-C-

Cacao Trees:  a plant from which the beans are removed and used to make chocolate

It is not improbable that the beans from which the first cacao trees on this world were grown were brought from Earth
Do the trees grow near here?" I asked.
"No, Mistress," she said. We obtain the beans, from which the chocolate is made, from Cosian merchants, who in turn, obtain them from the tropics. Kajira of Gor. Page 61

cage, plastic: a means of exhibiting slave girls outside a slaver's establishment, suspended from the roof of the portico, or in a tier of cages with a comely wench inside all: Assassin of Gor, page 286

calendar, Gorean: is divided into twelve twenty-five day months. Each month consists of five weeks (Hands), each of which is five days long. Each month is separated from the month which follows it by a five day "Passage Hand" which marks the passage from one month to the next. Following the normal Passage Hand which marks the end of the twelfth Gorean month is a five day period known as "The Waiting Hand" during which most Goreans mourn the passing of the old year. The Waiting Hand concludes on the eve of the Vernal equinox, and the following day is the Gorean New Year. The first Hand of the month of En`Kara begins on the next day after.
Every fourth year (leap year) the Gorean New Year is celebrated on a separate day between the Waiting Hand of the previous year and the first day of the first Hand of En`Kara. The calendar below lists the Gorean hands and months along with their equivalent dates according to the calendar of Earth, as calculated from the orbital ecliptic of the twin planets.

Month of En'Kara (The First Turning)

Month of Hesius (Ar)

Month of Camerius (Ar)/Selnar (Ko-ro-ba)

Month of En'Var (The First Resting)

Fifth Month

Sixth Month

Month of Se'Kara (The Second Turning)

Eighth Month

Ninth Month

Month of Se'Var

Eleventh Month

Twelfth Month

The Waiting Hand

"There are twelve twenty-five day Gorean months, incidentally, in most of the calendars of the various cities. Each month, containing five five-day weeks is separated by a five-day period, called the Passage Hand, from very other month, there being one exception to this, which is that the last month of the year is separated from the first month of the year, which begins with the Vernal Equinox, not only by a Passage Hand, but by another five day period called the Waiting Hand." Assassin of Gor, page 78

"but on the Vernal Equinox, which marks the first day of the new year in most Gorean cities" Assassin of Gor, page 78

"It was now the month of the vernal equinox on Gor, called En'Kara, or The First Kara. The full expression is En'Kara-Lar-Torvis, which means, rather literally, The First Turning of the Central Fire. Lar-Torvis is a Gorean expression for the sun. More commonly, though never in the context of time, the sun is referred to as Tor-Tu-Gor, or Light Upon the Home Stone. The month of the autumnal equinox is called fully Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis, but usually simply, Se'Kara, The Second Kara, or The Second Turning. As might be expected, there are related expressions for the months of the solstices, En'Var- Lar-Torvis and Se'Var-Lar-Torvis, or, again rather literally, the First Resting and the Second Resting of the Central Fire. These, however, like the other expressions, usually occur in speech only as En'Var and Se'Var, or The First Resting and The Second Resting." Outlaw of Gor, page 178

"publicly sold during the ninth passage hand, that preceding the winter solstice." Assassin of Gor, page 192

"Chronology, incidentally, is the despair of scholars on Gor, for each city keeps track of time by virtue of its own Administrator Lists sometimes cities are willing to add, in their records, beside their own dating, the dating of Ar, which is Gor's greatest city Time is reckoned "Contasta Ar", or from the "founding of Ar." Outlaw of Gor, pages 178-179

"He did so late in the spring, on the sixteenth day of the third month, that month which in Ar is called Camerius, in Ko-ro-ba Selnar." Assassin of Gor, pages 234-235

"for the Wagon Peoples calculate the year from the Season of Snows to the Season of Snows; Turians, incidentally, figure the year from summer solstice to summer solstice; Goreans generally, on the other hand, figure the year from vernal equinox to vernal equinox." Nomads of Gor, page 11

Camerius: the third month of the Gorean calendar (in Ar and some other cities): Assassin of Gor, page 235

camisk: simple, poncho-like slave garment, about 18 inches wide:

Camisks are favored in some cities. The common camisk is a simple rectangle of cloth, containing, in its center, a circular opening. The girl draws on the garment over her head and down upon her shoulders; it is worn, thus, like a poncho; it is commonly belted with biding fiber or a bit of light chain, something with which the girl may be secured, if the master wishes." Guardsmen of Gor, pages 107-109

"One city in which the common camisk is favored, generally, is Tharna." Guardsmen of Gor, page 108

The camisk is a rectangle of cloth, with a hole cut for the head, rather like a poncho. The edges are commonly folded and stitched to prevent raveling. The camisk, I am told, normally falls to the knees...The camisk, I am told, was at one time commonly belted with a chain. However, the camisks that I have personally seen, and those we were given, were belted with a long, thin strap of leather binding fiber. This passes once around the body, and then again, and then is tied, snugly, over the right hip....The belt of binding fiber not only makes it easier to adjust the camisk to a given girl, but of course, the ginding fiber serves to remind her that she is in bondage. In a moment it may be removed, and she may be secured with it, leashed, or bound hand and foot....The camisk, in its way, is an incredibly attractive garment. It displays the girl, but provocatively. Moreover, it proclaims her slave, and begs to be torn away by the hand of the master. Men thrill to see a girl in a camisk. Captive of Gor Page 64

As I gazed on her she lowered her eyes shyly. She wore only a single garment, a long, narrow rectangle of rough brown material, perhaps eighteen inches in width, drawn over her head like a poncho, falling in front and back a bit above her knees and belted at the waist with a chain."Yes," she said with shame. " I wear the camisk"
"You are lovely," I said. OutLaw of Gor. page 102

camisk, Turian: a style of camisk worn by slaves in the city-state of Turia; cloth shaped like an inverted 'T' with a beveled crossbar fastened behind the neck & falls before the wearer's body; the crossbar then passes between her legs & is then brought forward snugly at the hips ; it is held in place by a single cord that binds it at the back of the neck, behind the back, & in front at the waist:

"She wore only a single garmet, a long, narrow rectangle of rough, brown material, perhaps eighteen inches in width, drawn over her head like a poncho, falling in front and back a bit above her knees and belted at the waist with a chain." Outlaw of Gor, page 102

"The women in bondage present, who served us, each wore four golden rings on each ankle, and each wrist, locked on, which clashed as they walked or moved, adding their sound to the slave bells that had been attached to their Turian collars, and that hung from their hair; the ears of each, too, had been pierced and from each ear hung a tiny slave bell. The single garment of these women was the Turian Camisk. I do not know particularly why it is called a camisk, save that it is a simple garment for a female slave. The common camisk is a single piece of cloth, about eighteen inches wide, thrown over the girls head and worn like a poncho. It usually falls a a bit above the knees in front and back and is belted with a cord our chain. The Turian camisk, on the other hand, if it were to be laid out on the floor, would appear somewhat like an inverted "T" in which the bar of the "T" would be beveled on each side. It is fastened with a single cord. The cord binds the girl at three points, behind the neck, behind the back, and in front at the waist. The garment itself, as might be supposed, fastens behind the girls neck, passes before her, fastens between her legs, and is then lifted and, folding the two sides of the "T's" bar about her hips, ties in front. The Turian camisk, unlike the common camisk, will cover the girl's brand; on the other hand, unlike the common camisk, it leaves the back uncovered and can be tied, and is, snugly, the better to disclose the girl's beauty." Nomads of Gor, page 90

candies, stick: also called "tastas" or "stick candies", made from soft, rounded, succulent candies, usually covered with a coating of syrup or fudge. Others include mint sticks served at banquets and feasts.

"He yelled something raucous and ribald. It had to do with "tastas" or "stick candies." These are not candies, incidentally, like sticks, as for example, licorice or peppermint sticks, but soft, rounded, succulent candies, usually covered with a coating of syrup or fudge, rather in the nature of the caramel apple, but much smaller, and, like a caramel apple, mounted on sticks. The candy is prepared and the stick, from the bottom, is thrust up, deeply, into it. It is then ready to be eaten."... "These candies are usually sold at such places as parks, beaches, and promenades, at carnivals, expositions and fairs, and at various types of popular events, such as plays, song dramas, races, games, and kaissa matches. They are popular even with children." ... "The expression was sometimes used by men for women such as we." Dancer of Gor, page 81

"On the tray too, was the metal vessel which contained black wine, steaming and bitter from far Thentis, famed for its tarn flocks, the small yellow-enameled cups from which we had drunk the black wine, its spoons and sugars, a tiny bowl of mint sticks, and the softened, dampened cloths on which we had wiped our fingers." Explorers of Gor, page 10

canjellne - (verb): challenge: Slave Girl of Gor, page 21

capture knot: a knot recognized for it's unique turnings as rope or binding fiber tied by a Warrior; usually in the capture of a slave girl, but also used on any likely foe

"It is a capture knot" I said. "Oh," she said. "It is used for binding slaves and such," I remarked." Assassin of Gor, page 82

capture position: a position a slave assumes when a she is captured during a battle

"On your back," he said, "knees raised, heels on the floor." I then lay before him, in a standard, supine capture position. Kajira of Gor, page 422

capture scent: an anesthetic widely employed to render it's victims unconscious; a rag soaked with it is held over the mouth and nose or shot into the victim as an anesthetic dart; chloroform

"Uncork it for me, you sleen," said she. I wondered if I had, in my life, seen ever so scornful, so proud, so cold a woman.
I uncorked the vial.
"Hold it beneath my nostrils," she said. She bent forward. I held the vial beneath her delicate nostrils.
She closed her eyes, and breathed in, deeply, expectantly.
She opened her eyes, and shook her head. "What is this?" she said
"Capture scent," I said.  Marauders of Gor, page 116

cards: mentioned in the books, mostly used for games, not described.

Dice and cards and game boards and drinking goblets scattered to the rocky floors of the guard chambers as Whip Slaves and guardsmen looked up to find at their throats the blades of desperate and condemned men, now drunk with the taste of freedom and determined to free their fellows. Outlaw of Gor, page 167

carnarium: refuse pit: Magicians of Gor, page 38

Cartius: a swift flowing river

"...the rush-grown banks of the Cartius, a broad swift flowing tributary.. " Nomads of Gor, page 2

"I had heard it sung some two years ago by the bargemen on the Cartius, a tributary of the Vosk, far to the south and west of Ar." Assassin of Gor, page 207

carpet plant: a plant of the rainforest area inland of Schendi, having tendrils that are sometimes used as a source of drinking water: Explorers of Gor, page 347

cart - (direction): a Gorean compass point, equivalent to south west; the river Cartius was so named because of it's direction from Ar, southwest: Nomads of Gor, page 3

Casmu Band: a sub-group of the Yellow-Kailla Riders, also known as the 'Sand Band': Savages of Gor, page 315

case: the chamber in which a Mul lives in the Nest area on the Sardar Mountains.

"My case was a transparent plastic cube of perhaps eight feet square, with ventilation holes and a sliding plastic door. There was no lock on the door and thus I could come and go as I pleased. Priest-Kings of Gor, page 111

Castes, Gorean: Gorean castes are divided into two categories - High Castes and Low Castes. Many of the major castes of Gor have their own unique "Caste Color." This color is often used by members of that caste to display outwardly that they are associated with the caste, which that colors, represents. Such things as banners, flags, and even buildings will often be of a certain color to show caste alliance. Goreans will often wear clothing of their caste color, which makes it known at a glance that they are members of a particular caste. A widely recognized symbol for a member of the Gorean warrior caste is a scarlet tunic, for example, while a scribe would wear robes of his own caste color, blue.

Each caste maintains a series of beliefs and rules for its members, which are followed when one is practicing one's profession. These are called the caste's "codes" and deal mainly with matters specific to that particular profession; i.e. a member of the merchants would follow his or her caste codes in regards to maintaining a profitable trade, presenting merchandise in an honest fashion, haggling, etc. Each caste's codes are different.

"The caste structure...is relatively immobile, but not frozen, and depends on more than birth. For example, if a child in his schooling shows that he can raise caste, as the expression is, he is permitted to do so. But, similarly, if a child does not show the aptitude expected of his caste, whether it be, say, that of physician or warrior, he is lowered a caste."   Tarnsman of Gor, page 42

"There were only three statuses conceivable to the Gorean mind outside of the caste system: slave, outlaw, and Priest-King. A man who refused to practice his livelihood or strove to alter status without the consent of the Council of High Castes was, by definition, an outlaw and subject to impalement."  Tarnsman of Gor, page 46

"I knew that Gorean caste lines, though largely following birth, were not inflexible, and that a man who did not care for his caste might be allowed to change caste, if approved by the High Council of his city, an approval usually contingent on his qualifications for the work of another caste and the willingness of the members of the new caste to accept him as a Caste Brother."  Priest-Kings of Gor, page 71

"There, at various benches, attending to their work, measuring and stirring, were apprentice perfumers. Though one is commonly born into a caste one is often not permitted to practice the caste craft until a suitable apprenticeship has been served. This guarantees the quality of the caste product. It is possible, though it is seldom the case, that members of a caste are not permitted to practice specific caste skills, though they may be permitted to practice subsidiary skills. For example, one who is of the Metalworkers might no be permitted to work iron, but might be permitted to do such things as paint iron, and transport and market it. Caste rights, of course, such as the right to caste support in time of need and caste sanctuary, when in flight, which is theirs by birth, remain theirs. The women of a given caste, it should be noted, often do not engage in caste work." Fighting Slave of Gor, page 209

the average Gorean would think no more of altering his caste than the average man of Earth would of altering his citizenship, from, say, American to Russian, or French to Chinese...The clan structures ar  kinship groups. They function, on the whole, given mating practices, within the caste structure, but they are not identical to it. For example, in a given clan there may be, though often are not, individuals of different castes. Many Goreans think of the clan as a kinship group within within a caste. For most practical purposes they are correct. At least it seldom does much harm to regard the matter in this way. Clans, because of practical limitations on mobility, are usually associated with a given city; the caste, on the other hand, is tranmunicipal or  intermunicipal." Slave Girl of Gor  page 213

cats-cradle game: a string game popular in the Gorean North.

Others faced one another, kneeling, and, with string and their fingers, played an intricate cat's-cradle game. Others played "Stones," where one player guesses the number of stones held in the other's hand. I tried the cat's-cradle game but I could not play it, I always became confused, trying to copy the intricate patterns. How beautifully they would suddenly, in all their complexity, appear. The other girls laughed at my clumsiness. The northern girls, incidentally, were very skilled at this game. They could beat us all. Captive of Gor, page 107

chain luck: the attempt to capture a slave girl without having a particular target in mind

"That is interesting," said Harold, "for I had thought I might try chain luck in the Pleasure Gardens of a Turian merchant named Saphar." Nomads of Gor page 187

chalwar: baggy pants of diaphanous silk, worn by slave girls of the Tahari; similar to the harem trousers of Earth:

"...she wore the sashed chalwar, a sashed, diaphanous trousered garment, full but gathered in, closely, at the ankles..." Tribesmen of Gor, page 105

Chamber of the Council: the meeting place of elected official of Koroba

"The Chamber of the Council is the room in which the elected representatives of the High Castes of Ko-ro-ba hold their meetings." Tarnsman of Gor, page 61

chamber slave: slave of the Priest Kings restricted to use within a particular chamber; these slaves cannot leave the chamber and are to serve the Free person living there fully:

"I am a chamber slave," she said. "I don't understand," I said. "It means," she said, irritably, "that I am confined to this room, and that I am the slave of whoever enters the room." Priest Kings of Gor, page 36

Char: a minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Kavars:

This was an oasis of the Char, also a vassal tribe of the Kavars. Its name had been given to it centuries before, when thirsty men, who had moved at night on the desert, had come upon it, discovering it. Tribesmen of Gor, page 105

"His stature and burden proclaimed him a member of the Caste of Carriers of Wood, or Woodsmen, that Gorean caste which, with the caste of Charcoal Makers, provides most of the common fuel for the Gorean cities." Outlaw of Gor, page 27

chatka: the strip of black leather, worn by the slave girls of the Wagon Peoples: 

"Among the Wagon Peoples, to be clad Kajira means, for a girl, to wear four articles, two red two black; a red cord, the Curla, is tied about the waist; the Chatka, or long , narrow strip of black leather, fits over the cord in front, passes under, and then again, from the inside, passes over the cord in back; the chatka is drawn tight; the Kalmak is then donned; it is a short sleeveless vest of black leather; lastly the koora, a strip of red cloth, matching the Curla, is wound about the head, to hold the hair back, for slave women, among the Wagon Peoples, are not permitted to braid, or otherwise dress their hair; it must be, save for the koora, worn loose. For a male slave or Kajirus, of the Wagon Peoples, and there are few, save for the work chains, to be clad Kajira means to wear the Kes, a short, sleeveless work tunic of black leather." Nomads of Gor, page 30

cheese: It is made from Bosk milk or Verr milk.

"In the cafes I had feasted well. I had had verr meat, cut in chunks and threaded on a metal rod, with slices of peppers and larma, and roasted; vulo stew with raisins, nuts, onions and honey; a kort with melted cheese and nutmeg; hot Bazi tea, sugared and later, Turian wine." Tribesmen of Gor, page 48

"The Tarn Keeper...brought the food, bosk steak and yellow bread, peas and Torian olives, and two golden-brown, starchy Suls, broken open and filled with melted bosk cheese." Assassin of Gor, page 168

"Clitus, too, had brought two bottles of Ka-la-na wine, a string of eels, cheese of the Verr and a sack of red olives from the groves of Tyros." Raiders of Gor, page 114

Cities of Dust: the Gorean land of the dead, or underworld:

He had won his freedom though it had, as the Goreans say, led him to the Cities of Dust, where I think, not even the Priest-Kings care to follow. He had, as a man, lifted his fist against the might of the Priest-Kings and so he had died, defiantly, though horribly, with great nobility. Priest Kings of Gor,  page14

"Returned from the Cities of Dust" gasped the warrior. "No," I said, "I am a living man as you." Outlaw of Gor, page 61

Citizenship: is an important part of life and daily interaction of the Gorean people. Often a Gorean will be asked what city he or she is from, which is the same thing as asking who one "shares a Home Stone" with. Those without a city are considered by most Goreans to be outlaws and therefore, enemies.

Young men and women of the city, when coming of age, participate in a ceremony which involves the swearing  of oaths, and the sharing of bread. fire and salt. In this ceremony the Home Stone of the city i  held by each young person and kissed. Only then are the laurel wreath and the mantle of citizenship conferred This is a moment no young person of Ar forgets. The youth of Earth have no Home Stone. Citizenship, interestingly, in most Gorean cities is conferred only upon the coming of age, and only after certain examinations are passed. Further, the youth of Gor, in most cities, must be vouched for by citizens of the city, not related in blood to him, and be questioned before a committee of citizens, intent upon determining his worthiness or lack thereof to take the Home Stone of the city as his own. Citizenship in most Gorean communities is not something accrued in virtue of the accident of birth but earned in virtue of intent and application. The sharing of a Home Stone is no light thing in a Gorean city Slave Girl of Gor, page 394

clad kjajir: a term used by the Wagon people for articles of clothing worn by kajirae

"Among the Wagon People, to be clad Kajir means, for a girl, to wear four articles, two red, two black; a red cord, the Curla , is tied about the waist; the Chatka , a long, narrow strip of black leather, fits over this cord in the front, passes under, and then again, from the inside, passes over the cord in the back; the Chatka is drawn tight; the Kalmak is then donned; it is a short, open, sleeveless vest of black leather; lastly the Koora , a strip of red cloth, matching the Curla, is wound about the head, to hold the hair back, for slave women, among the Wagon People, are not permitted to braid, or otherwise dress their hair; it must be, save for the Koora, worn loose." Nomads of Gor, page 30

Clan of Scarers: ones whose job it is to place the scars upon the Warriors of the Wagon People, when called upon. 

"When I have time," said Harold, "I will call one from the Clan of Scarers and have the scaraffixed. It will make me look even more handsome." Nomads of Gor, page 274

Clan of Torturers: ones  whose job it is to get much needed information from others by means of torture. 

"For what you have dont," he said, "it is common to call for one of the Clan of Torturers." Nomads of Gor, Page 142

"The Carders and Dyers, incidentally, are sub castes separate from the Weavers. All are sub castes of the Rug Makers, which itself, interestingly, perhaps surprisingly, is accounted generally as a sub caste of the Cloth Workers. Rug Makers themselves, however usually regard themselves in their various sub castes, as being independent of the Cloth Workers. A rug maker would not care to be confused with a maker of caftans, turbans, or djellabas." Tribesmen of Gor, pages 49-50

"I was the daughter of a Cloth Worker." Assassin of Gor, page 317

Code: a creed characterized by a rudimentary chivalry, emphasizing loyalty to the Pride Chiefs and the Home Stone; warrior's are expected to know and live by it's dictates.

"Further, members of castes such as the Physicians and Builders use the fairs for the dissemination of information and techniques among Caste Brothers, as is prescribed in their codes in spite of the fact that their respective cities may be hostile. And as might be expected members of the Caste of Scribes gather here to enter into dispute and examine and trade manuscripts."  Priest-Kings of Gor, page 9

coin girl: a slave girl who, with a coin box and triangular flat bell chained around her neck, is sent out in the streets of a city to earn money from masters in return for her sexual use; woe to the girl who does not return with a jangling coin-box attached to her neck chain: 

"It is called the Street of the Writhing Slave. It is dark and narrow, and not far from the wharves. It has its name from the fact that most renters of, and dealers in, Coin Girls in Victoria, keep their kennels on this street. The girls of the day, designated by a coiled whip pressed against their left shoulder, wearing their neck chains, with the attached bell and coin box, are sent into the streets in the late afternoon and expected to return before the nineteenth ahn. And woe to the girl who  does not return with a jangling coin box on her neck chain! Some girls,  once designated, and locked in their accouterments, kneeling, weeping, scratch even at the insides of the stout gates of their masters' houses, hoping to be sent into the streets early, that their chances of turning a profit for their master, and thus avoiding a beating or torture, may be enhanced. Such a lenience, however, is seldom shown to the girls, as it is against an agreement binding the  entrepreneurs engaged in this trade. Sometimes the girls are sent into the streets with their hands braceleted behind their backs. Sometimes they are sent into the streets with their small hands free, that they may use them to please their master's customers. Sometimes a  new girl is sent into the streets on a leash, with an older girl, that she may learn how a Coin Girl behaves .Guardsman of Gor, page 143 

coffle: a method of chaining a line of slaves together for trekking; common methods are to link the slaves by the left ankle, left wrist, or throat; also, the line of slaves itself; sometimes called a 'slaver's necklace':

The collars had front and back rings, were hinged on the right and locked on the left. This is a familiar form of coffle collar. The lengths of chain between the collars were about three to four feet long. Some were attached to the collar rings by the links themselves, opened and then reclosed about the rings, and some of them were fastened to the collar rings by snap rings. Another common form of the coffle collar has its hinge in the front and closes behind the back of the neck, like the common slave collar. It has a single ring, usually on the right, through which, usually, a single chain is strung. Girls are spaced on such a chain, usually, by snap rings. An advantage of the first sort of coffle arrangement is that the chain may, as girls are added or subtracted, be shortened or lengthened. A chain which has been borne by fifty girls would, of course, be impracticably heavy for five or six. An advantage of the second arrangement is that girls can be easily spaced on the chain, more or less closely together, and can be conveniently removed from, and added to, the chain. Which chaining arrangement is best for a given set of girls depends, of course, on the particular intentions and purposes of their master.   Savages of Gor, page. 135

collar: any of several iron or steel devices that fit around the neck of a slave; in Torvaldsland, they are of iron, hinged, and fastened with a rivet; in Turia, the steel is rounded and loose enough for a man to insert his hand beneath it. The first collar seen by Tarl Cabot was a simple band of steel, which he took to be jewelry. Slave girls are required to repeat the purposes of a collar on demand. They are: (1) to visibly designate the wearer as a slave, (2) to impress her slavery upon her, (3) it identifies her master, and (4) it provides ease of leashing:

"The brand is to be distinguished from the collar, though both are a designation of slavery. The primary significance of the collar is that it identifies the master and his city. The collar of a given girl maybe be changed countless times, but the brand continues throughout to bespeak her status." Outlaw of Gor, page 187

" On the throat of each, was a lustrously polished silver collar, and on the left wrist of each, locked, with a chain loop should one desire to secure them, a matching bracelet. Both girls of course were barefoot." Fighting Slave of Gor, page 276

She approached me. From my pouch I drew forth a leather Kur collar, with its lock, and sewn in leather, its large, rounded ring. "What is it?" she asked apprehensively, I took it behind her neck, and then, closing it about her throat, thrust the large, flattish bolt, snapping it, into the locking breech. The two edges of metal, bordered by the leather, fitted closely together. The collar is some three inches in height. The girl must keep her chin up. "It is the collar of a Kur cow," I told her." No!" she cried. I turned her about and , taking a pair of the rude iron slave bracelets of the north, black and common, with which bond-maids are commonly secured, locked her wrists behind her back. I then, with the bloodied Quiva, the Tuchuk saddle knife, cut her clothes from her. Then, by a length of binding fibre, looped double in the ring of her collar, tied her on her knees to the foot of the Kur. Marauders of Gor pages. 322-323

The small, heavy lock on a girls slave collar, incidentally, may be of several varieties, but almost all are cylinder locks, either of the pin or disk variety. In a girls collar lock there would be six pins or six disks, one each, it is said, for each letter of in the Gorean word for female slave, kajira; the male slave , or kajirus, seldom has a locked collar; normally a band of iron is simply hammered about his neck; often he works in chains, usually with other male slaves. Assassins of Gor, page. 51

I noted her throat was encircled by a collar of gray metal. I supposed it indicated that she was a state slave of Tharna. Outlaw of Gor, Page102

"Look up at me," said the smith. The slender, blond girl, tears in her eyes, looked up at him. He opened the hinged collar of black iron, about a half inch in height. He put it about her throat. It also contained a welded ring, suitable for the attachment of a chain. "Put your head beside the anvil," he said. He took her hair, and threw it forward, and thrust her neck against the left side of the anvil. Over the anvil lay the joining ends of the two pieces of the collar. The inside of the collar was separated by a quarter of an inch from her neck. I saw the fine hairs on the back of her neck. On one part of the collar are two, small, flat, thick rings. On the other is a single such ring. These rings, when the wings of the collar are joined, are aligned, those on one wing on top and bottom, that on the other in the center. They fit closely together, one on top of the other. The holes in each, about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, too, of course, are perfectly aligned. The smith, with his thumbs, forcibly, pushed a metal rivet through the three holes. The rivet fits snuggly

"Do not move your head, Bond-maid," said the smith. Then, with great blows of the iron hammer, he riveted the iron collar about her throat.

A man then pulled her by the hair from the anvil and threw her to one side. She lay there weeping, a naked bond-maid, marked and collared. Marauders of Gor pages. 105-106

collar, coffle: various types of steel collars with rings front and/or back to hook 3 to 4 ft lengths of chain between them; some hinged in the back: Savages of Gor, page 135

collar, cord: made of cord, fashioned from the rence plant, it is worn by rencer slaves and carries a small disk to identify the owner: Vagabonds of Gor, page 341

collar, dance: a collar to which light- weight (but effective) chain has been attached in order to set off the dancer; a common type consists of a large oval of chain , to which wrist cuffs and/or ankle cuffs are attached; once the two sides of the oval have been attached to a ring on the collar; their are variations depending on the region: Book 19: Kajira of Gor, page 143

collar, lock: a hinged collar easily removed by the use of a key; usually of flat stock, c. 1-1/2 inches to 2 inches high; usually worn by trained slaves; the lock has one pin for each of the letters in the word 'kajira':

The small, heavy lock on a girls slave collar, incidentally, may be of several varieties, but almost all are cylinder locks, either of the pin or disk variety. In a girls collar lock there would be six pins or six disks, one each, it is said, for each letter of in the Gorean word for female slave, kajira; the male slave , or kajirus, seldom has a locked collar; normally a band of iron is simply hammered about his neck; often he works in chains, usually with other male slaves. Assassins of Gor page. 51

collar, message: worn by slaves who convey messages, the slave girl often does not know that her collar carries a message, and of course, would never know it's contents; unfortunately, she is sometimes killed, as in, 'Kill the Messenger': Nomads of Gor, page 40

collar, plate: collar of flat stock which is hammered about a slave's neck; usually worn by untrained slaves: Hunters of Gor, page 13

collar, Turian: a collar which fits more loosely and resembles a hinged ring, looped about the throat. A man can get his fingers inside a Turian collar and use it to drag the girl to him:

"The Turian collar lies loosely on the girl, a round ring, it fits so loosely that, when grasped in a man's fist, the girl can turn within it; the common Gorean collar, on the other hand, is flat, snugly fitting steel band. Both collars lock in the back, behind the girl's neck. The Turian collar is more difficult to engrave, but it, like the flat collar, will bear some legend assuring that the girl, if found, will be promptly returned to her master." Nomads of Gor, page 16

collar, shipping: a temporary collar showing that the slave girl is part of a cargo: Explorers of Gor, page 79

collar stocking/sleeve:  a small piece of cloth worn around the collar 

I reached out, timidly, towards her throat. I touched the object there.
"What is this?" I asked.
"The silk?" she asked. "That is a collar stocking, or a collar sleeve. They may be made of many different materials. In a cooler climate they are sometimes of velvet. In most cities they are not used." Kajira of Gor. page 46

collaring anniversary: monthly, on the anniversary of a slaves collaring, the Master will celebrate by feeding the slave by hand or tossing her food to remind her of who is her Master.

"The ceremonial taking of food from the hand of the man, as it had been done this evening in the camp, would prove to be somewhat unusual, though it would be reasonably common to be handfed, when it amused him, or thrown scraps of food. Among many men, it might be mentioned, however, the monthly anniversary of a girl's acquisition as a slave would be marked by this, and similar ceremonies. A slave girl is a delight to a man; she is extremely prized and precious; that the day of her acquisition should be celebrated each month with special ceremonies and rites is not surprising. These numerous anniversaries are deliciously celebrated, as they may be with a girl who is only a slave, and seldom forgotten; should such an anniversary be forgotten, should it be such that it is commonly celebrated, the girl redoubles her efforts to please, fearing she is to be soon sold." Slave Girl of Gor, page 66

collaring ceremonary : these are the words spoken when a Master collars his new slave...two examples of these words are spoken by Rask of Treve and Tarl Cabot. also see an Online collaring by Master Brackus, Scribe Aria, of his new kajira - kayara

"Submit," he said.
I could not disobey him. I fell to my knees before him, resting back on my heels, extending my arms to him, wrists crossed, as though for binding, my head lowered, between my arms. I spoke in a clear voice
"I, Miss Elinor Brinton, of New York City, to the Warrior, Rask, of the High City of Treve, herewith sumbit myself as slave girl. At his hands I accept my life and my name, declaring myself his to do with as he pleases."
Suddenly I felt my wrists lashed swiftly, rudely, together. I drew backmy wrists in fear. They were already bound! They were bound with incredible tightness. I had been bound by a tarnsman. I looked up at him in fear.
I saw him take an object from a warrior at his side. It was an opened, steel slave collar. He held it before me.
"Read the collar," said Rask of Treve.
"I cannot," I whispered. "I cannot read."
"Ignorant barbarian!" I heard more than one girl laugh. I felt so ashamed. I regarded the engraving on the collar, tiny, in neat, cursive script. I could not read it.
"Read it to her," said Rask of Treve to Ena.
"It says," said Ena, "I am the property of Rask of Treve."
I said nothing. "Do you understand?" asked Ena.
"Yes," I said. "Yes!"
Now, with his two hands, he held the collar about my neck, but he did not yet close it. I was looking up at him. My throat was encircled by the collar, he holding it, but the collar was not yet shut. My eyes me this. His eyes were fierce, amused, mine were frightened. My eyes pleaded for mercy. I would receive none. The collar snapped shut.
There was a shout of pleasure from the men and girls about. I heard hands striking the left shoulder in Gorean applause. Captive of Gor, page 283


"Assume the posture of female submission," I told her.
She did so, kneeling back on her heels, her arms extended, wrists crossed, her head between them, down. She was weeping. "Repeat after me," I told her.
"I, once Miss Elizabeth Cardwell, of the planet Earth..."
"I, once Miss Elizebeth Cardwell, of the planet Earth..." she said.
"...herewith submit myself, completely and totally, in all things..."
"...herewith submit myself, completely and totally, in all things..."she said.
"...to him who is now known here as Hakim of Tor..."
"...to him who is now known here as Hakim of Tor..." she said.
"...his girl, his slave, an article of his property, his to do with as he pleases..." "...his girl, his slave, an article of his property, his to do with as he pleases..." she said. Hassan handed me the collar. It was inscribed 'I am the property of Hakim or Tor'. I showed it to the girl. She could not read Taharic script. I read it to her. I put it about her neck. I snapped it shut. "I am yours, Master," I said to the girl. She looked at me, tears in her eyes, her neck in my locked collar. "I am yours, Master," she said. "Congratulations on your slave!" said Hassan. "She is lovely meat. Now I must attend to my own slave." He laughed, and left.
The girl sank to the straw, and looked up at me. Her eyes were soft with tears. She whispered. "I am yours now, Tarl," she said. "You own me. You truely own me." "What is your name?" I asked. "What ever Master wishes," she whispered.
"I will call you 'Vella'," I said.
"I am Vella," she said, her head down. Tribesman of Gor, Page

Collaring Feast: a private feast for a young tarnsman and his family and friends; held to celebrate the capture of his first slave girl; during it, the girl formally submits to him as his slave, then proceeds to serve him at the Feast and afterwards in his quarters: Outlaw of Gor, page 52

collaring position: the position which a slave assume when she is being collared by a Master

"Assume the posture of female submission," I told her.
She did so, kneeling back on her heels, her arms extended, wrists crossed, her head between them, down. She was weeping. Tribesmen of Gor, page 359

She fell to her knees before him, and lifted her head to regard him. "I will be your slave," wrists crossed, as though for binding. She was very beautiful. "I am your slave," she said, "  Master." Hunters of Gor, page 16

"She is yours," he said. He took his strap off her throat, and unbound her hands. "Submit," I told her. She knelt before me, back on her heels, arms extended, head down, between her arms, wrists crossed, as though for binding. "I submit to you, Master," she said. I tied her hands together; she then lowered her bound wrists; I pulled up her head. I held "Can you read?" I asked her. "No, Master," she said. "It says," I said, "'I am the girl of Tarl of Teletus" I then collared her. Explorers of Gor, page 74

common chain: a way of positions slaves in a line

Usually the tallest girls lead the slave chain, the height decreasing gradually toward the end of the chain, where the shortest girl is placed. This was a “common chain,” sometimes called a “march chain” or “trekking chain”; Tribesmen 

common usage position: a favor position in which a master uses his slave for pleasure

He knelt me there. "Put your head down, to the floor," he said. "Clasp your hands, firmly, behind the back of your neck." "Yes, Master," I moaned. He was then behind me. He put his hands, under my arms, on my breasts, sweetly and firmly. Then he moved his bands back, caressing my flanks. My head was down. My fingers were together, behind the back of my neck. I was in his collar. It was steel, I could not remove it. I belonged to him. My body hurt, from his whip, that of my master. My head hurt, from my hair, where I had been conducted, unceremoniously, to this location. "Please, Master," I sobbed. "Not like this! Not you, please!" "The slave is pretty," he remarked. "Oh!" I cried. "Oh!" "You have a lovely ass," he said. "Ohhh!" I said. "You may thank me," he said. Kajira of Gor, page 434

Companionship Price: the gift, in money or goods, given by a man to the father of the woman he wishes to take in Free Companionship: Hunters of Gor, page 174

con: from : Outlaw of Gor, page 179

Contasta - (lit. 'from the founding of Ar'): means of determining chronology; equivalent to the Earth term AD (Anno Domini) (abbrev: C.A.): Outlaw of Gor, page 179

Contests of Arms: gladiatorial contests where men fought to the death were banned in Ar, when Kazrak of Port Kar became administrator of that city: Priest-Kings of Gor, page 11

cooking area: a simple place where food is cooked.

Cos: An alliance of several cities which all exist on the island of Cos. It is known for its famous wines and its vast fleets of trading ships, as well as its imperialistic tendencies. It is at war with the city of Ar, and along with its ally the Ubarate of Tyros it is currently at war with the city of Port Kar. It is similar in certain respects to the ancient Earth Minoan culture. A producer of fine wine made from its famous Ta grapes.

, the islands, prominent among them Cos and Tyros; Tribesmen of Gor, Page 7

"farther even than the islands of Cos and-Tyros?" he asked. Nomads of Gor, Page 39

Cosian Wine: a fine wine produced in Cos but different then the famous ta grape wine

Mentioned in the books but no description Rogue of Gor, page 257

Cosian Wingfish: also known as songfish due to its whistling mating song; a tiny blue salt-water fish with 4 poisonous spines on its dorsal fin; found in the waters off Port Kar; its liver is considered a delicacy in Turia: 

"I heard the mating whistles of the tiny, lovely Cosian wingfish. This is a small, delicate fish; it has three of four slender spines in its dorsal fins, which are poisonous. It is called the wingfish because it can, on its stiff pectoral fins, for short distances, glide through the air, usually in an attempt to flee small sea thalarion, who are immune to the poisonous spines. It is also called a songfish, because, in their courtship rituals, males and females thrust their head from the water, uttering a kind of whistle." Raiders of Gor, page 139

" 'Now this,' Saphrar the merchant was telling me, 'is the braised liver of the blue, four-spired Cosian wingfish.'

This fish is a tiny, delicate fish, blue, about the size of a tarn disk when curled in one's hand; it has three or four slender spines in its dorsal fin, which are poisonous; it is capable of hurling itself from the water and, for brief distances, on its stiff pectoral fins, gliding through the air, usually to evade the smaller sea-tharlarions, which seem to be immune to the poison of the spines. This fish is also some times referred to as the songfish because, as a portion of its courtship rituals, the males and females thrust their heads from the water and utter a sort of whistling sound. The blue, four-spired wingfish is found only in the waters of Cos. Larger varieties are found farther out to sea. The small blue fish is regarded as a great delicacy, and its liver as the delicacy of delicacies." Nomads of Gor, pages 84-85

Cosmeticians, Caste of: Mentioned in the books

"its libraries, its records and files; its cubicles for Smiths, Bakers, Cosmeticians, Bleachers, Dyers, Weavers, and Leather Workers." Assassin of Gor, page 111

Couching Law: any Free Woman who voluntarily 'couches' with the slave of another maybe taken as slave herself by the Master of the slave she 'couched' with: Magicians of Gor, page 303

Any free woman who couches with another's slave or readies for such, becomes, by law, herself a slave and the property of said slaves owner. Magicians of Gor, page 7

Council of Captains: the governing body of the city of Port Kar:

 the Council of Captains who are responsible for maintaining and managing the great arsenal, as well as the fleets of Port Kar.  Raiders of Gor, page 103

Courage Scar: a facial marking of the Tuchuk warrior, fashioned by a member of the Scarring Caste. Depending on it's position, color, shape, it represents honorable actions by it's wearer of various wagon tribes:

"I was looking on the faces of four men, warriors of the Wagon Peoples.  On the face of each there were, almost like corded chevrons, brightly colored scars. The vivid coloring and intensity of these scars, their prominence, reminded me of the hideous markings on the faces of mandrills; but these disfigurements, as I soon recognized, were cultural, not congenital, and bespoke not the natural innocence of the work of genes but the glories and status, the arrogance and prides, of their bearers. The scars had been worked into the faces, with needles and knives and pigments and the dung of bosks over a period of days and nights. Men had died in the fixing of such scars. Most of the scars were set in pairs, moving diagonally down from the side of the head toward the nose and chin. The man facing me had seven such scars ceremonially worked into the tissue of his countenance, the highest being red, the next yellow, the next blue, the fourth black, then two yellow, then black again. I recalled what I had heard whispered of once before, in a tavern in Ar, the terrible Scar Codes of the Wagon Peoples, for each of the hideous marks on the face of these men had a meaning, a significance that could be ready by the Paravaci, the Kassars, the Kataii, the Tuchucks as cleary as you or I might read a sign in a window or a sentence in a book. At that time I could read only the top scar, the red, bright, fierce cordlike scar that was the Courage Scar. It is always the highest scar on the face. Indeed without that scar, no other scar can be granted. The Wagon Peoples value courage above all else. Each of these men facing me wore that scar."  Nomads of Gor, page16 

"Without the Courage Scar one may not, among the Tuchuks, pay court to a free woman, own a wagon, or own more than five bosk and three kaiila. The Courage Scar thus has its social and economic, as well as its martial, import."  Nomads of Gor, page 113 

"And while you are remembering things," remarked Harold, 'you might recollect that we two together won the Courage
Scar in Turia." 
"No," I said, "I will not forget that either."  Nomads of Gor, page 340 

The man facing me had several such scars ceremonially worked into the tissue of his countance, the highest being red, the next yellow, the next blue, the fourth black, then two yellow then two black again. The faces of the men were all  scared differently, but each was scarred. Nomads of Gor, page 16

crossbow: is he standard infantry missile weapon of Gor. It consists of a heavy, flexible bow of tempered steel, perhaps 18" across (when bent), mounted on a heavy wooden stock about two feet long, with a trigger mechanism built into the shaped handle. It can fire several types of spiked, smooth tipped or broad bladed quarrels, with enough force to penetrate wooden walls, doors or human bodies with relative ease. It has an effective range of approximately 150 meters for aimed fire, and can strike a target at up to 200 meters when fired into a press of bodies. Slow to reload, it is commonly redrawn through use of a"goat's-foot" hook or a cranequin (bow crank). Quarrels, or "bolts," are carried by the user in a belt-case or quiver. Common throughout all of the Gorean city-states, and the preferred weapon of the Caste of Assassins.

the crossbow is the assassin's weapon, par excellence; further, it might be mentioned that, although it takes longer to set the crossbow, a weaker man, with, say, his belt claw or his winding gear, can certainly manage to do so; accordingly, for every man capable of drawing a warrior's long bow there will be an indefinite number who can use the crossbow; lastly, at shorter distances, the crossbow requires much less skill for accuracy than the long bow." Raiders of Gor, Page 2

‘My weapon,’ he said, simply extending his hand. A crossbow was immediately placed in his grip. It was a large steel bow, wound and set, the iron quarrel placed in the guide. Tarnsman of Gor, Page 138

“Incidentally, speaking of the crossbow and longbow, . . . The Older Tarl, my redoubtable instructor in arms, did not care for them, regarding them as secondary weapons almost unworthy for the hand of a warrior.”  Tarnsman of Gor, page 49 

“Indeed, the Gorean spear is such that many warriors scorn lesser missile weapons, such as the longbow or crossbow, both of which are not uncommonly found on Gor.”  Outlaw of Gor, page 21 

“. . .the crossbow, which is primarily an infantry weapon.  Savages of Gor, page 96 

“I mounted my tarn . . . On each side of the saddle hung a missile weapon, a crossbow with a quiver of a dozen quarrels, or bolts, on the left, a longbow with a quiver of thirty arrows on the right.” Tarnsman of Gor, page 64 

“None of the bolts had escaped from the specially constructed quiver.”  Tarnsman of Gor, page 161 

“Some hundreds of yards from the wall, just beyond crossbow range. . .”  Tarnsman of Gor, page 163 

“. . .the iron bolt of a crossbow. . .” Tarnsman of Gor, page 59 

 “. . .the metal fins of the bolt. . .”  Assassin of Gor, page 357

“and if he had fired at that range, most probably the quarrel would have passed through my body and disappeared in the woods behind. The initial velocity of a quarrel is the better part of a pasang per second.”  Tarnsman of Gor, page 100 

 “. . .the bolt of a crossbow struck the door and splintered through it, its head projecting some six inches on my side.”  Nomads of Gor, page 227

“The bolt of a crossbow splattered into a brick wall on my right, gouging a cupful of masonry loose in chips and dust.”  Nomads of Gor, page 236 

“It would be eleven or twelve seconds before the crossbowmen would be ready to fire again.”  Nomads of Gor, page 227 

“The crossbowmen were each winding their string tight for a new quarrel.”  Nomads of Gor, page 213 

 “. . .some oil for the mechanism of the crossbow.”  Tarnsman of Gor, page 105

Crossbow, (Cavalry): Similar in most respects to the larger crossbow, though instead of possessing a heavy metal bow, it has a much lighter bow of layered wood and horn. It is slightly smaller in overall size than its heavy cousin, and is equipped with a metal stirrup at the firing end, enabling it to be more quickly restrung and drawn from kailla or tarnback. Though it is originally mentioned quite early in the series as a "light crossbow" or "sporting crossbow," it is finally described (somewhat) in book #17, Savages of Gor.

“Its major disadvantage is its slowness in rate of fire. The cavalry crossbow does have an iron stirrup in which the rider, without dismounting, may insert his foot, thus gaining the leverage necessary for drawing the cable back with both hands, if the rider is right handed he usually inserts his right foot in the stirrup and leans to the right in drawing the cable. . .”  Savages of Gor, page 96 

curla: the red waist cord worn by slave- girls of the Wagon Peoples; supports the chatka:

"Among the Wagon Peoples, to be clad Kajira means, for a girl, to wear four articles, two red two black; a red cord, the Curla, is tied about the waist; the Chatka, or long , narrow strip of black leather, fits over the cord in front, passes under, and then again, from the inside, passes over the cord in back; the chatka is drawn tight; the Kalmak is then donned; it is a short sleeveless vest of black leather; lastly the koora, a strip of red cloth, matching the Curla, is wound about the head, to hold the hair back, for slave women, among the Wagon Peoples, are not permitted to braid, or otherwise dress their hair; it must be, save for the koora, worn loose. For a male slave or Kajirus, of the Wagon Peoples, and there are few, save for the work chains, to be clad Kajira means to wear the Kes, a short, sleeveless work tunic of black leather." Nomads of Gor, page 30

cur-lon fiber: fiber spun by the Swamp Spiders (Spider People) and used in the textile mills of Ar:

"They hunt us and leave only enough of us alive to spin the cur-lon fiber used in the mills of Ar." Tarnsman of Gor, page 83

Curulean: the most prestigious slave auction house in the city of Ar: Captive of Gor, page 355

cymbals: There are various sorts similar to the ones found on Earth:

The drums, the cymbals, the trumpets, were now quite close.  Captive of Gor, page 209

On the thumb and first finger of both her left and right hand were golden finger cymbals. Tribesmen of Gor, page 8

There was a clear note of the finger cymbals, sharp, delicate, bright, and the slave girl danced before us.  Tribesmen of Gor, page 8

cylinder: the primary architectural form of buildings in major Gorean cities, they are of varying heights and colours, flat topped and cylindrical, connected by narrow colourful bridges that arch between them: 

Cylinder of Documents: the place in Gor where scrolls of important information are held.

"lists of competitions and tournaments and their winners are filed in the Cylinder of Documents; there is even in most Gorean libraries a section containing an incredible number of scrolls pertaining to the techniques, tactics, and strategy of the game." Assassin of Gor., page 27

Cylinder of Justice: The place in a city whereas the claims of justice would be decided

"I noted with repulsion that on the roof of the Cylinder of Justice there shimmered a public impaling spear of polished silver, some fifty feet high, gleaming, looking like a needle in the distance." Tarnsman of Gor, page 194

Cylinder of Warriors: a place in Gor where Warriors are frequent. 

"A knife on the high bridge," said I, "in the vicinity of the Cylinder of Warriors--at the Twentieth Ahn--in the darkness and the shadows of the lamps." Assassin of Gor, page 41

czehar: musical instrument consisting of a flat, oblong box, having 8 strings which are played with a horn pick; similar to a Japanese koto: