Story 10: Piercing the Veil

Gor is based on lies.

They extend from the highest of Castes down to the lowly Peasants. They permeate every facet of our lives.

And their sole purpose is to perpetuate and sustain the existing power structure.

Jaded? Disillusioned? Most definitely.

I was born into the Merchant's Caste. My father was a wine seller and made a moderate income. He often traveled, seeking bargains.

My father was a happy man, content with his life.

I looked forward to following in the family business. It was a respectable occupation and I found it to be interesting.

Then my father struck his fortune.

My father sometimes purchased small collections of wine from estates. He always hoped to luck out and find a valuable wine amidst the dusty bottles of some old basement.

In Harfax, he bought twenty-five bottles for a gold tarn. Though most of the labels were encrusted with dirt and grime, he did see a few good bottles in the batch.

When he got them home, he carefully cleaned each bottle. And he was astounded by what he found. He could not believe that it was true. It had to be a hoax.

The rarest of the rares. An almost legendary wine that some believed to be a myth.

It was easily worth many thousands of gold tarns. My father had struck paydirt.

My father could do much with that money. My mother had passed away three years ago and I was an only child. My father could retire, never having to work again. Or he could purchase a large shop, even in Ar, and become a major merchant in that city.

What dream would he realize with his new found wealth?

During the next few Hands, my father was very secretive. He would only say that I would be very pleased with the outcome.

I do know that he revisited Harfax several times and did find a buyer for the Falarian.

During this time, my father was very happy. It was obvious that some heart-felt dream was being realized. That made me happy for him.

I so loved my father and he deserved this good fortune.

Then came the day that three men in white robes arrived at our doorstep. Initiates. The Chosen of the Priest-Kings. They learned powerful magics and were the Highest of all the Castes. They were mysterious, very powerful and a force to be feared.

I was a bit disconcerted at their presence.

What did they want? And why was my father so pleased to see them?

My father had always been a pious man, a devout worshipper of the Priest-Kings. Would he make a large devotion to their temple?

I soon got my answer.

My father had purchased me a position within the Initiate Caste in Harfax. I would begin training as a novice but was guaranteed of rising quickly within the ranks.

My father was grinning ear to ear.

My father had gained me a position in the Highest Caste, elevating me far above my station. To him, this was the greatest gift he could give me. It was a selfless act of love. He had kept only a small portion of money for himself. The rest went to the Initiates.

I was pleased as well. This was a grand opportunity. I knew no better. I wept as I hugged my father, thanking him profusely.

I packed my meager belongings, said my good-byes and left with the Initiates.

I was so very nervous. It was such a shock. What adventures awaited me?

We journeyed to their temple in Harfax.

Once at the temple, they shaved my head, gave me three white robes and confiscated my belongings. I would start my new life with only what they gave me.

I would reside in a tiny square room devoid of any furniture except a wooden pallet and small table.

I would be fed only twice a day, in the early morning and early evening.

All of this was designed to strengthen my body, mind and soul.

Then the training began.

I knew some reading, writing and figuring. It was needed as a Merchant. But the Initiates went beyond those basics, especially in mathematics. They also began to teach me Archaic Gorean. Many of our prayers were in that ancient tongue.

Once they felt I possessed sufficient comprehension in those areas, they began more substantive studies. They began to teach me many truths.

That is when I first began to Pierce the Veil.

A Veil of Deception that blankets our world. And like the wealthiest of free women, I would learn that Gor wore many veils. There were many levels of deception, like the myriad layers of an onion.

The Double Knowledge.

That was my first Piercing, and a large tear it was in the Veil.

The High Castes and the Low Castes were taught different "truths." The Low Castes were taught a body of lies about Gor and the High Castes learned the reality. As an Initiate, I was now being taught that reality.

Gor was an orb, not a flat world. The world called Earth truly existed. It was not a myth. I learned of the stars and other planets. I began to better understand the place of Gor within the cosmos.

I was taught that most magics did not exist, except for the mystical powers possessed by the most senior of the Initiates.

Only the Priest-Kings could grant such powers to their most devout priests.

And the purpose of this Double Knowledge was to apparently keep the Low Castes in their place, content and complacent.

It was a great conspiracy within the High Castes.

This first Piercing shook me up. Initially, there was disbelief and then anger. Then just acceptance.

What could I do? Should I even try?

And I realized that maybe there were still lies being taught to me. Maybe I had not yet Pierced all of the Veils.

I would continue my studies earnestly, examining everything with a critical eye. I wanted the absolute truths. And as the Highest of Castes, the Initiates must know it all.

I soon began to exceed the studies of my fellow Initiates. I was promoted in the ranks and then promoted again.

My father's money had already purchased me a guarantee of a certain rank within the Caste. The Initiates though were especially pleased that I would deserve that rank as well.

I had to attain the highest of ranks, to delve into the inner secrets of the Caste. All knew that the highest ranks were aware of special secrets.

And I had a fire within me, yearning to uncover those hidden truths.

I was now second only to the High Initiate. I had far exceeded the rank my father had purchased. He was so very proud of me.

I allowed him his illusion. I could not tell him the truth.

And I had learned more truths during my rise to power, deceptions within the Caste itself.

So many Veils had been Pierced. Though I suspected a couple more still existed.

At the next En'Kara Fair, I met and spoke with high-ranking Initiates from many other cities.

It was then that I first heard of the "Om Legacy." It would change everything for me. It was the source of the ultimate truth I sought.

I already knew that no Initiate possessed any real magical powers. I also knew that the Priest-Kings rarely, if ever, answered our prayers. I had no doubt that the Priest-Kings existed. The Flame Death was proof enough but they largely ignored us.

Then an Initiate named Veritas recruited me.

I had been watched for several years by this covert cabal of Initiates. They had assessed my motives and personality. I had been tested without my knowledge.

And they knew I would eventually be the High Initiate of Harfax.

The cabal was small, necessarily so. Few were ready for the Truth. They felt that I could handle it.

So Veritas spoke to me, enlightened me. And he showed me the Om Legacy, a brief scroll written by the now deceased High Initiate of Ar.

Part of the scroll said:

"We speak not to man's heart but only to his fear. We do not speak of love and courage, and loyalty and nobility-but of practice and observance, and the punishment of the Priest-Kings-for if we so spoke, it would be that much harder for man to grow beyond us. Thus, unknown to most members of my caste, we exist to be overcome, thus in our way pointing the way to man's greatness." (Priest-Kings of Gor, p.300-1)

And it all rang true. And I was hooked.

There was nobility in its purpose, honor in its motives. The lies and deceptions had Purpose. Yes, some abused it. Some used it for their own selfish gains.

But that did not diminish the Truth of the Objective.

To better mankind, to make him evolve into a superior being.

Tears flowed copiously as the immensity of it all overwhelmed me.

I became a member of the cabal and pledge to support Om's Legacy.

I helped convince High Initiate Dabro to step down from his office so that I could assume the mantle.

As High Initiate of Harfax, I would be in a perfect position to promote Om's Legacy.

My life had purpose.

Thank you very much my dear father.


	Introduction \| Table of Contents \| Updates \| Stories \| Links \| Contact Luther Gor is based on lies. They extend from the highest of Castes down to the lowly Peasants. They permeate every facet of our lives. And their sole purpose is to perpetuate and sustain the existing power structure. Jaded? Disillusioned? Most definitely. I was born into the Merchant's Caste. My father was a wine seller and made a moderate income. He often traveled, seeking bargains. My father was a happy man, content with his life. I looked forward to following in the family business. It was a respectable occupation and I found it to be interesting. Then my father struck his fortune. My father sometimes purchased small collections of wine from estates. He always hoped to luck out and find a valuable wine amidst the dusty bottles of some old basement. In Harfax, he bought twenty-five bottles for a gold tarn. Though most of the labels were encrusted with dirt and grime, he did see a few good bottles in the batch. When he got them home, he carefully cleaned each bottle. And he was astounded by what he found. He could not believe that it was true. It had to be a hoax. Falarian Wine!!! The rarest of the rares. An almost legendary wine that some believed to be a myth. It was easily worth many thousands of gold tarns. My father had struck paydirt. My father could do much with that money. My mother had passed away three years ago and I was an only child. My father could retire, never having to work again. Or he could purchase a large shop, even in Ar, and become a major merchant in that city. What dream would he realize with his new found wealth? During the next few Hands, my father was very secretive. He would only say that I would be very pleased with the outcome. I do know that he revisited Harfax several times and did find a buyer for the Falarian. During this time, my father was very happy. It was obvious that some heart-felt dream was being realized. That made me happy for him. I so loved my father and he deserved this good fortune. Then came the day that three men in white robes arrived at our doorstep. Initiates. The Chosen of the Priest-Kings. They learned powerful magics and were the Highest of all the Castes. They were mysterious, very powerful and a force to be feared. I was a bit disconcerted at their presence. What did they want? And why was my father so pleased to see them? My father had always been a pious man, a devout worshipper of the Priest-Kings. Would he make a large devotion to their temple? I soon got my answer. My father had purchased me a position within the Initiate Caste in Harfax. I would begin training as a novice but was guaranteed of rising quickly within the ranks. My father was grinning ear to ear. My father had gained me a position in the Highest Caste, elevating me far above my station. To him, this was the greatest gift he could give me. It was a selfless act of love. He had kept only a small portion of money for himself. The rest went to the Initiates. I was pleased as well. This was a grand opportunity. I knew no better. I wept as I hugged my father, thanking him profusely. I packed my meager belongings, said my good-byes and left with the Initiates. I was so very nervous. It was such a shock. What adventures awaited me? We journeyed to their temple in Harfax. Once at the temple, they shaved my head, gave me three white robes and confiscated my belongings. I would start my new life with only what they gave me. I would reside in a tiny square room devoid of any furniture except a wooden pallet and small table. I would be fed only twice a day, in the early morning and early evening. All of this was designed to strengthen my body, mind and soul. Then the training began. I knew some reading, writing and figuring. It was needed as a Merchant. But the Initiates went beyond those basics, especially in mathematics. They also began to teach me Archaic Gorean. Many of our prayers were in that ancient tongue. Once they felt I possessed sufficient comprehension in those areas, they began more substantive studies. They began to teach me many truths. That is when I first began to Pierce the Veil. A Veil of Deception that blankets our world. And like the wealthiest of free women, I would learn that Gor wore many veils. There were many levels of deception, like the myriad layers of an onion. The Double Knowledge. That was my first Piercing, and a large tear it was in the Veil. The High Castes and the Low Castes were taught different "truths." The Low Castes were taught a body of lies about Gor and the High Castes learned the reality. As an Initiate, I was now being taught that reality. And it stunned me. Gor was an orb, not a flat world. The world called Earth truly existed. It was not a myth. I learned of the stars and other planets. I began to better understand the place of Gor within the cosmos. I was taught that most magics did not exist, except for the mystical powers possessed by the most senior of the Initiates. Only the Priest-Kings could grant such powers to their most devout priests. And the purpose of this Double Knowledge was to apparently keep the Low Castes in their place, content and complacent. It was a great conspiracy within the High Castes. This first Piercing shook me up. Initially, there was disbelief and then anger. Then just acceptance. What could I do? Should I even try? And I realized that maybe there were still lies being taught to me. Maybe I had not yet Pierced all of the Veils. I would continue my studies earnestly, examining everything with a critical eye. I wanted the absolute truths. And as the Highest of Castes, the Initiates must know it all. I soon began to exceed the studies of my fellow Initiates. I was promoted in the ranks and then promoted again. My father's money had already purchased me a guarantee of a certain rank within the Caste. The Initiates though were especially pleased that I would deserve that rank as well. I had to attain the highest of ranks, to delve into the inner secrets of the Caste. All knew that the highest ranks were aware of special secrets. And I had a fire within me, yearning to uncover those hidden truths. Ten years passed. I was now second only to the High Initiate. I had far exceeded the rank my father had purchased. He was so very proud of me. I allowed him his illusion. I could not tell him the truth. And I had learned more truths during my rise to power, deceptions within the Caste itself. So many Veils had been Pierced. Though I suspected a couple more still existed. My quest continued. At the next En'Kara Fair, I met and spoke with high-ranking Initiates from many other cities. It was then that I first heard of the "Om Legacy." It would change everything for me. It was the source of the ultimate truth I sought. I already knew that no Initiate possessed any real magical powers. I also knew that the Priest-Kings rarely, if ever, answered our prayers. I had no doubt that the Priest-Kings existed. The Flame Death was proof enough but they largely ignored us. Then an Initiate named Veritas recruited me. I had been watched for several years by this covert cabal of Initiates. They had assessed my motives and personality. I had been tested without my knowledge. And they knew I would eventually be the High Initiate of Harfax. The cabal was small, necessarily so. Few were ready for the Truth. They felt that I could handle it. So Veritas spoke to me, enlightened me. And he showed me the Om Legacy, a brief scroll written by the now deceased High Initiate of Ar. Part of the scroll said: "We speak not to man's heart but only to his fear. We do not speak of love and courage, and loyalty and nobility-but of practice and observance, and the punishment of the Priest-Kings-for if we so spoke, it would be that much harder for man to grow beyond us. Thus, unknown to most members of my caste, we exist to be overcome, thus in our way pointing the way to man's greatness." (Priest-Kings of Gor, p.300-1) And it all rang true. And I was hooked. There was nobility in its purpose, honor in its motives. The lies and deceptions had Purpose. Yes, some abused it. Some used it for their own selfish gains. But that did not diminish the Truth of the Objective. To better mankind, to make him evolve into a superior being. Tears flowed copiously as the immensity of it all overwhelmed me. I became a member of the cabal and pledge to support Om's Legacy. I helped convince High Initiate Dabro to step down from his office so that I could assume the mantle. As High Initiate of Harfax, I would be in a perfect position to promote Om's Legacy. My life had purpose. Thank you very much my dear father.