Varshani caste system

The Varshani caste system was one of the most important institutions within Varshani culture during the Zurgite period of Varshani history. Orthodox Arzalism prescribed 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]

Castes
Castes in Varshan were not strictly hierarchical based on profession but rather a degree of prestige and associated piety within Varshan. This article is sorted by caste rather than class groupings; for example, a high priest would always be considered above a great warrior, but a great warrior would always be considered higher than a petty priest. No caste below warrior was allowed in many key locations throughout Varshan, including and especially Anzo.

Priesthood
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.

Warriors
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.

Free Caste
The "free caste" typically denoted ones status as a non-warrior within Varshani society.

Great Frees
The small number of Great Frees were typically wealthy merchants within Varshan's cities.

Native Caste
The "native" caste was a caste whose membership varied by century and era, but it largely included the vanishingly small population of freed slaves as well as unincorporated tribal peoples and nomads.

Varshani Slaves
Even in their low state and enslaved position, Varshani slaves still enjoyed some hierarchical benefits vis-a-vis their inferior, the non-Varshani slaves. A non-Varshani slave could be put to death for striking a Varshani slave.

Non-Varshani Slaves
Slaves who were ethnically non-Varshani occupied the absolute lowest position in the caste system and Varshani society.

Marriage
In traditional Varshani society, 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.