Here is the lecture plan for Week 3: Law and Custom, designed for your Magistrate persona. This is arguably the most important week for your character to teach, as it lies directly within your specific expertise.
Teacher’s Notes & Preparation
Platform: Second Life (Text/Voice).
Visual Aids:
– A diagram showing the right hand raised to shoulder height, palm inward.
Optional: A texture displaying the "Seal of the Magistrate" or a generic City Seal behind you.
Props:
The Gavel: Essential for this class. Use it to punctuate points.
Salt Cellar & Bread: To demonstrate the Guest Law ritual.
Chat Management:
This class covers "Civility." If students interrupt, use it as a "teachable moment" about rude behavior and lack of discipline.
Class Structure (60 Minutes)
00-05: Introduction: Civilization vs. Barbarism.
05-20: Segment 1: Civility & The Greeting (The "Tal").
20-40: Segment 2: The Judiciary (Decrees vs. Common Law).
40-55: Segment 3: Rituals (Guest Right & Salt).
55-60: Q&A and Assignment.
Lecture Script: Week 3 - Law and Custom
I. Introduction (00-05 Mins)
(Action: Strike the Gavel once, sharply. The sound echoes in the hall.)
Magistrate Evans: Order. We have discussed the ground (The Home Stone) and the body (The Castes). Today, we discuss the mind of the city. We discuss Law. Without law, we are merely animals wearing silk.
Magistrate Evans: I am a Magistrate. I have served the law for fifteen years. I have seen what happens when custom is forgotten. When custom fails, the sword is drawn. When the sword is drawn, the city bleeds. This week is about how to live among your peers without causing offense—and how to avoid standing before my bench in chains.
Magistrate Evans: Open your tablets. We begin with the most basic element of social interaction: The Greeting.
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II. Civility: The "Tal" & Address (05-20 Mins)
Magistrate Evans: On Earth, you shake hands. You grab another man’s hand and shake it. It is invasive. It is vulgar. On Gor, we say: "Tal."
Magistrate Evans: (Action: Raise right hand to shoulder height, palm facing inward toward the body, fingers together.) Observe the gesture. The right hand is the weapon hand. By raising it, empty, I show I am not holding a dagger. The palm faces me, not you. I am not pushing you away, nor am I pleading.
Magistrate Evans: "Tal" means "I see you." It means "Be well." It is used for meeting and for parting. It is universal among the Free. (Teacher's Note: Drop hand) If you are a slave, or addressing a slave, the rules change. But for Free Citizens, you will offer the Tal.
Magistrate Evans: Forms of Address: You must know your place in the hierarchy. If you speak to a Warrior, and you are a Peasant, you address him as "Master" or "My Lord." If you are a High Caste speaking to a Low Caste, you may use their name, or their trade. "Baker," "Smith."
Magistrate Evans: Warrior Etiquette: Never approach a Warrior from behind. Never touch a Warrior's weapon. And never, ever interrupt a Warrior when he is speaking of war. To be rude on Gor is not just a faux pas; it is often a suicide attempt.
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III. The Judiciary: The Magistrate’s Domain (20-40 Mins)
Magistrate Evans: Now, let us discuss my domain. The Law. There are two types of law you must understand: The Common Law and The Decrees.
Magistrate Evans: 1. Common Law: These are the laws that exist in almost every city on Gor. They are ancient.
Slavery is legal.
Men are free; women are free unless collared.
Contracts must be honored.
Thievery is punished by mutilation or branding.
Murder is punished by the stake.
Magistrate Evans: These laws do not change when you cross a border. If you steal in Ar, you lose a hand. If you steal in Ko-ro-ba, you lose a hand. Common Law protects the fabric of society.
Magistrate Evans: 2. City Decrees: These are specific to the city you are in. In some cities, veils are mandatory for all free women. In others, they are optional. In some cities, weapons must be peace-bonded (tied into the sheath) at sundown. It is your responsibility to know the decrees of the city you visit.
Magistrate Evans: (Action: Lean forward over the lectern, voice dropping lower) The Magistrate: I am not a King. I do not make the law. I interpret it. When you stand before a Magistrate, do not lie. We are trained to spot deceit. We have the power of the Impaling Stake. We have the power of the Brand. The Law is harsh, but it is fair. It does not care if you are rich or poor. It cares only if you are Guilty.
(Pause for notation) Magistrate Evans: Are there questions regarding the distinction between Decree and Common Law?
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IV. Rituals: Guest Right & Salt (40-55 Mins)
Magistrate Evans: Finally, we discuss the rituals that keep us civilized inside our homes. The most sacred is Guest Right.
Magistrate Evans: If you enter a man's house, and you eat his food, a bond is formed. (Action: Hold up the small bowl of salt) The Sharing of Salt. Salt is life. In the Tahari desert, it is worth more than gold. To share salt with a man means you cannot harm him, and he cannot harm you, for the duration of the stay.
Magistrate Evans: If you are a guest: Do not insult the host. Do not eye his women. Do not draw steel. If you are the host: You must protect the guest with your life, even if he is your enemy outside the walls. Once the guest leaves your threshold, the truce is over. You may kill him five minutes later, but never while he is under your roof.
Magistrate Evans: Lighting the Lamps: At dusk, when the lamps are lit, we hold back the darkness. It is customary to acknowledge the lighting of the lamp. It symbolizes the light of the Home Stone keeping the chaos of the wild at bay.
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V. Conclusion & Assignment (55-60 Mins)
Magistrate Evans: Civilization is a choice we make every day. We choose to say "Tal." We choose to respect the salt. We choose to obey the Magistrate. When we stop doing these things, the city falls.
Magistrate Evans: Your Assignment: This week, I want you to practice the "Tal" salute. Do not just wave your hand. Perform it correctly: Right hand, shoulder height, palm inward. Furthermore, find the Decree Board of this city. Read it. Write down one law that surprises you or that is specific to this region.
Magistrate Evans: Next week, we pick up the sword. We discuss Military Science and the Warrior Caste. (Action: Strike Gavel once) Class dismissed. Tal.
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Kati Evans
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Class Title: Introduction to Gor Lesson: Week 3 - Gorean Laws and Customs Duration: 45 - 60 Minutes Instructor: [Your Name] Location: [Sim Classroom Name]
Pre-Class Checklist (Instructor Notes)
Slide Board: Ensure you have textures loaded for:
Image of a Magistrate (Robed judge figure).
Diagram of the "Tal" Greeting (Hand raised).
Illustration of the Planting Feast (Festival scene).
Giver: Load the "Week 3 Summary" notecard.
Animations: Be ready to demonstrate a "bow" or "salute" animation if you have one.
Phase 1: Arrival & Review (0:00 - 0:10)
(Wait for avatars to sit. Welcome them in local chat.)
/me taps a gavel gently on the desk to call the class to order. "Tal, everyone. Please take your seats."
Instructor: "Welcome to Week 3. In Week 1, we learned where we are (Counter-Earth). In Week 2, we learned who we are (The Caste System)."
Instructor: "Today, we learn how to behave. We are discussing Laws and Customs. Gorean society is not a democracy, and it is not a place of loose morals. It is a society bound by strict codes of honor and harsh laws."
Instructor: "I am sending out the summary for Week 3 now. Please accept the inventory offer."
(Action: Drag and drop Week 3 Notecard to students)
Instructor: "A warning before we begin: Gorean justice is often described as 'swift and final.' There are no long appeals processes here. Let us look at who keeps the order."
Phase 2: The Law & The Magistrates (0:10 - 0:25)
(Action: Change Display Board Texture to )
/me gestures to the figure on the board.
Instructor: "This is a Magistrate. In some cities, they are their own caste; in others, they are high-ranking Scribes or Administrators. They are the judge, jury, and often the ones who order the execution."
Instructor: "Gorean Law is based on the concept of the Home Stone. An offense against a citizen is often viewed as an offense against the city itself. Therefore, the state takes it personally."
Instructor: "Key distinctions in Gorean Law:"
No Lawyers: You generally do not have a lawyer argue for you. You speak for yourself.
Truth Serum: The use of 'Breeding Wine' or other truth drugs is sometimes used in interrogation, though it is controversial.
Theft: Theft is considered despicable. In a harsh environment, stealing a man's supplies might kill him. Therefore, thieves are often punished with branding, enslavement, or impalement."
Instructor: "The Magistrates work closely with the Warriors. The Warriors make the arrest; the Magistrate reads the law. It is a system designed to maintain order, not necessarily 'fairness' by Earth standards."
Phase 3: Customs & Greetings (0:25 - 0:40)
(Action: Change Display Board Texture to [Diagram of the Tal Greeting])
Instructor: "Now, let's move to daily life. How do you say hello?"
Instructor: "The universal greeting is 'Tal'. It is short, sharp, and respectful. It is accompanied by raising the right hand to shoulder height, palm facing the other person. This shows you hold no weapon."
/me demonstrates the gesture again. "Tal."
Instructor: "However, context matters.
To a friend: 'Tal.'
To a Superior (Higher Caste): 'I wish you well, Warrior.' or 'Greetings, Administrator.'
From a Slave: A slave usually kneels or curtsies and says, 'Greetings, Master/Mistress.'"
Instructor: "The Code of Conduct: Goreans are obsessed with 'Face' or Honor. You do not interrupt a Superior. You do not touch a Free Woman without permission (unless you want to lose a hand). Public displays of affection between Free Persons are rare and considered vulgar. Restraint is the mark of a civilized Gorean."
Instructor: "A quick RP tip: If you are playing a Low Caste character and a High Caste enters the room, stand up. It adds immense immersion to the scene."
Phase 4: Rituals & Festivals (0:40 - 0:50)
(Action: Change Display Board Texture to [Illustration of the Planting Feast])
Instructor: "Despite the harsh laws, Gor is a world that loves to celebrate. The City-States have massive festivals."
Instructor: "1. The Planting Feast: Held in the spring to bless the Sa-Tarna crop. It is a time of optimism. The Daughter of the Ubar often plants the first seed."
Instructor: "2. The Love Feast: This is a slave-focused festival. For a period, slaves are often allowed to serve the free men in a more... festive atmosphere. It reinforces the dynamic of dominance and submission that defines Gorean culture."
Instructor: "3. Warrior Initiations: When a boy becomes a man (usually around 20), he undergoes the 'Second Knowledge.' If he is of the Red Caste, he must prove himself in the wilderness. These rituals bind the community together."
Phase 5: Conclusion & Assignment (0:50 - 1:00)
(Action: Blank the board)
Instructor: "To summarize Week 3: Gorean Law is harsh and enforced by Magistrates. Gorean Custom is built on deference, the 'Tal' greeting, and strict public etiquette. To break these customs is to mark yourself as a barbarian."
Instructor: "Next week, we get to the part many of you are waiting for: Warriors and Warfare. We will discuss the Tarn Cavalry, the weapons of Gor, and the code of the Red Caste."
Instructor: "Homework Assignment: Practice your greetings. For the next week, whenever you meet someone in the sim, try to use the full formal greeting: 'I wish you well, [Name].' See how it changes the tone of the conversation."
Instructor: "I will now open the floor for questions regarding Laws or Customs."
(Allow remaining time for Q&A)
/me bows formally to the class. "Thank you for your attention. I wish you well. Dismissed."
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by Kati Evans
Lesson 3: Gorean Laws and Customs
-Exploration of Gorean laws and their enforcement by Magistrates
-Common customs, such as greetings, codes of conduct, and rituals
Lesson 3: Exploration of Gorean laws and their enforcement by Magistrates
-Explore the fundamental principles of Gorean law and its enforcement
- Understand the role of Magistrates in maintaining order and justice
Gorean law is rooted in tradition, honor, and a commitment to maintaining societal stability. Some key principles include:
Respect for the Home Stone: Insulting or damaging a Home Stone is considered a serious offense, reflecting the importance of community unity.
Property rights: Ownership and theft laws ensure the protection of personal belongings, slaves, and other property.
Personal conduct: Codes of behavior govern how individuals interact and conduct themselves, with particular emphasis on the honor and reputation of Gorean citizens.
Magistrates, as the arbiters of justice in Gorean society, bear the responsibility of interpreting and enforcing the law.
-Preside over court cases, determining guilt or innocence, and issuing appropriate sentences.
-Investigate crimes and apprehend criminals to maintain public safety.
-Collaborate with Warriors and other castes to ensure the effective administration of justice.
Gorean customs dictate proper etiquette and behavior in various social contexts. Some common customs include:
-Greetings: Formal greetings are expected when addressing fellow Goreans, reflecting their caste and status.
-Respect for authority: Goreans are expected to show deference to those of higher castes or positions of power.
-Rituals and ceremonies: Various events, such as the Planting Feast or the Love Feast, involve specific customs that honor tradition and foster community bonds.
Conclusion
Gorean laws and customs play a vital role in maintaining societal order and stability, shaping the behavior and relationships of those who inhabit this rich and complex world.
-Identify and understand common Gorean customs
-Recognize the importance of these customs in daily life and social interactions
Goreans place great emphasis on formal greetings, which reflect an individual's caste and status. Some common greetings include:
"Tal": A general greeting that can be used for any caste.
"Greetings, [Caste]": A formal greeting that acknowledges the recipient's caste (e.g., "Greetings, Scribe").
"I wish you well": A friendly and respectful greeting that can be used among all castes.
Goreans are expected to adhere to strict codes of conduct that dictate appropriate behavior in various situations.
-Respect for authority: Goreans must show deference to those of higher castes or positions of power.
-Honor: One's reputation and honor are highly valued, and Goreans must avoid actions that could tarnish their standing in society.
-Obedience: Following laws and customs is essential for maintaining social order and stability.
Part 3: Rituals and Ceremonies
Various rituals and ceremonies play an essential role in Gorean culture, fostering community bonds and honoring tradition.
-The Planting Feast: A celebration held in early spring to mark the beginning of the growing season.
-The Love Feast: An annual event in which Free Women and slaves serve and entertain men, promoting unity and kinship.
-Warrior initiations: Rituals marking a young man's transition into the Warrior caste.
Conclusion
Common Gorean customs, such as greetings, codes of conduct, and rituals, shape daily life and social interactions, reinforcing the unique cultural identity of Gor's inhabitants.
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