On the IR website, there is a transcript there about a discussion group on Gorean philosophy. What role did that play in creating a Gorean port? How did the board start?

I try to do something new with Iron Rose each year. I get bored easily, and confess I am always looking for something new to get into trouble with.

In '96 we opened Iron Rose. '97 we released the web page and Ice Fire. '98 brought about the store. I'd been thinking about a Gorean port for some time. Not being Gorean myself, I had been fascinated with a discussion group we had on Gor philosophy. The idea had been planted. Even if I am not Gorean, perhaps with the Iron Rose commitment to quality a well-constructed Gorean port could be born.

I heard a lot of complaints about what wasn't done well in cyber in the Gorean community. This is the same thing that propelled us to open Iron Rose in the first place.

Perhaps we could offer an environment that didn't have those problems. Problems will always be a part of any environment, but perhaps we could have fewer. That was the initial thought. I wasn't even sure it was feasible.

What challenges were there in creating a Gorean port that may have been different from other bdsm-related talkers? What parts were surprisingly easy?

The biggest challenge was keeping my nose out of it. If I got involved, we would have a duplicate of Iron Rose, which reflects my philosophies and ways of approaching things. What good is that? I wanted a place that had a unique flavor. A different flavor. If I would have gotten involved that would have been ruined. I asked to be kept informed, but other than that wasn't involved in deciding the rules, the culture, or anything else.

How was the name Baren Touhk decided?

I have no clue. Once again you see a way that I kept my hands off. I do not know if a group of people determined the name, if it was voted upon, if Koshmahr decided herself, or what.

Many people who come here have been to Gor via irc. What differences do you see between irc Gor and the Gor here on Crimson Talender? In what ways do you prefer one over the other?

I haven't been to IRC since 1994. When I was introduced to the talker environment I immediately fell in love. The sense of a "room" versus "channels" on IRC is very appealing to me.

Knowing that someone else can't take "my" name because they logged on first appeals to me. I have absolutely no information about the Gorean IRC channels, so I can't say.

What are your own thoughts regarding the differences between the Gorean world, and the world of more general BDSM?

I view the Gorean philosophy as one of role play. If it is truly patterned after the books by John Norman, than it is impossible to achieve that lifestyle without getting oneself thrown in jail. This is not Gor, it is Earth. That's not to say we can't follow the code of honor. Nor am I saying that I don't prefer slaves to submissives. Frankly, in my own life, I prefer a slave to a submissive. As a whole, however, I live in the world of "general BDSM" as you put it. I do like a 24/7 power exchange. I don't want my slave to stay home all the time cleaning my dwelling. I have had a stay at home slave, RL, in my home, for the record. I personally find that a slave who also has an outside job is more interesting and fulfilled.

Had you ever participated in a Gorean environment at all before Crimson Talender?

No.

If you're not Gorean in real life, what draws you to it at Crimson Talender?

It's an escape for me. I like the chance to be someone I'm not. And if, along the way, pieces of it touch my heart, isn't that all the better?

Life is too magical to allow myself to get locked into one way of being. I want to experience it all.

The city is still fairly new, not even a year old. Have you witnessed any changes since the first inception and now?

Every place when it opens goes through horrible growing pains. This city is no different. That's a fact of life, and we're kidding ourselves to pretend it doesn't exist or happen.

Some of the nicest changes I've seen is more people actively role playing, and a strong sense of slave community. I really like the email list too (thanks to Kaard). One of the things I am eagerly awaiting is the education component. I keep hearing it's coming, but haven't seen it yet.

There is a lot of roleplay here, not all of it of a sexual nature. The last festival comes to mind, the pah-rot, and the references I've heard of regarding a wine-poisoning scare. What have been some of your favorite past events here?

Well, as you know, Khim does not make regular appearances. Not everyone likes major role playing. Citizen Roleplayers just aren't their thing. I think we have a nice balance of those who like it, and those who don't.

If people like it, they get involved but it's certainly not required. I think that although the events are fun, what holds the city together is the little things. It's the "personalities" the characters develop that make me smile.

It's the everyday interactions that make the city what it is. The rest is a bonus.

You said Khim does not make regular appearances. Do you make regular appearances as another name?

You bet. And I'm having a ball!

What would you say to people who have not participated in a Gorean environment who may be nervous about jumping into role play at Crimson Talender?

I'd tell them to try try again. It can be intimidating at first. There are guidelines people are following and you have no clue what they are. But at Crimson Talender everyone is supportive and helpful. My biggest concern was making an ass of myself. Well guess what? I made an ass of myself more than once. One of the biggest messages I give submissives when I train them is that perfection is the journey. Any submissive who never makes mistakes is not trying. They are not stretching and growing. I think the Gorean environment at Crimson Talender slams that home right up front. Not only for slaves but also for Freepersons. Give it a whirl, and have a sense of humor about yourself. It can be a great escape as it is for me. Or you may find an environment that is "home."

There was some talk about a possible move of the Ironrose board (and its ports) due to a job opportunity. What can you tell us of that?

This move will not be taking place any time soon. To the surprise of Ketzer and myself, his company here in Connecticut made a counteroffer which makes it very beneficial for us to stay in Connecticut for another year. We do plan to move out west. That has not changed. But it won't be happening as quickly as we had thought. Look for a move by the end of 2000. We're estimating the July/August time frame. But who knows.

What are your hopes for the future of Crimson Talender?

I'm hoping we can avoid additional growing pains, but I don't think that's possible. About a year into any environment, you go through additional growing pains. A place becomes more popular (or dies) and the culture shifts with it. I hope it thrives as a community and has the strength to be flexible.

Apart from that, I hope for more education. I hope for Crimson Talender to do some major outreach to the IRC channels where people are feeling stifled without knowing where to go. On a purely selfish note, I hope it continues to be a place I can go for fun. I've had more fun at Crimson Talender as a regular member than I have in a talker environment in at least a year or more

To learn more about our illustrious MK, check out her website at www.iron-rose.com/IR/mk.htm and if you haven't been there yet, make sure to visit the Ironrose web page and check out the board itself.