~The Gorean Cave~

Gorean Weapons - Armor



This is my narrative and relevant references from the Books about Chain Mail and Armor.
It is not meant to be anything other than the facts of the matter. Arrive at your own conclusions.


I wish you well,
Fogaban


 


Chain Mail and Armor		To The Index

I include chain mail, and body armor as a topic, not for its description, but simply to point out that these things are forbidden by the Priest-Kings. [j1] j1 "I would have supposed that armor, or chain mail perhaps, would have been a desirable addition to the accouterments of the Gorean warrior, but it had been forbidden by the Priest-Kings."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 48

"They, like Gorean warriors, wore no visible body armor, as this defensive device was contrary to the rulings of Priest-Kings."
Swordsmen of Gor, Page 334 The Priest-Kings do not explain the rationale for their rulings. They do enforce them, however, mercilessly, with the Flame Death. [j2] j2 "Whatever the truth may be in these matters the Priest-Kings, as is their wont, did not explain the rationale for their rulings. They do enforce them, however, mercilessly, with the Flame Death. Perhaps the rulings on body armor were not even particularly rationally motivated, at all; perhaps they were the result of a random notion or an idiosyncratic whim on the part of one or more Priest-Kings. Whatever the case may be the rulings, as in the case of certain forbidden developments or innovations in weaponry and communication, and such, are in place."
Swordsmen of Gor, Page 336

 


Helmets		To The Index

However, it should be noted that helmets are used and some of these do indeed have a draping of linked chain. Specifically, some of the helmets of those of the Wagon Peoples. [j3] j3 "A net of linked chain, unhooked, dangled beside his helmet."
Fighting Slave of Gor, Page 178 Completely covering and protecting the face, this chain, with holes for the eyes is all but a mask. [j4] j4 "I could see he carried a small, round, leather shield, glossy, black, lacquered; he wore a conical, fur-rimmed iron helmet, a net of colored chains depending from the helmet protecting his face, leaving only holes for the eyes.
. . .
I could not see his face because of the net of chain that hung before it."
Nomads of Gor, Page 10

"He threw the chain mask from his face, back over the helmet and laughed."
Nomads of Gor, Page 15 But not all of their helmets are so fashioned. [j5] j5 "The second rider had halted there. He was dressed much as the first man, except that no chain depended from his helmet, but his wind scarf was wrapped about his face."
Nomads of Gor, Page 14

Some helmets of Torvaldsland, which can also have a movable nose piece, hangs a mantle of linked chain. Some, though have solid sides and, as you might expect, horns. [j6] j6 "The helmets of the north are commonly conical, with a nose-guard, that can slip up and down. At the neck and sides, attached by rings, usually hangs a mantle of linked chain. The helmet of Thorgard himself, however, covered his neck and the sides of his face. It was horned."
Marauders of Gor, Page 73

Then there are other helmets mentioned. The most common Gorean helmet is nearly solid metal but has a slotted "Y" shaped opening for the eyes and mouth. [j7] j7 "Above the shield was suspended a helmet, again reminiscent of a Greek helmet, perhaps of the Homeric period. It had a somewhat "Y"-shaped slot for the eyes, nose, and mouth in the nearly solid metal."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 22 It is cushioned with rolls of leather [j8] j8 ". . . and the simple helmet, innocent of insignia, with empty crest plate, of curved iron with its "Y"-like opening, and cushioned with rolls of leather."
Raiders of Gor, Page 68 since it is heavy [j9] j9 "I wore the heavy Gorean helmet, concealing my features."
Raiders of Gor, Page 82

". . . and put on the heavy black helmet of the Assassin. . . ."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 182 and is buckled under the chin with straps. [j10] j10 "I unbuckled the helmet strap and gently removed the helmet."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 217 One legendary warrior of the Pani wears a winged helmet. [j11] j11 The figure was in battle gear, and it removed from its head a large, winged helmet.
Mariners of Gor, Page 173

When not being worn it is carried in the left hand, [j12] j12 "In his left hand he cradled a helmet."
Witness of Gor, Page 488 carried over the left shoulder, [j13] j13 "I resheathed my sword, fastened my helmet over my shoulder, lifted my shield and spear and set out in the direction of the Sardar Mountains."
Nomads of Gor, Page 5

"I hung my helmet over my left shoulder with the sheathed short sword; on my left arm I bore my shield; in my right hand I carried the Gorean war spear."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 45 slung from a spear [j14] j14 "He carried a spear over his left shoulder, balanced by his left hand; from the spear depended a shield, behind the left shoulder, and a helmet."
Slave Girl of Gor, Page 18 or strapped to a saddle. [j15] j15 "He fastened his helmet to the side of the saddle and, from his saddle pack, withdrew a roll of leather."
Captive of Gor, Page 264 Those with prestige even have someone else carry their helmet. [j16] j16 "His helmet bearer, on his own beast, followed him."
Magicians of Gor, Page 96

Helmets are usually adorned with an insignia of some sort, perhaps of the company to which the wearer belongs, [j17] j17 "In the light of the small lamp there, near the exit, I determined that the helmet bore the insignia of the company of Artemidorus of Cos."
Renegades of Gor, Page 61 for if the crest plate is empty, the bearer could be taken for an outlaw or mercenary. [j18] j18 "Neither his leather nor his helmet were distinguished by insignia. I supposed then, that he must be a mercenary, or an outlaw."
Captive of Gor, Page 256

The material from which a helmet is made can be bronze, [j19] j19 "The helmet was bronze. . ."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 21 iron [j20] j20 ". . . a helmet, conical, of iron, with hanging chain, and a steel nosepiece, that might be raised and lowered. . ."
Marauders of Gor, Page 96 or steel. [j21] j21 "I tried to tear the steel helmet from my head with my manacled wrists. . ."
Assassin of Gor, Page 336

Helmets can also be different colors. Some are colored to identify the Caste of the one who wears it. Such is the case of the Assassin, who wears a black helmet. [j22] j22 "He wore the black helmet of a member of the Caste of Assassins."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 133 Some are colored to match the city, as in the case of the blue helmets of Tharna. [j23] j23 "By their shield insignia and blue helmets I knew them to be men of Tharna."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 56 There are also mentioned helmets which are gray, [j24] j24 "His helmet, with its "Y"-like aperture, was gray."
Captive of Gor, Page 256 yellow, [j25] j25 "At one side of the clearing I saw Sarus, Captain of the Rhoda, leader of the men of Tyros. He lifted his yellow helmet from his head and wiped his brow."
Hunters of Gor, Page 193 purple [j26] j26 "You are a Taurentian, are you not?" I asked a fellow in a purple helmet.
Mercenaries of Gor, Page 250 and golden. [j27] j27 "In a minute the rider appeared in view – a fine, bearded warrior with a golden helmet and a tharlarion lance."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 115 The rank and file of armies will polish their helmets. [j28] j28 "Regulars of Cos, regiments of them, in ordered lines, in cleaned, pressed blue, with polished helmets and shields, preceded by numerous standard bearers, representing far more units than were doubtless in the city at the moment, and musicians, advanced."
Magicians of Gor, Page 89

Certain helmets have other identifying marks on them. A messenger within the Caste of Assassins will affix a golden slash to the left temple of his helmet. [j29] j29 "Across the left temple of the black helmet I fixed the golden slash of the messenger. In this disguise I freely wandered about the camp, observing the siege operations, the appointment of the compounds, the marshaling of troops."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 176

"No one ventured to repel me. All were silent. I wore the garb of the Caste of Assassins, and on the left temple of the black helmet was the golden slash of the messenger."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 192 At one time, the palace guards of Tharna each had a tiny silver mask on the temple of their helmets. [j30] j30 "About the room, here and there, stood stem warriors of Tharna, grim in their blue helmets, each with a tiny silver mask on the temple members of the palace guard."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 90 The Taurentian helmet is laced with gold as one of the Ubar's guard. [j31] j31 "Then to my surprise I saw, with us, fighting, a common Warrior, not a Taurentian, one whose helmet was not laced with gold nor his shield bound with silver, nor his shoulders covered with the purple of the Ubar's guard."
Assassin of Gor, Page 347 An officer in the ranks of Port Kar has a golden slash [j32] j32 "With him there stood a tall, bearded helmeted warrior of Port Kar, the golden slash of the officer across the temples of his helmet."
Raiders of Gor, Page 51 or slashes [j33] j33 "Though his helmet still bore the two golden slashes, it now bore as well a crest of sleen hair, permitted only to captains."
Raiders of Gor, Page 129 across the temples of his helmet.

Captains of Port Kar are identified by the crest of sleen hair atop their helmets. [j34] j34 "I gathered up my cloak, and my helmet, it with the captain's crest of sleen hair, and left the chamber."
Raiders of Gor, Page 168 However, this crest of sleen hair is not just indicative of the captains in Port Kar for it is shown to also adorn the helmet of a Camp Commander, [j35] j35 "We now saw a tall figure there, behind the ramparts, one whose helmet was surmounted by a crest of sleen hair. There were standards held behind him. "It is the camp commander!" cried a fellow."
Renegades of Gor, Page 312 and others. [j36] j36 "In his left hand he cradled a helmet. It would muchly enclose the head. On it, mounted over the crown, from front to back, was a crest of sleen hair."
of Gor, Page 488 Some helmets are spoken of as having plumes of hair [j37] j37 ". . . carried a spear, beneath the blade of which was slung a helmet with a plume of dark, swirling hair. . ."
Slave Girl of Gor, Page 12 or have the rim trimmed in fur. [j38] j38 "At his saddle hung a conical steel helmet, oddly fashioned with a rim of fur encircling it, bespeaking a tradition in armory whose origin did not seem likely to be the Tahari."
Tribesmen of Gor, Page 306 Plus, it seems, a tarnsman might wear a helmet which has a crest of sleen hair or larl hair. [j39] j39 "They wore gray helmets, with crests of the hair of larls and sleen. Their leather told me they were tarnsmen."
Slave Girl of Gor, Page 272 One golden helmet is described as having a golden plume. [j40] j40 "He was a tall man, in a golden helmet, plumed, too, in gold, and a golden cloak."
Magicians of Gor, Page 90 Fighting helmets can have a curving steel crest. [j41] j41 ". . . the great helmet with its curving steel crest that concealed his features. . ."
Assassin of Gor, Page 191 Other fighting helmets actually have covers to blind the wearer and are locked into place. Thus to enthrall the crowds of the arenas. [j42] j42 " "Murmillius is apparently victorious again," said Vancius of the House of Cernus, lifting a blind helmet and fitting it over my head. Vancius, of the guards, turned the key in the helmet lock that fastened the helmet on my head. Within the heavy metal casque I could see nothing."
Assassin of Gor, Page 333

" "There is no time!" said Ho-Tu. "Bring the other helmet!" One of the girls presented Ho-Tu with another helmet. It seemed identical to the one I had worn. Then I saw that is was perforated ."
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 337

Helmets serve other purposes too. Some will make an oath by their helmet. [j43] j43 "Were it not for the daughter of Marlenus," said Pa-Kur, his metallic face as placid as the quicksilver behind a mirror, "I would have slain you honorably. That I swear by the black helmet of my caste."
Tarnsman of Gor, Page 138 They are used to drink from, [j44] j44 "Some warriors entered, too, and instead of attempting to restore order had incredibly taken off their helmets, filled them with Kal-da and sat cross-legged with us, to sing and drink their fill."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 80

"Two were being dressed for the spit; two, as yet had been untouched, blood was being drained into a helm from the neck of the fifth. "Ivar Forkbeard!" cried the man holding the helmet. He lifted the helmet to Ivar. Over the helmet Ivar doubled and held his fist, making the sign of Thor. Then he drank, and handed to me the helmet."
Marauders of Gor, Page 260 hold wash water, [j45] j45 "Callimachus descended from the stem castle, leaving his officer at that post. He took some water in his helmet and, using it as a basin, splashed his face with it."
Guardsman of Gor, Page 13 used as a form of measure, [j46] j46 "Lara, the Tatrix, straightened in my arms. "I do not find the terms satisfactory," she said. "Give him in addition to what he asks, the weight of ten tarns in gold, two rooms of silver and a hundred helmets filled with jewels."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 143 a container, [j47] j47 "When I had knelt before a post, my hands behind me, chained back about the post, a helmet beside me, set in the sand, like a vessel, into which ostraka would be placed, men had come to look upon me."
Dancer of Gor, Page 363 a way to bail water from a boat [j48] j48 "Nearby was a barge, one of the larger craft in our makeshift flotilla, carrying perhaps fifty men. It was poled by ten men to a side, working in shifts. Some other fellows, with their helmets, cast water out of it. Other men clung to its stern."
Vagabonds of Gor, Page 96 or simply to mark one's spot. [j49] j49 "The fellow called Borton hurled his helmet down in the place, marking it for himself. Few, I gathered, would be eager to displace this token of his claimancy."
Vagabonds of Gor, Page 23