Harness Maker's Caste: This is a part of the Leather Worker's Caste and is likely considered a subcaste. Not only do they create harnesses but they also produce other items that would be associated with harnesses such as saddles, bridles, reins, hobblings, and tethers. They make such harnesses for animals of all types, including slaves. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Healers: This is not a Gorean Caste. It is a clan of the Wagon Peoples responsible for medical skills and knowledge. All male Wagon People are expected to be skilled in war, hunting and herding. Some also then specialize in an additional duty and these duties are grouped into clans..
.
Lamplighter's Caste: The books do not state such a Caste or subcaste exists. At night, many men carry their own light source such as a torch or lamp as many city streets are dark and unlit. On those streets where there are tharlarion-oil lamps, the lights are tended by those who reside on that specific street. They are not maintained by city workers. On major city streets, the city may maintain the lamps but there is no indication this work is done by a specific Caste.
Leather Worker's Caste: This is a Low Caste. They work with leather, creating a variety of different products. Leather workers also responsible for the piercing of the ears and noses of slave girls. For ears, they use long needles with no anesthetic. They then fix two tiny steel rods, with threaded ends, through the holes. To each end of the rods, they thread a tiny steel disk to hold the rods in the holes. The rods can then be removed in four days. To pierce a nose, they use a small punch to create the hole. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste. There is also a leather worker clan of the Wagon Peoples. All male Wagon People are expected to be skilled in war, hunting and herding. Some also then specialize in an additional duty and these duties are grouped into clans..
Magistrates: There are numerous magistrates in the Gorean cities including aediles, archons, praetors, prefects and quaestors. The exact powers and abilities of these different magistrates is not explicitly stated within the books. These magistrate positions are taken from ancient Greek and Roman magistrates. There is also no indication whether Magistrates form their own Caste, are a subcaste of another or are simply positions. The books do state that magistrates are an "office" and that they must wear the robes and fillets of that office. They also carry wands of their office. As an office, that might indicate they are only a position. But, as they are legal officials, it is possible that they might belong to the Scribes Caste. There are merchant magistrates mentioned in the books and they wear white robes trimmed with gold and purple. This would indicate that at least that type of magistrate is part of the Merchant's Caste.
Mercenaries: The books do not state such a Caste of Mercenaries exists. Mercenaries may be either men from the Warrior Caste or men from other Castes who are familiar with the use of weapons. Most mercenaries are loyal only to gold and thus cannot be fully trusted.
Merchant's Caste: This is a Low Caste though many within the Caste consider themselves a High Caste. Their Caste colors are white and yellow (sometimes called gold). Usually, they wear white robes that are trimmed with gold. Many merchants shave their heads and they are seldom trained in the martial arts. It is clear that there are a number of subcastes of the Merchant's. The Slaver's Caste is legally a sub-caste of the Merchant's Caste though they consider themselves a separate caste. The books do not give a list of the other subcastes. In general, merchants sell items that they do not produce. If someone produces the item that they are selling, they would belong to a Caste different from the Merchant's Caste. One of the only aspects of their Caste Code that is depicted in the books is that they ensure that they are always paid. They do not give away anything for free. Haggling is very important to them and many are quite skillful in it. They have developed and help enforce Merchant Law, the only common set of laws and agreements that existing among the Gorean cities. They also are responsible for arranging and administering the four great Sardar fairs. The Merchant Caste often wield great power through their financial resources. This power may be used to gain political power as well. Influence can be gained through more than simple bribery. The extension or refusal of credit can affect a city's High Council. It can also affect public opinion.
Metal Workers Caste: This is a Low Caste, primarily smiths of various sorts. They include simple blacksmiths up to craftsmen who work in gold and silver making jewelry. These smiths often form specific subcastes such as the Goldsmith and Silversmith. Many Caste members cut their hair short and commonly wear a tunic, leather apron and cap. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Locksmiths also belong to this caste and likely form a subcaste. Most entry doors on Gor have locks, generally hand-crafted and highly ornate. They are usually set in the center of the door and control a long bolt. Most are pin-tumbler locks. There are other types of locks including the disk lock, cylinder locks, padlocks, ring locks and combination locks. Most locks on slave collars are cylinder locks, either pin or disk varieties. There are six pins or disks, one for each letter in the word Kajira. Most locks are metal but there are wooden ones. Combination locks are rare, the most common ones having a set of lettered rings. It is a capital offense for a locksmith to make an unauthorized copy of a key. Some locks are protected against intruders. Knife locks release a blade, or even several, if tampered with but they are useless against someone who knows what to look for. Poison locks have tiny pins that jut out, usually coated with kanda paste. A pit lock opens a pit beneath the opener. The pit may be filled with dangerous animals, knives or such. Sleeve locks cannot be picked. The sleeve prevents the direct entry of a wire or pick. Within the sleeve is a plug, a rounded, metal cone, which must be unscrewed before the key can be inserted. A wire or pick could not turn the cone.
Milk Vendors: The cities have vendors of bosk milk, a milk man who makes his rounds with a two-wheeled cart and ringing a bell. It is unknown if they are an actual Caste or sub-caste. They may possibly be related to the Peasant's or Merchant's Caste. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Miller Caste: This is likely a Low Caste responsible for operating the mills that grind the grains of Gor. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Moneylender's Caste: This is a Low Caste, a subcaste of the Merchant's Caste. They are responsible for loaning money and credit. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this subcaste.
Municipal Servant's Caste: The books do not state such a general Caste exists. Cities do provide a number of public services such as laundries, kitchens and nurseries but there is no indication that the employees at these places belong to any specific Castes.
Musician's Caste: This is a Low Caste that shares some similarities with the Singer's and Poet's Castes. A Musician is not required to be literate as there is no written music on Gor. Melodies are simply passed on down the generations through teachers and families. Musicians may travel freely across Gor and are welcomed into nearly any city. By tradition and custom, Musicians are commonly not enslaved though this does not have the power of law. "But, Musicians may still be killed, tortured or exiled as that does not violate custom or tradition. There is no indication that the separate musical instruments form their own subcastes but there is a prestige ranking for the different instruments. Czehar musicians have the most prestige, and then come the flute, kalika, drums and miscellaneous instruments. One of the best czehar players on Gor is Lysander of Asperiche. Not everyone who can play a musical instrument belongs to this Caste. Even slaves can learn how to play these instruments. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Peasant's Caste: This is the lowest of all Low Castes. Yet, economically, the base of life is the peasant and they are often known as the "Ox on which the Home Stone Rests." They provide much of the food for the cities, towns and villages of Gor. The people of the cities have a very low opinion of Peasants. A Peasant is seen as "being little more than an ignoble brute, ignorant and superstitious, venal and vicious, a grubber in the dirt, a plodding animal, an ill-tempered beast, something at best cunning and treacherous;" (Raiders of Gor) This is not accurate though as Peasants have their own sense of nobility and honor. They have pride in their position, their land and their freedom. A Peasant who is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits is said to be "one who makes fields fruitful." This appellation is sometimes used for Peasants not actively engaged in such as an honor.
Many Peasants wear clothing that is little more than coarse sacking and go around barefoot. It is not unusual for peasants to keep their livestock in their homes during the cold winter. Most farmhouses for livestock are painted yellow with blue trim, the same colors as the Slaver's Caste. In these buildings though, the yellow predominates and Slavers tend to more equally distribute the colors. Peasants are often quite skilled with the staff and longbow (also known as the Peasant bow). Despite this skill, Peasants are seldom used, except in emergencies, in the armed forces of a city. Peasants are known for being very strict with their slaves. They prefer slaves who are large and more muscular so that they can work hard. Such slaves possess rope collars rather than metal ones.
The Peasants have their own Caste Codes like any other Caste. The Code exists not to control the lives of the Peasants but to allow their community to operate effectively. One section of their Codes states: "Neither a plow, nor a bosk, nor a girl may one man take from another, saving with the owner's saying of it,.." (Slave Girl of Gor). The sexual use of another's slave, without their explicit permission, is not considered a violation of this Caste Code principle. Permission to sexually use the slaves of others is implicit in the customs of the Peasants. It is considered a brief use without any intent to injure or dishonor the slave's owner. A "taking" in the context of the Code means an action intended to cause harm to the owner's rights or honor. The intent of the offender is critical to this principle.
Peasants have begin to have some problems due to the growing institution of the "great farm." A great farm is either owned by a wealthy individual or a company. This company may often generate its capital from investors. The intent of the great farm is to organize agricultural pursuits on a grander scale and take away such pursuits from the independent Peasant. These great farms try to purchase farms from the Peasants and sometimes resort to strong arm tactics to convince recalcitrant Peasants to sell. If the Peasants do sell their land, they will seek out new land where they can start again. Their Caste Codes discourage them from moving to a city. In the city, their skills would be largely useless anyways. They would need to find an alternative occupation to support themselves.
Perfumer's Caste: This is a Low Caste and it is responsible for the production and sale of perfumes for free women and slaves. They are usually clean-shaven and their Caste colors are white and yellow. Slave perfumes, which come in hundreds of varieties, usually have a heavier scent and are more sensual than free women perfumes. Many Perfumers though treat their free women clients almost like slaves. This does not prevent free women from flocking to the more famous Perfumers.
Perfumes come in a few different categories. There are common perfumes, hundreds, that are known to all Perfumers. There are often likely to be the least expensive perfumes. There are then certain perfumes that are unique to a Perfumer's House. These perfumes may be purchased by anyone but they can only be obtained at that particular House. These are sometimes called signature perfumes though that is not fully accurate. True signature perfumes form the third category. These are perfumes unique to a particular customer and not available to anyone else. These perfumes are blended by hand from secret recipes. These receipts are developed through consultation with the client and some experimentation to create exactly the type of perfume desired by the client. A wealthy woman might possess up to fifteen different signature perfumes. These signature perfumes are very expensive.
Pirates: There is not much said in the books in direct reference to everyday lives of pirates. We know they existed and there are some spectacular quotes and are mentioned in several books. It appears that John Norman based the pirates of Gor very much upon the pirates a person would find on Earth. Pirates on Gor, as those of Earth, preyed upon merchant vessels sailing the Thassa. Much of the lives of pirates would probably be like those of sailors of Merchant ships.
Player's Caste: This is a Low Caste. Their colors Red and Yellow in a checked design, much like the Kaissa Board itself. 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.
Poet's Caste: This is a Low Caste that appears very similar to the Singer's Caste. A Singer or Poets is considered "a craftsman who make strong sayings," (Outlaw of Gor) A Singer or Poet is not required to be literate and some great men in these Castes have been illiterate. Many Goreans have superb memories and receive mnemonic training. Music and poetry is often memorized, never written down, and passed down from teacher to student. Singers and Poets are thought to be happy individuals and their Castes have greater prestige than the Pot Maker's and Saddle Maker's Castes. "A handful of bread for a song" is a traditional invitation extended to Singers and Poets. (Outlaw of Gor) The saying does not mean that a Singer or Poet will only receive bread or food for his performance. A Ubar may extend this invitation and then reward the Singer or Poet with a silver or gold. Overall, Singers and Poets do not live luxurious lives but they do will never starve or need to beg. Singers and Poets have their place in Gorean society, one that is considered quite important. "He has his role to play in the social structure, celebrating battles and histories, singing of heroes and cities, but also he is expected to sing of living, and of love and joy, not merely of arms and glory; and, too, it is his function to remind the Goreans from time to time of loneliness and death, lest they should forget that they are men." (Outlaw of Gor) Singers and Poets may travel freely across Gor and are welcomed into nearly any city. By tradition and custom, Singers and Poets are commonly not enslaved though this does not have the power of law. In addition, Singers and Poets may still be killed, tortured or exiled as that does not violate custom or tradition. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
There are two famous poets mentioned in the books. The poet Tesias wrote the Oracles of the Talender. Pentilicus Tallux, a famous poet from Ar, is known for his poems in the delicate trilesiac form and for two sensitive and intimate dramas. Trilesiac seems to be a form of Gorean poetry but there is no description as to its type.
Pot-Maker's Caste: This is a Low Caste responsible for making pottery of different types, often using kilns to prepare the pottery. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Rencer Caste: This is a Low Caste, also known as the Growers of Rence. Rug Maker's Caste: This is a Low Caste that is obviously responsible for the making of rugs. It is a subcaste of the Cloth Worker's Caste though the Rug Makers like to consider themselves a separate Caste. The Weaver Caste is a subcaste of the Rug Maker's Caste. The Castes of the Carders and Dyers are subcastes of the Weaver's Caste. The rugs of Tor are quite famous, similar to the Persian rugs of Earth. It can take over a year for five years, working together, to complete some of these rugs. The Carders memorize rug patterns and some of the Carders are even blind. Patterns can be quite complex and are passed down through the generations. These rugs are made on simple looms and each knot is hand-tied by a free woman, not a slave. The more intricate rugs may have as many as 400 knots within a square hort. These rugs are also dyed many different colors and most of the dyes used are derived from natural plant or animal products. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Rope Maker's Caste: This caste produces rope, binding fiber, thread and cordage of all types. This is more of a guild rather then a specific caste.
Saddle Maker's Caste: This is a Low Caste. It is likely a subcaste of the Leather Worker's Caste. They produce the saddlery, harness and tack used to manage all of the various riding and draft beasts of Gor. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste. There is some confusion as the Harness Maker's Caste is said to also produce saddles. Thus, it is possible that the Saddle-Makers are a subcaste of the Harness Maker's.
Sail Maker's Caste: More of a guild than a true Caste. "These organizations, such as the sail-makers, almost guildlike, not castes, have dues...." Raiders of Gor
Healers: This is not a Gorean Caste. It is a clan of the Wagon Peoples responsible for medical skills and knowledge. All male Wagon People are expected to be skilled in war, hunting and herding. Some also then specialize in an additional duty and these duties are grouped into clans..
.
Lamplighter's Caste: The books do not state such a Caste or subcaste exists. At night, many men carry their own light source such as a torch or lamp as many city streets are dark and unlit. On those streets where there are tharlarion-oil lamps, the lights are tended by those who reside on that specific street. They are not maintained by city workers. On major city streets, the city may maintain the lamps but there is no indication this work is done by a specific Caste.
Leather Worker's Caste: This is a Low Caste. They work with leather, creating a variety of different products. Leather workers also responsible for the piercing of the ears and noses of slave girls. For ears, they use long needles with no anesthetic. They then fix two tiny steel rods, with threaded ends, through the holes. To each end of the rods, they thread a tiny steel disk to hold the rods in the holes. The rods can then be removed in four days. To pierce a nose, they use a small punch to create the hole. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste. There is also a leather worker clan of the Wagon Peoples. All male Wagon People are expected to be skilled in war, hunting and herding. Some also then specialize in an additional duty and these duties are grouped into clans..
Magistrates: There are numerous magistrates in the Gorean cities including aediles, archons, praetors, prefects and quaestors. The exact powers and abilities of these different magistrates is not explicitly stated within the books. These magistrate positions are taken from ancient Greek and Roman magistrates. There is also no indication whether Magistrates form their own Caste, are a subcaste of another or are simply positions. The books do state that magistrates are an "office" and that they must wear the robes and fillets of that office. They also carry wands of their office. As an office, that might indicate they are only a position. But, as they are legal officials, it is possible that they might belong to the Scribes Caste. There are merchant magistrates mentioned in the books and they wear white robes trimmed with gold and purple. This would indicate that at least that type of magistrate is part of the Merchant's Caste.
Mercenaries: The books do not state such a Caste of Mercenaries exists. Mercenaries may be either men from the Warrior Caste or men from other Castes who are familiar with the use of weapons. Most mercenaries are loyal only to gold and thus cannot be fully trusted.
Merchant's Caste: This is a Low Caste though many within the Caste consider themselves a High Caste. Their Caste colors are white and yellow (sometimes called gold). Usually, they wear white robes that are trimmed with gold. Many merchants shave their heads and they are seldom trained in the martial arts. It is clear that there are a number of subcastes of the Merchant's. The Slaver's Caste is legally a sub-caste of the Merchant's Caste though they consider themselves a separate caste. The books do not give a list of the other subcastes. In general, merchants sell items that they do not produce. If someone produces the item that they are selling, they would belong to a Caste different from the Merchant's Caste. One of the only aspects of their Caste Code that is depicted in the books is that they ensure that they are always paid. They do not give away anything for free. Haggling is very important to them and many are quite skillful in it. They have developed and help enforce Merchant Law, the only common set of laws and agreements that existing among the Gorean cities. They also are responsible for arranging and administering the four great Sardar fairs. The Merchant Caste often wield great power through their financial resources. This power may be used to gain political power as well. Influence can be gained through more than simple bribery. The extension or refusal of credit can affect a city's High Council. It can also affect public opinion.
Metal Workers Caste: This is a Low Caste, primarily smiths of various sorts. They include simple blacksmiths up to craftsmen who work in gold and silver making jewelry. These smiths often form specific subcastes such as the Goldsmith and Silversmith. Many Caste members cut their hair short and commonly wear a tunic, leather apron and cap. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Locksmiths also belong to this caste and likely form a subcaste. Most entry doors on Gor have locks, generally hand-crafted and highly ornate. They are usually set in the center of the door and control a long bolt. Most are pin-tumbler locks. There are other types of locks including the disk lock, cylinder locks, padlocks, ring locks and combination locks. Most locks on slave collars are cylinder locks, either pin or disk varieties. There are six pins or disks, one for each letter in the word Kajira. Most locks are metal but there are wooden ones. Combination locks are rare, the most common ones having a set of lettered rings. It is a capital offense for a locksmith to make an unauthorized copy of a key. Some locks are protected against intruders. Knife locks release a blade, or even several, if tampered with but they are useless against someone who knows what to look for. Poison locks have tiny pins that jut out, usually coated with kanda paste. A pit lock opens a pit beneath the opener. The pit may be filled with dangerous animals, knives or such. Sleeve locks cannot be picked. The sleeve prevents the direct entry of a wire or pick. Within the sleeve is a plug, a rounded, metal cone, which must be unscrewed before the key can be inserted. A wire or pick could not turn the cone.
Milk Vendors: The cities have vendors of bosk milk, a milk man who makes his rounds with a two-wheeled cart and ringing a bell. It is unknown if they are an actual Caste or sub-caste. They may possibly be related to the Peasant's or Merchant's Caste. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Miller Caste: This is likely a Low Caste responsible for operating the mills that grind the grains of Gor. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Moneylender's Caste: This is a Low Caste, a subcaste of the Merchant's Caste. They are responsible for loaning money and credit. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this subcaste.
Municipal Servant's Caste: The books do not state such a general Caste exists. Cities do provide a number of public services such as laundries, kitchens and nurseries but there is no indication that the employees at these places belong to any specific Castes.
Musician's Caste: This is a Low Caste that shares some similarities with the Singer's and Poet's Castes. A Musician is not required to be literate as there is no written music on Gor. Melodies are simply passed on down the generations through teachers and families. Musicians may travel freely across Gor and are welcomed into nearly any city. By tradition and custom, Musicians are commonly not enslaved though this does not have the power of law. "But, Musicians may still be killed, tortured or exiled as that does not violate custom or tradition. There is no indication that the separate musical instruments form their own subcastes but there is a prestige ranking for the different instruments. Czehar musicians have the most prestige, and then come the flute, kalika, drums and miscellaneous instruments. One of the best czehar players on Gor is Lysander of Asperiche. Not everyone who can play a musical instrument belongs to this Caste. Even slaves can learn how to play these instruments. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Peasant's Caste: This is the lowest of all Low Castes. Yet, economically, the base of life is the peasant and they are often known as the "Ox on which the Home Stone Rests." They provide much of the food for the cities, towns and villages of Gor. The people of the cities have a very low opinion of Peasants. A Peasant is seen as "being little more than an ignoble brute, ignorant and superstitious, venal and vicious, a grubber in the dirt, a plodding animal, an ill-tempered beast, something at best cunning and treacherous;" (Raiders of Gor) This is not accurate though as Peasants have their own sense of nobility and honor. They have pride in their position, their land and their freedom. A Peasant who is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits is said to be "one who makes fields fruitful." This appellation is sometimes used for Peasants not actively engaged in such as an honor.
Many Peasants wear clothing that is little more than coarse sacking and go around barefoot. It is not unusual for peasants to keep their livestock in their homes during the cold winter. Most farmhouses for livestock are painted yellow with blue trim, the same colors as the Slaver's Caste. In these buildings though, the yellow predominates and Slavers tend to more equally distribute the colors. Peasants are often quite skilled with the staff and longbow (also known as the Peasant bow). Despite this skill, Peasants are seldom used, except in emergencies, in the armed forces of a city. Peasants are known for being very strict with their slaves. They prefer slaves who are large and more muscular so that they can work hard. Such slaves possess rope collars rather than metal ones.
The Peasants have their own Caste Codes like any other Caste. The Code exists not to control the lives of the Peasants but to allow their community to operate effectively. One section of their Codes states: "Neither a plow, nor a bosk, nor a girl may one man take from another, saving with the owner's saying of it,.." (Slave Girl of Gor). The sexual use of another's slave, without their explicit permission, is not considered a violation of this Caste Code principle. Permission to sexually use the slaves of others is implicit in the customs of the Peasants. It is considered a brief use without any intent to injure or dishonor the slave's owner. A "taking" in the context of the Code means an action intended to cause harm to the owner's rights or honor. The intent of the offender is critical to this principle.
Peasants have begin to have some problems due to the growing institution of the "great farm." A great farm is either owned by a wealthy individual or a company. This company may often generate its capital from investors. The intent of the great farm is to organize agricultural pursuits on a grander scale and take away such pursuits from the independent Peasant. These great farms try to purchase farms from the Peasants and sometimes resort to strong arm tactics to convince recalcitrant Peasants to sell. If the Peasants do sell their land, they will seek out new land where they can start again. Their Caste Codes discourage them from moving to a city. In the city, their skills would be largely useless anyways. They would need to find an alternative occupation to support themselves.
Perfumer's Caste: This is a Low Caste and it is responsible for the production and sale of perfumes for free women and slaves. They are usually clean-shaven and their Caste colors are white and yellow. Slave perfumes, which come in hundreds of varieties, usually have a heavier scent and are more sensual than free women perfumes. Many Perfumers though treat their free women clients almost like slaves. This does not prevent free women from flocking to the more famous Perfumers.
Perfumes come in a few different categories. There are common perfumes, hundreds, that are known to all Perfumers. There are often likely to be the least expensive perfumes. There are then certain perfumes that are unique to a Perfumer's House. These perfumes may be purchased by anyone but they can only be obtained at that particular House. These are sometimes called signature perfumes though that is not fully accurate. True signature perfumes form the third category. These are perfumes unique to a particular customer and not available to anyone else. These perfumes are blended by hand from secret recipes. These receipts are developed through consultation with the client and some experimentation to create exactly the type of perfume desired by the client. A wealthy woman might possess up to fifteen different signature perfumes. These signature perfumes are very expensive.
Pirates: There is not much said in the books in direct reference to everyday lives of pirates. We know they existed and there are some spectacular quotes and are mentioned in several books. It appears that John Norman based the pirates of Gor very much upon the pirates a person would find on Earth. Pirates on Gor, as those of Earth, preyed upon merchant vessels sailing the Thassa. Much of the lives of pirates would probably be like those of sailors of Merchant ships.
Player's Caste: This is a Low Caste. Their colors Red and Yellow in a checked design, much like the Kaissa Board itself. 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.
Poet's Caste: This is a Low Caste that appears very similar to the Singer's Caste. A Singer or Poets is considered "a craftsman who make strong sayings," (Outlaw of Gor) A Singer or Poet is not required to be literate and some great men in these Castes have been illiterate. Many Goreans have superb memories and receive mnemonic training. Music and poetry is often memorized, never written down, and passed down from teacher to student. Singers and Poets are thought to be happy individuals and their Castes have greater prestige than the Pot Maker's and Saddle Maker's Castes. "A handful of bread for a song" is a traditional invitation extended to Singers and Poets. (Outlaw of Gor) The saying does not mean that a Singer or Poet will only receive bread or food for his performance. A Ubar may extend this invitation and then reward the Singer or Poet with a silver or gold. Overall, Singers and Poets do not live luxurious lives but they do will never starve or need to beg. Singers and Poets have their place in Gorean society, one that is considered quite important. "He has his role to play in the social structure, celebrating battles and histories, singing of heroes and cities, but also he is expected to sing of living, and of love and joy, not merely of arms and glory; and, too, it is his function to remind the Goreans from time to time of loneliness and death, lest they should forget that they are men." (Outlaw of Gor) Singers and Poets may travel freely across Gor and are welcomed into nearly any city. By tradition and custom, Singers and Poets are commonly not enslaved though this does not have the power of law. In addition, Singers and Poets may still be killed, tortured or exiled as that does not violate custom or tradition. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
There are two famous poets mentioned in the books. The poet Tesias wrote the Oracles of the Talender. Pentilicus Tallux, a famous poet from Ar, is known for his poems in the delicate trilesiac form and for two sensitive and intimate dramas. Trilesiac seems to be a form of Gorean poetry but there is no description as to its type.
Pot-Maker's Caste: This is a Low Caste responsible for making pottery of different types, often using kilns to prepare the pottery. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Rencer Caste: This is a Low Caste, also known as the Growers of Rence. Rug Maker's Caste: This is a Low Caste that is obviously responsible for the making of rugs. It is a subcaste of the Cloth Worker's Caste though the Rug Makers like to consider themselves a separate Caste. The Weaver Caste is a subcaste of the Rug Maker's Caste. The Castes of the Carders and Dyers are subcastes of the Weaver's Caste. The rugs of Tor are quite famous, similar to the Persian rugs of Earth. It can take over a year for five years, working together, to complete some of these rugs. The Carders memorize rug patterns and some of the Carders are even blind. Patterns can be quite complex and are passed down through the generations. These rugs are made on simple looms and each knot is hand-tied by a free woman, not a slave. The more intricate rugs may have as many as 400 knots within a square hort. These rugs are also dyed many different colors and most of the dyes used are derived from natural plant or animal products. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.
Rope Maker's Caste: This caste produces rope, binding fiber, thread and cordage of all types. This is more of a guild rather then a specific caste.
Saddle Maker's Caste: This is a Low Caste. It is likely a subcaste of the Leather Worker's Caste. They produce the saddlery, harness and tack used to manage all of the various riding and draft beasts of Gor. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste. There is some confusion as the Harness Maker's Caste is said to also produce saddles. Thus, it is possible that the Saddle-Makers are a subcaste of the Harness Maker's.
Sail Maker's Caste: More of a guild than a true Caste. "These organizations, such as the sail-makers, almost guildlike, not castes, have dues...." Raiders of Gor