Roleplay Series - Second Life Gor

MMORPG.com:

We would like to start off by thanking you both for taking the time to talk to us about Gorean role-play in Second Life. Fabien, what can you tell our reader about the foundation of Gorean Role-play in Second Life?

Fabien DeSantis:

Foundation as in how it started? It started with one sim, which is now private and I've never seen it. Now Gor Second Life is about 600 Sims in all and around 300 RP sims. Many Goreans play and live outside the RP sims on private sims like me. So the exact number can't really be known

MMORPG.com:

How much does the land mass change day to day?

Fabien DeSantis:

Daily one sim closes on average and one more opens. Some of that is renaming but it's forever changing because of sims being deleted and rebuilt. I've been going so long I'm told by the owners now when anything changes.

MMORPG.com:

So how long have you both been part of the Gorean community, and how did you get started?

Fabien DeSantis:

I began in 2006 it seem so a long time ago. I just saw Goreans around and got curious. I don't like Malls, clubs or talking to kids so I stayed longer than I expected. Gor is keen on formal greetings but it means nobody ever gets ignored. You can go anywhere in Gor and you'll find someone to talk to who's interested in talking to you.

Razzy Riggles:

Gor- where to start. I did the freebie areas; dance areas; night clubs; ski areas; strip clubs; shopped till I didn't need anything anymore; bought and sold land; had great friends from all but wondered what else was there? The answer was role play and the most active role play is Gor. After few visits and reading some of the books and I was hooked.

MMORPG.com:

Fabien, can you tell our readers a bit about the Gor hub you have built here in Second Life for the Gorean community?

Fabien DeSantis:

It was meant purely as a way of finding all the sims, and to collate all the landmarks. Gor is unique in that its bases on a map and all its sims are named so easily sorted into an interesting graphic. Since the hubs beginning it has become a meeting place, a crossroads if you like, but this was not intentionally done. Goreans found that they liked a common ground where they could meet each other. Since the hub began I've adapted it to the way it's used, so now the hub is as much a meeting place as a teleport hub

MMORPG.com:

What should a player curious about Gorean role-play do to learn more?

Fabien DeSantis:

Observe, Come to the hub you will find it's totally safe and friendly. I have 900 note cards of info to look through if you want to see Gor in more depth. The Hub is role-play optional so Goreans aren't going to be offended if you just say Hi. I've been to most telehubs and The Gor hub is by far the friendliest. I have a total zero tolerance of harassment of any kind. It seems odd to me that SL is being visually sanitized to make way for more kids who run around shouting obscenities.

MMORPG.com:

Some of the most beautiful landscapes in SL are within the Gorean areas, are there any tips for visitors that would ensure a warm welcome from the community?

Fabien DeSantis:

Goreans prefer you dress respectfully most don't care what you wear if you aren't on an RP sim but at the hub it's not an issue. Be polite and you'll be fine. The only thing that really annoys Goreans is people expecting them to be as their critics have painted them. Some girls come looking to be dragged away and collared forcefully then find that actually nobody does that in Gor.

MMORPG.com:

What role do the books play in the Gorean society here in Second Life?

Fabien DeSantis:

The books are a guide to some and a mantra to others, like all things people do some take them a little too seriously.

MMORPG.com:

How is the initial position in the society determined in the role-play here? Is it to the individual player?

Razzy Riggles:

In short yes BY the individual, but within certain defined parameters. Many people explore many roles and have alts to explore other sides of Gor and their own nature. By "playing" different roles they get to see what resounds in them and some discover characteristics in themselves that they hadn't realized before. This also makes for better role-play as you know what is good in each other's role. Say if you Arra choose to be a physician - would you be a caring one? Capable? A torturer? You choose a role, but how you are in it is what defines you. I think few can be by nature what they are not in some level in real life. Gor provides a means to explore who you are and who those are around you. Fighter? Submissive? Dominant? Honorable or not it is an adventure of self discovery.

Fabien DeSantis:

I feel it's by what you are. I'm generally submissive so being dominant isn't as much fun, so I'm happy to be Kajira . But I've been a Free Woman too it depends on who you are and how you see yourself. You'll find most girls go from Kajira to free woman and back. I know Masters who play Ubar (King/ Lord) and Kajira on an alt and they play both equally well. Gorean role-play is challenging to your perception of who you are.

MMORPG.com:

The term Master as used in Gorean role-play is grossly misunderstood by those outside of the Gorean community. Master is a title of respect and "my master" would only be said to the owner of a Kajira by that Kajira correct?

Fabien DeSantis:

Strictly speaking yes. Master to some women outside of Gor has a totally different meaning to how it is seen in Gor. I would call Razzy Master as a term of endearment and respect.

Razzy Riggles:

Misunderstandings are many when you don't define a word which has many meanings. A master simply has the final say above those that play a Kajira. Again how you play that role determines what sort of master you are. In my opinion, a good master needs to be many things to his Kajira - friend, lover, companion, RP partner, guide, teacher, confidante, protector.

MMORPG.com:

If you had to put your finger on your favorite thing about Gorean role-play what would it be?

Razzy Riggles:

Relationships, and friendships I value my friends here above all. There is a sense of family that grows as you work and play together. I think here you get to see the true character of yourself and of others. In Gor we bond closer than in many other places because we do indeed battle for each other and for what is right. We die for one another and share each other's dramas.

Fabien DeSantis:

Really it's all down to friendships, that is what SL is at its best not fashion or any fancy buildings. My buildings are a stage for people to meet and they are nothing without people. Some people start sims to be lord and master over something but they all fail. You have to provide the stage and step back. I mean where else would a girl in a big hat kneel to a guy in a dress.