Myths and Impostors

It has unfortunately become necessary to clarify certain matters regarding the history and provenance of Code d’ Odalisque. A number of unscrupulous and disingenuous characters online have made it their habit to propagate stories about Code d’ Ode which are, in whole or in part, untrue. Most notably you will find accounts of the so-called “Code d’ Odalisque myth” online, along with people posing as “Steven and Vicki Rose”, the erstwhile “creators” of Code d’ Odalisque. There are, that is to say, disputes about the origins of Code d’ Ode and there are people claiming to be what they are not. The following notes are for clarification:

*The original drafts of Code d’ Odalisque were made by a group of people in Adelaide, Australia, as early as 1993. (some say 1991.) This was pre-internet. The Code did not appear on the www until years after this.

*The people concerned had been involved in the local BDSM scene (or the fringes thereof) but were dissatisfied with the emphasis on pain and sadomasochism. In particular, the women concerned were seeking a non-S&M alternative.

*What became Code d’Odalisque began as a series of separate documents that were consolidated over time. (This is obvious from the Code itself. It reads like a compilation of separate documents with quite a bit of repetition which has been corrected by not entirely removed by subsequent revisions.) From its inception - due to the involvement of a lawyer with interests in such things - the Code was loosely based on at least the idea of Ottoman legal codes. 

*As well as the Code itself this group of people also generated other documents and ideas which they exchanged amongst themselves, supplementary to the Code. This body of material grew and was refined from practice and from drawing on historical sources. The idea that the Code was plagiarised from some internet site or is based on someone else’s work is demonstrably untrue. Historical sources are commonly available. A member of the original group had a great interest in Ottoman history. Numerous people contributed their expertise. It came together into a coherent "system" over time. 

*The two main players in this process were “Steven and Vicki Rose” - these names being pseudonyms. There were several other prominent players, most notably Mr G. Gordon.

*As happens with these things, there were disputes among these people primarily because some people involved became more interested in “tantra” and sexual spiritual practices. Some people wanted to go in that direction, others were more interested merely in hedonistic enjoyment and the “lifestyle”. Steven and Vicki Rose were among those interested in “tantra”. Mr Gordon (and co.) were a sort of third inner group interested in occultism of the Aleister Crowley variety. In other words, the original group splintered into factions that eventually went their separate ways. (Common enough in this sort of thing!) 

*There was a period during which Code d’ Ode was more or less dormant or only practiced privately. It was revived when the internet came along and came to the notice of a wider network of people. The Roses, Mr G. and others helped it along (despite their different interests). The Roses, though, were increasingly interested in other things

*Through the internet Mr Charles Molyneux became involved at a certain point and he contacted the original players. They were happy for him and his partner at the time to take up the cause and to develop and propagate the Code as they saw fit. Several folders of material were made available to Mr Molyneux, especially material on slavetraining. At this point, after a couple of revisions, the Code itself continued to carry the copyright of S & V Rose but they had given explicit written permission for Mr Molyneux to take charge of the whole thing.

*Gathering together other interested parties - and assisted by Mr Gordon who remained semi-active at least - Mr Molyneux established the Guild of the Black Pearl to continue the work of developing and nurturing this mode of female submissive lifestyle and play. From this time on Steven and Vicki Rose were no longer involved. Their interests had moved on to other things. As happens with such things there was - as they say - “generational change”. The Code moved to a new group of people. Mr Molyneux, however, was directly connected to the original group and had their blessing to take it and pursue it as he and his partners saw fit. The idea that Mr Molyneux “stole” the Code from Steven and Vicki Rose is demonstrably untrue.

* Code d’ Odalisque has continued to be developed under the leadership of Mr Molyneux and his partners. The Code has been expanded and refined and training techniques and supplementary material (largely based on those original folders of stuff) have been developed with input from practitioners and other creative people. A small community has developed worldwide.

*Of recent times a person posing as “Steven and Vicki Rose” has laid claim to the Code. This is a nonsense. The falsity of the claim is obvious from a study of the ISP addresses of their email accounts. The emails do not come from Adelaide Australia as claimed. The fact that Mr Molyneux was given permission to continue Code d’ Odalisque can be demonstrated in documents and can be confirmed by Mr Gordon who remains (semi) active and has been so from the beginning.

*For their part, Steven and Vicki Rose have moved on - as is their right - and have no interest in Code d’ Odalisque anymore. In fact, they seem to regard it with some disdain since they have since pursued more "spiritual" matters and look back on it as a dead end from their youth. They have spent time (we understand) living in the Indian city of Rishikesh and no longer live in Adelaide. It has been years since they were involved in anything to do with BDSM or related interests. The fact is they are into yoga and a yogi called Osho. People change. They handed Code d’ Ode to Mr Molyneux and then went on to other things. The last time they were contacted about these matters they made it clear they were no longer interested and did not care to be contacted about it anymore. This should be respected.

*Certain people have taken advantage of the free availability of early versions of Code d’ Odalisque. It is good that this lifestyle has spread via the internet, but at the same time there are spurious claims being made about the origins of the Code and the identity of S & V. Rose. The fact is that Mr Molyneux and his partners have worked tirelessly to promote and develop Code d’ Ode for many years now and continue to do so. The people claiming to be Steven and Vicki Rose are impostors. Even so, if they continue to bring Code d’ Ode to a wider audience and assist people in this lifestyle it is all to the good. It is disappointing that they choose to create of charade of spurious identities and traffic public domain documents as their own, but it does little harm.

*Those claiming that Code d’ Ode is a “myth” based on their own work are just egoists - a common enough flaw in the BDSM world. No claim has ever been made made that the Guild of the Black Pearl is some vast secret organisation of slaveowners. It is a small community of dedicated enthusiasts and has always been presented as such. There is no “mythology” involved.

*The new edition of Code d’ Odalisque now carries a new copyright notice. Earlier editions remain in the public domain. New people have joined and bring their own creativity and inspiration. The work goes on.