Short, sweet, and controvercial.
Member Blog post · Lifestyle
I am not picking sides. I am, and have always been, on my own side, when a side must be chosen. Because someone asked me to share some of my experience, I did some remembering, then a small amount of research, on the topic of Free Women fighting, to the death. Amazingly, but I already knew this because it was done back in the MSN days, Free Women occasionally did this, because there were matters of honor, integrity and occasionally petty spite, at stake. And pure vitriolic vindictiveness.
So it's up to you, Gentle Reader, to consider the sources creditable or not. With extra vitriol.
From http://www.gor-now.net/delphius2002/id18.htm, from their laws and legal principles page:
58. There is a method of dispute resolution called the "rite of knives." Unfortunately, there is little information on its application. It is essentially a fight to the death and is used in place of a trial. The fight may be just with daggers. As it is called a rite, it may not have any true legal effect but may instead be an ancient custom. This might even be a part of the Warrior Code. We do know though that a freed Panther Girl asked to participate in this rite against another woman. Tarl Cabot granted her request. Thus, this rite apparently may include female participation. From http://www.gor-now.net/delphius2002/id18.htm
There is this, which gives a better description of the above: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/3324748/2/So-you-want-to-be-a-Free-Woman, about halfway down.
There isn't much more, it wasn't something Dr. Lange focused on. But the precedence is there, and was used in the past, in MSN more than once. I know what this is about, and I don't really care for it. But,, someone asked. I am content to share.
Comments
13 comments on this post.
I could see such a challenge being accepted if the FW issuing the challenge had actual honor, but hereabouts lately, I have not seen such. Only one bellowing is a dishonorable ghost as we all know you cannot bring a past character back nor merge past characters into one with both their histories as a certain banty hen has. Nor would the FW here of late with honor speak up, challenge and slander FM of Gor for her supposedly being insulted when she is supposed to have a MAN to do that, just sayin.
The person making the challenge doesn't have to be "honorable". And I don't know anything about past, present and timelines and dimensions and personalities combining to form a pseudo-woman. One doesn't have to have "honor" to make a challenge. Though, to some, it might be "dishonorable" to turn it down, I saw a lot of that in my day.
Someone asked for information. I gave it. I have seen this happen, in MSN. It has been done. I only give my word that it happened, and a few links.
My personal opinion is irrelevant.
An honorable woman would ignore the dishonorable and whatever trash poured out her mouth.
This gives me an idea.
I have read about the right of knives as well... personally I have no issues with it. What I do have issues with is a woman who basically thinks she is on par as a warrior (male). Women did not carry swords and use them to fight in the books. There are references to this. Nor did they have the strength to match a warrior in combat. So I believe that a free woman challenging a warrior to a death match is a no go. Especially if they have a companion or are spoken for. It would be an embarrassment
To the said partner.
If a woman does something and a man doesn't stop her, is it legal?
Hmm interesting. In gor even if the man was too weak to stop her.. it still might not be legal. It might be done... but not legal. I will use myself as the example... I have stolen from men in gor (as per my character). Certainly many have not stopped me. It might not be "legal" but at least it is somewhat true to some characters represented in the books. I didn't just make up the shit completely because I can.
If anyone does something and there is no accountablity for their actions, positive or negative, then legality is irrelevant. Anything being legal only applies when someone is there to uphold the law otherwise it is a lawless environment.
I used the word "legal" on purpose. I don't mean in the case of being lawful, but in the way of is this legitimate action, will it have consequences, and should a man decide to put a stop to it, provided he has the authority to do so? That might still seem like "legal", but it isn't, to me.
Also, the only examples I could see (admittedly it wasn't the longest of searches) contained both a request and permission for it to take place. Again, not a given and not just on the whim of toys being thrown out of the pram, but at the request of those with the authority to grant/deny the request. Based on that the follow-up question would be does any Man have the right to do so, or only those of a certain rank/caste?
Few people ever did it, because, and this is my opinion, the author gave those scenarios to sword-swingers and other unsavory types. Your average Lamplighter guy isn't going to be challenging anyone anytime soon, but then if I as a happy-go-lucky Outlaw decide to, i could still get ignored, up to the point where i decided I'd had enough and started throwing rude comments and large pieces of furniture at the challengee. However, there was nothing against hiring a champion. This, was done.