I associated the five Material animals with the castes, and the children of Sakozar, the Molaskvali or 'Many-Handed Animals' were associated with the Dronari. I think while Hand is probably confusing as a default translation, it is definitely in the lexicon. The Dronari literally *are* the hands of Malkioni society, responsible for all the actual day-to-day /doing/.
*Worker* probably seems to be the best choice for every day discussion, though.
The Horali, to me, seem like they should be a lot more mobile than the foot-slogging, hoplite model we seem to have been operating on. The West has a long, long mythic history of naval warfare and armed migrations, with the Horali surely riding ahead or boarding enemy ships to defend the other castes. I also think that in an urban culture based foursquare on the Law Rune, that a Horali is more likely to be law-enforcement and border patrol than professional warrior/combatant, even if they do retain the monopoly on violence. We're looking at Defenders or Protectors than Soldiers or Fighters; I mean, two drunken Workers in a pub can /fight/, but a Horal's job is to fight to PROTECT the other castes, to DEFEND the cities.
And your mention of the D&D castes of Magic-User, Commoner, and Fighting-Man, and the old non-Class position of 'Caller' is reminiscent of my conclusions regarding the Talari. They are associated with the children of Arvana the Feathered, called the Avavali, or Calling-Animals. Talar are all about communication. They talk to non-Malkioni, they mediate disputes, they write and speak decrees, words, words, words. For this reason, I'd almost go with *Talker* for the Talar (it's also a helpful mnemonic for remembering the Old Brithini term for the Caste!) than anything like Noble or Ruler.
I guess I'm proposing something like -
Worker Caste - Dronar/Dromal
Protector Caste - Horal
Talker Caste - Talar
Guide Caste - Zzabur
> Dronars:
> Hand –I like this as it can be subdivided into different categories of worker; farmhand, hired hand, working hand, unskilled hands, and also because it is a physical body part and implies that hands are their primary tool. The downside is that it could be confusing – "there are ten Hands" – "Is that five people with two each, or 10 farmhands?" Several phrases are suitable are
> "Biting the hand that feeds you" implies that food comes from Dronars.
>
>
> TALAR
> Masters – I like this as a slightly sinister word that does not imply nobility, chivalry, or even wealth. But I think it would fit a Talar declaring "I am the Master here" meaning he is the one who makes decisions, or a Normal (Dronari) explaing that "We must obey the Masters!". It does have unfortunate racist Masterrace associations, but perhaps these are appropriate for the Rulers of Malkioni society. Also, unfortunate "Dungeon Master" associations.
> Diplomat – too specific I think.
> Politician – too modern
> Leading Man/Leaders – too show biz.
> Lord
> Noble – not accurate.
> Judge – too 2000AD.
> Speaker/Caller
> Spokesman
> Voice
>
> ZZABUR
> Wizard
> Magic User
> Zzaburi
> Magician
> Wise One
> Mind
> Scholar
> Book Man
>
> COMBINATIONS
> Some Farmer/Soldier/Wizard/Lord alternatives:
> Hand, Arm, Mind, Voice.
> Normal man, Swords Man, Spells Man, Spokes man
> Working man, Fighting man, Magic User, Leader
> Toiler, Killer, Enchanter, Master
> Breadwinner, Protector, Spellcaster, Judge
> Artisan, Soldier, Magician, Politician.
> Common Man, Good Man, Better Man, Best Man,
> Good Man, Bad Man, Better Man, Best Man.
>
>
> --- In WorldofGlorantha_at_yahoogroups.com, David Cake <dave@> wrote:
> >
> > At 11:54 AM +0000 15/2/11, Jeff wrote:
> > > > My suggestion would be
> > >> Master, Worker, Soldier, Wizard.
> > >
> > >For what it is worth, I am inclined towards, Noble, Worker, Soldier, Wizard.
> >
> > FWIW, I am inclined to Ruler, Worker, Soldier, Wizard.
> > Noble can be interpreted as implying those in that caste are
> > virtuous etc. Whereas the other three terms just describe what people
> > in that caste do.
> > Cheers
> > David
> >
>
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