Slave papers

Slave papers contain the details necessary to identify a particular woman as being the slave related to the official papers. They are a legal document of her slavery.

Slave papers are seen only in the "city cultures" on Gor. The jungle tribes, Torvaldslanders, Wagon Peoples, Savages, Alars, Rencers, etc do not follow the same customs of society that are seen in cities.

Here we see the documents kept accurate so they can be useful in a court of law.
I looked down at the new slave, whom I had decided to call ‘Talena’, which slave name was also entered on her papers, in the first endorsement, as her first slave name pertinent to these papers, and by means of which she could always be referred to in courts of law as, say, the slave who on such and such a date was known by the name ‘Talena.’ This did not preclude her name being changed, of course, now or later, by myself, or others.
Magicians

From the reference in this quote to measurments being taken "far beyond the requirements of law" we are given the understanding that Gorean law requires a certain amount and type of information to be noted on slave papers, and that slave papers may certainly contain added details beyond those required by law.
Additional measurements were taken with other instruments, such as a caliper. With these were recorded such data as the width and length of fingers and toes, the width of her heels, the lovely tiny distance between her nostrils, and so on. The result of this examination, of course, was to produce a network of data which, to a statistical certainty, far beyond the requirements of law, would be unique to a given female.
Magicians

And here we are told there are laws regarding the accuracy of the information contained in slave papers.
The reservations about hair coloring are particularly acute in commercial situations. One would not wish to buy a girl thinking she was auburn, a rare and muchly prized hair color on Gor, for example, and then discover later that she was, say, blond. Against such fraud, needless to say, the law provides redress. Slavers will take pains in checking out new catches, or acquisitions, to ascertain the natural color of their hair, one of the items one expects to find, along with fingerprints and measurements, and such, on carefully prepared slave papers.
Vagabonds

It is a felony in Gorean law to forge or enter false information on slave papers.
Some female slaves, incidentally, have a pedigreed lineage going back through several generations of slave matings, and their masters hold the papers to prove this. It is a felony in Gorean law to forge or falsify such papers.
Savages

There are "common slave papers" (generic blank forms we may assume) that can be filled out with pertinent information regarding a slave when the slave is sold at a time when the slave's papers are not in the owners hands, or at the initial enslavement.
“How much do you want?” I asked.
“A tarsk bit,” said Appanius.
The retainers cried out with horror. The slave looked up, startled, trembling. Lavinia gasped.
“A tarsk bit,” repeated Appanius.
The slave wept in shame, and jerked at the manacles in frustration. But he could not free himself. Well were his hands confined behind him.
“I think I can afford that,” I said.
“That is the most valuable slave in Ar!” said one of the retainers.
“No,” said Appanius. “It is the most worthless slave in Ar.”
I removed a tarsk bit from my wallet and gave it to Appanius.
“He is yours,” said Appanius.
The tarsk bit is the smallest denomination coin in common circulation in most Gorean cities.
“You do not mind filling out certain pertinent papers, do you?’ I asked. I had brought some sets of such papers with me.
“Common slave papers?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said.
“It is not necessary,” said one of the retainers.
“Not at all,” said Appanius. “You do not have an appropriate collar at hand, I gather.”
“No,” I said.
“If I am not mistaken,” said Marcus, “ink and a pen are in the back.”
“Interesting,” I said. To be sure, they had been here when he had scouted the compartments. Doubtless they had been used before, in the course of Appanius’ acquiring new slaves. Slave papers, too, were in the back, although I had brought my own. Hoods, gags, ropes, and such, were in the back, too.
“Give me the papers,” said Appanius.
I handed him a set.
“I will fill these out in the back, and you, Lucian, will witness them.”
...
In a few moments Appanius and I had concluded our business. The papers had been signed, and witnessed.
Magicians

GENERAL

Slave name

Pervious slave names (at the times of various prior endorsements)

Current owner

Previous owners (as noted on papers through sales and filings)

Date of initial enslavement

Manner of initial enslavement (capture, judicial enslavement, debt, etc)

Endorsements (As slave is passed from one owner to another)

Bills of sale

Hair color

Eye color

Weight

Height

Finger prints

Toe prints


ATTRIBUTES

Skills & training

Pedigree (if bred slave)

Literate or illiterate

Type of brand

Ears - pierced or not

Status - Red silk or white silk


MEASUREMENTS

Structure of ear lobes

Width of fingers

Length of fingers

Width of toes

Length of toes

Width of heels

Distance between nostrils

Measurements (in horts, bust, waist, hips)

Wrist ring size

Ankle ring size

Collar size


See Contents Quotes

When the slave is sold, a copy of the updated, current slave papers (containing now the details of the most recent sale and indicating the current status of the property) are filed with the Cylinder of Records.
In the House of Cernus, after the sheet, bracelets, leash and collar had been removed, agents of House of Cernus had checked her fingerprints against those on the papers. She had then been examined thoroughly the by Physicians of the House of Cernus. Then, found acceptable, she had knelt while agents of the House signed the receipt of her delivery and endorsed her papers, retaining one set, giving one set to the seller's agent, for forwarding to the Cylinder of Documents.
Assassin

When the slave is freed, her papers are endorsed with the details of her change in status and a new current set of the papers is filed with the Cylinder of Records.
I held Elizabeth to me.
"I have brought papers," said Hup. "They have been endorsed to you. The slave is yours."
Elizabeth looked at Hup. He was Gorean. To him she was that, simply, a slave.
To me she seemed the world.
"Write on the papers," said I, "that on this first day of the restoration of Marlenus of Ar, the slave Vella was by her master, Tarl of Ko-ro-ba, granted her freedom."
Hup shrugged, and so endorsed the papers. I signed them, my name in Gorean script, followed by the sign of the city of Ko-ro-ba.
Hup gave me the key to Elizabeth's collar and anklet and I freed her of the steel that marked her slave.
"I will file the papers in the cylinder of documents," said Hup.
Assassin

In this particular case, Talena, daughter of Marlenus of Ar, is enslaved but her owner intends that she will remain publically free. To cover himself and ensure his legal claim on her as his slave, he has several certified copies of slave papers filed with various cities and with unofficial parties as well. (Filing papers in multitudes of cities would not be common)
“Here,” I said, “are ten pieces of gold.” I counted them out, into Milo’s hand. He looked at me, disbelievingly. I had already given fifteen pieces to Tolnar and Venlisius each. They had upheld the laws of Ar and preserved their honor. They would also file the papers, and several certified copies of them, in various places, and, by courier, with certain other parties, official and unofficial, in various cities. It would be next to impossible, for, say, Seremides, to recover them all. I retained my copies, of course.
Magicians

Some women (or men) may be slaves for a while before ever having slave papers made for them. It is also possible that a slave could spend his/her entire slavery without having been officially documented with slave papers. (This is aside from slaves outside the "city cultures".)

In the books, we see slave papers utilized for slaves passing through some "official" interaction.

Whenever a government is involved, existing papers are endorsed, or if none exist, new ones are created. Examples of such situations would be a praetor or magistrate pronouncing judicial enslavement upon a woman or man. Government sales or purchases of slaves. Government of a conquering city enslaving the women of the conquered city.

Another "official" situation is that in which the Caste that pertains to slaves is involved - the Caste of Slavers. When they capture, purchase, or sell a slave, papers are created or existing papers updated and endorsed, and properly filed in the Cylinder of Records.

Not every slave has papers however. A man of the Caste of Potters (for example) could sell or trade his slave to a friend without the involvement of any official papers.

However, having official papers, with certified copies recorded in the Cylinder of Records, appears to be a wise thing for most any slave owner within city limits. The quote below shows us the potential for another to "lodge a citizen's inquiry", and without having proof of ownership, it appears that there could be some consequences.
"Did she once dance in a tavern?" said the man.
"Perhaps," said my master. "I do not know." He made as though to go.
"I think she is a stolen tavern dancer," said the man.
"I bought her properly," said the master.
"You have papers on her?" asked the man.
"No," said my master.
"You received stolen goods," said the man.
"Not to my knowledge," said my master.
"An investigation might nonetheless prove you have no legal hold on her."
"Are you a magistrate, or a praetor's agent?" inquired my master, narrowly.
"No," said the fellow.
My master relaxed, visibly.
"But I could always lodge a citizen's inquiry, and have the matter looked into," he said.
Dancer

When Talena is first enslaved, initial papers are prepared on her. The information entered on these papers about the newly enslaved woman is referred to as the "first endorsement".
I looked down at the new slave, whom I had decided to call ‘Talena’, which slave name was also entered on her papers, in the first endorsement, as her first slave name pertinent to these papers, and by means of which she could always be referred to in courts of law as, say, the slave who on such and such a date was known by the name ‘Talena.’ This did not preclude her name being changed, of course, now or later, by myself, or others.
Magicians

As the slave is transferred from one owner to another, the papers are endorsed with the details of the sale.
In the House of Cernus, after the sheet, bracelets, leash and collar had been removed, agents of House of Cernus had checked her fingerprints against those on the papers. She had then been examined thoroughly the by Physicians of the House of Cernus. Then, found acceptable, she had knelt while agents of the House signed the receipt of her delivery and endorsed her papers, retaining one set, giving one set to the seller's agent, for forwarding to the Cylinder of Documents.
Assassin

Before sale in an auction, papers are checked and certain endorsements may be updated. (For example, when the papers were last endorsed, the slave may have been listed as untrained in dance, but having received training since then, the endorsement is "updated" with the new current information.)
The papers of most of the girls, including those of Elizabeth, Virginia, and Phyllis, had been transmitted days before to the staff of the Curulean, to be checked for authenticity, and for the updating of certain endorsements. The papers are correlated with the lot number and the girls' fingerprints are taken and checked against those on the papers.
Assassin

Papers are endorsed to the new owner when the slave is given as a gift.

When the slave is freed by her Master, the papers are endorsed with the details of manumission.
I held Elizabeth to me.
"I have brought papers," said Hup. "They have been endorsed to you. The slave is yours."
Elizabeth looked at Hup. He was Gorean. To him she was that, simply, a slave.
To me she seemed the world.
"Write on the papers," said I, "that on this first day of the restoration of Marlenus of Ar, the slave Vella was by her master, Tarl of Ko-ro-ba, granted her freedom."
Hup shrugged, and so endorsed the papers. I signed them, my name in Gorean script, followed by the sign of the city of Ko-ro-ba.
Hup gave me the key to Elizabeth's collar and anklet and I freed her of the steel that marked her slave.
"I will file the papers in the cylinder of documents," said Hup.
Assassin

Slaves confiscated by the City from the House of Cernus are given to new owners. The slave papers are updated and endorsed with the details of the transfers of ownership.
"Here are the most choice of the female slaves of the House of Cernus," said Marlenus, expansively gesturing to the two or three hundred girls.
There was a cheer from the many partisans of Marlenus in the room.
"Pick your slave," said he.
With great cheers the men hurried to the girls, to pick one that pleased them.
There were shouts of pleasure, and screams, and protests, and cries and laughter, as the men clapped their hands on wenches who struck their fancy. When the men had taken their pick the girls were released from the common chain and the key, that which served to unlock collar, bracelets and anklet, was given to he who had chosen his prize. Scribes at nearby tables endorsed and updated papers of registration, that the ownership of the girls be legally transferred from the state to individual citizens.
Assassin

Although these papers are forged for an agent of the Priest Kings, they give us an excellent idea of the use of the papers. After leaving the Nest, these slave papers become "real" and document the phases of her slavery that follow.

We see that the slave papers for Elizabeth give in detail an account of her capture (initial enslavement). Also included in her papers are notations of following exchanges as she changes hands from one owner to another - including the "endorsements" of these sales (see "Endorsements" on this page) and copies of the bills of sales for those transactions.

Her papers include measurements and marks of identification (moles, birthmarks etc. we may assume) The papers also include Physicians certifications.

Elizabeth was much amused by the forged slave papers prepared for her, giving in detail an account of her capture and exchanges, complete with endorsements and copies of bills of sale. Some of the information such as Physicians' certifications and measurements and marks of identification had been compiled in the Nest and later transferred to the documents. In my compartment, A1-Ka fingerprinted her, adding her prints to the papers. Under a section on attributes I was interested to note that she was listed as literate.
Assassin

Elizabeth is sold to the House of Cernus and upon arrival in the house, her fingersprints are checked against those on her papers to ensure that the slave is indeed the one that matches these records.

Physicians of the House of Cernus then examine her thoroughly.

After the salve is found acceptable, the agents of the House sign the receipt of delivery and endorse her papers. (The transfer of ownership is noted now on the official documents.

One set of these slave papers is retained by the new owner, the House of Cernus. Another set of these papers is given to the seller's agent for forwarding to the Cylinder of Documents. (Officially recording the current version of the slave papers with the City)

It was not yet the seventh Gorean hour but already the slaver was up, conducting his affairs, when I had ushered into his presence. At his right hand there was a Scribe, an angular, sullen man with deep eyes, with and stylus. It was Caprus of Ar, Chief Accountant to the House of Cernus. He lived in the house and seldom went abroad in the streets. It was with this man that Vella had been placed, her registration, papers and purchase having been arranged. In the House of Cernus, after the sheet, bracelets, leash and collar had been removed, agents of House of Cernus had checked her fingerprints against those on the papers. She had then been examined thoroughly the by Physicians of the House of Cernus. Then, found acceptable, she had knelt while agents of the House signed the receipt of her delivery and endorsed her papers, retaining one set, giving one set to the seller's agent, for forwarding to the Cylinder of Documents.
Assassin

When Elizabeth is to be auctioned off at the Curulean, her papers are sent to the auction house days ahead to be checked for authenticity by the auction house staff (Perhaps checked with the Cylinder of Documents much as property titles are researched in official government records offices here on earth before a sale?)

Certain endorsements are updated. (Changes in measurments since the last time papers were endorsed? Additional training received, or skills acquired since the last endorsement?)

Only when the members of the staff of the Curulean auction house are satisfied, is the slave accepted to be auctioned off there.
The papers of most of the girls, including those of Elizabeth, Virginia, and Phyllis, had been transmitted days before to the staff of the Curulean, to be checked for authenticity, and for the updating of certain endorsements. The papers are correlated with the lot number and the girls' fingerprints are taken and checked against those on the papers. Some girls, whom the House had determined late would be sold, arrive at the Curulean with a small leather cylinder tied about their collar, which contains their papers, which girl is then, by the staff of the Curulean, assigned a lot number. Lana, whom Ho-Tu, who held considerable power in the House of Cernus, had decided to sell at the Love Feast, so arrived at the Curulean. Virginia, thanks to Ho-Tu, need not fear that the forward Lana would be likely to soon grace the leash of her Relius. When the members of the staff of the Curulean are satisfied that the girl's papers are in order the ticket with her lot number is stamped approved.
Assassin

When Elizabeth is given to a new owner, the papers are "endorsed to him" and given to him.

The new owner, deciding to free her, has it written on her slave papers that on that date, he granted her freedom. This change in her status is noted on the slave papers (endorsed), and signed by her Master.

The new, current version of the slave papers, now noting she is free, are filed officially in the Cylinder of Documents.

I held Elizabeth to me.
"I have brought papers," said Hup. "They have been endorsed to you. The slave is yours."
Elizabeth looked at Hup. He was Gorean. To him she was that, simply, a slave.
To me she seemed the world.
"Write on the papers," said I, "that on this first day of the restoration of Marlenus of Ar, the slave Vella was by her master, Tarl of Ko-ro-ba, granted her freedom."
Hup shrugged, and so endorsed the papers. I signed them, my name in Gorean script, followed by the sign of the city of Ko-ro-ba.
Hup gave me the key to Elizabeth's collar and anklet and I freed her of the steel that marked her slave.
"I will file the papers in the cylinder of documents," said Hup.
Assassin

Slave name
I looked down at the new slave, whom I had decided to call ‘Talena’, which slave name was also entered on her papers, in the first endorsement, as her first slave name pertinent to these papers, and by means of which she could always be referred to in courts of law as, say, the slave who on such and such a date was known by the name ‘Talena.’ This did not preclude her name being changed, of course, now or later, by myself, or others.
Magicians

Previous slave names (the mention of Talena being her "first slave name pertinent to these papers" indicates that the current slave name, I looked down at the new slave, whom I had decided to call ‘Talena’, which slave name was also entered on her papers, in the first endorsement, as her first slave name pertinent to these papers, and by means of which she could always be referred to in courts of law as, say, the slave who on such and such a date was known by the name ‘Talena.’ This did not preclude her name being changed, of course, now or later, by myself, or others.
Magicians

Dancing skills / training
I gathered this form of dance was quite common here and that it might be required of any female, or any female of our sort. Interestingly enough I had had only two days of this sort of instruction before I was stopped, and sent from the room, to be applied to other lessons. I was told that my skills in these matters, as they had now ascertained, and confirming reports on my "papers," or "records," were already far beyond the rudiments that I would obtain in such a class. I was simply dismissed from the class, to address myself to other lessons; I had, so to speak, "validated that requirement."
Dancer

Pedigree
Some female slaves, incidentally, have a pedigreed lineage going back through several generations of slave matings, and their masters hold the papers to prove this. It is a felony in Gorean law to forge or falsify such papers.
Savages

Manner of initial enslavement
“How came you to be a slave?” I asked.
She looked up, her eyes clouded. She bit her lip.
“Consider your reply carefully,” I said.
“I was taken to the levies,” she said.
“You have earned yourself discipline,” I said.
“Please, no!” she cried. “Have pity on me! I am only a poor slave!”
“Do you think it is permissible for you to lie to a free man?” I asked.
“No, Master!” she said. She put down her head, her head in her hands, and sobbed.
“Your reticence is interesting,” I said. “The matter is doubtless entered in your papers.”
“Yes, Master,” she sobbed.
“Speak, girl,” I said.
“I was taken pursuant to the couching laws,” she said.
Magicians

Several measurements
At this point Tolnar and Venlisius reentered the room and, in a few moments, were in the process of filling out the papers. These included an extremely complete description of the woman, exact even to details such as the structure of her ear lobes. Tolnar then, with a graduated tape, reaching in and about the net, and moving the woman as necessary, took a large number of measurements, these being recorded by Venlisius. Additional measurements were taken with other instruments, such as a caliper. With these were recorded such data as the width and length of fingers and toes, the width of her heels, the lovely tiny distance between her nostrils, and so on. The result of this examination, of course, was to produce a network of data which, to a statistical certainty, far beyond the requirements of law, would be unique to a given female. Then, one hand at a time, pulled a bit from the net, then reinserted in it, her fingerprints were taken. Following this, her toeprints were taken. Then, the woman shaken, tears on the furs, was again fully within the net, on her belly. Her fingers and toes were dark with ink, from the taking of the prints. I had taken care, behind her, holding her, and such, to see that she had not seen me.

Magicians

Various measurements - collar size, weight, wrist ring and ankle ring size...
By the hand he led me to the center of the block. "She is reluctant," he said to the crowd, in explanation.
I stood before the men.
"Are you comfortable now, dear lady?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "Thank you."
Suddenly, angrily, he threw me to the wood at his feet. I heard the hiss of his whip. Five times he lashed me and I screamed, covering my head with my hands. Then I lay trembling, lashed, at his feet.
"She is Girl 128," he said to the crowd. From an assistant he took a board, with rings and papers. He read from that paper which was now first upon the board, others being loose and thrown back.
"128," he said, reading irritably, "is brown haired and brown eyed. She is 51 horts in height. Her weight is 29 stones. Her block measurements, certified, are 22 horts, 16 horts, 22 horts. She will take a number-two wrist ring and a number-two ankle ring. Her collar size is ten horts. She is illiterate, and, for most practical purposes, untrained. She cannot dance. Her brand is the Dina, the slave flower. Her ears are pierced." He looked down at me, and kicked me, lightly, with the side of his foot. "Stand, Slave," he said. Swiftly I stood.
....
The auctioneer took my hair in his hand and, cruelly, bent me back, standing. "22 horts," said he, indicating my breasts. "16 horts," said he, slapping me on the belly. "22 horts," said he, reaching across my body and placing his hand on my right hip, indicating the width of my body. These were my block measurements. I knew a master might keep me to such measurements, with the whip, if necessary. "Small," said he, "but sweet, a delicacy, noble sirs, with promise."
Slave Girl

Papers of Manumission, as we have seen already, appear to be the "slave papers" with notations of that aprticular slave having been freed on a certain date, signed by the owner at the time, and certified.
“Extend your left wrist,” I said to Milo.
He did so, and I unlocked the silver slave bracelet there, and handed it to him, with the key.
The new slave, the dark-haired, olive-skinned beauty who had but recently been the Ubara of Ar, was still unconscious. I had removed her from the couch and put her on the floor, on the heavy, flat stones, on her side, some feet to the left of the couch, as one faced it, from the foot, her wrists behind her, braceleted, chained to her ankles, her neck fastened by a short chain to a recessed slave ring. Near her, but not yet fixed upon her, were the makings of a gag.
“I do not understand,” said Milo.
“It is silver,” I said. “Perhaps you can sell it.”
“I do not understand,” he said.
“And these papers,” I said, “are pertinent to you. They are all in order. I had Tolnar and Venlisius prepare them, before they left.”
“Papers, Master?” he asked.
“You can read?” I asked.
“Yes, Master,” he said.
“Do not call me ‘Master’.” I said.
“Master?” he asked.
“The papers are papers of manumission,” I said. “I am no longer your master. You no longer have a master.”
“Manumission,” he asked.
“You are free,” I told him.
Lavinia, kneeling nearby, gasped, and looked up, wildly, at Milo.
“I have never been free,” he said.
“No,” I said.
“Does master not want me?” he asked.
“I do not even have a theater,” I said. “What do I need with an actor?”
“You could sell me,” he said.
“You are not a female,” I said.
He looked down, wildly, at Lavinia.
“Now that,” I said, “is a female. That is something fit for slave.”
Magicians

In this quote, a former slave "had best have her papers of manumission in order". From everything else we know about slave papers, and the proper filing with the Cylinder of Records, it would be reasonable to assume that this refers to having copies of certified slave papers with the endorsement of the manumission on them. Additionally, we may conclude from the other information we have, that having a copy of the slave papers (with manumission) officially on file in the Cylinder of Records is key.
A girl with pierced ears is, of course; either a slave or a former slave. If she is a former slave, her papers of manumission had best be in perfect order. More than one freed woman, because of pierced ears, has found herself again on the block, again reduced by strong men to the helpless state of bondage. Such a woman is usually, by intent, sold away from her city, delivered for a pittance to a foreign buyer.
My ears were not pierced, so I needed not fear that the piercing of my ears would betray me to the casual glance of a Gorean male as a slave girl. I was, however, branded. Gorean free women, no more than the free women of Earth, do not wear brands. Only slave girls, on Earth or Gor, are branded. On Earth, where slavery is practiced, commonly only troublesome girls are branded. On Gor, on the other hand, all slave girls are branded.
I did not think I could well escape with my brand. It marked me too well as a slave.
Slave Girl