Vauth
The Vauth (vaʊð) are the slave caste of Danaij society, and this caste is not entirely Danaij. It often includes humans, and sometimes individuals of other races purchased through slave trade, and mixed-race individuals. The Vauth begin as individuals who were weak-willed and easily cowed into servitude, then Rothet children who were sold into slavery by poor parents, eventually humans and other races acquired through slave trade and capture. Most Vauth are now born into this position, though poor families may still sell children into slavery if they can’t afford to feed them. Vauth are commonly owned by the Vana, Shan, Shuri, and Chau castes where their main purpose is to maintain the household or temple. Their secondary purpose is often to serve as sex slaves, especially more attractive individuals. In the custody of Shuri, slaves may also find themselves on the sacrificial altar. Well-off Rothet may hire a slave or two as well. All in all, the Vauth are the most disrespected of all Danaij.
Marriages between Vauth are often arranged by masters, carefully selected for certain traits in the way that one might breed horses or dogs. Vauth women chosen for the bedroom often bear the children of their masters, though men who frequent their mistress’s bedchamber rarely sire heirs as the lady of the house is commonly quick to turn to aborting unwanted pregnancies. Children born to a Vauth parent often remain in the Vauth caste, disregarded by their higher class sire. However, some fathers may look kindly on their illegitimate offspring and free them from servitude into the Rothet caste (or Shan or Shuri if they show appropriate potential). Vauth may be freed into the Rothet at the behest of their master.
Pure-blooded Danaij in the Vauth are similar to the Rothet, but most Vauth have mixed-blood and may display human, Danaij’vai, or traits native to other races. Their lifespan is typically around 300-500 years, but parentage may increase or decrease lifespan.
