As much as I hate book thumping, this is something of a sticking point for me. Goreans do not trust strangers. They even use the same word for "stranger" as they do for "enemy".
So why do people come in to the forest, around panther camps (who are also classified as outlaws), and expect a Welcome Wagon? If the roleplay is serious, these panthers will of worked hard to gain the supplies they have, and will not be willing to simply give them away. They most certainly are not going to be willing to allow a stranger, especially a male, in to their camp to rest.
Panther girls, by nature, do not trust outsiders. They're trying not to end up in a collar, so they're not going to assume anyone they come across in the forest is just another forest friend they can sit down to tea with.
Yes, I do roleplay my character as inhospitable, sometimes rude, always cautious. Why? Because I am roleplaying a character that is seen by Gorean society as an outlaw, as in "outside the law". Anyone not part of my band is an outsider, and potential threat to my band's safety.
The key point in all that is...it is a role I PLAY. Nothing personal is meant by the behavior. It's just me, roleplaying as realistically as I can. I don't mind people roleplaying taking offense, as long as that offense is only in character (IC).
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Just sayin'
Pa Ri Tor has existed for about 6 years, through some serious drama. It has survived the typical SL slow times that happen around the holidays. It is very likely to continue to exist as long as Panther Ridge exists, since the two are effectively one. As this blog's main page says, we have Dutch and Phee to thank for keeping the sim going, so the tribe has a strong footing to also keep going.
Pa Ri Tor is alive and well, and we're still strong roleplayers who follow the books as much as possible. In the end, that's all that matters.
Pa Ri Tor is alive and well, and we're still strong roleplayers who follow the books as much as possible. In the end, that's all that matters.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Old School, BTB, GE, and Disney Gor
By far, I prefer (if I must assume a label) to be considered Old School. I do not want to exclude rp possibilities with someone simply because they are either BTB (by the book), or GE (Gor Evolved). Most rp, from either style, can be pretty in depth and interesting, which are features I enjoy in my roleplay.
As with all things, there's good and bad. BTB goes bad when they forget to actually understand the books they claim to be going by, eliminating pieces that don't fit with their self-image of the bad-ass Gorean man. I suppose that's not too bad, they tend to at least be close.
GE, however, when it goes bad, goes horribly bad. Too many people interpret "Gor Evolved" as another way of saying "screw it, I don't care what the rp should be based on, I'm going to do what I want to". This is where GE crosses the line in to the fairytale land of Disney. Where anything goes, Gorean or not, you can be Xena the warrior princess if you wish, deftly beating the asses of every male you come across...with a sword even. You can paint your captives, curl their hair, dress them up in pink tu-tus. You can dress like grunge skaters with cigarettes hanging from your lips. Whatever.
Some people consider this nonsense fun. Good for them. I...don't. I enter in to roleplay situations under the impression I am roleplaying with fellow, mature, adults. It may not seem like fun to onlookers, but I enjoy playing a role seriously. I'm not trying to live out a first-person shooter game.
I'm not trying to perpetuate the bad reputation slapped on some Gorean roles by people who figure they're going to "be creative" and completely toss the basis for the rp out the window.
I do not find "bratty" slaves entertaining. I do not find amazon she-bitches calling themselves panthers impressive. Men who are clearly under the thumb of their slave and/or FC make me laugh when they try to tell me they're in charge. Pew pew? Oh hell no.
If Disney Gor is fun for you, by all means, knock yourself out. I'm going to stick to my own guns, and will rp BTB or GE. You can keep your Disney to yourself, tho. Thanks.
As with all things, there's good and bad. BTB goes bad when they forget to actually understand the books they claim to be going by, eliminating pieces that don't fit with their self-image of the bad-ass Gorean man. I suppose that's not too bad, they tend to at least be close.
GE, however, when it goes bad, goes horribly bad. Too many people interpret "Gor Evolved" as another way of saying "screw it, I don't care what the rp should be based on, I'm going to do what I want to". This is where GE crosses the line in to the fairytale land of Disney. Where anything goes, Gorean or not, you can be Xena the warrior princess if you wish, deftly beating the asses of every male you come across...with a sword even. You can paint your captives, curl their hair, dress them up in pink tu-tus. You can dress like grunge skaters with cigarettes hanging from your lips. Whatever.
Some people consider this nonsense fun. Good for them. I...don't. I enter in to roleplay situations under the impression I am roleplaying with fellow, mature, adults. It may not seem like fun to onlookers, but I enjoy playing a role seriously. I'm not trying to live out a first-person shooter game.
I'm not trying to perpetuate the bad reputation slapped on some Gorean roles by people who figure they're going to "be creative" and completely toss the basis for the rp out the window.
I do not find "bratty" slaves entertaining. I do not find amazon she-bitches calling themselves panthers impressive. Men who are clearly under the thumb of their slave and/or FC make me laugh when they try to tell me they're in charge. Pew pew? Oh hell no.
If Disney Gor is fun for you, by all means, knock yourself out. I'm going to stick to my own guns, and will rp BTB or GE. You can keep your Disney to yourself, tho. Thanks.
Monday, October 29, 2012
IC <~~~~>OOC
People who can't (or won't) separate IC from OOC are a frequent source of both amusement, and drama.
Ok, I will freely admit sometimes I reacte realtime to what is going on with my avatar. It is my humble opinion that anyone claiming they keep both separate 100% are either lying, or have some mental issues. It's normal to have some degree of reaction.
Where the line is crossed occurs in one of two ways. There's those who's emotional attachment to their avatar is so strong that they will become OOCly/rl offended as if whatever transgression was done to them personally in rl.
Then there's those who claim "This is who I am!", as apparently it's an excuse to treat people however they see fit, especially those in the slave role. They claim to be rl dominants/masters, and that this justifies being an asshole. I don't get the connection, honestly. Being a rl dominant has nothing to do with a lack of common courtesy and respect for someone else outside their role.
And, hate to break it you, but if you have to tell people what you are, odds are you're not even close. True dominants don't need to announce it, and are secure enough in their domninance that they do not need to flaunt it over others. They are capable of respecting the difference between someone's ROLE, and how they might be in real life. And if they are assholes, it's just because they're assholes.
Ok, I will freely admit sometimes I reacte realtime to what is going on with my avatar. It is my humble opinion that anyone claiming they keep both separate 100% are either lying, or have some mental issues. It's normal to have some degree of reaction.
Where the line is crossed occurs in one of two ways. There's those who's emotional attachment to their avatar is so strong that they will become OOCly/rl offended as if whatever transgression was done to them personally in rl.
Then there's those who claim "This is who I am!", as apparently it's an excuse to treat people however they see fit, especially those in the slave role. They claim to be rl dominants/masters, and that this justifies being an asshole. I don't get the connection, honestly. Being a rl dominant has nothing to do with a lack of common courtesy and respect for someone else outside their role.
And, hate to break it you, but if you have to tell people what you are, odds are you're not even close. True dominants don't need to announce it, and are secure enough in their domninance that they do not need to flaunt it over others. They are capable of respecting the difference between someone's ROLE, and how they might be in real life. And if they are assholes, it's just because they're assholes.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
BTB, or "BTB"
This is a bit of a phenomenon I've noticed, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this observation. Sims that call themselves BTB, yet when going there and seeing them in action, it leaves me wondering which book, or if it was even part of the Gor series.
Some of the obvious giveaways being the men think just being men means they are invincible, and that women cannot under any circumstances "talk back". And don't even think about beating them in a fight. The FWs seem baffled by "women with weapons", or that resist the collar. Well, even Tarl Cabot was taken captive, and enslaved. His Scarlet status didn't exempt him. And the women with weapons? Those are called panther girls, or talunas. In some rare cases, they were even FWs, like Tarna, or others who hunted animals. They existed, by the books. And no, not every panther taken captive instantly submits, no matter how awesome the man is in his own mind.
Trades, while they normally occured at specific exchange points in the books, were usually honored, even by outlaws, and even if being conducted with panthers. This was by the books. SL's variant is most cities/villages/etc have "trade points", yet the supposed BTB locations don't honor it, particularly when dealing with panthers. Ok, admittedly some GE sims seem to treat their trade points as more like a way to get people in a group so they can shoot at them. But, while Gor was male-dominated, Mr. Man still held honor above all else.
I've seen places that have "pet", or "friendly" larls. By the books, a larl cannot be tamed, even if taken as a kitten. It will always eventually turn on its owner, and return to the place of its birth. If they are kept anywhere, it is on chains, and with extreme caution. Larls are also, by the way, huge animals, standing 7 feet at the shoulder, so their kittens are not likely to be mere ankle biters in size.
Magic...wasn't real, BTB. The magicians were illusionists, just like rl magicians. There was no such thing as real magic on Gor, nor magic potions, etc, etc. What looked like magic, ie. the blue flame, was Priest King technology, and not something they shared.
All this is to come to one point...if you're going to say you're BTB, be BTB. Otherwise, you're just as GE as the GE people you look down your nose at. Maybe more so.
Some of the obvious giveaways being the men think just being men means they are invincible, and that women cannot under any circumstances "talk back". And don't even think about beating them in a fight. The FWs seem baffled by "women with weapons", or that resist the collar. Well, even Tarl Cabot was taken captive, and enslaved. His Scarlet status didn't exempt him. And the women with weapons? Those are called panther girls, or talunas. In some rare cases, they were even FWs, like Tarna, or others who hunted animals. They existed, by the books. And no, not every panther taken captive instantly submits, no matter how awesome the man is in his own mind.
Trades, while they normally occured at specific exchange points in the books, were usually honored, even by outlaws, and even if being conducted with panthers. This was by the books. SL's variant is most cities/villages/etc have "trade points", yet the supposed BTB locations don't honor it, particularly when dealing with panthers. Ok, admittedly some GE sims seem to treat their trade points as more like a way to get people in a group so they can shoot at them. But, while Gor was male-dominated, Mr. Man still held honor above all else.
I've seen places that have "pet", or "friendly" larls. By the books, a larl cannot be tamed, even if taken as a kitten. It will always eventually turn on its owner, and return to the place of its birth. If they are kept anywhere, it is on chains, and with extreme caution. Larls are also, by the way, huge animals, standing 7 feet at the shoulder, so their kittens are not likely to be mere ankle biters in size.
Magic...wasn't real, BTB. The magicians were illusionists, just like rl magicians. There was no such thing as real magic on Gor, nor magic potions, etc, etc. What looked like magic, ie. the blue flame, was Priest King technology, and not something they shared.
All this is to come to one point...if you're going to say you're BTB, be BTB. Otherwise, you're just as GE as the GE people you look down your nose at. Maybe more so.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The nature of moondancing
So, what does the term "moondance" bring to mind? Oddly enough, for most SL Goreans, it implies something fatal. Yet nothing in the books supports this view.
Some of us have debated this, and come to a few conclusions we think are pretty logical, given context clues in the books.
A moondance serves two purposes. First, it provides a sexual outlet for panther girls, but it's only the first step of the process. The second thing it does, usually, is breaks the captive male, preparing him for slavery. It's a male, they're supposed to be the stronger ones in Gorean society, so it would take more drastic measures to prove to them they too can be mastered.
Does it always work? Of course not, just as slapping a collar on a panther girl does not always a slave make. Both views are backed up by comments in the books. Tarl himself discusses how "not everyone takes to the collar" in Hunters. Hunters is also where we find the example that not all men break, in the character Rim. He was clearly captured, bearing the degredation stripe to prove it, yet while he behaves somewhat humbly until freed, it's obvious he's not broken.
A moondance isn't the only outlet, as the books mention how men are kept as slaves until the panthers tire of them, then sell them. So clearly, the moondance itself is not the only sexual outlet for panthers.
I suppose I can see where the concept that it means death for the captive male comes from. In a male-dominated society, being broken and forced to admit you've been bested by women would be a 'death' of your place as a Gorean man. Don't worry though, it's not really fatal...
Some of us have debated this, and come to a few conclusions we think are pretty logical, given context clues in the books.
A moondance serves two purposes. First, it provides a sexual outlet for panther girls, but it's only the first step of the process. The second thing it does, usually, is breaks the captive male, preparing him for slavery. It's a male, they're supposed to be the stronger ones in Gorean society, so it would take more drastic measures to prove to them they too can be mastered.
Does it always work? Of course not, just as slapping a collar on a panther girl does not always a slave make. Both views are backed up by comments in the books. Tarl himself discusses how "not everyone takes to the collar" in Hunters. Hunters is also where we find the example that not all men break, in the character Rim. He was clearly captured, bearing the degredation stripe to prove it, yet while he behaves somewhat humbly until freed, it's obvious he's not broken.
A moondance isn't the only outlet, as the books mention how men are kept as slaves until the panthers tire of them, then sell them. So clearly, the moondance itself is not the only sexual outlet for panthers.
I suppose I can see where the concept that it means death for the captive male comes from. In a male-dominated society, being broken and forced to admit you've been bested by women would be a 'death' of your place as a Gorean man. Don't worry though, it's not really fatal...
Sunday, September 9, 2012
When to develop ESP...
The following is an example of dealing with the ever popular (and lame) emoted insult. We've all heard them, and reacte differently. Personally, I'm kind of a fan of ESP...
Submitted by Altonia Aeon:
"Please read the small scrap of RP with my comments clearly marked
[06:14] Altonia Aeon shrugs as she mumbles "Couldnt care less about the Kurii wars", then takes her dagger from the woman's neck and places it on her left ear as she says "A common thief and a liar.... know what they do to thieves in the cities sis?"
[06:15] Rain (rain.tylman): dont they mark them with some kind of brand
[06:15] Rain (rain.tylman): on their face
[06:15] Rain (rain.tylman): motions to my cheek
[06:15] AAA remained silent .. she had been told to be quiet and she would do as she was told. It seemed ironic to her that these panthers were practicing the ways of free but her face was expressionless
^^^ Comment: This is a passive-aggressive emote - there is nothing you can react to apart from her silence, unless of course you can read her mind. Funnily enough you can at that point in RP develope that ability.
[06:18] Altonia Aeon stares the woman straight into her face and says "You find it amusing that we to some degree do as they do in the cities? It should be clear.... some of us have lived in cities, free or slaves.... at least we make no bosk-beef about where we came from, here we band together for survival.... you seem to think just about yourself"
^^^ Comment: I make it 100% clear here that I read her mind, further, I make it clear that such emotes of hers will not be accepted.
[06:19] Rain (rain.tylman): looks to Elle and just blurts out....Yeah What She Said!
[06:19] Rain (rain.tylman): nods and lets out a loud Hmmmph as I sling the bow over my shoulder and cross my arms
[06:20] AAA was concerned they could read her mind so she did not think of anything this time
^^^ Comment: Here AAA gave up, clearly, trying to RP - as a reward for this emote she got sailed out of the sim.
[06:28] Altonia Aeon hands the leash to the captain of the boat and says "Not paying anything, not sailing, she really is a gem of a new beast and she is all yours.... payment for the times I didn't quite pay you enough", then watches as the captain drags his new beast on the boat and making the final preparations for the journey, simply watches from the docks until the boat begins to drift from shore and the rowers begin to row, gaining speed as the boat sails for parts unknown
The point of this all is this: If a passive-aggressive emote is all you seem to get, you develop the ability to read minds. Plain and simple. And Panther Ridge mods will actually stand by you if you must resort to this.
Alt
XXX"
Submitted by Altonia Aeon:
"Please read the small scrap of RP with my comments clearly marked
[06:14] Altonia Aeon shrugs as she mumbles "Couldnt care less about the Kurii wars", then takes her dagger from the woman's neck and places it on her left ear as she says "A common thief and a liar.... know what they do to thieves in the cities sis?"
[06:15] Rain (rain.tylman): dont they mark them with some kind of brand
[06:15] Rain (rain.tylman): on their face
[06:15] Rain (rain.tylman): motions to my cheek
[06:15] AAA remained silent .. she had been told to be quiet and she would do as she was told. It seemed ironic to her that these panthers were practicing the ways of free but her face was expressionless
^^^ Comment: This is a passive-aggressive emote - there is nothing you can react to apart from her silence, unless of course you can read her mind. Funnily enough you can at that point in RP develope that ability.
[06:18] Altonia Aeon stares the woman straight into her face and says "You find it amusing that we to some degree do as they do in the cities? It should be clear.... some of us have lived in cities, free or slaves.... at least we make no bosk-beef about where we came from, here we band together for survival.... you seem to think just about yourself"
^^^ Comment: I make it 100% clear here that I read her mind, further, I make it clear that such emotes of hers will not be accepted.
[06:19] Rain (rain.tylman): looks to Elle and just blurts out....Yeah What She Said!
[06:19] Rain (rain.tylman): nods and lets out a loud Hmmmph as I sling the bow over my shoulder and cross my arms
[06:20] AAA was concerned they could read her mind so she did not think of anything this time
^^^ Comment: Here AAA gave up, clearly, trying to RP - as a reward for this emote she got sailed out of the sim.
[06:28] Altonia Aeon hands the leash to the captain of the boat and says "Not paying anything, not sailing, she really is a gem of a new beast and she is all yours.... payment for the times I didn't quite pay you enough", then watches as the captain drags his new beast on the boat and making the final preparations for the journey, simply watches from the docks until the boat begins to drift from shore and the rowers begin to row, gaining speed as the boat sails for parts unknown
The point of this all is this: If a passive-aggressive emote is all you seem to get, you develop the ability to read minds. Plain and simple. And Panther Ridge mods will actually stand by you if you must resort to this.
Alt
XXX"
Monday, September 3, 2012
Connect the Dots
Recent events have reminded me of some...minor...details that make the difference between roleplay, and really good, immersive roleplay.
Most people assume because they don't see dots on the map, no one is there. In choosing to raid or steal from a panther camp, city, whatever....is it reasonable to assume there's no one there, just because no one shows on the map? Are you really roleplaying then? Many people even deliberately seek to come in when there's no one there. They roleplay their epic break in and theft, but they removed any real challenge by making a point of hitting an empty sim.
I've seen people many times 'scout' from a sim's market, or docks, where they have no realistic line of sight to their target area. This is often passed off as 'roleplay'. The usual excuse is they don't want to be shot on sight. Granted, some sims do that, but not all. But, you're scouting, presumably because you're up to no good on behalf of a larger group up to no good, you should be shot at. That's realistic.
And one of my favorite topics...fires. People like to set fires around here, it's like being around a bunch of pixel pyromaniacs. But do they really know why they're setting fires? Most often it's just because for some reason people think this goes along with raiding. Eh, maybe. In human history there's plenty of examples of burning going along with pillaging. But this isn't Earth, this is Gor we're roleplaying on. Setting fires, especially in the forest, was never something lightly done, even by outlaws. It gets more complicated, realistically, when taking in to account WHAT is being set on fire. Cities and other stone structures should be a no-brainer. Panther camps add a whole new factor...you're setting fire to wooden structures, surrounded by forest. If you have any idea how a forest fire works, and how fast it can move, you'd get just how monumentally foolish this is.
Is it really so hard to rely only on your avatar's direct line of sight, think about the rp setting you're in, and a realistic way to do what you're doing? Maybe these details aren't so minor afterall.
Most people assume because they don't see dots on the map, no one is there. In choosing to raid or steal from a panther camp, city, whatever....is it reasonable to assume there's no one there, just because no one shows on the map? Are you really roleplaying then? Many people even deliberately seek to come in when there's no one there. They roleplay their epic break in and theft, but they removed any real challenge by making a point of hitting an empty sim.
I've seen people many times 'scout' from a sim's market, or docks, where they have no realistic line of sight to their target area. This is often passed off as 'roleplay'. The usual excuse is they don't want to be shot on sight. Granted, some sims do that, but not all. But, you're scouting, presumably because you're up to no good on behalf of a larger group up to no good, you should be shot at. That's realistic.
And one of my favorite topics...fires. People like to set fires around here, it's like being around a bunch of pixel pyromaniacs. But do they really know why they're setting fires? Most often it's just because for some reason people think this goes along with raiding. Eh, maybe. In human history there's plenty of examples of burning going along with pillaging. But this isn't Earth, this is Gor we're roleplaying on. Setting fires, especially in the forest, was never something lightly done, even by outlaws. It gets more complicated, realistically, when taking in to account WHAT is being set on fire. Cities and other stone structures should be a no-brainer. Panther camps add a whole new factor...you're setting fire to wooden structures, surrounded by forest. If you have any idea how a forest fire works, and how fast it can move, you'd get just how monumentally foolish this is.
Is it really so hard to rely only on your avatar's direct line of sight, think about the rp setting you're in, and a realistic way to do what you're doing? Maybe these details aren't so minor afterall.
Monday, August 20, 2012
The real point of roleplay limits
Something I've noticed in SL Gor that I find very odd. There's a lot of people who take the viewpoint that roleplay limits interfere with rp. I suppose in some cases they do, as some are quite clearly designed to minimize, if not flat out avoid, any disadvantage someone might end up with should they find themselves captive.
There's the truly ridiculous, such as no collars, no branding. These make me wonder if the person even knows what the basis of the roleplay is. It's supposed to be based on the Chronicles of Gor...and things like that happened in those books, to men and women. Might as well put "no rp with me if I'm the loser".
Some, however, have a very valid point. "No rape", or "fade to black on rape", for instance. For some, due to real life events, or fears, this might very well be a highly traumatic event. Please, spare me the "it's just a game" nonsense. If there were no emotional attachment, then why would someone get annoyed because the other party won't rp what they want them to? Hypocrisy is funny like that. The fact is, no matter how strongly denied, people get emotionally involved with what their character is doing. It's part of your personality, after all, that's powering it.
Then there's the flip side. The "limits are for wimps" types. Steadfastly refusing to use limits, because they feel they interfere with roleplay. But then, when something happens, and these "rp tough guys" pitch a fit because they don't like it...was that really worth the lack of a simple limit? Or even simply saying "no"? Something to think about, as you contemplate what to put on your limits page.
There's the truly ridiculous, such as no collars, no branding. These make me wonder if the person even knows what the basis of the roleplay is. It's supposed to be based on the Chronicles of Gor...and things like that happened in those books, to men and women. Might as well put "no rp with me if I'm the loser".
Some, however, have a very valid point. "No rape", or "fade to black on rape", for instance. For some, due to real life events, or fears, this might very well be a highly traumatic event. Please, spare me the "it's just a game" nonsense. If there were no emotional attachment, then why would someone get annoyed because the other party won't rp what they want them to? Hypocrisy is funny like that. The fact is, no matter how strongly denied, people get emotionally involved with what their character is doing. It's part of your personality, after all, that's powering it.
Then there's the flip side. The "limits are for wimps" types. Steadfastly refusing to use limits, because they feel they interfere with roleplay. But then, when something happens, and these "rp tough guys" pitch a fit because they don't like it...was that really worth the lack of a simple limit? Or even simply saying "no"? Something to think about, as you contemplate what to put on your limits page.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Panthers without honor?
By Storm Galtier
A few nights ago, a panther told me "we're outlaws, we have no honor!". Of course this floored me. Ok, I haven't read all the books, but the ones I did read make me wonder at this belief. Outlaws without honor? Really?
Let me start out by saying, bull. There is the example of the exchange points, where neither male nor female outlaws attack each other, both sides understanding this would ruin the purpose of a safe place to exchange wares and slaves. No one seems to remember this in SL, tho.
Now specifically to panthers. Yes, we're outlaws, and we're not very nice to those outside our bands. But no honor among our own band? Definite bull. Consider Rissia, of Verna's band, the only one of the tribe to not drink the drugged wine, and not pass out. Did she run? Did she leave her unconscious sisters to the mercy of the forest and whoever drugged them? No, she stayed, and even attempted to fight off Tarl's men alone. That she had no hope of winning didn't cross her mind, only protecting her sisters. Does this sound like an outlaw with no honor? Who's more concerned with her own safety than that of her sisters?
These are both examples from Hunters of Gor. So, I ask you, are outlaws truly without honor? I don't think so.
A few nights ago, a panther told me "we're outlaws, we have no honor!". Of course this floored me. Ok, I haven't read all the books, but the ones I did read make me wonder at this belief. Outlaws without honor? Really?
Let me start out by saying, bull. There is the example of the exchange points, where neither male nor female outlaws attack each other, both sides understanding this would ruin the purpose of a safe place to exchange wares and slaves. No one seems to remember this in SL, tho.
Now specifically to panthers. Yes, we're outlaws, and we're not very nice to those outside our bands. But no honor among our own band? Definite bull. Consider Rissia, of Verna's band, the only one of the tribe to not drink the drugged wine, and not pass out. Did she run? Did she leave her unconscious sisters to the mercy of the forest and whoever drugged them? No, she stayed, and even attempted to fight off Tarl's men alone. That she had no hope of winning didn't cross her mind, only protecting her sisters. Does this sound like an outlaw with no honor? Who's more concerned with her own safety than that of her sisters?
These are both examples from Hunters of Gor. So, I ask you, are outlaws truly without honor? I don't think so.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Creativity and Realism
Food for thought by Alehna
Tal all you sly pantherites out there! Today’s thoughts are of an odd sort (at least odd for me XD). No, there will be no ranting and raving like the lunatic I normally am. Today, I wanted to discuss one of the many grey areas in rping as a panther, creativity versus realism.
As always, I will only write about my own experiences and to what we as a group and a sim agree to. (IE..Expectations, sim rules).
I would think the first question to ask yourself is, What is a Panther? Is it an Amazonian like woman only placed in the Northern Forests of Gor instead? Or is she a woman that only waits for someone strong enough to capture her, the feminine prize in the Gorean version of Capture the Flag. For me, she is neither. She is a woman that denies the nature of Gor in how the men were meant to dominate to the very notion that women were nothing but slaves to this domination without question or choice. She is no superwoman nor is she a slut in furs.
Knowing the basics of what a panther is will help guide you into what would be believable and realistic in roleplay. Every one of us can be creative in what our character’s personalities/experiences are due to back stories. We can be creative in how we do things, why we do things or even the chances we would take (within your roles limits of course). Let that creativity flow but know your role before making a fool of yourself and your tribe.
Use this base knowledge of what role you are and blossom from that in your creativity. A cat would never be a horse, yet they are both still beasts and could very realistically do some of the same things. Same with a panther, you deny what you are and the dominance of men, yet a panther will still believe that some women by nature are meant to be dominated..both freewomen and slaves.
The biggest suggestion I have to anyone looking to rping anything is research the role; whether that means, reading books, asking questions or learning from watching those that have experience. In the very end, it is going to come down to your group’s expectations of your rp and how you wish to play.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Catch of the Day
Random Thoughts..
By Alehna
**Disclaimer: The ideas and thoughts in this blog are purely the notions and opinions of the writer and by no means reflect the group's stance**
As I stand keeping watch over the lands I call home, I've noticed that many of the wanderers that come near are indeed self proclaimed slaves. Each time, like a good, responsible rper, I open up their profile to check their OOC limits and am often surprised at what I read. Now while I find it completely not out of the norm to see a slave that has been lost from a boat wreck, fallen overboard..etc..or one that has run-away from a cruel owner, many times it is just out of sheer boredom these slaves find their way here. Keeping a slave focused and busy in rp is a whole other thought that I will not speak of…but it is beyond my comprehension how a restricted white silk slave of an ubar finds themselves at a panther camp. Let me ask this, how does a restricted slave wander so far from a city without a free noticing? Or why in world would an owner be so dumb as to restrict a slave and then send them off to their peril outside their city on an 'errand' let alone send one off without restrictions to all places...a panther camp? Is a panther camp really a city that everyone on Gor would know the whereabouts of? And if your slave is so precious to you, that you restricted them, how is it that they end up at our gate? So they are precious enough to say hey..you can't fur anyone but sure you can put yourself in a situation where you will undoubtedly be taken from me. This notion is mind boggling to me, but in the end we are flexible. So…as panther, we do what we do best; we take them and sell them to someone else. We owe this slave nothing nor do we owe the owner a passing thought. Cue the OOC drama of “why did you do that to my slave” or the “my owner has restricted me, I can't be sold..blah blah blah.” Let me be quite clear, if a slave comes to a panther camp on their own or meets a panther deep in the forest, a panther will not care what restrictions or rules are placed on the slaves. We will sell them to anyone we see fit, do whatever it is we wish to the slave within their OOC limits and any of a master’s IC restrictions and rules will be ignored. If I sell the slave to a man that wants to use her for his pleasure, that is the price they pay for being a slave. That also goes for beating or killing a slave because, well, we feel like doing it. We owe you, the owner nothing, for a slave we catch. Not even to compensate you should the slave be harmed or sold. We live by capture rights and, honestly, the slave no longer belongs to you in our eyes. Welcome to Gor. We shouldn't have to nor will we break our character to meet your standards of what our role play should and will be or babysit your slave because they are bored. Just a fair warning...
*This is a paid opinion by the Keep Gor Clean of Stupidity Counsel.*
By Alehna
**Disclaimer: The ideas and thoughts in this blog are purely the notions and opinions of the writer and by no means reflect the group's stance**
As I stand keeping watch over the lands I call home, I've noticed that many of the wanderers that come near are indeed self proclaimed slaves. Each time, like a good, responsible rper, I open up their profile to check their OOC limits and am often surprised at what I read. Now while I find it completely not out of the norm to see a slave that has been lost from a boat wreck, fallen overboard..etc..or one that has run-away from a cruel owner, many times it is just out of sheer boredom these slaves find their way here. Keeping a slave focused and busy in rp is a whole other thought that I will not speak of…but it is beyond my comprehension how a restricted white silk slave of an ubar finds themselves at a panther camp. Let me ask this, how does a restricted slave wander so far from a city without a free noticing? Or why in world would an owner be so dumb as to restrict a slave and then send them off to their peril outside their city on an 'errand' let alone send one off without restrictions to all places...a panther camp? Is a panther camp really a city that everyone on Gor would know the whereabouts of? And if your slave is so precious to you, that you restricted them, how is it that they end up at our gate? So they are precious enough to say hey..you can't fur anyone but sure you can put yourself in a situation where you will undoubtedly be taken from me. This notion is mind boggling to me, but in the end we are flexible. So…as panther, we do what we do best; we take them and sell them to someone else. We owe this slave nothing nor do we owe the owner a passing thought. Cue the OOC drama of “why did you do that to my slave” or the “my owner has restricted me, I can't be sold..blah blah blah.” Let me be quite clear, if a slave comes to a panther camp on their own or meets a panther deep in the forest, a panther will not care what restrictions or rules are placed on the slaves. We will sell them to anyone we see fit, do whatever it is we wish to the slave within their OOC limits and any of a master’s IC restrictions and rules will be ignored. If I sell the slave to a man that wants to use her for his pleasure, that is the price they pay for being a slave. That also goes for beating or killing a slave because, well, we feel like doing it. We owe you, the owner nothing, for a slave we catch. Not even to compensate you should the slave be harmed or sold. We live by capture rights and, honestly, the slave no longer belongs to you in our eyes. Welcome to Gor. We shouldn't have to nor will we break our character to meet your standards of what our role play should and will be or babysit your slave because they are bored. Just a fair warning...
*This is a paid opinion by the Keep Gor Clean of Stupidity Counsel.*
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Only You Can Prevent Pixel Fires!
Only You Can Prevent Pixel Fires...
Random thoughts by Alehna
As my eyes open for the first time this morning, I roll over in my furs to the distinct smell of ash and smoke. I lay there a moment thinking..Damn how is it they burned breakfast again! That is until I realize that some asshat has come to set fire to the forest for his or her amusement. I jump out of bed with a slow sluggishness that ensues once one of these prim and particle fires is set and do my best rubber band to the source of it. While dousing the flames with barrels and botas of water, I think to myself if I ever catch the rotten bastard that did this, btb Gor will surely be the proper punishment. Be it from me to dictate proper Gorean rp but you would think that even Earthlings would know better.
"Perhaps most to be dreaded is the spread of fire to the forest itself. This is something which, perhaps surprisingly to the mind of Earth, fills Goreans with great horror. It is not simply that there is great danger to the slaver themselves, in the shiftings and blazings of such a conflagration, but rather that the forest, the sheltering and beautiful forest, is felt as being injured. Goreans care for their world. They love the sky, the plains, the sea, the rain in the summer, the snow in the winter. They will sometimes stand and watch clouds. The movement of grass in the wind is very beautiful to them. More than one Gorean poet had sung of the leaf of a Tur tree. I have known warriors who cared for the beauty of small flowers. I personally would not care to be the man responsible for the destruction of a Gorean forest. It is not unknown for them to be hunted down and burned alive, their ashes scattered in expiation by mourning Goreans among the charred wood and blackened stumps." [Hunters of Gor].
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