Mercenaries on Gor

In John Norman's Gorean series, mercenaries play a crucial role in the military and political landscape of Gor. While individual mercenaries or small bands might be mentioned throughout the series in passing, there is a specific book dedicated to exploring their culture, companies, and their pivotal role in a major war.

Primary Appearance

• Book 21: Mercenaries of Gor (1985)

  This is the definitive book in the series concerning mercenaries. The story centers heavily on the various independent mercenary companies—"whose services may be purchased or bid upon for given periods of time"—and their strict allegiance to their pay and their captains.

  • The Plot: The protagonist, Tarl Cabot, arrives at the city of Torcodino just as it is seized by a famous mercenary captain named Dietrich of Tarnburg in a surprise attack. Dietrich is attempting to stall the massive invasion forces of the maritime ubarates of Cos and Tyros, who are marching on the great city of Ar. Tarl Cabot is tasked with delivering urgent, secret letters to the administration of Ar, navigating a city rife with treason and dissension. The existence of the independent mercenary companies is threatened if the balance of power on Gor shifts too drastically.

The Role of Mercenaries on Gor

Throughout the series, it is established that cities and private individuals often hire soldiers to supplement their own forces or to conduct reprisals and acquisitions. The mercenaries of Gor are professional soldiers for hire, and their companies vary greatly in size and reputation. Their neutrality and independence are vital to the complex political balance of the planet.

Are you looking for information on a specific mercenary company or captain from the series?

Fjord

In John Norman's Gorean series, fjords are a defining geographical feature of Torvaldsland, the harsh, Viking-inspired northern frontier of the planet Gor. Because of this, fjords are prominently featured in the books that take place in or discuss the northern regions.

Here is where you will find fjords mentioned and explored:

Primary Appearance

• Book 9: Marauders of Gor (1975)

  This is the primary novel dedicated to Torvaldsland. The protagonist, Tarl Cabot, journeys to the far north, where the geography is heavily characterized by deep, icy fjords, towering cliffs, and freezing seas. The book introduces specific fjord-based locations and characters, such as a minor captain explicitly named Rolf of Red Fjord. The plot revolves heavily around the seafaring, raiding culture of the men who live along these fjords.

Secondary Mentions

• Book 12: Beasts of Gor (1978)

  This book also explores the extreme northern regions of Gor, extending past Torvaldsland into the polar ice cap. It focuses on the "Red Hunters" (a society heavily inspired by Earth's Inuit cultures) who live near the Axe Glacier and hunt marine life in the icy, fjord-cut archipelagos of the north.

Brief Lore Context

Within the series, Torvaldsland is described as a brutal, unforgiving landscape of stone, pine forests, and jagged fjords. The people of Torvaldsland are seafarers, hunters, and raiders who navigate the fjords in longships. The region would be entirely locked in ice if not for the "Stream of Torvald," a warm ocean current that keeps the fjords and harbors just navigable enough to support life and allow for their raiding expeditions.

City of Lara

The most prominent appearance of the City of Lara is in the fifteenth book of the series, where it serves as a direct setting for the story. It is also mentioned in several other books when discussing the political geography of Gor.

Primary Appearance

• Book 15: Rogue of Gor (1981)

  This is the primary book where the City of Lara is featured as an active location. The protagonist of this novel, Jason Marshall, travels to Lara in search of a captive Earth woman named Beverly Henderson. The book even features a chapter specifically titled, "The City of Lara; I Renew an Acquaintance." During his time there, Jason finds the city largely deserted due to word of incoming raiding tarnsmen from the rival city of Ar.

Notable Mentions in the Series

Because the City of Lara is one of the four cities of the Salerian Confederation (along with Ti, Vonda, and Port Olni), it is frequently referenced in books that deal with the politics and wars of that region:

• Book 14: Fighting Slave of Gor (1980) Lara is mentioned as part of the Salerian Confederation, which is noted as a growing power and a potential obstacle to the city of Ar's ambitions.

• Book 24: Vagabonds of Gor (2001) The city is explicitly referenced when detailing the history and geographical layout of the Salerian Confederation and its control over the Olni River.

Brief Lore Context

Within the books, the City of Lara is described as a walled, freshwater port city located at the strategic junction of the Vosk and Olni rivers. It is known for its independence, its skilled sailors, and for maintaining an alliance with the island of Cos to counter the military threat of the city of Ar.

Long House at the Fjord

 Thrones

Main Hall Lower Level

Long House

Upstairs

My Room

School in Fjord