Merchant's Caste: This is a Low Caste though many within the Caste consider themselves a High Caste. Their Caste colors are white and yellow (sometimes called gold). Usually, they wear white robes that are trimmed with gold. Many merchants shave their heads and they are seldom trained in the martial arts. In the Caste of Merchants, as in others, the codes are somewhat masked and hidden. The one not hidden is that they are paid any monies due them for goods or services rendered.  This is a very broad caste, and contains literally hundreds of sub-castes.  Those who are of this caste are concerned with the sell and trade of merchandise for a profit.  There are almost as many sub-castes of the Merchant caste as there are products to be sold; a few notable ones include the caste of Slavers and the caste of Spice Merchants.  The Slaver's Caste is legally a sub-caste of the Merchant's Caste though they consider themselves a separate caste. The books do not give a list of the other subcastes. In general, merchants sell items that they do not produce. If someone produces the item that they are selling, they would belong to a Caste different from the Merchant's Caste.

 

One of the only aspects of their Caste Code that is depicted in the books is that they ensure that they are always paid. They do not give away anything for free. Haggling is very important to them and many are quite skillful in it. They have developed and help enforce Merchant Law, the only common set of laws and agreements that existing among the Gorean cities. They also are responsible for arranging and administering the four great Sardar fairs. The Merchant Caste often wield great power through their financial resources. This power may be used to gain political power as well. Influence can be gained through more than simple bribery. The extension or refusal of credit can affect a city's High Council. It can also affect public opinion.

 

Bounty Creditor: This position is identified as part of the Merchant Caste though it is unclear if it is a subcaste or simply a type of position. Bounty Creditors wear white and gold, the Caste colors of a Merchant. These individuals purchase a person's debts from other merchants, at a discounted rate, and then attempt to collect the face value of the debts from the debtors. They are a form of debt collector, speculating on their ability to get someone to pay. They are very tenacious in their work.

 

Magistrates: There are numerous magistrates in the Gorean cities including aediles, archons, praetors, prefects and quaestors. The exact powers and abilities of these different magistrates is not explicitly stated within the books. These magistrate positions are taken from ancient Greek and Roman magistrates. There is also no indication whether Magistrates form their own Caste, are a subcaste of another or are simply positions. The books do state that magistrates are an "office" and that they must wear the robes and fillets of that office. They also carry wands of their office. As an office, that might indicate they are only a position. But, as they are legal officials, it is possible that they might belong to the Scribes Caste. There are merchant magistrates mentioned in the books and they wear white robes trimmed with gold and purple. This would indicate that at least that type of magistrate is part of the Merchant's Caste.

 

Milk Vendors: The cities have vendors of bosk milk, a milk man who makes his rounds with a two-wheeled cart and ringing a bell. It is unknown if they are an actual Caste or sub-caste. They may possibly be related to the Peasant's or Merchant's Caste. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this Caste.

Moneylender's Caste: This is a Low Caste, a subcaste of the Merchant's Caste. They are responsible for loaning money and credit. There are no Caste colors given in the books for this subcaste.

 

Tavern Owners: These individuals are part of the Merchant's Caste though it is unknown if they form an actual subcaste or not. There are no Caste colors given in the books for these individuals. They may simply wear the colors of the Merchant Caste.