Reflections of Gor

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.

 Caste of Initiates: 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 recognised 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.

 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 Litigators. Their caste color is Blue.

 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. Their caste color is Yellow.

 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 practicioners are all members of this caste. Universally recognized as non-combatants during time of war. Their caste color is Green.

 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. Their caste color is Scarlet
 

Caste of Merchant
Very broad caste, and contains literally hundreds of sub castes. Concerned with the sale and trade of merchandise for profit. therea re almost as many sub-caste of the merchant caste as tehre are products to be sold: a few notable ones include the Slavers, and teh Spice Merchants. The caste colors are White and gold

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

Caste of Moneylenders
An additional sub-caste of the Merchants: these are those who engage in trade and speculation of money for a profit and only products they handle is money. They are the bankers of Gor.

Caste of Baker
another very broad caste, which consist of hundred of subcastes. Generally those who are members of this caste are those who prepare sa-tarna or vegetain foods, 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 acquisitions adn preparation of sa-tarna, all forms of edible gorean meats.

Caste of Wine Vintners
This caste concern itself the professional production of most fruit based Gorean Alcohol. Caste colors are white with green leaves.

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

Caste of Sailors
This caste includes serial dozen sub-castes, each with its own specialty. there is a sub-caste of the caste of Sailors know as the Caste of Bargemen, those who propel and steer the great river barges upon the freshwater waterway of Gor. Caste colors blue and gold

Caste of Fisherman
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 caste of River Fisherman, and the caster of Thassa Fisherman. The caste of Net Makers, and aritisan caste is often consider a sub caste of fisherman 

The Caste of Artisan
This is a very broad caste which includes hundred of sub casstes. Since many production of hand-made goods, no mater its use, is considered by the typical Gorean to be a work of art, this caste is very broad indeed.

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

Caste of Saddle Makers
A sub-caste of the Caste of Artisian. They produce the sadderly, harness, and tack used to manage all the various riding and draft beast of Gor. Their color is tan.

Caste of Metal Workers
A sub-caste of Artisan. they are concerned with the production of most metal items favricated upon Gor caste color steel gray

Caste of SwordMakers

Caste of Armorers
who produce Various shields and helmets in use upon gor and a subcaste of Blacksmith Makers or Farrier...... their color is Steel Gray

Caste of Cloth Workers
A sub-caste of the Artisns, Concerned with the professional production of textiles for the garment industry.

Caste of Weaver
a sub-caste of the Caste of cloth workers which produces female garments

Caste of Dress Makers
a sub-caste of cloth Workers which makes rugs and tapestries

Caste of Dyers
a sub-caste of Cloth Workers which deals with drying cloth. Tehy are also chemist of Gor, producing inorganic poisons and certain other materials permitted by the Priest Kings

Caste of Carder
A sub caste of Cloth Workers responsible for at the processing of raw wool into yarn

Caste of Ropemakers
a sub-caste of the Caste of Artisans. produces ropes, binding fibers, thread and cordage of all types

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 Poets
Oddly enough, considered to be a sub-caste not of the Entertainers, but the Caste of Artisan. this is probably because Goreans view the creation of poems, to be no different from the fabrication of any other, physical, work of the art. Caste colors are Aqua and Red.

Caste Of Players
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 Artisan, because most Gorean consider the playing of Kaissa to be an art form, granted blanket immunity to prosecution and slavery wear distinctive hooded robes i their Caste colors, Caste colors are Red and yellow.

Caste of Torturer
(Wagon People) to a common Gorean caste, found only among the Wagon people of the Far south. Considered to be a sub0caste of the Caste of Artisans. One must therefore suppose that those Wagon people consider the application of Torture to be an art form. Their Caste Colors are Black and Red.

Caste of 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.

sub-caste of the Caste of Municipal Servants

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. Gorean equivalent of a police force. Have no caste colors, and typically wear uniforms provided them by the city or village in which they work

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 colors are striped green white and red.

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 carnaria (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.

sub-castes of the Caste of Animal Handlers.

Caste of Tarn Handlers
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 are 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.aste by-products stored in local waste bins and, in conjunction with the caste of Drovers, seeing that it is properly disposed of in carnaria (waste pits) located beyond the city limits.

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 are Brown and Black.

sub Castes of the Caste of Woodsmen

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 farmsCaste of Oil Makers

Caste of Charcoal Makers
This caste concerns itself with the production of charcoal for use in Gorean Forges and ovens. Color Black and Gray

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. Sub-castes of the Caste of entertainers

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 entertainments set to music. Colors: Aqua and Red.

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 SingerCaste of Rence-Grovers

Caste of Assassins
Comprised of those who kill strictly for pay; once evident throughout Gor, their existence has long been suppressed, though still appear occasionally. Refuse to use poison to dispatch their enemies (considered the mark of an amateur) and required by their caste codes to renounce all ties of friendship and family. claim no Home Stone. Almost universally despised and feared by other castes. Caste color is black.

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 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 (similar to Earthen 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 Peasants
Lowest & most common caste, doing maintenance, planting and harvesting of vast lands surrounding most cities divided into plots and set aside for farming. The free farmers of Gor; though a Low caste they referred to as "the Ox on Which the Home Stone Rests" due to their vital role. Have rather strict caste codes, and are masters of several forms of distinctive peasant weaponry, including the quarterstaff and the Great Bow, or "Peasant Bow."  Caste color is Brown.