Bestia
The Bestia or Slaves are the lowest caste inside Illarion. Slaves have few rights and these are dependent on rank and their masters or mistresses if they belong to one.
Unlike Priestesses and Handmaidens, there are both male and female slaves, although there are fewer males inside the cregans and they generally only do hard physical work. Some men are also kept by Handmaidens for sexual purposes.
Titles
Slaves have few people below them in rank so are rarely addressed by titles, but a lower slave will address a higher slave with the term "Sirviente". When adding names, it is always "Sirviente Vila" – the rank titles are never used.
Slaves always have one or two syllable names (by tradition rather than rule). The exception to this was Calida (Meg Maddison) who had a longer name, possibly to indicate her difference from traditional Slaves.
Clothing
Slaves wear white clothing with sandals/boots and a belt to indicate rank. The men wear a tunic reaching to mid-thigh and leggings to mid-shin. Women wear a simple dress known as a chemise but the details depend on rank: the higher slaves wear white chemises to the knee or ankle, and the belt is broad and well-made; the lower slaves’ chemises reach to mid-thigh and are of poorer quality, with a simple belt or even coloured rope.
Slaves are used to cold weather but may wear a robe if necessary; this is light grey.
Ranks and Colours
Bestia Fiel (Trusted Slave)
The name comes from "Faithful Beast". These slaves often belong to one person so are safe from abuse or sexual use by anybody else. (Technically, a higher-ranking individual could but it is considered unacceptable.) They are the most common slaves in the quarters of the Priestesses and Handmaidens.
Bestia Primera (First Slave)
The name comes from "First Beast"). These are the lowest ranks working in the quarters of the Priestesses and Handmaidens although they do lowly work there.
Bestia Plena (Full Slave)
The name comes from "Full Beast". Full Slaves can be used by anybody for any reason, including for sexual purposes. It is only their knowledge which differentiates them from Raw Slaves. They have the lowest, dirtiest and most unpleasant jobs.
Bestia Baja (Raw Slave)
The name comes from "Low Beast". These are untrained slaves and can be given any work by any person. They are often used for sexual purposes. Because they have had little training (and so represent less of a loss), they are often used for the most dangerous work.
Training
Bestia are born (usually) and raised at training establishments such as Sometria on Isla Arbojan. They remain there until the age of fourteen or fifteen.
Sexual Usage
Slaves are considered barely human (hence the name Bestia meaning beast") so the idea of using them for sexual purposes is regarded as perfectly acceptable. There are, however, certain rules or customs observed.
Availability
There is a difference between the lower ranks (Bestia Baja and Bestia Plena) and the upper ranks (Bestia Primera and Bestia Fiel).
- The lower ranks are considered available to anyone at any time. Refusal brings harsh punishment.
- The higher ranks usually "belong" to a particular person and are only available to that person for sexual usage. The owner may, however, lend them out when desired.
Injury
It is considered improper to injure a Slave during sex, beyond minor activities such as spanking. A Slave that is injured is unavailable to work and consequently a liability. This usually brings punishment for the person who injured them (and sometimes also the Slave).
Pregnancy
Female Slaves who become pregnant are sent to the local Bestia training school as soon as they are unable to work. They have their child there and, after weaning, return to their previous position. The baby is then raised in the school.
Usage by Caste
Sacerdotisa: The Priestesses are considered above mere sex so, in public, they refrain from using Slaves. However, in secret, it is not unknown to have a special female Slave available. This tends to be only for the lower ranks.
Criada: Handmaidens are more likely than Priestesses to have Bestia for sexual purposes. Because of the danger of pregnancy, however, they tend to be female.
Guardia: The Guardia normally have their own prostitutes so rarely use Slaves for their pleasure. If a Slave is particularly attractive, they may make exceptions. Outside of the cregan, there are few Slaves and it is the general populace that supply their needs.
Bestia: Slaves will often make use of lower ranked Slaves for sex although, as Slaves are worked heavily, they rarely have the energy.
