Reflections of Gor

This list is comprised of common misconceptions that are found in cyber-Gor. They have no reference base from the original source text by John Norman. It is also a work in progress, and will be updated as time permits.

• Every tavern has a "servery", they have kitchens. The word "servery" does NOT exist in the books at all
• Words Rask and Urth
  These two words never appear in the books. The first, used to signify arse, is an insult to a great character, Rask of Treve. The second is an ignorant misspelling of the word Earth.
  • “The terrible Rask of Treve, one of the most dreaded warriors on all Gor.”
    "Captive of Gor" page 62

Food, Drink and Serving

• You will not be poisoned if served kalana in silver. No where in the books is this ever found On Gor, drinking vessels are made of many things, such as, gold, silver and pewter. Serving Ka-la-na or any wine or alcoholic beverage in a metal vessel is perfectly acceptable, and absolutely does not taint the wine.
•  Drinks were not tested in the novels for toxins on a regular basis. Tarl had Elizabeth test the blackwine for him simply so he'd have an excuse to give her a bowl of it as well. But in the books slaves did kiss the belly of the vessel.
• Celane Melon isn’t mentioned in the books. However there is mention of "many types of melons" grown in hot desert gardens.
•  Red sugars are not specifically mentioned in the books. Only yellow and white sugar. However, there are quotes that indicate that there were other colors of sugar but the specific colors were not mentioned.
• There is no fruit called red fruit in the books. It perhaps comes from confusing the descriptions of a kalana fruit and the "pit larma". In the books kalana is described as having red sweet flesh and the larma is somewhat like an Earth apple in texture.
• "Sweetrocks" ( hard, crystal rocks of sugar for use in tea or blackwine) are not mentioned anywhere in the books. Hard candies however are found in the books and are a favorite treat of slaves.
• You do not need to step back three paces before turning away from the Free. This too, is an onlineism.
• There is no such thing as a "Bazi Tea Ceremony". According to the books, it looked like this:   "
  • 'Make me tea,' I said. 'Is it ready?' I asked. I looked at the tiny copper kettle on the small stand. A tiny kaiila-dung fire burned under it. A small, heavy, curved glass was nearby, on a flat box, which would hold some two ounces of the tea. Bazi tea is drunk in tiny glasses, usually three at a time, carefully measured. She did not make herself tea, of course. She lifted the kettle from the fire and, carefully, poured me a tiny glass of tea. I took the glass."
    Tribesmen of Gor, page 139
• Chillery is never used in any of the books. Some reference a "chillery" as if it's a refrigerator (walk-in or otherwise) or an ice box, while others reference it as a sort of walk in cold storage room. Ice is not easily obtained on Gor, however, there is some ice storage available, and only the wealthiest of Goreans can afford such luxury. The ice house is such a cold storage.
• Cho is a non-existant drink, and is not found in the books written by John Norman. It is a drink that was invented by online roleplayers.

Slave Positions

•  Karta and Suga, There is no such positions as Karta or Suga specified in the books; however, the position Prostrate is mentioned and is similar to these positions.
• Table. There is no position or command called Table mentioned in the books. It is a carry over from the world of BDSM

Slave Behavior

• Wind and steel is often used as farewell but it is never used in the books as farewell
• Use of capital letter pronouns for the free and small letter pronouns for slaves. In the books "proper English" language rules was fully used by slave and free.
• Slaves did not regularly use third person speech in Gor. As noted in the Skye scrolls on slave rules, slaves in Skye may use either 1st or 3rd, what ever their owner instructs.
• Tal as a greeting only used by free to free. Tal may be used as a greeting by both slaves and free alike. It basically means hello.
• Slaves begging to leave 3 times before departing. Slaves do need to ask for permission to leave a room, however not three times, if not given permission one would just leave with no disturbance.
• Slaves did not "sweeten" ( i.e. coat the rim of the drinking vessel with their honey ) drinks for the Free in the books.
• Slaves do not speak the names of the Free unless requested to do so. 
• Kassar, Norsk and Red Savage languages as they are used online, were never seen in the books. There is a handful of words from Kassar that can be seen in one or two places in the books but that is the extent. Kajira, Kajirus Canjellne.. etc.. words of this nature were actually seen in the books.. The wisest thing you could do is either read the books for yourself or ask someone seasoned in Gor, that has read them which of the words were used in the books. It is always better to just use English as John Norman's books were written primarily in English as well. There is a such thing known as Old Gorean. in the books. It is a language created by the Intiates but not generally spoken on Gor. 
  • "… Old Gorean, a language cultivated by the Initiates but not spoken generally on the planet…" — Tarnsman of Gor, page 40.
• Any slave even *touching* a weapon will be put to death. There are many instances throughout the books where a slave touches weapons. The difference being the *intent*, when touching.  
  •  "'I recalled how a guard had once given me his spear, and it had been so heavy, I could throw it only a few feet. He had then taken it from me and hurled it into a block of wood, head deep, more then a hundred feet away. He then sent me to fetch it for him and I had scarcely been able to work it free of the wood."
    Captive of Gor, page 106   
  • "Take the quiva," said Kamchak. The girl shook with fear. "Take it," ordered Kamchak. She did so. "Now," he said, "replace it." Trembling, she did so.
    Nomads of Gor, page 142
• There is no such thing as forgiving a slave. Slaves must always beg for mercy, never for forgiveness.  There are many instances where a slave begged to be forgiven.
  • "Forgive me, Mistress," I begged. "Did you lie?" she asked. "Yes, Mistress," I said. "I lied! I lied! Forgive me, Mistress. Please, forgive me!"
    Fighting Slave of Gor, page 67
  • "Do you bargain?" I asked. "No, Master," she cried. "No, Master! Forgive me, Master! Please forgive me, Master!"
    Fighting Slave of Gor, page 97