World of Gor: Gorean Encyclopaedia — Print Softback Edition

The people, places, creatures, customs and cultures of Gor collected in a single reference volume.

The Gorean Cycle spans dozens of novels and an enormous amount of setting material.

Cities, castes, tribes, customs, animals, weapons, beliefs and everyday practices are introduced and expanded throughout the series. Remembering where a particular detail appeared—or explaining it clearly to somebody new to Gor—can be difficult.

World of Gor: Gorean Encyclopaedia gathers that material into one organised reference book.

Created to accompany the Tales of Gor roleplaying game, it is equally useful to readers of John Norman’s novels, online roleplayers, fan-fiction writers and anyone seeking a detailed guide to the Counter-Earth.

A Guide to the Gorean Cycle

The book opens with introductory material on Gor and the author’s own history with the series, followed by concise summaries of the thirty-four Gorean novels published at the time of writing.

These summaries provide an overview of the series before the book moves into its main body: an alphabetically organised encyclopaedia covering the world and its inhabitants.

The entries include material on:

• Significant people and places.

• Cities, tribes and cultures.

• Gorean castes and their roles.

• Flora and fauna.

• Clothing and equipment.

• Weapons.

• Diseases.

• Religious and popular beliefs.

• Customs and everyday life.

• Games, entertainments and musical instruments.

• Other details drawn from across the novels.

A calendar appendix provides further reference material.

From Castes to Kaissa

World of Gor is designed for quick consultation.

Look up the responsibilities, clothing and social position of a particular caste. Check the nature of an unfamiliar animal. Find information on a weapon, custom, item of dress or Gorean game.

The encyclopaedia includes subjects ranging from the structure of Gorean society to the composition of the Gorean Tarot and the rules and background of kaissa.

The entries are supported by relevant material from the novels, allowing the book to serve as a guide back into the original series as well as a reference in its own right.

For Tales of Gor

The Tales of Gor core book contains the Open D6 rules, character creation and enough introductory setting information to begin playing.

World of Gor provides the much larger body of lore needed when a campaign moves beyond those foundations.

Use it to:

• Explain aspects of Gorean society to players.

• Research a culture, caste or location before a game.

• Add detail to characters and adventures.

• Check information during play.

• Explore parts of the setting not covered extensively in the core rules.

• Support campaigns drawing upon the breadth of the novels.

It contains no standalone roleplaying system. Instead, it supplies the setting reference that complements the rules in Tales of Gor.

Useful Beyond the Roleplaying Game

No roleplaying game is required to make use of the encyclopaedia.

Readers can keep it beside the novels as a quick reference while working through the series. It can also support:

• Gorean fan fiction.

• Informal and online roleplaying.

• Discussion and research concerning the setting.

• Fan projects.

• Readers returning to the series after time away.

• Collectors seeking a dedicated guide to the Counter-Earth.

The book is organised to make individual details easy to locate without requiring the reader to work through the volume from beginning to end.

Illustrated by Michael Manning

The encyclopaedia is illustrated by fetish and comic-book artist Michael Manning, known for works including The Spider Garden and Tranceptor.

His original pen-and-ink illustrations depict Gor, its people and its unusual creatures in a distinctive style created specifically for the roleplaying line.

The artwork is not merely decorative. It provides a visual interpretation of the setting alongside the written reference material.

Praised as a Reference Work

Published reviews have praised World of Gor for both its organisation and its practical usefulness.

One reviewer described it as an excellent resource for understanding Gor, highlighting the strict alphabetical arrangement, breadth of subject matter and ease with which specific details can be found. The same review praised Manning’s illustrations for capturing the exotic character of the setting.

Another reviewer called it a fantastic addition to Tales of Gor, praising its organisation and the ease with which it allows Games Masters to explain complicated subjects—such as the Gorean castes—to their players.

Both reviews noted that the book remains valuable even for readers who do not play the roleplaying game.

Keep the Counter-Earth Within Reach

Thirty-four novels.

Hundreds of people, creatures, customs and places.

One organised volume in which to find them.

Place it beside the novels.

Keep it behind the Games Master’s screen.

Consult it while writing, playing or exploring the setting.

Open the World of Gor.

This listing is for the physical softback edition of World of Gor: Gorean Encyclopaedia, written by James Desborough. It is a 200-page, black-and-white A4 perfect-bound paperback, illustrated by Michael Manning. ISBN: 978-0-244-30554-3. This is a setting reference rather than a standalone roleplaying game. Contains artistic nudity and complex adult themes, including slavery, sexuality and violence. Mature audiences only.