Racing Forms
Like at horse-racing tracks on Earth, at the Tarn races, racing forms with statistics of the competing tarns, riders, etc. are sold to aid in choosing which team/bird to bet on.
"I was approached twice by men who had small scrolls to sell, reputedly containing important information on forth coming races, the tarns to be flown, their riders, their times recorded in previous races and such; I supposed this would be little more than what was publicly available on the large track boards, and was copied from them; on the other hand, such men always claimed to have important information not contained on the public boards. I knew that when there was such information it would not be to such men that it would be known." — Assassin of Gor, page 156.
Racing Harness
The apparatus by which reins are attached for controlling the tarn in a race.
"The racing harness, like the common tarn harness, works with two rings, the throat ring and the main saddle ring, and six straps. The major difference is the tautness of the reins between the two rings …" — Assassin of Gor, page 171.
Racing Saddle
A variation of the tarn saddle for use in races.
"… the racing saddle, on the other hand, is only a slip of leather compared to the common tarn saddle… On the racing saddle there are two small straps, rather than the one large strap on the common saddle; both straps fasten about the rider and to the saddle… the main purpose of the straps is simply to keep the rider in the saddle, for the purpose of his race, not primarily to protect his life." — Assassin of Gor, pages 171-172.
Racing Stadium
Stadium in which tarn races are held.
"I left the tiers of the racing stadium and began to walk down the long, sloping stone ramp, level by level. There were few leaving the races but I did pass some late comers, moving up the ramps, who had perhaps been detained or had been released from their shops only late in the day." — Assassin of Gor, page 155.
Racing Tarn
Smaller version of the common wild tarn of Gor.
"The tarns were, of course, racing tams, a bird in many ways quite different from the common tarns of Gor, or the war tarns." — Assassin of Gor, page 143.
Radish
Small root vegetable.
"Ottar dug for the Forkbeard and myself two radishes and we, wiping the dirt from them, ate them." — Marauders of Gor, page 102.
Raft Bridge
Bridges formed of rafts made of rence; used by rence growers in the Vosk Delta.
"I came to one of the raft bridges I had helped to fasten in place that morning, shortly after dawn. I placed Telima in the center of the raft. Then I began to tear loose the rence-rope fastenings, fixed to stakes thrust through the rence." — Raiders of Gor, page 57.
Ragnar's Hamlet
One of the larger Vosk River townships.
"I had stopped also at Hammerfest and Ragnar's Hamlet, the latter actually, now, a good-sized town." — Rogue of Gor, page 63.
Rain Canvas
Waterproof tarpaulin for use as a shelter or covering from rain.
"I will see you in Ar," she had said to me, kissing me. Then she had lain down on a fiat piece of rain canvas which Al-Ka and I had rolled about her, and, concealed in this fashion, we had carried her to the wagon. — Assassin of Gor, page 77.
Rainforest
The tropical woodland of the Ushindi region. See also: "Canopy Zone," "Emergent Zone" and "Ground Zone."
Rain Forest:
"A tropical woodland that has an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches and often much more, is typical of but not wholly restricted to certain lowland areas, is characterized by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy, lianas, and herbaceous and woody epiphytes and by nearly complete absence of low-growing or understory ground-rooted plants — called also tropical rain forest."Temperate Rain Forest:
"Woodland of temperate but usually rather mild climatic areas with heavy rainfall usually including numerous kinds of trees and being distinguished from tropical rain forest by the presence of a dominant tree (as the podocarpus forests of New Zealand)."Understory:
"A foliage layer lying beneath and shaded by the main canopy of a forest; the plants (as seedlings, shrubs, and herbs) that form the foliage understory of a forest - sometimes distinguished from ground cover; a layer of low vegetation underlying a layer of taller (as of grama grass beneath wheatgrass)" — 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. The second level is often spoken of as the canopy, or as that of the canopies. This is the fantastic green cover which constitutes the main ceiling of the jungle. It is what would dominate one's vision if one were passing over the jungle in tarn flight or viewing it from the height of a tall mountain. The canopy, or zone of the canopies, ranges from about sixty to one hundred and twenty-five feet high, Gorean measure. The first zone extends from the ground to the beginning of the canopies above, some sixty feet in height, Gorean measure. We may perhaps, somewhat loosely, speak of this first zone as the 'floor,' or, better, 'ground zone,' of the rain forest." — Explorers of Gor, page 311.
Rag Paper
A type of paper layered and glued, used in a silk-screen process for printing such things as billboard posters. Not much is said in reference to this paper.
"Elsewhere in the room there were some free men, Scribes I gathered though they were stripped to the waist, who were inking, using a silk-screen process, large sheets of layered, glued rag paper. One of them held the sheet up inspecting it, and I saw that it was a bill, which might be pasted against a public building, or on the public boards near the markets. It advertised a sale. Other such sheets, hanging on wires, proclaimed games and tarn races." — Assassin of Gor, page 113.
Ram-Berry
A small plum-sized fruit.
"A guard was with us, and we were charged with filling our leather buckets with ram-berries, a small, reddish fruit with edible seeds, not unlike tiny plums, save for the many small seeds." — Captive of Gor, page 305.
Ram-Ship
The warship of Gor, also referred to as a long ship. The single-banked ram-ship is called a tarn ship. See also: "Tarn Ship."
"These five ships, pertinent to council membership, may be either the round ships, with deep holds of merchandise, or the long ships, ram-ships, ships of war." — Raiders of Gor, page 127.
Rape-Rack
Rack upon which a slave girl is bound and displayed for raping.
Rape Test
A test of a newly collared slave girl to test her slave heat and response to slave rape.
"What of this slave?" I asked Msaliti, indicating the blond-haired barbarian.
"She is hot," admitted Msaliti.
"Have you subjected her to rape test?" I asked.
"No," said he." Only to the touch of the owner's hands." — Explorers of Gor, page 168.
Rarir
Small village near the shores of the Thassa, south of the Vosk River.
Rarius (pl: Rarii)
Literal translation: "Warrior;" "of the Caste of Warriors."
"Lo Rask," said he. "Rarius. Civitatis Trevis."
"I am Rask," he said, "of the caste of warriors, of the city of Treve." — Captive of Gor, page 266.The other fellow was approaching at an even, unhurried pace. He seemed good-humored… He, too, was clad in scarlet, as were the other two men… The approaching man stopped singing about twenty yards from us, and stood grinning in the grass. He held the spear, with its dependent articles, in his left hand now, and raised his right in a cheerful fashion, palm inward, facing the body. "Tal, Rarii!" said he, calling out, grinning.
"Tal, Rarius," said the bearded man. — Slave Girl of Gor, page 18.
Rask
One of the most notorious of Raiders of Treve. His peers may have considered him an ass, but the word does not translate to that. In the books of John Norman, Rask is simply, a man's name.
"Rask of Treve, as a raider true to the codes of Treve…" — Captive of Gor, page 190.
Raviri
A minor tribe of the Tahari.
Ravishment Lamp
A small tharlarion-oil lamp, found in the chamber of a Master; its soft glow is sufficient to illuminate a slave girl as she is raped. See also: "Lamp of Love."
Reading Device
A metal frame with rollers at the top and bottom; used for ease of reading scrolls.
"With annoyance, Torm poked through one of the enormous piles of scrolls and at last, on his hands and knees, fished out one skimpy scroll, set it in the reading device - a metal frame with rollers at the top and bottom - and, pushing a button, spun the scroll to its opening mark, a single sign." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 37.
Readying Compound
The area tarn racers prepare their mounts.
"I brought the tarn down behind the tiers in the Stadium of Tarns, in the Readying Compound of the Steels. I heard the warning bar for a race about to begin." — Assassin of Gor, page 350.
Real-Name
Many Goreans, especially those of the lower castes, have two names, a "use-name" and a "real-name." It is thought that knowing the "real name" over a person gives one power, aiding one to uses magic against another.
"The Goreans have a habit of not revealing names easily. For themselves, particularly among the Lower Castes, they often have a real name and what is called a use name. Often only the closest relatives know the real name. On the level of the First Knowledge, it is maintained that knowing the real name gives one power over a person, a capacity to use that name in spells and insidious magical practices The second name, which would correspond to the use-name on Gor, is common property, a public sound not sacred or to be protected. At the level of the Second Knowledge, of course, the High Castes, at least in general, recognize the baseless superstition of the Lower Castes and use their own names comparatively freely, usually followed by the name of their city. The Lower Castes, incidentally, commonly believe that the names of the High Castes are actually use-names and that the High Castes conceal the real names." — Tarnsman of Gor, pages 58-59.
"Members of low castes often call themselves by a use-name, reserving the real name for intimates and friends, to protect it against capture by a sorcerer or worker of spells who might use it to do them harm." — Outlaw of Gor, page 30.
Rebellion Command
A command issued to a slave girl by a master for his amusement; the girl displays mock rebellion of her slavery.
Record Scars
These are scars which are given muls if they displease the Priest-Kings for some reason, such as not properly cleansing themselves.
"Why is she running?" I asked.
"The journeys between portals are timed," said the first slave, "and if she dallies she will be given a record-scar."
"Yes," said the other, "five record-scars and she will be destroyed."
"A record-scar," I said, "is some sort of mark on your records?"
"Yes," said the first slave, "it is entered on your scent-tape and also, in odor, inscribed on your tunic."
"The tunic," said the other, "is inscribed with much information, and it is by means of the tunic that Priest-Kings can recognize us." — Priest-Kings of Gor, pages 103-104.
Red Domes
Found in the chambers in the Hall of the Priest-Kings, these devices are an electronic mechanism to keep slaves from leaving their assigned chambers without the use of doors and locks. An eye on the ceiling watches the room, while the six domes emit an electrical discharge should a slave attempt to flee.
I looked but saw nothing other than the stone sides of the portal and on each side three rounded red domes, or perhaps four inches in width apiece. "There," she said, pointing to the small rounded domes set in the sides of the portal.
She moved from my arms and approached the portal. When she was within perhaps a yard of the exit the small red domes began to glow. "Here in the Sardar," she said, turning to face me, trembling, "they took me into the tunnels and locked over my head a hideous metal globe with lights and wires and when they freed me they showed me a metal plate and told me that the patterns of my brain, of my oldest and most primitive memories, were recorded on that plate …"
"That plate," she said, "is kept in the tunnels of the Priest-Kings, but these -" and she shivered and indicated the rounded domes, which were undoubtedly sensors of some type, "are its eyes." — Priest-Kings of Gor, pages 37-39.Then my eye saw, directly in the center of the ceiling, another energy bulb, like those in the walls, only the bulb was not lit… I seized the bowl from her hand and hurled it underhanded up against the bulb, which, though it had apparently burned out, shattered with a great flash and hiss of smoke and sparks… Down from the cavity where the energy bulb had been there hung, blasted and smoking, a tangle of wires, a ruptured metal diaphragm and a conical receptor which might have held a lens… "It was an eye," I said. — Priest-Kings of Gor, pages 58-59.
I laughed and went to the portal. Once again I examined the red, domed sensors, three on a side, which were fixed there. Six times the hilt of my sword struck against the sensors and six times there was a hissing pop like the explosion of hot glass and a bright shower of scarlet sparks. The sensors had been shattered, their lenses broken… — Priest-Kings of Gor, pagea 59-60.
Red-Fruit
A NON-EXISTENT FRUIT. This is another example of something that is placed on websites by those without access to the books, and cut-and-paste from other websites, from quotes and such, not understanding or fully knowing what is being placed on the pages. "Red fruit" was a term to describe the different red-fleshed fruits found on Gor, and is not a particular fruit named "red fruit." In fact, upon running a scan of all there is not one passage with either "red fruit" or "red-fruit" anywhere.
Red Hunters
See also: "Innuit."
Red Olives
Olives red in color; a favorite staple.
Red Salt of Kasra
Named for its port of embarkation at the juncture of the Upper and Lower Fayeen, this famous salt comes from the salt mines in the Tahari desert city of Klima; the salt is red in color due to deposits of ferrous oxide.
"The red salt of Kasra, so called from its port of embarkation, was famed on Gor. It was brought from secret pits and mines, actually, deep in the interior, bound in heavy cylinders on the backs of pack kaiila." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 20.
"Most salt at Klima is white, but certain of the mines deliver red salt, red from ferrous oxide in its composition, which is called the Red Salt of Kasra, after its port of embarkation, at the juncture of the Upper and Lower Fayeen." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 238.
Red Savages
Nomadic tribes of fierce red-skinned peoples that inhabit the the Barrens.
Red Silk Girl
A slave who is no longer a virgin. Often, one will find on VT Gor, the refer to a red silk girl as a pagar, or pleasure slave, which is not correct. A red silk girl is any girl, no matter what sort of training she has had, that is no longer a virgin. A red silk girl does not necessarily wear red-colored silks.
Cernus smiled. "Our Physicians ascertained," said he, "that she is only a Red Silk Girl." — Assassin of Gor, page 45.
"Other common terms, not generally of slaves, are 'white silk' and 'red silk', for girls, who have not yet been opened, or have been opened, for the uses of men, respectively." — Dancer of Gor, page 128.
Reeds Marsh plant.
"From the back of Nar I could see the marsh, with its reeds and clouds of tiny flying insects below." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 84.
Reed Pen
A writing utensil made from the reeds found in marshes, then filled with ink.
"… in Gorean script, moving from left to right, and then from right to left on alternate lines. The writing was quite legible. It was written in black ink, probably with a reed pen. This again suggested the delta of the Vosk." — — Nomads of Gor, page 50.
Refusal Of Bread, Salt and Fire
This is a punishment of banishment inflicted on one, discharged by the Administrator or Ubar of a city.
To my astonishment bread, and salt, and a small, falming brand were brough to him. There were shouts of dismay from those assembled. I could not believe my eyes. Marlenus took the bread and broke it apart in his large hands. "You are refused bread," said Marlenus, placing the bread back on the tray. There were shouts of astonishment in the court. Marlenus had taken the salt, lifted it from the tray, and replaced it.
"Your are refused salt," he said." No!" Came the shouts from hundreds of voices." No!" Marlenus then, looking at me, took the small brand of fire in his hand. There was a leaf of fire, bright yellow, at its tip. He thrust the brand into the salt, extinguishing it.
"You are refused fire," he said. There was silence in the court of the Ubar.
"You are herewith, by the edict of the Ubar," said Marlenus, "commanded from the city of Ar, to depart before sundown of this day, not to return on pain of penalty of torture and impalement." — Assassin of Gor, pages 404-405.
Rence
On Earth, this plant is well-known as the Papyrus. On Gor, it is called Rence. This plant is found in the marshlands of the Vosk.
Papyrus:
"The writing material of ancient times and also the plant from which it was derived, Cyperus papyrus (family Cyperaceae), also called paper plant. The papyrus plant was long-cultivated in the Nile delta region in Egypt and was collected for its stalk or stem, whose central pith was cut into thin strips, pressed together, and dried to form a smooth, thin writing surface. Papyrus is a grasslike aquatic plant that has woody, bluntly triangular stems and grows up to 4.6 m (about 15 feet) high in quietly flowing water up to 90 cm (3 feet) deep. The triangular stem can grow to a width of as much as 6 cm. The ancient Egyptians used the stem of the papyrus plant to make sails, cloth, mats, cords, and, above all, paper. Paper made from papyrus was the chief writing material in ancient Egypt, was adopted by the Greeks, and was used extensively in the Roman Empire." — Encyclopaedia Britannica ©2004-2006
"Then, from within the collar, he drew forth a thin, folded piece of paper, rence paper made from the fibers of the rence plant, a tall, long-stalked leafy plant which grows predominantly in the delta of the Vosk." — Nomads of Gor, page 49.
Rence Beer
Alcoholic beverage made from rence. See also: "Rence."
"At such times there is drinking of rence beer, steeped, boiled and fermented from crushed seeds and the whitish pith of the plant, singing, games, contests and courtship, for the young people of the rence islands too seldom meet those of the other communities." — Raiders of Gor, page 18.
Rence Cloth
Coarse material made from the pith of the rence plant; common material for clothing of the Rencers.
"He wore a sleeveless tunic of rence cloth, like most of the rence growers." — Raiders of Gor, page 16.
Rence Drum
A drum, hollow, formed of rence root; used by rencers as both a message device and instrument.
"Then there came a drumming sound, growing louder and louder, a man pounding on a hollowed drum of rence root with two sticks, and then, as suddenly as the singing and clapping, the drum, too, stopped." — Raiders of Gor, pages 44-45.
Rence Growers
Also called Rencers. See: "Rencer."
"I had heard there had not been general hostilities among rence growers for more than fifty years…" — Raiders of Gor, page 14.
Rence Hut
Huts made of the rence plant that serve as home to the rencers in the Vosk delta.
"In there," she said, indicating the small, round hole that gave access to her tiny rence hut. — Raiders of Gor, page 32.
Rence Island
Small, man-made islands that serve as home to the rencers in the Vosk delta. 
The rence islands, on which the communities of rence growers dwell, are rather small, seldom more than two hundred and fifty feet. They are formed entirely from the interwoven stems of the rence plants and float in the marsh." — Raiders of Gor, page 13.
Rence Knife
A tool for cutting the rence grown in the marshes.
"One holds the stem of the plant in the left hand and, with the right, with a small, curved, two-inch knife makes a diagonal upward stroke." — Raiders of Gor, page 27.
"The rence knife flashed through another stem, and I cut away the flowered, tufted head, and threw the stem in the piles on the raft." — Raiders of Gor, page 31.
Rence Paper
Paper made from the stalks of the rence plant; comes in about eight (8) grades.
"Then, from within the collar, he drew forth a thin, folded piece of paper, rence paper made from the fibers of the rence plant, a tall, long-stalked leafy plant which grows predominantly in the delta of the Vosk." — Nomads of Gor, page 49.
"Rence paper is made by slicing the stem into thin, narrow strips; those near the center of the plant are particularly favored; one layer of strips is placed longitudinally, and then a shorter layer is placed latitudinally across the first layer; these two surfaces are then soaked under water, which releases a gluelike substance from the fibers, melding the two surfaces into a single, rectangular sheet; these formed sheets are then hammered and dried in the sun; roughness in removed by polishing, usually with a smooth shell or a bit of kailiauk horn; the side of a tharlarion tooth may also be used in this work. The paper is then attacked, sheet to sheet, to form rolls, usually about twenty sheets to a roll. The best paper is on the outside of the roll, always, not to practice deceit in the quality of the roll but rather to have the most durable paper on the outside, which will take the most weathering, handling and general wear. Rence paper comes in various grades, about eight in all. The rence growers market their product either at the eastern or western end of the delta. Sometimes rence merchants, on narrow marsh craft rowed by slaves, enter some pasangs into the delta to negotiate the transactions, usually from the western edge, that bordering the Tamber Gulf. Rence paper is, incidentally, not the only type of writing material used on Gor." — Raiders of Gor, pages 7-8.
Rence Paste
Made from the edible center of the rence plant, a staple amongst the Rencers. See also: "Rence."
Rence Pith
The very useful center of the rence plant. The pith is eaten, and also is used to caulk boats seams.
"… further, its pith is edible, and for the rence growers is, with fish, a staple in their diet; the pith is edible both raw and cooked; some men, lost in the delta, not knowing the pith edible, have died of starvation the midst of what was, had they known it, an almost endless abundance of food. The pith is also used, upon occasion, as a caulking for boat seams, but tow and pitch, covered with tar or grease, are generally used." — Raiders of Gor, page 7.
Rence Rope
Sturdy rope made from the rence plant.
"I came to one of the raft bridges I had helped to fasten in place that morning, shortly after dawn. I placed Telima in the center of the raft. Then I began to tear loose the rence-rope fastenings, fixed to stakes thrust through the rence." — Raiders of Gor, page 57.
Rence Rope Fastenings
Fastenings which are used for mooring a rence craft.
"Then I began to tear loose the rence-rope fastenings, fixed to stakes thrust through the rence." — Raiders of Gor, page 57.
Rence Root
The very useful root of the rence plant. The root is used to make a tools, utensils and when dried, makes a good fuel.
"The root, which is woody and heavy, is used for certain wooden tools and utensils, which can be carved from it; also, when dried, it makes a good fuel…" — Raiders of Gor, page 7.
Rence Skiff
A raft of sorts made of rence and fastened together with marsh vine.
"She was standing on a small skiff of rence, not larger than my own rush craft, about seven feet long and two feet wide, fastened together, as mine was, with marsh vine; it, like mine, had a slightly curved stern and prow." — Raiders of Gor, page 10.
Rence Stem
The very useful stem of the rence plant. The stem is used to make boats, sails, mats and rence-cloth.
"… from the stem the rence growers can make reed boats, sails, mats, cords and the kind of fibrous cloth…" — Raiders of Gor, page 7.
Rencers
Shortened term for "Rence Growers." See: "Rence Growers."
"We Rencers," she said, "are independent people. We each of us, have our own island." — Raiders of Gor, page 32.
Rennels
An insect found on the plains.
"I was told by Kamchak that once an army of a thousand wagons turned aside because a swarm of rennels, poisonous, crablike desert insects, did not defend its broken nest, crushed by the wheel of the lead wagon." — Nomads of Gor, page 27.
Rent Slave
A girl rented out for her uses, be it domestic or intimate.
"There are rent slaves, who may be rented to anyone for any purpose, short of their injury or mutilation, unless compensation be rendered to the master." — Beasts of Gor, page 250.
Rep
Rep itself is not a plant, but is, in actuality, a white fibrous matter which found in the seed pods of an unnamed, reddish, woody bush (most probably, the cotton plant).
"Rep is a whitish fibrous matter found in the seed pods of a small, reddish, woody bush, commercially grown in several areas, but particularly below Ar and above the equator; the cheap rep-cloth is woven in mills, commonly, in various cities; it takes dyes well and, being cheap and strong, is popular, particularly among the lower castes." — Raiders of Gor, pages 10-11.
Rep-Cloth
Fabric woven from the fibers of the Rep plant; popular with the lower castes; sold in bolts.
"Rep is a whitish fibrous matter found in the seed pods of a small, reddish, woody bush, commercially grown in several areas, but particularly below Ar and above the equator; the cheap rep-cloth is woven in mills, commonly, in various cities; it takes dyes well and, being cheap and strong, is popular, particularly among the lower castes." — Raiders of Gor, page 10-11.
"She gave me a thin blanket of coarse cloth; it was Rep-Cloth; I might huddle in it at night." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 69.
"In these first voyages I was content, quite, to carry tools and stone, dried fruit, dried fish, bolts of rep-cloth, tem-wood, Tur-wood and Ka-la-na stock, and horn and hides. I did once carry, however, a hold of chained slaves, and, another time, a hold filled with the furs of the northern sea sleen." — Raiders of Gor, page 138.
Retain Gur
Part of the Gur Ceremony.
"I knew only that he had been, as Sarm had put it, pleased to retain Gur… 'It has to do with the Feast of Tola,' they said, 'and is not the concern of humans.'" — Priest-Kings of Gor, page 140.
Retaining Collar
A heavy, thick collar used during the transfer of ownership of a slave.
"There were two collars on my neck," she said, "a light, temporary slave collar, identifying me as a slave provisionally in the custody of magistrates, and, over it, a retaining collar, that by means of which I was fastened to the wall." — Magicians of Gor, page 309.
Retaining Rings
These are steel rings which lock around the wrists or ankles of a slave to secure her.
Return to Turia
Migrational move of the Wagon Peoples as they return southward after the winter months; the last of phases of the Omen Year.
"… the Omen Year, or season, lasts several months, and consists of three phases, called the Passing of Turia, which takes place in the fall; the Wintering, which takes place north of Turia and commonly south of the Cartius, the equator of course lying to the north in this hemisphere; and the Return to Turia, in the spring, or, as the Wagon Peoples say, in the Season of Little Grass.." — Nomads of Gor, page 11.
Ri
One of the four original towns that latter combined to form the city of Tetrapoli.
"Tetrapoli, on the other hand, began as four separate towns, Ri, Teibar, Heiban and Azdal, as legend has it founded by four brothers.'" — Rogue of Gor, page 63.
[The] Ribbon
One of Port Kar's largest and main canals.
"The Ribbon is one of Port Kar's better-known canals. A narrower canal, somewhat south of it is called the Ribbon's alley …" — Explorers of Gor, page 61.
Ribbon's Alley
A small canal of Port Kar.
"The Ribbon is one of Port Kar's better-known canals. A narrower canal, somewhat south of it is called the Ribbon's alley …" — Explorers of Gor, page 61.
Right of Capture
The Gorean bounty law.
"You will hold me for them, you will claim right of capture and demand a portion of my price!" — Outlaw of Gor, page 56.
Rifle
Banned by the Priest-Kings, this common Earth weapon was often smuggled by the human agents of the Kur onto Gor. It was also known that a form of this weapon had, at least once, been created by a Gorean.
"It crosses your mind that there must exist minds on this world capable of designing such things as, say, rifles and armored vehicles."
"Surely such things must be produced," I urged.
"And you are right," he said grimly." From time to time they are, but their owners are then destroyed, bursting into flame." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 31."I turned back and looked into the room. In it I saw the rifle which had been brought from Earth." — Assassin of Gor, page 384.
Rim
Gorean map direction. See "Gorean Map."
"Accordingly, the main divisions of the map are Ta-Sardar-Var, and the other seven; taking the Sardar as our 'north pole' the other directions, clockwise as Earth clocks move (Gorean clock hands move in the opposite direction) would be, first, Ta-Sardar-Var, then, in order, Ror, Rim, Tun, Vask (sometimes spoken of as Verus Var, or the true turning away), Cart, Klim, and Kail, and then again, of course, Ta-Sardar-Var." — Nomads of Gor, page 3 (footnote).
Ring Locks
Padlocks; there are several varieties of this type of lock on Gor, some of which are combination locks.
"There were varieties of ring locks. This one was a combination padlock, in which numbers, inscribed on rotating metal disks, fitted together, are to be properly aligned, this permitting the free extraction of the bolt. This, as is the case with most single-alignment ring locks, was not a high-security lock." — Explorers of Gor, page 292.
Rings (Race Track)
Rings which determine the flight course of a tarn race.
"The flight track itself, of course, is rather like a narrow, aerial rectangle with two rounded ends. The course is determined by twelve rings, hung on chains from great supporting towers…" — Assassin of Gor, page 146.
Ritual of Sleen Hunters
Sleen hunters, upon making their kill, feast on the blood of the sleen; it is believed to hold portent of the future. Also referred in the books as "Looking into the Blood."
"I shared bits of the heart of the sleen with my men, and, together, cupping our hands, we drank its blood in a ritual of sleen hunters. I had looked into the blood, cupped in my hands. It is said that if one sees oneself black and wasted in the blood, one will perish of disease; if one sees oneself torn and bloody, one will perish in battle; if one sees oneself old and gray one will die in peace and leave children. " — Beasts of Gor, page 14.
"Then, soberly, though I acknowledged it as a supersition, I performed the Gorean ritual of looking into the blood. With my cupped hands, I drank a mouthful of blood, and then, holding another in my hands, I waited for the next flash of lightning. One looks into the blood in one's cupped hands. It is said that if one sees one's visage black and wasted one will die of disease, if one sees oneself torn and scarlet one will die in battle, if one sees oneself old and white haired, one will die in peace and leave children. I drank the blood, completing the ritual." — Outlaw of Gor, page 38.
River Barge
Used for crossing large rivers; pulled by river tharlarion. See: "Barge."
"On river barges, for hundreds of pasangs, I had made my way down the Vosk, but where the mighty Vosk began to break apart and spread into its hundreds of shallow, constantly shifting channels, becoming lost in the vast tidal marshes of its delta, moving toward gleaming Thassa, the Sea, I had abandoned the barges, purchasing from rence growers on the eastern periphery of the delta supplies and the small rush craft which I now propelled through the rushes and sedge, the wild rence plants." — Raiders of Gor, page 5.
River Shark
One of the species of shark which inhabit the rivers on Gor. See: "Gorean Shark."
"Following in the wake of the Tesephone, to pick up litter or garbage thrown overboard, were long-bodied river sharks, their bodies sinuous in the half-clear water, about a foot below the surface." — Hunters of Gor, pages 75-76.
Roach
The obnoxious insect is found on Gor, too.
We watched a large, oblong, flat-bodied black object, about a half hort in length, with long feelers, hurry toward a crack at the base of the wall. "That is a roach," he said. — Mercenaries of Gor, pages 266-267.
Robes of Concealment
The mode of dress favored by Free Women in some of the larger city states; it consists of one or more hooded robes of heavy brocade, or other opaque fabric, plus up to five face veils.
"The robes of concealment, in function, resemble the garments of muslim women on my own planet, though they are undoubtedly more intricate and cumbersome. Normally, of men, only a father and a husband may look upon the woman unveiled." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 87.
Rock Spider
Found in the rainforests inland of Schendi, these spiders get their name as they tuck their legs beneath them, thus resembling a rock.
"This afternoon, late, when we had come inland, almost in the dusk, she had become entangled in the web of a rock spider, a large one. They are called rock spiders because of their habit of holding their legs folded beneath them." — Explorers of Gor, page 294.
Rope-Makers
The makers of ropes for ships.
"The next matter for consideration was the negotiation of a dispute between the sail-makers and the rope-makers in the arsenal with respect to priority in the annual Procession to the Sea, which takes place on the first of En'Kara, the Gorean New Year." — Raiders of Gor, page 134.
Rogue's Chain
Male slaves, criminals, and even some free men, made up this labor chain that worked the canals of the Ushindi under Bila Huruma.
"Kisu, the rebel, in chains, was then dragged before Bila Huruma. He was thrown upon his knees. He was sentenced to the canal, to be put upon the rogues' chain, that he might now, at last, well serve his sovereign, Bila Huruma. Kisu, kept on his knees, was then dragged to one side." — Explorers of Gor, page 231.
Room of Preparation
Also: Room of Slave Girl Preparation
The room of a slaver's house or paga tavern or other similar establishment, in which slave girls prepare for the pleasures of masters. These rooms have vanity tables filled with slave perfumes and cosmetics, as well as slave jewelry, silks, etc.
"I hurried to the room of slave girl preparation." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 275.
"Hurry now to the baths," he said, "and thence to the room of preparation, for you must be soon upon the floor." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 295.
Room of Slave Discipline
Room in a slaver's house, in which discipline of a slave is performed.
"… we passed, too, the dreaded room of slave discipline; there were, in this room, suspended rings, whips, a large, heavy stone table." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 16.
Ror
Gorean map direction. See "Gorean Map."
"Accordingly, the main divisions of the map are Ta-Sardar-Var, and the other seven; taking the Sardar as our 'north pole' the other directions, clockwise as Earth clocks move (Gorean clock hands move in the opposite direction) would be, first, Ta-Sardar-Var, then, in order, Ror, Rim, Tun, Vask (sometimes spoken of as Verus Var, or the true turning away), Cart, Klim, and Kail, and then again, of course, Ta-Sardar-Var." — Nomads of Gor, page 3 (footnote).
Rorus
A small village on Gor.
Round Ship
These ships are large and heavy, slow and less maneuverable than the long ships (ram-ships) with deep holds for merchandise; however they too have abilities to participate in battles.
"I now had the means whereby I might purchase yet two more ships for my fleet. They would be deep-keeled round ships, with mighty holds, and high, broad sails. I had already, to a great extent, selected crews. I had projected voyages for them to Ianda and to Torvaldsland. Each would be escorted by a medium galley." — Raiders of Gor, page 142.
Round Shield
Common shield used by most warriors.
Rubies
Gemstone which is an export of
Schendi.
"There is a little market in simple Laura for the more exquisite goods of Gor. Seldom will one find there Torian rolls of gold wire, interlocking cubes of silver from Tharna, rubies carved into tiny, burning panthers from Schendi, nutmegs and cloves, spikenard and peppers from the lands east of Bazi, the floral brocades, the perfumes of Tyros, the dark wines, the gorgeous diaphanous silks of glorious Ar." — Captive of Gor, page 86.
Run
A command taught to slave girls to please the eye.
Run for the City
A cruel sport of the young men of the wagon peoples in which they take Turian slaves girls to within sight of the walls of the city of Turia, loosen their bolas and thongs, and then have the girls run quickly for the city. If they make it to the city, they are then free.
Run for Peasant Boys
A cruel sport of the young men of the peasant villages; similar to Girl Catch. Girls caught are taken to the circle of the torch and then raped.
Rush Craft
A raft made of rushes and marsh vine. See also: "Rence Skiff."
"… purchasing from rence growers on the eastern periphery of the delta supplies and the small rush craft I now propelled …" — Raiders of Gor, page 5.
Rushes
Tall, tubular reeds found in marshes. See also "Vosk Rushes."
"I took the triangular-bladed tem-wood paddle and moved the small craft, light and narrow, large enough scarcely for one man, ahead. It was formed of pliant, tubular, lengthy Vosk rushes, bound with marsh vine." — Raiders of Gor, page 1.
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.