Just curious... But for those of you in Laura current roleplaying a Gorean Free Woman.....

Why not a Panther, or a Kajira?

What is it about you... or the character of a FW, that saw you choose this role?

Fair enough. I'll go first.

Many reasons. Probably first and foremost, because it's a challenge. I feel that the true role of a Free Woman is multi-faceted and difficult. There are so many different ways she could be played, with individual subtleties some people miss, but shine through the whole character, overall. Free Woman are rather repressed and conflicted when it comes to many things. They KNOW their freedom could be revoked at any time, so it's a series of vulnerable, intricate lines they walk. Balance is key.

It's tricky to roleplay someone who has a very strict set of guidelines and protocols to follow, while yearning, perhaps for something more. I don't think you can roleplay a three dimensional character, without inner conflict.

A Free Woman might choose to roleplay her character straight down the line as a hard-nosed, confrontational... "you're not going to tell me what do you, I'm Free!" sort of way. Alternatively, you have those women who decide that being a Free Woman just means wearing a dress until you find the right man to submit to, and overwhelmingly give in to their desire to be owned.

Personally, I like to try for the Free Woman who is proud.. useful... claims the respect which is her due at the behest of men, yet knows her place. Anya won't EVER court a collar openly with inappropriate emotional displays or removing her veils/clothing. She won't EVER raise a hand to a man, although she might show him the sharp side of her tongue if he oversteps. She knows full well that her freedom is granted by men and can be revoked if she forgets or abuses it.

I won't roleplay a Panther, because really, it just doesn't interest me. I've never seen it done overly well, and very little appeals about being strung up naked and made to submit after firing off a few arrows.

As for a kajira.. here are some reasons why it's not for me....

- Being able to walk away when the roleplay is putting me to sleep
- Not having to be nice to people IC who irritate the crap out of me with their roleplay (This includes furring!)
- I see far too many girls sent away from the Free to serve, simply because those Free don't know how to roleplay with slaves creatively.
- If I was called "little one" I'd be whipped within an inch of my life for dumping paga on the offender's head
- I have never.. EVER... met anyone I thought would be able to Master me.

Make of all that, what you will.

Why a Free Woman?

Because I doubt I will ever meet anyone who is so breathtakingly masterful that their needs become more important to me than my own selfish desires.

Because I'm far more interested in Caste work than I am in serving.

Because I enjoy the sort of witty banter that'd get me hamstrung and tossed to the river thalarion if I were a kajira.

Because the role is rich and complex and fascinating and allows me to be sweet or harsh or soft or hard or cold or vulnerable as the mood strikes.

And, like Anya, because I have more say over my roleplay as a Free Woman.

...I didn't initially create a panther character because I came to Gor to be surrounded by dominant men. And as I consider it my goal to be as BTB as possible, I wouldn't play a cap-fur-release panthergirl... I would avoid cities, avoid men, as much as possible.

But having learned what I have learned about this world, I believe that the role of panther does offer in-depth, character-creating roleplay that could coexist with my OOC restrictions. And Aria could be pushed to abandon her world for the forests... it'd have to be a pretty big issue, but it could happen.

I am finding this most interesting as someone new to Gor, who chose the role of kajira thinking the FW role sounded boring. Obviously misinformed. . . . thinks... could it be I was misinformed and tricked into this collar... runs finger along the heavy steel of it.. . smiles. . . no, this particular collar fits well.

Why a freewoman ...

In the beginning I believed that being a slave would be the most difficult role to play for a female. Now I am not that certain anymore. A Freewoman is hard as she needs to hold her female side, but without all the tools she has as a slave. She must have it with for example wise words, the way she conducts herself around men with grace and respect and her sense of humor.

The main reason for me was to do something usefull with the hours I spend in studying Gor. I wish for Floren to be commited to the City, make her someone that is respected for her ways and knowledge. Let her be strong but still the woman she is.

Being in Gor means that there is this fantasy world where man rule over woman. That is the world we all are playing our roles in, nothing more and nothing less. Therefor it would be almost silly to think that I as a woman ever would be equaly to a man. Still finding a way to be respected and not in positions that are questionable.

Never the less ... it is a challange every day again.

I have considered many times why I chose to play a Free Woman over the role of kajira or panther...

Panther was never a consideration... the thought of constantly running just made me... well... tired.

And I'll be honest - I did a bit of research before coming to my Free Women status over that of a kajira.

I have found that Free Women have something special and unique to offer. First, there's far too few of us in Second Life Gor. We're witty and charming, daring and alluring. All while maintaining this aloof mystery that is beyond the scope of discovery. We're restrained, sometimes stronger than steel, if you get my meaning. I've seen so many kajirae that lack discipline... We as Free Women are disciplined well, because we tred on thin ice at times... between the role of standing and kneeling.

Being a Free Woman is more challenging because we're allowed a voice. Kajirae do the will of the Free, and while they may have different personality traits that make them unique properties... they are just that: property.

Besides all that... I really like gowns. *laughs*

I've been doing some thinking on the question, and it comes down to this.

Who would I be if Gor was Earth? I would be a Free Woman... recognizing the Man-governed world around her, but revelling in the freedom she's allowed under that system. I would demonstrate daily that my value as a Free Woman would far exceed any possible benefits that a collar would bestow. I have an independent streak that would be hard to quench... not impossible, I'm sure, but difficult. While independent, I'm not so much so that I hate the Man-ruled society in preference of the safety of the woods, either.

Okay... I'm done... I think...