Flight from Nevèrÿon

"Return to Nevèrÿon" is a series of eleven “sword and sorcery” stories—a science fiction/fantasy series depicting an empire beyond the borders of history where human destinies entwine in a strange design. It is an intricate web of adventure, intrigue and desire and a literary puzzle where meaning, parable and paradox collide. The eleven tales that make up Return to Nevèrÿon are set before the dawn of history, in a location that might be Africa or Asia. Many of the stories have different protagonists and, indeed, different sets of foreground characters. But all take a greater or lesser part in recounting an overall story running through the whole series, the history of a man called Gorgik the Liberator. Taken slave in childhood, Gorgik gains his freedom, leads a slave revolt, and becomes a minister of state, finally abolishing slavery. Ironically, however, he is sexually aroused by the iron slave collars of servitude. Does this contaminate his mission -- or intensify it? Originally published in four volumes during the years 1979-1987, those volumes are:

1. Return to Nevèrÿon 2. Tales of Nevèrÿon 3. Neveryona, or: The Tale of Signs and Cities 4.

Synopsis from Open Library.