seemed to treat with more scorn than his common foes, playing with them and then, it seemed when he wished, disabling their sword arm, so cruelly that perhaps they might never again be able to lift the steel. Condemned criminals and men of low caste, fighting for gold or freedom in the arena, he treated with the harsh courtesies obtaining among sword brothers.
Assassin

Enemy has high respect when honored as a sword brother
Those of Tyros, upon discovering they were unknowingly using poisoned steel upon enemies who treated them as sword brothers, demand the antidote.
"We of Tyros are warriors and we do not deal in poisons. Upon my return to Tyros, Sullius inquired if our foes had been wounded, and I informed him that indeed we had struck you, drawing blood. His laughter, as if demented, he turning away, alarmed me. I forced the truth from him. I was in agony. It was to you that my men and myself, those who survived, owed their lives. Marlenus would have carried us to Ar for mutilation and public impalement. You were magnanimous, honoring us as warriors and sword brothers. I demanded an antidote.
Marauders