| EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY THIS ALL STARTED AND HOW THE NAME SARDARIA CAME ABOUT |
"In all cultures there are the lonely ones, the solitary walkers, those who climb the mountains, and look upon the world, and wonder."Sardaria itself is a community of men and women sharing a belief in and commitment to a particular set of ideas and principles collected and commonly called Gorean Philosophy. This community is termed a "city" to reflect its relation to and interest in those cultures presented in the novels of John Norman, in particular the concept of a "Home Stone" upon which that community, like its fictional counterparts, is founded, and to which those who are a part of such a community are sworn. The word "city" in this way refers to this particular community and kind of community in a figurative sense, serving to create a certain impression through its use. Why that name... it's not in the books?- EXPLORERS OF GOR, Pg. 333
"Where there is beauty and friendship what more could one ask of a world. How grand and significant is such a place. What more justification could it require?"When the ideas that led to the creation of Sardaria were originally shared and discussed by the founding members, it was decided that the group should create its own name rather than use that of a location/people already presented in the books. While the city itself would be based totally upon the philosophy and culture that John Norman depicted, as accurately and realistically as could possibly be done, this new name was selected to better draw a clear line between the group that now is "Sardaria" and other people found online. In doing so, the first Sardarians in no way meant to imply that something needed to be added to the books, for the world and culture which is presented is rich and highly detailed enough for any, but the founding members did not feel they had the right to "lay claim" to a name they did not actually own, plus, they foresaw a number of problems resulting from such a claiming. If having selected "Ko-ro-ba" for example, a city found in the Gorean novels, how could they expect others who already professed to in some way be "of Ko-ro-ba" to suddenly renounce that name? And in not renouncing, such would obviously lead only to confusion with some people being a part of one Ko-ro-ba, while others would also be using that name while having nothing to do with said other group. This later proved to be even more of a problem when multiple "cities" of the same name began to sprout up in the same general online area, compounded by the "independents" who had always existed, claiming involvement in no structured group but freely exercising the use of the same identity. An equation whose sum is a combination of general confusion and bitter arguments, all best avoided in the first place. The name "Sardaria" was thus created to eliminate such problems, problems correctly anticipated as events involving other online groups have since shown, and because it was felt to be a bit presumptuous to claim sovereignty and sole rights to usage of something that only John Norman owns. As for any comment someone may have about realism, we see the name of a group being less important than its content, short of any feelings and loyalties that name might invoke in those sworn to it. Simply using a name found in the books is not at all an assurance that those using that name will come even close to being worthy of it. Often, the extent of knowledge some seem to have regarding the book city they claim as their own, is limited to how to spell its name properly, if even that. Quality is found within the pages of a book, not simply its title. Why create Sardaria in the first place, and how did it begin?- BEASTS OF GOR, Pg. 289
"'I think,' said Bila Huruma, 'it is better to build than it is to destroy.'Sardaria was created in response to a need for its existence, at least a need perceived and appreciated by those who have come to be a part of it. Its continued existence and growth seems to be a testament to the validity of this opinion. The City of Sardaria was started in January of 1998 by a group of individuals who sought to develop a new idea, one that was then new to online Gor, and one that has since become an often used/attempted construct - the development of an organized Gorean "city" through the Internet medium. The goal of this idea was to create a structured, realistic and consistent environment within which to explore the fictional world of Gor and the collected philosophy inherent to it. This basic purpose has remained the same throughout the life of Sardaria, though how it is sought to be achieved has changed and evolved with time, growing from a fictional online "city" into a community of real people dedicated to both it and each other. Originally, the first step taken towards these goals was to break away from the "Gor" that was then found primarily on, though not limited to, AOL. This separation was done in reaction to the condition of that medium at the time of the city's creation, along with the general representation of Gor found throughout the many online forums. The founders of Sardaria were simply tired of the inconsistency and blatant perversion of even the most basic and clearly defined ideas in the books, along with the extremely unstable environment that was then, and still is now, online Gor. Subsequently, they decided to remove themselves from this and build something new, something that would be a more suitable and congenial place for interaction, with the books providing the obvious basis for design and development, and the guidelines upon which things would be governed and built. This removal was not done as an insult to outsiders, but as a means to better facilitate the development of what was sought to be created. While its people might travel where they pleased, Sardaria itself began as an entity unto itself, with both access and membership limited to those accepted as citizens or property after careful consideration. It appeared obvious that it would be easier to focus on successfully developing the group and working out any internal problems it might have during its growth, if the potential for external problems, occurrences which are in no short supply online, was limited by shielding the city from those influences and elements which might promote them. This enabled the formation of a dedicated and loyal core of citizens to occur, upon which Sardaria has been able to rely for stability and continuance. Though critics claimed that removing the group from what those of Sardaria had begun to call "the commons" (the common public Gorean rooms of AOL), did little to help improve the condition of what was being left behind, it was decided that this was the best way to build a community with a strong foundation and shared vision. The first step in building something has to be the actual building of what it is you have designed or seek to attain. Anything else must come after this first step towards that single paramount goal has been achieved, otherwise you spread yourself too thin and blur the true focus of what it is that you are trying to create. Likewise, further complaints were directed at the city's custom of requiring those who wished to join the group to be "screened" prior to acceptance, along with the complete exclusion of outsiders from the city during its early days. While offensive to the sensibilities of some, however unfounded, these actions are no different from what any sensible person would do prior to allowing someone they do not know into their home as either welcome visitor or accepted addition. While practices such as these caused some outsiders to develop misconceptions about the city and what it stood for, and enabled detractors and imitators to spread rumors for the most part unchecked, it also caused those that were a part of Sardaria to forge a bond of loyalty to each other and to the city itself, allowing its strength to gradually grow from within. It is from this gradually developed strength that the city evolved into the community of people that it is today.
'Even though one's work may fall into ruin?' I inquired.
'Yes,' said Bila Huruma. 'Even though one's work may fall into ruin.'"- EXPLORERS OF GOR, Pg. 448
"Suppose an old order should collapse, or disintegrate, or be destroyed. What would be the nature of the new order? Surely it need not be built on the failed model of the old order. That was an experiment which was tested, and found wanting. It was a mistake. It did not work. What would the new order be like?"Sardaria was both AOL's first "organized city" and the beginning of that medium's movement towards "by the book" online interaction. (Others have since tried to claim this distinction but as they already know, Sardaria predates them all. Some of these individuals were associated with the city in some way at some time, and in seeking to use the title of Ubar or Administrator, imitated the design and intent of Sardaria and began their own groups, much like the flood of channels that hit IRC in 98' and 99' as everyone wanted to be an "OP." And again like on IRC, the vast majority of these groups had a short history, or have existed in little more than name. You can't build a strong community on just an empty title, channel, or website.) While adherence to the Gorean novels might seem a reasonable intention now, it was not at all popular when Sardaria started. Instead of being something respected at the time, it was a source of constant animosity towards the group and the changes it sought to enact. Many of the ideas now taken for granted on AOL (and in some cases elsewhere) were the subject of fierce arguments and prolonged confrontation when they were first instituted by Sardaria. Though these changes were done only within their own ranks, others not involved with the city fought the influence this subsequently had on the entire forum by attacking the source. In the end, such only served to fortify the conviction of the group, and the pages of the books showed what was Gorean and what was not.- VAGABONDS OF GOR, Pg. 119
"Why does the nibbling urt chatter and laugh at the larl? Is it because he himself is not a larl, or is it because he fears its paws?"Since inception, it has been the opinion of the community that others can do and say what they will, short of those things directly effecting the city in an unacceptable way. The concern of Sardaria is Sardaria, and while others may invest their energies in arguments and destructive endeavors, the city will focus on building and strengthening itself. Let others take however much or little from this example, we will not worry about how others live, but instead will proceed to do so ourselves. Past and Present- EXPLORERS OF GOR, Pg. 229
"The Gorean takes great care in building and workmanship. What he builds he expects men to use until the storms of time have worn it to dust."When Sardaria was started, its numbers included a mix of those interested in Gor as a form of lifestyle, and those wishing to play a game based on a popular science fiction series. Though most of those involved did not know each other, all came together at first with the shared desire to be a part of something which would be considered "true" to the world and ideas depicted in the novels, and would be populated with people who were mature, stable and honest in both their intentions and dealings. At that time, the design for this "thing" was just a collection of ideas and well founded motives with little actually agreed upon or established. While some definite goals and methods were considered from the very start, these few concepts were planned to be substantial enough to support what would be constructed through them, yet flexible enough to not be unnecessarily restrictive or conditioning. In this way, Sardaria was not populated after it was designed, but rather was designed in reaction to those who were already a part of it, being a reflection of the desires and beliefs of those most dedicated and committed to the city and its existence, with the primary directive and guideline being a conscious attempt to remain true to the philosophical concepts portrayed through the cultures and stories presented in the Gorean novels. This has resulted in the history of Sardaria being an ongoing evolution, with the change and growth of the city paralleling that of the people who are at its core. These changes have brought the city from what it once was to what it now is, and will undoubtedly lead to greater development in the future as is the nature of the community. The current manifestation of Sardaria is partially reflected in this website, which has been revised from the older version to better reflect what the group now is and has been for some time. This present condition and its goals can perhaps be best summarized in the following simple statement - "The creation of a Gorean community, existing and interacting both online and offline, built through the dedication and commitment of its citizens, and sworn to a living Home Stone." While Sardaria once was a large mix of lifestylers and gamers, in the time since its founding it has evolved into a collection of real people dedicated to one another and collected together to form a community whose purpose grows ever more justified and clear. This change was inevitable, due not only to the nature of the subject matter and the effect it has had on the lives of those who are a part (they being drawn to this all in the first place due to a personal attraction to the philosophical basis that Gor is modeled upon), but as a result of the time and effort expended in building what Sardaria now is. "Living together" and working together, quite literally, even if consisting primarily of online interaction, can only lead to those involved getting to know one another better, which then results in either camaraderie being developed, or those with different interests parting ways. Nothing of true substance and hoped for permanence can be founded upon falsehoods and fiction, at least not in terms of a community of the type suggested here. The foundation of something lasting must be built upon the people that constitute it, bound together by shared convictions and loyalty to one another, such that can only exist in real terms between real people.- OUTLAW OF GOR, Pg. 25
