Caste System
"The caste structure," said my father patiently, with perhaps the trace of a smile on his face, "is relatively immobile, but not frozen, and depends on more than birth. For example, if a child in his schooling shows that he can raise caste, as the expression is, he is permitted to do so. But, similarly, if a child does not show the aptitude expected of his caste, whether it be, say, that of physician or warrior, he is lowered in caste." Tarnsman of Gor Book 1 Page 42
The Initiates are sometimes thought of as the highest of the five high castes, and the Warriors as the least of the five high castes. In actual fact, the Warriors commonly produce the administrators and ubars for a city. It is not easy in a world such as this to deprive those who are skilled with weapons their share of authority. If it is not given to them, they will take it. There are some ambiguities in the caste structure. For example, some rank the Merchants as a high caste, and some do not; and some rank the Slavers with the Merchants, and some see them as a separate caste, and so on. Witness of Gor (Gorean Saga Book 26). Kindle Edition; Location 3931.
Caste Governance
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The Castes will be separate systems with their own codes, councils, elections, and disciplines.
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This will include sanctioning, should a caste member fail in their duties or abilities to perform.
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Sanctions may include:
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Fines to total no more than a silver tarsk.
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Demotion in caste
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Repeating apprenticeship training
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Should the person receive a fourth sanction, the process of expulsion will proceed.
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Castes will decide their own apprenticeship programs.
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No Head of Caste will be appointed, elected, nor recognized within Treve.
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The caste council will elect a chairperson. It will not be the High Council Representative.
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The duties of that chairperson is to call for caste meetings, maintain order during such meetings, and hold caste elections.
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The duties of the elected representatives is to be the voice of the caste during High Council meetings.
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Each member will act as an independent contractor, with the exception of the caste of warriors.
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There is no requirement stating you must work in a municipal capacity.
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You may seek employment via businesses, slave houses, the city, or as a private establishment.
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Caste Elections
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Each caste will come together and vote upon one council member per three caste members. If the caste has three people, then one council member is allowed. If four, five, or six caste members, then two council members, and so forth.
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Every caste will hold an election every Gorean year. (3 RL months)
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All council nominees are to be decided by the men of the caste.
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Only men are allowed to vote in elections.
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A woman may only be nominated by a man of her caste.
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Any male member may call for a caste election before the end of the allotted term based on certain criteria. If the elected member fails to perform their sworn duty or has gone missing for a period of time, with or without notice, a new election may be held for the interim.
Caste Movement, Refusal to Practice, and Attempting to Deceive
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A man who refuses to practice his livelihood or strives to alter status without the consent of the Council of High Castes is, by definition, an outlaw and subject to impalement. This does not apply to women of a caste since women have no obligation to perform caste duties.
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A person may change their Caste by approval of the High Council, and contingent on the approval of the specific Caste Council. That person will then become an apprentice within their new caste. There must be a legitimate reason for doing so, i.e. a woman taking the caste of her Companion.
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"I knew that Gorean caste lines, though largely following birth, were not inflexible, and that a man who did not care for his caste might be allowed to change caste, if approved by the High Council of his city, an approval usually contingent on his qualifications for the work of another caste and the willingness of the members of the new caste to accept him as a Caste Brother."
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Whereas caste change is not prohibited, and legal provisions exist for its effectuation, it is seldom sought.
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It is illegal to pretend to be of a Caste that one is not. There is a crime of "attempting to deceive with respect to caste." This encompasses such actions as engaging in business under false pretenses and claiming explicitly to be of a caste other than your own. Such deceptions most often occur when people pretend to be Physicians. This crime does not apply to all actions that are part of a Caste's primary focus. For example, anyone, and not just a member of the Slaver's Caste, can legally sell a slave. But, that same person cannot claim to be a member of the Slaver's Caste if he is not.
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From time to time citizens of Treve may disguise themselves to spy abroad on behalf of the city. Any who would accuse such citizens upon their return to Treve, can expect to be embarrassed by a quick pardon from the Administrator.
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This also includes slaves who claim to be slave of a caste. Scribe slaves, Physician slaves, etc. are not recognized. No caste would teach a slave how to perform its duties. Only those slaves who were once free and of a caste may assist caste members, but they are not of that caste themselves.
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Caste Sanctuary and Charity
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All free persons have the right to seek Caste Sanctuary within Minus, possibly Treve, under these conditions:
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They are fleeing from danger.
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They are fleeing a captor.
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Their city has fallen.
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All members of a caste have the right to seek charity from their caste. Charity might be:
- Money
- Assistance with housing
- New members needing the tools to get settled and perform their duties