"As one that, through the haze of earthbound toil

Deafened by the cares which valour foil,

Confined by fate to bleak and wasted soil

Upon which every man forgets his name

And no man strives for honor, nor for fame

But lives his desperate days in idle shame

And such a one would yearn for Thassa's main,

Through salty lips, to breathe clean air again

So joyful, from the din of Earthly speech

Men turn, and see the stars, and feel the free

Shrill wind beyond the close of city-scape

And from their languid prisons seek escape

To hear like Thassa on a rocky shore

The surge and thunder of the words of Gor."

     Tal, Goreans. Once again I put pen to paper, or more accurately, I put fingers to keyboard, to share and debate whatever interesting findings I have dug up from those sweeping epics we all love, namely the Gor books.

     This week I have decided to take on a hotly debated subject, which I shall attempt to put to rest through pertinent explanations found in the 25 source books by John Norman.

GOR according to Norman

     This subject is quite near and dear to my heart (I suspect the same is true for most Gorean males), namely, what the heck is paga and where does it come from? Since our virtual environment is rather unfulfilling in regards to such matters as taste and texture, it seems appropriate that, since so many of us drink so much virtual paga, we should be well apprised of what it is we are actually drinking.

THE GREAT PAGA DEBATE

     Currently most Gorean websites describe paga as being "similar to Earth whiskey" or "strong and potent, like raw vodka." At one time the website of my own favorite tavern also described it as such, until the founder of that tavern and I, through much discourse, reached the conclusion that, due to the descriptions of it provided in the books, that it must actually be closer to Earth beer in taste and texture. It has also been described in many places on IRC as being "rancid and lumpy." But what is the truth, according to John Norman? I have gathered the following quotations for your perusal:

"I decided, if worse came to worst, that I could always go to a simple Paga Tavern where, if those of Tharna resembled those of Ko-ro-ba and Ar, one might, curled in a rug behind the low tables, unobtrusively spend the night for the price of a pot of Paga, a strong, fermented drink brewed from the yellow grains of Gor's staple crop, sa-Tarna, or Life-Daughter."

--p. 74, Outlaw of Gor

     Okay. So, according to Tarl, paga is both "strong" and "fermented." It also seems to be served in "pots." But it is not ONLY served in "pots."

"He leaned over and tossed me a skin bag of Paga , from which I took a long swig, then hurled it contemptously back into his arms. In a moment he had taken flight again, ... the bag of Paga flying behind him, dangling from its long straps."

--p.78, Tarnsman of Gor

     Aha! Now we know that paga is also carried about in skin bags, wineskins or "botas." Such skin bags are described further, and particularly large ones even have spigots for pouring:

"The drumhead is usually made of verrskin, as most often are wineskins."

--p.36, Vagabonds of Gor

"He came to me, bent over, tattered, swarthy, grinning up at me, the verrskin bag over his shoulder, the brass cups, a dozen of them, attached to shoulder straps and his belt, rattling and clinking... Without removing the bag from his shoulder, he filled the cup... The water flowed into the cup between a tiny vent-and-spigot device, which wastes little water, by reducing spillage, which was tied in and waxed into a hole left in the front left foreleg of the verrskin. The skins are carefully stripped and any rents in the skin are sewed up, the seams coated with wax. When the whole skin is thoroughly cleaned of filth and hair, straps are fastened to it, so that it might be conveniently carried on the shoulder, or over the back..."

--p.36, Tribesmen of Gor

     Now that we have determined that wineskins are commonly used on Gor, are made from verrskin, sealed and waxed to prevent leakage, and that paga is stored in them, what else can we learn about how paga is stored? We are told that paga is also served in large bottles:

"The proprietor, sweating, aproned, was tipping yet another great bottle of paga in its sling, filling cups, that they might be borne to the drinkers."

--p.105, Raiders of Gor

"I threw a silver tarsk, taken from what we had obtained from the slavers in the marsh, to the proprietor of the paga tavern, and took in return one of the huge bottles of paga, of the sort you put in a pouring sling..."

--p.111, Raiders of Gor

     Therefore, paga is also to be found stored in great bottles, equipped with carrying slings for ease of pouring. Such vessels can be found made from several substances, including clay, ceramic, and bronze, as below:

"`Paga!' called the standing man. `Paga!' A blonde girl, nude, with a string of pearls wound about her steel collar, ran to the table and, from the bronze vessel, on its strap, about her shoulder, poured paga into the goblet before the seated man. The fellow who stood by the table, scarcely noticing the girl, placed a tarsk-bit in her mouth, and she fled back to the counter where, under the eye of a paga attendant, she spit the coin into a copper bowl."

--p.78, Rogue of Gor

     It is also served in cups:

"Another girl ran to him, bearing a cup of paga."

--p.102, Raiders of Gor

"Samos put down a cup of paga."

--p.306, Raiders of Gor

     And goblets, some rather fancy:

"I thrust out the silver paga goblet, studded with rubies, and Telima, standing beside my thronelike chair, filled it."

--p.223, Raiders of Gor

"Many civilians, I believe, do not know why certain warriors, by habit, request their paga in metal goblets when dining in public houses."

--p.77, Renegades of Gor

[The reason, we are told, is that metal goblets are very effective weapons in a bar fight]

     And paga is even served in a "kantharos," or footed-bowl:

"She knelt near the table... and put the paga, in a small kantharos... before me."

---p.71, Renegades of Gor

[A kantharos is a bowl which is equipped with a single foot, or stem. It has a verticle handle on either side, like a sugar bowl. "Kantharos," by the way, is not a strictly Gorean word, but actually dates back to ancient Earth during the bronze age. Click HERE to view a picture of one.]

     It is also described as being served in glasses and plain clay (non-footed) bowls. So basically, we can just assume that paga is served in any handy container suitable for storing liquids, or commonly utilized for the act of drinking.

     How is it served, though? And what does it taste like? Well, it is sometimes served warm, as revealed below:

"`Your paga,' said the nude slave girl, who served me, her wrists chained. `It is warmed as you wished.'

  I took it from her, not even glancing upon her, and drained the goblet... I liked paga warm. One felt is so much the sooner that way."

--p.100, Raiders of Gor

     Not only is it sometimes served warm, some folks even prefer it to be served rather hot::

"The girls filled their vessels, which, like the hydria, or water vessel, are high-handled, for dipping, in a large kettle hung simmering over a fire near the entrance to the enclosure. Warm paga makes one drunk quicker, it is thought... Some Cosians tend to be fond of hot paga."

--p.16, Vagabonds of Gor

     In addition we discover that paga is not only fermented, it is "brewed." Nowhere in the books have I found any reference to regular paga being distilled. That seems to preclude any argument that paga is distilled like most hard liquors (whiskey and vodka, for instance). This is illustrated below:

"The beast returned from the cabinet with two glasses and a bottle.

'Is that not the paga of Ar?' I asked.

'Is it not one of your favorites?' he asked, 'See,' he said, 'It has the seal of the brewer, Temus.'"

--p.371, Beasts of Gor

     The above quote indicates that paga is also sealed for storage and shipping, and that certain brands and recipes are more popular than others, especially those brewed by such reknowned paga-brewers as the aforementioned "Temus." Can we therefore assume that, since paga is not distilled like whiskey or vodka, but is brewed or fermented like beer or ale, that paga is therefore more like beer than hard liquor?

     Perhaps... but then again, perhaps not. Its flavor and effect are repeatedly described as "fiery" and "burning":

"Before we set out we broke open the great bottle of paga, and Thurnock, Clitus and I clashed goblets and emptied them of their swirling fires. Then we forced each of the girls, choking and sputtering, to themselves upturn a goblet, swilling down as best they could the fiery draught."

--p.113, Raiders of Gor

"I threw down another burning swallow of paga."

--p.102, Raiders of Gor

     I have, in my life, sampled many, many different types of beer, ale, and mead, and I must admit I have yet to drink one which I would describe as "fiery" or "burning." Strong, thick, bitter, heavy, even plain awful... but never "fiery." When I think of "fiery, burning" liquor, I invariably think of hard liquors such as, you guessed it, whiskey and vodka. So how is it that paga, which we are told is brewed/fermented and not distilled, is so damn fiery? Well, we find a few other hints in the books which might explain this seemingly contradictory situation.

     First of all we are treated to a description of a beverage known as "Sul paga," a favorite drink of members of the caste of peasants:

"Sul paga is, when distilled, though the sul itself is yellow, is as clear as water... the still, with its tanks and pipes, lay within the village, that of Tabuk's Ford, in which Thurnus, our host, was caste leader.

  `Excellent,' said my master, sipping the Sul paga. He could have been commenting only on the potency of drink, for Sul paga is almost tasteless. One does not guzzle Sul paga. Last night one of the men had held my head back and forced me to swallow a mouthful. In moments things had gone black, and I had fallen unconscious."

--p.134, Slave Girl of Gor

(submitted by JaKil)

     And this one:

"Sul paga, as anyone knew, is seldom available outside of a peasant village, where it is brewed. Sul paga would slow a tharlarion. To stay on your feet after a mouthful of Sul paga it is said one must be of the peasants, and then for several generations. And even then it is said, it is difficult to manage. There is a joke about the baby of a peasant father being born drunk nine months later."

--p.414, Slave Girl of Gor

     I grew up in the southern portion of the United States, and believe me, upon reading that description I immediately recognize Sul paga for what it is: "bathtub gin" or "moonshine". It is distilled like moonshine (in what is colloquially referred to as "a still" or distillery), and it is stronger than regular paga which is brewed from grain and not from suls, which seem to be a Gorean hybrid between the Earth potato and tomato (picture a potato that grows on a vine like a tomato). If we accept the premise that "Sul paga" is a highly potent form of Gorean "home-brew" similar to moonshine, than it stands to reason that regular paga must be similar to Sul paga, minus the suls and the distillation process. If paga were distilled as is Sul paga, it would be just as strong as Sul paga, which we are told it is not. It is a grain-based fermented liquor which has not been distilled. Other references indicate this to be true. And if that is so, then paga must be something which is fiery in taste(which it is), brewed from grain(which it is) and has a hell of a kick to boot. Since most beers and ales lack the "fiery burning" quality, then what does that leave us?

     Sour-mash liquor, perhaps? Hmmm... an interesting thought.

     While this is simply speculation on my part, it so happens that sour-mash is brewed, as is beer, but it is not processed and diluted in the manner of typical beers and ales. For one thing, the recipe is different; it's called sour mash because it is brewed from a "sour mash" of fermented grains. Once the fermentation and brewing process is complete more water is added and the resulting liquid is then filtered, often several times, to strain out the lumps (ah ha!) from the mixture, and what you are left with is a highly potent grain-based brew which is the much stronger version of common beer. In addition, there are several recipes for sour mash brew which are bitter and very potent, some of which utilize spices which I assure you can be described as "fiery". Since even Gorean wines are incredibly strong:

"Many Gorean wines... are very strong, often having an alcohol content by volume of forty to fifty percent [80 to 100 proof]."

--p.70, Renegades of Gor

     ...then we can assume that paga is at least as powerful, probably topping out at around 80 to 100 proof as well. Use of a sour mash in its preparation would certainly account for the taste, as would the high alcohol content. Sul paga, therefore, in alcohol content by volume, is almost pure alcohol... anywhere up to 180 proof.

     Paga is, therefore, an extremely high powered brewed beverage like a heavy stout or sour mash wheat beer, which is so high in alcohol content that it really puts hair on a Warrior's chest. Or anyone else for that matter. And too much Sul paga will make you go blind. I wonder if there are any members of the caste of peasants who make a living by "bootlegging" Sul paga to the civilized cities?

     And as far as the lumps go, or how "rancid" the paga is, I would suppose that depends upon whether or not your local brewer fails to strain it correctly or allows it to ferment for too long. I am sure that most Goreans are not overly fond of lumpy rancid cocktails; but since the Tuchuks regularly imbibe such interesting beverages as curdled bosk milk mixed with kailla blood, I suppose there is no accounting for taste.

(special thanks to Zeb, who provided several of the excerpts listed above.)

SEEKING THE ELUSIVE KARTA

     While I have yet to locate a reference in which the position of Karta is described by name, I have found the following passage describing forms of obeisance, as performed by Gorean slaves:

"`There are many ways to perform obeisance,' I said... `I shall instruct you briefly in three' ... `First, kneel before me, back on your heels... with your knees wide... your hands on your thighs, your back straight, your breasts out... your belly in... and now lower your head in deference and submission... Now, that may not be exactly a performance of obeisance, for authorities do not all agree, but for our purposes we shall count it as one. It is, at any rate, a beautiful position, and it is, certainly, a common position of slave submission.'

[This is the position we commonly refer to as "Nadu"]

`Now,' I said, `and this is clearly a form of obeisance, bend forward and put your head to the mat, the palms of your hands on the mat.'

[This second one seems to be identical to the mysterious "Karta"]

`Now,' I said, `for a third form of obeisance... on your belly. Now inch forward...remaining low on your belly, and when you reach my feet... lick and kiss them. Now take my foot and place it gently on your head.... now place it again on the mat, and kiss it again...you may now belly back a little, humbly.'"

[This last one is similar to another position found on many websites known as, appropriately enough,"Obeisance."]

--p.409-411, Mercenaries of Gor

In addition, I recently received an email from a helpful slave who submitted the following useful information:

"This girl recognizes the basics of the position: in the earth-language of Sanskrit, it is called _pancha-pranama_, and is indeed a position of utmost submission and obeisance, being the position taken by a *female* (the male version is called _astanga pranama) when greeting a Guru or other Holy Person...a loose translation would be "ultimate obeisance" or something similar."

(submitted by arati{H})

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Lately 'first slave and second slave' have been described as ways of serving Gorean drinks. Is this something found in the books?

(submitted by savannah{Risk})

A: It is indeed. According to the books, the terms "first slave" and "second slave" are used in regards to the serving of "black wine," or Gorean coffee. We are told that "first slave" indicates that the Master desires further sweeteners and creams to be added to his beverage, whereas "second slave" indicates that he wishes his coffee "black" or without such additives. This is illustrated in the following quotations:

"'Second slave,' I told her, which, among the river towns, and in certain cities, particularly in the north, is a way of indicating that I would take the black wine without creams or sugars, and as it came from the pouring vessel, which, of course, in these areas, is handled by the "second slave," the first slave being the girl who puts down the cups, takes the orders and sees that the beverage is prepared according to the preferences of the one who is being served."

The expression `second slave,' incidentally, serves to indicate that one does not wish creams or sugars with one's black wine, even if only one girl is serving."

p. 244-245, Guardsman of Gor

     So basically, when a person asks for his black wine "Second slave" or "to the Second slave" what he is saying is that he wishes to skip the "first slave" who places creams and sugars in the cup before the beverage is poured, and go directly to the "second slave" who actually does the pouring.

     For more detailed information regarding the usage and qualities of Gorean black wine, visit the "Caffeine Addicts of Gor" webpage at the following URL:

http://www2.1starnet.com/mharris/tavern/tavern/caffeine.html

RANDOM QUOTES

Below I have again included a few quotes which my fellow Goreans might find interesting:

"A man in his heart desires freedom, and a woman in her belly yearns for love. The collar in its way answers both needs."

--p.180, Slave Girl of Gor

(submitted by JaKil)

     This next one is a good one. When I originally read of the hand gesture which accompanies the Gorean greeting "Tal" I just assumed that, since Norman described it as "raising one's right hand, palm facing inward" that he meant "palm facing toward your body," or basically showing someone the back of your hand. Since then I have repeatedly found references which describe the gesture as "raising one's right hand, thumb toward the body, little finger toward the person you are greeting" or, in effect, making an open "karate-chop" hand to whomever you were greeting. As the quote below demonstrates, when Norman originally said "palm facing inward" what he meant was "palm facing inward toward the center of the body, knuckles outward toward the right shoulder."

"`Tal,' said I, lifting my right hand to them, palm facing to the left."

--p.112, Beasts of Gor

(submitted by kyra{MAR})

And I also found this little bit of info:

"The sword, the quick, short, double-edged Gorean gladius, was drawn back for a thrust."

--p.387, Mercenaries of Gor

     This describes the Gorean short sword as a "gladius," seemingly identical to the Roman blade of the same name. Somehow, over the course of the first twenty-one books, the Gorean short sword alters in size and shape from a Greek short sword into a Roman one. Similarly, much of Gorean society seems to undergo an alteration from Greek-based to Roman-based. Despite this, however, I still fail to see how anyone bereft of a shield could maintain a prolonged duel with another person, as Tarl does versus Pa-Kur in the first book, with what is for all intents and purposes a twenty-inch knife, which makes effectively parrying an incredibly difficult action. Believe me, I have experimented with such matters and the resulting "duel" seems always to finish up in a grappling match, like any other knife-fight. To Norman's credit, in later books his Gorean swordfights, fought with the "gladius-ized" Gorean shortsword, become incredibly short and brutal, as would certainly be the case.

     For more detailed information regarding the nature and description of Gorean weaponry, visit the "Weapons of Gor" webpage at the following URL:

http://www2.1starnet.com/mharris/tavern/tavern/weapons.html

My Quote for the Week:

"...the love of a slave girl is the deepest and most profound love that any woman can give a man. Love makes a woman a man's slave, and the wholeness of that love requires that she be, in truth, his slave."

--Tarl Cabot, p.31, Magicians of Gor

     Well, that's all for this week; I have already taken up too much bandwidth with my ranting. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who wrote to me and who submitted passages from the source texts for this page. I will display each such quotation in this column in weeks to come. For those of you who feel lost amid all of the Gorean references and online practice of Gorean activity, remember: The Truth is out there. Since I have all 25 books, have read them repeatedly, and have way too much free time on my hands, drop me a line of you need help tracking something down.

I wish you well!

_Marcus_

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? If you have any of the above, have queries regarding the source books, or have a quote or brief passage from the books which you would share here, feel free to e-mail me through the link below.

Send e-mail to: By The Book

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