I don't with the concept of the Zitro-Argoni being Tibetan lamas. This is far too close to the Dara Happan model for my tastes.
Instead the Teshnans have a threefold caste
system with five gods. The Caste system
(per Nils) is follows:
The Evening Caste are the Nobility of Teshnos. Their
Patron is Zitro-Argon. They are not ascetic monks
but dwell ion luxurious mansions and palaces, wander
around in resplendant robes and sniff perfumed vapours.
They have various taboos against interaction with
anyone lower than a Noon Caste member (ie being seen
by a morning caste causes uncleaniness) and so wear
a total view when they go out in draped palanquins.
Thus it appears to outsiders that the Somash cult
rules Teshnos. But all ranking people of Teshnos
(such as Garusharp) are IMO members of the Evening
Caste.
The Noon Caste are the 'middle class' of Teshnos: the fighters, merchants, adminstrators, tax collectors etc. Their patron is Somash. The men wear long tunics and the women a sari and a long dress (clothing is the gift of the gods and only the Evening Caste are allowed to completely cover themselves). Headdress that does not cover the face is permitted. Important men such as holy priests have been known to wear a facial veil.
The Morning Caste are your average peasants. They dwell in innumerable villages. The men wear linen white breeches and the women a short skirt. Both sexes go barechested. Members of the morning caste are too lowly to use weapons but some people (such as elders) are known to wield bronze staves and wear turbans.
I don't believe the Night caste are oppressed untouchables. IMO they are tribals who live in the jungle and wander around from village to village doing tasks that the ordinary teshnans would not do (such as make leather goods) in return for alcohol and metal items. Their material culture is low and the only clothing they have are the loinclothes worn by the men. Think 'National Geographic'.
One may argue that Calyz and Furalor should also have castes. I don't think so as India does not have a caste corresponding to either Shiva or Vishnu.
The important thing to recognize about the
Caste is that one can worship a god who is a
patron of a different caste. An morning
caste dude can be found worshipping Zitroargon
but this does not confer him the
privileges of the noble. Some people have
speculated that the caste patrons may have been
different gods who were amalgamatred into
the courrent position of five. Other people
claim two castes have disappeared because of
the malign actions of the God Learners. Nobody
knows and besides it's unimportant.
What actually happens is that the Teshnans in a group select five people as their leaders (four men and one women is the desirable sex balance) thus the village council and the ruling advisory council to the Vessel of Light both have stations corresponding to Solf, Somash, Furalor etc.
I'd go along with Rex's idea of Teshnos as the Golden Triangle of Glorantha as I've had similar thoughts in the past as it explains why the priestly government is 'weak'. IMO Teshnos is largely run by the hundred 'spirit' cults which are really organized brotherhoods who occasionally war amongst themselves. They are not oppressed by the government because virtually every person of importance is in one of these cults. Some cultists might worship Taniana, the God of Burning Water while others might belong to the Flame Assasins or the Brotherhood of the Fiery Lotus. A few depraved people are known to worship an Unknown God of Invisible Fire which allegedly has their headquarters in Than Ulbar. This cult is supposedly banned but then the government is weak...
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