Gorean Castes

~Caste System~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gorean society is based upon "caste" systems. Simular to the class system on Earth; i.e., social systems. Each profession or occupation seems to have its own structure, and its place in Gorean society. They have their own social gatherings and functions, keeping it elete to the cause. One may raise or lower theirselves according to ability and aptitude.

Many of the larger castes of Gor have their own unique colors. The colors are displayed by many of the castes, to show their place in society; the caste in which they belong.

Each caste maintains a belief system, and follows the "codes" by which they believe in.

Gorean castes are divided into two categories, High castes and Low castes.

Caste of Initiates: (WHITE) 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. Some are rumored to have the ability to call down the wrath of the Priest Kings, or the dreaded "Flame Death," upon those who commit blasphemous acts or who conspire against 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.

Caste of Scribes: 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. Sub-classes of this caste include the caste of Mapmakers (explorers), the caste of Magistrates and the caste of Litigates.

Caste of Builders: 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.

Caste of Physicians: Fourth of the High Castes. This is the caste of those who concern themselves with the healing arts. Surgeons, apothecaries, medical researchers and health practitioners are all members of this caste. Universally recognized as non-combatants during time of war.

Caste of Warriors: 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.

Low Castes

Caste of Animal Handlers: A large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with the use and care of domestic animals in use upon Gor.

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

Caste of 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 (they consider it the mark of an amateur) 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.

Caste of Bakers: 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.

Caste of 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 sa-Tassna, all forms of edible Gorean meat.

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

Caste of Clothiers: A sub-caste of the Caste of Weavers, which produces articles of Gorean clothing.

Caste of Dress Makers: A sub-caste of the caste of Clothiers which produces female garmenture.

Caste of Drovers: 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.

Caste of Entertainers: A large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with providing entertainment to other members of Gorean society.

Caste of Fishermen: 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.

Caste of Goat-Keepers: 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.

Caste of Lamplighters: 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 of Leather Workers: A sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. Concerned with the fabrication of various leather goods from animal hides of all types.

Caste of 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 the caste of Slavers and the caste of Spice Merchants. The caste colors of the caste of Merchants are White and Gold.

Caste of Metal Workers: A sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. They are concerned with the production of most metal items fabricated upon Gor. Sub-castes of this caste include the caste of Swordmakers and the caste of Armorers, who produce the various shields and helmets in use upon Gor. Additionally, there seems to be a wide-spread 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. Their caste color is Gray.

Caste of Moneylenders: 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.

Caste of Musicians: 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.

Caste of 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.

Caste of Peasants: 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; 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.

Caste of 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.

Caste of Players : This caste is made of of those who have dedicated their lives to the furtherance of the Gorean game of Kaissa. A rare caste, but one which is 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 caste 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. Caste colors: Checkered, Red and Yellow.

Caste of Poets: Oddly enough, 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. Caste colors are Aqua and Red.

Caste of Pot Makers: A sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. They are involved in the production of containment vessels. Their caste colors are Brown and Green.

Caste of Rence-Growers: 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.

Caste of Ropemakers: A sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. Produces rope, binding fiber, thread and cordage of all types.

Caste of Saddle Makers: A sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. They produce the saddlery, harness and tack used to manage all of the various riding and draft beasts of Gor. Their caste color is Tan.

Caste of 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.

Caste of Singers:  A sub-caste of the caste of Entertainers. Often working in conjunction with the caste of Poets, this caste concerns itself with the performance of verbal entertainment's set to music. Colors: Aqua and Red.

Caste of Slavers:  the sub-caste of the Merchants, one who deals in human merchandise; their caste colors are Blue and Yellow.

Caste of Sleen Trainers: 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.

Caste of Tarn Keepers:  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: Grey and Green.

Caste of 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, which is their caste marking

Caste of Torturers, clan of Torturers (Wagon Peoples): Not a common Gorean caste, found only among the Wagon People 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.

Caste of 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.

Caste of Waste Collectors: A sub-caste of the caste of Municipal Servants. This caste concerns itself with the management of collecting the assorted garbage and waste by-products 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.

Caste of Weavers: A sub-caste of the caste of Artisans. Concerned with the professional production of textiles for the garment industry.

Caste of Winemakers: This caste concern itself the professional production of most fruit based Gorean alcohol. Caste of Brewers: This caste concerns itself with the production of most grain based Gorean alcohol.

Caste of Wood Carriers: [Quotes bout Carriers of Wood] 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 of Woodsmen: 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.

Municipal Servants: 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.

Guardsmen: 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 Turian guardsmen wear Yellow.

This next section, contains some of the castes with book quotes:

Castes and Colors

HIGH CASTES:
Initiates: Representatives of the Priest Kings, their color is White
Scribes: Scholars and Clerks, their color is Blue
Builders: Includes builders, architects etc, their color is Yellow
Physicians: The Caste of Physicians color is Green
Warriors: The Caste of Warriors color is Red

"These tiers shared the color of that portion of the wall behind them, the caste colors.The tier nearest the floor, which denoted some preferential status, the white tier, was occupied by the Initiates, Interpreters of the Will of the Priest Kings. In order, the ascending tiers; blue, yellow, green and red were occupied by representatives of the Scribes, Builders, Physicians, and Warriors."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 61

" 'Ho!' cried Torm, that most improbable member of the Caste of Scribes, throwing his blue robes over his head..."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 36

"On the other hand, the High Castes, specifically the Warriors, Builders, Scribes, Initiates, and Physicians...."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 41

"Many castes, incidentally, have branches and divisions. Lawyers and Scholars, for example, and Record Keepers, Teachers, Clerks, Historians and Accountants are all Scribes."
Assassin of Gor, page 208

LOW CASTES:
Assassins: Their color is black
"You will see the black banner of the Caste of Assassins"
Tarnsman of Gor, page 175

Bakers: Their colors are yellow and brown
"I stayed for four days in the rooms above the shop of Dina of Turia, there I dyed my hair black and exchanged the robes of the merchant for the yellow and brown tunic of the Bakers; to which caste her father and two brothers had belonged."
Nomads of Gor, page 237

Bleachers:
"...its libraries, its records and files; its cubicles for Smiths, Bakers, Cosmeticians, Bleachers, Dyers, Weavers, and Leather Workers..."
Assassin of Gor, page 111

Cosmeticians:
"...its libraries, its records and files; its cubicles for Smiths, Bakers, Cosmeticians, Bleachers, Dyers, Weavers, and Leather Workers..."
Assassin of Gor, page 111

Charcoal Makers:
"His stature and burden proclaimed him a member of the Caste of Carriers of Wood, or Woodsmen, that Gorean caste which, with the caste of Charcoal Makers, provides most of the common fuel for the Gorean cities."
Outlaw of Gor, page 27

Cloth Workers:
"The Carders and Dyers, incidentally, are subcastes separate from the Weavers. All are subcastes of the Rug Makers, which itself, interestingly, perhaps surprisingly, is accounted generally as a subcaste of the Cloth Workers. Rug Makers themselves, however usually regard themselves in their various subcastes, as being independent of the Cloth Workers. A rug maker would not care to be confused with a maker of kaftans, turbans, or djellabas."
Tribesmen of Gor, pages 49-50

"I was the daughter of a Cloth Worker..."
Assassin of Gor, page 317

Dyers
"...its libraries, its records and files; its cubicles for Smiths, Bakers, Cosmeticians, Bleachers, Dyers, Weavers, and Leather Workers..."
Assassin of Gor, page 111

Goat Keepers:
"I was pleased to see that the men of other castes....and even castes as low as the Peasants, Saddle-Makers, the Weavers, the Goat-Keepers, the Poets, and the Merchants...."
Priest-Kings of Gor, pages 294-295

Leather Workers:
"It was there that she had been purchased by Barus, of the Leather Workers."
Captive of Gor, page 234

"...its libraries, its records and files; its cubicles for Smiths, Bakers, Cosmeticians, Bleachers, Dyers, Weavers, and Leather Workers..."
Assassin of Gor, page 111

Magicians:
"The magicians of Anango are famed on Gor. If you wish to have someone turned into a turtle or something, those are the fellows to see."
Magicians of Gor, page 259

Merchants: Their colors are gold and white
"Down the stairway slowly, in trailing white silk, bordered with gold, the colors of the Merchants... ...Aphris of Turia, then, was of the caste of merchants."
Nomads of Gor, page 91

"I wore a white robe, woven of the wool of the Hurt, imported from distant Ar, trimmed with golden cloth, from Tor, the colors of the Merchant."
Hunters of Gor, page 7

Metal Workers:
"My opponent was not Andreas, but a squat, powerful man with short-clipped yellow hair, Kron of Tharna, of the Caste of Metal Workers."
Outlaw of Gor, page 113

Musicians:
"A similar decree, in most cities, stands against the enslavement of one who is in the Caste of Musicians."
Beasts of Gor, page 44

Peasants:
"Economically, the base of the Gorean life was the free peasant, which was perhaps the lowest but undoubtedly the most fundamental caste..."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 43

Players: Their colors are red and yellow
"In most cities it is regarded, incidentally, as a criminal offense to enslave one of the Caste of Players."
Beasts of Gor, page 44

"...he wore the garb of the Player, but his garb was rich and the squares of the finest red and yellow silk..."
Assassin of Gor, page 322

Poets:
"It could have been worse, I thought. After all, though the Caste of Singers, or Poets, was not a high caste, it had more prestige than, for example, the Caste of Pot-Makers or Saddle-Makers, with which it was sometimes compared."
Outlaw of Gor, page 103

Pot-Makers(Potters):
"Hup's rag might once have been of the Caste of Potters."
Assassin of Gor, page 10
(Also, see Poets for quote mentioning the existence of the Caste of Pot-Makers)

Saddle-Makers:
(See Poets for quote mentioning the existence of the Caste of Saddle-Makers)

Rencers:
"The Rencers are often thought to be a higher caste than the Peasants."
Raiders of Gor, page 94

Rope-Makers:
This is more of a guild, or union, not specifically a caste and are mentioned here as exceptions to the caste system.
"These organizations, such as the sail-makers, almost guildlike, not castes, have dues...."
Raiders of Gor, page 134

Sail-Makers:
See Rope Makers Singers:
(See Poets for quote mentioning the existence of the Caste of Singers)

Slavers: Their colors are blue and yellow (sub caste of the Merchants)
"I saw that the cover of the thalarion wagon, which had been rolled back, was of blue and yellow silk. It was the camp of a slaver."
Outlaw of Gor, page 185

"The Slavers, incidentally, are of the Merchant caste, though, in virtue of their merchandise and practices, their robes are different."
Assassin of Gor, page 208

"Samos wore the blue and yellow robes of the Slaver."
Hunters of Gor, page 7

"From among the domed tents, wearing a swirling robe of broadly striped blue and yellow silk, with a headband of the same material, there approached a short, fat man, Targo the Slaver..."
Outlaw of Gor, page 191

Sleen Trainers: Their colors are brown and black (may be a sub castes or a specialty)
"He now no longer wore the brown and black common to professional sleen trainers..."
Beasts of Gor, page 78

Smiths:
"...its libraries, its records and files; its cubicles for Smiths, Bakers, Cosmeticians, Bleachers, Dyers, Weavers, and Leather Workers..."
Assassin of Gor, page 111

Tarn Keepers:
"...was purchased by a fat, odious fellow, of the Caste of Tarn Keepers."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 132

Thieves:
"There is even, in Port Kar, a recognized Caste of Thieves, the only such I know of on Gor...They are recognized by the Thiefs Scar, which they wear as a caste mark, a tiny, three-pronged brand burned into the face, in back of and below the eye, over the right cheekbone."
Raiders of Gor, page 104

"On his right cheek, over the cheekbone was the Thief brand of the Caste of Thieves of Port Kar, who use the small brand to identify their members."
Assassin of Gor, page 96

Vintners: Their colors are white and green (to represent leaves)
"...of the Caste of Vintners...wearing a white tunic with a representation in green cloth of leaves about the collar and down the sleeves of the garment..."
Assassin of Gor, page 29

Weavers:
"I was pleased to see that the men of other castes....and even castes as low as the Peasants, Saddle-Makers, the Weavers, the Goat-Keepers, the Poets, and the Merchants...."
Priest-Kings of Gor, pages 294-295

Wood Carriers/Woodsmen:
"His stature and burden proclaimed him a member of the Caste of Carriers of Wood, or Woodsmen, that Gorean caste which, with the caste of Charcoal Makers, provides most of the common fuel for the Gorean cities."
Outlaw of Gor, page 27