The Voice of Gor

Gossiping in front of the House of Yuroki Bank in Ianda on the island of Landa. Right: Oysin, head of the green caste, and Rarius Yuroki (left), chief merchant.

Playing: DarkFire, Ambassador of the Kaissa Guild of Gor, versus Kjerulf, caste of players. Darkfire won.

1) Introduction: what is the Kaissa?

Kaissa is the Gorean word for “game”. It is a general term that can refer to any type of game but when it is used without qualification, it means only one game, Gorean chess. This is a game very similar to Earth chess though there are numerous differences as well. Kaissa is a very popular game and almost all civilized Goreans, of whatever caste, play. There are many Kaissa clubs and competitions. Lists of important competitions and tournaments are commonly kept in each city’s Cylinder of Documents. Most city libraries have many scrolls of Kaissa strategy and techniques.

Kaissa uses a red and yellow hundred-squared board, with ten ranks and ten files. This is opposed to the normal Earth chessboard of sixty-four squares with eight ranks and files. In Kaissa, there are twenty-two pieces to each side as opposed to sixteen in Earth chess. One side is yellow and the other is red.

Kaissa is played differently throughout Gor. Some cities use different pieces or similar pieces with different abilities. Eventually most cities accepted standard tournament rules, helping to unify and standardize play. These rules were agreed upon by the High Council of the Caste of Players and officially promulgated by the Merchant Caste in 10124 C.A. at the En’Kara fair. Standardized Kaissa may also be known as Merchant Kaissa, Player Kaissa or Kaissa of the En’Kara. Unfortunately, though much information is given about the game, the novels do not provide a complete set of rules for playing Kaissa.

In Torvaldsland, they play their own version of Kaissa. They have a great passion for the game, even greater than those in the south. They sometimes settle disputes over the Kaissa board rather than with weapons. Some pieces differ in their game. The Jarl, their most powerful piece and the Jarl’s Woman, more powerful than the Ubara, are used instead of an Ubar and Ubara. Instead of Tarnsmen there are two Axes. They have no Initiates but have Rune-Priests. They do not have Scribes but have a piece, the Singer, which moves similarly. Their Spearmen move identically as in the southern game. Instead of a Home Stone, there is a Lodge.

Slaves are not commonly permitted to play Kaissa. It is even illegal in some cities for slaves to play or even touch the pieces without permission. They could lose their hands or even be killed for such a violation. Free women also seem not to play Kaissa though there is no explicit prohibition in the books stating that they may not play. Assassin of Gor does make a brief reference that women do not play the game.

2) Southern version: the pieces

Ubar:
The Ubar is the most powerful piece on the board, and is situated on the back row. It can move, on the board, as far as the Player likes in any direction, so long as its way is not impeded by another piece.

Its loss does not constitute the end of the game, this only happens when the Homestone is taken.

Ubara:
The Ubara, situated on the back row on a square of her own colour, moves almost the same way as the Ubar, except for the fact that it is restricted to three squares in any direction, as long as it is not impeded by another piece in its way.

Tarnsman:
The Tarnsman, of which there are two, is another back row piece, and is the Ubar’s most probable right hand man. Its moves are three squares up and two over in any direction. These moves allow the Tarnsman to go over or around another piece, and to capture any piece belonging to an opponent.

The Tarnsman can also move one square in any direction, these moves do not allow it to capture any other piece.

Scribe:
The Scribe, two to each side, sit on the back row. It moves diagonally on its own colour in both directions, but is limited to five squares, as long as no one impedes its progress.

Builder:
The Builder, two per player, is another back row piece. It moves forward, backward and laterally in both directions, with no limit to the number of squares, so long as no one impedes its progress.

Initiate:
The Initiate is one of two pieces per player on the back row. It too, like the Scribe, moves diagonally, but has no limits to how many squares he can move, so long as its way is not impeded by another piece.

Spearman:
The Spearman is one of six each side, and is the main front row piece. It moves forward only and captures only on the diagonal. On the first move, the Spearman has the option of moving either one, two or three squares forward. After the Spearman’s first move it advances only one square at a time. A Spearman can be redeemed for another piece, either the Rider of the High Tharlarion or the Tarnsman: this happens when it has reached the opponent Player’s first rank and can move no further forward.

Rider of the High Tharlarion:
The Rider of the High Tharlarion is one of two pieces per player, and it flanks the six Spearmen on the front row. The Riders can move one square in any direction, as long as they are not impeded by another piece.

Assassin:
The Assassin, two per player, flank the two Riders of the High Tharlarion on the front row. The Assassins can move two squares in any direction forward, backward, laterally or diagonally, so long as they are not impeded by another piece.

Homestone:
The Homestone is the most important piece of the game. It does not start on the board, but each Player must place it on the board by the tenth move. The placement of the Homestone constitutes a movement on its own. If the Homestone isn’t placed on or before the tenth move, the game is over and the other Player will win the match. The aim of the game is to take your opponent’s Homestone without losing your own. The game is over when one or the other Homestone is taken, or one Player resigns, or a draw is accepted. The Homestone has the ability to move one square in any unimpeded direction. It does not, however, have the right to capture other pieces. The placement of the Homestone on the board is your own and your opponent’s choice. The Homestone must be placed on the first rank of one’s playing field, but it cannot be placed on an already occupied square.

3) Northern version: the pieces

Northern version is the Torvaldsland variation of the Southern Kaissa, where some of the pieces have different names and one (the Jarl’s Woman) is more powerful than the Southern version.
Here is a list of the different pieces between Northern and Southern versions:

– Jarl instead of Ubar
– Jarl’s Woman instead of Ubara (Jarl’s Woman is restricted to five cells in any direction, while Ubara is restricted to three)
– Axe instead of Tarnsman
– Singer instead of Scribe
– Rune Priest instead of Initiate
– Physician instead of Assassin
– Lodge instead of Homestone

“The fairs incidentally are governed by Merchant Law and supported by booth rents and taxes levied on the items exchanged. The commercial facilities of these fairs, from money changing to general banking, are the finest I know of on Gor, save those in Ar’s Street of Coins, and letters of credit are accepted and loans negotiated, though often at usurious rates, with what seems reckless indifference. Yet perhaps this is not so puzzling, for the Gorean cities will, within their own walls, enforce the Merchant Law when pertinent, even against their own citizens. If they did not, of course, the fairs would be closed to the citizens of that city.”
(“Priest-Kings of Gor” page 11)

“It is little wonder then that the cities of Gor support and welcome the fairs. Sometimes they provide a common ground on which territorial and commercial disputes may be amicably resolved without loss of honor, plenipotentiaries of warring cities having apparently met by accident among the silken pavilions.
Further, members of castes such as Physicians and Builders use the fairs for the dissemination of information and techniques among Caste Brothers, as is prescribed in their codes in spite of the fact that their respective cities may be hostile. And as might be expected members of the Caste of Scribes gather here to enter into dispute and examine and trade manuscripts.”
(“Priest-Kings of Gor” page 9)

“The fairs, too, however, have many other functions. For example, they serve as a scene of caste conventions, and as loci for the sharing of discoveries and research. It is here, for example, that physicians, and builders and artisans may meet and exchange ideas and techniques. It is here that Merchant Law is drafted and stabilized. It is here that songs are performed, and song dramas. Poets and musicians, and jugglers and magicians, vie for the attention of the crowds. Here one finds peddlers and great merchants. Some sell trinkets and others the notes of cities. It is here that the Gorean language tends to become standardized. These fairs constitute truce grounds. Men of warring cities may meet here without fear. Political negotiation and intrigue are rampant, too, generally secretly so, at the fairs. Peace and war, and arrangements and treaties, are not unoften determined in a pavillion within the precincts of the fairs.”
(“Beasts of Gor” page 44)

My men,” said the captain, “went to the Court of Assassins in Brundisium. Two had been hired, but they did not report back.”
“Nor will they,” said the stranger.
“That is known to me,” said the captain. “Their bodies were washed ashore.”
“You are in danger,” I said to the stranger. “The Assassins will come to avenge their own.”
“No,” said the captain, “at least not those of the Court of Brundisium, unless more coin is put forth. Vendetta is not their way. Their fellows took fee and failed to earn it. They are not to be avenged. They failed. They are disgraced. They are no longer of the Court.”
“Cineas,” said the stranger, “may not even know they failed.”
“He must know,” I said.
“In any event,” said the captain, “my men, amongst whom is Tatsu, perhaps known to Callias, for he was on the great ship, arranged certain matters with the Court of Assassins.”
“I know him,” said the stranger.
“What matters?” I asked the captain.
“Two of the black caste were hired to seek out Cineas, and slay him,” said the captain. “I do not think they have yet found him.”
“What was the fee?” asked the stranger.
“A silver tarsk, each,” said the captain.
(Mariners of Gor, Pages 501 – 502)

Goreans Portal Radio broadcasting from the main plaza of Ianda!

Free Companionship Ceremony of Nephtides na Neidos and Lady Belle from Teehra held by Serus, Initiate of Ianda.

The gates of Kasra – Fayeeen river by night.

[14:16] Sherman Easterwood: Rarius Yuroki, please honor Sabina with your vows.

[14:16] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): clears his throat and speaks in a formal tone
[14:16] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): I, Rarius Yuroki, claim you, Sabina, as my Free Companion. I vow to love, honor and protect you for as long as we both shall live. I have waited long for someone like you. When all was dark you came into my life and the sunshine returned. My love for you grows stronger with each day. As we take these first steps together, I see one set of footprints in the sand where there once was two. We are one, now and forever. My love for you, Sabina, will never die.

[14:16] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): removes a purple rose from the vase on the table and holds it out to Sabina

[14:17] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): Sabina, I present to you this purple rose as a symbol of the bonding of two of different castes. Me, merchant and once of the warriors, you of the merchant caste. I will honor your caste as I know you will honor mine. Accept this rose in the spirit of that union

[14:17] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) takes the rose from Rarius Yuroki with a smile behind her veils

[14:18] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) clears also her throat and answers: I accept this purple rose in the spirit of that union and promise to honor your caste as I know you will honor mine.

[14:18] Sherman Easterwood: Sabina, now please honor Rarius Yuroki with your vows.

[14:19] Sabina (Tremlays Resident): Just as I was about to resign myself to never knowing the joys of companionship, you came back into my life with just one tiny chance meeting. I vow from this day forward that I will honor your name, house, and being as your free companion. I promise to be always honest yet respectful with you. While I regret all those lost hours that we could have gotten to know each other in the past, I believe fate has given us another chance and I vow to never make following our hearts a regretable decision. I love you Rarius Yuroki and as we take these beginning steps in our combined paths, it is my solemn vow to take each step with you whenever I am permitted to.

[14:19] Sherman Easterwood: And now we will seal you union and your legal bond with the drinking of wine.
[14:20] Sherman Easterwood nods to Sabina to proceed

[14:21] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) turns to her protector, the Ubar, with a smile

[14:23] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) smile graces her red lips as she carefully gathers the length of silks to stand up, smoothing them down, making them presentable.
[14:24] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) turns on her heels with a gentle shift towards the golden chalice and bottle of kalana on the table.
[14:25] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) hands take the bottle with ease, peeling away the wax seal, prying the cork, and letting it release from the bottle without stress.
[14:25] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) tilts the chalice slightly as she begins to pour the Ka-la-na, the rich delicate ruby wine, with its fragrant bouquet permeating the area.
[14:25] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) twists the bottle so as to not let the last drop fall, settling the bottle back to its rightful place on the table.
[14:26] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) turns with the chalice held in a gentle grip and stands with the beautiful vessel supported with both hands.

[14:27] Sherman Easterwood takes the golden chalice from Sabina saying “Drink of this wine to seal your pledge.”

[14:28] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) raises the cup to her lips, takes a small, delicate sip and hands the chalice back to the Ubar

[14:28] Sherman Easterwood turns to Rarius Yuroki, and hands him the chalice. “Drink of this wine to seal your pledge.”

[14:28] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): raises the cup to his lips and drinks quickly and deeply of the wine, emptying the chalice and handing it back to the Ubar

[14:29] Sherman Easterwood takes the chalice and sits it aside and then clears his throat and says
[14:29] Sherman Easterwood: You each have a copy of your legal contract, and agree to the terms within it?
[14:29] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): yes
[14:30] Sabina (Tremlays Resident): Yes
[14:30] Sherman Easterwood: Raise your bond hands once more.

[14:30] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): raises the hand looking at Sabina

[14:31] Sherman Easterwood unbinds their hands, and taking a quill hands it to Sabina. “Please sign the contracts.”
[14:31] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) raises her hands to looking to Yuroki

[14:31] Sabina (Tremlays Resident) takes the quill, dips it in the blood wincing lightly and slowly signs her scrawling mark on each copy. She hands the quill to Rarius Yuroki.

[14:31] Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza): nods and takes the quill from Sabina, dipping it in the blood on his own palm, and signs his own flourishing mark on the copies too, handing the quill back to the Ubar

[14:32] Sherman Easterwood takes his dagger, makes a quick light cut in his own palm, and dipping the quill in it, signs the contract

[14:32] Sherman Easterwood: A copy of this contract will be stored in City of ianda on the Isle of Landa for any one to see who may question this Companionship

[14:33] Sherman Easterwood: Let no one come between these two, who are now as one, in the eyes of the Priest Kings and the laws of Gor. If you harm or dishonor one, you harm or dishonor both.

[14:33] Sherman Easterwood: Rarius Yuroki and Sabina, may your union be blessed and happy. I wish you peace, joy and bountiful love.

[14:34] Sherman Easterwood: I present to you the Free Companions, Rarius Yuroki and Lady Sabina!

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FREE COMPANIONSHIP

Rarius Yuroki (Yuroki Uriza), head of the merchant caste of Ianda, owner of the HoY Bank and Trading Company and
Lady Sabina (Tremlays Resident), Merchant Magistrate and Perfumer of Ianda

are pleased to announce

Their Free Companionship Ceremony

Third day of the fourth hand of the eight month of the year 10168 Contasta Ar
(Earth date: Friday, 3th of November 2017, 2pm SLT)

Courtroom of Administration Building

All are cordially invited.

Ianda on the isle of Landa