A Gorean History in Legend

As with all cultures, legends and myths play an important part in Gorean history. Some of these legends are hauntingly familiar. Let's explore them.

Djinn
There is brief mention of the belief in the djinn by those of the Tahari. While no other information is given, it is reasonable to assume that most of the Taharic tribes are descendants of Arabic tribes brought to Gor in the Voyages of Acquisition. Therefore, their superstitious beliefs would also follow. The Djinn, (or Jinn, Jinni, or Djinni) are supernatural spirits of Arabic mythology; three classes of which are the ghul, 'ifrit and si'la. The Djinn can assume human or animal form, thusly then possessing the bodily needs of such and therefore can be killed. It was no doubt that these men upon looking at a Kur believed then the Djinn were not myths at all.

djinn, also djinni; variant of "jinni";
jinni, also jinn;
plural jinn or jinns, also djinn or djinns;
Etymology: Arabic jinni demon;
      "ne of a class of spirits that according to Muslim demonology inhabit the earth, assume various forms, and exercise supernatural power." — Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2006.

Jinn, (also called Genie, Arabic Jinni, or Djinni);
In Arabic mythology, a supernatural spirit below the level of angels and devils. Ghul (treacherous spirits of changing shape), 'ifrit (diabolic, evil spirits), and si'la (treacherous spirits of invariable form) constitute classes of jinn. Jinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects — stones, trees, ruins, et al — underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire. They possess the bodily needs of human beings and can even be killed, but they are free from all physical restraints. Jinn delight in punishing humans for any harm done them, intentionally or unintentionally, and are said to be responsible for many diseases and all kinds of accidents; however, those human beings knowing the proper magical procedure can exploit the jinn to their advantage. Belief in jinn was common in early Arabia, where they were thought to inspire poets and soothsayers. Even Muhammad originally feared that his revelations might be the work of jinn. Their existence was further acknowledged in official Islam, which indicated that they, like human beings, would have to face eventual salvation or damnation. Jinn, especially through their association with magic, have always been favorite figures in North African, Egyptian, Syrian, Persian, and Turkish folklore and are the center of an immense popular literature, appearing notably in "The Thousand and One Nights". In India and Indonesia they have entered local Muslim imaginations by way of the Qur'anic descriptions and Arabic literature. — Encyclopaedia Brittanica © 2006.

"What could have done this horrible thing?" asked one of his men.
      "I was warned of this," said Ibn Saran.
      "A Djinn?" asked one of the men.
      "Smell it?" said Ibn Saran. "Smell it! It is still here!"
      I heard the Kur breathing, near me.
      "Block the door!" said Ibn Saran. The two men by the door, who had been standing there, looked about themselves, brandishing their scimitars, frightened.
      "Do not fear, my fellows," said Ibn Saran. "This is not a Djinn. It is a creature of flesh and blood. But be wary! Be wary!" He then formed his men into a line, against the far wall of the outer room, that into which the threshold gave access. "I had warning of this possibility," he said. "It has now occurred. Do not fear. It can be met." … — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 119-120.
      Across the floor, now wet with blood, and blood-soaked straw, the men, in their line, Ibn Saran remaining at the door, charged. The blood, between the stones, formed tiny rivers. "Aiii!" cried a man, wheeling back, horrified. There was blood on his scimitar. He was terrified. "A Djinn!" he cried. In that moment, Ibn Saran, at the door, thrust out, wickedly, deeply. There was a roar of pain, a howl of rage, and I saw that his scimitar, to six inches, was splashed with bright blood of the Kur, clearly visible. — Tribesmen of Gor, page 122.

Origin of the First Home Stone There are many accountings of the origin of the first Home Stone on Gor. However, the most popular myth is that of a man named Hesius, who performed great labors for the Priest-Kings, promised by them a reward that was greater than gold and silver. After completing his labors, he was given a flat piece of rock, inscribed by a single character, that of the first letter of his native village. Hesius, of course, was upset with this "great reward" and scoffed at the Priest-Kings. Told by these great creatures that it was a "Home Stone" and indeed was worth far more than merely gold and silver, Hesius returned to his village, finding it torn with war and strife. Recalling the story of the Priest-Kings to his people, and agreement among them that then it must be true, the stone was placed in the center of the market place, weapons were laid aside and peace pledge. This village was named "Ar" and it's a generally accepted tradition in Gor that Ar owns the oldest Home Stone.

There are, of course, several mythical accounts of the origin of the Home Stone. One popular account has it that an ancient hero, Hesius, once performed great labors for Priest-Kings, and was promised a reward greater than gold and silver. He was given, however, only a flat piece of rock with a single character inscribed on it, the first letter in the name of his native village. He reproached the Priest-Kings with their niggardliness, and what he regarded as their breach of faith. He was told, however, that what they gave him was indeed worth far more than gold and silver, that it was a "Home Stone." He returned to his native village, which was torn with war and strife. He told the story there, and put the stone in the market place. "Of the Priest-Kings say this is worth more than gold and silver," said a wise man, "it must be true." "Yes," said the people. "Ours," responded Hesius. Weapons were then laid aside, and peace pledged. The name of the village was "Ar." It is generally accepted in Gorean tradition that the Home Stone of Ar is the oldest Home Stone on Gor. — Dancer of Gor, page 303.

The Legend of Hesius
A popular myth of an ancient man named Hesius, who performed great labors for the Priest-Kings, promised by them a reward that was greater than gold and silver. He is famed for the original Home Stone.

"One popular account has it that an ancient hero, Hesius, once performed great labors for Priest-Kings, and was promised a reward greater than gold and silver. He was given, however, only a flat piece of rock with a single character inscribed on it, the first letter in the name of his native village. He reproached the Priest-Kings with their niggardliness, and what he regarded as their breach of faith. He was told, however, that what they gave him was indeed worth far more than gold and silver, that it was a 'Home Stone.'" — Dancer of Gor, page 303.

The Legend of the Tarntauros
The tarntauros is a half tarn, half man creature akin so to speak to the centaur of Earth myths.

"There is even the legend of the tarntauros, or creature half man, and half tarn, which in Gorean myth, plays a similar, one might even say, equivalent, role to that of the centaur in the myths of Earth." — Renegades of Gor, page 138.

The Magicians of Anango
These magicians are quite famous on Gor, rumored that they hold great magic. However, on Anango, these magicians are unheard of.

"Famed on Gor, these magicians are believed to be quite powerful. Should you desire to have someone turned into a turtle, those are the fellows you wish to see, though expect to pay a high price for their service. Of course, in Anango, these magicians are unheard of." — Magicians of Gor, page 259.

• The Myth of the Slave Girl
The legend of how slave girls came to be on Gor. There was a great war between men and women and of course, the women lost. However, the Priest-Kings, loving of the beautiful women, gave them a gift that they may live; this gift was their forever subservience to men.

"There I saw the shield which Tela had been polishing, a small, round shield, more of a buckler, really, than a shield. It was ornamented with bosses, and engraved with mythological scenes, the conquest, and the rape and enslavement of Amazons by satyrs. In Gorean mythology, it is said that there was once a war between men and women and that the women lost, and that the Priest-Kings, not wishing the women to be killed, made them beautiful, but as the price of this gift decreed that they, and their daughters, to the end of time, would be the slaves of men. " — Dancer of Gor, page 353.

Origin of Man
There are many legends on Gor, just as on Earth, as to the origin of man. Many of the legends of Gor are quite familiar to the legends of Earth.

"In Gorean legends the Priest-Kings are said to have formed man from the mud of the earth and the blood of tarns. In the legends of Torvaldsland, man has a different origin. Gods, meeting in council, decided to form a slave for themselves, for they were all gods, and had no slaves. They took a hoe, an instrument for working the soil, and put it among them. They then sprinkled water upon this implement and rubbed upon it sweat from their bodies. From this hoe was formed most men. On the other hand, that night, one of the gods, curious, or perhaps careless, or perhaps driven from the hall and angry, threw down upon the ground his own great ax, and upon this ax he poured paga and his own blood, and the ax laughed and leaped up, and ran away. The god, and all the gods, could not catch it, and it became, it is said, the father of the men of Torvaldsland." — Hunters of Gor, pages 257-258.

Thassa Having No Far Shore
In myths, it is said that the Sea, Thassa, has no farther shore. Sort of a take on the old legends of the age of Christopher Columbus.

"… Thassa, the sea, said to be in the myths without a farther shore." — Nomads of Gor, page 2.

"I could smell the sea, gleaming Thassa, in the myths said to be without a farther shore. " — Raiders of Gor, page 1.

Tuchuk Myth of How the World was Formed
The Tuchuks believe that the sky is responsible for all things formed in the world, including the planet itself.

"I suppose the Tuchuks worship nothing, in the common sense of that word, but it is true they hold many things holy, among them the bosk and the skills of arms, but chief of the things before which the proud Tuchuk stands ready to remove his helmet is the sky, the simple, vast beautiful sky, from which fans the rain that, in his myths, formed the earth, and the bosks, and the Tuchuks." — Nomads of Gor, page 28.

Warrior Brought by the Priest-Kings Every 1000 Years
It is spoken that every one thousand years, a warrior is brought to Gor to change the wrongs of it. Tarl was believed to be this warrior of myth.

Mintar looked up, and he, too, seemed pleased. "You are the only man who has ever escaped the tarn death," he said, something of wonder in his voice. "Perhaps it is true, as they say, that you are the warrior brought every thousand years to Gor — brought by the Priest-Kings to change a world." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 174.

Editor's Note

This page is an on-going project and will be updated as time allows.

 

 

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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.