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.
Most of the images
and information on these 7 pages were compiled by Nadira
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Visitors since Nov 1, 2004
Last
modified: 04/10/06