Varshani caste system

Arzalism prescribes a hierarchical society that divides the population into castes according to their race, occupation, and relationship to the means of production in a slave-based economy. Varshanis of divine descent > TopVarshani priests > TopVarshani warriors > Petty Varshani priests > Petty Varshani Warriors > Top Varshani non-warriors > Petty Varshani non-warriors > Martial among Gentiles warriors > Martial among Gentiles non-warriors > "Natives" (Varshani Natives > Non-Varshani natives) > Varshani slaves > Non-Varshani slaves

[Chart coming soon - Feb. 2021]

The priesthood is a hereditary and officially closed caste, but in practice many people born into other castes are adopted into the priestly caste and given false genealogies. This practice is tacitly accepted by the priestly authorities. People born into any free caste (except priests) are considered part of the warrior caste during their compulsory military service, and can join the caste permanently by becoming professional soldiers and completing a demanding series of ritual initiations. Outside of the military, the warrior caste also work as slave-drivers, slave guards, police, private security, and in many government positions.

Marriage
In Arzalism, marriage is recognised for the sole purpose of maintaining the integrity of the caste system. Husbands and wives must be from the same caste, and while concubinage and casual male promiscuity with women of inferior status is fully permitted, only children born in wedlock may inherit their father's caste status. Concubinage and male promiscuity are fully permitted, and - for certain castes - even encouraged, but children born out of wedlock are born into their mother's caste. Intercourse between a man of lower status and a woman of higher status is illegal, and is usually punished by executing the man and selling the woman into slavery. Polygamy is legal, and men may have multiple wives from the same caste.

State Arzali marriage protocols require registration with the temple authorities and verification of the couple's caste equality, followed by sacrifices to the Raid God and Blood God (for Varshanis and the Martial Races) or to the Sun God (for non-Varshanis). The requisite sacrifice varies according to the couple's caste, ranging from 99 human victims for the first marriage of a reigning Zûrg and 69 human victims for the first marriage of an heir to the Zûrg to four measures of grain for a pair of free non-Varshani natives. Slave marriages are not recognised. Devotées of other deities and members of heterodox sects make additional sacrifices beyond the minimum state requirements. The Zûrg and his heirs must also personally make human sacrifices to the Death God for each marriage.