Chimneysweeps

Chimneysweeps are members of the Nata-Fii tribe (Zean: People of the Swallow), serving as caretakers and maintenance workers on the stone pillars of the Har-Fii city (Zean: Seat of the Swallow) and its chimneys filled by the swamp's toxic vapors.

Duties

The Chimneysweeps make methodical rounds around the vast stone pillars of the city. They employ variety of climbing gear and stone working tools to reach and detect weak spots in the structure. Where a scouting team goes and marks a vulnerable spot, the worker team quickly follows and fixes the issue. Large areas of stone need to be removed very rarely, but replacement of the wooden beams inlaid into the wall and supporting surrounding buildings happens somewhere in the city nearly every day. Even more common is removal and relocation of excess Fii-Mara (Zean: Green Swallow) nests, usually for more sanitary than structural reasons. Part of the work needs to be done on the outside walls of the city, which are considered a poor Har-Fii district, as they are still exposed to low concentration of the Jaba-Dal (Zean: Breathless Marsh) toxins. Outside, near the top of one of the pillars is also where the headquarters of the Chimneysweeps is located.

Public perception

Several factors combined to degrade the Chimneysweep’s public image as a key service. Any structural damage inside the city can easily cascade, taking many lives and this is exactly why the professional Chimneysweeps are very dedicated to their work. However, that also means that the younger citizens do not remember any catastrophic events in their lives, be it collapses or toxic leaks. The Chimneysweep’s job is seen as relatively easy physical labor. Their central office being on the outside wall also helps to paint them as lower-class citizens. Finally, small criminals and debtors often become temporary Chimneysweeps. The first group can choose community service as their punishment, the second has their debts paid by the city in exchange for work. Naturally, this does also not help the occupation’s overall public perception.