High Caste

The High Castes are more educated than the Low Castes, often being taught the Second Knowledge. Members also are not as superstitious as those of the Low Castes, since they know more. Their speech accent is more refined. !en High Caste people can be illiterate. The ability to read and write does not necessarily limit an indi!idual"s ability to perform their work. #r course, this depends on the caste. $or instance, it would be a distinct disad!antage for a scribe to be illiterate, since they are the record keepers, accountants and historians. #n the other hand, many warriors are proud of being illiterate. Initiate: $irst of the High Castes, they are the supposed representati!es of the %riest&Kings in 'orean society. They are responsible for guiding the spiritual life of 'oreans through their rituals and prayers to the %riest&Kings. Some are rumored to ha!e the ability to call down the wrath of the %riest&Kings, or the dreaded ($lame )eath,( upon those who commit blasphemous acts or who conspire against the %riest& Kings. They are recogni*ed by their white robes, their sha!en heads and faces, and their refusal to eat meat or imbibe alcohol. They are also re+uired 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. Scribe: This is the second most important of the High Castes. There are !arious di!isions and rankings, from simple copiers to sa!ants. There are a number of sub&castes including lawyers, scholars, record keepers, teachers, clerks, historians, accountants, geographers, and cartographers. Much of the copy work, lower&order clerical work, tri!ial account keeping is done by sla!es. The scribes help render the 'orean language more uniform. They are accepted as arbiters of such matters and stipulate that certain pronunciations and grammatical formations are preferred o!er others. This is usually done at the Sardar $airs when the caste comes together in great numbers.Their caste color is blue. Builder: This is the third caste in line of importance of the High Castes. This caste includes such sub&castes as ,rchitect, )raftsman, Stonemason and others. -n general, they are the builders and in!entors of 'or. The 'lass of the .uilders, a telescope, is one of their in!entions. They also created the energy bulb, a special type of light bulb, o!er a century ago. /ith help from the %hysician0s Caste, they also de!eloped the sla!e goad. -n general, only free men are allowed to build on 'or. #nly the city of %ort Kar was constructed by sla!es. The .uilder Caste can also !erify the authenticity of gold. Though this is an important caste, little is told about it in the books. Their caste color is yellow and their symbol is a metal angle s+uare.

Physician: $ourth of the High Castes, this is the caste of those who concern themsel!es with the healing arts. Surgeons, apothecaries, medical researchers and health practitioners are all members of this caste. They are uni!ersally recogni*ed as non& combatants during time of war. Their caste color is green. Warrior: $ifth and lowest of the High Castes, this caste includes infantry, tharlarion ca!alry, and tarnsmen. They are known to ha!e one of the strictest sets of caste codes in use on 'or. Members of this caste comprise the military branch of 'orean go!ernment. Their caste color is scarlet.