Free Woman
Ony a Free Woman can bear children that create family, the reason why they are viewed as priceless. Slaves are not used for breeding, except to create additional slaves. The child of a slave is either enslaved or given away. in
some rare cases, a pregnant slave is freed long enough to have the child. The
rights of a Free Woman vary by City, Caste and wealth.
The Robes of Concealment and veil are as much a part of a Free Woman's life as breathing itself. These robes and veil conceal the Free Woman's features, preventing the risk of being
captured and reduced to slavery.
The Robes of Concealment, in function, resemble
the garments of Muslim women on Earth, though they are, undoubtedly, more intricate
and cumbersome. Normally, only a father or Free Companion may look upon the woman
unveiled. In the barbaric world of Gor, these robes are deemed necessary to protect
the Free Woman from the binding fibers of roving Tarnsmen, but few Warriors will risk their lives to capture a woman who may
be as ugly as a tharlarion. It is better to steel and capture slaves, where the
guilt is less and the charms of the captive are more readily ascertainable in advance.
Free Companionship
There is no marriage as we know it on Gor, but there is the Institution of the Free Companionship,
which is its nearest correspondent. This contract usually lasts a period
of a year. It may or may not be renewed on its anniversary and is considered
dissolved if not renewed or if either one is enslaved.
Free Companion
A Free Companion is a Free Person bonded to another by an Institution known as Free Companionship. Surprisingly enough, a Free Woman who is bought from her parents, for Tarns or gold,
is regarded as a Free companion, even though she may not have been consulted in the transaction. More commendably, a Free Woman may herself, of her own free will, agree to such a companion. It is not unusual for a Master to free one of his slave girls in order that she may share the full advantages
of a Free Companionship. One may have, at a given time, an indefinite number
of slaves, but only one Free Companion. Such relationships are not entered lightly.
Caste of Musicians
Musicians on Gor are never enslaved. They may
be exiled, tortured, slain and such but never reduced to slavery. It is said
that he who makes music must, like the tarn and the Vosk gull, be free.
