> A Glorantha-clueless question: the obvious cognate of "god-talker" is
> "priest". Is the exclusive implication of this correct? Are god-talkers
> special people, or are all the worshippers of a given god god-talkers for
> that god?
In order of status:
Thralls = Slaves or Serfs - probably closer to the latter, since the children of Thralls are free.
Carls = Shepherds who tend the flocks: pigs (lowest), sheep (low), cattle (high), and horses (highest).
Cottars = Farmers (comes from 'Cottagers', farmers with a small plot of land).
Thanes/Weaponthanes = Full-time warriors who have their own horse, armor, and weapons, and spend much of their time training. They are rarely required to perform other duties. The Orlanthi equivalent of a household knight.
God-Talkers/Nobles = The leaders of the clan, from which are chosen the chieftain, lawspeaker, war leader, poet, clan trader, and other prestigious positions. These people are also the most strongly magical - in Orlanthi society the only acceptable form of magic is worship of the gods. There appears to be other kinds of magic such as Sorcery and Spirit-talking, but I don't know much about either. All your nobles have a close, personal relationship with the gods, so they count as god-speakers; it means they can speak for the god to their clan.
Some other comments:
Warriors = See "Fyrd".
Fyrd = Militia, made up of anybody who can hold a weapon. Since the fyrd is called when enemies appear (or for special missions such as exploring or guarding caravans), they usually grab a weapon and shield and, if time permits, may even be able to get into some armor - but most will be armorless or poorly armored, and although they do fight, aren't well trained and fight on foot. They are led by the thanes.
Dave
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