Archive for the ‘Northern Gor’ Category
Road to Sardar
Monday, March 17th, 2025
“The road to the fair is our depiction of the hazards and risks of traveling to the fair. We have built a 3 sim wide area traveling from docks on the river near the Last Stop Inn up through hills and into the Sardar Mountains. As depicted in the books, there are dangers to be found along the road as outlaws, panthers, and even warriors seek to capture unsuspecting travelers. In the books, men were killed and women enslaved to be sold at the fair. In our depiction of the road to the fair, no one will be killed, but both men and women can be captured and potentially sold at auction at the fair or kept by their captors.”
Village of Skali
Sunday, March 16th, 2025
Torvaldsland ends near the frozen sea areas, at the lands of the Red Hunters. The men of Torvaldsland though sometimes have different ideas concerning the boundaries of Torvaldsland. They like to claim that their boundary encompasses anywhere that their ships land. Their ships have been known to journey as far south as Schendi and Bazi and as far west as Tyros and Cos.
Torvaldsland itself is a harsh and rocky land with many cliffs, inlets and mountains. Its geography resembles the Scandanavian countries of Earth. Arable soil is rare, found in thin patches and extremely valuable. Thus, most of their farms are very small. Due to the rarity of good land, communication between these isolated farms is often by sea in small boats.
The raiders of Torvaldsland often live within the hall of their Jarl. There are true halls and common halls, the former being for the wealthiest of Jarls such as Svein Blue Tooth. The primary difference between the halls is that the true hall is made of wood, a valuable commodity in the north. Timber is more often used to construct ships rather than halls. Thus, there are few true halls in Torvaldsland. One common custom, for both types of halls, is the greeting of a guest to the hall. The master of hall, garbed in his finery, will stand at the doorway into the hall holding a bowl of water and a towel. The guest will then wash his hand and face.
The common hall is a longhouse, about 125 feet long. Instead of being made of wood, the walls are made of turf and stone. The walls may be up to eight or more feet thick. The hall is oriented north to south so as to reduce the exposure to the biting north wind. At the center of the hall will be a rounded pit for a fire. Ventilation is supplied by narrow holes in the roof so the hall is often smoky. The hall is essentially a single room that serves as residence, dining room and sleeping area. The kitchen area is separated from this main room by a wooden partition. The roof is only about six feet high so most of the men must bend and stoop to walk around.
Down the length of the hall, in the center, there is a trench dug about a foot deep and twelve feet wide. In this trench are set tables and benches. There are also wooden posts here that help support the roof. The edges of the hall are the sleeping areas and stones mark off each person’s area. Each area is about eight feet long. At the edge of the sleeping area some logs that have iron bands around them. The bands have chains and iron fetters, used to secure female slaves. Windows are rare in these halls. If they do exist, they use the dried afterbirth membrane of a bosk fetus to cover the window.
Impressions from Torvaldsland
Friday, December 6th, 2024
Skerry of Var
Sunday, October 20th, 2024
Arriving at the port of Skerry of Var.
Torvaldsland! Thor’s Oath!
Saturday, August 26th, 2023
Torvaldsland – Inlet of Green Cliffs – Thor’s Oath
Hellvegen
Saturday, August 26th, 2023
Hellvegen, Torvaldsland
En’Kara Fair, final
Sunday, April 2nd, 2023
Gorm Runo
[13:04] Darius Wilberg: Tal Administrator
[13:04] Gorm Runo shouts: Ten days ago, we gathered at the Temple in front of the Sardar Mountains, to formally open En’kara23 and ask the blessings of the Priest-Kings on our efforts. It appears our prayers were answered as the Fair unfolded without major disruption, and our goals were mostly met to advance the entire SL community.
[13:04] Fidelio Matador: stands and salutes the Administrator
[13:04] Gorm Runo shouts: One of the things that has attracted me to Gor, and kept me fascinated over these many years is the tiered approach to our responsibilities. Even those communities that do not recognize “Home Stones” follow this approach.
[13:04] Gorm Runo shouts: It says that the most important Home Stone is our individual one. We are most responsible for ourselves, and those we care for. If all is not in order “at home”, we are no good to anyone else.
[13:05] Gorm Runo shouts: And when our own personal situation is under control , we turn to the next level. Our City, our Holding, or our Tribe. We are able now to accomplish something positive on that level.
[13:05] Gorm Runo shouts: And when our City, Holding, tribe, or group is doing well, we look to the final level. Gor. Which we are told means., Home Stone in all the known languages of the planet. We are all bound together in a common humanity. Marcus of Ar, many years ago, wrote an essay that suggested this idea. “When any of us improves in any way, the sum total improves, and the chances of our survival becomes better
[13:06] Gorm Runo shouts: “And when any of us grows weaker, the sum total is now weaker, and the chance of survival less.”
[13:06] Gorm Runo shouts: That is the true spirit of En’kara.
[13:06] Gorm Runo shouts: I would to begin the ceremony today by making two special awards. These awards do not have anything to do with this year’s Fair, but rather recognize the contributions of two leaders of our community.
[13:07] Gorm Runo shouts: We have chosen to call these awards, “Cornerstone of SL Gor awards, because Second Life Gor has been built on their work and their efforts, not over the last ten days, but for many years.
[13:07] Gorm Runo shouts: It is our hope that this award gets picked up by our friends in Genesian Port , as they assume the leadership role for next year., and becomes an En’kara tradition that will produce a sort of “SL Gor Hall of Fame” as the years go on
Lucy Bronet (left), Ubara of Olni
[13:07] Gorm Runo shouts: For our first CornerStone award, we have chosen a Free Woman of Gor. Next month, she will celebrate her 15th anniversary in Second Life. I have always considered the role of Gorean Free Woman as one of the hardest in our World. Over the years, very few have understood this role as well as our first awardee.
[13:08] Gorm Runo shouts: She has served our community as a sim administrator, and most importantly as a role model, and mentor , to a whole generation of Gorean role players. I can never recall a single instance when her name was not mentioned with the greatest respect and admiration.
[13:08] Gorm Runo shouts: I am pleased to award the first CornerStone of SL Gor award to the Lady Lucy Bronet of the city of Port Olni in gratitude for all the time and effort she has given to our community for those 15 years.
[13:08] Vαяη (varndavar.magic): >>>applause<<<
[13:12] Gorm Runo shouts: Our second CornerStone of SL Gor award goes to a man who, just before the Fair began, celebrated his 18th year in Second Life Gor. He was present when the very first Gorean sim was opened, and he picked up the pieces when it was destroyed after a short time. For years, and years, he has hosted the Wednesday discussion from Glorious Ar, and served as a moderator as well. Every other Friday night, he hosts a tournament at his city. For year , after year, and week after week, he has faithfully supported those activities, and been a beacon of Honor and Loyalty to all who know him.
[13:12] Gorm Runo shouts: I am pleased to award the CornerStone of SL Gor award to Fidelio Matador, the Administrator of Glorious Ar, and I am proud and humbled to say, my Friend.
[13:14] Fidelio Matador shouts: I am deeply touched to be so honored; however, in truth I would ask that you award this honor to another man who deserves it more.
[13:15] Fidelio Matador shouts: I refer to Scar Statosky, who has maintained not only a city but an active community in Ko-ro-ba for only a couple weeks shorter time than Ar. I honestly believe that Scar has done more for our community than I have, and I do not yet understand why the Hell his city has not come to this fair. I intend to find out. In the meanwhile, please respect my wish and award this honor to Scar in my place. Thanks! Over.
Nicholas Eel, Administrator of Sais (right)
Fairgoer Lady Luella, also director of the Oasis Dancers
[13:23] Gorm Runo shouts: Ok, now lets turn our attention to En’kara23. We had a couple of awards that were voted on by the attendees of the Fair.
[13:23] Gorm Runo shouts: The first is for “Friendliest Campsite” And the winner is.
Tarn Ridge!!
[13:24] Gorm Runo shouts: We were so pleased with the many rp stalls spread over the Fair this year. They added so much to the Fair experience. It was really a close race for the Best RP market stall, but the winner is Lady Sabine’s Perfumes,
[13:25] Gorm Runo shouts: Caste day, was a new idea for the Fair. Devoting one whole day to each Caste, allowed us to build just one “Caste tent” to help free up space, and help in the fight against lag. I was very pleased with the response of the Castes to this idea. I suspect next year, they will come even better organized and more prepared to highlight the advances, and issues of their Caste.
[13:25] Gorm Runo shouts: However, the winner for “Best Caste Day” presentation goes to the Physicians, Lady Agrika Carver HOC.
[13:27] Gorm Runo shouts: and our final people’s choice awards goes to the “Friendliest Fairgoer” I do not think this was even close. The winner was everywhere during these ten days, supporting, helping, and making people smile, while also had a lot of responsibilities as a member of the Fair Staff
[13:28] Gorm Runo shouts: The winner of the Friendliest Fairgoer goes to our own, Mews Lowell.
[13:29] Gorm Runo shouts: I had the honor of helping judge a building competition held by the Builders Caste. My thanks to Atticus, who served as our HOC for this.
[13:30] Gorm Runo shouts: With a score of 56, the diorama detailing The Marchers from Explorers of Gor, by Leelah, wins first place and a prize of 10,000L in store credit from Studio Skye.
[13:31] Gorm Runo shouts: Earlier in the week, the staff selected Lar-Torvis as the best campsite, (determined by the most visually welcoming and useful using the allotted prims) We have their trophy available now.
[13:32] Gorm Runo shouts: And our final award, and perhaps most prestigious of all, is the Spirit of Enkara23 award. It is awarded to the person who best embodies the En’kara spirit all week long.
The winner this year, certainly deserves it. He was everywhere, helping with everything all week. I never heard him say no, and his positive, “lets do it” attitude was infectious.
The winner this year, certainly deserves it. He was everywhere, helping with everything all week. I never heard him say no, and his positive, “lets do it” attitude was infectious.
[13:32] Gorm Runo shouts: I am pleased to award the Spirit of En’kara23 award to. drum roll
[13:33] Gorm Runo shouts: Halvard Raskstal of the City of Genesian Port!!
[13:36] MadShepard Fyrewik shouts: I have to give thanks to Administrator Gorm for trusting me with this immense project and showing faith when it got difficult…and to my girl Twinkie for every effort and tireless mile she ran to do everything I asked of her and more…and of course to Raven who worked consistently and constantly when others weren’t able…she stepped up when others couldn’t and has done so many things behind the scenes! Of course I also can’t go without mentioning the one who has been keeping the audio running through the various events and musical performances, our own GCR Station Manager, Elric Elvehjem, Thank you for Juggling all the Audibles this year once again! Also thank you Cole Cervantes who headed our Marshals and insured the peace was kept (probably one of the toughest jobs). I simply can’t thank you all enough!
[13:37] MadShepard Fyrewik shouts: I also want to acknowledge and thank every single fairgoer who attended this year for making it the most successful En’kara to date! Your stories in our rich culture are why this event happens and is the reason we do everything we can to make it the best we can make!
[13:38] MadShepard Fyrewik shouts: I think I’ve talked long enough and it’s time to pass the torch as they say, so once again I give you the Administrator of the Free port of Caer Cadarn, and En’kara 2023 Liaison Gorm Runo! We love you all and we can not wait to see you next year!
[13:38] Gorm Runo shouts: And now, I am going to declare En’kara23 officially closed, but in the spirit of what we hope to become a new tradition, I call upon the entire Second Life Gorean community to gather next spring here at the base of the Sardar mountains for En’kara24.
Northern Lights, revisited
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
Village of Helsund (Dorf Helsund, german BTB)
Northern Lights
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
Village of Fjell (Dorf Fjell, german BTB).
Gorean Panthers
Saturday, August 13th, 2022
Gorean Panther girls in their natural habit.
(Sim: Rive de Bois)