The Situation
Kati was previously bullied by an Ubara because her role and duties were undefined, allowing her to be punished for things outside her control (e.g., not being at the Ubara's side constantly). Sphere Proto is proposing a legal shield to prevent this from happening under the new Governor at Ar's Station.
The Solution: "Elder" Status & Contract
Sphere’s strategy relies on two components working together:
The Title (Social Protection): Elevating Kati to "Elder" status. In Gorean tradition, Elders are revered and generally untouchable by standard political bullying.
The Contract (Legal Protection): A written agreement that strictly defines exactly what Kati does. If it’s not in the contract, she cannot be punished for not doing it.
Document Analysis
Document 1: Background on Elders Sphere provided a mix of IC (In-Character) and OOC (Out-of-Character) evidence to justify the title.
Key Argument: Elders hold knowledge and experience. They are protected by community tradition.
Book Justification: He cites Magicians of Gor and Explorers of Gor to prove that "Elders" are a recognized concept in the books, validating the roleplay hook.
Historical Context: He lists Earth terms (Alderman, Senator, Shaikh) to show the universal respect for the title, fitting the Gorean lore that humans were brought from Earth.
Document 2: The Sample Contract This is the binding legal document.
Duties Defined: It specifically lists her roles: Scribe to the Governor, Legal Counseling, and Teaching (Gorean Civilization, Caste System, etc.).
The "Teeth" of the Contract: It explicitly states that anyone questioning her duties is referred to this contract.
The Risk: The penalties for breach of contract are severe. While it protects her, it also states that if she fails her duties, punishment can range from "loss of title" to "enslavement" or "public impalement."
Summary
Sphere has provided a robust legal framework. By signing this, Kati trades the vague vulnerability of her old position for a high-status, high-stakes position. She is protected from petty bullying, but she is now legally bound to perform specific duties under threat of severe punishment.
How would you like to proceed with this information?
Do you need a draft of the response to Sphere?
Do you need a modified version of the contract (perhaps softening the "impalement" clause)?
Do you want to discuss the Governor's likely reaction?
================================================
Here are the selected parts of the conversation between
Sphere Proto and Kati Evans.
Part 1: Morning Greetings & Handing off the Lesson Plan
Sphere and Kati meet near the docks/cafe while Sphere is
showing a visitor (Kelly) around.
[2026/01/05 03:37] Sphere Proto: /me has stopped to let her
pass, "Here we are. Is there any you are in need of", he asked the
Pani woman, then heard a greeting and turned , "Tal lady Kati", he
greeted the scribe.
[2026/01/05 03:39] Kati Evans: Tal Sir, Tal Lady, how are
you both today?
[2026/01/05 03:40] Sphere Proto: /me smiled, "Doing
well, thank you, I trust you are doing well too", Sphere said and then
gestured to the city's visitor, "Lady Kati, this is lady Kelly. She's
visiting us while her ship takes in resupplies."
[2026/01/05 03:47] Sphere Proto: /me looked at Kati when he
said, "I've shown her the merchant district and specifically brought her
to the seamstress' shop."
[2026/01/05 03:47] Kati Evans: I am Lady Kati Evans, the
Governor's Scribe here at Ar's Station. If there is anything I can do for you,
please let me know.
[2026/01/05 04:04] Kati Evans: Yes we keep knowledge and
also share it. I have a class I am preparing to teach later today. It will be
interesting to see how it goes.
[2026/01/05 04:06] Kati Evans: /me hand Sphere a copy of the
scroll about the class
[2026/01/05 04:07] Sphere Proto: /me accepts the scroll Kati
gave him and has a quick look over it before placing it under his belt.
[2026/01/05 04:12] Sphere Proto: /me watched the man move
off and smirked a little not trusting the look of the man's outfit. Then
looking back at Kelly, "I have a few things to take care of. Please excuse
me ladies", he said tuning his gaze towards the scribe.
[2026/01/05 04:14] Kati Evans: Safe paths to you.
[2026/01/05 04:14] Sphere Proto: /me inclined his head,
"I wish you well ladies", he said before turning to make his way in
the direction of the scribe's district.
________________________________________
Part 2: The "Circle" Project & Discussing Past
Bullying
Later, Sphere joins Kati and Caroline at the High Caste
Square. They discuss city projects before Sphere asks about Kati's history.
[2026/01/05 06:19] Kati Evans: Greeting Sphere.
[2026/01/05 06:20] Sphere Proto: /me came from the court
house to check on a document before going to the scribe's offices when he
noticed some of the free women sitting outside, "Tal ladies" he
greeted them...
[2026/01/05 06:34] Caroline Gallius-Laurent: ...Caroline
then turned to Kati " Congratulations on being selected to serve as the
Governor of Ar's personal scribe... And Sir, I congratulate you as well as
making Senior Scribe..."
[2026/01/05 06:37] Sphere Proto: /me looked at Caroline
inclining his head, "My thanks lady. The position holds much
responsibility towards the city as well as to the scribes of our city. I hope
to serve everyone equally for what is needed."
[2026/01/05 07:04] Kati Evans: I would like to bring the
Circle here too. Something I was working on in Teletus that never got going.
[2026/01/05 07:07] Sphere Proto: /me nodded, "I know
Asher is in favor of doing more teaching and apprenticeship in the city... but
in general I like us to work together on the training program and roll it out
for all the castes."
[2026/01/05 07:09] Kati Evans: Well I have this 13 week 65
session plan that I was working on designed to teach the laws of the city too
all. It would involve actors, poets, storytellers, and speakers.
[2026/01/05 07:13] Sphere Proto: /me smiled, "It's a
concept I applied in Voltai Viktel about two hundred and five years ago...
Perhaps you can hold it here and see how many will participate..."
[2026/01/05 07:18] Kati Evans: I was just beginning to work
with the other groups to see if they would be interested in such a project
when... well I had to leave Teletus. I just got tired of being bullied.
[2026/01/05 07:19] Sphere Proto: /me inclined his head with
a bit of a frown, "Why and in what way did you get bullied?", Sphere
asked in concern
[2026/01/05 07:23] Kati Evans: One person kept picking on me
for 2.5 - 3 months... that was it. Sorry real is calling I have to go now
________________________________________
Part 3: The Solution – Elder Status & Contracts
Kati returns from her break, and Sphere proposes a way to
protect her legally using the "Elder" title and contracts.
[2026/01/05 08:12] Sphere Proto: /me inclined his head
seeing Kati return, "Good to see you again. Would you mind if I ask you a
few questions related to the bullying? I might have a way to prevent it
here."
[2026/01/05 08:15] Sphere Proto: "...Can you tell what
position the person held who has been bullying you"
[2026/01/05 08:16] Kati Evans: The bulling was OOC and it
was the Ubara... I started as her personal council... Then I got in trouble
because I was not at her side all the time.
[2026/01/05 08:18] Sphere Proto: Had you put a contract in
place for your time and services?
[2026/01/05 08:18] Kati Evans: Contract, nope. I could have
left anytime
[2026/01/05 08:21] Sphere Proto: Hmm.. such services should
be on contract... So, I want to help you to prevent this in the future in two
ways if you allow me.
[2026/01/05 08:24] Sphere Proto: /me smiled... "I want
to give you the option to have me as a co-signer as head of our caste, which
puts some additional weight behind the value of the contract..."
[2026/01/05 08:27] Sphere Proto: "As a second measure,
though I do not dare to ask for your age, I would offer to place you in the
position of a caste elder. This allows you full freedom to teach... the
position is above all other positions and besides that of Head of Caste."
[2026/01/05 08:34] Kati Evans: Well I am an elder in both
age and experience... Would you explain more what you mean?
[2026/01/05 08:40] Sphere Proto: Being an elder is more then
having a title... The elders are by tradition protected by the community as
they hold knowledge and experience others still have to gain. Even by laws the
position is protected... no administrator, ubar or ubara would in their right
mind consider to enslave an elder.
[2026/01/05 08:47] Sphere Proto: ... "Nothing would
change by assigning the title, you can continue your work as always, all that
would be come obligated, is providing lessons in one way of another. As you
already do so, it doesn't change anything at all..."
[2026/01/05 08:53] Sphere Proto: "...so my thoughts on
add to your benefit and after working out the documentation and contract, I'd
like for you to read them and think about the offer."
[2026/01/05 08:54] Kati Evans: It is the documentation and
contract that I would like more explanation on.
[2026/01/05 08:56] Sphere Proto: ... "Anyone
questioning you and your duties, can be referred to the contract and there is
no way it legally can be opposed..."
[2026/01/05 09:01] Kati Evans: I am still puzzled by what a
contract would do for me and how it could change things. It would not have
changed what happened to me.
[2026/01/05 09:03] Sphere Proto: /me grinned, "I think
you will when you see its contents and the additional document. Give me a 2 or
3 days and you will see my point."
[2026/01/05 09:04] Kati Evans: The use of Elder seems
reasonable as I am one and have been for a long time.
[2026/01/05 09:08] Kati Evans: I need to run this by the
Governor.
[2026/01/05 09:11] Kati Evans: I will have to get back to
you after I speak with him. Oh if you would write up an example that would be
helpful to show him.
[2026/01/05 09:14] Sphere Proto: /me smiled, "It would
be very useful if you could, that would save a lot of time."
[2026/01/05 09:17] Kati Evans: I am not one who writes
contracts, so I would not know what you are thinking should be in it... It
would be best to give the clearest example for the Governor to see...
[2026/01/05 09:17] Sphere Proto: /me inclined his head,
"I'll get to work on it.. For now, I wish you well"
________________________________________
Part 4: The Delivery
Later that afternoon, Sphere sends the documents.
===========================================================
[2026/01/05 12:49] Second Life: Sphere Proto gave you
Information about the position of elders - 5-Jan-2026.
❖ Back ground information on the position of
elders in Gorean cultures ❖
-- This document
is informative and parts that are marked as IC, can be used in roleplay --
-- Parts marked
as OOC are there for reference, supporting validity in various cultures --
❖ Introduction ❖
The term Elder
has two general meanings:
- Someone older
then you
- Someone in the
position of elder or senior
Where it's common
for those older to have more knowledge and experience, it is not true by definition. As people are able to
change caste, it doesn't means they get the knowledge and experience with the
transfer.
Those given the
title of elder or senior are honored for their duties and performance in the
caste or city. Whether it is for the time they worked for the caste or
exceptional performance, the title is to be honored by tradition by everyone
regardless of rank or position.
The term Elder or
its equivalent in another language is used in all cultures on Gor. Via their
title as elder or senior they gain a measure of authority for the teachings in
their caste. This usage is usually derived from the notion that the oldest
members of any given group are the wisest, and are thus the most qualified to
rule in a situation where the culture has no caste, providing counsel or serve
the said caste or people in some other capacity.
Contents
* 1 Value of the elders
* 2 Society
* 3 Book quotes
* 4 Various Other Uses
1. Value of the
elders
Being an elder is
more then having a title. As said, age and experience hold value and is to be
respected by those younger or in lower positions regardless of their caste. The
elders are by tradition protected by the community as they hold knowledge and experience
others still have to gain. With an average life span of five hundred (500)
years, a person learns a lot and has a lot to share. Those elders are valuable.
Even by law the position is protected and unless a law is broken by an elder,
no administrator, ubar or ubara would remove the title from them.
2. Society
Elder is a
position in the organized community that is most common in subsistence
cultures, Elder-hood being the condition or quality of being an elder. It is
essentially the state of being in the latter portion of one's life and being
looked to for leadership of either a passive or active nature by your peers
and\or subordinates due almost exclusively to this fact. Sometimes it involves
a ceremonial investiture of some kind, and other times it does not. Sometimes
it involves a definite chronological milestone which must be surpassed, while
at other times the required age is simply relative to the ages of all of the
other members of the group in question. Once having met the peculiar
requirements of their individual groups, however, all elders are generally
expected to mentor, share their experience, create a sense of oneness for their
followings and, most especially, act as the spiritual embodiments of their
communities.
An example of
informal elder-hood is the role of the matriarchal grandmother as it appears in
many parts of the so-called global south. In the absence of viable male
alternatives or even in the presence of them, grandmothers in these areas tend
to serve as both the de facto heads of their groups of descendants and the
catalysts of their periodic reunions and meetings. By so doing they provide
their families with a cohesion that would probably be absent if they weren't
present. Another example is that of the vocational mentor who guides his or her
apprentices with tools of sponsorship, advocacy and the demonstration of
skills. He or she serves to facilitate creativity in his or her charges by
teaching the methods of the past as they pertain to their various occupations.
In more formal
examples of elder-hood, elders serve as the members of the governing and/or
advisory bodies of higher personages such as kings and presidents. This often
gives them a prestige amongst their peoples that's comparable to that of the
classical nobility of old Europe. Due to this, elder-hood of this variety is
generally considered to be something worthy of aspiring to in the communities
where it exists.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(OOC)
3. Book quotes:
-- We regarded
the delka.
"Glory to
Ar!" whispered men. "Glory to Ar!"
I was pleased to
see that not all the youth of Ar were in the keeping of Cos, that in the hearts
of some at least there yet burned the fire called patriotism. Too, I recalled
some would take the oath of citizenship only facing their Home Stone, now in far-off
Cos. Others, in the streets and alleys, I speculated, could teach their elders
courage. --
Magicians of Gor,
chapter 14
-- "You have
the golden chain, given to you by Bila Huruma," he said.
I touched the
chain. "Yes," I said, "that is true."
I lifted the
chain from my neck and displayed It to the men on the long scaffolding.
They continued to
encourage us to be on our way.
"It is no
use," said Ayari.
Even the children
were screaming at us, imitating their elders. To them, of course, objectively,
I supposed it made no difference whether we came ashore or not. This was the
first settlement we had come to on the river. It lay only an Ahn beyond the
first island, one of several, we had encountered.--
Explorers of Gor,
Chapter 27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(OOC)
4. Various Other
Uses
This part is to
support the existence of the term through out history in various cultures.
As is stated in
the books that the human race on Gor was brought over from Earth, it is
plausible the position of elder was applied in the same way.
* Alderman - An Alderman in modern
Anglo-Saxon derived legal systems is synonymous with what in other systems
might be known as a city councilman. It derives from the term ealdorman, from
which the term Earl is also derived, meaning old man.
* Gerousia - Gerousia was the Spartan
equivalent of a senate. The term means Council of Elders.
* Hor Chan - Mayan, meaning "Chief of
Chan." Chan was a term some Maya used to refer to themselves.
* Indigenous Australians use the term elder
in English to denote a widely-respected man of authority who has been through
many rituals and ceremonies and has a deep knowledge of traditional lore. He
will be consulted on any important aspect of Aboriginal life. In some
Aboriginal societies, the term is also applied to women holding a similar
position of status in their society.
* Kaumatua are the tribal elders in Māori
society
* Oday - The term for elder in the Somali
language. Elders hold an important position in Somali society, particularly
within the Somali customary law or Xeer, where they serve as judges.
* Senator - In the Senate of Rome, the
senators were men. Senator comes from the Latin root sen- "old"
(senex "old man"), and the senators were actually called patres —
'fathers'.
* Seniūnas - Ruler of Eldership, (seniūnija
in Lithuanian), Lithuania's smallest administrative division.
* Shaikh - Shaikh means "old man"
in Arabic. There are specific cultural and religious connotations as well.
* Starosta or Starost - Starosta, derrived
from word stary - "old", is a title for an official or unofficial
position of leadership that has been used in various contexts through most of
Slavic history (see also Starets).
* Vanem - Ancient ruler of an Estonian
parish and county. From 1920-1937, Estonian head of state and head of
government was called Riigivanem, meaning "State Elder".
* Witan - In Anglo-Saxon and other Germanic
traditions was a wise man although usually just a noble. The term is most often
used to describe those who attended the Witenagemot.
* Oloye - Amongst the Yoruba people of West
Africa, the term oloye is used to refer to an elder of aristocratic rank,
though it is usually translated by them to mean chieftain.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===========================================================
[2026/01/05 12:49] Second Life: Sphere Proto gave you Sample
Contract for Elders position - [NAME] - (dd-mmm-yyy).
This is a sample
contract offered to discuss the agreement of accepting the title of
Elder to the
caste of the primary party.
=========================================================
❖ Caste contract for the title as senior caste
member or also known as Elder ❖
This contract
make the provided tasks and duties of the primary party and conditions of the
agreement as stated below legally binding under the law of Ar's Station.
Breach of this
contract, any of the city's laws or caste codes by primary party, makes this
contract null and void.
Date: (dd-mmm-yyyy)
❖ Primary party ❖
Name:
Caste:
Current primary
position/role:
❖ Details of tasks and duties ❖
By accepting this
contract the primary party agrees to perform, besides the tasks and duties for
their caste and connected to the assigned position, the following, but not
limited to.
- Duties of the
Scribe to the Governor
- Legal
counseling
- Legal
representation as an advocate
- Taking contract
based job on a temporary basis.
- Teaching the
topics and subjects true to the nature, traditions and cultures of Gor.
For example:
-- The
Gorean Caste System
--
Gorean Laws and Customs
--
Warriors and Warfare
--
Cities and Geography
--
Gorean Language and Literature
--
Roles of Men and Women and their positions within Gorean cultures
--
Daily Life and Culture
--
Trade and Commerce
--
Philosophy and Religion
*) after the
contents has been verified by the caste's HOC
❖ Punishment on breach of contract ❖
Breach of this
contract will result in legal actions and punishment against the parties
involved. Punishment can vary from, but is not limited to, loss of title,
expulsion from caste. enslavement, banishment from Ar's Station, to public
impalement.
This contract
does not provide any exemption from neglecting caste obligations. In the event
of repeated failure to complete tasks or to complete them on time, legal action
will be taken against the parties involved.
❖ Signature of primary party ❖
Name:
Caste:
Date:
Seal:
❖ Head of caste ❖
Name:
Position:
Caste:
Date:
Seal:
This contract is
not valid if either or both signatures are incomplete or falsified.
Referring to Ar's
Station law SECTION 4.
================================================
COPIES OF ALL
DOCUMENTS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE AR'S STATIONS GRAND
MUNICIPAL ARCHIVE
TO BECOME PART OF THE OFFICIAL CITY RECORD AND
PERMANENT FILES
THEREOF
===============================================-
---------- ❖ FILING PARTY SIGNATURE ❖ ----------
DISPLAY NAME
ACCOUNT NAME
CASTE &
POSITION
DATE
SEAL
=========================================================
This is a sample
contract offered to discuss the agreement of accepting the title of
Elder to the
caste of the primary party.
=========================================================
===========================================================
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