The Voice of Gor

Word spreads along the docks of Selnar like sparks on dry parchment – the Southern Trade Alliance vessel, Lysander, has slipped into port under a bright Imperial sun and now rests at anchor in the harbor.

No official announcement preceded it.
No courier rode ahead.
No herald arrived to prepare the city.

The Lysander simply appeared at dawn’s first light – its sails furled in disciplined lines, its sail marked with the familiar sigil of the Southern Trade Alliance.

Merchants gradually arrived and unloaded crates and barrels destined for the Lysander at the docks.

The Lysander is so huge that it doesn’t fit into the harbor of the Ubarate of Cos and therefore had to anchor in the outer harbor where the water is deep enough. On the second day, several merchants arrived by boat to inspect the ship.

On the evening of the second day, another ship arrived, the Mjollnir, belonging to the White Tarn Mines Company. The passengers and slaves soon rowed to the Lysander, as they too wanted to travel to the Pani Islands.

The mooring fee for the ship and the fee for stacking the crates and barrels at the docks was quite high. One had to pay two silver Tarsks – as much as a warrior’s monthly wage.

Meanwhile, the ship filled with passengers who spread out over the two decks below the main deck, in the cabins and in the hammocks. A member of the black caste appeared and spread fear, but fortunately it turned out that the man had been hired to protect the HoY Company, i.e., he was under contract.

In the evening, members of the white caste, including the Initiate from Isfahan and an Initiate from Selnar, bestowed blessings for the journey and wished the expedition good luck and success.

Shortly before dusk, the passengers gathered on deck and discussed what to do, as the captain had not yet arrived. Some knew how to sail a ship, but they were unsure of the exact direction.

It was decided to hoist the sails, weigh anchor, and slowly sail towards the Pani Islands, hoping that the missing captain would be able to find a fast sailing vessel in the port of Selnar to join the expedition.

As the last rays of the sun faded, the sails unfurled, displaying the proud symbol of the Southern Trade Alliance. They sailed out past the bustling port of Selnar, hoping the weather would be favorable for the expedition.

Soon night fell and the stars shone above the Lysander. A sailor’s voice could be heard singing a song and others joined in during the chorus.

Upon the Thassa, dark and wide,
where roaring winds take hold,
we cast our fate to wave and tide,
to waters deep and cold.
The timbers groan, the sail-cloth strains,
yet still we onward steer;
for every man of Gor remains
too proud to bow to fear.

Oh Thassa blue, oh Thassa gray,
your song is fierce and free.
We brave your wrath, we dare your might,
great ancient, endless sea!

A shadow circles round our keel,
a hunter of the deep.
The deck is slick with salt and steel,
and no man dares to sleep.
The storm above begins to roar,
it tears the sky apart;
but Gorean men endure far more –
with fire in every heart.

Oh Thassa blue, oh Thassa gray,
your song is fierce and free.
We brave your wrath, we dare your might,
great ancient, endless sea!

Through shattered clouds a pale star gleams,
a guide for those who roam.
It leads us past the Thassa’s schemes
and whispers, “Sail for home.”
Yet should her call return once more,
we’ll answer without shame;
for men who voyage out from Gor
are bound to sea and flame.

Oh Thassa blue, oh Thassa gray,
we heed your timeless plea.
When next you call, we sail again –
proud sons of Gor on sea!

A large group of armed men gathered yesterday in the main square of the Oasis of Lame Kaiila. They had responded to a call to track down and capture a band of outlaws who, according to caravan leaders from the Oasis of Klima, were hiding near the Exchange Point. Or perhaps near the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara; no one knew for sure.

Those who knew the area waited warily, fearing the dangers, especially the ever-present quicksand and the difficulty of attacking the exchange point should someone happen to be entrenched there.

The expedition was ill-fated from the very beginning. Everyone had hoped that Salt Ubar would send its elite troops, the Guards of the Dunes. But that didn’t happen. They waited in vain. Consequently, there was a lack of organization and experienced military leadership. The men began to grumble in frustration. One heard disrespectful remarks like, “He’s a man who values ​​comfort more than fighting,” or “He just sits in his palace and does nothing.”

At least the ruins of the Oasis of Mandala were reached without incident, and nobody got lost.

But when we reached the enormous rocks that protect the Oasis of Klima from the sandstorms, and passed the well-known rocky outcrop, what many had feared came to pass: the outlaws had prepared and ambushed the expedition.

There was great confusion, and no one knew who was friend or foe because, of course, everyone involved was masked for protection from the sand, and no one was giving proper orders. Unfortunately, all of us were hacked down, shot, and without exception, bound.

Fortunately, it turned out that the band of outlaws had arrived at the Exchange Point purely by chance and had no idea how to get back to an oasis or where the paths were. We pointed out to them that without the help of the locals, they would have perished miserably from thirst.

Someone offered to bring the outlaws back if they simply released the majority of the prisoners. There was supposedly a tunnel system near the ruins to bypass the quicksand. This was, of course, a trick and a lie, but the outlaws fell for it.

In the labyrinth, which had already been explored several times, they managed to lead the outlaws astray. And the few who reached the surface again wandered among the dunes. All the prisoners were freed. No one knows where the outlaws are now. But one cannot be sure that they are still near the ruins, because that is the only place with water.

The men blamed Salt Ubar for his shameful neglect of the dangers posed by outlaws and the safety of the caravans.

^{A caravan of Kaiila is being prepared in the Oasis to move to the Exchange Point of the Oasis of Klima.}

Urgent: A very large group of outlaws, including women, has been seen near the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara. They appear to be heading towards the Oasis of Klima’s Exchange Point. Perhaps they are simply lost and don’t know where they are. However, they have attacked a caravan.

The caravan leaders refuse to march to Klima as long as the area remains unsafe.

The Southern Trade Alliance (STA) is currently assembling the largest possible number of armed men. We need help!

All male members of the STA who are able to carry weapons are needed!

Next march to the Oasis of Klima: November 29 (Saturday) noon SLT / 8pm GMT, 21:00 GMT+1-german time)
Start main place Oasis of Lame Kaiila

The Southern Trade Alliance (STA) is currently building a huge ship capable of crossing the Thassa Ocean and reaching the Pani Islands.

It is said that there are very interesting, valuable, and rare items to be acquired there. STA merchants believe that the Pani could use salt and other goods from South Gor. This presents good prospects for trade.

The ship “Lysander” is currently in a secret shipyard near Selnar on Cos and is being outfitted with the necessary equipment. One shipyard worker managed to paint a picture of it. They are hoping for good weather for its imminent departure.

[For more information about the roleplay plot ask Rarius Yuroki.]

The last days of Imperial Ar IV… What a pity!

A slave auction was held at the Oasis of Lame Kaiila. Up for sale were slaves who had recently been abducted from Earth—from an island called “Cuba.” The Oasis’s lecture hall was packed to capacity; some attendees even had to stand. The event was a resounding success.

(Pictures from the roleplay plot “Voyage of Aquisition Nr.25 – Abduction from CUBA”, Oasis of Lame Kaiila, Screenshots: Ganima. More to follow.)

Teletus: The largest of the central “exchange islands,” governed not by civil authorities but rather according to merchant law. A free port allied to no city or Ubarate.

A slave curiously observes the Kaiila in the stable of the Oasis of Lame Kailla.