Regions of Gor

Citizenship is an important part of life and daily interaction, even online. Often a Gorean will be asked what city/region he or she is from, which is the same thing as asking who one "shares a Home Stone" with. Those without a city are considered by most Goreans to be outlaws and therefore, enemies. Since many newcomers to Cyber Gor are understandably ill- informed about the various cities/regions of Gor, included here is a listing of some of the better known Gorean City-States and settlements, as well as their Earth equivalents to give you some idea of what each is like. Keep in mind that Gorean technology is far greater than that found on Earth during the period of classical antiquity; still, the equivalents are given just to give you some frame of reference upon which to base your choice of city and Home Stone. In addition, keep in mind that the city you choose may influence who your friends are, as well as those who are your enemies.

Anango: A large island not far from Schendi. Similar in some respects to 18th century Jamaica on Earth. Reputed to be the home of mythical "black wizards" though in actuality there is no magic on Gor.

Ar: This is the largest and most populous city on Gor. It is similar in many respects to the city of Rome upon ancient Earth. Citizens of Ar tend to be the most civilized and technologically developed of Goreans, and Ar is a cultural center for much of Gor, setting the prevaling fashions in many other cities. Ar is at war with its ancient enemy, the island Ubarate of Cos.

Argentum: Sister city to Tharna, and a producer of much of the silver mined on Gor. One of the "Silver-Cities" of the Gorean north. Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.

Brundisium: A large walled city, a saltwater port located south of the Vosk delta on the shores of Thassa. Its port facilities rival even those of Cos and Tyros, and much of the merchandise and supplies which are transported into the landlocked northern interior come through Brundisium. Through the treachery of her former Ubar, the city of Brundisium, though officially allied with Ar, served as the staging point for the great Cosian invasion of Ar which took place several years ago. Needless to say, Brundisium and Ar are no longer allies. Similar to any of the walled seaports of ancient Earth Greece.

Cos: An alliance of several cities which all exist on the island of Cos. It is known for its famous wines and its vast fleets of trading ships, as well as its imperialistic tendencies. It is at war with the city of Ar, and along with its ally the Ubarate of Tyros it is currently at war with the city of Port Kar. Similar in certain respects to the ancient Earth Minoan culture.

Kassau: A seaport in the far north, southwest of Torvaldsland. Though sharing a similar "Earth-nordic" culture with that place, it is far more cultured and civilized. A major trade center of the frigid northern climes of Gor. Similar to early medieval Copenhagen on Earth, or other Danish settlements of the same period.

Ko-Ro-Ba: Also known as "The Towers of the Morning," this city was once destroyed but has long since been rebuilt. It is a cultural center similar to Ar, but its citizenry is known for their fierce love of independence. The city produces many excellent Warriors. It is somewhat similar to the city of Athens during the Hellenistic Period of ancient Greech, on Earth. Ko-ro-ba is in a perpetual state of semi-war with the city of Treve.

Lara: Walled northern city-state, allied with Ko-ro-ba, which occupies the strategic juncture of the Vosk and Olni rivers. A freshwater port, it is otherwise typical of the mighty walled settlements of central civilized Gor. Known for its skilled Warriors, excellent sailors, and superbly trained slaves. Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.

Laura: A rough frontier town located on the Laurius River, upriver from Lydius. It serves as a staging point for the transport of bulk goods such as lumber and furs. A favored trade town for the various outlaws and woodsmen of the northern forests.

Lydius: A northern free port, neutrally aligned.revered by merchant law rather than by civil law, and loyal to no Ubarate. Located at the juncture of the Laurius River and Thassa (the sea). A large trade town, it handles much of the distribution of the raw materials harvested from the great Northern Forests, and is a major supply port for both northern and southern shipping.

Port Cos: A freshwater river port town on the Vosk, originally established as a river colony and tributory of the Ubarate of Cos. Recently it has split away from the Ubarate and follows its own political agenda, even allying with the enemies of Cos itself.

Port Kar: A port city located on the shores of the Tamber gulf, at the coastal edge of Thassa (the sea). Its precise location is open for conjecture, as it guards its privacy tenaciously. Surrounded on the landward side by the vast Vosk Delta Marshes, it is virtually inaccessible except by ship or tarnback. Known as a den of thieves and pirates, its raiding fleets are among the most feared upon Gor. Squalid and decadent, and often virtually lawless. Similar to the pirate cities of the Barbary coast during the Golden age of Piracy on Earth, and to Dakar on the Gold Coast of Africa during her slave trading heydey.

Port Olni: A large freshwater port on the Olni River, which is a tributory of the mighty Vosk river. Walled and well defended, it guards the mouth of the Olni where it joins the Vosk. A member of the Salerian Confederation.

Schendi: Mighty seaport/riverport which exists on the edge of the subequatorial rainforests and jungle regions of Gor. A free city, governed under merchant law. The primary city of the black tribesmen of Schendi, and home of the League of Black Slavers. Due to its strategic position at the mouth of the southern Cartius river, it is a major trade center for the various spices, raw materials and trade goods of the jungle regions. Similar in certain respects to the ancient capital of Ethiopia, and to other large african seaports of the same period on Earth.

Tabor: One of the other "exchange islands," south of Teletus. Also governed according to merchant law. A free port, allied to no city or Ubarate.

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.

Tharna: Once controlled by a a total gynocracy, it is still governed by a female ruler, or "Tatrix." The male portion of the population has long since regained control over the city, and with the exception of the Tatrix, Tharna is ruled almost entirely by men. There are few freewomen in the city of Tharna, the entire female population consisting almost completely of female slaves. Tharna, and its sister-city of Argentum to the south, are known for their silver mines and production of that metal. Tharnan Warriors can be distinguished by their blue helmets. Tharnan males are recognized by the two yellow cords they wear tucked in their belts, to bind slaves. Similar in some ways to the ancient Earth city of Carthage.

Thentis: A fortress city in the Mountains of Thentis. Possessed of some agriculture, particularly the export of wool from its goat-like mountain hurts and its export of beans used to make "Black Wine" (coffee). Also famed for its great Tarn flocks, which are indigenous to the Mountains of Thentis. Most of the tarns on Gor are bred here. Not currently at war with anyone, except perhaps the city of Treve. Similar to several Tyrolean mountain cities found in the southern alps in ancient Earth.

Ti: Walled river city situated on the Olni River north of Tharna. It is the seat of the Salerian Confederation, an alliance of four cities dedicated to the restriction of imperialism and piracy on the Olni River. Known for its superb Warriors. Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.

Tor: The largest and most populous of the desert city-states of Gor. Located in the far south, to the northeast of Turia, at the edge of the vast Tahari wasteland. It is a major trade center and the focal point of hundreds of desert caravan routes. It is also a cultural center for the tribesmen of the Tahari, providing the bulk of trade goods both to and from the desert regions. Similar in many respects to ancient Earth Baghdad.

Torcadino: A walled city-state not unlike Vonda. Recently served as a mercenary stronghold during the Ar/Cos conflict. Occupies a position of great strategic importance in the central north. Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.

Torvaldsland: Not actually a city, but a scattered group of settlements in the far north. Famous for its inhabitants, the Torvaldslanders, who are similar in most respects to Earth Vikings of the early medieval period. Known for its superb sailors and the rough mannerisms of its denizens.

Treve: A hidden city in the Voltai Mountains, accessible only by Tarnback. It has little or no agriculture, and exists solely through raiding and warfare. Known for its fierce independence, its love of warfare and its superb tarnsmen. Currently at war with practically everyone, notably the city of Ko-ro-ba. Many years ago it was the target of a retributory tarn strike by the forces of Ar, which turned out to be the largest and bloodiest tarn battle in the history of Gor, in which thousands of tarnsmen clashed in aerial battle for days. It ended in a draw... Ar did not pierce the defenses of Treve, but Treve suffered terrible casualties in fending them off. Neither side wishes to repeat the action, and Treve no longer raids the territories of Ar. Treve is similar in certain respects to the ancient Earth city of Sparta.

Turia: Often referred to as "the Ar of the south," it is the largest of the southern Gorean cities. A walled city of the southern coastal plains, it was once conquered by the Nomadic Tribes of the Wagon Peoples, but has long since been rebuilt. It is an opulant trade center similar in many ways to Constantinople on ancient Earth.

Tyros: An alliance of several cities which all exist on the island of Tyros. Known for its great fleets of raiding ships. Along with its ally the Ubarate of Cos it is currently at war with the city of Port Kar. Similar in certain respects to the ancient Earth island of Crete.

Victoria: A freshwater port on the Olni River, which is a tributory of the mighty Vosk river. A thriving river town which was instrumental in the defeat of the Vosk Pirates several years ago. A member of the Vosk League, 19 river towns united against river piracy on the Vosk.

Vonda: A fairly large port city on the Olni river, which took part in a disastrous territorial war against Ar several years ago. Now rebuilt, it is known for its production and training of male Gladitorial fighting slaves. It is therefore a large Gladitorial center. Free women are typically well-received there, and several of the training houses are owned by such free women. Similar to any of the walled city-states of ancient Earth Greece.