Basic Gorean Slave Positions
Author: unknown
Filed in: gorean information
Nadu, or Pleasure Slave PositionThe first and most often used of all of the Gorean slave positions, and one of the first ones a slave learns. The command is often called "Nadu," from what seems to be a common Gorean word for "kneel." In this position the slave kneels and sits upon her heels with her back and shoulders straight, her chest out, belly in, and her head up, though she averts her eyes to the floor. Her thighs are open, widely spread, and her hands rest upon her thighs. A common misconception of this position is that the ankles are crossed. Occasionally the wrists are crossed behind the back, a variation which seems to be practiced in several cities, notably the city of Thentis. There is a nonverbal command signal associated with this position: to signal that the slave should assume the position, the Master may simply point to the floor and then, with his first two fingers extended and his hand palm-downward, spread his first two fingers open (the index and pointer fingers) as if they were the slave's "legs" opening to kneel. The slave is expected to respond to this gesture as they would to the spoken command.
"He suddenly snapped his fingers and, in the swift double gesture of the Gorean Master, pointed to a place on the dirt floor before him, almost simultaneously turning his hand, spreading the first and index fingers, pointing downwards. I fled to him and knelt before him, my knees in the dirt, in the position of the pleasure slave, my head down, trembling."
--pg.143, Captive of Gor
"Nadu!" he snapped. She swiftly turned, facing him, and dropped to her knees. She knelt back on her heels, her back straight, her hands on her thighs, her head up, her knees wide. It was the position of the pleasure slave."
--pg.77, Explorers of Gor
Tower Slave Position
There is another variation of Nadu in which the slave kneels the same way, but with her knees modestly together. This variation is referred to as Tower Slave Position and is typically reserved for underage or white-silk slavegirls, or slavegirls who serve their Master in a non-sexual way, such as a Tower Slave or female Work Slave. When at rest, the slaves hands are modestly crossed at the wrist, and lay in her lap.
"The position of the Tower Slave, in which Vika knelt, differs from that of a free woman only in the position of the wrists which are held before her and, when not occupied, crossed as though for binding. A free woman's wrists are never so placed."
--pg.46, Priest-Kings of Gor
Variations on Kneeling Positions
Upon Gor, men sit cross-legged, women kneel. The manner in which a female kneels distinguishes her and indicates her intended usage. For instance, free woman do not kneel with their knees widely separated, nor do slaves who are not intended for sexual use. A slave's use, of course, is dependent upon the wishes of the free Goreans around her. A free man may, for instance, command a slave who is currently kneeling in the Tower position to spread her legs, and then use her as a pleasure slave.
"The position of the Pleasure Slave, incidentally, differs from the position of both the free woman and the Tower Slave. The hands of a Pleasure Slave normally rest on her thighs but, in some cities, for example, Thentis, I believe, they are crossed behind her. More significantly, for the free woman's hands may also rest on her thighs, there is a difference in the placement of the knees. In all these kneeling positions, incidentally, even that of the Pleasure Slave, the Gorean woman carries herself well; her back is straight and her chin is high. She tends to be vital and beautiful to look upon."
--pg.46-47, Priest-Kings of Gor
"She knelt back on her heels, her back straight, her head up, her hands on her thighs. She knelt in the position of the house slave. I looked at her sternly. Swiftly, she spread her knees. She knelt now in the position of the pleasure slave, the slave of interest to men."
--pg.346, Fighting Slave of Gor
"The position of the tower slave, in most cities, is very similar to that of the pleasure slave. The major difference is that the tower slave, whose duties are commonly, primarily, domestic, kneels with her knees in a closed position, whereas the pleasure slave, in a symbolic recognition of the fuller nature of her bondage, and its most significant aspects, kneels with them in open position. The tower slave, of course, like any other slave, is fully at the disposal of the master, in any and every way. The distinction between the tower slave and the pleasure slave, though honored in some markets, some specializing in girls sold primarily for housekeeping purposes and others in girls sold primarily for the pleasures of men, is not really a hard and fast distinction; it is not absolute; indeed, it can even be transitory. A girl who is ordered to open her knees, or who finds them kicked apart, for example, realizes that she has now become a pleasure slave. Similarly a girl in one context may function as one kind of slave and in another context, as another sort. Serving supper to a young man and his mother, for example, the girl may appear merely efficient and deferential. She kneels nearby, her knees closed. After the mother departs, however, she may kneel differently before the young man, with her knees open, his."
--pg.107, Blood Brothers of Gor
Bara Position
This position is sometimes designated by the name Bara, which is a Gorean word which probably means "belly," although slaves are expected to respond to the separate command, "Belly," in a different fashion (described below). In Bara position the slave falls to her stomach, face down to the floor, her head turned to the left. She crosses her wrists behind her back, and similarly crosses her ankles, her legs straight, in preparation for binding.
"`Bara,' said Mincon to Tula. `Bara,' said I to Feiqa. Both slaves went immediately to their bellies, their heads to the left, their wrists crossed behind their backs, their ankles also crossed. It is a common binding position."
--pg.145, Mercenaries of Gor
Belly Position
This position is a distinctly separate one than the Bara position described above. It is generally less formal than Bara. In this position, upon hearing the command "Belly!" the slave "bellies" before her master, basically falling to her belly at his feet. She lays face down, with her palms pressed flat to the ground on either side of her head, and awaits further commands. In Torvaldsland (and presumeably elsewhere) there is a nonverbal command gesture whereby the Master signals the slave should "belly." This gesture consists of the Master pointing to the ground and opening his hand, palm down. Slaves are expected to obey this gesture identically to the way whereby they obey the spoken command.
"`Stop,' he said. `To your belly.'
Then I was on my belly, on the tiles, my hands at the sides of my head, prone, before his curule chair."
--pg.427, Kajira of Gor
"`And if they should snap their fingers and point to the floor?' I asked.
`Then I would swiftly lie before them, and as a slave,' she said."
--pg.102, Rogue of Gor
Sula or Prone Position
In this position, a slave lays upon her back, her hands at her sides, palms upward, her legs widely spread, to await her Master's pleasure.
"`Sula, Kajira!' said the man. She slid her legs from under her and lay on her back, her hands at her sides, palms up, legs open."
--pg.77, Explorers of Gor
Lesha, or Standard Binding Position
From the Schendese(?) word Lesha, which possibly translates as "leash" or "bonds." In this position, the slave remains either standing or kneeling, depending upon the current position she is in. She turns and puts her back to her Master, her chin up, her head turned to the left so a leash may be attached to her collar, with her back and shoulders straight. Her wrists are extended behind her, side by side, in a position to be locked into chained slave bracelets. If she is already prone, the slave crosses her wrists behind her back, and also crosses her ankles, in preparation to be tied or chained.
"`Lesha,' snapped the second officer to the blond girl. She spun from facing him, and lifted her chin, turning her head to the left, placing her wrists behind her, as though for snapping them into slave bracelets."
--pg.76, Explorers of Gor
Bracelets, or Chaining Position
In this position the slave stands gracefully before her Master, with her hips slightly turned to one side, her back and shoulders erect, her wrists crossed behind her back and her head turned to the left, in anticipation of having slave bracelets attached to her wrists.
"`Bracelets,' he snapped. She put her head in the air and placed her hands behind her back."
--pg.146, Hunters of Gor
Binding or Collaring Position
Also called "the Position of Female Submission." In this position the slave kneels at the Master's feet and leans her body back, sitting upon her heels, with her arms extended upward, crossed at the wrists, and her head beneath them lowered in supplication.
"`Submit,' I told her. She knelt before me, back on her heels, arms extended, head down, between her arms, wrists crossed, as though for binding."
--pg.74, Explorers of Gor
Hair Position
In this position the slave stands, her feet flat on the floor, and bows gracefully at the waist, that her hair might fall forward for display, or to be shorn, seized, or used for any purpose that the Master desires.
Kneeling to the Whip
In this position the slave first assumes the position of the Pleasure Slave, kneeling with her legs spread, her back towards the commanding Master. She then crosses her arms in front of her, across her chest. She leans far forward, careful that her hair not cover her back, which must be fully exposed to the Master for application of punishment, typically a whipping.
"Elizabeth, trembling, lowered her head to the floor and crossed her wrists beneath her, kneeling, as it is said, to the whip."
--pg.46, Assassin of Gor
"`Kneel to the whip, Melpomene!' she ordered her.
Melpomene then, sobbing, knelt, her legs close together, her wrists held crossed under her, as though bound, her head down, touching the floor, the bow of her back exposed, a slave girl awaiting punishment."
--pg.284, Fighting Slave of Gor
Leading Position
When given this command, the slave stands and moves behind the Master, bending at the waist. She places her hands behind her and puts the side of her head to her Master's hip, that he might lead her easily by the hair or collar while walking. Alternately the Master may simply drop his hand to his hip (usually his left hand to his left hip) and open and close it, signalling non-verbally that he wishes the slave to place her hair within his hand, at his disposal, for leading.
"`Leading position,' he said.
Sobbing, she rose to her feet, and put her head down, at what would be the height of a man's waist, her legs flexed. A guard walked over and fastened his hand in her hair.
`Have her whipped,' said Policrates.
`Yes, Captain,' said the man. He then left the chamber, pulling the girl, sobbing, at his side."
--pg.248, Rogue of Gor
"I held my left hand open, at my waist. She stiffened, and looked at me, angrily. I opened and closed my left hand once. I saw her training in Gorean customs had been thorough. But she never thought that such a gesture would be used to her. She came beside me, and a bit behind me, and, crouching, put her head down, deeply. I fastened my hand in her hair."
--pg.409, Beasts of Gor
She-Sleen Position
Also known as "assuming the modality of the she-quadruped." In this position, the slave falls to her hands and knees, her head down on the floor, her hindquarters upthrust for viewing and/or her Master's pleasure. "Serving in the modality of the she-quadruped" is an instruction whereby the slave performs her regular duties upon hands and knees, without the benefit of the use of her hands. In this mode she may not rise to her feet and may use only her mouth and teeth to grasp and manipulate objects.
"In this form of slavery, which is commonly used for disciplinary purposes, or for the amusement of the Master, the woman is not permitted to arise from all fours; similarly she is not permitted human speech, though she may signify needs and desires by such means as cringing, and moaning and whimpering. Not permitted the use of her hands, save as a means of locomotion, she must also eat and drink from pans set on the floor, or, sometimes to satisfy her thirst, she must lap the water permitted to her from puddles or lick pillages from the tiles; too, it is no uncommon to chain her near her master's feet, while he dines, that he may, if he wishes, throw her scraps of food. She will also be taught tricks, through which paces she may be put for the entertainment of her master's guests, such things as begging, lying down, rolling over, and fetching his sandals in her teeth. And, needless to say, when her master wishes to use her sexually, it will be a position common to the she-quadruped."
--pg.225, Guardsman of Gor
Common Gorean Usage Position
The slave kneels to the floor, and puts her head down, her hands clasped firmly behind the back of her neck, with her buttocks thrust upward and her thighs widely spread in preparation for the sexual use of the Master.
"He knelt me there. `Put your head down, to the floor,' he said. `Clasp your hands, firmly, behind the back of your neck.'
`Yes, Master,' I moaned. He was then behind me. He put his hands, under my arms, on my breasts, sweetly and firmly. Then he moved his hands back, caressing my flanks. My head was down. My fingers were together, behind the back of my neck."
--pg.434, Kajira of Gor
Obeisance Positions
In the most common position of Gorean slave obeisance, the slave kneels and sits upon her heels with her back and shoulders straight, her chest out, belly in, and her head up, though she averts her eyes to the floor. Her thighs are open, widely spread. The slave then bends forward and lowers her head to the floor, her arms outstretched, the palms of her hands pressed to the floor. In another variation, the slave lowers herself onto her belly on the floor. She then inches forward, remaining low on her belly, and upon reaching the Master's feet, she licks and kisses them. Afterwards she takes the Master's foot and places it gently upon her head. She then lowers his foot again to the floor, and kisses it again. She then may inch backwards a bit, still on her belly, humbly.
"`You may do obeisance, my dear,' said Kliomenes.
The girl rose to her feet and went to Kliomenes. She knelt before him, on the dias, and put her head down. Gently, softly, she licked and kissed his feet. She then rose again to her feet, backed away, and then, on the tiles, again knelt. She put the palms of her hands on the tiles, and lowered her head to the tiles. Then she straightened up, her back straight, assuming the position of the pleasure slave, though keeping her head bowed, deferentially."
--pg.299, Rogue of Gor
"`Perform obeisance,' I said.
`I am a free woman!' she said.
`Out of your own mouth you have said it,' I said. `You are a woman.'
`I do not know how to do so!' she said.
`There are many ways to perform obeisance.' I said.
`I am a free woman,' she said, `I know none of them.'
`I shall instruct you briefly in three,' I said. `First, kneel before me, back on your heels, yes, with your knees wide, wider, your hands on your thighs, your back straight, your breasts out, good, your belly in, good, and now lower your head in deference, in submission.'
`Like a slave!' she said.
`Do it,' I said. She looked well. `Now that,' I said, `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.'
`Slave submission!' she cried.
`Yes,' I said, `and you do it well. It looks natural on you.'
`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. Good. Now lift your head little and come forward, substantially keeping the position. Forward a little more.'
`But then my face will be at your feet,' she said, `My lips will be over them!'
`Yes,' I said, `Good, now, put your head down and lick and kiss my feet.'
`I am a free woman!' she said.
`You are a woman,' I said. `Now softly, lingeringly, and lovingly, Good.'
`I am not a slave,' she said.
`All women are slaves,' I said. `Imagine what this would be like if you were truly a collared slave.'
She gasped.
`Good,' I said. `Continue.'
Frightened, she did so.
`Now,' I said, `for a third form of obeisance. You may "belly" to me.'
`I do not understand,' she whispered.
`There are various forms of bellying,' I said, `and bellying may be suitably and pleasingly combined with other forms of floor movements, approaching the Master on all fours, turning to your sides and back, writhing before him, and so on. We shall take a very simple variation, suitable for an ignorant free female who has not yet even begun to discover the depths of her sexuality.'
She looked up at me.
`On your belly,' I said. She backed off a bit, and went to her belly.
Her hair was before her face, as she now, on her belly before me, looked up at me.
`Now inch forward,' I said, `remaining low on your belly, and when you reach my feet, once again, as before, lifting your head a little, tenderly and humbly, and beautifully, as though you were a slave, lick and kiss them. Good. Good. Now take my foot and place it gently on your head. Very good. Now place it again on the Mat, and kiss it again. Good. You may now belly back a little, humbly. I have not yet given you permission to rise, of course."
--pg.409-411, Mercenaries of Gor
High Harness Position
A position in which a kneeling, braceleted slave is displayed by her Master for the perusal of others. A leash or lead is attached to her collar and raised until her head carriage is very high, her chin thrust forward, her neck stretched straight upward from her shoulders. Sometimes a Master will command a girl to assume this position even when she has not been leashed and braceleted, for his viewing pleasure. An excellent position whereby a slave's mouth can be forced open for feeding, or to have her teeth checked.
"`Lift your head,' he said. `Higher. Higher!' She looked up at him, her head far back, the leash on her throat...
`You need not now keep your head in high-harness position,' he said to the girl."
--pg.308-309, Mercenaries of Gor
Disciplinary Slave Rape Position
A position sometimes used by Gorean Masters when subjecting their property to what the men of Torvaldsland call "the whip of the furs:" punishment through sexual use. The slave is ordered to lie down upon her back with her head to the floor, legs spread, to await the ministrations of her Master.
"I went to the side of the room and picked up my sea bag. I threw it to the center of the room. She looked down at it, puzzled. It was of heavy blue material, canvas, and tied with white rope.
`Lie down upon it,' I told her, `on your back, your head to the floor.'
She did so.
`No, please,' she said, `not like this.' It is a common position for disciplinary slave rape. In it the woman feels very vulnerable, very helpless."
--pg.202, Explorers of Gor
Supine Capture Position
This position is one of many which is used to indicate that the slave in question is currently within the capture rights of a particular free Gorean. In this particular version, the captured slave lays down upon her back, bending her knees to place her feet flat against the ground, hands at her side. She then remains motionless. Should she break this position, she is indicating that she has not yet been subdued, and often will be severely punished for forcing the Master to reinforce his position of authority over her.
"`On your back,' he said, `knees raised, heels on the floor.' I then lay before him, in a standard, supine capture position."
--pg.422, Kajira of Gor
Kneel to be Coffled
When given this command the slave kneels, normally with her thighs parted, up upon her heels and lifts either the left or right wrist outwards, depending on the type of coffle, so that the wrist can be attached to a wrist ring within the coffle chain.
"`Kneel to be coffled,' said one of the men. The girls knelt, closely, one behind the other, there were six wrist rings on the chain he carried. He placed the girl who had been whipped by Lady Sabina first in the coffle line. `Left wrist coffle,' he said. They lifted their left wrists, frightened. Interestingly, the man snapping the wrist rings on the girls' left wrists did not put the first girl in the first ring, but the second. When the four maids were coffled there was, thus, an empty wrist ring both at the head and rear of the line. `Stand, Slaves,' said the man. `Lower chain.' The girls stood. Then, ordered, they lowered their wrists. They were then in line, standing, coffled."
--pg.127, Slave Girl of Gor
On the Snap
If a slave is in the service of a free Gorean, and he snaps his fingers, without futher motions, she goes his feet, and kneels. If she is at his feet already, she stands.
"I snapped my fingers. She knelt. I snapped my fingers again. She stood."
--pg.215, Fighting Slave of Gor
"I snapped my fingers.
`Yes Master,' she said. She approached the sound and knelt before me."
--pg.248, Fighting Slave of Gor
OTHER SLAVE COMMANDS
Heel
Heeling is a practice whereby the slave assumes her correct place as she follows her Master, remaining "at his heel," commonly while walking. If the Master who gives the command to heel is not walking at the time, the slave is expected to position herself in such a way so she is prepared to instantly heel when he moves. It is common for the slave to heel a right-handed Master slightly behind him and to his left, to prevent her from interfering with his weapon hand should trouble arise. The slave will normally follow the Master a few steps to the rear unless in a crowded situation, where she might heel him more closely, even pressing against him from behind. Slaves seldom heel a Master on his right side; unless they are in disfavor for some reason, and this is a rather public statement that a slave has displeased her owner.
"The Forkbeard turned about and, one arm about Pudding, the other about Gunnhild, started from the dock. Hilda followed him, to his left. 'She heels nicely,' said Ottar. The men and bond-maids laughed. The Forkbeard stopped. Hilda's face burned red with fury, but she kept her head high. Pet sleen are taught to heel; so, too, sometimes, are bond-maids; I was familiar with this sort of thing, of course; in the south it was quite common for slave girls; in various fashions in various cities, to heel their masters. Hilda, of course, was a free woman. For her to heel was an incredible humiliation. The Forkbeard started off again, and then again stopped. Again, Hilda followed him as before. 'She is heeling!' laughed Ottar."
--pg.123, Marauders of Gor
Walk
When this command is given, the slave turns in a graceful pirouette, her hair swinging. She then walks, gliding across the room, her feet hardly seeming to leave the floor, her hips swaying sensually, her body erect and proud. When she reaches her objective she halts and stands, her body erect, her shoulders back, her chest thrust forward, her belly in. She turns her hip out a bit, her hands at her sides, and points one foot. Her head is up and her eyes are lowered.
Run
When this command is given, the slave runs toward her objective, taking short rapid steps, with her legs almost straight, her feet hardly leaving the floor. As she moves her back is straight, her head is turned to the left, and her arms are at her sides, her palms facing outward at a 45 degree angle to her body. Upon reaching her objective she drops gracefully to her knees and typically resumes the position of Nadu.
"I was amused, for she had run as a slave girl is sometimes taught to run, with rapid short steps, her legs almost straight, her feet scarcely leaving the ground, back straight, head turned to the left, arms at her sides, palms out at a forty-five degree angle, more of a dancer's motion than a true run."
--pg.45, Assassin of Gor
"Slave Lips"
When this command is given, the slave turns her head up to the Master, her lips pursed in a sensual kissing position. She remains motionless, her lips thusly puckered, and may not move until she is granted the kiss of a Master.
"A girl who is commanded to make slave lips, or who receives the command, `Slave lips,' must form her mouth for kissing. She then, commonly, is not permitted to break this lips position until she kisses or is kissed. Needless to say, a girl cannot speak when her lips are in the unbroken, fully pursed slave lips position. The command which commonly follows the `Slave lips' command is, `Please me.'"
--pg.111, Blood Brothers of Gor
The Rule of "Coverage" or "Cloaking"
This is the practice whereby the slave is covered with a blanket, cloak, or any convenient piece of cloth. The cloth might cover her entire body, or merely her head. When this is done, the slave has been trained to remain motionless and completely quiet until the cloth is lifted from her by the hand of a free male. This practice is deeply engrained in the behavior of the trained slave, and is part of her initial training. Failure to comply with this command, or the breaking of coverage without permission, typically results in punishment such as a beating. One of the uses of this position is to keep slaves quiet and inconspicuous while they are being transported, perhaps in the back of a wagon, or when the owner is engaged in armed conflict with an enemy.
"I then threw the second blanket, the top blanket, over her, covering her completely. When a blanket, or cloak, or covering of any sort, is thrown over a slave like this she may not speak or rise. She must remain as she is, silent, until the master, or some free man, lifts the covering away."
--pg.94, Explorers of Gor
Bound by the Master's Will
Gorean slaves are commonly trained to obey unquestioningly. When a slave is informed that she is "bound," she is expected to behave in all respects as if she actually were. Typically, when such "binding" takes place, the slave is simply informed that, say, her feet are now bound together, of her hands must remain behind her back, or she is prohibited from rising to her feet. This practice can be useful when actual bracelets or binding fiber are not available, or simply as a convenient way to restrain a trained slave.
"She wore the `bonds of the master's will.' Grunt had put her in them. She could not rise to her feet. Yet there was not a rope or strap on her body. She was `bound by the master's will.' She could not move from this position unless, at the word of a free person, she was freed from it. To break the position otherwise is to be instantly slain."
--pg.248, Blood Brothers of Gor
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