Harem of the Three Moons

Moon Shadow Oasis

History of The Harem of the Three Moons

The land you enter is known but to a few. It has never been mapped, as it is thought by those lacking true knowledge to not be worth the trouble. If one were to stand on a high vantage point at the southern end of the Voltai Mountain Range and peer to the west, seen would the great Gorean desert called Tahari. If one however were to turn and peer east, into the uncharted territory, another desert, more vast than the Tahari would be observed. Legend has it this land was never charted as it would be considered a waste of time. Neither man nor beast could survive living in such a desolate place. They were wrong.

The great un-named desert of the east, though harsh and unforgiving, hides secrets. For those who dare to venture and explore, the sand hides wealth. Great wealth in the form of rubies and sapphires abound. For those educated in the ways of this barren land, the desert also hides secrets for survival. Not just to survive, but to live and to prosper in uninterrupted peace and solitude.

Years ago, a group of prisoners were stripped of their tribal affiliation and ordered to be outcast into the great desert of the east. All knew this was a death sentence. A harsh, cruel death, but then that is the way of Gor. With certain death behind them, they put the mountains to their back and struck out across the waste to meet their doom. With no food or water, a few of the weaker ones did not survive the searing heat of the first day. When night fell and brought about the evening’s blessed coolness, all knew this was but a short reprieve as the next day’s heat would certainly deliver their deaths. But then…the moons began to rise.

First, the Great Moon in east and the more brilliant, but smaller moon, in the southeast rose together. Soon, the Great Moon’s little sister, the Prison Moon known to most, came following up from the horizon. A Man…the strongest of the group, rose in response. With his eyes on the Great Moon…he began to walk. A born leader, the others soon followed suit. They walked through the night, keeping the Great Moon in their eyes. When the Great Moon had reached it’s zenith, the group stopped walking. They needed to not walk any further. For, the Great Moon had led them to an Oasis, a secret Oasis where water, dates and wildlife flourished. The Great Moon had saved their lives, and led them home.

The group of former prisoners, both male and female had survived the night. They praised their leader and called him Ubar. The leader accepted the role, but refused the title of Ubar. He declared that none of the customs of Gor would defile their new home. At some point in time, though it is not clear when, the people began calling the leader Sultan. From the women, the men took brides who bore children. The early years were a struggle, but as time went on the Harem became larger and stronger. The Sultan developed a code of law and established a counsel he called the Divan. A new language was born.

The first Great Sultan grew old and died, but not before raising a wise and strong son to take his place. A cache of precious gems had been discovered and with the discovery, the new Sultan ordered forays to be made back to Gor. The rubies and sapphires were used there to purchase things that could not be found in the desert, such as fabric for tents….silk for fine clothing….and weapons. Herds of animals were brought back to the Harem and slaves. The wise Sultan knew that word would spread in Gor of a great tribe in the uncharted land, and visitors would soon come. Those visitors who chose to come in peace would be honored, and the Harem would in turn profit. Should any visitors however bring ill intent, they would be dealt with swiftly and harshly.

Thus, was the full birth of the Harem of the Three Moons.

The Naming of the Three Moons
Those members of The Harem of the Three Moons respect nature, and realize that without the combined effort of all living here, all would soon be consumed by the harsh surroundings. The surroundings though contain much beauty to the eye that wishes to see. The whisper of the desert breeze at night, brings cool relief and heightens the feel of warm flesh against your own, as the light of the three moons shine brightly in the heavens above.
West of the Voltai, the three moons are simply regarded as objects in the sky. Save for the smaller moon, referred there as the Prison Moon (a reason known to no living soul), they have not even been given proper names. Here, the moons are revered.

The Great Moon that rises in the east is called Badra Manar, which means full guiding light. The first settlers, outcasts from the west, followed Badra Manar in the cool of the night across the barren sands. Badra Manar shined it’s light on the hidden oasis that provided them life, and which is the precious secret of this Harem. The second moon, that which rises in the southeast…smaller than the great moon, but more brilliant, is named Bahiya. This name means radiant and beautiful. The smallest of the moons…that which rises behind her larger sister,…the one the Goreans call the “prison moon”, is known here as Safiyyah. This name simply means serenity, for the way it casts it’s soft misty glow. For the people of the Harem, Safiyyah is the favorite. A seeming outcast, yet each evening, there is Safiyyah…not competing with her larger, and more brilliant sisters…but, simply floating in the heavens above...in serene contentment…robed in her thin glowing mist…casting down a warm smile upon her people that admire her the most.

Come…enter our land and enjoy what we offer. Respect our laws, and you will be honored. Learn our traditions. Those traditions west of the Voltai, in some respects are similar here, but in many other respects are quite different. Leave Gorean traditions there. Learn our traditions. Obey our laws. Break them, and justice will be swift. Punishment will be severe. Disrespect of any member, or honored guest of this Harem is the greatest violation, and will be dealt with accordingly.

Structure of the Harem
Sultan:

The dwellers of the Harem survive under the guidance of the Great Sultan, a Man amongst Men, Feared and Trusted…Respected and Loved. Above all, the Sultan is the Supreme Leader. In all matters, His word is final. The Sultan approves all work performed in the Harem and appoints Leaders. He controls the Harem Warriors and trusts no One else in overseeing the Defense of the Harem, with the Exception of His First Sword. The Sultan oversees the Divan, a Counsel of Leaders, appointed to Their positions by the Sultan based on Their observed wisdom.

Divan:
The Divan is an appointed counsel of Free Men and Women that enact the law. They hear cases and decide upon the guilt or innocence of any law breaker. For those found guilty, a punishment is recommended to the Sultan. On matters of punishment, the Sultan has the final word. The law is harsh, but just. Those deemed to be lazy and noncontributing to the Harem are often cast out into the desert where survival is remote. The sands hide the white bleached bones of outcasts, or those foolish enough to cross the eastern desert alone and without a guide.

Valide Sultan:
During times when the Sultan is away, a Trusted Leader, usually a Member of the Divan is appointed Valide (or Vice) Sultan. The Valide Sultan assumes the duties of the Sultan, Shoulder to Shoulder with the Sultans First Sword (if One has been appointed). The Valide Sultan’s appointment is valid only until the Sultan returns. If the Sultan dies, and leaves no grown Heirs, the Valide Sultan will continue in the role of Valide Sultan, under the guidance of the Kadin, and only until, the Kadin takes Another, or the blood Heir of the Sultan has reached the age of accountability. Should the Kadin select a new Sultan. He may Name a new Valide or retain the One Who served the Former Sultan.

Sultans First Sword
The Sultans First Sword is considered to be His most Trusted Ally. He has the ear of the Sultan on all matters pretaining to the Defense and Running of the Harem. He aids in the planning of Defensive Strategies as well as providing the Harem with a Strong Chain of Warriors. In the event of the absence of the Sultan, He stands, Shoulder to Shoulder with the Valide Sultan (if One has been appointed). He assumes Equal Power only until the Sultan returns. In the event of the Sultans death, The Sultans First Sword shares Equally in the running of the Harem along side the Valide Sultan, under guidance by the Kadin, providing their is no grown Heir to accept the Title. Should the Kadin select a new Sultan. He may Name a new First Sword or retain the One Who served the Former Sultan.

Kadin:
The Kadin, by all customs and traditions of the Harem, is regarded as the Sultan’s wife. Unlike Gor, in the Harem, odalisques ( female indentured servants) can increase in stature. Those odalisques found to be of extraordinary beauty and talent are chosen to be lemari. Lemari “entertain” Harem guests and are an important source of wealth to the Harem. Those deemed most beautiful, talented and intelligent among the lemari are raised to the level of Sahar (favored lemari). The most elite of the Sahars will be presented to the Sultan, in the hope that one may capture His heart, and be asked to share His life as His Kadin. Although the Counsil of Oda makes the presentation of Sahars, the Sultan, being the Ruler of the Harem, may at any time choose His Kadin from those who have earned the position of Sahar. It has become legend amongst the Oasis, the Sultan will take no Kadin, unless she has become part of His soul. The Kadin, at this point is regarded as a free woman and is provided her own source of wealth and given her own odalisques. The Kadin is revered by the Sultan, and is therefore revered by the entire Harem. Most violations of law are brought before the Divan for a hearing. There is one exception. A foul word or ill action toward the Kadin brings instant death or banishment into the desert. A chief duty of the Kadin is oversight of the Counsel of Oda. Once a Kadin has been chosen by the Sultan, The sahars will then be open to collars by the Elite Warriors of the Harem. No sahar will be collared to any Master, against her will. For this is the way of the Harem.

Mistresses:
Mistresses are free women. The are descendants of the original Gorean outcasts who first settled the Oasis. They are placed in charge of critical Harem functions such as Mistress of the Robes, Mistress of the Baths, or the Keeper of Jewels, etc. The Mistresses come together in the Counsel of Oda (Court). During the counsel, they decide the function of the individual odalisques. Those not deemed worthy to become lemari are appointed other choirs, such as serving guests, serving in the kitchen, cleaning chambers, etc. The Mistresses appoint lemari, and from the lemari appoint sahars. The mistresses have the distinct honor to decide which sahar, if any, are deemed worthy to be presented to the Sultan for possible elevation to Kadin.

Counsel of Oda:
The Counsel of Oda is a gathering of the Mistresses for appointments within the women of the court. If the Kadin is present, she will preside over the Counsel. The Counsel of Oda, or the kadin who is a member of the Counsel of Oda, selects from the odalisques, those who will be trained for elevation to lemari. and those lemari worthy to become sahars. If a Kadin has not yet been chosen, or in the event of a Kadin’s death, the Counsel deems which sahar are worthy of presentation to the Sultan. The counsel also appoints each odalisque to the type of choirs they are to perform.

Sahar:
Sahars are accomplished lemari, deemed of the highest beauty, talent and intelligence. Their greatest ambition is to one day be presented to the Sultan in hopes of becoming his Kadin. They serve the Harem by training those odalisques that have been chosen by the Counsel to become lemari. If permission is granted by the Sultan, sahars may marry free men. If after five years of marriage and the free man remains pleased, sahars may become free women and thus able to serve as Mistresses.

Lemari:
The Counsel of Oda selects from the odalisques, those who will be elevated to lemari. Once selected, they are trained by the sahars in the art of music,poetry and the sexual gratification of men. The lemari are the heartbeat of the inner Harem. For visitors to travel the vast waste and to spend their silver, they must have a reason to begin the journey. The lemari are the reason. As such, the Sultan looks upon the lemari as his greatest treasure. Although indentured servants, their treatment in the Harem is vastly different than that of slaves in Gor. They are pampered, bathed, and are well fed. Anyone who raises their hand to a lemari is punished severely. The best lemari are selected by the counsel to be raised to sahar. If permission is granted by the Sultan, a lemari may marry a free man. If after seven years of marriage and the free man remains pleased, the lemari may become a free women and thus able to serve as a Mistress.

Odalisque:
Odalisque are female indentured servants. They are either purchased, or have traveled of their own free will to the Harem. All women who initially enter the Harem are considered Odalisque, unless considered as an honored guest of the Sultan, or born in the Harem to a free man and free woman. Any woman from the outside who desires to live and be part of the Harem, must enter servitude. Only descendants from the original outcasts who settled the Harem are considered free. The exception are the Kadin, and those Sahars and Lemari who were given permission to marry free men, and who have remained married to the satisfaction of their husbands for the required period of time. Once odalisques have been trained and have properly demonstrated the ability to serve and perform dance, the sahar/sahars shall notify the kadin...If the kadin agrees, the oda shall then presented to the Sultan for elevation to lemari. All other odalisques are appointed other duties around the Harem. An odalisque not chosen as a lemari must remain in servitude for 10 years before the Sultan will allow them to marry. They may marry a free man, or a tarq (male indentured servant)who has also remained in servitude for 10 years. Even upon entering marriage with a free man however, an odalisque will never be regarded as a free woman.

Tarqs:
Tarqs are male indentured servants that have been purchased, or have traveled to the Harem of their own free will and accord. Tarqs are appointed numerous responsibilities by the Counsel of Oda, or in some cases by the Sultan personally. They are used to accomplish various tasks in and around the Harem that require strength. Selected Tarqs are appointed by the Counsel of Oda to serve to the sexual needs of Mistresses and visiting Free Women. Tarqs trained in weapons, may serve as Harem guards. In addition, tarqs may be utilized by the sahars in the training of lemari. Tarqs who serve the Harem for 10 years, may be granted permission by the Sultan to marry. They may marry a Free Woman, or an odalisque who has also remained in servitude for 10 years. Even upon entering marriage with a free woman however, a tarq will never be regarded as a free man.

Free Men and Warriors:
Free Men of the Harem are descendents of the original outcasts that settled the Oasis. Free Men conduct business and establish trades at the discretion of the Sultan. Due to the proximity to Gor, Warriors are for the outer defense of the Harem. Warriors are Free Men, who are either descendents, or recruits from outside the Harem with the explicit permission of the Sultan. A warrior may only be appointed to a commanding rank if he is a descendant. The Sultan alone chooses who may be a warrior and makes the appointments within the warrior ranks.