Gor matures!

1. Introduction
2. Disturbances in evolving Gor
2.1 Age Confirmation
2.2 “By-the-books”
2.3 “Roleplay-items”
3. Mature Gor
4. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Our SL Gor is quite easy to define: We roleplay in an environment scripted and designed to be as near to the descriptions in the books of John Norman as we can make it.
We copy lifestyles of typical groups and cities, and we build beautiful simulations of the world of Gor.

However, we do not STAGE the books, the dialogues and the events are primarily ours. That way new and entertaining stories evolve every day that could have happened in the books. In other words, we do not roleplay the books, we roleplay on the basis of the books.

In comparing the time between 2006 and today, the style of our roleplay changed little by little..and we are now in a different kind of Gor than we were.

2. Disturbances in evolving Gor
2.1 Age Confirmation

The introduction of age confirmation may have had an influence, however its effect was by no means immediate, if there was any effect at all. At times we had the impression that age confirmation made us more interesting for the pimply teenager than ever, and the adults were avoiding Gor altogether. However, it may be that the masses of teenagers that were intrigued by an age restricted area one by one left disappointedly and we now ARE a mature community.

It can however be taken as a fact, that sexual themed and or violent roleplay are exceptions and predominantly happen elsewhere outside gorean themed sims.

Both are not necessary to roleplay Gor as depicted in the books. A roleplay scene like…”I had, in my turn, with several of the other of the Forkbeard’s men, enjoyed Pudding and Gunnhild; both were superb” (Marauders of Gor, page 203)…are an entirely sufficient description for a scene that obviously depicts an orgy.

2.2 “By-the-books”

As mentioned above, the truest way to roleplay by the books is to stage scenes from the books. However, that is not meant here.In most cases, the “by-the-books” themed sims put a higher emphasis on men’s superior strengths and skills and even ban most or all female fighters from their sims' roleplay (Femlaw) or set up rules and conditions that favour their men dramatically. As a result women are to behave far more obedient to the overwhelming Gorean man on these sims, in many cases adopting oriental ways of dress (robes of concealment) combined with pre- victorian behavior.

Panther and Taluna tribes following this movement frequently battled each other. Ensuing roleplay is of course less rewarding, since the roleplayers stay in their environment that they are familiar with (in Panther camps) and the thrilling element of Men being part of the roleplay is entirely lost as well.

Therefore, like the name of this movement already indicates, a good name is used to sell restrictions on roleplay for a more pre- defined storyline, that appears less rewarding for the majority of roleplayers.

Subsequently countering this movement, several gorean themed sims like Sardar banned “by-the-books” roleplay groups from their sims.

All in all, “by-the-books” is in no way truer to scenes in the books. Its just a name (see this blog, July 2009, Disney movement). However, the main impact of this movement was a separation of second life Gor. Gorean Cities are usually roleplaying on their own or with other Cities, Outlaws, Mercenaries, Pirates and Panthers are frequently having their gorean roleplay elsewhere.

Sims depicting northern lives, like Thorvaldsland or Viking sims, barren sims depicting Savage tribes and jungle sims have a separate status, since they are not part of the main gorean rule set, as laid out by the three pillars of caste, homestone, slavery. These sims have proliferated due to a more relaxed handling of issues, since roleplay is less predetermined due to less sources in the books.

2.3 “Roleplay-items”

With the introduction of meter- controlled “Roleplay-items”, a rush to hoard these set in, leading to an increasing inflation and the usage of all kinds of cheats, causing great numbers of complaints and frenzied efforts of sim administrations to keep these under control. The outcome of “Roleplay-items” was predictably a massive increase of kidnappings to gain and gather items, while roleplay itself was negatively affected, since kidnappings were not motivated by roleplay but by gathering items. Sim Management frequently supported these raids, kidnappings and rescues to increase traffic. In order to support their groups, Sim Owners installed or allowed the installation of “Factory Units” and subsequently complained when they were malfunctioning, or deemed to be malfunctioning, while smaller groups on Gor who had less access to these items suffered member losses due to a more obvious disadvantage when trades could not be done.

3. Mature Gor

In parallel to all these disruptive movements on Second Life Gor the multiple efforts of Sim managements and roleplayers advertising ‘roleplay, roleplay roleplay’ have taken effect.
Ads for sims almost invariably mention a focus on roleplay.

Groups that do not go well together mix less, ‘captures’ are more roleplay oriented. Standard “bind-collar-brand-rape-cage” roleplay is frequently frowned upon as much as the unimaginative “submit-or-die” roleplay of former years. OOC- Auctions have become a fashion to finance sims and to promote a get together of players. A growing majority of roleplay is initiated behind the ooc curtain of the roleplay stage: The roleplayers are more involved in the initial preparational stages and in success oriented behaviors, success meaning a multi- faceted and richly scened play.
Raids are frequently announced and negotiated with sim management before they are even staged, with the benefit of a fair and welcoming moderation of issues and group leaders sorting issues in their own groups before they become disruptive to make it work.

3.1 Current status

We may or may not miss the happy “pew-pew” of the past like in the aria sims, we may or may not miss the quiet lonesome days in a cage or on a cross in deep dungeons without any roleplay, the endless ban list of many sims, we may or may not miss the neverending discussions about minor differences in the interpretation of sim- rules, but:

The awareness that roleplay with an unwilling party is rarely rewarding for both roleplayers has changed the way we act on gor dramatically:

Neither the expectation that reckless entering of a Panther/Outlaw/Merc/Pirate camp will invariably result in exciting capture roleplay as a captive, nor the expectation that capturing a happy Panther/Outlaw/Merc/Pirate from his/her camp would automatically create a submissive, sweet and loving kajira or at least a steaming night in the furs have proven to be the rule.

Mature roleplayers talk with each other, they plan and create, they hone their skills and shape their gorean bio s, they enter new roleplay consciously and considerate, creating wonderful storylines, creating THEIR gorean bio true to their hearts.

4. Conclusion

The mature gorean roleplayers, serene, confident in their status and roles took over. An increasing majority of roleplays evolve intricate storylines, multifaceted with either party winning over now and then, reflecting fairness and truthfulness in who we are.

Our Gor evolved to the better!

© Larah