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Serf / Outcast

最下層民 — The Lowest Stratum of Society

Cheonmin (賤民) was the lowest social class in Korea's Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) caste system, collectively referring to slaves, butchers (baekjeong), entertainers, shamans, courtesans, and shoemakers — below yangban (nobles), jungin (middle class), and sangmin (commoners). The name comes from the Chinese character 'cheon' (賤, lowly), and they were essentially a caste with virtually no legal protection, forbidden from owning land, taking civil service exams, education, and certain occupations. Slaves comprised the largest proportion, sometimes 30-40% of the population, divided into public slaves (state-owned) and private slaves (privately owned). Despite their essential roles — butchers handled slaughter and leather work, entertainers performed and acrobatics, shoemakers made footwear — they faced harsh discrimination. The class system was abolished in the 1894 Gabo Reform, but social discrimination persisted long through the colonial period and after liberation. In fantasy settings, this can be adapted variously, such as classes forbidden from using magic or subject to forced conscription.

Origin

The origins of the serf and outcast class trace primarily to prisoners of war, debt default, and political purges. In some world settings, entire bloodlines or ethnic groups are designated as outcasts by law.

Features

Extremely limited legal rights — sometimes treated as property of the nobility
Frequently forced to wear specific colors or identifying marks
Prohibited from education, land ownership, and carrying weapons
In fantasy settings, even those with magical talent may be barred from using it — or hunted because of it

Usage

Forced labor, mine work, and dangerous assignments. In many fantasy narratives, a protagonist born into this class serves as the starting point for a story of transcending social barriers.