Bakahs
A minor tribe of the Tahari; they are a vassal tribe of the Kavars.
"The oasis of Two Scimitars is an out-of-the-way oasis, under the hegemony of the Bakahs, which, for more than two hundred years, following their defeat in the Silk War of 8,110 C.A., has been a vassal tribe of the Kavars." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 151.
Bakers, Caste of
One of the low castes of Gor.
"At one time, I gathered from Dina, her father's shop had been the most famed of the baking shops of Turia, most of which are owned by Saphrar of Turia, whose interests range widely, though operated naturally, as Gorean custom would require, by members of the Caste of Bakers." — Nomads of Gor, page 237.
Baker's Knot
A specialized knot type developed by the caste of Bakers designed for use in tying sacks around the neck of a slave. The slave in essence is unable to see the knot, even if she by chance works it forward to more easily undo. By not seeing the knot, she cannot know how to retie it properly. Such a knot is supposed to minimize pilfering of pastries which might be tempting to a slave girl.
"She had been ashore to buy some loaves of Sa-Tarna bread. The girl commonly carries the coin, or coins, in her mouth, for slave tunics, like most Gorean garments, have no pockets. Slaves are not permitted wallets, or pouches, as free persons. The baker had tied the sack about her neck, with a baker's knot, fastened behind the back of her neck. The girl is not supposed to be able to see to undo the knot. Even if she works it about to before her throat, she cannot see it. If she should untie it, it is unlikely she will be able to retie it properly. Naturally the sack may not be opened unless the knot has been undone. The baker's knot is supposed to minimize the amount of pilfering of pastries, and such, which might otherwise be done by slave girls." — Hunters of Gor, page 65.
Baleen Whale
The physiological genus of whales. The Karl whale falls under the category of a baleen whale. Baleen refers to the physical structure of the whale, specifically, having whale bone plates rather than teeth. This definition is supported with the following:
"Any of several usually large whales of the sub-order Mysticeti, such as the right whale, having a cylindrical skull, two blowholes and whalebone plates instead of teeth." — American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition ©2001
Etymology: Middle English baleine whale, baleen, from Old French, from Latin balaena whale;
"A horny substance growing in the mouth of whales of the suborder Mysticeti that is especially developed in the right whale and grows in dependent plates from 2 to 12 feet long attached in 2 ranks along the upper jaw forming a fringelike sieve to collect and retain food; called also whalebone; Baleen Whale: Whalebone Whale." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"Sometimes they managed to secure the … less common Karl whale, which was a four-fluked, baleen whale." — Beasts of Gor, page 36.
Ball-Gag
Device used on slaves to keep them silent.
"I was then gagged and hooded, utilizing the devices of the ball-gag, the straps, the leather covering, the buckles and lock, as I had been when first leaving the house of my training. There were very good reasons for this, as I later learned." — Dancer of Gor, pages 147-148.
Ballistae
One of several light seige engines used by the military of Gor.
Plural - ballistae; Etymology: Latin; Date: 14th century:
"An ancient military engine often in the form of a crossbow for hurling large missiles." Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"Over these bridges the siege towers would be rolled to the walls of Ar; over them his tharlarion cavalry would march; over them his horde would flow. Light engines, mostly catapults and ballistae, would be transported over the ditches by harnessed tarn teams." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 164.
Bana
Valuable jewelry made of precious metals and stones; worn by free persons.
I took from the chest a string of pearls, then one of pieces of gold, then one of rubies. "Bina?" I asked, each time. Eta laughed. "Bana," she said, "Ki Bina. Bana." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 82.
Band
Highly militaristic and organized, with divisors and multiples having to do with seemingly, a base-twelve mathematics, a Band is a Kurii military unit formed of twelve (12) Beasts, or "Kurii;" commanded by a Blood.
"In their military organizations," I said, "six such beasts constitute a Hand, and its leader is called an Eye. Two hands and two eyes constitute a larger unit, called a 'Kur' or 'Beast,' which is commanded by a leader, or Blood. Twelve such units constitute a Band, commanded again by a Blood, though of higher rank. Twelve bands, again commanded by a Blood, of yet higher rank, constitute a March. Twelve Marches is said to constitute a People. These divisors and multiples have to do with, it seems, a base-twelve mathematics, itself perhaps indexed historically to the six digits of one of the creature's prehensil appendages." — Savages of Gor, page 22.
Banner Keeps
Keeps owned by the merchant caste in which they fly the banner of the city under which the keep is established and administered. See: "Merchant Fortresses," "Free Keeps" and "Merchant Keeps."
"You are Dina," she said. "You are slave now within the Keep of Stones of Turmus. This is a merchant keep, under the banner and shield of Turia." That the keep was under the banner of Turia designated it as a Turian keep, distinguishing it in this sense not only from keeps maintained by other cities but more importantly from the "free keeps" maintained by the merchant caste in its own right, keeps without specific municipal affiliations … Space in a "free keep" is rented on a commercial basis, regardless of municipal affiliation. In a banner keep, or one maintained by a given city, preference, if not exclusive rights, are accorded to the merchants and citizens of the city under whose banner the keep is established and administered. That the keep was also under the shield of Tuna meant that it was defended by Turians, that its garrison was Turian. Sometimes a keep will fly a given banner but its garrison will be furnished by the city within whose territory it lies. It is not unknown for a keep to fly the banner of one city and stand behind the shield of another. — Slave Girl of Gor, page 255.
Bara
Literal translation: "Belly." One of the many positions a slave girl must learn.
"Bara," I said to Feiqa. Both slaves went immediately to their bellies, their heads to the left, their wrists crossed behind their backs, their ankles also crossed. It is the common binding position. We did not bind them, however. It was enough that they lay there in this position. — Mercenaries of Gor, page 145.
Barbarian
Generally, this term refers to anyone who cannot speak Gorean. The term does not singularly refer to those born on Earth, but it is often used in a derogatory manner in reference to slave girls born on a planet other than Gor. There are Gorean-born barbarians which come from the more primitive areas of Gor. Barbarian slave girls born on Earth are lower in status than native Gorean slave girls. There are the rare Earth-born barbarian free woman, and always these women are agents of the Kur and, unbeknownst to them, doomed to a life of slavery once their usefulness has been exhausted. Barbarian free women born on Earth may not claim a Home Stone, as they are not born to Gor.
"To the Goreans it is always, simply, The Language, as though there were no others, and those who do not speak it are regarded immediately as barbarians." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 52.
In Gorean, one of the riders said, "She is a barbarian. She cannot speak Gorean." — Nomads of Gor, page 36.
She turned her eyes on Elizabeth, whom she seemed to see then for the first time." Your accent," said Aphris, slowly." You are barbarian." She said it with a kind of horror. — Nomads of Gor, page 135.
"Moreover," said Portus, "these are not common barbarian wenches."
Kuurus looked up.
"Few of them have even a smattering of Gorean," he said. "And they act strangely. They beg and weep and whine. One would think they had never seen a slave collar or Slave chains before. They are beautiful, but they are stupid. The only thing they understand is the whip." Portus looked down, disgusted. "Men even go to see them sold, out of curiosity, for they either stand there, numb, not moving, or scream and fight, or cry out in their barbarian tongues." Portus looked up. "But the lash teaches them what is expected of them on the block, and they then present themselves well and some bring fair prices-in spite of being barbarian." — Assassin of Gor, page 21.
Barge
Used for crossing large rivers; pulled by river tharlarion.
"I crossed the Cartius on a barge, one of several hired by the merchant of the caravan with which I was then seeing. These barges, constructed of layered timbers of Ka-la-na wood, are towed by teams of river tharlarion, domesticated, vast, herbivorous, web-footed lizards raised and driven by the Cartius bargemen, fathers and sons, interrelated clans, claiming the status of a cast for themselves. Even with the harnessed might of several huge tharlarion drawing toward the opposite shore the crossing took us several pasangs downriver. The caravan, of course, was bound for Turia." — Nomads of Gor, pages 3-4 (footnote).
Barge Fort
The lining up of marsh barges to create a defensive fort.
"The barges, during the afternoon, had been eased into a closer line, the stem on one lying abeam of the stern of the next, being made fast there by lines. This was to prevent given barges from being boarded separately, where the warriors on one could not come to the aid of the other. They had no way of knowing how many rencers might be in the marshes. With this arrangement they had greater mobility of their forces, for men might leap, say, from one foredeck of one barge to the tiller deck of the other. If boarding were attempted toward the center of the line, the boarding party could thus be crushed on both flanks by warriors pouring in from adjacent barges. This arrangement, in effect, transformed the formerly purposes, a long, single, narrow, wooden-walled fort." — Raiders of Gor, page 73.
Bargemen, Caste of
Drivers of the watercraft which is pulled by the river-tharlarion.
"These barges, constructed of layered timbers of Ka-la-na wood, are towed by teams of river tharlarion, domesticated, vast, herbivorous, web-footed lizards raised and driven by the Cartius bargemen, fathers and sons, interrelated clans, claiming the status of a cast for themselves." — Nomads of Gor, pages 3-4 (footnote).
Bark Cloth
Cloth made from the bark of the pod tree, dyed scarlet and plaited and pounded into a cloth; often adorning the hips of slave girls in the Schendi region.
"The results of our trading had been two baskets of dried fish, a sack of meal and vegetables, a length of bark cloth, plaited and pounded, from the pod tree, dyed red…" — Explorers of Gor, page 287.
"Thank you, my master," breathed Tende, and she then displayed herself before him, the brief bark cloth, scarlet, snug about her hips and the beads about her lovely throat. — Explorers of Gor, page 296.
[The] Barrens
Located east of the Thentis Mountains, the Barrens is home to the red savages; the name of land is a bit of a misnomer, in that the land is not "barren" at all, but rather is filled with gentle sloping hillsides, lush green grass and dotted with trees, as well as canyons and arroyos. It is thought that the name is given as a warning of sorts, to keep the area free of white man, and pure to those of the tribes of the red savages.
"I considered the Barrens. They are not, truly, as barren as the name would suggest. They are barren only in contrast, say, with the northern forests or the lush land in river valleys, or the peasant fields or meadows of the southern rain belts. They are, in fact, substantially, vast tracts of rolling grasslands, lying east of the Thentis mountains. I have suspected that they are spoken of as the Barrens not so much in an attempt to appraise them with geographical accuracy as to discourage their penetration, exploration and settlement." — Savages of Gor, page 64.
Basket Harness
A harness worn by a tarn wearing a tarn basket.
"The tarn basket may or may not have guidance attachments, permitting the tarn to be controlled from the basket. If the guidance attachments are in place, then the tarn is seldom saddled, but wears only basket harness. If the basket is merely carried, and the tarn cannot be controlled from the basket, then the tarn wears the tarn saddle and is controlled by a tarnsman." — Assassin of Gor, page 94.
Basket Hitch
A knot which is used to fasten carrying baskets to hooks on specific types of tarn saddles.
"Would you like me to show you some others?" I asked.
"Signature knots?" she asked.
"No," I said, "simple knots, common Gorean knots."
"Yes," she said, delighted.
"Bring me a pair of sandal thongs," I told her. She did so and then knelt down opposite me, while I sat cross-legged, and took one of the thongs in my hands.
"This is the basket hitch," I told her, gesturing for her to put out one hand. "It is used for fastening a carrying basket to hooks on certain tarn saddles." — Assassin of Gor, page 81.
Bastion
Fortress, usually of a city.
Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian bastione, augmentative of bastia fortress, derivative from dialect form of bastire to build, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German besten to patch 1 : a projecting part of a fortification;
2 : a fortified area or position;
3 : something that is considered a stronghold. — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2006
"The Scribes of the Central Cylinder examined the records and, to their horror, discrepancies were revealed, in particular payments to members of the Hinrabian family for services it was not clear had ever been performed; most outstandingly there had been a considerable disbursement for the construction of four bastions and tarncots for the flying cavalry of Ar, her tarnsmen; the military men of Ar had waited patiently for these cylinders and were now outraged to discover that the moneys had actually been disbursed, and had apparently disappeared; the parties, presumably of the Builders, to which the disbursements had been made were found to be fictitious." — Assassin of Gor, page 234.
Bastinado
In the history of earth, the bastinado is a thick cord, stick or cudgel, used to deliver painful blows to the bottoms of feet. It is most likely that on Gor, the slave was referring to the corded Oriental bastinado, rather than a stick bastinado.
Bastinado: noun; Inflected Form(s): plural -naˇdoes or -nades; Etymology: Spanish bastonada, from bastón stick, from Late Latin bastum; Date: 1572:
"1: a blow with a stick or cudgel;
2a: a beating especially with a stick; b: a punishment consisting of beating the soles of the feet with a stick." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006"A particularly painful, though not so deadly, type of flogging is the Oriental bastinado, or blows delivered on the soles of the feet with a light rod or knotted cord or lash." — Encyclopaedia Britannica ©2004-2006
"These things, I thought, would give Tupita at least a bit of pause when she might be tempted to use the switch or bastinado on me." — Dancer of Gor, page 222.
Ba-Ta
The second letter of the Gorean alphabet; corresponds to the English letter "B." Possibly a variant of the second letter of the Greek alphabet, Beta.
"The expressions 'Al-Ka' and 'Ba-Ta' are the two first letters of the Gorean alphabet. In effect these men had no names, but were simply known as Slave A and Slave B." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 94.
Bath Girl
Slave girls which serve in the public baths of the cities.
"The bath girls of Turia are almost as famous as those of Ar." — Nomads of Gor, page 188.
"I recalled Harold of the Tuchuks. The pools were beautiful, and yet I knew that somewhere, chained in darkness, were gangs of male slaves who cleaned them each night; and there were of course the Bath Girls of Ar, of which Nela was one, said to be the most beautiful of Gor. Harold, as a boy, had once been a slave in the baths, those of the city of Turia, before he had escaped. He had told me that sometimes a Bath Girl, to discipline her, is thrown to the slaves in the darkness." — Assassin of Gor, page 164.
Bath Oils
Oils, both course and fine, which are customarily used in the Gorean baths.
"After we had kissed we swam together, and then again kissed and swam. Afterwards, Nela gave me the first rubbing, with coarse oils, loosening dirt and perspiration, and scraped me with the thin, flexible bronze strigil; then she gave me the second rubbing, vigorous and stimulating, with heavy toweling; then she gave me the third rubbing, that with fine, scented oils, massaged at length into the skin." — Assassin of Gor, page 163.
Baths, Public
The public baths not only provide a clean Gorean, but are an important social aspect of Gorean life. There are several famed baths in Gor, such as the Capacian Baths. The bathing process on Gor is not simply soaking in a tub of water. There are several phases to the typical bath, fashioned after the practices of ancient Romans.
"Characteristically Roman, the thermae were an important part of its social life, where most citizens lived in crowded tenaments (insulae) without running water or sanitary facilities.
Dedicated in AD 216, the Baths of Caracalla (Thermae Antoninianae) were in use until the aqueducts that fed them were cut by Genseric the Vandal in AD 537. The soaring ruins, which once held as many as 1,600 bathers, still impress the visitor. The thermae were designed along a central axis: the caldarium or hot bath; a smaller area for the tepidarium or warm bath; the basilica, which held the frigidarium or cold bath; and the natatio, an open-air bathing pool. Symmetrically arranged on either side of the baths were rooms for changing, massage, depilation, and medicinal use. From the changing rooms (apodyteria), one would go to the gymnasia (palaestrae) to exercise and from there to a sauna (laconica) to induce an even greater sweat. Then the bather passed to the caldarium, after which he scraped his skin clean with a strigil, and to the tepidarium for a cooler bath and, finally, to the frigidarium for a bracing plunge in a cold bath, which was the regimen recommended by Galen, himself." — Encyclopaedia Romana ©2002
"Yes," said Portus, "but they do little-they are well paid, more than twice what was done before, but they spend the mornings in practices with arms, and the afternoons and evenings in the taverns, the gaming rooms and baths of the city." — Assassin of Gor, page 17.
"I have thought long on it," said Portus, "and that cannot be all of it. I know this business well, the costs of information, organization, planning, acquisition, transportation and security, the care and feeding and training of the animals, the guards, the costs of the auctions, the taxes on sales, the deliveries to distant cities-and the staff of the house I speak of is large, skilled and highly paid-and their facilities are unparalleled in the City, both in size and appointments. They have interior baths which could rival the pools even of the Capacian Baths." — Assassin of Gor, page 20.
Battering Rams
Large beams used to knock down walls of a fortress.
Date: 1593:
"A military siege engine consisting of a large wooden beam with a head of iron used in ancient times to beat down the walls of a besieged place". — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"Here and there among the tents siege towers were being constructed. Nine towers were in evidence. It was unthinkable that they should top the walls of Ar, but with their battering rams they would attempt to break through at the lower levels." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 164.
Battles of Oxen
The second of the two contests held in the Amusements of Tharna. See also: "Amusements of Tharna" and "Contests of Oxen."
"The Battles of Oxen," cried the women of Tharna." Let them begin!" — Outlaw of Gor, page 112.
Bazi
One of the coastal free port cities in the Ushindi.
"These islands, with occasional free ports on the coast, north and south of the Gorean equator, such as Lydius and Helmutsport, and Schendi and Bazi, make possible the commerce between Cos and Tyros, and the mainland, and its cities, such as Ko-ro-ba, Thentis, Tor, Ar, Turia, and many others." — Raiders of Gor, pages 137-138.
Bazi Plague
An incurable disease with pustule skin eruptions; highly contagious and lethal. Also known as "Pox." See also: "Pox."
"I knew that I had not been in a plague area. Too, the Bazi plague had burned itself out years ago. No cases to my knowledge had been reported for months." — Explorers of Gor, page 136.
Bazi Tea
Bazi tea is an herbal tea, favored in both the Tahari and in the Arctic north.
"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, pages 47-48.
Bead Collar
A beaded leather collared used by the red savages of the Barrens; each bear a disctinctive pattern of beading unique to mark an individual's possessions. The collars are tied closed, using a signature knot in a given tribal style.
"Numbly I had unbuckled my sword belt. I had wrapped the belt about the sword and knife sheath, and had given the belt, and these objects, to Grunt. I had disarmed myself. In moments Canka's beaded collar had been tied on my neck. I had become his slave." — Blood Brothers of Gor, page 15.
"I dismounted and stripped, removing also the moccasins which Canka had given me. I then stood before Hci's kaiila. I wore now only the beaded leather collar which had been placed on my some two weeks ago. It was about an inch and a half high. It had a distinctive pattern of beading. The colors and design of the beading marked it as Canka's. It is common among red savages to use such designs, such devices, to mark their possessions. A collar of identical design, back in the village, was worn by the lovely, red-haired girl, the former Miss Millicent Aubrey-Wells, who had so taken the fancy of the young warrior. Both of our collars were tied shut. The knots on them had been retied personally by Canka, after our arrival at his camp. This is done, in effect, with a signature knot, in a given tribal style, known only to the tier. This gives him a way of telling if the knot has been untied and retied in his absence. It is death, incidentally, for a slave to remove such a collar without permission. It can be understood then that slaves of the red savages do not tamper with their collars. They keep them on." — Blood Brothers of Gor, pages 15-16.
Beads on a String
This phrase is an slang reference to a coffle of females more commonly known as a "slaver's necklace." The "beads" is a reference to free women, a rude sort of humor on the part of the slavers, as slaves are commonly referred to as "jewels." I've seen this incorrectly placed in other dictionaries as "beads on a chain," however, by reading the following quote, the correct term is as I have it.
"The beads are on the string," said the second fellow, he who was checking the security of the chain. This was an oblique illusion to the "slaver's necklace," as a coffle of female slaves is sometimes called. The references there, in effect, is usually to "jewels" on a chain. To be sure, the women on this chain, as they were merely free women, had only been referred to, in rude humor, as "beads" and not "jewels." — Magicians of Gor, page 161.
Beans
Legumes of many varieties.
"I saw too, fields, fenced with rocks, in the sloping area. In them were growing, small at this season, shafts of Sa-Tarna; too, there would be peas, and beans, cabbages and onions, and patches of the golden sul, capable of surviving at this latitude." — Marauders of Gor, page 81.
Beast
Highly militaristic and organized, with divisors and multiples having to do with seemingly, a base-twelve mathematics, a Beast is a Kurii military unit formed of two Hands and two Eyes; also called a "Kur." A Beast is commanded by a Blood.
"In their military organizations," I said, "six such beasts constitute a Hand, and its leader is called an Eye. Two hands and two eyes constitute a larger unit, called a 'Kur' or 'Beast,' which is commanded by a leader, or Blood. Twelve such units constitute a Band, commanded again by a Blood, though of higher rank. Twelve bands, Twelve bands, again commanded by a Blood, of yet higher rank, constitute a March. Twelve Marches is said to constitute a People. These divisors and multiples have to do with, it seems, a base-twelve mathematics, itself perhaps indexed historically to the six digits of one of the creature's prehensil appendages." — Savages of Gor, page 22.
Beasts
What the Innuit call the Kur.
"What do you call such animals?" I asked.
He shrugged." Beasts," he said. I sighed. Some years ago Imnak had seen a Kur north of Torvaldsland. It had probably been a young beast, an offspring of ship Kurii, stranded long ago on Gor. Such animals are found occasionally, usually in remote areas. — Beasts of Gor, page 255.
Bees, Honey
These industrious insects make delicious honey.
"I saw small fruit trees, and hives, where honey bees were raised …" — Marauders Gor, page 81.
Beetles
Standard ugly bugs.
"Here, too, may be found snakes and monkeys, gliding urts, leaf urts, squirrels, climbing, long-tailed porcupines, lizards, sloths, and the usual varieties of insects, ants, centipedes, scorpions, beetles and flies, and so on." — Explorers Gor, page 311.
Beheading
An ancient form of execution, often done when the offender and victim share a Home Stone; considered more humane.
"If one shares a Home Stone with the victim, of course, the punishment is often more humane. A common punishment where this mitigating feature obtains is to strip the victim, tie him to a post, beat him with rods and then behead him. This, like hanging in chains, the exposure on boards, and such, is a very ancient modality of execution." — Renegades pages 14-15.
[The] Belled Collar
A paga tavern located in Ar.
"I have from the tavern of the Belled Collar," said the auctioneer, " a bid of one silver tarsk. Is there a higher bid?." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 292.
Belly (Command)
See: "Bara."
Belly Chain
A chain that it locked around a girl's waist, and which, because of a girl's wide hips, does not slip off.
"Then," said he, "I think we may now send you to your kennel, in a belly chain, its lock at your navel, your hands braceleted closely behind you, to the chain." — Dancer of Gor, page 246.
Below-Deck Girl
Slave girl that spends her voyage on a cargo ship below the decks in a mesh netting cage; very few girls get the privileges of being a deck cage girl. See also: "Mesh Cage" and "Cage Girl."
"How ugly you are, Below-Deck Girl," said one of the girls in a small deck cage. I looked at her. She was auburn-haired, and, like all the slave girls on the Clouds of Telnus, whether cage girls or below-deck girls, stripped; girls are not permitted clothing on a slave ship. — Slave Girl of Gor, pages 322-323.
Belt Dance
One of the many slave dances of Gor.
"I observed Phyllis Robertson performing the belt dance, on love furs spread between the tables, under the eyes of the Warriors of Cernus and the members of his staff. Beside me Ho-Tu was shoveling porridge into his mouth with a horn spoon. The music was wild, a melody of the delta of the Vosk. The belt dance is a dance developed and made famous by Port Kar dancing girls." — Assassin of Gor, page 185.
Bento
One of the first white explorers to track out and map territories of the Barrens.
"Some of these territories, apparently, had scarcely been penetrated since the days of the first white explorers of the Barrens, men such as Boswell, Diaz, Bento, Hastings and Hogarthe." — Savages of Gor, page 148.
Berries
Unspecified types of berries.
"A great amount of farming, or perhaps one should speak of gardening, is done at the oasis, but little of this is exported. At the oasis will be grown a hybrid, brownish Sa-Tarna, adapted to the heat of the desert; most Sa-Tarna is yellow; and beans, berries, onions, tuber suls, various sorts of melons, a foliated leaf vegetable, called Katch, and various root vegetables, such as turnips, carrots, radishes, of the sphere and cylinder varieties, and korts, a large, brownish-skinned, thick-skinned, sphere-shaped vegetable, usually some six inches in width, the interior of which is yellowish, fibrous and heavily seeded. At the oasis, because of the warm climate, the farmers can grow two or more crops a year." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 37.
Berry Shrubs
Shrubbery producing unspecified types of berries.
"…and small, dry berries gathered from the nearby shrubbery were our only sustenance." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 115.
Besnit
One of the major cities of slave trade.
"These wholesalers usually distribute to retailers, in their individual cities, or, often, also, in well-known slaving centers, of which there are many, for example, Ar, Ko-ro-ba, Venna, Vonda, Victoria, on the Vosk, Market of Semris, Besnit, Esalinus, Harfax, Corcyus, Argentum, Torcadino, and others." — Dancer of Gor, page 102.
[The] Betrothal
Usually performed for a high-caste betrothal, this is the procession of the bride-to-be to various cities and villages, to display the new bride, as well as the riches she brings. Also referred to as the Companion Journey. See: "Companion Journey."
"The Betrothal or Companion Journey, ceremonially, included the circuit of the four villages, in each of which a feast was held, and from each of which a wagon of produce was procured, to be added to the dowry riches to be presented to Ebullius Gains Cassius, father of Thandar of Ti, to be included in the treasury of Ti …" — Slave Girl of Gor, page 112.
Bila Huruma
Treacherous black Ubar of Ushindi; in control of six ubarates.
"He is a black Ubar," said Samos, "bloody and brilliant, a man of vision and power, who has united the six ubarates of the southern shores of Ushindi, united them by the knife and the stabbing spear, and has extended his hegemony to the northern shores, where he exacts tribute, kailiauk tusks and women, from the confederacy of the hundred villages… Bila Huruma… Ubar of Ushindi." — Explorers of Gor, page 17.
Bina
Literal meaning is "Slave Beads." Slave jewelry usually consisting of plain metals, colored string, wooden or cheap glass beads.
"Var Bina, Eta?" I asked. Eta lightly lifted herself to her feet and went to the cave. In a few moments, she emerged. She carried, in her hands, several strings of beads, simple necklaces, with small, wooden, colored beads. They were not valuable. She held the necklaces up for me to see. Then, with her finger, moving them on their string, she indicated the tiny, colored wooden beads. "Da Bina," she said, smiling. Then she lifted a necklace, looking at it. "Bina," she said. I then understood that 'Bina' was the expression for beads, or for a necklace of beads. The necklaces and beads which Eta produced for me were delights of color and appeal; yet they were simple and surely of little value… Indeed, I would later learn that bina were sometimes spoken of, derisively, as Kajira bana. The most exact translation of "bina" would probably be "slave beads." — Slave Girl of Gor, pages 81-82.
Binding Fiber
A very heavy and stout twine made of strips of leather or a fiber such as hemp; used in binding slaves; can also be used to fashion a temporary collar.
"She had been thrown to her stomach. Already, with a binding fiber, her wrists had been tied tightly behind her. A warrior now crouched at her ankles. With a few swift motions he fastened them together." — Raiders of Gor, page 56.
Binding Fiber Belt
Belt made of binding fiber used to tie a camisk, but which can also be used, at the whim of the master, to secure the girl.
"The belt of binding fiber not only makes it easier to adjust the camisk to a given girl, but, of course, the binding fiber serves to remind her that she is in bondage." — Captive of Gor, page 64.
He stepped back. "Lovely," he said. It came high on my thighs. There was a casualness about it, a carelessness about the shoulders, with respect to my figure. But the binding fiber, bound twice about my belly, and cinched tight, at my left hip, accentuated my breasts and hips. There was a hint of lusciousness, concealed within so apparently negligent a wrapper. It was well contrived, psychologically, to suggest a cheap, but most tasty slut. — Slave Girl of Gor, pages 249-250.
Binding Strap
A strap commonly used for binding the hands and/or feet of women. The straps are generally about eighteen inches (18") long.
"The golden straps she had used to simulate the footwear which she had worn on Earth were golden binding straps. … Such straps, incidentally, are commonly used to bind the hands and feet of women." — Guardsman of Gor, pages 251-252.
Bint
A fanged, carnivorous marsh eel which inhabits the rivers of the rainforests inland of Schendi.
"… the bint, a fanged, carnivorous marsh eel…" — Explorers of Gor, page 267.
Black Bread
Staple bread of the galley slaves.
"Their food is that of a galley slave, peas, black bread and onions. If they serve well, however, their customers often bring them a bit of meat or fruit." — Hunters of Gor, page 304.
Black Dagger, Mark of
The mark of the black dagger, a small, very fine image in black of a dagger, is used by a member of the Caste of Assassins to note visibly that he has been hired as a mercenary. After receiving his payment of gold, he affixes this mark to his forhead; such mark allows the Assassin unhindered access into all cities with a guarantee none will interfere in his work.
"Kuurus, of the Caste of Assassins, entered the great gate of Ar. Guardsmen did not detain him, for he wore on his forehead the mark of the black dagger." — Assassin of Gor, page 6.
"Yet none would stand in the way of Kuurus for he wore on his forehead, small and fine, the sign of the black dagger. When he of the Caste of Assassins has been paid his gold and has received his charge he affixes on his forehead that sign, that he may enter whatever city he pleases, that none may interfere with his work. There are few men who have done great wrong or who have powerful, rich enemies who do not tremble upon learning that one has been brought to their city who wears the dagger." — Assassin of Gor, page 6-7.
"The men looked at the Assassin, who regarded them, one by one. Men turned white under that gaze. Some fled from the tables, lest, unknown to themselves, it be they for whom this man wore the mark of the black dagger." — Assassin of Gor, page 8.
"Scarcely a quarter of an Ahn had passed and the men who drank in that room had forgotten, as is the way of men, that a dark one sat with them in that room, one who wore the black tunic of the Caste of Assassins, who silently drank with them. It was enough for them that he who sat with them did not this time wear for them the mark of the black dagger on his forehead, that it was not they whom he sought." — Assassin of Gor, page 9.
Black Gold
The Assassin's fee is referred to as black gold, the black designating the Caste of Assassins.
I turned again to the Player, but he was now standing there in the street, seeming somehow alone, though I stood at his side. "You are of the Assassins?" he asked.
"Yes," I said, "it is my caste."
He pressed the piece of gold into my hand and turned away, stumbling from me, reaching out with his right hand to guide himself along the wall. "Wait!" I cried. "You have won this! Take it!" I ran to him.
"No!" he cried, striking out wildly with a hand, trying to force me away. I stepped back. He stood there, panting, not seeing me, his body bent over, angry. "It is black gold," he said. "It is black gold." He then turned away, and began to grope his way from the place of the game.
I stood there in the street and watched him go, in my hand holding the piece of gold which I had meant to be his. — Assassin of Gor, page 38.
Black Ships
Black ships were used for their color and ease of hiding, for the transportation of such merchandise as slaves, weapons smuggled from Earth for use against the Priest-Kings (by the Kur and their agents).
"He is now, chained, on his way to the Sardar, along with the materials taken from the room of the beast and what had been brought in from the blackships." — Assassin of Gor, page 394.
Black Slavers, League of
Dark-skinned members of the Caste of Slavers; indigneous to the Schendi region.
"Schendi was an equatorial free port, well known on Gor. It is also the home port of the League of Black Slavers." — Explorers of Gor, page 16.
Black Squirrels
Pesky rodent, which lives on the ground, as well as in trees.
In the lower branches of the "ground zone" may be found, also, small animals, such as tarsiers, nocturnal jit monkeys, black squirrels, four-toed leaf urts, jungle varts and the prowling, solitary giani, tiny, cat-sized panthers, not dangerous to man." — Explorers of Gor, page 312.
Black Wine
Coffee. Originally brought to Gor from Earth, now grown in the Thentis Mountains. It is a very expensive drink, normally found only in the cities and drank only by those of the High Castes.
"Black wine," said she, "from the Mountains of Thentis." I had heard of black wine, but had never had any. It is drunk in Thentis, but I had never heard of it being much drunk in any of the other cities.
"I have heard," I said to Elizabeth, "that black wine is served hot." In short order two bowls, steam cuffing out of them, were brought and placed on the table. I sat there staring down at them, and Elizabeth did, too. Then I picked up one of the thick, heavy clay bowls. Since no one was looking, we knocked the bowls together and put them to our lips. It was extremely strong, and bitter, but it was hot, and, unmistakably, it was coffee. — Assassin of Gor, page 106.
Blanket (Command)
A common device for controlling slaves; not a true command or position however.
"When a blanket, or cloak, or covering of any sort, is thrown over a slave like this she may not speak or rise. She must remain as she is, silent, until the master, or some free man, lifts the covering away." — Explorers of Gor, page 94.
Bleachers, Caste of
Not much is said about this caste, or its trade.
"Less impressive perhaps but even more essential to the operation of the House were its kitchens, its laundries, commissaries and storerooms; its medical facilities, in which dental care is also provided; its corridors of rooms for staff members, all of whom live in the House; its library, its records and files; its cubicles for Smiths, Bakers, Cosmeticians, Bleachers, Dyers, Weavers and Leather Workers…" — Assassin of Gor, page 111.
Blind Helmet
In the games of the Stadium of Blades, often prisoners and slaves are forced to fight wearing a blind helmet, thus rendering them unable to see their opponents. See: "Iron Hood."
Outside, as though prom a distance, I could hear the roar of the crowd packed into the tiers of the Stadium of Blades. "Murmillius is apparently victorious again," said Vancius of the House of Cernus, lifting a blind helmet and fitting it over my head. Vancius, of the guards, turned the key in the helmet lock that fastened the helmet on my head. Within the heavy metal casque I could see nothing. — Assassin of Gor, page 331.
Blindfold
A common device for controlling slaves.
"The blindfold is a simple and common device of slave control. It is inferior, of course, to the slave hood." — Hunters of Gor, page 272.
Block Melodies
Melodies, richly sensual, commonly used in the display of a slave girl.
"The reference to 'block melodies' had to do with certain melodies which are commonly used in slave markets, in the display of the merchandise." — Vagabonds of Gor, page 37.
Block Name
Name given to a slave that is placed for sale on the auction block; much less confusing than numbering them.
"Donna, in the beginning, had been a block name. Girls are usually sold under a name, it being easier then for the auctioneer to refer to them; too, for some reason, the intensity of the bidding often increases when a named girl is being vended …" — Slave Girl of Gor, page 162.
Bloketu
The term in the language of the red savages meaning summer or summertime.
"The expression 'Bloketu', incidentally, the name of the girl on the kaiila, the daughter of the Isanna chieftain, means 'Summer' or 'Summertime'." — Blood Brothers of Gor, page 29.
Blood
Highly militaristic and organized, with divisors and multiples having to do with seemingly, a base-twelve mathematics, a Blood is a Kurii military commander. There are various ranks of Bloods, commanding various military units, such as Hands, Eyes, Beasts, Marches and People. It was believed by the Kur that thought was a function of the blood rather than the brain, hence the term 'Blood' to denote a military thinker and leader.
"One is a Blood," I said.
"What is that?" asked Samos.
"In their military organizations," I said, "six such beasts constitute a Hand, and its leader is called an Eye. Two hands and two eyes constitute a larger unit, called a 'Kur' or 'Beast,' which is commanded by a leader, or Blood. Twelve such units constitute a Band, commanded again by a Blood, though of higher rank. Twelve bands, Twelve bands, again commanded by a Blood, of yet higher rank, constitute a March. Twelve Marches is said to constitute a People. These divisors and multiples have to do with, it seems, a base-twelve mathematics, itself perhaps indexed historically to the six digits of one of the creature's prehensil appendages."
"Why is the leader spoken of as a Blood?" asked Samos.
"It seems to have been an ancient belief among such creatures," I said, "that thought was a function of the blood, rather than of the brain, a terminology which has apparently lingered in their common speech. Similar anachronisms occur in many languages, including Gorean."
"Who commands a People?" asked Samos.
"One who is said to be a 'Blood' of the People, as I understand it," I said. — Savages of Gor, pages 22-23.
Blood-Nurser
A "female" form of the Kur.
"… shortly after impregnation, within a moon, the egg-carrier deposits the fertilized seed in the third form of Kur, which is mouthed, but sluggish and immobile. These fasten themselves to hard surfaces, rather like dark, globular anemones. The egg develops inside the body of the blood-nurser and, some months later, it tears its way free." … "Of course there is a biological order," he said … "There is first the dominant, and then the egg-carrier, and then the nondominant, and then, if one considers such things Kur, the blood-nurser." — Beasts of Gor, pages 369-370.
Blotanhunka
Red savage term for a war party leader, generally a man who is mature with great experience, so to more assuredly be able to control a large group.
"The larger party has done its work and it is returning to its home, presumably under the command of the blotanhunka, a war-party leader, usually a fellow of mature and experienced judgment. He exerts control, he commands restraint." — Savages of Gor, pages 249-250.
"This was something which Canka, as Blotanhunka, or war-party leader, of the All Comrades, had, of course, not been able to overlook." — Blood Brothers of Gor, page 14.
Blubber Hammer
Hammer which is used by the Innuit to pound blubber, loosening the oil inside; can be used as a weapon of sorts.
"Would you please hand me the blubber hammer behind you," asked Poalu. Obligingly I handed her the hammer. I thought I could probably avoid or fend its blows. The object, wooden-handled, with a stone head, is used for pounding blubber to loosen the oil in the blubber, which is used in the flat, oval lamps. — Beasts of Gor, page 214.
Blubber Oil
Oil used by the Innuit derived from the blubber of the arctic beasts of Gor; used for lamps.
"… pounding blubber to loosen the oil in the blubber, which is used in the flat, oval lamps." — Beasts of Gor, page 214.
Blubber Oil Lamp
A flat, oval lamp filled with the oil derived from blubber; used by the Innuit.
"… pounding blubber to loosen the oil in the blubber, which is used in the flat, oval lamps." — Beasts of Gor, page 214.
Blue Flame of Death
Known simply as the Flame Death, in which a person is swallowed in flames. This was a practice of the Priest Kings before the Nest Wars against those that went against the laws of the land, such as possession of weapons that are banned (i.e., guns). See also: "Flame Death."
"Heedlessly, the insane old man tensed for the blow that would end the life of the girl. But in that instant he seemed to be concealed in a bluish haze, and then, suddenly, to the horror of all, he seemed, like a living bomb, to explode with fire. Not even a scream came from that fierce blue combustive mass that had been a human being, and in a minute the flame had departed, almost as quickly as it had come, and a dust of ashes scattered from the top of the cylinder in the wind." — Tarnsman of Gor, pages 207-208.
Blue Scimitar Tattoo
Tribal marking of the Kavar tribe worn on the forearm; the scimitar points outward, toward the foe.
"He is Kavar," I said. I saw on the man's left forearm the blue scimitar.
"No," said Hassan. "Look. The point of the scimitar curves inward, toward the body."
"So?" I asked.
"The Kavar scimitar," be said, "points away from the body, to the outside, toward the foe." — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 186-187.
Blue-Sky Riders
A warrior society of the Fleer tribe of Red Savages.
"The Fleer grinned and shifted his lance again to his right hand. Then suddenly, with a wild whoop, and kicking his heels back into the flank of his kaiila, he raced away. … I watched the rider racing away. He was a member of the Blue-Sky Riders. One does not come easily into membership in such a society." — Savages of Gor, page 264.
Blunt Fin Whale
One of the varieties of baleen whales found on Gor. See also: "Baleen."
"Two weeks ago, some ten to fifteen sleeps ago, by rare fortune, we had managed to harpoon a baleen whale, a bluish, white-spotted blunt fin." — Beasts of Gor, page 265.
Body Chain
A closely meshed chain with a length of about five feet (5'); the chain is used in a variety of ways to adorn or secure a slave.
"The loop of the body chain was some five feet in length. It was made to loop the throat of a woman several times, or, by alternative windings, to bedeck her body in a variety of fashions." — Rogue of Gor, page 71.
Body Hood
Also: Slave Sack
A full-body "hood" which is used to help keep the female or prisoner docile
"There are several varieties of body hoods on Gor. Most body hoods are made of leather or layers of stout canvas. They may be fastened by means of such devices as cords, straps and laces. They may be tied shut or locked shut. The prisoner is entered into some body hoods from the back, her legs being placed through the openings in the lower portion of the hood, the hood then being pulled up an, from the back, laced shut. Most of these hoods do not have openings for the arms, but some do. In most hoods the arms are confined within the hood, either free within the hood itself or bound or braceleted within it. Some hoods are open at the bottom, and fastened on the prisoner by means of thongs or straps, often looped about the thighs. Others are constructed in such a way that they may be opened at the bottom, for the master's convenience. Sometimes the hood is thrust up and fastened about the prisoner's waist. The typical hood provides hand and arm security with the advantages of a blindfold. Most body hoods, unlike many slave hoods, do not have provisions for an internal gag. The prisoner, of course, may be gagged before being hooded. The body hood, like the slave hood, tends to keep a female docile. Another advantage of the body hood is that it is intriguing and attractive on a woman, baring her legs, but usually, unless the arms are also intriguingly bared, concealing the rest of her, this sort of thing exciting male interest, and yet in virtue of the predominant concealment afforded, making her seizure less likely than if she were lying about more exposed in common bonds." — Renegades of Gor, page 151.
Bola
A throwing weapon made of leather and lead; favored of the Tuchuk.
plural bolas; also bolases;
Etymology: American Spanish bolas, from Spanish bola ball; Date: 1818:
"A cord with weights attached to the ends for throwing at and entangling an animal." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"Then the Tuchuk drove his own lance into the dirt and hung on the lance his glossy shield. I saw him draw one of the quivas from a saddle sheath, loosen the long, triple-weighted bola from his side." — Nomads of Gor, page 24.
Boleto
A well-known winegrower of Ar.
"Boleto is a well-known winegrower from the vicinity of Ar. He is famous for the production of a large number of reasonably good, medium-grade ka-la-nas." — Mercenaries of Gor, page 360.
Boleto's Nectar [of the Public Slave Gardens]
A medium-grade Ka-la-na grown by the famous Boleto; served in the public slave gardens.
"I turned the bottle so that she might read the label. It was a small bottle of Boleto's Nectar of the Public Slave Gardens. Boleto is a well-known winegrower from the vicinity of Ar. He is famous for the production of a large number of reasonably good, medium-grade ka-la-nas. This was one of the major wines, and perhaps the best, served in Ar's public slave gardens; indeed, it had originally been commissioned for that market; hence the name." — Mercenaries of Gor, page 360.
Bond Girl
Term in the villages for a slave girl.
"In the feast to come tonight, Eta had warned me, there would be a general exchange of slave girls, the bond girls of the village being made available to my master's men, and his own girls, among whom I was one, being made available to the young lads of the community." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 143.
Bond-Maid
This is the term for a slave girl of Torvaldsland, also referred to as a girl whose belly lies under the sword, as the girl sleeps at the foot of her master, literally lying beneath his sword.
"In the north, the bond-maid is sometimes referred to as a woman whose belly lies beneath the sword." — Marauders of Gor, page 87.
Bond-Maid Circle
The men of Torvaldsland draw a circle in the ground, called a "bonds-maid circle." A woman may enter of her own free will, though voluntary is not necessarily so, bound by custom, thus becoming a bond-maid.
"Go to the bond-maid circle," said Ivar Forkbeard, indicating the circle he had drawn in the dirt. The women cried out in misery. To enter the circle, if one is a female, is, by the laws of Torvaldsland, to declare oneself a bond-maid. A woman, of course, need not to enter the circle of her own free will. She may, for example, be thrown within it, naked and bound. Howsoever she enters the circle, voluntarily, or by force, free or secured, she emerges from it, by the laws of Torvaldsland, as a bond-maid. — Marauders of Gor, pages 44-45.
Bond-Maid Gruel
A porridge eaten by bond-maids in Torvaldsland; made of dampened Sa-Tarna meal and raw fish.
"Choking, the proud Aelgifu swallowed the thick gruel, that of dampened Sa-Tarna meal and raw fish, the gruel of bond-maids." — Marauders of Gor, pages 67-68.
Bondage Knot
This particular knot is a formed of a woman's hair on the right side of her face just above her right shoulder; it can be a plea of attention for that of a master, as well as an indication of ownership being claimed; the knot is made in her.
She looked at me. I took a long set of strands of her dark hair, some inch and a half in thickness. I loosely knotted them at the right side of her cheek.
"The bondage knot," she whispered.
"This will mark you as having been taken," I said. — Tribesmen of Gor, page 321.
Bondage March
The march of slave girls in a coffle line.
"Attend me, Coffle," said he, "for bondage march." He held his hand, the visible signal of preparation, poised over his thigh. We tensed… He struck his right thigh with his open hand, suddenly, sharply. We moved out, slave girls, on the left foot, that the pace of the march be uniform. — Slave Girl of Gor, page 133.
Bondage Strings
The collar of the Innuit.
"They of course, being free, did not have leather, like Arlene, or bondage strings, like Thimble and Thistle, at their throats." — Beasts of Gor, page 185.
"He tied bondages strings on her throat." — Beasts of Gor, page 219.
Bone Gambling
A wagering game of the Red Hunters.
"Before, when I had won in the bone gambling, the dropping of the tiny figures of bone and ivory…" — Beasts of Gor, page 224.
"Imnak and I sat across from one another, both cross-legged. He dropped a tiny bone to the fur mat between us. Each player, in turn, drops a bone, one of several in his supply. The bone Imnak had dropped was carved in the shape of a small tabuk. Each of the bones is carved to resemble an animal, such as an arctic gant, a northern bosk, a lart, a tabuk or sleen, and so on. The bone which remains upright is the winner. If both bones do not remain upright there is no winner on that throw. Similarly, if both bones should remain upright, they are dropped again. A bone which does not remain upright, if its opposing bone does remain upright, is placed in the stock of him whose bone remained upright. The game is finished when one of the two players is cleaned out of bones." — Beasts of Gor, pages 184-185.
Bosk
Large, shaggy animal, extremely temperamental herd animal, probably a long-ago descendant of the yak or buffalo of Earth; generally are brown, but there are also known to be black and white varieties. They are used by many peoples to draw wagons and provide milk and meat, though they are best known as the Mother of the People of the Wagon Peoples.
"The Bosk is a large, horned, shambling ruminant of the Gorean plains. It is herded below the Gorean equator by the Wagon Peoples, but there are Bosk herds on ranches in the north as well, and peasants often keep some of the animals." — Raiders of Gor, page 26.
Bosk Horn
Bosk horns are used by the Wagon Peoples to alert their camps to assemblage or to sound an alarm, as well as for maneuvering military units.
"Kamchak lifted his head intently, listening, Then we heard the pounding of a small drum and two blasts on the horn of a bosk. Kamchak read the message of the drum and horn." — Nomads of Gor, page 33.
Suddenly Kamchak lifted his hand, alert, gesturing for silence… Then I too heard it, the winding of a bosk horn in the distance, and then another. Kamchak leaped to his feet." The camp is under attack!" he cried. — Nomads of Gor, page 174.
" During the day the rapid movements of these individually maneuverable units are dictated by bosk horn and movements of the standards; at night by the bosk horns and the war lanterns slung on high poles carried by riders." — Nomads of Gor, pages 174-175.
Bosk Whip
A light, one-bladed whip generally used to lead bosk; also can be used to switch slaves.
Boswell
One of the first white explorers to track out and map territories of the Barrens. His name serves as a marker at one of the geographical locations.
"Some of these territories, apparently, had scarcely been penetrated since the days of the first white explorers of the Barrens, men such as Boswell, Diaz, Bento, Hastings and Hogarthe." — Savages of Gor, page 148.
Boswell Pass
The pass is the gateway to the Barrens, the home of the red savages.
"The next town northward is Fort Haskins," I said. This lay at the foot of Bosswell Pass. — Savages of Gor, page 76.
Bound by the Master's Will
The slave will stand, sit, kneel, with hands hands and ankles positioned as instructed by the master, as if she were truly bound by fiber or chains.
I was pleased that she had had the intelligence not to act as though she had been put at the ring "bound by the master's will" because her leaving the ring might then have elicited astonishment or comment. There are many ways of putting a girl at the ring "bound by the master's will." — Magicians of Gor, page 388.
Bracelets (Command)
One of the many commands given to a slave for purposes of binding, etc.
Brail Rope
Rope used in the common lateen-rigged Gorean galley to raise the sail to its yard, to be secured there, or lower the sail to open it to the winds. Lateen rigging (a single, triangular sail) is preferred because of the excellent maneuverability lateen rigging provides.
"Rope which gathers up a sail to furl it." — Waterways Object Name Thesaurus
brail
1. One of several small ropes attached to the leech of a sail for drawing the sail in or up.
2. A small net for drawing fish from a trap or a larger net into a boat.
brailed, brailˇing, brails
1. To gather in (a sail) with brails.
2. To haul in (fish) with a brail. — The Free Dictionary by Farlex
"Men scrambled on the long yard of the lateen-rigged light galley, a small, swift ram-ship of Port Kar. Others, on the deck, hauled on the long brail ropes. Slowly, billow by billow, the sails were furled. We would not remove them from the yard. The yard itself was then swung about, parallel to the ship and, foot by foot, lowered. We did not lower the mast. It remained deep in its placement blocks. We were not intending battle. The oars were now inboard, and the galley, of its own accord, swung into the wind. … — Hunters of Gor, page 34.
"In the usual Gorean galley, lateen rigged, there is no practical way to take in, or shorten, sail, as with many types of square-rigged craft. In consequence, the different sails. The brail ropes serve little more, in the lateen-rigged galley, with its triangular sail on the long, sloping yard, has marvelous maneuvering capabilities, and can sail incredibly close to the wind." — Hunters of Gor, page 34.
Brak Bush
Bush found on Gor; the leaves have a purgative effect; used ceremonially during the Waiting Hand.
"Almost all doors, including that of the House of Cernus, had nailed to them some branches of the Brak Bush, the leaves of which, when chewed, have a purgative effect." — Assassin of Gor, pages 211-212.
Branch Shackle
A shackle made of a thick, rounded branch, approximately eighteen inches (18") long; used in the forests when metal shackles are not available.
Brand
Just as Earth cattle ranchers brand their cattle, the men of Gor brand their animals, which includes their slaves, burning into their flesh, to permanently mark them as their property. There are many forms and designs of brands.
"Call for the iron," she said." Brand me, Master." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 135.
"When an individual captures a girl for his own uses, he does not always mark her, though it is commonly done. On the other hand, the professional slaver, as a business practice, almost always brands his chattels, and it is seldom that an unbranded girl ascends the block." — Outlaw of Gor, pages 186-187.
Branding Log
Large peeled log upon which slaves are secured to be branded. See also: "Branding Rack."
The girls shuddered. They would be branded. "Bring the anvil to the branding log!" said the Forkbeard. They knew then they would wear collars. — Marauders of Gor, page 82.
She threw back her head and drank down the foul brew. She began to cough and weep. The coffle rope was untied from her throat. "Send her to the branding log," said the Forkbeard. He thrust the girl down the gangplank, into the arms of the waiting men, who hurried her from the dock. One by one, the prizes of Ivar Forkbeard, even the rich, proud Aelgifu, were forced to down the slave wine. Then they were, one by one, freed from the coffle, and hurried to the branding log. — Marauders of Gor, page 84.
When this was done, I accompanied the Forkbeard to a place behind, and to one side, of a forge shed. There was a great log there, from a fallen tree. The bark had been re-moved from the log. It was something in the neighborhood of a yard in thickness. Against the log, kneeling, one behind the other, their right shoulders in contact with it, knelt the new bond-maids, and Aelgifu. Some men stood about, as well, and the brawny fellow, the smith. Nearby, on a large, flat stone, to keep it from sinking into the ground, was the anvil. A few feet away, glowing with heat, stood two canister braziers. In these, among the white coats, were irons. Air, by means of a small bellows, pumped by a thrall boy, in white wool, collared, hair cropped, was forced through a tube in the bottom of each. The air above the canisters shook with heat. To one side, tall, broad-shouldered, stood a young male thrall, in the thrall tunic of white wool, his hair cropped short, an iron collar on his throat.
"She first," said the Forkbeard, indicating the slender, blond girl. She, moaning, was seized by a fellow and thrown on her belly over the peeled log. Two men held her upper arms; two others her upper legs. A fifth man, with a heavy, leather glove, drew forth one of the irons from the fire; the air about its tip shuddered with heat.
"Please, my Jarl," she cried, "do not mark your girl!"
At a sign from the Forkbeard, the iron was pressed deeply into her flesh, and held there, smoking for five Ihn. It was only when it was pulled away that she screamed. Her eyes had been shut, her teeth gritted. She had tried not to scream. She had dared to pit her will against the iron. But, when the iron had been pulled back, from deep within her flesh, smoking, she, her pride gone, her will shattered, had screamed with pain, long and miserably, revealing herself as only another branded girl. She, by the arm, was dragged from the log. She threw back her head, tears streaming down her face, and again screamed in pain. She looked down at her body. She was marked for identification. A hand on her arm, she was thrust, sobbing, to the anvil, beside which she was thrust to her knees. — Marauders of Gor, pages 86-87.
Branding Rack
The rack to which a slave girl is bound to for branding. Her her hands are chained above her head, but the rest of her body is free to move, except for whichever thigh is to be branded, thus being held motionless to ensure a perfect brand.
Wordlessly, the girl went and stood by the rack, her back to the curved stone. The man who had brought her to the wagon now knelt before her, locking metal clasps on her ankles. He then went behind her, and unbound her wrists." Place your hands over your head," he said. She did so." Bend your elbows," he said. She did so." Lie back," he then said, supporting her. She did so, and was stretched over the curved iron. He then took her wrists and pulled her arms almost straight. He then locked her wrists in metal clasps, similar to those, though smaller, which confined her ankles. Her head was down. He then bent to metal pieces, heavy, curved and hinged, which were attached to the sides of the rack, and a bit forward. Each piece consisted of two curved, flattish bands, joining at the top. He lifted them, and dropped them into place. Then, with two keys, hanging on tiny chains at the sides, he tightened the bands. They were vises. She might now be branded on either the left or right thigh. There was ample room, I noted, between the bands on either side, to press the iron. She was held perfectly. Her tanned thigh could not protest so much as by the slightest tremor. She would be marked cleanly. — Hunters of Gor, pages 50-51.
Brazier
A heavy pan used for burning coals, covered by a grate so as to cook foods, etc. Much like the modern Hibachi.See: "Fire Bowl." 
Etymology: French brasier, from Old French, fire of hot coals, from breze hot coals; Date: 1658
1 : a pan for holding burning coals
2 : a utensil in which food is exposed to heat through a wire grill — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"I decided I might care to taste the steaming, black wine. I lifted my finger. The girl in whose charge was the silver vessel, filled with black wine, knelt beside a tiny brazier, on which it sat, retaining its warmth. Seeing my signal, she stiffened; she hesitated. She was white, dark-haired. She wore a high, tight vest of red silk, with four hooks; her midriff was bare; she wore the sashed chalwar, a sashed, diaphanous trousered garment, full but gathered in, closely, at the ankles; she was barefoot; her wrists and ankles were bangled; she was veiled; she was collared. She rose swiftly to her feet. She knelt, head down, before me. She poured, carefully, the hot, black beverage into the tiny red cup. I dismissed her. Beneath her veil I had not been able to read the lettering on her collar, which would tell who owned her. I supposed it was Suleiman, since she was serving in the palace. The other girl, the white-skinned, red-haired girl, also in vest, chalwar and veil, and bangles and collar, lifted her tray of spoons and sugars. But I turned away. She was not summoned. The girls, white-skinned, were a matched set of slaves, one for the black wine, one for its sugars." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 105.
Breath Feathers
Tail feathers from the base of the herlit's tail; called "breath feathers" probably because when a breeze blows through them they appear to be alive.
"The breath feathers, light and delicate, from the base of the bird's tail, are used, with the tail feathers, in the fashioning of bonnets or complex headdresses. They, like the wing feathers, may also be used for a variety of ceremonial or religious purposes. The slightest breeze causes them to move, causing the headdress to seem almost alive. It is probably from this feature that they are called 'breath feathers.' Each feather, of course, and its arrangement, in such a headdress, can have its individual meaning. Feathers from the right wing or right side of the tail, for example, are used on the right side of the headdress, and feathers from the left wing or left side of the tail are used on the left side of the headdress. In the regalia of the red savages there is little that is meaningless or arbitrary. To make a headdress often requires several birds. To give you an idea of the value of Herlits, in some places two may be exchanged for a kaiila; in other places, it takes three to five to purchase a kaiila." — Blood Brothers of Gor, page 315.
Bred Passion Slave
Women bred by slavers houses for their beauty and passion over generations.
There are various types of "exotics" bred by Gorean slavers, all of whom are to be distinguished from more normal varieties of bred slaves, such as a Passion Slaves and Draft Slaves. Exotics may be bred for almost any purpose, and some of these purposes, unfortunately, seem to be little more than to produce quaint or unusual specimens. — Raiders of Gor, page 15.
"I wondered if Vika might be a bred slave, a Passion Slave, one of those girls bred for beauty and passion over generations by the zealous owners of the great Slave Houses of Ar, for lips such as Vika's were a feature often bred into Passion Slaves; they were lips formed for the kiss of a master." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 53.
Breeding Case
Breeding cases found in the vivaria, which are utilized to breed Muls in the Nest of the Priest-Kings. See also: "Vivarium."
"She is not in the breeding cases," said the man. — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 103.
"I gathered that the Muls to whom I spoke, who seemed well enough disposed towards me, simply did not know what was meant, in spite of the fact that several of them had been bred in the Nest, in the breeding cases located in certain special vivaria set aside for the purpose." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 140.
"I will be your keeper," I said, "and I am bringing you as a new female Mul to the breeding cases."
"A Mul" she asked. "Breeding cases?"
In a few moments, putting on something of an air of authority, I presented Vika to the Chief Attendant of the Vivarium. "… shave her and clothe her suitably and place her in a breeding case, alone and locked. You will receive further orders later." It was a most miserable and bewildered Vika of Treve whom I bundled into a small but comfortable plastic case on the fourth tier of the Vivarium. — Priest-Kings of Gor, pages 196-197.
Breeding Wine
The anecdote given to a slave girl to counteract the effects of slavewine, so that a slave girl may be bred.
Bride Price
The dowery, or gift, in money or goods, given by a man to the father of the woman he wishes to take into free companionship. See also: "Companionship Price."
"If you wish, they are bound in honor to grant me to you, without bride price." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 71.
She replied proudly, "My bride price would be a hundred tarns." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 71.
"High Caste daughters in Ar are raised in the Walled Gardens, like flowers, until some highborn suitor, preferably a Ubar or Administrator, will pay the bride price set by their fathers." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 107.
Broad Headed Arrow
Tuchuk war arrow; also called a barbed arrow. See also: "Flight Arrow," "Hunting Arrow", "Sheaf Arrow", "Simple-Pile Arrow," "Tuchuk Barbed Arrow" and "War Arrow."
"Had I used a broad-headed arrow, or the Tuchuk barbed arrow, one would, in removing it, commonly thrust the arrow completely through the wound, drawing it out feathers last. One is, accordingly, in such cases, less likely to lose the point in the body." — Raiders of Gor, page 79.
Brothers of the Wind
Riders of the great tarns; tarnsmen. See: "Tarnsman."
"Tarnsmen, riders of the great tarns, called Brothers of the Wind, are masters of the open sky, fierce warriors whose battleground is the clouds and sky; they are not forest people; they do not care to stalk and hunt where, from the darkness of trees, from a canopy of foliage, they may meet suddenly, unexpectedly, a quarrel from the crossbow of an invisible assailant." — Captive of Gor, page 63.
Brundisium
A large walled and major port city located south of the Vosk delta on the shores of Thassa.
"I understood that Brundisium was one of the largest and busiest ports of this world. It was a commercial metropolis of sorts." — Dancer of Gor, page 147.
Brush Urt
One of the many varieties of rodents.
"Some animals fled past me, away from the din, tabuk and brush urts." — Captive of Gor, page 249.
Buckler
Small, round shield.
Builders, Caste of
Third of the five High Castes.
"By this time there were four or five other individuals gathered about, besides myself, to observe the play. There was a Builder, two Saddle Makers, a Baker, and a Tarn Keeper, a fellow who wore on his shoulder a green patch, indicating he favored the Greens." — Assassin of Gor, page 32.
Builder's Bend
One of the many simple, common Gorean knots.
"Would you like me to show you some others?" I asked.
"Signature knots?" she asked.
"No," I said, "simple knots, common Gorean knots." … I then illustrated, she cooperating, several other common knots, among them the Karian anchor knot, the Pin hitch, the double Pin hitch, the Builder's bend and the Builder's overhand. — Assassin of Gor, pages 81-82.
Builders Glass
See: "Glass of the Builders."
"I let the builders' glass, attached to the strap about my shoulder, fall to my side." — Raiders of Gor, page 271.
Builder's Overhand
One of the many simple, common Gorean knots.
"Would you like me to show you some others?" I asked.
"Signature knots?" she asked.
"No," I said, "simple knots, common Gorean knots." … I then illustrated, she cooperating, several other common knots, among them the Karian anchor knot, the Pin hitch, the double Pin hitch, the Builder's bend and the Builder's overhand. — Assassin of Gor, pages 81-82.
Burnoose
The sleeveless, hooded cloak worn by the tribemen warriors for ease of use of their weapons while riding the kaiila.
"In the bazaar I stopped, seeming to contemplate mirrors. The four men I had seen earlier, two large ones, two small ones, in white burnooses, still followed." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 56.
Buttons
Once unheard of on Gor, eventually buttons became intriguing for masters to watch the slave girls slowly unbutton a bit of clothing. Therefore, buttons became an attire suitable for slaves only, due to the sexual suggestiveness of the items.
Buy Me Master
Ritual phrase slave girls that are for sale are required to speak.
Then, strangely, the girl's head lifted and she looked into my eyes. She tried to smile. The words were soft, but clearly and unmistakably spoken, "Buy me, Master." It had been the first time the girl had uttered the ritual phrase. — Outlaw of Gor, page 197.
"When a possible buyer would stop in front of one, one of the bearded scoundrels from Port Kar would poke her with a slave whip and she would lift her head and numbly repeat the ritual phrase of the inspected slave girl, Buy Me, Master." — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 13.
Special Note
Because of the differences in publishing the books, depending upon whether published in the U.S. or Europe, depending upon whether a first publishing or a Masquerade Books release, page numbers will often vary. All of my quotes are from original, first-printing U.S. publications (see The Books page for a listing of publishers and dates) with the exception of the following books:
- Tarnsman of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
- Outlaw of Gor (11th Printing, Balantine)
- Priest-Kings of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
- Assassin of Gor (10th Printing, Balantine)
- Raiders of Gor (15th Printing, Balantine)
- Captive of Gor (3rd Printing, Balantine)
Disclaimer
These pages are not written for any specific home, but rather as informational pages for those not able to get ahold of the books and read them yourself. Opinions and commentaries are strictly my own personal views, therefore, if you don't like what you are reading — then don't. The information in these pages is realistic to what is found within the books. Many sites have added information, assuming the existences of certain products and practices, such as willowbark and agrimony for healing, and travel to earth and back for the collection of goods. I've explored the books, the flora, the fauna, and the beasts, and have compiled from those mentioned, the probabilities of certain practices, and what vegetation mentioned in the books is suitable for healing purposes, as well as given practicalities to other sorts of roleplaying assumptions.