Ear Notching
First offense penalty for thievery.
"Ear notching is the first penalty for a convicted thief in most Gorean cities, whether male or female." — Hunters of Gor, page 23.
Earth Girl
The girls of earth, often referred to as barbarians, are considered the lowest of all females, and the hottest of slaves.
"Earth girls have a reputation on Gor of being among the lowest and hottest of slaves. There are doubtless various reasons for this. Perhaps one is that Earth girls are alien to Gor and have no Home Stones. They are thus subject to unmitigated predation and total domination. They are slave animals, completely, Gorean men, accordingly, treat them as such. In turn, of course, their womanhood is reborn and blossoms, as it can only in a situation in which the order of nature both obtains and flourishes. A second reason, however, I suspect, why Earth girls make such astoundingly desirable slaves, is their background.' — Guardsman of Gor, page 67.
Eel
Snakelike fish which is commonly fished in Cos, and a culinary delicacy.
"A man walked by carrying a long pole, from which dangled dozens of the eels of Cos." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 343.
Egg-Carrier
A "female" of the Kur.
"We have three, or, if you prefer, four sexes," it said … "There is then the egg-carrier who is impregnated. This form of Kur is smaller than the dominant or the non-dominant, speaking thusly of the nonreproducing form of Kur."
"The egg-earner is the female," I said.
"If you like," said the beast… — Beasts of Gor, pages 368-369.
"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, page 370.
Ehn
The Gorean minute, of which there are forty(40) in an Ahn; it consists of eighty (80) Ihn. The Ehn is also used in measurement of latitude and longitude.
"Each Ahn consists of forty Ehn, or minutes, and each Ehn of eighty Ihn, or seconds." — Outlaw of Gor, page 26.
"There is also a system of latitude and longitude figured on the basis of the Gorean day, calculated in Ahn, twenty of which constitute a Gorean day, and Ehn and Ihn, which are subdivisions of the Ahn, or Gorean hour." — Nomads of Gor, page 3 (footnote).
Electronic Slave Control Device
Developed by one of the Priest-Kings after the Nest War.
"A Priest-King named Serus, whom I had not known in the War, but who had been of the cohorts of Sarm, had an interesting device for slave control, which I mention. It consists of four circular metal bands, with flat plates, which fasten about the two wrists and two of the slave. He is permitted complete freedom of movement by these bands, which are rather like bracelets and anklets. Wearing these, of course, a collar or brand is not necessary. But, from a central, guarded panel, and from individual transmitters, those of their owners, a signal may be transmitted which causes the two bracelets and the two anklets to immediately snap together at the flat plates, thus, even at a distance, binding the slave. There are individual signals and a master signal, permitting an individual slave to be immediately secured, no matter where he is in the Nest, or every slave in the Nest." — Assassin of Gor, pages 61-62.
[The] Eleven Kisses
There are over a thousand kisses taught to pleasure slaves. However, the first eleven are considered to be the most important and erotic.
"He had advertised a girl as a trained pleasure slave who, as it turned out, did not even know the eleven kisses." — Explorers of Gor, page 36.
Emerald
Gemstone found on Gor; used in adorning weaponry and jewelry.
" … I saw that the scabbard was set with six stones. Emeralds." — Outlaw of Gor, page 176.
Emergent Zone
Refers to the ecological tier of the rainforest 125 to 200 feet Gorean above the floor of the jungle, thrusting themselves high above the zone of the canopies. In this highest level, the trees have thrust above the canopies below them.
"A plant (as a tall tree with its crown above the level of the forest) that emerges from its substrate." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"In the rain forest we may distinguish three separate ecological zones, or tiers or levels. Each of these tiers, or levels, or layers, is characterized by its own special forms of plant and animal life. These layers are marked off by divergent tree heights. The highest level or zone is that of the "emergents," that of those trees which have thrust themselves up above the dense canopies below them. This level is roughly from a hundred and twenty-five feet Gorean to two hundred feet Gorean. … In 'the level of the emergents there live primarily birds, in particular parrots, long-billed fleers, and needle-tailed lits. Monkeys and tree urts, and snakes and insects, however, can also be found in this highest level." — Explorers of Gor, page 311.
[The] Emptiness
The vast area of the Tahari that lies east of Tor, hundreds of pasangs deep, thousands of pasangs long; also know as the Wastes. See: "[The] Wastes."
"The area, in extent, east of Tor, was hundreds of pasangs in depth, and perhaps thousands in length. The Gorean expression for this area simply means the Wastes, or the Emptiness." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 33.
En
Literal translation: "First."
"It was now the month of the vernal equinox on Gor, called En'Kara, or the First Kara." — Outlaw of Gor, page 178.
Enameler, Caste of
Caste which enamels such things as collars, kaiisa boards and dagger handles.
"Bran Loort, who had once been of Tabuk's Ford, carrying a low table, entered the tavern. He performed odd jobs about the tavern in return for his keep and a tarsk a week. We had knelt because he was free. Yet I wondered if in his heart he was free. He seemed a downcast, defeated man. He carried the table past us, which he had taken to the shop of a carver and enameler, to be inlaid with a Kaissa board." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 295.
Enemy
The Gorean word for "enemy" is the same word for "stranger." But, of course, Mr. Norman did not provide anywhere in his 25 books, the actual Gorean word itself.
"Indeed, in Gorean the same word is used for both stranger and enemy." — Outlaw of Gor, page 49.
Energy Bulb
Not a light bulb, as we know them on earth, but a self-contained energy unit which can produce light for years; used to illumuniate hallways, corridors, etc., invented by the Caste of Builders.
"Inside, the tunnel, though dim, was not altogether dark, being lit by domelike, wire-protected energy bulbs, spaced in pairs every hundred yards or so. These bulbs, invented more than a century ago by the Caste of Builders, produce a clear, soft light for years without replacement." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 197.
"The room was innocent of the energy bulbs of the Caste of Builders. In the walls were torch racks, there were now no torches." — Assassin of Gor, page 39.
"Of special interest to me was the fact that this room, primitive though it might be, was lit by what, in Gorean, is called an energy bulb, and invention of the Builders. I could see neither cords nor battery cases. Yet the room was filled with a soft, gentle, white light, which the physician could regulate by rotating the base of the bulb." — Captive of Gor, page 93.
"Saphrar was a rich man indeed to have energy bulbs in his home; few Goreans can afford such a luxury; and, indeed, few care to, for Goreans, for some reason, are fond of the light of flame, lamps and torches and such; flames must be made, tended, watched; they are more beautiful, more alive." — Nomads of Gor, paged 203-204.
Energy Lamp
Most probably similar to, or another name for, energy bulbs; something of a rarity in private Gorean homes.
"… then we would be walking deeper within the cylinder, down broad, carpeted, tapestried halls, set with energy lamps, seldom found in the homes of private citizens, emitting a soft glowing light…" — Assassin of Gor, page 392.
En'Kara
Literal translation is "First Turning." The first month of the Gorean calendar; the Vernal Equinox, or the beginning of Spring.
Etymology: Latin vernalis, alteration of vernus, from ver spring; akin to Greek ear spring, Sanskrit vasanta; Date: 1534
"Of, relating to, or occurring in the spring vernal equinox " — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
"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." — Outlaw of Gor, page 178.
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar, which do have common names, the months of En'Kara, or En'Kara-Lar-Torvis; En'Var, or En'var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, or Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis; and Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis. Elizabeth and I had arrived in Ko-ro-ba in the second month, and she departed on the second day of the Second Passage Hand, that following the second month. We estimated that she would surely be in the House of Clark by the Third Passage Hand, which precedes the month of En'Var. If all went well, we expected she would be in Ar, and perhaps in the House of Cernus, by the end of En'Var." — Assassin of Gor, pages 78-79.
En'Kara-Lar-Torvis
Literal translation is "First Turning of the Central Fire." This is the full expression for the first month of the Gorean year. See "En'kara."
"The full expression is En'Kara-Lar-Torvis, which means, rather literally, the First Turning of the Central Fire." — Outlaw of Gor, page 178.
En'Var
Literal translation: "First Resting." Commonly, the fourth (4th) month of the Gorean year; preceeds the Third Passage Hand; the beginning of Summer. Also known as En'Var-Lar-Torvis. See: "En'Var-Lar-Torvis."
"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, quite literally, the First Resting and the Second Resting of the Central Fire." — Outlaw of Gor, page 178.
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar, which do have common names, the months of En'Kara, or En'Kara-Lar-Torvis; En'Var, or En'var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, or Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis; and Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis. Elizabeth and I had arrived in Ko-ro-ba in the second month, and she departed on the second day of the Second Passage Hand, that following the second month. We estimated that she would surely be in the House of Clark by the Third Passage Hand, which precedes the month of En'Var. If all went well, we expected she would be in Ar, and perhaps in the House of Cernus, by the end of En'Var." — Assassin of Gor, pages 78-79.
En'Var-Lar-Torvis
Literal translation: "First Resting of the Central Fire." The full expression for the fourth (4) month of the Gorean year; preceeds the Third Passage Hand. See also: "En'Var."
"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, quite literally, the First Resting and the Second Resting of the Central Fire." — Outlaw of Gor, page 178.
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar, which do have common names, the months of En'Kara, or En'Kara-Lar-Torvis; En'Var, or En'var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, or Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis; and Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis. Elizabeth and I had arrived in Ko-ro-ba in the second month, and she departed on the second day of the Second Passage Hand, that following the second month. We estimated that she would surely be in the House of Clark by the Third Passage Hand, which precedes the month of En'Var. If all went well, we expected she would be in Ar, and perhaps in the House of Cernus, by the end of En'Var." — Assassin of Gor, pages 78-79.
"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." — Outlaw of Gor, page 178.
"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.
Errand Capsule
A narrow, capped leather cylinder often worn about the neck by slave girls running errands, such as carrying notes and such.
"I did have an errand capsule, a capped, narrow leather cylinder, such as may be used for carrying notes, messages, and such, on a string about my neck, the string over my collar." — Dancer of Gor, page 299.
Esalinus
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.
Eta
Letter of the Gorean alphabet; also, 7th letter of the Greek alphabet.
"In Gorean," said Bosk, "the most frequently occurring letter is Eta… Over forty percent of the language consists of the first five letters I mentioned, Eta, Tau, Al-Ka, Omnion and Nu… Further, over sixty percent of the language consists of those five letters plus Ar, Ina, Shu and Homan." — Slave Girl of Gor, pages 383-384.
Etem
Inland (Schendi) word for "sitting place."
He was sitting, cross-legged, on a flat, rectangular stone, broad and heavy, about a foot high, at the western edge of the large Utukufu, or Glory, square. The stone was his etem, or sitting place. He was Ubar of the beggars of Schendi." — Explorers of Gor, pages 137-138.
Evergreen Tree
On Gor, known as the "Needle Tree." See: "Needle Tree."
"…and the needle trees, the evergreens …" — Raiders of Gor, page 141.
Exchange Islands
Free ports for commercial exchange of goods, administered by the Caste of Merchants.
"My four commercial voyages had been among the exchange islands, or free islands, in Thassa, administered as free ports by members of the Merchants. There were several such islands." — Raiders of Gor, page 137.
"The representative of the Merchants, to whom I reported my business, and to whom I paid wharfage, asked no questions. He did not even demand the proof of registration of the Tesephone of Tabor. The Merchants, who control Lydius, under merchant law, for it is a free port, like Helmutsport, and Schendi and Bazi, are more interested in having their port heavily trafficked than strictly policed. Indeed, at the wharves I had even seen two green ships. Green is the color common to pirates. I supposed, did they pay their wharfage and declare some sort of business, the captains of those ships were as little interrogated as I. The governance of Lydius, under the merchants, incidentally, is identical to that of the exchange islands, or free islands, in Thassa. Three with which I was familiar, from various voyages, were Tabor, Teletus and, to the north, offshore from Torvaldsland, Scagnar." — Hunters of Gor, page 43.
Exhibition Cages
Often made of plastic, these cages are found outside an auction house used to display slaves as an advertisement tool; not to be confused with "Exposition Cages." See: "Exposition Cages."
"Here in the area of the exhibition cages there were various citizens of Ar milling about, some meeting their friends, before taking their seats in the tiers; some seats in the tiers, the better ones, are reserved by number, but many are simply available on a first-come-first-served basis; those citizens wandering about, I gathered, had reserved seats." — Assassin of Gor, page 288.
"Outside the Curulean also, on sale days, actual slave girls are exhibited, some in suspended plastic cages fastened to the roof of the portico, others in a tier of cages lining the interior wall of the portico; these are not, however, the exposition cages within the Curulean; they are merely, so to speak, advertisements and attractions to lure customers; on the other hand, of course, such displays, along with many others, will be offered for sale." — Assassin of Gor, page 286.
Exotics
Slaves bred for particular deforming traits which are considered to be appealing, such as a physical deformity to things more subtle as poisonous saliva; very rare.
"These are exotics," said Ho-Tu. That expression is used for any unusual variety of slave. Exotics are generally quite rare. — Assassin of Gor, page 114.
Exposition Cages
Cages inside an auction house that are used to display slaves that are for sale, often such are specialty slaves; not to be confused with "Exhibition Cages." See: "Exhibition Cages."
"I saw no merchandise in my passage through the rear halls of the Curulean; the girls are generally kept, prior to their sale, in holding cells, lit by energy bulbs, beneath the ground level; soon, however, I was passing by the exposition cages, which are accessible to the public; these cages were now empty; they are used, from the tenth to the fourteenth Ahn of a given day, to display the goods that will be sold that evening; access to the exposition cage area is free to the public prior to the sale, but, after the fourteenth Ahn, the Curulean is cleared and made ready for the evening's work; after that time a citizen must pay to enter the market…" — Assassin of Gor, page 287.
Exposure on Boards
Also: Chained on Boards
An ancient form of execution in which the offender is chained by means of collar and shackles on parallel upright boards. It is a long, tortuous death, oftent taken two to three days. This means of execution is most common in harbor cities.
"This, like hanging in chains, the exposure on boards, and such, is a very ancient modality of execution." — of Gor, pages 14-15.
Eye
Highly militaristic and organized, with divisors and multiples having to do with seemingly, a base-twelve mathematics, an Eye is a Kurii military leader in charge of the "Hands."
"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.
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.