The Caste System
The Five High Castes
CASTE OF INITIATES
Caste Colour: White
Members of this caste are supposed to be representatives of the Priest Kings in Gorean society. Their responsiblities include guiding the spiritual life of Goreans by use of rituals and prayers to the Priest Kings. There are rumors that some may even be able to call down the wrath of the Priest Kings upon those who have offended the Priest Kings. They wear white robes, shave their heads as well as their faces. They do not eat meat and do not indulge in alcohol. They lead a celebate life, are well learned and read. They are often feared and many times distrusted by members of the lower castes.
CASTE OF SCRIBES
Caste Colour: Blue
Members of this caste are the scholars of Gor. They are the writers and historians of Gorean society. They are responsible for accounting, record-keeping, and writing. They are usually serious and studious, have an eye for detail and a passion for knowledge. There are several sub-castes in this caste which include Mapmakers - explorers, Magistrates, and Litigators.
CASTE OF BUILDER
Caste Colour: Yellow
Included in this caste are architects, draftsmen, stonemasons, engineers, and other professions which are concerned with the physical creations and engineering works of Gor. Inventors and technicians who develop these types of physical creations are also included in this caste.
CASTE OF PHYSICIANS
Caste Colour: Green
Those who are concerned with the healing arts belong to this caste. Members include, surgeons, apothecaries, medical researchers and health practicioners. They are recognized in all of Gor as non combatents during times of war.
CASTE OF WARRIORS
Caste Colour: Scarlet
Members of the military such as infantry, tharlarion calvary, and tarnsmen fill this caste. Their set of codes is known to be one of the strictest. This caste comprises the military branch of Gor government
Caste Colour: White
Members of this caste are supposed to be representatives of the Priest Kings in Gorean society. Their responsiblities include guiding the spiritual life of Goreans by use of rituals and prayers to the Priest Kings. There are rumors that some may even be able to call down the wrath of the Priest Kings upon those who have offended the Priest Kings. They wear white robes, shave their heads as well as their faces. They do not eat meat and do not indulge in alcohol. They lead a celebate life, are well learned and read. They are often feared and many times distrusted by members of the lower castes.
CASTE OF SCRIBES
Caste Colour: Blue
Members of this caste are the scholars of Gor. They are the writers and historians of Gorean society. They are responsible for accounting, record-keeping, and writing. They are usually serious and studious, have an eye for detail and a passion for knowledge. There are several sub-castes in this caste which include Mapmakers - explorers, Magistrates, and Litigators.
CASTE OF BUILDER
Caste Colour: Yellow
Included in this caste are architects, draftsmen, stonemasons, engineers, and other professions which are concerned with the physical creations and engineering works of Gor. Inventors and technicians who develop these types of physical creations are also included in this caste.
CASTE OF PHYSICIANS
Caste Colour: Green
Those who are concerned with the healing arts belong to this caste. Members include, surgeons, apothecaries, medical researchers and health practicioners. They are recognized in all of Gor as non combatents during times of war.
CASTE OF WARRIORS
Caste Colour: Scarlet
Members of the military such as infantry, tharlarion calvary, and tarnsmen fill this caste. Their set of codes is known to be one of the strictest. This caste comprises the military branch of Gor government
Lower Castes
CASTE OF MERCHANTS
Caste Colours: White and Gold
Containing literally hundreds of sub-castes this group is a very large caste. Members of this caste deal with selling and trading of merchandise for a profit. For as many products as there are that are to be sold there are about that many sub castes.
CASTE OF SLAVERS
Caste Colours: Blue and Yellow
This caste deals with the buying and selling of human merchandise. It is a sub caste of the Merchants.
CASTE OF MONEYLENDERS
This caste is composed of the bankers of Gor. The members of this caste are those who trade and speculate with money for profit. The only product they handle is money.
CASTE OF BAKERS:
Caste Colours: Orange and Brown
This caste consists of hundreds of sub castes. Generally they are members who prepare vegetarian food or sa-tarna in its many forms.
CASTE OF BUTCHERS
This caste and its many sub-castes concern themselves with the acquisition and preparation of sa-tassna, all forms of edible Gorean meat. In conjunction with the caste of Bakers, this caste and its many sub castes are responsible for maintaining the majority of the Gorean industries involved with food service.
CASTE OF WINEMAKERS
The professional production of most fruit based Gorean alcohol is under the auspices of this caste.
CASTE OF BREWERS
Takes care of the production of the grain based alcohols.
CASTE OF SAILORS
There are several dozen sub-castes in this group. Each sub caste has its own specialty. An example would be the BARGEMEN who steer river barges on the freshwater waterways of Gor.
CASTE OF FISHERMEN
This caste is a sub caste of the caste of Sailors. They harvest the differing varieties of Gorean fishes and sea life for human consumption. Some sub castes include the CASTES OF RIVER FISHERMEN, THASSA FISHERMEN, and NET MAKERS.
CASTE OF ARTISANS
This caste is extremely broad. It includes many hundreds of sub castes. Any production of hand-made goods for any use, is considered to be a work of art.
CASTE OF POT MAKERS
Caste Colours: Brown and Green
This caste is a sub caste of the Caste of Artisans. They produce vessels used to contain substances of all kinds.
CASTE OF METAL WORKERS
Caste Colour: Gray
A sub caste of Artisans they are concerned with the production of most metal items made on Gor. Some of the sub castes under this one would include: SWORDMAKERS, ARMORERS, and those that work with blacksmithing or farrier work repairing wagon wheels and shoeing Gorean draft and riding animals.
CASTE OF CLOTH WORKERS
Another large and expansive caste, this group contains many sub castes. They are concerned with the professional production of woven cloth for use by the people of Gor.
CASTE FOR RUG MAKERS
This group is a sub caste of the Caste of Cloth Workers. They produce woven rugs for general use. Members of this caste see themselves as independent from the Caste of Cloth Workers.
CASTE OF WEAVERS
Concerned with the professional production of textiles for the textile industry, this caste is a sub caste of the Rug Makers Caste.
CASTE OF CARDERS
Sub caste of the caste of Weavers. They produce woven cloth for the textile industry.
CASTE OF DRYERS
This sub caste of Weavers deals with the staining and coloring of cloth for the textile industry.
CASTE OF CLOTHIERS
Another sub caste of the Caste of Weavers, they produce articles of clothing for the Gorean people.
CASTE OF DRESS MAKERS
Sub caste of Weavers which makes feminine clothing.
CASTE OF ROPEMAKERS
Sub caste of Artisans that produces rope, binding fiber, thread and cordage of all types.
CASTE OF LEATHERWORKERS
Sub caste of the Artisan Caste, deals with the fabrication of various leather goods from animal hides of all kinds.
Caste of Torturers, clan of Torturers (Wagon Peoples)
Caste Colours: Black and Red.
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.
Caste of Players
Caste Colours: Checkered, Red and Yellow
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 of Municipal Servants
Caste colour:Gray
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.
Caste of 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 guardsmen of Tyros wear Yellow.
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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 Woodsmen
Caste Colors: Brown and Black.
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 of Wood Carriers
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 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 Charcoal Makers
Caste colors: Black and Grey.
This caste concerns itself with the production of charcoal for use in Gorean forges and ovens.
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 Entertainers
A large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with providing entertainment to other members of Gorean society.
Caste of Singers
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 entertainments, often set to music.
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 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 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 indentified by a tiny, three-pronged black tattoo on their cheekbone, similar to the footprint of a bird, which is their caste marking.
Caste of Peasants
Caste Color: Brown
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."
Caste Colours: White and Gold
Containing literally hundreds of sub-castes this group is a very large caste. Members of this caste deal with selling and trading of merchandise for a profit. For as many products as there are that are to be sold there are about that many sub castes.
CASTE OF SLAVERS
Caste Colours: Blue and Yellow
This caste deals with the buying and selling of human merchandise. It is a sub caste of the Merchants.
CASTE OF MONEYLENDERS
This caste is composed of the bankers of Gor. The members of this caste are those who trade and speculate with money for profit. The only product they handle is money.
CASTE OF BAKERS:
Caste Colours: Orange and Brown
This caste consists of hundreds of sub castes. Generally they are members who prepare vegetarian food or sa-tarna in its many forms.
CASTE OF BUTCHERS
This caste and its many sub-castes concern themselves with the acquisition and preparation of sa-tassna, all forms of edible Gorean meat. In conjunction with the caste of Bakers, this caste and its many sub castes are responsible for maintaining the majority of the Gorean industries involved with food service.
CASTE OF WINEMAKERS
The professional production of most fruit based Gorean alcohol is under the auspices of this caste.
CASTE OF BREWERS
Takes care of the production of the grain based alcohols.
CASTE OF SAILORS
There are several dozen sub-castes in this group. Each sub caste has its own specialty. An example would be the BARGEMEN who steer river barges on the freshwater waterways of Gor.
CASTE OF FISHERMEN
This caste is a sub caste of the caste of Sailors. They harvest the differing varieties of Gorean fishes and sea life for human consumption. Some sub castes include the CASTES OF RIVER FISHERMEN, THASSA FISHERMEN, and NET MAKERS.
CASTE OF ARTISANS
This caste is extremely broad. It includes many hundreds of sub castes. Any production of hand-made goods for any use, is considered to be a work of art.
CASTE OF POT MAKERS
Caste Colours: Brown and Green
This caste is a sub caste of the Caste of Artisans. They produce vessels used to contain substances of all kinds.
CASTE OF METAL WORKERS
Caste Colour: Gray
A sub caste of Artisans they are concerned with the production of most metal items made on Gor. Some of the sub castes under this one would include: SWORDMAKERS, ARMORERS, and those that work with blacksmithing or farrier work repairing wagon wheels and shoeing Gorean draft and riding animals.
CASTE OF CLOTH WORKERS
Another large and expansive caste, this group contains many sub castes. They are concerned with the professional production of woven cloth for use by the people of Gor.
CASTE FOR RUG MAKERS
This group is a sub caste of the Caste of Cloth Workers. They produce woven rugs for general use. Members of this caste see themselves as independent from the Caste of Cloth Workers.
CASTE OF WEAVERS
Concerned with the professional production of textiles for the textile industry, this caste is a sub caste of the Rug Makers Caste.
CASTE OF CARDERS
Sub caste of the caste of Weavers. They produce woven cloth for the textile industry.
CASTE OF DRYERS
This sub caste of Weavers deals with the staining and coloring of cloth for the textile industry.
CASTE OF CLOTHIERS
Another sub caste of the Caste of Weavers, they produce articles of clothing for the Gorean people.
CASTE OF DRESS MAKERS
Sub caste of Weavers which makes feminine clothing.
CASTE OF ROPEMAKERS
Sub caste of Artisans that produces rope, binding fiber, thread and cordage of all types.
CASTE OF LEATHERWORKERS
Sub caste of the Artisan Caste, deals with the fabrication of various leather goods from animal hides of all kinds.
Caste of Torturers, clan of Torturers (Wagon Peoples)
Caste Colours: Black and Red.
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.
Caste of Players
Caste Colours: Checkered, Red and Yellow
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 of Municipal Servants
Caste colour:Gray
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.
Caste of 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 guardsmen of Tyros wear Yellow.
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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 Woodsmen
Caste Colors: Brown and Black.
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 of Wood Carriers
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 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 Charcoal Makers
Caste colors: Black and Grey.
This caste concerns itself with the production of charcoal for use in Gorean forges and ovens.
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 Entertainers
A large caste category which contains many specific sub-castes, all concerned with providing entertainment to other members of Gorean society.
Caste of Singers
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 entertainments, often set to music.
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 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 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 indentified by a tiny, three-pronged black tattoo on their cheekbone, similar to the footprint of a bird, which is their caste marking.
Caste of Peasants
Caste Color: Brown
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."
The Caste of Assassins
Caste Colour: Black
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.
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.
