Post by ^.^ Harleen Quinzel ^.^ on Jun 25, 2020 3:08:32 GMT
Among the Pani there may be those of Various Caste from all over Gor but the Pani Themselves as People do not follow Caste but do Work Roles in their Society. Some of those Unique and Common to the Pani are listed below:
Assassins: There were Assassin among the Pani unlike the black caste they did not wear a dagger mark and would not stop until the target is dead. They were like Rōnin having no master or lord. Only loyal depending on the gold they are paid and themselves. Like regular Swordsman and Rōnin, the Assassins wore their two swords along with a variety of other weapons as well..
Those brought to Tarncamp were, I had gathered from Pertinax, mercenaries, bandits, brigands, thieves, murderers, wanderers, low men, cast-off men, men lost from Home Stones, and such. Many, I understood, had come from the occupational forces now expelled from Ar. The word of such men might be as the rustle of the wind amidst leech plants. Their loyalties would on the whole be to their own hides and purses. They would on the whole be as much for hire as the Assassins, save that the Assassin, once the dagger has been painted on his forehead, signaling he is hunting, is loyal to a fee.
Swordsmen of Gor - page 343
Bugyo: A Bugyô is a Magistrate Appointed by the Shôgun to oversees a specific government post for example finances, or construction in or about a large city, or a region. They like a Daishoya are required to have a High Level of intelligence, Social Observation and Judgement. They are the second in command on All matters who can speak or make judgements on behalf of the Shougun and only answers to the Shogun himself. Simliar to a Daimyo in His duties provide justice, and handle the sentencing of prisoners. They came in many different ranks and served under the shogun. They paid Swordsmen underlings with rice or land, to fight for them. His Status is equal to that of to Second Swords, First Axe, As Second in command to the Shogun.
Cookhouse Itamae:The Cookhouse Itamae is the Chef who runs the Cookhouse, this person will be the main cook or chef of a large city, a region, or a camp while they will also have others working under them. There will also be slaves who would work in the cookhouse though they will be slaves.
The staple in the Twelve Islands, which is actually far more than twelve, is not Sa-Tarna, but rice.
– Mariners of Gor
“I hoped that, too, as I was growing weary of rice and parsit. The Pani do raise tarsk, verr, and of course, vulos.” “Perhaps they will break out the Paga”
— Mariners of Gor
“Many were the savory odors which emerged from behind the screen, from sauces, stews, and soups, rich with shoots, herbs, nuts, spices, vegetables, and peppers, even tarsk and vulo, as well as parsit, crabs, and grunt, emanating from pots brought in from the central kitchens, which served the long tables, outside, the barracks messes, the larger halls, and the smaller halls, such as that of the Three Moons.”
— Mariners of Gor
“Tassa powder is a harmless, tasteless, swift-acting drug. It is commonly used in the taking of women. It might be introduced into the parties of maidens, into the private, candle-lit suppers of high-born beauties, into the beverages of inns or vendors.
— Swordsmen of Gor
“The effect of Tassa powder is not felt for a time, but when it takes effect, it does so swiftly.”
— Swordsmen of Gor
Daikan: A Daikan was a financial magistrate that serve as a merchant, trader, and broker to helps individuals or businesses of a large city, a region, or a camp to raise funds to purchase things (such as new machinery or homes), assist in the movement of money via payment mechanisms, and to provide ways to invest excess funds, such as savings accounts and bonds.
Daimyo: The Daimyo were the provincial rulers assigned by the Shôgun of the Pani to rule or have suzerainty over various villages in World's. Most were considered as a Prince in the Imperial Court of the Shogun. Like the Buygo...They were themselves Warrior like Swordsmen, Chujo, and Ashigaru.Yet, their duty was to govern an area, provide justice, and handle the sentencing of prisoners. They came in many different ranks and served under the shogun. They paid Swordsmen underlings with rice or land, to fight for them.
"A daimyo or shogun will have suzerainty over various villages, which he protects, and from which he obtains the means to maintain his men. He who controls the rice, it is said, controls the islands.”
– Mariners of Gor
“An interesting exception to this sort of thing is that a prisoner, or one on the verge of capture, may be accorded the right to accept a new daimyo or shogun. Once he does this he is then honor bound to serve the new leader, as he did his old, and, it seems, he may be depended on to do so. He is not a mercenary, but he is a loyal follower, whomsoever he follows."
–Swordsmen of Gor
”I looked up. The figure was in battle gear, and it removed from its head a large, winged helmet.” “Ah, said Lord Okimoto politely, “Lord Nishida”
– Mariners of Gor
“Both lords wore sandals.” The hair of each was drawn behind the head and fastened in a ball or top knot. This was the case with many of the Pani, not all.”
– Mariners of Gor
“In his belt, blades uppermost, were the two swords, the companion sword and the longer blade.”
- Swordsmen of Gor
“I was at Cabots side to protect his left. And as a man fell he was at the left of a Pani warrior with a large horned face concealing helmet the Pani warrior clutched a long curved sword with two hands. ”
– Mariners of Gor
“Rice fields, or paddies, are associated with each village. A daimyo or shogun will have suzerainty over various villages, which he protects, and from which he obtains the means to maintain his men. He who controls the rice, it is said, controls the islands.”
– Mariners of Gor
Lord Nishida was garbed in white robes. He sat crosslegged, within his pavilion, on a low, flat platform of lacquered wood, some twelve feet square. Beside him, one on each side, lay two swords, one short, one long, each with a large, slightly curved hilt, wrapped in silk, and a curved blade. The longer of the two swords was not unlike that carried by Tajima, thrust in his belt, edge uppermost. Lord Nishida's countenance was refined, even delicate, but refined and delicate in the way a light, carefully edged weapon is refined and delicate, as, for example, the shorter of the two blades beside him.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 271
At the edges of the lacquered platform, one on each side, crouched two larls. Behind Lord Nishida, at the back of the platform, stood six of the "strange men," each armed with a glaive, the blade of which, socketed in its stout pole, was some two-and-a-half feet in length, and curved. It was presumably an infantry weapon. It could be used for either thrusting or slashing. It would not be thrown. Whereas I would not have anticipated difficulty in getting behind one such weapon, it would be exceedingly dangerous if there were two such weapons, as an aggressor would be likely to be vulnerable to the blow of the second weapon. As the glaive is used most effectively forward or to the soldier's left, if the wielder is right-handed, one would try to keep to the wielder's right.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 273
One of the long, curved swords, with the large hilt, was placed in the hands of Pertinax, at which he looked, apprehensively. A colored cord dangled from the hilt, which terminated in a tufted blue tassel. Tajima then backed away from him, and, smoothly, drew forth his own weapon, which
he gripped with two hands, and assumed what, for such a weapon, was apparently an on-guard position. The position seemed formal, and quite stylized, but there was no mistaking the readiness, or menace, of his attitude.
"You will fight," said Lord Nishida. "One of you is to die. Prepare to fight."
Pertinax cast me a look of bewilderment, and misery. But he did not turn about, and run. I was proud of him. Too, I did not think he would have
made it to the exit of the pavilion. Four fellows now stood there, two armed with glaives, two with swords. Tajima moved toward Pertinax, and, twice, feinted toward him. Pertinax lifted the blade, weakly, and then, putting down his head, in defeat, lowered it.
"You will now kill him," said Lord Nishida to Tajima.
I recalled Tajima was in training.
Tajima turned away from Pertinax, and faced Lord Nishida.
"Lord," said he, "set me rather the slaughter of a tethered verr."
Tajima had his back to Pertinax. But, from my training, I knew his every sense was alert, on a knife's edge of cold fire. I trusted that Pertinax would not act. Tajima seemed wholly at ease, even disgusted, certainly indolent. There was insult emblazoned in his very posture. I trusted that Pertinax would not act. In a moment it became clear to me that Pertinax would not seize his apparent opportunity. I smiled to myself, and, suddenly, almost inaudibly, I
moved my foot, quickly, in the dirt. Instantly Tajima had whirled about, his sword ready to fend a blow. His action was so quick that I, familiar with the reflexes of warriors, which often spell the difference between life and death, must admire it, and Pertinax, startled, gasped, his blade still haplessly lowered.
"He may be permitted to live," said Lord Nishida, "for the time."
One of the guards relieved Pertinax of the weapon.
"Well done!" I said to Pertinax.
"I did nothing," he said.
"That is why you are still alive," I said.
-Swordsmen of Gor Pg 280-281
I was then prepared to leave the plaza, but, in turning about, I saw a sight which, to me, if not to Tajima, and his people, seemed exceedingly odd.
"What is going on there?" I asked.
"One is preparing to recover his honor," said Tajima.
On a small platform, in a white kimono, one of Tajima's people, which I will now refer to as the Pani, as that is their word for themselves, knelt. His head was bowed, and before him, on the platform, was a curved wooden sheath, which contained, doubtless, a knife. Near the fellow, also clad in a
rather formal kimono, white, stood a fellow with an unsheathed sword, of the longer sort.
"Do not intrude," said Tajima.
"What is the fellow with the sword doing?" I asked.
"It is sometimes difficult to perform the act," said Tajima.
"If it cannot be well completed the swordsman will assist. There is no loss of honor in that."
"Stop!" I called.
"Do not interfere!" cried Tajima, whose suave placidity was for once not at his disposal.
I thrust Tajima back and strode to the figure on the platform, who had now loosened his robe and drawn forth a small dagger from the sheath.
The man with the sword stood to one side, two hands on the hilt of the weapon. He regarded me. He did not seem resentful, outraged, or such. Rather, he seemed puzzled. He had not expected this intrusion, nor had the fellow on the platform. The fellow on the platform gripped the knife. I thought blood had drained from his hand. He looked up, not fully comprehending this disruption. He had already, I understood, given himself to the knife, and all that remained now was to finish the deed.
"Allow him dignity!" begged Tajima.
"I will not allow this," I said.
"Who are you to stop it?" asked Tajima
Once again in command of his emotions. The Pani are an extremely emotional, passionate race, as I would learn, and the calmness of their exterior demeanor, their frequently seeming impassibility, even seeming apathy, was less of a disposition than an achievement. Civility is not an adornment, but a necessity. Is the beast not always at one's elbow? Behind the facade of a painted screen a larl may lurk. Every chain can snap, every rope break. Savagery lies close to the precincts of civilization. The borderland between them is narrow and easily traversed. Courtesy, or politeness, you see, must not always be understood as a lack, a debility, or insufficiency. One must not recklessly part curtains. Behind them might be found things you would just as soon not see. He who writes poetry and sips tea, and waits expectantly for a flower to blossom, may, in a frenzy, on the field of battle, take head after head. In any event, it is unwise to take mountains for granted. They may conceal volcanoes.
"I am commander, I am captain," I told Tajima.
"This man is a coward," said Tajima.
"No," I said, "he is not."
It seemed to me that the act he contemplated was
sufficient evidence of that.
"He fled from a tarn," said Tajima.
"He will not do so again," I said.
"Do not interfere," said Tajima. "You can make no
difference. He will simply complete the act later, when you
are not present."
"No, he will not," I said.
"Why not?" asked Tajima, genuinely interested.
"Because I forbid it," I said. "I will have no more of this
amongst men who will dare the tarn."
"It is our way," said Tajima.
"Who is captain?" I asked.
"You, Tarl Cabot, tarnsman," said Tajima.
"It is not my way," I said.
"You are captain," said Tajima, quietly.
"I will not lose men in this fashion," I said.
"It is better to lose such men," said Tajima.
"If you want to die," I said to the kneeling figure on the
platform, "do so under the talons of the tarn."
"It is wrong for you to interfere in this, Tarl Cabot,
tarnsman," said Tajima. "One must recover honor."
"One recovers honor in life," I said, "not in death. If he
lives, he may begin again, and gain honor."
"That is not our way," said Tajima.
"But it is a way," I said.
"Doubtless," said Tajima.
"And it is my way," I said.
"Yes," said Tajima. "It is your way."
"And I am captain," I said.
"Yes," said Tajima. "You are captain."
"Return to your training," I told the fellow kneeling on the
platform. "You are late."
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 362-364
Daishoya: A scribe is one who does the paper work of the camp and tasks requiring some level of intelligence. The role of the scribe ranges from magistrates of a large city, a region, or a camp to record keepers, lawyers, accountants, historians etc.
Fishermen: Among the Pani just as well as among the rest of Gor there would also be Fishermen, they were the ones who went out daily and would strive to bring in fresh fish for the stalls of markets for trade or commerce as well as provide enough fish for those of the Camp to be able to eat with..
Healer/Wound Dresser:A Healer of the Pani would be called a Wound Dresser and they are much like those of the physicians caste, the healers would be closer to herbalists yet would be able to preform the main essentials of the physicians caste just without the main standards or rules that those of the green caste push forward..
Larl Tamer: Among the Pani there were larl whom more or less protected the camp from outsiders yet at the same time would keep those inside the camp there as well.. These larls were trained some considered tame and some gentled, usually only one person was able to walk out with these large creatures. He would be the one given the task of training them, It was unknown what signals he would use but what was known he alone was the most safe with these vicious beast..
A cage wagon rolled past, in which, turning and twisting about one another, agitated, were several larls. These were the beasts, primarily, who had patrolled outside the wands. They were trained from cubhood, to respond to secret commands. Accordingly, one who knew these commands might command them, venture beyond the wands, and so on. Ashigaru prowled the edges of the road, lest any of Lord Nishida's minions, primarily mercenaries, be tempted to avail themselves of an unobstructed highway to another prince, one with perhaps a deeper purse.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 635
She uttered a tiny noise of fear, and her legs gave out beneath her, but she was steadied by the two guards who held her in place, by the upper arms, beneath the sheet. Her fear, understandably enough, was a reaction to the sight of the two larls, one on each side of the platform. She had perhaps never seen a larl before, and even if she were familiar with these large carnivores, finding oneself in their vicinity, without viewing them through thick bars or ascertaining that they were, say, tethered on stout chains, would be enough to unnerve a heart more experienced and stouter than hers. In any event, I had certainly shared a similar apprehension upon my entrance into the pavilion. The fact that the beasts seemed somnolent and that they seemed to provoke little concern amongst the others in the pavilion had, of course, considerably, if not entirely, assuaged my apprehensions. The larl, of course, is never fully tamed. Like the tarn, it has a wild blood. Too, if one makes a sudden movement in its vicinity, for example, a paw may, as by a reflex, lash out and a hand may be half torn from a wrist, or an arm may be shredded.
-Swordsmen of Gor Pg 287
She now understood the two larls to be harmless. She was mistaken in this conjecture, but it was a rational conjecture considering that the two beasts were quiet, crouched in place, and that their presence seemed to be accepted without question by the others present. She might have been less confident had she known more about larls. Pretty obviously the two beasts were domestic larls, probably raised from cubhood, and trained to respond to certain commands. On the other hand, as noted earlier, no larl is ever fully tamed. A thousand generations of stalking and killing lay concealed, lay in wait, in every corpuscle of those pelted, passive giants.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 288
I had, in wandering about, intended, for my interest, to cross the border of the wands, to scout the area, but I had been warned back by a prowling larl, which was, as nearly as I could determine, although it was not collared, a guard beast. I understood then why the camp, despite the richness of timber about, was not palisaded, at least not in the sense of being encircled by a close-set wall of sharpened palings. It did, of course, in a sense, have its palisade. Such beasts were its palisade.
-Swordsmen of Gor page 255
At that moment I heard the roar of a larl.
"Do not be dismayed," said Tajima, "it is from the pavilion
of Lord Nishida."
"It sounds close," I said.
"It is," said Tajima. "There is the pavilion."
-Swordsmen of Gor Pg 270
Outlander:An Outlander is a Person from a foreign land of another race that is accepted by the Pani and allowed in and around the camp reasonably yet is not welcomed with open arms. They could be Southern or Northern and will always be a Free Man or a Free Woman yet they are not of Pani decent so they will be scorned at times and looked down on often as being of a lower race or class..
Pearl Diver: A pearl diver gathers pearls by manually gathering very large numbers of pearl oysters (or pearl mussels) from the ocean floor (or lake, or river bottom) they were then brought to the surface, opened, and the tissues searched. In order to find enough pearl oysters, free-divers were often forced to descend to depths of over 100 feet on a single breath, exposing them to the dangers of hostile creatures, waves, and drowning, often as a result of shallow water blackout on resurfacing. Pearl Diving is a position only a Pani Free would be allowed to do, although they may have slaves to help them if they so wished..
Rōnin:Then they had the Rōnin who was a in essence a Swordsman with no Lord (Daimyo) or Master/Teacher (Sensei). A Swordsman became master-less from the death or fall of his Lord or Master, or after the loss of his Lord or Master’s favor or privilege. Like regular Swordsman, rōnin wore their two swords. The rōnin used a variety of other weapons as well..
“In his belt, blades uppermost, were the two swords, the companion sword and the longer blade.”
- Swordsmen of Gor
"With whom do you train in the forest?" I asked.
"Nodachi," he said.
"He is not a two-name person?" I asked.
"That is not his name," said Tajima. "His name is secret. He conceals it. He is called 'Nodachi'. That is merely a name for a battle sword, one to be used in the field."
"I understand little of this," I said.
"He is ronen," said Tajima. "A fellow of the waves, as it is
said, one with no home, one carried by the current, one with
no master, no captain. There are many such."
“A mercenary?” I suggested.
“Ah, Tarl Cabot, tarnsman,” said Tajima, “how little you know of these things.”
“Doubtless.” I said.
“Loyalty,” said Tajima, “is required of the warrior. His lord must be dead, or imprisoned. Or it may be he was betrayed by his lord, or that his lord proved unworthy of his devotion. It is lonely for the Ronen. One remembers. One does not forget. Over the ice a cloud drifts. The bird clings to the cold branch. It cries its pain in the night.”
-Swordsmen of Gor
Sensei: The Sensei is the Dojo Instructor in a Household of a large city, a region, or a camp. and an experienced advisors called upon by the Shogun and thier students. A Sensei is a person you can take inspiration from, whom you respect but feel comfortable enough turning to in a time of need. A Sensei should not use their students as tools for their egos to prove how superior they are.
To the contrary the Sensei should lead their students to discover their strengths and weaknesses so they may grow and florist in the Martial Arts and Life. They were the ones that helped a warrior not only fight but find their inner peace to endure the things they will have to do as warrior.
Sen means “before”, Sei means “life, birth, living or lived”. Thus a Sensei is someone who has experienced something before you. He has walked the path you are planning to follow before you, he can tell you what to do. In more general terms, it’s a teacher, normally the head instructor of the Dojo you are attending.
((The Practice of Martial Arts))
We were some twenty yards from the fellow, who was engaged, I supposed, in certain martial exercises, certainly of a rather stylized, formal nature. I had never seen anything exactly like this before. He was standing, and sometimes wheeled about, gracefully. He had two hands on an unusual
sword, with which he described certain evolutions, thrusts, strokes, a return to guard, and so on. It seemed ritualistic, but he was certainly intent on what he was doing. I had the sense of a severe concentration.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 224
Eight of the Pani then rose from their places and four of them, unarmed, faced the other four, similarly unarmed. They then bowed to one another, warily squared off and, shortly, engaged. Another of the Pani, an umpire or referee, or, better, I suppose, an adjudicator, began to observe and
supervise the practice. He occasionally commented, even scolded. In this engagement no mortal blows were to be dealt, of course, and when a stroke which would have spelled death or disablement was held up short, the adjudicator pronounced his verdict, and one of the fellows would politely
withdraw from the contest, in effect having been ruled dead or, one supposes, disabled. One-on-one combat can be stylized amongst the Pani, and may proceed rather formally, for all its sudden swiftness and violence, alternating with an almost unnatural stillness, reminiscent of a larl or panther,
intent, immobile, subtly quivering, before its attack.
Interestingly, although four were engaged on a side, when one was removed from the contest, his opponent did not then join with his fellows to overwhelm the survivors, but stood back. In effect, then, one had what seemed to amount to four one-on-one contests. In actual warfare, I trusted this civility would not be respected. Courtesy is one thing, but courtesy at the expense of victory seemed to me a dubious tactical election. Finally one fellow held the floor from one team, so to speak, and he was faced by three of the other group. He defeated two and was defeated by the third. The eight fellows
then stood, exchanged bows, and resumed their places.
"May we speak?" I asked Tajima.
"Not now," said Tajima, softly.
((The use of wooden weapons))
A large number of contests, of various sorts, took place in the dojo, most with weapons of wood. These were surrogates for several weapons, in particular the short sword, or companion sword, and the long sword. Some glaives without blades were used. An interesting variation on these surrogate weapons was supple poles, long, light, peeled, whiplike branches which might flash about, scarcely visible. These, I gathered, were less surrogate weapons than training devices, to quicken reflexes, and enhance skills. Occasionally steel was used, but, again, of course, the strokes were held up short. Sometimes one surrogate weapon was put against a different surrogate weapon. Sometimes an unarmed individual was to engage an individual armed, say, with a sheathed dagger. Understandably, a reasonable amount of care was taken in the dojo to reduce injury and, certainly, to prevent death, the holding of strokes, and such, but, nonetheless, bloodshed was not infrequent, and broken limbs, wrists, and arms, were not
unknown. These injuries seemed to be accepted with equanimity, save where it was suspected that intent was involved. The Pani seemed to feel in such a case that something was out of balance, however slightly, and an adjustment was in order. A disharmony was in need of correction. In such case one slash reddening a wooden blade might be used to pay for another.
"Now?" I asked Tajima.
"No," said Tajima.
The exercises and contests within the dojo were obviously intended to provide serious and detailed martial training, and I am sure they had great value in this regard. Why should they not? Indeed, had I not, long ago, in Ko-ro-ba, the Towers of the Morning, engaged in similar exercises, though commonly with actual weapons? But one can do only so much in such training, of course, whether with wood or steel. It is one thing to face a fellow with a wooden sword, say, who will hold his stroke, or try to do so, and quite another to face a fellow armed with finely edged steel who has every intention
of killing you. In the latter case every corpuscle comes alive, and the whole business is commonly done within a flash or two of steel. There is no training, as it is said, which can compare with the dojo of blood.
Swordsmen of Gor pg 393 - 397
Shôgun:The Shôgun The Shogun or Daimyo were the provincial rulers of the Pani, similar to Adminstrator, High Jarl, or Ubar. His is Word is Law and All answer to him. He appoints Bugyôs, Daimyos, Daishoyas, Daikan, Senseis, that help him govern his land and enforce his will under his leadership.
Tōji: Tōji (杜氏) or Sake' Maker is the job title of the sake brewer. It is a highly respected job in the Pani society, with tōji being regarded like musicians or painters. The title of tōji was historically passed on from father to son/mother to daughter, Or from veteran tōji to thier apprentice (Which can be Male or Female). Sake breweries are seasonal, operating only in the cool winter months. During the summer and fall most tōji work elsewhere, and are commonly found on farms, only periodically returning to the brewery to supervise storage conditions or operations of placing in containers.
Tōji or Sake' Maker is a position only a Pani Free would be allowed to do, although they may have slaves to help them if they so wished. In Pani island, sake is the national beverage, sake is often served with special ceremony – gently warmed in a small earthenware or porcelain bottle called a tokkuri, and sipped from a small porcelain cup called a sakazuki.
NOTES ON SAKE':
There are two basic types of sake:
Futsū-shu (普通酒, ordinary sake) is the equivalent of common wine and accounts for the majority of sake produced.
Tokutei meishō-shu (特定名称酒, special-designation sake) refers to premium sakes distinguished by the degree to which the rice has been polished and the added percentage of brewer's alcohol or the absence of such additives.
Sake tends to benefit from a period of storage. Nine to twelve months are required for sake to mature. Maturation is caused by physical and chemical factors such as oxygen supply, the broad application of external heat, nitrogen oxides, aldehydes and amino acids, among other unknown factors.
I sat near Lord Nishida, and he had offered me a sip of a different fermented beverage, one I had once tasted on Earth, though not of so fine a quality. It was warm, in its small bowl. "It is sake," I was informed. I nodded. There are rice fields on Gor, in the vicinity of Bazi, famed for its teas, but rice is not as familiar on Gor as the grain, sa-tarna. And Pani, as far as I knew, were not found in Bazi, or its environs. To be sure I supposed the rice might be Bazi rice, but I was not sure of that, not at all sure of it.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 569'
The Pani had three Classes of warriors or fighters as some would call them..
Swordsmen: who were the Highest More Respected Samurai Warriors. The Swordsman would commonly be seen carrying two Swords (katanas)
Chujo: who is a Lieutenant general this is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second in command on the battlefield
Ashigaru: who were the Archers, Spearmen, Riders, Larl Handlers, Tarnsmen, Scouts, Hunters, Infantrymen and Guardsmen in the Pani armies. They were conscripted foot-soldiers and were lower-ranking than Swordsmen or Chujo.
"I now saw one of the Pani emerging from the hut, carrying a head. These heads were clearly trophies of a sort. For example, a warrior might win favor from his daimyo or shogun by gathering heads, this understood as a proof of prowess in war. In such a way one might earn promotion, land, gifts, preferment, and such. I would also later learn that these heads, particularly if one of a celebrated foe, might be treasured, and kept indefinitely, the hair being carefully combed and dressed, the head being perfumed, the teeth painted black, and so on. “
- Swordsmen of Gor
“Lord Nishida bowed first. There is apparently a certain order to such things, who bows first, how deeply one bows, and such.”
- Mariners of Gor
“Hands, too, amongst the higher Pani, are often concealed in the broad sleeves of their robes. This makes possible the concealment, and the ready availability, of a sleeve dagger.”
- Mariners of Gor
“We do not require prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduce the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion."
Most interestingly to me were the cots in the area, of which there were several. These cots were mostly improvised, walled with rope nets strung between trees, and, too, large, heavy poles, doubtless
from local trees, trimmed of bark and branches. Rope netting is used rather than wire to protect the birds. Tarn wire, for example, sometimes used to "roof a city," to defend it from tarn attack, is almost invisible, and can easily cut the wing from a descending bird. A lighter form of wire is called "slave
wire," and it, too, is dangerous. A slave attempting to escape through such wire is likely to be found suspended within it, piteously begging for help, half cut to pieces. Two of the cots were large and conical. Their framing, formed of light metal tubing, fitted together, was not untypical of a form of cot found in open camps. I supposed it derived from Thentis, and might have been brought to the coast by wagon, and then north by ship, as doubtless was the case with many forms of supplies.
-Swordsmen of Gor
“An interesting exception to this sort of thing is that a prisoner, or one on the verge of capture, may be accorded the right to accept a new daimyo or shogun. Once he does this he is then honor bound to serve the new leader, as he did his old, and, it seems, he may be depended on to do so. He is not a mercenary, but he is a loyal follower, whomsoever he follows."
–Swordsmen of Gor
“In his belt, blades uppermost, were the two swords, the companion sword and the longer blade.”
- Swordsmen of Gor
“I was at Cabots side to protect his left. And as a man fell he was at the left of a Pani warrior with a large horned face concealing helmet the Pani warrior clutched a long curved sword with two hands. ”
– Mariners of Gor
“We do not require prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduce the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion."
–Swordsmen of Gor
“I had no idea of how effective lower Pani, mostly peasants, impressed or enlisted as ashigaru, might be, as it was not their way of life, so to speak, as it seemed to be for higher Pani, such as the warriors of Lord Temmu, and Lords Nishida and Okimoto, but I was sure they could be trained, might be terrified not to fight, and, in any event, might be present in large numbers.”
–– Mariners of Gor
"I saw some Pani about. Some had heads fastened at their belt. I saw no prisoners."
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 264
"These heads were clearly trophies of a sort. For example, a warrior might win favor from his daimyo or shogun by garnering heads, this understood as a proof of prowess in war. In such a way one might earn promotion, land, gifts, preferments, and such. I would also later learn that these heads, particularly if one of a celebrated foe, might be treasured, and kept indefinitely, the hair being carefully combed and dressed, the head being perfumed, the teeth painted black, and so on. The blackness of teeth was apparently regarded as cosmetically appealing. Indeed, certain beauties of the Pani, I would learn, blackened their teeth to enhance their charms. To be sure, neither of the contract women of Lord Nishida, one of whom was Sumomo,
who was apparently of interest to Tajima, and the other of whom was Hana, as I later discovered, I was pleased to note, had adopted this practice.
He in the helmet mask turned toward me, and I saw that the mask, in design and color, was garish. Too, it was horned. The entire effect was that of a hideous face, as of some frightful creature, or monster of sorts, surely not even a human face."
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 469-470
"Let Lord Nishida be notified," I urged, "that he may
intervene."
"That is Lord Nishida," said Tajima, indicating the figure in
the fearsome mask with the bloodied sword.
"It cannot be," I said.
"It is," said Tajima.
"But his sword is bloodied," I protested.
"Lord Nishida is a great warrior," said Tajima.
"He fights, he, sword to sword?" I asked.
"Certainly," said Tajima. "It is our way. Who would follow
another?"
"Take prisoners!" I said.
"We do not require prisoners," said Tajima.
In common Gorean warfare it is not unknown for prisoners to be taken. They may be interrogated, worked, sold, and such. Too, occasionally, if important, and of station, they may be ransomed. The Pani, it seemed, might take prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and
crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduce the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion. Such things apparently vary culturally. Perhaps one reason
the Pani are not prone to making prisoners is that it is thought that the prisoner might be expected, if honorable, to end his own life, to erase his shame at having fallen into the hands of the enemy, and thus, if this is so, he might as well be spared this indignity by being granted an earlier surcease.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 479-480
Assassins: There were Assassin among the Pani unlike the black caste they did not wear a dagger mark and would not stop until the target is dead. They were like Rōnin having no master or lord. Only loyal depending on the gold they are paid and themselves. Like regular Swordsman and Rōnin, the Assassins wore their two swords along with a variety of other weapons as well..
Those brought to Tarncamp were, I had gathered from Pertinax, mercenaries, bandits, brigands, thieves, murderers, wanderers, low men, cast-off men, men lost from Home Stones, and such. Many, I understood, had come from the occupational forces now expelled from Ar. The word of such men might be as the rustle of the wind amidst leech plants. Their loyalties would on the whole be to their own hides and purses. They would on the whole be as much for hire as the Assassins, save that the Assassin, once the dagger has been painted on his forehead, signaling he is hunting, is loyal to a fee.
Swordsmen of Gor - page 343
Bugyo: A Bugyô is a Magistrate Appointed by the Shôgun to oversees a specific government post for example finances, or construction in or about a large city, or a region. They like a Daishoya are required to have a High Level of intelligence, Social Observation and Judgement. They are the second in command on All matters who can speak or make judgements on behalf of the Shougun and only answers to the Shogun himself. Simliar to a Daimyo in His duties provide justice, and handle the sentencing of prisoners. They came in many different ranks and served under the shogun. They paid Swordsmen underlings with rice or land, to fight for them. His Status is equal to that of to Second Swords, First Axe, As Second in command to the Shogun.
Cookhouse Itamae:The Cookhouse Itamae is the Chef who runs the Cookhouse, this person will be the main cook or chef of a large city, a region, or a camp while they will also have others working under them. There will also be slaves who would work in the cookhouse though they will be slaves.
The staple in the Twelve Islands, which is actually far more than twelve, is not Sa-Tarna, but rice.
– Mariners of Gor
“I hoped that, too, as I was growing weary of rice and parsit. The Pani do raise tarsk, verr, and of course, vulos.” “Perhaps they will break out the Paga”
— Mariners of Gor
“Many were the savory odors which emerged from behind the screen, from sauces, stews, and soups, rich with shoots, herbs, nuts, spices, vegetables, and peppers, even tarsk and vulo, as well as parsit, crabs, and grunt, emanating from pots brought in from the central kitchens, which served the long tables, outside, the barracks messes, the larger halls, and the smaller halls, such as that of the Three Moons.”
— Mariners of Gor
“Tassa powder is a harmless, tasteless, swift-acting drug. It is commonly used in the taking of women. It might be introduced into the parties of maidens, into the private, candle-lit suppers of high-born beauties, into the beverages of inns or vendors.
— Swordsmen of Gor
“The effect of Tassa powder is not felt for a time, but when it takes effect, it does so swiftly.”
— Swordsmen of Gor
Daikan: A Daikan was a financial magistrate that serve as a merchant, trader, and broker to helps individuals or businesses of a large city, a region, or a camp to raise funds to purchase things (such as new machinery or homes), assist in the movement of money via payment mechanisms, and to provide ways to invest excess funds, such as savings accounts and bonds.
Daimyo: The Daimyo were the provincial rulers assigned by the Shôgun of the Pani to rule or have suzerainty over various villages in World's. Most were considered as a Prince in the Imperial Court of the Shogun. Like the Buygo...They were themselves Warrior like Swordsmen, Chujo, and Ashigaru.Yet, their duty was to govern an area, provide justice, and handle the sentencing of prisoners. They came in many different ranks and served under the shogun. They paid Swordsmen underlings with rice or land, to fight for them.
"A daimyo or shogun will have suzerainty over various villages, which he protects, and from which he obtains the means to maintain his men. He who controls the rice, it is said, controls the islands.”
– Mariners of Gor
“An interesting exception to this sort of thing is that a prisoner, or one on the verge of capture, may be accorded the right to accept a new daimyo or shogun. Once he does this he is then honor bound to serve the new leader, as he did his old, and, it seems, he may be depended on to do so. He is not a mercenary, but he is a loyal follower, whomsoever he follows."
–Swordsmen of Gor
”I looked up. The figure was in battle gear, and it removed from its head a large, winged helmet.” “Ah, said Lord Okimoto politely, “Lord Nishida”
– Mariners of Gor
“Both lords wore sandals.” The hair of each was drawn behind the head and fastened in a ball or top knot. This was the case with many of the Pani, not all.”
– Mariners of Gor
“In his belt, blades uppermost, were the two swords, the companion sword and the longer blade.”
- Swordsmen of Gor
“I was at Cabots side to protect his left. And as a man fell he was at the left of a Pani warrior with a large horned face concealing helmet the Pani warrior clutched a long curved sword with two hands. ”
– Mariners of Gor
“Rice fields, or paddies, are associated with each village. A daimyo or shogun will have suzerainty over various villages, which he protects, and from which he obtains the means to maintain his men. He who controls the rice, it is said, controls the islands.”
– Mariners of Gor
Lord Nishida was garbed in white robes. He sat crosslegged, within his pavilion, on a low, flat platform of lacquered wood, some twelve feet square. Beside him, one on each side, lay two swords, one short, one long, each with a large, slightly curved hilt, wrapped in silk, and a curved blade. The longer of the two swords was not unlike that carried by Tajima, thrust in his belt, edge uppermost. Lord Nishida's countenance was refined, even delicate, but refined and delicate in the way a light, carefully edged weapon is refined and delicate, as, for example, the shorter of the two blades beside him.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 271
At the edges of the lacquered platform, one on each side, crouched two larls. Behind Lord Nishida, at the back of the platform, stood six of the "strange men," each armed with a glaive, the blade of which, socketed in its stout pole, was some two-and-a-half feet in length, and curved. It was presumably an infantry weapon. It could be used for either thrusting or slashing. It would not be thrown. Whereas I would not have anticipated difficulty in getting behind one such weapon, it would be exceedingly dangerous if there were two such weapons, as an aggressor would be likely to be vulnerable to the blow of the second weapon. As the glaive is used most effectively forward or to the soldier's left, if the wielder is right-handed, one would try to keep to the wielder's right.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 273
One of the long, curved swords, with the large hilt, was placed in the hands of Pertinax, at which he looked, apprehensively. A colored cord dangled from the hilt, which terminated in a tufted blue tassel. Tajima then backed away from him, and, smoothly, drew forth his own weapon, which
he gripped with two hands, and assumed what, for such a weapon, was apparently an on-guard position. The position seemed formal, and quite stylized, but there was no mistaking the readiness, or menace, of his attitude.
"You will fight," said Lord Nishida. "One of you is to die. Prepare to fight."
Pertinax cast me a look of bewilderment, and misery. But he did not turn about, and run. I was proud of him. Too, I did not think he would have
made it to the exit of the pavilion. Four fellows now stood there, two armed with glaives, two with swords. Tajima moved toward Pertinax, and, twice, feinted toward him. Pertinax lifted the blade, weakly, and then, putting down his head, in defeat, lowered it.
"You will now kill him," said Lord Nishida to Tajima.
I recalled Tajima was in training.
Tajima turned away from Pertinax, and faced Lord Nishida.
"Lord," said he, "set me rather the slaughter of a tethered verr."
Tajima had his back to Pertinax. But, from my training, I knew his every sense was alert, on a knife's edge of cold fire. I trusted that Pertinax would not act. Tajima seemed wholly at ease, even disgusted, certainly indolent. There was insult emblazoned in his very posture. I trusted that Pertinax would not act. In a moment it became clear to me that Pertinax would not seize his apparent opportunity. I smiled to myself, and, suddenly, almost inaudibly, I
moved my foot, quickly, in the dirt. Instantly Tajima had whirled about, his sword ready to fend a blow. His action was so quick that I, familiar with the reflexes of warriors, which often spell the difference between life and death, must admire it, and Pertinax, startled, gasped, his blade still haplessly lowered.
"He may be permitted to live," said Lord Nishida, "for the time."
One of the guards relieved Pertinax of the weapon.
"Well done!" I said to Pertinax.
"I did nothing," he said.
"That is why you are still alive," I said.
-Swordsmen of Gor Pg 280-281
I was then prepared to leave the plaza, but, in turning about, I saw a sight which, to me, if not to Tajima, and his people, seemed exceedingly odd.
"What is going on there?" I asked.
"One is preparing to recover his honor," said Tajima.
On a small platform, in a white kimono, one of Tajima's people, which I will now refer to as the Pani, as that is their word for themselves, knelt. His head was bowed, and before him, on the platform, was a curved wooden sheath, which contained, doubtless, a knife. Near the fellow, also clad in a
rather formal kimono, white, stood a fellow with an unsheathed sword, of the longer sort.
"Do not intrude," said Tajima.
"What is the fellow with the sword doing?" I asked.
"It is sometimes difficult to perform the act," said Tajima.
"If it cannot be well completed the swordsman will assist. There is no loss of honor in that."
"Stop!" I called.
"Do not interfere!" cried Tajima, whose suave placidity was for once not at his disposal.
I thrust Tajima back and strode to the figure on the platform, who had now loosened his robe and drawn forth a small dagger from the sheath.
The man with the sword stood to one side, two hands on the hilt of the weapon. He regarded me. He did not seem resentful, outraged, or such. Rather, he seemed puzzled. He had not expected this intrusion, nor had the fellow on the platform. The fellow on the platform gripped the knife. I thought blood had drained from his hand. He looked up, not fully comprehending this disruption. He had already, I understood, given himself to the knife, and all that remained now was to finish the deed.
"Allow him dignity!" begged Tajima.
"I will not allow this," I said.
"Who are you to stop it?" asked Tajima
Once again in command of his emotions. The Pani are an extremely emotional, passionate race, as I would learn, and the calmness of their exterior demeanor, their frequently seeming impassibility, even seeming apathy, was less of a disposition than an achievement. Civility is not an adornment, but a necessity. Is the beast not always at one's elbow? Behind the facade of a painted screen a larl may lurk. Every chain can snap, every rope break. Savagery lies close to the precincts of civilization. The borderland between them is narrow and easily traversed. Courtesy, or politeness, you see, must not always be understood as a lack, a debility, or insufficiency. One must not recklessly part curtains. Behind them might be found things you would just as soon not see. He who writes poetry and sips tea, and waits expectantly for a flower to blossom, may, in a frenzy, on the field of battle, take head after head. In any event, it is unwise to take mountains for granted. They may conceal volcanoes.
"I am commander, I am captain," I told Tajima.
"This man is a coward," said Tajima.
"No," I said, "he is not."
It seemed to me that the act he contemplated was
sufficient evidence of that.
"He fled from a tarn," said Tajima.
"He will not do so again," I said.
"Do not interfere," said Tajima. "You can make no
difference. He will simply complete the act later, when you
are not present."
"No, he will not," I said.
"Why not?" asked Tajima, genuinely interested.
"Because I forbid it," I said. "I will have no more of this
amongst men who will dare the tarn."
"It is our way," said Tajima.
"Who is captain?" I asked.
"You, Tarl Cabot, tarnsman," said Tajima.
"It is not my way," I said.
"You are captain," said Tajima, quietly.
"I will not lose men in this fashion," I said.
"It is better to lose such men," said Tajima.
"If you want to die," I said to the kneeling figure on the
platform, "do so under the talons of the tarn."
"It is wrong for you to interfere in this, Tarl Cabot,
tarnsman," said Tajima. "One must recover honor."
"One recovers honor in life," I said, "not in death. If he
lives, he may begin again, and gain honor."
"That is not our way," said Tajima.
"But it is a way," I said.
"Doubtless," said Tajima.
"And it is my way," I said.
"Yes," said Tajima. "It is your way."
"And I am captain," I said.
"Yes," said Tajima. "You are captain."
"Return to your training," I told the fellow kneeling on the
platform. "You are late."
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 362-364
Daishoya: A scribe is one who does the paper work of the camp and tasks requiring some level of intelligence. The role of the scribe ranges from magistrates of a large city, a region, or a camp to record keepers, lawyers, accountants, historians etc.
Fishermen: Among the Pani just as well as among the rest of Gor there would also be Fishermen, they were the ones who went out daily and would strive to bring in fresh fish for the stalls of markets for trade or commerce as well as provide enough fish for those of the Camp to be able to eat with..
Healer/Wound Dresser:A Healer of the Pani would be called a Wound Dresser and they are much like those of the physicians caste, the healers would be closer to herbalists yet would be able to preform the main essentials of the physicians caste just without the main standards or rules that those of the green caste push forward..
Larl Tamer: Among the Pani there were larl whom more or less protected the camp from outsiders yet at the same time would keep those inside the camp there as well.. These larls were trained some considered tame and some gentled, usually only one person was able to walk out with these large creatures. He would be the one given the task of training them, It was unknown what signals he would use but what was known he alone was the most safe with these vicious beast..
A cage wagon rolled past, in which, turning and twisting about one another, agitated, were several larls. These were the beasts, primarily, who had patrolled outside the wands. They were trained from cubhood, to respond to secret commands. Accordingly, one who knew these commands might command them, venture beyond the wands, and so on. Ashigaru prowled the edges of the road, lest any of Lord Nishida's minions, primarily mercenaries, be tempted to avail themselves of an unobstructed highway to another prince, one with perhaps a deeper purse.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 635
She uttered a tiny noise of fear, and her legs gave out beneath her, but she was steadied by the two guards who held her in place, by the upper arms, beneath the sheet. Her fear, understandably enough, was a reaction to the sight of the two larls, one on each side of the platform. She had perhaps never seen a larl before, and even if she were familiar with these large carnivores, finding oneself in their vicinity, without viewing them through thick bars or ascertaining that they were, say, tethered on stout chains, would be enough to unnerve a heart more experienced and stouter than hers. In any event, I had certainly shared a similar apprehension upon my entrance into the pavilion. The fact that the beasts seemed somnolent and that they seemed to provoke little concern amongst the others in the pavilion had, of course, considerably, if not entirely, assuaged my apprehensions. The larl, of course, is never fully tamed. Like the tarn, it has a wild blood. Too, if one makes a sudden movement in its vicinity, for example, a paw may, as by a reflex, lash out and a hand may be half torn from a wrist, or an arm may be shredded.
-Swordsmen of Gor Pg 287
She now understood the two larls to be harmless. She was mistaken in this conjecture, but it was a rational conjecture considering that the two beasts were quiet, crouched in place, and that their presence seemed to be accepted without question by the others present. She might have been less confident had she known more about larls. Pretty obviously the two beasts were domestic larls, probably raised from cubhood, and trained to respond to certain commands. On the other hand, as noted earlier, no larl is ever fully tamed. A thousand generations of stalking and killing lay concealed, lay in wait, in every corpuscle of those pelted, passive giants.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 288
I had, in wandering about, intended, for my interest, to cross the border of the wands, to scout the area, but I had been warned back by a prowling larl, which was, as nearly as I could determine, although it was not collared, a guard beast. I understood then why the camp, despite the richness of timber about, was not palisaded, at least not in the sense of being encircled by a close-set wall of sharpened palings. It did, of course, in a sense, have its palisade. Such beasts were its palisade.
-Swordsmen of Gor page 255
At that moment I heard the roar of a larl.
"Do not be dismayed," said Tajima, "it is from the pavilion
of Lord Nishida."
"It sounds close," I said.
"It is," said Tajima. "There is the pavilion."
-Swordsmen of Gor Pg 270
Outlander:An Outlander is a Person from a foreign land of another race that is accepted by the Pani and allowed in and around the camp reasonably yet is not welcomed with open arms. They could be Southern or Northern and will always be a Free Man or a Free Woman yet they are not of Pani decent so they will be scorned at times and looked down on often as being of a lower race or class..
Pearl Diver: A pearl diver gathers pearls by manually gathering very large numbers of pearl oysters (or pearl mussels) from the ocean floor (or lake, or river bottom) they were then brought to the surface, opened, and the tissues searched. In order to find enough pearl oysters, free-divers were often forced to descend to depths of over 100 feet on a single breath, exposing them to the dangers of hostile creatures, waves, and drowning, often as a result of shallow water blackout on resurfacing. Pearl Diving is a position only a Pani Free would be allowed to do, although they may have slaves to help them if they so wished..
Rōnin:Then they had the Rōnin who was a in essence a Swordsman with no Lord (Daimyo) or Master/Teacher (Sensei). A Swordsman became master-less from the death or fall of his Lord or Master, or after the loss of his Lord or Master’s favor or privilege. Like regular Swordsman, rōnin wore their two swords. The rōnin used a variety of other weapons as well..
“In his belt, blades uppermost, were the two swords, the companion sword and the longer blade.”
- Swordsmen of Gor
"With whom do you train in the forest?" I asked.
"Nodachi," he said.
"He is not a two-name person?" I asked.
"That is not his name," said Tajima. "His name is secret. He conceals it. He is called 'Nodachi'. That is merely a name for a battle sword, one to be used in the field."
"I understand little of this," I said.
"He is ronen," said Tajima. "A fellow of the waves, as it is
said, one with no home, one carried by the current, one with
no master, no captain. There are many such."
“A mercenary?” I suggested.
“Ah, Tarl Cabot, tarnsman,” said Tajima, “how little you know of these things.”
“Doubtless.” I said.
“Loyalty,” said Tajima, “is required of the warrior. His lord must be dead, or imprisoned. Or it may be he was betrayed by his lord, or that his lord proved unworthy of his devotion. It is lonely for the Ronen. One remembers. One does not forget. Over the ice a cloud drifts. The bird clings to the cold branch. It cries its pain in the night.”
-Swordsmen of Gor
Sensei: The Sensei is the Dojo Instructor in a Household of a large city, a region, or a camp. and an experienced advisors called upon by the Shogun and thier students. A Sensei is a person you can take inspiration from, whom you respect but feel comfortable enough turning to in a time of need. A Sensei should not use their students as tools for their egos to prove how superior they are.
To the contrary the Sensei should lead their students to discover their strengths and weaknesses so they may grow and florist in the Martial Arts and Life. They were the ones that helped a warrior not only fight but find their inner peace to endure the things they will have to do as warrior.
Sen means “before”, Sei means “life, birth, living or lived”. Thus a Sensei is someone who has experienced something before you. He has walked the path you are planning to follow before you, he can tell you what to do. In more general terms, it’s a teacher, normally the head instructor of the Dojo you are attending.
((The Practice of Martial Arts))
We were some twenty yards from the fellow, who was engaged, I supposed, in certain martial exercises, certainly of a rather stylized, formal nature. I had never seen anything exactly like this before. He was standing, and sometimes wheeled about, gracefully. He had two hands on an unusual
sword, with which he described certain evolutions, thrusts, strokes, a return to guard, and so on. It seemed ritualistic, but he was certainly intent on what he was doing. I had the sense of a severe concentration.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 224
Eight of the Pani then rose from their places and four of them, unarmed, faced the other four, similarly unarmed. They then bowed to one another, warily squared off and, shortly, engaged. Another of the Pani, an umpire or referee, or, better, I suppose, an adjudicator, began to observe and
supervise the practice. He occasionally commented, even scolded. In this engagement no mortal blows were to be dealt, of course, and when a stroke which would have spelled death or disablement was held up short, the adjudicator pronounced his verdict, and one of the fellows would politely
withdraw from the contest, in effect having been ruled dead or, one supposes, disabled. One-on-one combat can be stylized amongst the Pani, and may proceed rather formally, for all its sudden swiftness and violence, alternating with an almost unnatural stillness, reminiscent of a larl or panther,
intent, immobile, subtly quivering, before its attack.
Interestingly, although four were engaged on a side, when one was removed from the contest, his opponent did not then join with his fellows to overwhelm the survivors, but stood back. In effect, then, one had what seemed to amount to four one-on-one contests. In actual warfare, I trusted this civility would not be respected. Courtesy is one thing, but courtesy at the expense of victory seemed to me a dubious tactical election. Finally one fellow held the floor from one team, so to speak, and he was faced by three of the other group. He defeated two and was defeated by the third. The eight fellows
then stood, exchanged bows, and resumed their places.
"May we speak?" I asked Tajima.
"Not now," said Tajima, softly.
((The use of wooden weapons))
A large number of contests, of various sorts, took place in the dojo, most with weapons of wood. These were surrogates for several weapons, in particular the short sword, or companion sword, and the long sword. Some glaives without blades were used. An interesting variation on these surrogate weapons was supple poles, long, light, peeled, whiplike branches which might flash about, scarcely visible. These, I gathered, were less surrogate weapons than training devices, to quicken reflexes, and enhance skills. Occasionally steel was used, but, again, of course, the strokes were held up short. Sometimes one surrogate weapon was put against a different surrogate weapon. Sometimes an unarmed individual was to engage an individual armed, say, with a sheathed dagger. Understandably, a reasonable amount of care was taken in the dojo to reduce injury and, certainly, to prevent death, the holding of strokes, and such, but, nonetheless, bloodshed was not infrequent, and broken limbs, wrists, and arms, were not
unknown. These injuries seemed to be accepted with equanimity, save where it was suspected that intent was involved. The Pani seemed to feel in such a case that something was out of balance, however slightly, and an adjustment was in order. A disharmony was in need of correction. In such case one slash reddening a wooden blade might be used to pay for another.
"Now?" I asked Tajima.
"No," said Tajima.
The exercises and contests within the dojo were obviously intended to provide serious and detailed martial training, and I am sure they had great value in this regard. Why should they not? Indeed, had I not, long ago, in Ko-ro-ba, the Towers of the Morning, engaged in similar exercises, though commonly with actual weapons? But one can do only so much in such training, of course, whether with wood or steel. It is one thing to face a fellow with a wooden sword, say, who will hold his stroke, or try to do so, and quite another to face a fellow armed with finely edged steel who has every intention
of killing you. In the latter case every corpuscle comes alive, and the whole business is commonly done within a flash or two of steel. There is no training, as it is said, which can compare with the dojo of blood.
Swordsmen of Gor pg 393 - 397
Shôgun:The Shôgun The Shogun or Daimyo were the provincial rulers of the Pani, similar to Adminstrator, High Jarl, or Ubar. His is Word is Law and All answer to him. He appoints Bugyôs, Daimyos, Daishoyas, Daikan, Senseis, that help him govern his land and enforce his will under his leadership.
Tōji: Tōji (杜氏) or Sake' Maker is the job title of the sake brewer. It is a highly respected job in the Pani society, with tōji being regarded like musicians or painters. The title of tōji was historically passed on from father to son/mother to daughter, Or from veteran tōji to thier apprentice (Which can be Male or Female). Sake breweries are seasonal, operating only in the cool winter months. During the summer and fall most tōji work elsewhere, and are commonly found on farms, only periodically returning to the brewery to supervise storage conditions or operations of placing in containers.
Tōji or Sake' Maker is a position only a Pani Free would be allowed to do, although they may have slaves to help them if they so wished. In Pani island, sake is the national beverage, sake is often served with special ceremony – gently warmed in a small earthenware or porcelain bottle called a tokkuri, and sipped from a small porcelain cup called a sakazuki.
NOTES ON SAKE':
There are two basic types of sake:
Futsū-shu (普通酒, ordinary sake) is the equivalent of common wine and accounts for the majority of sake produced.
Tokutei meishō-shu (特定名称酒, special-designation sake) refers to premium sakes distinguished by the degree to which the rice has been polished and the added percentage of brewer's alcohol or the absence of such additives.
Sake tends to benefit from a period of storage. Nine to twelve months are required for sake to mature. Maturation is caused by physical and chemical factors such as oxygen supply, the broad application of external heat, nitrogen oxides, aldehydes and amino acids, among other unknown factors.
I sat near Lord Nishida, and he had offered me a sip of a different fermented beverage, one I had once tasted on Earth, though not of so fine a quality. It was warm, in its small bowl. "It is sake," I was informed. I nodded. There are rice fields on Gor, in the vicinity of Bazi, famed for its teas, but rice is not as familiar on Gor as the grain, sa-tarna. And Pani, as far as I knew, were not found in Bazi, or its environs. To be sure I supposed the rice might be Bazi rice, but I was not sure of that, not at all sure of it.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 569'
Types of Warriors and Other Roles
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The Pani had three Classes of warriors or fighters as some would call them..
Swordsmen: who were the Highest More Respected Samurai Warriors. The Swordsman would commonly be seen carrying two Swords (katanas)
Chujo: who is a Lieutenant general this is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second in command on the battlefield
Ashigaru: who were the Archers, Spearmen, Riders, Larl Handlers, Tarnsmen, Scouts, Hunters, Infantrymen and Guardsmen in the Pani armies. They were conscripted foot-soldiers and were lower-ranking than Swordsmen or Chujo.
"I now saw one of the Pani emerging from the hut, carrying a head. These heads were clearly trophies of a sort. For example, a warrior might win favor from his daimyo or shogun by gathering heads, this understood as a proof of prowess in war. In such a way one might earn promotion, land, gifts, preferment, and such. I would also later learn that these heads, particularly if one of a celebrated foe, might be treasured, and kept indefinitely, the hair being carefully combed and dressed, the head being perfumed, the teeth painted black, and so on. “
- Swordsmen of Gor
“Lord Nishida bowed first. There is apparently a certain order to such things, who bows first, how deeply one bows, and such.”
- Mariners of Gor
“Hands, too, amongst the higher Pani, are often concealed in the broad sleeves of their robes. This makes possible the concealment, and the ready availability, of a sleeve dagger.”
- Mariners of Gor
“We do not require prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduce the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion."
Most interestingly to me were the cots in the area, of which there were several. These cots were mostly improvised, walled with rope nets strung between trees, and, too, large, heavy poles, doubtless
from local trees, trimmed of bark and branches. Rope netting is used rather than wire to protect the birds. Tarn wire, for example, sometimes used to "roof a city," to defend it from tarn attack, is almost invisible, and can easily cut the wing from a descending bird. A lighter form of wire is called "slave
wire," and it, too, is dangerous. A slave attempting to escape through such wire is likely to be found suspended within it, piteously begging for help, half cut to pieces. Two of the cots were large and conical. Their framing, formed of light metal tubing, fitted together, was not untypical of a form of cot found in open camps. I supposed it derived from Thentis, and might have been brought to the coast by wagon, and then north by ship, as doubtless was the case with many forms of supplies.
-Swordsmen of Gor
“An interesting exception to this sort of thing is that a prisoner, or one on the verge of capture, may be accorded the right to accept a new daimyo or shogun. Once he does this he is then honor bound to serve the new leader, as he did his old, and, it seems, he may be depended on to do so. He is not a mercenary, but he is a loyal follower, whomsoever he follows."
–Swordsmen of Gor
“In his belt, blades uppermost, were the two swords, the companion sword and the longer blade.”
- Swordsmen of Gor
“I was at Cabots side to protect his left. And as a man fell he was at the left of a Pani warrior with a large horned face concealing helmet the Pani warrior clutched a long curved sword with two hands. ”
– Mariners of Gor
“We do not require prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduce the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion."
–Swordsmen of Gor
“I had no idea of how effective lower Pani, mostly peasants, impressed or enlisted as ashigaru, might be, as it was not their way of life, so to speak, as it seemed to be for higher Pani, such as the warriors of Lord Temmu, and Lords Nishida and Okimoto, but I was sure they could be trained, might be terrified not to fight, and, in any event, might be present in large numbers.”
–– Mariners of Gor
"I saw some Pani about. Some had heads fastened at their belt. I saw no prisoners."
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 264
"These heads were clearly trophies of a sort. For example, a warrior might win favor from his daimyo or shogun by garnering heads, this understood as a proof of prowess in war. In such a way one might earn promotion, land, gifts, preferments, and such. I would also later learn that these heads, particularly if one of a celebrated foe, might be treasured, and kept indefinitely, the hair being carefully combed and dressed, the head being perfumed, the teeth painted black, and so on. The blackness of teeth was apparently regarded as cosmetically appealing. Indeed, certain beauties of the Pani, I would learn, blackened their teeth to enhance their charms. To be sure, neither of the contract women of Lord Nishida, one of whom was Sumomo,
who was apparently of interest to Tajima, and the other of whom was Hana, as I later discovered, I was pleased to note, had adopted this practice.
He in the helmet mask turned toward me, and I saw that the mask, in design and color, was garish. Too, it was horned. The entire effect was that of a hideous face, as of some frightful creature, or monster of sorts, surely not even a human face."
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 469-470
"Let Lord Nishida be notified," I urged, "that he may
intervene."
"That is Lord Nishida," said Tajima, indicating the figure in
the fearsome mask with the bloodied sword.
"It cannot be," I said.
"It is," said Tajima.
"But his sword is bloodied," I protested.
"Lord Nishida is a great warrior," said Tajima.
"He fights, he, sword to sword?" I asked.
"Certainly," said Tajima. "It is our way. Who would follow
another?"
"Take prisoners!" I said.
"We do not require prisoners," said Tajima.
In common Gorean warfare it is not unknown for prisoners to be taken. They may be interrogated, worked, sold, and such. Too, occasionally, if important, and of station, they may be ransomed. The Pani, it seemed, might take prisoners but seldom did so. Sometimes prisoners were tortured, and
crucified, presumably primarily as examples to terrify enemies, reduce the temptation to sedition, and such. A common form of Gorean execution is impalement. The Pani regarded this as barbarous, but looked lightly on crucifixion. Such things apparently vary culturally. Perhaps one reason
the Pani are not prone to making prisoners is that it is thought that the prisoner might be expected, if honorable, to end his own life, to erase his shame at having fallen into the hands of the enemy, and thus, if this is so, he might as well be spared this indignity by being granted an earlier surcease.
-Swordsmen of Gor pg 479-480