City of Ar, a Travel Guide

Travel Guide for Ar

Introduction

Ar, often referred to as the "Glorious Ar," is the greatest city on Gor and serves as a symbol of the ideal Gorean city. It is the most detailed city within the novels, being the setting or focal point for many of the books, from Tarnsman of Gor to Magicians of Gor. Ar stands as a model for other cities to emulate, with only Turia in the southern hemisphere coming close to matching its size and grandeur. The city has a turbulent history and has even attracted the specific attention of the mysterious Priest-Kings. The ultimate fate of Ar stands in question at the end of Magicians of Gor, the 25th book, due to the unfortunate cessation of the series. Hopefully, additional novels will be published to resolve this matter and answer the questions concerning the future of Ar, Marlenus, Talena, and many others City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Ar is situated in the northern hemisphere of Gor, in the lower temperate latitudes. This means it has a mild climate, with occasional snows and more frequent cold rains in the winter, and generally moderate summer heat. The spring and fall seasons tend to be longer due to the mild weather. The city is located south of the Vosk River and north of the Cartius River, claiming the land between these two rivers. Ar's population is thought to be about two to three million free people, and it is composed of more than a hundred thousand cylinders and bridges City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Ar wields power in many subtle ways beyond its military forces. It is seen as the epitome of quality, style, and progress, often emulated by other cities. The products of Ar are generally regarded as being of high quality, marked with the stamp of Ar to verify their place of origin. The styles of Ar in clothing, customs, etiquette, architecture, and more are closely watched and emulated by other cities, making Ar's influence extensive even when it does not try to be influential. The leaders of Ar understand these subtle influences and leverage them to maintain their city's preeminence City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Geography and Climate

Climate

On the northern border of Ar is a swamp forest, the home of the Swamp Spiders, also known as the Spider People. These are large, intelligent spiders who inhabit enormous, complex webs that stretch across the terrain. They are generally a peaceful race who refuse to harm other rational creatures, even in self-defense. Unfortunately for the Spider People, the people of Ar have no such compunctions. They hunt and slay the Spider People to obtain Cur-lon Fiber, apparently derived from their web material, similar to spider silk. The Fiber is used in the mills of Ar though its actual uses are not described. This is also one of the only areas that was left untouched when Marlenus created his Margin of Desolation City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Surrounding Regions

Further north of Ar, after three days ride by tarn, forming its northern border, is the mighty Vosk River. The Sardar Mountains are a five day ride by tarn from Ar. The Vosk River, about forty pasangs wide, is one of the largest rivers on Gor. You must cross the Vosk to travel to the northern cities such as Thentis and Ko-ro-ba. Most of the river towns are located on the northern bank because of Ar's Margin of Desolation. Nearly all of the river towns on the Vosk have recently declared their independence and formed the Vosk League. For a long time, Ar and Cos battled for control of the Vosk and its towns. The formation of the Vosk League has significantly lessened the control of both Ar and Cos City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Around 10114 C.A., Ar established a trading station on the southern bank of the Vosk River, Ar's Station. Ar's Station was considered an outpost of Ar and not an official colony. This meant that it did not have a Home Stone of its own and shared the Home Stone of Ar. Ar did not permit Ar's Station to join the Vosk League. Ar feared losing their control on the Vosk if Ar's Station joined the League. The later conquest of Ar's Station by Cos, and Ar's failure to aid them, has soured most of the town against Ar. In addition, the traitors within Ar accused Ar's Station of collaborating with Cos and willingly surrendering their city to Cos. It seems certain that in the future Ar's Station will sever its ties to Ar City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Northeast of Ar, a few pasangs away, are the Fulvian Hills, foot hills of the Voltai Range. This is also the location of the villa districts of Ar, the site of many small, white-washed villas. A number of small roads wind through the hills connecting the often isolated villas. To the northeast and the east of Ar are the Voltai Mountains. The lights and tallest cylinders of Ar are visible from certain locations within the Voltai. Men from Ar journey to the Voltai to hunt larls. The Voltai is also the location of Ar's enemy, Treve City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Southeast of Ar will eventually lead below the Voltai Mountain range but it is not a direction that men commonly travel as it leads into the desert regions of the Tahari. The southern border of Ar is delineated by the Cartius River, a river that derives its name from the direction it lies from Ar, using the Gorean compass. The Cartius flows west by northwest and was once though to be a tributary of the Vosk though it is not. The tarnsmen patrols of Ar do not venture south of the Cartius. South of the Cartius leads to the lands of the southern hemisphere like Turia and the Plains of the Wagon Peoples. Southwest of Ar are a number of sul fields. The agriculturist Appanius, who once owned the seduction slave Milo, possesses fields here. West of Ar you will eventually reach Thassa though it is over one thousand pasangs away. Ar is a landlocked city and that is partially why they consider the Vosk River to be so important City of Ar (Luther).txt.

Ar was once surrounded by a large, barren region called the Margin of Desolation. When Marlenus first became Ubar of Ar, he devastated a large region surrounding Ar out to about three hundred pasangs, about 210 miles. Nearly all of the vegetation was cut down, wells were filled in, and fertile land was salted. There remained only a few isolated groups of trees on the borders of Ar and the swamp forest. This desolate region became an "invisible wall" to protect Ar from attack. It created a barren zone that would prevent invading armies from using the land to resupply themselves. Armies would need to bring their own supplies which would add to the difficulty of any attack. As the average daily march of an army is about forty pasangs, it would mean an invading army had to march for over seven days through this barren area City of Ar (Luther).txt.

But sometime after the events of Assassin of Gor, when Marlenus was once again Ubar of Ar, he decided to eliminate the Margin of Desolation. The lands were made fertile once again, new wells were dug, animals were transplanted to populate this region, and Peasants were allowed to take up residence. Despite this rebirth, the region still retains its name. The elimination of this barren region was a cause for concern for a number of northern cities. They felt it signaled that Marlenus intended to expand his empire northward. This fear, in part, led to the eventual formation of the Salerian Confederation City of Ar (Luther).txt.

The primary road that leads out from Ar is the Viktel Aria, a name that translates into "Ar's Triumph" or "The Triumph of Ar." It is also known as the Vosk Road because it is the most direct route from Ar to the Vosk River. The road ends at Ar's Station on the Vosk. The Viktel Aria is a well-built military road, with close-fitting stones. It is wide enough to allow wagons and tharlarions to travel down it. It is also marked with pasang stones so that one can ascertain their position on the road and the distance to certain cities, villages or crossroads City of Ar (Luther).txt.

History

Founding of Ar

Major Historical Events

Recent Developments

Getting There

Major Roads and Routes

Nearby Cities and Towns

Transportation Options

City Layout

Districts of Ar

Anbar District

Metallan District

Street of Brands

Street of Coins

Trevelyan District

Major Streets and Landmarks

Avenue of the Central Cylinder

Plaza of Tarns

Wall Road

Places of Interest

Central Cylinder

Capacian Baths

Brothels and Slave Houses

Markets and Shopping Areas

Cultural Highlights

Festivals and Events

Local Cuisine

Arts and Entertainment

Cultural Influence on Other Parts of Gor (source_file_name)

Games and Entertainment

Arena Contests

Tarn Racing

Tharlarion Racing

Hunting

Board Games and Dice Games (source_file_name)

Important Public Figures

Marlenus, Ubar of Ar

Other Notable Leaders and Influencers (source_file_name)

How to Dress in Ar

Robes of Concealment and Veils for Free Women

Typical Attire for Men

Footwear and Accessories

Attire for Slaves (source_file_name)

Allies, Enemies, Alliances, and Consortiums

Key Allies and Alliances

Notable Enemies

Important Consortiums (source_file_name)

Accommodations

Types of Lodging

Popular Hotels and Inns

Luxury Resorts

Safety and Regulations

Local Laws and Customs

Safety Tips for Travelers

Emergency Contacts

Walking Tour of Ar

Narrated and Condensed Tour

Street-Level Descriptions

Sights, Sounds, and Smells (source_file_name)