I wrote my last post after getting that gorgeous ‘Flourish’ camisk/top from Delora Starbrook of Haven Designs.  Shortly afterwards, Shelly Toonie plurked up a link to Talyn Barrett’s blog (Of Analise) and I liked what I saw there as well. This segue into camisks, silks and other role playing clothing gave me an opportunity to blog about something that has been at the back of my mind since I joined SL almost 2 years ago. Yes, -The Counter Earth, Gor.
First, the fashion part of the blog. The following use the top and some accent pieces from 2 outfits by Analise, *tal* Mariposa Silk-Orange and *tal* Chalise Silk-Cafe, with Jeans by League, and Shoes from :: Pretties ::Â by JB (Risque, ‘Deadly’) for the first outfit, and UBU Drunks for the second.Â
I wanted to again point out that RP clothing is a great source of accessories and mix and match pieces, and should not be overlooked if you are *not* a role player. There are beautiful colors, textures and styles of camisks and silks that can add a real flair to any outfit. More pics and Gor questions after the cut.
The following is *tal* Jasmine-Harem Silks-Emerald also by Analise, beautifully detailed and comes with a prim veil, and long harem pants as well with flared prim leg bottom cuffs. I chose to wear this because it is gorgeous, green, and shows enough skin to uncover the majority of the tattoo I covered earlier, ‘Sacred’ from Garden of Ku. For a close-up view of the tattoo back, check my post from earlier today. Hair is Kira, by LAQ
Now the Gor part of the blog. I know Gor in SL is very controversial, and frowned upon by many. Yes, yes I know. But I have questions! I admit to at first having been intrigued by the possibilities of exploring Gor in SL.
20 plus years ago, I read John Norman’s novels with all the imagination and enjoyment of an open minded youngster, when I didn’t really know exactly *what* sex was, but knew enough to want to keep reading.Â
Mostly I wanted to ride a giant Tarn, rub feelers with Misk, drink Paga, and play Kaissa.Â
My foray into SL Gor was so brief that it didn’t really happen. I searched, and tp’d into the Gor Hub feeling extremely conspicuous walking by stalls of collars and chains. I was standing in the center of the Hub when I was approached by a Nice Fellow who offered to teach me all about Gor. I thanked him, and declined the offer, although he did promise to only collar me for 3 days and if I didn’t like it I could stop. (After the 3 days)
I have some questions that maybe you can help me with. Philosophy aside, (doesn’t take a rocket scientist.. ok, a psych degree.. to figure out Gor) I did enjoy the stories and the world, and had hoped to possibly find that immersion in a way that I could recapture the entertainment that I got from the books years ago.
How is it that so many involved in Gor have never even Read The Books? HOW?? Even the Slave Master who wanted to collar me at the Hub didn’t know what I meant when I asked if he had seen Misk.
I am sad to say that unless convinced otherwise, I really don’t think there is a place there for me. Do not want to be a slave to anyone, ever. Nobody’s the boss of Me. Also, I do not want nor could I respect a man that I could beat up and put a collar on, and altho it might be practical in RL, I have no dishes or housecleaning to do in SL, so being a Panther is out.Â
The whole “Free Companion” thing in SL Gor is a mystery to me, I have the opinion that, as in Gor, Free Companion women are such at the whim and allowance of the men around her, and that could change at any time. As I said, I don’t think there is a place there for me, as there is really (IMO) no place in the story world of Gor for the majority of women.
Mostly I still just want to ride a giant Tarn, rub feelers with Misk, drink Paga, and play Kaissa. Can I do that there? (The thought just occurred to me -if this was a Gor book, I would wake up in the morning naked on a spaceship landing on a strange planet… but unlike those city women in the 70′s, I have a clue.)
I would really like to hear from you… you who rp strongly in SL Gor. Tell me why you do it. Tell me what it gives you, tell me about the community, the world, the life.Â
And please, tell me if you saw Priest Kings.
Well, those of us in Gor, are kinda broken down into 2 main categories. RP’s and Lifestylers. I’ve been in Gor for over a year now….but lean more towards the lifestyler’s side. In our city, there’s no forced collar, no rape…all are welcome and safe. There are no battles, and no one needs to fear for their life by entering our gates. My Master and I do not have our residence in our city….and during the day, I very rarely take part in “Gor” activities. We mostly hang out, chilling at home…in silks, of course. I’ve been with my Master for nearly 2 years now…even before we came to Gor, and to be honest….if anything ever happens to end this relationship…Gor can kiss my ass! I’ll walk away and never, EVER look back!
Each person comes to the RP environment of Gor for different reasons. For me, it’s that it’s the richest roleplay world I’ve encountered.
I’ve read all of the books, and it intrigued me that there was such detail in the smallest things.
First and foremost, I love to roleplay. I love to write, and there is no greater way to do that than with others (IMO). I can’t get into VtM, Lycans, or even elves and medieval. Although I see merit in it, it doesn’t have the same structure that Gor does.
Maybe it’s because it’s such a challenge, maybe because it’s so different than how I think in reality.
Whatever the reason, I’m shoulder – deep in it now. I’ve created a business around it, and spend most of my waking hours creating clothing with the rest of the fantastic 4 of Gor (Talyn, Delora, Dream and I) for it.
I’ll admit it’s full of downfalls, but just about everything is.
Wanna have nest trust?
I *love* love those tats under the silks! Sooooo hawt. There should be flickr group about it – but don’t ask me to join it LOLOL
I don’t know any more about Gor than I did before I read your post (which is not a lot) and would be intrigued to know more about it from someone who *is* educated about it, but purely because I like understanding things better and not because it’s something I think I’d enjoy taking part in.
@Sabina, yes… the detail and scope of Gor is fantastic, fromthe flora and fauna to the language and various historical couterparts, from Vicking to medieval and much in between.
For those with a strong knowledge of the world gained through the books, I could see this being a very deep and immersive RP world… there is so much to draw the experience from.
Until I went to Analise after Haven Designs, I didn’t have a clue that the shops were on the same Sim, Talana. Would love to see your and Dream’s work sometime as well.
Nest trust would be wonderful.
Is there any particular Sim that is a good replication of various parts of Gor? The creatures would rock if someone has gone into that. Sleen, tharlarion, larl! Swamp spiders and tarn, I would even love an urt.
@Katey, if you could find a few of the books at a used bookstore, it might be better to get an idea that way, rather than from preconcieved notions of the negativities derived from adverse publicity.
i like silks but just don’t have any place to wear them. and with the exception of one or two people, i’ve never respected a man who called himself a master in gor to rp a slave and don’t get the whole free women thing enough to want to go there. plus the dresses are pretty ugly — they remind me of burkas both in concept and visually. i have some really nice silks though that i bought because i love them. just wish i could wear them without being connected to the whole gor/bdsm thing.
I do not RP in Gor, but have a very good friend who does and he follows the whole M/s and has a Free Companion. I was considering learning more about it, as the whole RP world beyond SL intrigues me, but have not done so as of yet. I would be happy to get you in touch with him when he is back in world, unfortunately something has taken him on a brief sabbatical. I think he would be most willing and happy to talk to you and answer any of your questions.
Love your tats by the way, I have yet to be brave enough to wear the colored ones. May have to change that now, yours are beautiful
Isle, I have to make a location correction. Haven Designs does have a satellite store on Talana, but the main store location is on Sanctum.
PS: I saw a priest king once. It was big and ugly and poorly constructed, and got banned for being a griefer.
ahh ok Delora, as long as I have the right one in the post.. let me know, can fix if needed.
Ahh hahaha! on the Priest King getting banned.. I imagine on Gor that would have been a story ending with a lot of instant Flame Deaths.
I need to know who the hell put all those typos in my previous comment. *shakes head and goes for more coffee*
There was an existing Gor subculture as an offshoot of the BDSM community well before Second Life and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if a number of those participants had, in fact, not gone anywhere near the books but merely picked up the terminology from BDSM circles. (I suppose it’s a bit like those Christians who only know the Bible stories they learned in Sunday School but have never actually sat down and read the Bible from beginning to end.) I’ve heard complaints that some Gor roleplay areas don’t seem to have that much in the way of a Gorean environment but instead use rehashed medieval builds.
If life as a woman in Gor has no appeal to you, perhaps you could shift to a male body for your Gorean adventures.
I had never heard of Gor before I went into SL, dunno what i was doin 20 odd years ago… oh yeah havin a family! hehe It did intrique me though, mainly coz irl I am sub & I did have a Master in SL for over a year, not Gorean but knew all about Gor & taught me a lot, especially about the clothing, which I design for Gor. I have only read the 1st 2 books which my Master insisted upon, but gave in when I moaned about them being man books hehe. SL Gor is not like the books imho, I mean the clothing mainly… I tend to think Arabian or even medieval when I design because their isnt much about Gor clothing in the books. I did design an outfit for the wagons ppl from the books description though… I do prefer to remain as Authentic as i can do, but mostly in SL they want Glamour so its Arabian nights im thinking when I design
I am not into RP either.. I just love creating Fashions for the RP’ers all of them not just Gor
Smiles & waves
Cyfishy, I like being a woman, and don’t think the male av thing would suit just because it too would tend to lock me into certain rp aspects that didn’t suit my underlying personality, but it is a decent idea.
I may just get some assasin guy clothes, put them on as myself, and go in and kick ass until someone bans me for not sticking to a traditional role.
You know, if I *was* in Gor, likely I would be kicking ass freely with my trusty and loyal wild tarn on the towers Ko-ro-ba, or dead anyway. But as a woman.
Yes, I may try that and report back. Who makes assasin clothes?
Islelunasea, I have always quite fancied being a Panther! hehe, but just recently I met some ppl at an event held on Faerun where I have a stall & I found myself learning to fight SL style… not as a Panther, I don’t think me in any Gor is a very good idea, well apart from the markets where I rent stalls… I am now thinking Amazon Woman & have discovered a whole new area that I can begin to design in & add to my many ranges… & yes i do make Assasin clothes
I find the whole fighting thing, using spellfinder, to be quite Exhilorating! Sure got my Mind working & my blood pumping hehe
i am in Gor.. i do NOT RP. Yes i know that sounds strange to many, but that is me *grins* i am in a Sim where we have no Roleplay, we are a D/s House with Gor Background. So we enjoy the beauty of Gor with RL D/s, without sexual stuff, since we are a school. We learn about Gor, how to dance, serve, the backgrounds, the basics ans we are a family. So that is the difference from the RP sims, we are ourselves. The kajirae are RL submissives/slaves, the Masters/Mistresses are RL Doms/Dommes.
That is why i am in there… to enjoy the background, culture, the beauty of Gor with the safety aspect of D/s, being a real submissive in a beautiful fantasy world.
Many may call it “Disney Gor” well do so, i call it family.