Laws of Cos

Tread light Traveler, for upon your entry onto the Island Ubarate of Cos You are asked, with Honor and Respect, to read these Rules and Guidelines. Let it be known that these rules and guidelines are for the Island Ubarate of Cos RP group's protection and will be enforced to the fullest extent of Gorean Law.

IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NO DEFENSE!

THE UBAR OF COS WILL AND DOES APPLY THE LAW WITHOUT REGARD FOR YOUR STATION, GENDER, OR PERSONAL AFFILIATION TO HIM.

CALL HIM A TYRANT IF YOU WISH, BUT IF YOU DO NOT BREAK THE LAWS, THEN YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

 

 

 

HOME STONE, ISLE AND MILITARY LAWS

 

 

 

"Absolutely no unregistered Assassins will be honored here on Cos. No exceptions. The only Assassins' Caste that is recognized is the Black Caste."

 

I. The Dominion of the Ubarate of Cos

 "A city's laws extend no further than its walls, and if claim is staked beyond city walls, it is only as effective as one's own military force." - The Cos Ubarate is an island, NOT A CITY; and therefore claims its rightful dominion over the entire island, including the Cosian cities of Jad, Selnar, Temos and Telnus, the Isle named Peril Island, the Islands of the Archipelago extending Var from Cos' shores, and the sea-ways surrounding the island. Cosian waters extend 100 pasangs out into Thassa. This dominion is maintained by the use of military force, including its naval, ground and air forces.

 

II. The Home Stone of Cos

Desecration or Theft of the reverent Home Stone of Cos, its Cities, or those of individual Houses shall be punished by Torture and Death by boiling oil.

 

III. Administrator's Rights

Each Cosian City Administrator shall enforce his own city laws. In the absence of a Administrator, it is the Ubar's Law that shall be enforced by the Ubar's En'Sword and Se' Sword until the Administrator's return to the city or the appointment of a new Administrator.

 

IV. City Guards

An attack on any city guards is an attack on the Ubar himself, and is punishable by enslavement, imprisonment and/or death at the Ubar's discretion, without trial. See Law XVI, Acts of Treason.

 

V. Entertainers Caste

'Players, Poets, Singers, Entertainers and Musicians may freely enter a city'. However this does not mean that they can be Lawless upon the Isle of Cos. Any player, poet, singer, entertainer or musician who breaks the laws of the cities or of the Island shall be punished according to the Law and/or banished at the Ubar's discretion. No Player, Musician, Poet or Singer may be enslaved within city limits. However, they can still be arrested, imprisoned, tortured and executed. They are simply immune from enslavement.

 

VI. Protection of Cos

Cosian protection extends only to her shores and surrounding waters. Any who depart Cosian waters are warned that they are no longer under the protection of the Cos Ubarate. The Ubarate claims the waters of Thassa extending out 100 pasangs from Cos' shores.

 

VII. Theft

Theft is a serious crime. Those Free persons who commit Theft upon other Free Persons will be subject to trial and punishment; punishment that is set forth by the old chronicles of Gor for all Free persons. Any slave that commits Theft upon a Free Person shall be put to Death. (See Laws governing Slaves on the Isle of Cos)

 

VIII. The Drawing of Steel

If any Free Man draws steel on another Free Man, the implication stands that he intends to use that steel. The one who it is drawn upon at that time has the right to draw his own steel and deal with the matter at hand. If it is a death match (DM), the Man who lives is given all properties owned by the deceased, if and only if, his opponent dies in dishonor. The simple losing of a death match does not constitute dishonor. If the match proves to be one of dishonor, then the Man who has shown no honor will die a dishonorable death on the Thassa. The Ubar has the right to nullify any claims.

 

IX. Treatment of Enemies

Any non-Allied fleet that enters Cosian waters without invite or permission from the Cos Ubarate constitutes an intent of War and shall be destroyed on sight. Any enemy that is captured by the Ubarate will be ransomed, enslaved or executed as appropriate.

 

X. Religious Matters

Any crimes concerning religious matters (Heresy, desecration or destruction of Temples, holy sites) shall be handled by the Initiate Caste. In such event that the Initiates are not available or cannot be located, religious matters shall be handled by the Ubar or the Magistrate of the Isle of Cos.

 

XI. The High Council of Cos

The High Council of Cos shall meet once each turning (once every 3 mun months, or more often in even of emergency). Any proposals shall be voted upon at that time. Any legal citizen of Cos may submit a proposal to the High Council. However, to maintain integrity of the Isle, it is the Ubar Lucien Iteratus that possesses veto rights over any passed proposal. The High Council of Cos consists of: The High Initiate, the En'Scribe, the En'Builder, the En'Physician, and the En'Sword. The Administrators of the Cities of the Ubarate sit on the High Council in Advisory Roles. There may be special seats granted to those not of the above listed castes, with High Council approval. Currently special seat has been granted to the En'Merchant of Cos. The Council presides under the leadership of the Ubar.

 

XII. Ubar's Appointment of Administrators

The Administrators of the Four Cities of the Ubarate are appointed by the Ubar. It is the Ubar's discretion to appoint or remove any Administrator for any reason.

 

XIII. Administrator's Appointment of En's of the Cities of Cos

The Administrators of the Four Cities of the Ubarate have discretion to appoint the En's of their Cities. It is the Administrators' discretion to appoint or remove any En of their Cities. Only the Ubar himself can override the decision of the Administrators.

 

XIV. Ubar's Appointment of En's of the Ubarate

The En's of the Isle are appointees of the Ubar, and will have discretion to run their individual castes on the Isle.

 

XV. Expectations of Warriors in Time of War

If the Ubar, in times of active combat, calls forth the Warriors of the Isle, then any Warrior that refuses to fight without just cause, or abandons his fellow Warriors in battle shall be immediately put to death. Death before Dishonor (unless Real Time commitments are evident, in which case the Mun should write the Ubar's Mun to inform him.)

 

XVI. Acts of Treason 

The following crimes constitute an act of Treason and are punished by Death or Torture and Death. This list includes but is not limited to:

- Theft or desecration of the Home Stone of Cos, its Cities or the Houses of the Ubarate;

- Theft of city and isle maps for the purpose of smuggling to hostile parties;

-Removal of city or isle maps from Cos;

- Abandonment of the Island to swear to a Home Stone elsewhere, oaths to one's Home Stone should not be entered into lightly. If one cannot commit to a lifelong oath, then do not make the oath.;

- Making copies of any municipal key without permission of the Ubar;

- Forgery, use, or wearing of the Ubar's seal, standard, crest or insignia or that of his family or any of the cities of Jad, Selnar, Temos or Telnus;

- Distribution, forgery, or flying of the insignia flag of the Cos Ubarate to any naval force not of the Cos Ubarate;

- Refusal of any Warrior to fight during times of War;

- Any attempt to usurp or to harm the Ubar, his family members, or the Administrators of the cities and their family members;

- Attempts to infiltrate the isle, the cities, or the courts of the Ubar and his Administrators with intent to garner strategic information for non-Allied parties;

- Refusal to acknowledge the Ubar of Cos, Lucien Iteratus, as rightful Ubar of the isle and its cities and waters;

- The furnishing and/or distribution of any Cosian legal document or military plan to any entity outside of the Cos Ubarate without written permission from the Ubar;

- Abduction of any blood or adopted relative of the Ubar of Cos or his Administrators.

- Impersonating a city or Ubarate palace guard or any other military officer or official of Cos or her Allies.

 

XVII. Insignias, Emblems, Seals, Etc.

All Business, Family, and House seals, crests, emblems and insignia of Citizens of Cos must be registered with the Magistrate of Cos for identification purposes and to prevent forgery of said devices by others.

 

XV. Beasts of War

Tarns, Sleen and other beasts of War upon the Isle must be properly secured, housed and restrained at all times. Failure or neglect to do so, which causes Death to any free person Citizen, child or Visitor of Cos by said animals, will result in trial of the animal(s) Handler/Owner and sentencing for Murder, if found guilty.

 

XVIII. Behavior Towards Allies

All visiting Allies to the isle and their citizens shall be treated with proper respect and courtesy by all citizens, visitors and slaves of Cos.

 

XIX. Dispute Resolution 

All problems and disputes are to be reported to the Ubar, who may choose to rule upon the matter himself or submit the matter to the High Council. A full and accurate account (log preferred) must be made available to the Ubar, if requested. In matters of issues with slaves, the matter will be given to the slave's Owner as it is not an Ubarate issue. (See Grievance Procedure under OOC Guidelines)

 

XX. Ownership of Property

Only Citizens and those sworn to the Home Stone of Cos may own property on the Island, unless exception is granted by the Ubar himself.

 

LAWS GOVERNING CITIZENSHIP AND VISITORS TO THE ISLE

 

LAWS GOVERNING ALL CITIZENS

Each and every citizen is expected to owe their allegiance to the Ubar, their City and their Isle, and to work at supporting the Isle of Cos.

I. Expectations of the Citizenry:

Loyalty, respect, and pride: All citizens of Cos shall be loyal to Cos, their caste, and their house. All of Cos shall proudly proclaim "HAIL COS!"; loyalty to the Home Stone is paramount. No Citizen of Cos is to bring dishonor upon the home stone by their actions.

 

II. Obtaining Citizenship within the Cos Ubarate:

“Young men and women of the city, when coming of age, participate in a ceremony which involves the swearing of oaths, and the sharing of bread, fire and salt. In this ceremony the Home Stone of the city is held by each young person and kissed. Only then are the laurel wreath and the mantle of citizenship conferred. This is a moment no young person of Ar forgets. The youth of Earth have no Home Stone. Citizenship, interestingly, in most Gorean cities is conferred only upon the coming of age, and only after certain examinations are passed. Further, the youth of Gor, in most cities, must be vouched for by citizens of the city, not related in blood to him, and be questioned before a committee of citizens, intent upon determining his worthiness or lack thereof to take the Home Stone of the city as his own. Citizenship in most Gorean communities is not something accrued in virtue of the accident of birth but earned by virtue of intent and application. The sharing of a Home Stone is no light thing in a Gorean city.”

Slave Girl of Gor, Page 394

IIa: The applicant must complete a waiting period of eight (8) moons (2 mun months of ACTIVE role play within the group. Active role play is defined under OOC guidelines of the group.)

IIb. The applicant must obtain a Sponsor to vouch for their desire to swear to the Ubarate. This sponsor must be a Citizen of the Ubarate.

IIc: The applicant must have read and be knowledgeable of the Ubarate Scrolls (this website) and the scrolls of the City they intend to live in (the City websites of Jad, Selnar, Telnus, Temos, or Peril Island).

IId. The applicant must have read and be knowledgeable of Scroll 42 of the Gorean Education Scrolls written by Ubar Luther.

IIe. The applicant must complete the below listed application and submit it to the Ubar of Cos, Lucien Iteratus.

Name (and Screen Name):

Age:

Sponsor's name:

Prior Home Stone:

If you have previously sworn to another Home Stone, please explain why you are not honoring that Oath, and why the Ubarate of Cos can trust that you WILL honor the oath you wish to pledge.:

Caste (Is your character registered? If so, which registry, and what was the acceptance date?):

Have you complied with all the Requirements of Citizenship?:

Why do you wish to become a Citizen of the Ubarate of Cos?:

What will the Ubarate of Cos gain by your citizenship?:

IIf. The applicant and their sponsor must be interviewed before a body of Citizens which includes the following: The Ubar, Lucien Iteratus; the Administrator of the City that the person wishes to be a citizen of; the Cosian Caste leader of said City; and if available, the oldest male of the House said applicant wishes to join.

IIg. Once all requirements are met, a legal Citizen of Cos must stand up and vouch for the applicant at the time of the swearing-in ceremony.

IIh. If the applicant is a male member of the Warriors' Caste, he will be expected to swear sword loyalty to the Ubar at the time of his swearing-in ceremony.

 

III. Requirements of those Born of Cos or to Cosian Citizens

The nonperformance of the citizenship ceremony, within one year of reaching the age of intellectual maturity of 17 years, is punishable by expulsion from the city. This applies only to those individuals born within the Isle or born to citizens of the Isle. At the time of maturity, the eldest male member of said new citizen's family will vouch for the person before the Ubar, the Administrator of the city they reside in, and the eldest Cosian Caste member of the Caste that the young person was born into. After approval, the young free person will then be sworn to the home stone. The procedure for such is listed above in Article II.

 

IV. Retaining Citizenship Rights

Retaining one's citizenship is contingent upon attending the important public ceremonies and assemblies and contributing to the welfare and good of the Isle through the practice of their Caste and/or profession. Citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and thus it must be earned. Failure to attend at least four (4) ceremonies or assemblies in four (4) Gorean years (1 mun year) will result in the offending Citizen being stripped of their Citizenship with the Ubarate. Records will be kept.

 

V. Pilgrimage to the Sardars

Every Cosian citizen must journey, at least once, to the Sardar Mountains before they reach twenty-five years of age. The Initiates keep track of who attends and they have decreed that misfortunes hit a city if their youth avoid this solemn obligation.

 

VI. Refusal to Perform Caste Duties

Any Citizen of Cos who refuses to practice their livelihood or Caste Duties, or strives to alter their caste without the consent of the Ubar of Cos is an outlaw and subject to impalement.

 

VII. Change of Caste Procedure

A Citizen of Cos may petition the Ubar, his/her Administrator and the High Council for a change of Caste. Reasonable cause must be given, at which time said citizen will be interviewed by the Ubar, the citizen's City Administrator, the High Council, a representative member of the Caste that the citizen wishes to join, and a member of the Caste that th citizen wishes to leave. If approved, the citizen may then legally change Castes.

 

VII. Patents and Copyrights

Any citizen may obtain and register a Patent or Copyright with the Magistrate of Cos, contingent upon the Ubar's final approval. However, that copyright or patent's power extends only as far as Cos's shoreline and waters.

 

VIII. Laws regarding Minors

No male child on the Isle of Cos under the age of 18 years will own or put to use any slave. Upon gaining his 18th year, then the young man can obtain his first slave, if he is a warrior, by the practice of "chain luck."

No free female child under the age of 18 years will be allowed to court or companion any man. Upon her 18th year, her guardian can then begin to negotiate contracts for her.

IX. Birth to Caste

Children are born into the Caste of their Father. This caste can only be changed by an approved raising of Caste or the taking of the Caste of one's Companion (for women only). No one will be allowed to lower caste.

 

 

 

LAWS OF COS FOR VISITORS

 

I. Entry to Cos

In times of active combat, any person who sets foot upon the isle of Cos without written permission is subject to impalement; and any ships who enter Cosian waters without invite or permission will be destroyed. Therefore, all Visitors to the Isle must obtain a valid guest pass from the Ubar, Lucien Iteratus, or the Administrators of the Cities of Cos, before docking, making landfall or setting foot upon the isle.

 

II. Adherence to Laws

All Visitors are immediately subject to, and responsible for, adhering to the Laws of Cos once they set foot upon the isle and for the duration of their stay. Likewise, all Visitors are under the protection of Cos during their stay, as long as they remain upon the isle or within her waters. That protection ends once said Visitor leaves Cosian waters.

 

III. Relenquishment of Weapons

All Visitors will immediately relinquish their weapons into the care of the Master at Arms for the City they are visiting. The weapons will be kept in a secured location until they are returned to the Visitor by order of the City Administrator or the Ubar or at the time of the Visitor's departure from Cos.

 

 

 

LAWS OF COS FOR FREE MEN

 

I. Expectations of Free Men

Free Men of the Isle of Cos are expected to know and uphold the laws of the Ubarate to the fullest extent of their ability. All Free Men are given a copy of the Laws when they arrive to Cos. Therefore ignorance is not an excuse.

 

II. Caste Registration

Free Men of the Isle holding positions as First, Second, or Third high ranking positions will be expected to register with their caste and/or sub caste.

 

III. Knowledge of Caste

All Free Men will be expected to know their caste rules, and will be expected to carry them out and practice their professions honorably.

 

IV. Theft

 No Free Man will engage in the theft of another Cosian's property. This law includes another man's slaves. Theft of another Free person's property will result in trial and punishment. Punishment will be as that set forth by the old chronicles of Gor for all free persons. If a man wishes the property of another, challenge for it, if they be warriors.

 

V. Expectations of Free Companions and Slave Owners

As Masters of the Isle, Men of Honor, the Men of Cos are expected to make sure their slaves are properly trained, and that their mates and those they are courting are fully aware of their expectations of them.

 

VI. Enslavement of Free Women

No Free Man will enslave a Cosian Free Woman without just cause. Free Men of the Isle finding a Free Women of the Isle to be conducting herself in a manner unbecoming a Free Woman and/or befitting the collar, will adhere to the following lawful process:

VI-1. Said Free Men will give a warning to the Free Woman informing her she is on the verge of being arrested. At which time, if said offense continues, that Free Man will arrest the Free Woman and turn her over to her House pending a trial

VI. 2 All evidence of offense will be turned over to the Courts of the Isle and the Ubar For statement of fact.

VI 2a. a log will be acceptable

VI-2b. or copy and paste

VI-3. Once the trial has been heard the Free Woman, if found guilty, will be stripped of all caste rights and the Free Man will be given one chance to respond to a writ of enslavement claiming her as his slave.

VI-3.a If the Free Man so deems, he does not wish her as his property he will turn the Free Woman over to the Isle to be trained by the Isle Slavers and prepared for sale on the auction block.

VI-4 All rulings are final and will be adhered to. [Whining mun consent will result in expulsion from the Isle and Isle ignore.]

 

VII. Abandonment of the Isle

Once a Free Man swears to the Home Stone of Cos, abandoning the isle to swear to a Home Stone elsewhere will result in an immediate finding of Treason.

 

VIII. Piracy

Cosian Free Men who perpetrate acts of Piracy upon Cosian fleet ships or her allies' fleets will be tried and sentenced for Treason and/or inciting war upon allied forces, if the attack was upon an Ally's fleet.

 

IX. Expectations during Active War

During times of active combat and strife regardless of rank or caste all able-bodied Free Men of Cos are expected to take up arms and fight in defense of the city if need be.

 

X. Conduct and Support of the Family

A Cosian Free Man will conduct his family life honorably and provide for his companion and children. The Isle of Cos is not responsible for supporting families.

 

XI. Debts

According to Gorean Law, if a Father cannot pay his debts, his daughter(s) will be enslaved to the Ubarate. Said daughter(s) will be seized and put up for sale at public auction. The proceeds of the sale will be used to equitably satisfy the creditors. Therefore, it is not advisable for any Cosian man to run up debts that cannot be repaid.

 

XII. Lawful Conduct when Traveling

When visiting the cities allied with Cos, as honorable Free Men, all are expected to conduct themselves lawfully.

 

XIII. Property of Others

Respect for the property of others. If a Free Man of Cos damages the property of another, he is expected to compensate the other in full or the matter will be brought before the Courts. If a Man's beasts are slain, one must compensate fully for the price of the beasts. If a Man's slave is slain or damaged, one must compensate for the cost. If a Man's white silk is opened by another, the one who opened the girl must compensate the owner. Although it is the Gorean way that any slave may be used for sexual gratification by any Free Man, it is expected that Free Men of Cos would respect his fellow Cosian's limits set for his own property. However, the only guaranteed way to keep a slave untouched by Men is by use of the chastity belt.

 

XIV. Warriors Caste Requirement

ALL Warriors on the Isle of Cos will register with one of the Caste Registries in order to gain recognized dicing. Failure to do so will be considered as failure to perform Caste Duties and will result in the stripping of the Scarlet from the Warrior and he being named Outlaw.

 

XV. Caste Expectations

All members of the Castes of Cos will work with the En's of their Caste and attend proper Caste meetings. Failure to do so will be considered failure to perform Caste Duties and will result of the stripping of Caste and being named Outlaw.

 

LAWS OF COS FOR FREE WOMEN

   

I. Accountability

Free Women, though free, are always accountable to Men, whether it be her Father, her brother, other male blood relatives or her Companion. If a Free Woman is alone, accountability falls to the head of her House. All Free Women of Cos are accountable for their actions upon Cos. In matters of self and home stone honor, they will be held accountable to the Ubar of Cos as well. Do not dishonor the home stone, or the Men who defend it with their lives, through disgraceful behavior and lack of respect.

 

II. Freedom of Speech and Action

Free Women are highly respected on Gor. However, Gor is a Man's world, and any freedoms granted again come with a price. While a free woman can speak as she wishes, she must be mindful that her freedoms are at the discretion of men.

 

III. Sexuality

Free Women do not openly show their sexual natures, to do so is to court a collar. Free Women of Cos are discouraged from public or outward signs of sexuality in any form; if they do, they shall be deemed fit for the collar.

 

IV. Island and City Guards

Free Women of Cos should always remember that they have the protection of the Island and City Guard. This protection however does not extend beyond Cosian waters. If a Free Woman of Cos leaves the isle and her waters, she is to have a male escort, or her guards with her at all times. The Isle of Cos will not pay a tarsk's ransom for a Free Woman's disregard of this Law.

 

V. Procedure in Event of Attack

High Caste Free Women will have guards placed with them at all times. If the Isle is attacked, all Free Women will be moved to the catacombs by rank of Caste. All inheritors (children) to Cos will be moved into the catacombs immediately. Rank and Caste have no bearing on the inheritors of Cos.

 

VI. Free Women's Apparel

Any Free Woman living as citizen of Cos, or visiting Cos may wear Robes of Concealment made of light weight fabric. She will be required to wear veils as appropriate. A Free Woman who walks outside their house without a veil is subject to collaring by the first Free Man who sees her. The only exceptions to this law are those women of Torvaldsland or of Plains descent who's customs require traditional attire. However, should these women become Citizens of Cos, they will be expected to dress appropriately to the Law.

 

VII. Enslavement and Conduct Unbefitting a Free Woman

Any Free Woman found to be engaging in conduct unbefitting a Free Woman and/or befitting the collar will be immediately arrested and placed on trial. If found guilty, she will be enslaved. [Logs will be accepted as proof]. Conducting unbefitting a Free Woman /befitting the collar includes, but is not limited to, the following, and may include the penalty brand depending upon the nature of the offense:

-- Acting in an overtly sexual manner in public.

-- Soliciting sexual activity in return for coin or favors.

-- Acting in a sexual manner towards any slave; couching another's slave. Any free woman who couches with another's slave or even prepares to do so, becomes a slave herself and becomes the slave of the male slave's Master. This is known as the "couching law."

-- Carrying weapons. (A FW of Cos may carry on her person a dagger or pins dipped in a sleeping potion so that she may escape from one who wishes to harm her. Weapons for the purpose of hunting do not apply, as some women hunt for entertainment.)

-- Leaving one's home without a veil.

-- Being found without the company of one's guards.

-- Fraud, theft, vagrancy, being indigent

--Repeatedly placing herself into situations in which a collar could be the result.

-- Engaging in sensuous dance in public.

 

VII-2 All evidence of said Free Woman's offense will be turned over to the Administrator of her City and the Ubar of Cos for statement of fact.

VII-3. A full and accurate account of the transgression. [A log or copy/paste will be acceptable as proofs.]

VII-4. Once the trial has been heard the Free Woman if found guilty will be stripped of all Caste rights and the Free Man who has filed the charges against her will be given one chance to respond to a writ of enslavement claiming her as his slave.

VII-5. If the Free Man so deems he does not wish her as his property he will turn the Free Woman over to the Isle to be trained by the Isle Slavers and prepared for sale on the auction block.

VII-6 All court rulings are final and will be adhered to. [Crying/Whining of mun consent will result in expulsion from the Isle and Isle Ignore for inability to stay IC.]

 

VIII. Rite of Submission

If a Free Woman submits to be a slave to a specific Man, and that Man refuses the offer, she remains a slave, having renounced her freedom and is subject to capture by the first Free Man to collar her. If a Free woman submits to a warrior of any city, he has the choice to keep her as his slave, or kill her.

 

IX. Sale of A Free Woman's Children

No Free Woman of Cos is permitted to sell their child/children into slavery, no matter how deep in debt.

 

X. Debts

A Free Woman who cannot pay her debts will be enslaved. Under the Redemption Laws, any Free Man can pay her debts and thus would now own her, with the option to free her or keep her as his slave. If no one redeems her within a certain period, she will be sold to slavers to cover the cost of her debts.

 

XI. False Yielding

The crime of false yielding is a capital offense in Gorean Law and will punished as such.

 

XII. Women of the Physician's Caste

It is known that Free Women in the Physician's Caste cannot practice medicine until they have first bore two children. At age fifteen, free women place two bracelets on their left wrist. One is removed for each child that is born.

XIII. Expectations of Free Women of Cos

Free Women of Cos are encouraged to contribute to the betterment of the Ubarate in all things.

 

LAWS OF COS FOR FREE COMPANIONSHIP

 

I. Recognition

The only recognized form of legal joining between a Free Man and Free Woman on the Island Ubarate of Cos is the institution of Free Companionship. For the Free Companionship to be valid and legally binding, the Companionship Contract must be signed and witnessed and the Wine of Companionship must be shared between the parties. Companionship Ceremonies can be performed by the Ubar, the High Initiate, any other Initiate of the Ubarate, the En'Sword, or the Se'Sword. All Citizens are bound by this requirement.

II. Disputes

Disputes of Courtship of a Free Woman between the woman's Father or eldest male blood relative and a Free Man who wishes to court her, or between two Free Men should be settled between themselves in honorable duel. However if the matter remains unresolved it may be brought before the Ubar or the High Council for resolution, depending on the nature of the issue at hand.

 

III. Terms and Custody of Children

A Free Companionship between a Free Woman and Free Man lasts for a single year. (3 mun months.) If the contract is not renewed at the end of a year, then it is dissolved. A Free Woman does not change her name in a Free Companionship. In the event that the companionship is dissolved, the children born of the Companionship remain with the Mother until they are of the age of intellectual maturity;(age 7) at which time custody transfers to the Father, so that the children can be schooled in his Caste. An exception to this law is if the companionship contract states differently. If a case exists where a Father believes a Mother to be unfit, he may petition for custody of his children before the Ubar and the Courts.

 

 

LAWS OF COS FOR SLAVES

 

I. Slaves have no rights under the Law, they are property and own no possessions, not even their own lives or names. They may be killed or sold at any time at the whim of their owners. Anything the slave wears on her/his body is the property of the Owner.

"...In the eyes of Gorean law you are an animal. You have no name in your own right. You may be collared and leashed. You may be bought and sold, whipped, treated as the master pleases, disposed of as he sees fit. You have no rights whatsoever. Legally you have no more status than a tarsk or vulo. Legally, literally, you are an animal."

---Explorers of Gor, 32:316

 

II. No slave will touch coin or implements of discipline. If bidden to do so they will do so with her or his mouth, unless otherwise instructed by the slave's Master or Mistress. (Exception to this is the En'Safora of a house. She is able to touch said implements of punishment if her Master/ Mistress deem it so.)

 

III. No slave is permitted to touch scrolls or writing implements. (A slave may only touch said Items if she is doing scribe work for her Master/Mistress. Unless otherwise told she may by her owner.)

 

IV. Any slave who touches the weapon of a Free Person will be put to death. Any slave found with a weapon in their possession will be put to death with the exception of slave healers, kitchen slaves or pit slaves who may wield blades or weapons to perform the orders of their Master/Mistress.

 

V. Slaves may speak in 1st or 3rd person at the discretion of their Master/Mistress.

 

VI. All slaves are to understand their position and duties, and are to be educated in the ways of positions and pleasure before earning the privilege of red silk.

 

VIII. All slaves on Cos are required to request permission from the Free to enter or depart any room. Failure to do so will result in harsh punishment.

 

IX. All kajirae will be expected to learn at least one dance, three minimum for those whom are to serve in the Taverns or Paga Dens of Cos. The slave will be given a period of time to prepare and learn a dance and perform it before their Master, the Ubar and other Cosian Men.

 

X. It is illegal for slaves to play Kaissa or to even touch the game pieces. It is considered an insult to free men.

"...It had been argued that slaves had no right upon the Kaissa board. One might note also, in passing, that slaves are not permitted to play Kaissa. It is for free individuals...."

---Beasts of Gor, 3:43-44

 

XI. In any legal proceedings, the testimony of slaves may be taken by torture. This is solely in the discretion of the courts.

 

XII. If a slave's owner passes to the City of Dust, his/her slaves pass to his/her heirs or if the owner has no heirs, to the Ubarate.

 

XIII. Any slave who speaks of House, City or Isle issues, or gives away any information that may endanger the safety of said House, City or the Isle of Cos will be tortured and put to death. (Any slave caught spying on the free will be punished accordingly.)

 

XIV. Slaves are not permitted outside the gates of their owner's city (Jad, Telnus, Temos, or Selnar) unless accompanied by a free person.

 

XV. It is a capital offense for a slave to claim Caste or impersonate a free person. (If caught said slave will be impaled.)

"...Free men do not take it lightly that a Kajira would dare to don the garments of a free woman. This is regarded as an extremely serious offense, fit to be followed by terrible punishments. It can be worth the life of one to do so...."

---Slave Girl of Gor, 5:120

 

XVI. Any slave that enters a Temple defiles that Temple and will be put to death.

 

XVII. Any Cosian slave that attempts to escape will be hamstrung.

 

XVIII. Any free person may discipline an insolent or errant slave, even one who is in the least bit displeasing. If the slave is killed or injured, the free person need only pay compensation to the slave's master.

"Any free man may discipline an insolent or errant slave," I said, "even one who is the least bit displeasing, even one he might merely feel like disciplining. If she is killed, or injured, he need only pay compensation to her master, and that only if the master can be located within a specific amount of time and requests such compensation." In virtue of such customs and statutes the perfect discipline under which Gorean slaves are kept is maintained and guaranteed even when they are not within the direct purview of their masters or their appointed agents...."

---Players of Gor, 12:235

 

XIX. Any slave that strikes a Free person will be put to death.

 

XX. Freed slaves upon the Isle of Cos must possess explicit papers of manumission on their person at all times or they may be enslaved again without repercussion.

"A girl with pierced ears is, of course; either a slave or a former slave. If she is a former slave, her papers of manumission had best be in perfect order. More than one freed woman, because of pierced ears, has found herself again on the block, again reduced by strong men to the helpless state of bondage. Such a woman is usually, by intent, sold away from her city, delivered for a pittance to a foreign buyer.

My ears were not pierced, so I needed not fear that the piercing of my ears would betray me to the casual glance of a Gorean male as a slave girl. I was, however, branded. Gorean free women, no more than the free women of Earth, do not wear brands. Only slave girls, on Earth or Gor, are branded. On Earth, where slavery is practiced, commonly only troublesome girls are branded. On Gor, on the other hand, all slave girls are branded.

I did not think I could well escape with my brand. It marked me too well as a slave."

Slave Girl of Gor

 

XXI. Dishonesty will not be tolerated from slaves. If a slave is found being dishonest, the slave will be severely punished.

"The absolute truth must be spoken to a Gorean master. It is forbidden to a girl to hide her feelings."

---Captive of Gor, 16: 346

 

XXII. No Citizen of the Isle of Cos shall violate the Rights of a Master to punish His slave as He sees fit, if that slave is reserved to that Owner. If not, a punishment suited for that displeasure will be applied. There will be no cruelty done to slaves of Cos for minor infractions.

 

XXIII. Slaves are not permitted to build anything. That right is reserved for the Free only.

 

XXIV. No slave will be permitted to simply wander without a Guard present. (NO slave will leave the Island unless their owner is with them.)

 

XXV. Refusing to kneel to any free person is punishable by torture and death.

 

XXVI. Any slave that commits Theft upon a Free Person shall be put to death.

 

XXVII. No slave under the age of 18 years will be anything but white silk and will be belted. These slaves are NOT to be touched in any way that could be construed as of a sexual nature. Once the slave reaches 18 years, then they will be allowed to become red silk.

XXVIII. Ferals are to be killed on sight.

XXIX. Enslavement wipes clean a slave's past. They cannot be held responsible for any crimes they committed when they were free after a collar is placed on their throat. They also lose all rights of Home Stone.

 

 

 

LAW OF COS FOR SLAVERS

 

I. Slavers upon the Isle of Cos will follow their own Caste laws and adhere to the following:

a. No Free Woman of Cos will be enslaved without just cause. Slavers will consult the Laws concerning the collaring free women who merit the collar in the Articles of Laws for Free Men of Cos.

b. It is illegal to sell a slave as auburn haired if she is not so or white silk if she is not so. This constitutes fraud.

c. Forging or falsifying pedigree papers on any slave is considered one of the worst forms of fraud and will be punished accordingly.

d. By recommendation of Merchant Law, there are three standard marking places for brands upon slave flesh; on the left thigh, right thigh, and lower left abdomen.

 

 

 

LAWS OF COS FOR MERCHANTS

 

 

 

I. Each city on the Isle of Cos (Jad, Temos, Telnus and Selnar) has the Merchant's Foot and Stone located in the city's Central Cylinder for Merchants to verify their own personal measuring devices. It is every Merchant's responsibility to verify their measuring instruments before making any sale or conducting any business upon the Isle of Cos.

 

II. The Isle of Cos consults their own pricing guidelines for goods that are found below:

The Coinage Conversion for the Island Ubarate of Cos is as follows:

1 Copper Tarsk Bit = $2.50

1 Copper Tarsk = $20.00

1 Copper Tarn = $50.00

 1 Silver Tarsk = $2,000.00

 1 Gold Tarn = $20,000.00

1 Double Weight Gold Tarn = $40,000.00

 

III. A Merchant must become a sworn Citizen of the Isle of Cos before he or she can open a business upon the Isle; and this must be approved by the Ubar and by the Administrator of the City that he or she wishes to set up business in.

 

IV. Shaving or slicing off metal from any coin is considered to be theft and fraud. This debases the value of the coin and will be punished appropriately.

 

V. DEBTS: If a Merchant is unable to collect a debt from a citizen of Cos who owes him/her coin, that Merchant will petition the Magistrate of Cos, for arrest of said citizen so that a means to satisfy the debt can be achieved. The Merchant will be required to provide proofs, bills of sale or documentation of a loan in order for the arrest to be made. The citizen will then be brought before the Magistrate. The Ubar of Cos reserves the right of final judgement in such matters concerning his own Citizens.

 

VI. All Merchants are expected to conduct business according to the codes of Gorean Merchant Law while on the Isle of Cos.

VII.

All wages and prices are to be adjusted accordingly to remain within reasonable and realistic standards.

~QUOTES~

Young men and women of the city, when coming of age, participate in a ceremony which involves the swearing of oaths, and the sharing of bread. fire and salt. In this ceremony the Home Stone of the city is held by each young person and kissed. Only then are the laurel wreath and the mantle of citizenship conferred This is a moment no young person of Ar forgets. The youth of Earth have no Home Stone. Citizenship, interestingly, in most Gorean cities is conferred only upon the coming of age, and only after certain examinations are passed. Further, the youth of Gor, in most cities, must be vouched for by citizens of the city, not related in blood to him, and be questioned before a committee of citizens, intent upon determining his worthiness or lack thereof to take the Home Stone of the city as his own. Citizenship in most Gorean communities is not something accrued in virtue of the accident of birth but earned in virtue of intent and application. The sharing of a Home Stone is no light thing in a Gorean city. ---Slave Girl of Gor, p 394

Whereas there was a main common tongue on Gor, with apparently several related dialects or sub-languages, some of the Gorean languages bore in sound little resemblance to anything I had heard before, at least as languages; they resembled rather the cries of birds and the growls of animals; they were sounds I knew could not have been produced by a human throat. --Tarnsman of Gor, p 39

The Gorean girl is, even if free, accustomed to slavery; she will perhaps own one or more slaves herself; she knows that she is weaker than men and what this can mean; she knows that cities fall and caravans are plundered; she knows she might even, by a sufficiently bold warrior, be captured in her own quarters and, bound and hooded, be carried by tarnback over the walls of her own city. Moreover, even if she is never enslaved, she is familiar with the duties of slaves and what is expected of them; if she should be enslaved she will know, on the whole, what is expected of her, what is permitted her and what is not; moreover the Gorean girl is literally educated, fortunately or not, to the notion that it is of great importance to know how to please men; accordingly, even girls who will be free companions, and never slaves, learn the preparation and serving of exotic dishes, the arts of walking, and standing, and being beautiful, the care of a man's equipment, the love dances of their city, and so on. ... --Nomads of Gor, 8:63

On Gor a woman normally travels only with a suitable retinue of armed guards. Women, on this barbaric world, are often regarded, unfortunately, as little more than love prizes, the fruits of conquest and seizure. Too often they are seen less as persons, human beings with rights, individuals worthy of concern and regard than as potential pleasure slaves, silken, bangled prisoners, possible adornments to the pleasure gardens of their captors. .... --Outlaw of Gor, 6:50

"Gor," he said, "is the name of this world. In all the languages of this planet, the word means Home Stone." He paused, noting my lack of comprehension. "Home Stone," he repeated. "Simply that."

--Tarnsman of Gor, 2:26

"This is a great city," said Cabot, "and yet it is not loved. How many are there here who would die for this city? How many who would defend to the death its perimeters? How many who would submit to torture on its behalf?" "You're drunk," I said, smiling.

--Outlaw of Gor, 1:14-15

I think the explanation for the Gorean political arrangements and attitudes in the institution of the Home Stone. It is the Home Stone which, for the Gorean, marks the center. I think it is because of their Home Stones that the Gorean tends to think of territory as something from the inside out, so to speak, rather than from the outside in. Consider again the analogy of the circle. For the Gorean the Home Stone would mark the point of the circle's center. It is the Home Stone which, so to speak, determines the circle. There can be a point without a circle; but there can be no circle without its central point. But let me not try to speak of Home Stones. If you have a Home Stone, I need not speak. If you do not have a Home Stone, how could you understand what I might say?

--Fighting Slave of Gor, 11:144

"There is a saying on Gor, a saying whose origin is lost in the past of this strange planet, that one who speaks of Home Stones should stand, for matters of honor are here involved, and honor is respected in the barbaric codes of Gor."

Tarnsman of Gor, Page 27

“It is difficult to make clear to a non-Gorean the significance of the Home Stone, for the non-Gorean has never had a Home Stone, and thus cannot understand its meaning, its reality. I think that I shall not try to make clear what is the significance to a Gorean of the Home Stone. It would be difficult to put into words; indeed, it is perhaps impossible to put into words; I shall not try. I think this is one of the saddest things about the men of Earth, that they have no Home Stone.”

Slave Girl of Gor, Pages 213-214

“Young men and women of the city, when coming of age, participate in a ceremony which involves the swearing of oaths, and the sharing of bread, fire and salt. In this ceremony the Home Stone of the city is held by each young person and kissed. Only then are the laurel wreath and the mantle of citizenship conferred. This is a moment no young person of Ar forgets. The youth of Earth have no Home Stone. Citizenship, interestingly, in most Gorean cities is conferred only upon the coming of age, and only after certain examinations are passed. Further, the youth of Gor, in most cities, must be vouched for by citizens of the city, not related in blood to him, and be questioned before a committee of citizens, intent upon determining his worthiness or lack thereof to take the Home Stone of the city as his own. Citizenship in most Gorean communities is not something accrued in virtue of the accident of birth but earned by virtue of intent and application. The sharing of a Home Stone is no light thing in a Gorean city.”

Slave Girl of Gor, Page 394

“To claim a Home Stone as one’s own when it is not is a serious offense among Goreans.”

Slave Girl of Gor, Page 395

"You have much to learn of Gor," he said. "Yet there is a hierarchy of Home Stones, one might say, and two soldiers who would cut one another down with their steel blades for an acre of fertile ground would fight side by side to the death for the Home Stone of their village or of the city within whose ambit their village lies."

Tarnsman of Gor, Pages 26-27

“In Gorean law, Allegiances to a Home Stone, and not physical structures and locations, tend to define communities.”

Blood Brothers of Gor, Page 474

”He circled me, widely. “Beware,” he said, “I carry a Home Stone.” I stood back and made no move to draw my weapon. Though I was of the caste of warriors and he of peasants, and I armed and he carrying naught but a crude tool, I would not dispute his passage. One does not lightly dispute the passage of one who carries his Home Stone.”

Nomads of Gor, Page 1

“It has been broken,” said Tasdron. “No longer may it serve as a Home Stone.”

Guardsman of Gor, Page 271

”I think the explanation for the Gorean political arrangements and attitudes in the institution of the Home Stone. It is the Home Stone which, for the Gorean marks the center. I think it is because of their Home Stone that the Gorean tends to think of territory as something from the inside out, so to speak, rather than from the outside in. Consider again the analogy of the circle. For the Gorean the Home Stone would mark the point of the circle's center. It is the Home Stone which, so to speak, determines the circle. There can be a point without a circle,: but there can be no circle without its central point. But let me not try to speak of Home Stones. If you have a Home Stone, I need not speak. If you do not have a Home Stone, how could you understand, what I might say?”

Fighting Slave of Gor, Page 145

"Gor," he said, "is the name of this world. In all the languages of this planet, the word means Home Stone." He paused, noting my lack of comprehension. "Home Stone," he repeated. "Simply that. "In peasant villages on this world," he continued, "each hut was originally built around a flat stone which was placed in the center of the circular dwelling. It was carved with the family sign and was called the Home Stone. It was, so to speak, a symbol of sovereignty, or territory, and each peasant, m his own hut, was a sovereign." "Later," said my father, "Home Stones were used for villages, and later still for cities. The Home Stone of a village was always placed in the market; in a city, on the top of the highest tower. The Home Stone came naturally, in time, to acquire a mystique, and something of the same hot, sweet emotions as our native peoples of Earth feel toward their flags became invested in it." My father had risen to his feet and had begun to pace the room, and his eyes seemed strangely alive. In time I would come to understand more of what he felt. Indeed, there is a saying on Gor, a saying whose origin is lost in the past of this strange planet, that one who speaks of Home Stones should stand, for matters of honor are here involved, and honor is respected in the barbaric codes of Gor. "These stones," said my father, "are various, of different colors, shapes, and sizes, and many of them are intricately carved. Some of the largest cities have small, rather insignificant Home Stones, but of incredible antiquity, dating back to the time when the city was a village or only a mounted pride of warriors with no settled abode." My father paused at the narrow window in the circular room and looked out onto the hills beyond and fell silent. At last he spoke again. "Where a man sets his Home Stone, he claims, by law, that land for himself. Good land is protected only by the swords of the strongest owners in the vicinity." "Swords?" I asked. "Yes," said my father, as if there were nothing incredible in this admission. He smiled. "You have much to learn of Gor," he said. "Yet there is a hierarchy of Home Stones, one might say, and two soldiers who would cut one another down with their steel blades for an acre of fertile ground would fight side by side to the death for the Home Stone of their village or of the city within whose ambit their village lies."

Tarnsman of Gor, Pages 26-27

”Whereas I was of high caste and he was of low, yet in his own hut he would be, by the laws of Gor, a prince and sovereign, for then he would be in the place of his own Home Stone.”

Outlaw of Gor, Page 28

"Shall we fly?" I asked. "Not if we have a Home Stone," he said. I held up the rock. "Do we have a Home Stone?" I asked the men. "I will accept it as my Home Stone," said the slave boy, Fish. None of the men laughed. The first to accept the Home Stone of Port Kar was only a boy, and a slave. But he had spoken as a Ubar.’

Raiders of Gor, Pages 250 – 252

”Warriors, it is said in the codes, have a common Home Stone. Its name is battle.“

Renegades of Gor, Page 343

”Somewhere, hidden among their belongings, would be an obscure item, a seeming oddity, a stone. To look at it one might not know it from many other stones. And yet it was different from all other stones; it was special. I wondered about the Home Stones of Gor. Many seem small and quite plain. Yet for these stones, and on account of these stones, these seemingly inauspicious, simple objects, cities have been built, and burned, armies have clashed, strong men have wept, empires have risen and fallen.”

Magicians of Gor, Pages 485-486