TREASON IN GOR (14,678 Words) KE

In the context of the Gor books, treason is defined as the ultimate betrayal of one's allegiance to their Home Stone or Ubarate. It is one of the gravest crimes a free citizen can commit, as it directly undermines the foundation of the city's identity, stability, and survival.

Key Actions Constituting Treason

Treason in Gor is often treated as the ultimate form of dishonor and typically involves actions that give aid and comfort to a city's enemies:

Betraying the Home Stone: The act of betraying or assisting in the theft or destruction of a city's Home Stone, the sacred symbol of its independence and sovereignty, is the paramount act of treason. The text often links treason to being "without a Home Stone," which means losing all legal status and protection.

Aiding Enemies/Usurpers: Providing military intelligence, assisting in a siege, or collaborating with invaders, such as the Kurii or a rival city's Ubar, is immediately considered treasonous.

Rebellion or Mutiny: Conspiring against the legitimate, ruling Ubar or the established High Council, especially during a time of crisis, is an act of treason (or sedition, which is closely related).

Violation of Oaths: Treason involves violating the sworn oaths of loyalty made to the Home Stone, the Ubar, or the city itself.

Consequences

The penalty for treason is exceptionally severe, reflecting the magnitude of the offense against the city-state:

Social Ruin: The traitor is typically disowned by their family and caste and stripped of their legal standing, becoming an outlaw or fugitive with no protection.

Punishment: The punishment is often death, carried out publicly via methods such as impalement or other forms of torture, serving as a brutal political deterrent to the populace. The ultimate humiliation is to have the traitor's shame publicly recorded and remembered.

Slave's Testimony

 A slave's testimony is not legally valid without their master's permission.  A slave is not a person before the law, therefore their testimony is invaid inless sanctioned by their master.

Outlawry

 Outlawry is the most severe punishment, as it removes a person from the protection of the city's laws, leaving them to be hunted and killed by anyone.

Tal

 Tal means "So be it" or "It is what it is," signifying acceptance of a ruling.

In a legal conxtext, "Tal" signigies a Gorean's acceptance of a judgment, regardless of personal feelings on the matter.

Brand Removal

 [12:33] Ashka (ashka.nightfire): Question!? Does anyone know if  - Brand Removal - was in the books? Quotes? Support of this happening?

[12:33] Astary Pendragon: Yes it was

[12:34] Abraham Jacobson (abrahamjacobs2): good question

[12:37] Darius Starr (dark.starr): "The brand was removed," said Ruffio. "The matter was attended to by discrete members of the green caste. They did well. Their instruments were skillfully handled. Their creams and salves are effective. She is healing rapidly. Her thigh is now as smooth as silk."

Warriors of Gor     Book 37     Pages 516 - 517

[12:37] Ashka (ashka.nightfire): Bless you! Thank you.

[12:38] Darius Starr (dark.starr): There are others to support it. And with the rampant hurry to brand/pierce/destroy a womans life it is necessary to know.

Custom Branding for Characters

This conversation revolves around Aric's request for a custom "branding" for a character named Fire (and possibly himself), leading to a discussion about the creation, purpose, and lore of such brands within the context of their role-playing environment.

Here's a summary:

Main Topic: Custom Branding for Characters

Participants: Aric, Kailias, Theron, Too Pretty to Think, Kartane, Flo, Toi Armani Skolldir, Kaster Slade, Montell Lovejoy, Vosathiel Ravenwood, Be, Sylvi Amour, Passion.

Key Points:

• Aric's Request: Aric initially asks if any "slaver or Smith" is available to do a "branding." When the immediate opportunity for a full role-play (RP) branding passes, he shifts to asking about creating a custom "A" brand for "Fire" and "Flame." He specifies he doesn't want a "kef" (a type of brand mentioned by others) but a simple "A."

• Brand Creation:

  • Kailias asks if Aric is looking for "BOM layers" (a technical term likely related to how virtual items are applied in their platform).

  • Too Pretty to Think and Flo recommend a "kef" from "FLO," providing marketplace links. Aric states he doesn't want a kef.

  • Kartane reveals that she makes brands and explicitly states she made Fire's original brand, offering to create a custom "A" brand that blends with Fire's existing one. She invites Aric to provide details on Discord.

  • Vosathiel Ravenwood interjects, claiming anyone with basic image editing skills can make a custom brand, which leads to a minor disagreement with Kartane and Toi, who defend the skill involved in creating quality brands. This exchange is quickly diffused.

• Discussion on Custom Brands and Lore:

  • Aric suggests "AoS" (Aric of Selnar) for his brand to make it unique, acknowledging that a simple "A" could be mistaken for others.

  • Be and Toi discuss the practicalities and humorous aspects of custom brands in a scenario where a branded character might be sold multiple times. Be jokes about a "trail of strikouts" down the leg.

  • Toi and Kartane clarify "merchant law" regarding branded slaves for public sale and that breeding/major slaver houses would use custom brands for identification, similar to livestock branding in real life.

  • Sylvi and Be discuss the aesthetics of brands, noting that modern virtual brands ("dinas") are prettier and smaller than older, larger ones.

  • The conversation briefly shifts to other topics, like Gilded Age season and new shows.

  • Sylvi expresses gladness that Toi (a physician) is still active, as many physicians have left.

 

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[09:43] Aric (orionbound): any slaver or Smith on?

[09:43] Kailias (kailias.lightcloud): Yes.

[09:44] Aric (orionbound): wanna do a branding lol?

[09:46] Aric (orionbound): nvm she's gotta go to rl soon 🙃  I can at least do the rp of setting up a time perhaps 

[09:46] Kailias (kailias.lightcloud): Fair enough.

[09:48] Theron (sagunn): *tosses Aric a branding iron and a fire starter*

[09:48] Theron (sagunn): No time like the present

[09:48] Aric (orionbound): lol I wanna see if anyone knows how to make a brand first

[09:49] Aric (orionbound): so I can get a simple A done.

[09:49] Kailias (kailias.lightcloud): Like BOM layers?

[09:50] Aric (orionbound): mhmmm?

[09:50] Aric (orionbound): idk how or id take a whack at it.

[09:51] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): if you are looking for a simple kef the one from FLO is wonderful

[09:51] Kartane (laiastar): >:L Aric, you already know I make them

[09:51] Kartane (laiastar): If you're making one for Fire

[09:52] Flo (floreo): yes, the Flo one is amazing

[09:52] Flo (floreo): I am wearing it too

[09:52] Flo (floreo): at the moment

[09:53] Flo (floreo): let me find the MP links

[09:53] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel) walked into the infrimary and well stopped behind a red head. She looked the girl over and then down to her feet*"Are you having issues with your feet?"She said to the girl and arched a brow at her*

[09:53] Theron (sagunn): pokes her in to local chat

[09:53] Aric (orionbound): lol for fire and flame 

[09:53] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): i mean Kartane is an excellent content creator

[09:54] Kartane (laiastar): He wants a custom brand, not a typical one, and I've made custom for him before

[09:54] Kaster Slade: Hey Aric. What text viewer do you use?

[09:54] Montell Lovejoy: ^ +1, she is

[09:54] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): she did kennel Camisk for me when i helped run a Kennel when i was a private Physician

[09:54] Flo (floreo): https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/FLO-brand-Ornate-Kef-2K-BoM-tattoo/27312947

[09:54] Aric (orionbound): lumiya 

[09:54] Aric (orionbound): the best one 

[09:54] Flo (floreo): https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/FLO-brand-Kef-2K-BoM-tattoo/27217229

[09:54] Aric (orionbound): I dont want a kef lol

[09:54] Kaster Slade: Does it also have a PC version?

[09:55] Aric (orionbound): no?

[09:55] Vosathiel Ravenwood: Anyone with some basic photoshop / gimp / whatever skills and half a brain can make a custom brand.

[09:55] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): ouch

[09:55] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): pretends to be offended

[09:56] Kartane (laiastar): Thats kinda mean, everyone does brands differently, and there is such a thing as a BAD brand

[09:57] Vosathiel Ravenwood: You calling people's art bad?

[09:57] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): alright lets change subject before this turns into a arguement

[09:57] Aric (orionbound): sighs this is what I get for asking questions 

[09:57] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): Enough.

[09:57] Kartane (laiastar): Im not getting into this

[09:58] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): Aric what are you looking for specifically?

[09:58] Kartane (laiastar): Aric, if you want help making a custom brand I would love to do one =)

[09:58] Vosathiel Ravenwood: I'm being a contrarian, not actually angry. :p

[09:58] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): i think he wants a custome brand.. im guessing

[09:58] Aric (orionbound): idk something that would look like it blended well with Fires brand

[09:58] Be (before.nightfall): I'll say it...yes, some things are bad. Some things are good. All in the eye of the beholder, and all are allowed opinions.

[09:58] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): Kartane is pro at texture work.

[09:58] Aric (orionbound): but made it look more like a A 

[09:58] Kartane (laiastar): I made fire's brand, I can make another <3

[09:58] Aric (orionbound): oooo then you'd know how to do it 

[09:58] Kartane (laiastar): I have the original files so I can add a few lines here and there =)

[09:59] Kartane (laiastar): Hit me with the info on discord, and I'll get it done >^-^<

[09:59] Aric (orionbound): id say aos but that'd be to much and look like crap lol 

[09:59] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): and she is off

[10:00] Aric (orionbound): aka AoS for Aric of Selnar as if its just a A itd be easy for anyone else with A name to be like thats mine lol 😆 

[10:00] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): thats why we have paperwork

[10:01] Aric (orionbound): paperwork can be forged :P

[10:01] Be (before.nightfall): But then if Aric leaves Selnar...

[10:01] Be (before.nightfall): they gon have to strike that out and put another letter

[10:01] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): he tkes her paper work and has it redone whereever he goes

[10:01] Be (before.nightfall): she'll have a trail of strikouts down her leg.

[10:01] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): lol Be

[10:01] Be (before.nightfall): Custom brands always made me laugh lol

[10:02] Sylvi Amour: Nothing wrong with a simple dina. I think they are pretty.

[10:03] passion (tendai.jules): that's what I wear

[10:03] Be (before.nightfall): I love Dinas. I think my issue has always been that back when...most brands were so big and ugly

[10:03] Be (before.nightfall): But the one I wear is smaller and higher on the hip

[10:03] Sylvi Amour: I have not branded Ava, as I don't intend to sell her, lol

[10:03] Sylvi Amour: oh they make them so pretty now!!

[10:04] Aric (orionbound): why custom brands are very gorean 

[10:04] Be (before.nightfall): They are...but they make me laugh

[10:05] Be (before.nightfall): I can't think logically if the girl is sold...how does that work? She'd literally have a line of brands down her thigh

[10:05] Sylvi Amour: I am so sad Gilded Age season is over. Now i'm watching Blood of my Blood and it is soooooooooooooooooo goooooood

[10:05] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): Why would she be rebranded if sold?

[10:05] Sylvi Amour: she's never been branded

[10:05] Be (before.nightfall): The next owner would keep a custom brand on a slave he bought?

[10:06] Sylvi Amour: I didn't buy her

[10:06] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): slaves can not be sold if they are not branded... Merchant law

[10:06] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): He doesn't have much of a choice.

[10:06] Be (before.nightfall): So like if guy two bought the slave, with guy one's brand...how's that work

[10:06] Kartane (laiastar): Actually Toi, if you read it properly, a branded slave is for PUBLIC sale.

[10:06] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): now if someone is not going to sell their slave then no they do not have to be branded

[10:06] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): Then she still has the brand

[10:06] Be (before.nightfall): Yah, that's how I mean it.

[10:06] Be (before.nightfall): So...custom brands just make me chuckle.

[10:07] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): Custom brands make sense.

[10:07] Be (before.nightfall): Dude three walkin around with a slave that says 'dude one' on her thigh

[10:07] Kartane (laiastar): Either way, custom brands existed in the books.

[10:07] Be (before.nightfall): i know they did. I'm not arguing that.

[10:07] Kartane (laiastar): So how about those kittens

[10:07] Sylvi Amour: I know one guy who has a custom brand that is ginormous it covers the whole upper thigh

[10:07] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): i mean breeding houses and major slaver houses would have a custome brand so everyone knew where said slave came form

[10:07] Be (before.nightfall): I just say it makes me chuckle

[10:07] ᴛᴏᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ (aspen.candyclaws): Slavers would want people to know that a slave was from their house simillar to how bred livestock is handled on Earth.

[10:07] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): mmhmm

[10:08] Aric (orionbound): exactly 

[10:08] Be (before.nightfall): I get it. I'm not saying it's not done, lmao.

[10:08] Be (before.nightfall): Never did

[10:08] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): ahh

[10:08] Be (before.nightfall): I'm sayign it makes me laugh. That's literally all

[10:08] Sylvi Amour: I'm not saying it's not pretty but it's huge, you can see the brand the slave coming a pasang away

[10:08] Be (before.nightfall): damn

[10:09] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): lol Sylvi

[10:09] Sylvi Amour: hehe

[10:09] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): i mean there would be no way to hide that brand then or cover it up with another

[10:10] Be (before.nightfall): evah

[10:10] Sylvi Amour: Toi

[10:10] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): yes?

[10:10] Sylvi Amour: I'm so glad you stay here and have not left!!!

[10:10] Sylvi Amour: so glad

[10:10] Sylvi Amour: so many physicians have left.

[10:10] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): why would i leave? i love rping with so many here

[10:11] Toi Armani Skolldir (babeangel): and yes but we are getting more

[10:11] Sylvi Amour: yeah right? This is the best place.

[10:11] Sylvi Amour: Great!

Scribe Code Aphorisms

2008-02-02 17:16:46 note card

Created by Ashllee McBride

SCRIBE CODE APHORISMS

There are three core values of a scribe:  Integrity, Objectivity and Duty.  All other values spring from these three core values.

ON THE INTEGRITY OF A SCRIBE

1.  As rain falls upon the tree and only nourishes it, as water flows around the rock and never moves it, so the Scribe among words from above and surrounding: nourished, and unmoved.

2.  As the tree bends and never breaks, as the rock guides the flow around its base, so the Scribe stands true and guiding in any circumstance.

3.  A tree stands: though hot winds and cold rains pummel, it remains a tree; though lightning strikes, it does not change the tree to lesser things.

4.  The wind will blow, and the willow may weep, but the oak will stand, as solid as a keep.

5.  Do not fix your concentration upon a single object, action or goal. Be as expansive as the wind, as flexible as the reed, as fluid as Thassa. To be otherwise is to limit oneself to dire predictability. 

6.  Only a sharp weapon can kill cleanly. Only a calm mind can act swiftly. 

7.  To a Scribe, words are binding; the Codes of his caste are the most binding of all.

8.  Q. What are the Codes of a Scribe?

 A.  They are the golden threads, binding the lore of the past with the actions of the present and weaving the pattern of the future.

9.  It is wisdom to know others; it is Mastery to know oneself. The Master of men is powerful; the Master of himself is greater. Endurance is to live long and die; Mastery is to die and not perish. 

10.  The Scribe is always honest within himself, and in his dealings with others.

11.  Choose wisely the thoughts you express; it is all too easy for the owner of an open mouth to create the impression that his head is filled only with hot air.

ON THE OBJECTIVITY OF A SCRIBE

12.  Seeing by daylight, the work reveals itself plainly; seeing by candlelight, the shadows cast new interest, a new work of art.  The Scribe sees in many shades, in many lights, the whole and the parts, without awareness of one's own eyes that look.

13.   A dull quill will not write clearly.  A torn parchment makes poor copy.  A soft wit cannot discern.  A slow mind does not argue well.

14.  A large scroll requires two hands to hold and read. A complex issue is best resolved with several minds, working to find a reasonable solution.

15.  The simplest solution is the best, it cuts like a razor, and leaves no trace of unrelated and unnecessary rationale.

16.  In matters of logic, let you be as clear as a mountain spring, as sharp as the cry of an osprey, and as firm as the bedrock.

17.  A careless mind betrays its weakness, in debate, observe your opponent's mind, and you shall prevail.

18.  To think without confusion, to write with clarity, to argue without anguish, to debate without interference of unneeded arguments, that is the goal of all goals, the inner clarity will bring out triumph.

19.  When your opponent thinks of an argument, then is the time to make you point.  When he decides to retract, then you press the issue.  There is no more powerful ally than to interrupt the flow of your opponent's argument, you tangle his wit and you gain the scales of triumph.

20.  What is the scribe's greatest enemy?  The unrebutted argument made by an opponent.  Do not leave unanswered any claim made by an opponent.

21.  Within the compass of a person's own quill, that person is ubar of their own mind.

22.  To best understand your position, look at if from the view point of your opponent.

23.  To be objective, one must set aside prejudice and weak thoughts, and fairly judge competing sides of the argument.

24.  A wise person will concede a weak point, so that the points of strength will shine forth, unobscured by the cloud of weaker arguments.

25.  Know everything.  Overlook nothing.  See that which cannot be seen.  

26.  If you find yourself awash in a sea of words, a short phrase will serve as the best raft.

ON THE DUTY OF A SCRIBE

27.  As the natural way of flowers to the sun, as the natural way of tarns to true mastery, such is the Scribe in the service of truth.

 28.  When you argue a point of law or practice,  remember the owl.  From on high he is silent, when the mouse appears, he strikes.

29.  The winds may blow in a new direction and the sun to move across the sky but it is the service of a scribe to consistently listen to the sounds of those around them.

30.  It is not with those we agree but those that we disagree that brings about new knowledge and insight.

31.  Watch. Observe. See. Know. Understand. Act. 

32.  Those who know, speak not! Those who speak, know not. 

33.  Thirty spokes will converge at the hub of a wheel... but the use of the cart depends upon the empty spaces between the spokes. A clay bowl is bounded by a wall all around... but the use of the bowl will depend upon the empty space within. Build a cylinder to the sky...walls 1000 feet high! But the use of the structure will depend upon the empty space within! So advantage is to be had from the solidity of things... but their usefulness must depend upon the spaces within, and what things they contain. 

34.  Only a fool seeks fire with a lighted torch. 

35.  As a warrior must train constantly with the blade and the spear and the bow, so must a scribe seek ever greater skill with his quill, his ink, and his wit, for these are the weapons of his Art.

36.  A scribe becomes familiar with every art he encounters, and learns the Codes of other Castes.

37.  The signpost knows the difference between divergent roads; the scribe knows the difference between right and wrong.  Their purposes are similar.

38.  A day in which nothing is learned is a waste of both sunlight and candle wax.