To provide your students with a tangible piece of "Intro to Gor" roleplay material, here is a formal Sample Mercenary Contract. This document is written in the legalistic, stern tone common to the Scribes of the Gorean cities, emphasizing the "Steel for Gold" philosophy.

THE BOND OF STEEL AND GOLD

Document Reference: MERC-CON / Region: Southern Vosk / Year: 10,124

I. THE PARTIES

This covenant is struck this day between [Insert Name/Company], hereafter referred to as "The Company," and [Insert City/Employer Name], hereafter referred to as "The Patron." By the signing of this scroll, the Company renounces all conflicting Home Stones for the duration of the term and pledges its steel to the Patron's cause, as defined by the Merchant Laws of the Sardar.

II. THE OBJECTIVE (THE TASK)

The Company is engaged for the following purpose:

The Defense/Siege of: [Insert City/Fortress Name]
Tactical Requirement: The Company shall provide no fewer than [Insert Number] armed warriors, [Number] of which shall be trained in [Tarn-Striking / Siege-Works / Naval-Boarding].
The Enemy: Steel shall be turned against any force flying the banner of [Enemy City/Ubar].

III. THE MAINTENANCE AND PROVISION

The Patron shall provide, at their own expense:

Rations: Daily allotments of dried sa-tarna bread, salted bosk meat, and two measures of diluted Paga per man.
Quarters: Clean barracks or sheltered camp space outside the inner walls of the city.
Remounts: The Patron shall replace any tarn or kaiila lost in active engagement, provided the loss was incurred in the pursuit of the Objective.

IV. THE PAYMENT (THE BLOOD-PRICE)

The total sum for this contract shall be [Insert Amount] Gold Tarn Disks, to be distributed as follows:

The Signing-Guerdon: 25% paid upon the striking of the seals (Non-refundable).
The Monthly Maintenance: [Amount] silver tarsks per man, paid every fourteenth day.
The Victory-Bonus: 25% paid upon the successful completion of the Objective.

V. THE RIGHTS OF SPOIL

The Company retains the right to keep [Percentage]% of all "Portable Wealth" captured during the campaign. This includes:

Human Capital: All captured women and men of the lower castes shall be the property of the Company for sale or use, unless specifically ransomed by the Patron.
High-Caste Ransoms: Any High-Caste captive shall be held by the Company, but the Patron retains the "Right of First Purchase" to prevent their execution or sale into the North.

VI. THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Desertion: Any man of the Company found deserting the line shall be dealt with by the Company’s Provost; the Patron shall not interfere in the Company’s internal discipline.
Betrayal: Should the Company turn its steel against the Patron before the term is finished, their names shall be sent to the Scribes of the Sardar as "Nithings" (Outlaws), and a price shall be set upon their heads in every city from Ar to Port Kar.
The End of Service: Upon the sunset of the final day of the contract, the Company is released from all obligation. They shall be allowed to depart the Patron’s territory with all their arms, spoils, and slaves without harassment.

THE SEALS

For the Company: _____________________________

(Captain’s Seal / Blood Mark)

For the Patron: ______________________________

(Seal of the City / Scribe’s Mark)

Witnessed by: _______________________________

(Registered Magistrate/Scribe)

Tips for your Students:

The "Fine Print": Encourage students roleplaying Mercenary Captains to argue over Section V (Spoils). On Gor, the loot is often worth more than the gold.
The Honor of the Contract: A mercenary doesn't fight for "The Good Guys"; he fights for the contract. If the contract says "Burn the village," a professional mercenary burns the village without emotion.
Identity: Suggest they keep a "copy" of their contract in their inventory as a prop to show City Guards when entering a new territory.

Family

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Sample Mercenary Contract