CASTES

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The High Castes

• Initiates
• Scribes
• Builders
• Physicians
• Warriors

The Low Castes

• Animal Handlers
• Armorers
• Artisans
• Assassins
• Bakers
• Bargemen
• Blacksmiths
• Bleachers
• Brewers
• Butchers
• Carders
• Charcoal Makers
• Cloth Makers
• Cloth Workers
• Cosmeticians
• Dress Makers
• Drovers
• Dyers
• Entertainers
• Fishermen
• Goat Keepers
• Guardsmen
• Harness Makers
• Lamplighters
• Leather Workers
• Locksmiths
• Magicians
• Merchants
• Metal Workers
• Millers
• Moneylenders
• Municipal Servants
• Musicians
• Net Makers
• Oil Makers
• Peasants
• Perfumers
• Players
• Poets
• Pot Makers
• Rence Growers
• Rope Makers
• Rug Makers
• Saddle Makers
• Sailors
• Scarers
• Silversmiths
• Singers
• Slavers
• Sleen Trainers
• Spice Merchants
• Sword Makers
• Tarn Keepes
• Thieves
• Torturers
• Vart Trainers
• Vintners
• Waste Collectors
• Weavers
• Wood Carriers
• Woodsmen

Gorean Castes

Gorean society is divided up into "Castes." Each profession or occupation comprises its own caste, and each caste is ranked according to its particular place in Gorean societal interaction. Many of the castes contain within their sphere several distinct sub-castes, particular to the precise activity and requirements of the profession involved. For instance, the caste of slavers is considered to be a sub-caste of the larger and more comprehensive caste of merchants. Slavers sell merchandise, but they restrict their dealings to a particular type of merchandise, namely slaves. Castes are hereditary, meaning that a person is born into the caste of his or her father. Although the caste structure is rather rigid in its requirements, it is possible for a person to alter his or her caste, or to "raise" or "lower" his or her caste according to personal ability and aptitude. All Goreans belong to a particular caste, with the exception of three types of persons: slaves, Outlaws, and Priest-Kings.

Gorean castes are divided into two categories, High castes and Low castes. There are five "High Castes" in place within Gorean society. They are listed below, ranked according to their prominence in Gorean government. Members of a High Caste are permitted the "First Knowledge" and the "Second Knowledge", while Low Caste members are allowed only the "First Knowledge". It is said that the Priest-Kings enjoy both the "First" and "Second", in addition to a "Third Knowledge" as well. To date, no human has ever been allowed to acquire the "Third Knowledge".

Each caste maintains a series of beliefs and rules for its members, which are followed when one is practicing one's profession. These are called the caste's "codes" and deal mainly with matters specific to that particular profession; i.e., a member of the caste of merchants would follow his or her caste codes in regards to maintaining a profitable trade, presenting merchandise in an honest fashion, haggling, etc. Each caste's codes are different.

Many of the major castes of Gor have their own unique "Caste Color." This color is often used by members of that caste to display outwardly that they are associated with the caste which that color represents. Such things as banners, flags, and even buildings will often be of a certain color to show caste alliance. Goreans will often wear clothing of their caste color which makes it known at a glance that they are members of a particular caste. A widely recognized symbol for a member of the Gorean warrior caste is a scarlet tunic, for example, while a scribe would wear robes of his own caste color; blue.

The High Castes


Initiates

This is the first of the High Castes. The supposed representatives of the Priest-Kings in Gorean society. They are responsible for guiding the spiritual life of Goreans through their rituals and prayers to the Priest-Kings. They are recognized by their white robes, their shaven heads and faces, and their refusal to eat meat or imbibe alcohol. They are also required by their caste codes to be celibate. They tend to be learned and well-read, although they are feared and often distrusted by those of the lower castes. Their caste color is White.


Scribes

This is the second of the High Castes. They are the scholars of Gorean society, the writers and the historians. In their keeping is almost all of the accounting, record-keeping, and writing upon Gor. They tend to be serious and studious, with an attention to detail and a passion for knowledge. Subclasses of this caste include the caste of Map Makers, the caste of Magistrates and the caste of Litigators. Their caste color is Blue.


Builders


This is the third of the High Castes. This caste includes architects, engineers, draftsmen, stonemasons, and many other professions which concern themselves with the creation of the physical and engineering marvels of Gor. Also among the caste of Builders are the inventors and technicians who develop such works. Their caste color is Yellow.


Physicians

This is the fourth of the High Castes. This is the caste of those who concern themselves with the healing arts. Members of this caste include: surgeons, apothecaries, medical researchers and health practitioners. This Caste is universally recognized as noncombatant during times of war. Their caste color is Green.


Warriors

This is the fifth and lowest of the High Castes. This caste includes infantry, tharlarion cavalry, and tarnsmen. They are known to have one of the strictest sets of caste codes in use on Gor. Members of this caste comprise the military branch of Gorean government. Their caste color is Scarlet.

The Low Castes


Animal Handlers


This is a large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with the use and care of domestic animals in use upon Gor.


Armorers

This is a sub-caste of the Caste of Metal Workers. This is the caste which concerns itself with the making of armor and other protective gear upon Gor.


Artisans

This is a very broad caste which includes hundreds of sub-castes. Since any production of handmade goods, no matter its use, is considered by the typical Gorean to be a work of art, this caste is very broad indeed.


Assassins

This caste is comprised of those who kill strictly for pay; once evident throughout Gor, their existence has long been suppressed, though they still appear occasionally. They refuse to use poison to dispatch their enemies and are required by their caste codes to renounce all ties of friendship and family. In addition, they claim no Home Stone. Almost universally despised and feared by other castes. Their caste color is Black.


Bakers

This is another very broad caste, which consists of hundreds of sub-castes. Generally, those who are members of this caste are those who prepare sa-tarna, or vegetarian food, in any of a hundred thousand forms. Their caste colors are Yellow and Brown.


Bargemen

This is a group specific to the southern hemisphere. They take on the duties of ferrying people across the Cartius on large barges drawn by river tharlarion into Turia. They claim Caste for themselves but are actually interrelated clans of fathers and their sons.


Blacksmiths

This is a sub-caste of the Caste of Metal Workers. This caste concerns itself with the repair of wagon wheels and the shoeing of Gorean draft animals.


Bleachers

This caste is hardly mentioned at all. One might supposed it is a caste concerning itself with the whitening of fabrics prior to coloring.


Brewers

This caste concerns itself with the production of most grain based Gorean alcohol.


Butchers

This caste, in conjunction with the caste of Bakers, is responsible for maintaining the majority of the Gorean industries involved with food service. This caste and its many sub-castes concern themselves with the acquisition and preparation of all forms of edible Gorean meat.


Carders

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Weavers. Concerned with the professional production of woven cloth for the textile industry.


Charcoal Makers

This caste concerns itself with the production of charcoal for use in Gorean forges and ovens. Caste colors: Black and Gray.


Cloth Makers

This is a sub-caste of the Caste of Weavers, which produces articles of Gorean clothing.


Cloth Workers

This is a very large and expansive caste, containing numerous sub-castes. Concerned with the professional production of woven cloth for the use of the Gorean populace.


Cosmeticians

This caste concerns itself with the creation of make-up for Gorean slaves. Free Women on Gor, incidentally, do not wear make-up. Products from this caste range in the hundreds, from lipstick, to nail polish to blushes for the cheeks (called rouge) to colored eye shadow. All of these are for one purpose; to enhance the beauty of a kajira.


Dress Makers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Cloth Workers which produces female garments.


Drovers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Animal Handlers. This caste concerns itself with the care and feeding of the various draft animals in use upon Gor, as well as the task of using wagons drawn by such creatures to ship goods from city to city.


Dyers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Weavers. Concerned with the professional staining and coloring of cloth for the textile industry.


Entertainers

This is a large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with providing entertainment to other members of Gorean society. Caste colors: Aqua and Red.


Fishermen

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Sailors, they are concerned with harvesting the vast variety of Gorean aquatic life for human consumption. There are additional sub-castes of this caste, including the Castes of River Fishermen and the caste of Thassa Fishermen. The caste of Net Makers, an artisan caste, is often considered a sub-caste of the caste of Fishermen.


Goat Keepers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Animal Handlers, this caste concerns itself with the care and maintenance of herds of goats and other animals such as the woolly Gorean hurt.


Guardsmen

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Municipal Servants. This caste is responsible for patrolling the city or village streets, arresting those who violate local ordinances and laws, and insuring the general well-being of the citizenry. They are the Gorean equivalent of a police force. They have no caste colors, and typically wear uniforms provided them by the city or village in which they work, in that settlement's traditional colors. The guardsmen of Ar, for instance, wear Red and Gold, while those of Cos traditionally wear Blue, and guardsmen of Tyros wear Yellow.


Harness Makers

This is a sub-caste of the Caste of Leather Workers. They provide not just harnesses but saddles, reins, tethers, hobbles and bridles.


Lamplighters

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Municipal Servants.This caste concerns itself with lighting the tharlarion oil lamps used to provide illumination to the city streets. Caste colors: Striped, Green, White and Red.


Leather Workers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. Concerned with the fabrication of various leather goods from animal hides of all types. This Caste also concerns itself with the piercing of slaves, specifically the nose and ears, by means of an awl and steel needles.


Locksmiths

This is a sub-caste of the Caste of Metal Workers. This caste makes all forms of Gorean locks. It is a capital offense for a locksmith to make an unauthorized copy of a key.


Magicians

This caste is famous for its magic, though in actuality there is no magic on Gor. They use tricks similar to those implemented on Earth such as mirrors, smoke and sleight of hand. The most famous magicians, the Black Wizards, come from the island of Anango. Lower Castes, particularly the Caste of Peasants, fear and mistrust this caste.


Merchants

This is a very broad caste, and contains literally hundreds of sub-castes. Those who are of this caste are concerned with the sell and trade of merchandise for a profit. There are almost as many sub-castes of the Merchant caste as there are products to be sold. A few notable ones include Slavers and Spice Merchants. The caste colors of the Merchants are White and Gold.


Metal Workers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. They are concerned with the production of most metal items fabricated upon Gor. Additionally, there seems to be a widespread sub-caste of the caste of Metal Workers which serves in a similar capacity to a blacksmith or farrier, repairing wagon wheels and shoeing Gorean draft and riding beasts. This Caste also concerns itself with the branding of slaves. This service is usually available at a fair price and most Metal Workers are very skilled at this practice. Many offer a wide variety of brands for a master to choose from when branding his property. Their caste color is Gray.


Millers

This caste is perhaps in cooperation with the Caste of Bakers. It concerns itself with the grinding of grain into flour for use in baking and other like food preperation.


Moneylenders

This is an additional sub-caste of the Merchants; these are those who engage in the trade and speculation of money for a profit, and the only product they handle is money. They are the bankers of Gor.


Municipal Servants

This is a large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with providing various public services to the inhabitants of a particular city or village. Their caste color is Gray.


Musicians

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Entertainers. Often working in conjunction with the caste of Singers, this caste concerns itself with providing and performing instrumental musical works, as well as accompaniment for those of the caste of Singers.


Net Makers

This is a sub-caste of the Caste of Fisherman. This caste concerns itself with the making of Gorean nets, for fishing, trapping and capturing.


Oil Makers

This caste concerns itself with the production of various types of oil, used for purposes of lubrication and as a burnable fuel source.


Peasants

This is the lowest and most common of the castes of Gor, which is concerned with the maintenance, planting and harvesting of the vast lands surrounding most cities which have been divided into plots and set aside for agricultural use. These are the free farmers of Gor and although a low caste, they refer to themselves as "The Ox On Which the Home Stone Rests" due to their vital role in the production of raw foodstuffs for Gorean society. They have rather strict caste codes, and are considered the masters of several forms of distinctive peasant weaponry, including the quarterstaff and the Great Bow, or "Peasant Bow." Their caste color is Brown.


Perfumers

This caste concerns itself with the production of various types of scented perfumes, used for purposes of esthetic appeal. Often works in conjunction with the caste of Oil Makers to produce scented oils and such. Also works with the caste of Charcoal Makers and the caste of Spice Merchants to create incense.


Players

The Players are not actually a caste, per se, but more a group of men who still retain their separate castes yet come together for the love of the game. This group is made of of those who have dedicated their lives to the furtherance of the Gorean game of Kaissa. Players are found and supported in almost any city. A sub-caste of the caste of Artisans, due to the fact that most Goreans consider the playing of Kaissa to be an art form. Members of this group are granted blanket immunity to prosecution and slavery, and are highly regarded based upon their level of skill. They wear distinctive hooded robes in their caste colors; Checkered Red and Yellow.


Poets

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Entertainers. It concerns itself with the spoken stories and ballads of Gorean history and lore.


Pot Makers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. They are involved in the production of containment vessels. Their caste colors are Brown and Green.


Rence Growers

This is a slightly higher caste than the caste of Peasants, this is the caste of those who dwell in the various marshes and swamps of Gor, and who harvest Rence (a Gorean plant similar to Earth rice). They reside on great floating man-made islands amidst the marshes and are highly territorial and secretive. Known for their adoption and usage of the "Peasant Bow" in combat.


Rope Makers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. Produces rope, binding fiber, thread and cordage of all types.


Rug Makers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Cloth Workers, with several smaller sub-castes. Concerned with the professional production of woven rugs for the use of the Gorean populace. Members of this caste, however, usually regard themselves to be an independent caste, separate from the Cloth Workers.


Saddle Makers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. They produce the saddle, harness and tack used to manage all of the various riding and draft beasts of Gor. Their caste color is Tan.


Sailors

This caste includes several dozen sub-castes, each with its own specialty. There is a sub-caste of the caste of Sailors known as the caste of Bargemen, those who propel and steer the great river barges upon the freshwater waterways of Gor.


Scarers

This, like the Torturers, is not actually a Caste, but another clan among the Wagon Peoples. Members of this clan are responsible for affixing the various colored scars that adorn the faces of the Warriors of the four Wagon Peoples; the Kassars, the Tuchuks, the Paravaci and the Katai. It is done much in the same way as primitive tribes on Earth mark themselves, using knives and needles to mar the skin and then smear pigment to color the scar, finally smearing it with bosk dung to ensure the scar lasts. It is a painful and sometimes fatal practice.


Silversmiths

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Metal Workers. This caste works with silver, forming it into a thousand different forms and uses.


Singers

This caste is also known as the Caste of Poets. Sometimes considered to be a sub-caste not of the Entertainers, but of the caste of Artisans. This is probably because Goreans view the creation of a poem to be no different from the fabrication of any other, physical, work of art. This caste concerns itself with the creation and performance of verbal entertainment, often set to music.


Slavers

This is a sub-caste of the Merchants, one who deals in human merchandise; their caste colors are Blue and Yellow.


Sleen Trainers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Animal Handlers, this caste concerns itself with the care, feeding and training of the Gorean Sleen, the six-legged furred hunting reptile of Gor. Their caste colors are Brown and Black.


Spice Merchants

This is a sub-casteof the caste of Merchants. This caste concerns itself with the distribution of Gorean spices and flavorings. This caste works with the caste of Perfumers and the caste of Charcoal Makers to create and sell incense to the populace of Gor.


Sword Makers

This is a sub-caste of the Caste of Metal Workers. This caste is responsible for the forging and creation of the bladed weapons on Gor; the swords, daggers and knives of Gorean weaponry.


Tarn Keepers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Animal Handlers. This caste concerns itself with the care, feeding and training of the Gorean tarn, the fierce winged saddle-bird of Gor. Caste colors: Gray and Green.


Thieves

This caste is comprised of those who make their living by stealing, robbery, picking pockets, etc.; the caste of Thieves is exclusive to the city of Port Kar. They have no recognizable caste colors, but can be identified by a tiny, three-pronged black tattoo on their cheekbone, similar to the footprint of a bird, which is their caste marking.


Torturers

This is not actually a Gorean caste; always referred to as a "Clan". It is found only among the Wagon Peoples of the far south. Considered to be a sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. One must therefore suppose that those of the Wagon Peoples consider the application of torture to be an art form. Their caste colors are Black and Red.


Vart Trainers

This caste, a sub-caste of the caste of Animal Handlers, is exclusive to the island Ubarate of Tyros. Members of this caste concern themselves with the care, feeding and training of the Gorean vart, a bat-like creature in use upon Tyros, often trained and used as a weapon.


Vintners

This caste concerns itself with the professional production of most fruit-based Gorean alcohol. Their caste color is White, stylized with grape leaves in Green.


Waste Collectors

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Municipal Servants. This caste concerns itself with the management of collecting the assorted garbage and waste byproducts stored in local waste bins and, in conjunction with the caste of Drovers, seeing that it is properly disposed of in carnariums (waste pits) located beyond the city limits.


Weavers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Rug Makers. Concerned with the professional production of textiles for the textile industry.


Wood Carriers

This is a sub-caste of the caste of Woodsmen, this caste concerns itself with the harvesting and transportation of the trees of the Gorean forests and tree farms. Caste Colors: Brown and Black.


Woodsmen

This is a large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with protecting and managing the vast resources of various Gorean forests claimed by a particular city or village. They are experts in various forms of woodcraft and are the forest hunters, forest marshals, and forest trackers of Gor. Caste Colors: Brown and Black.