*******************************
CASTES
*******************************
-
One of the most important aspects which Gorean culture and civilization is based upon is that of caste. Simply put, this means that each person is born into a place, or station in life, and knows absolutely thier position in the social hierarchy thereby.
-
While it is not impossible to move from one caste to another, it is very uncommon, because the Gorean is not only accepting of thier caste, but extremely proud of it, knowing that no matter how menial or exalted it may appear, each of the castes performs a critical function in society, without which that society would be in danger of collapse.
-
In ircGor, many select a caste to claim as thier own. Obviously on Earth, there is no such caste system in place, but we can find analogies for ircGor which match our real life positions.
-
For instance, one who works in a retail store might claim to be of the Merchants,
while another who is a paramedic will claim to be of the Physicians, or
one who is in the military, call the caste of the Warriors, his own.
-
All Goreans have a caste, based on birth and profession, except for four groups; Priest-Kings, outlaws, slaves, and Dar-Kosis victims (Gor's version of lepers).
-
Priest-Kings are considered above the caste system, outlaws and slaves are considered beneath the caste system, and Dar-Kosis victims are considered completely outside of it.
-
There are five High Castes, a representitive of each sits on the Council of each City. There are numerous Lower Castes, thier precise ranking between them has never been completely clear, and certain varies not only from City to City, but in various times, as well as one caste might increase in prominence.
-
In most Cities, the Five High Castes, the Council, elect one person to be Administrator of the City. In war-time, the Council will elect an Ubar, or War-Chief, to lead them. The Ubar (or Ubara if a woman) has absolute dictatorial control of the City.
-
Here follows a short list of the Gorean castes, the colours which are associated with each, and the comparative social ranking;
-
HIGH CASTES
-
Rank Caste Colours
---- ------------------- ----------------------------
1 Initiates White
2 Scribes Blue
3 Builders Yellow
4 Physician Green
5 Warriors Red
-
LOW CASTES *
-
Rank Caste Colours
---- ------------------- ----------------------------
-
1 Assassin Black
2 Slavers Blue/Yellow
3 Merchants Gold/White
4 Wood Carriers Brown/Black
5 Charcoal Makers Black/Grey
6 Tarn Keepers Grey/Green
7 Poets Aqua/Red
8 Singers Aqua/Red
9 Pot Makers Brown/Green
10 Saddle Makers Tan
11 Metal Workers Steel Grey
12 Lamp Lighter Striped Green/White/Red
13 Players Checkered Red/Yellow
14 Peasants Brown
-
* Note that this list is by no means inclusive, nor are the ranks
a wholly accurate listing. There are many more castes, and the only ones
generally accepted as the listed ranking are that the
Assassins are the top ranked Lower Caste (due in large part to fear which
is associated with them) followed by the Slavers and and the Merchants.
-
The Peasants are considered the lowest ranked caste, a fact which they are inordinately proud of, as they consider themselves to be "Ox upon which the Homestone rests", knowing full well that without them, Gorean society collapses.
-
These castes and their social rankings are a matter of great import to the Gorean, frequently the centerpiece for political activism or intrigue as one caste strives for prominence over another, or a sub-group within a caste agitates for it's recognition as an independant caste, able to make it's own rules and guidelines.
-
In this latter case, usually primary controlling group within a caste does not wish to let the sub-group leave, simply because the more people it governs, the more powerful and prestigious the caste is (the exception to this is that of the the largest caste, the Peasants).
-
END OF FILE *******************