Keepers

Limmel keepers care for young limmerlings as well as pregnant and post-partum mothers.

Career

Qualifications

Since there is no other profession quite like raising limmels, few keepers start their careers with any experience unless they had a parent who worked at a nursery. Preference in hiring is given to those who come from a background of child rearing or teaching, although sometimes people who have had a strong bond with animals in the past are permitted to train as keepers. Kindness and gentleness are the most important traits of a keeper, and a huge amount of patience is required as well. Many keepers are retired schoolteachers, or older homemakers whose children are grown.

Perception

Purpose

Without keepers to raise and train the limmels, there would be no trade caravans in the Pangfen Desert. They are critical to maintaining the flow of goods across the continent. Without desert caravans, the only cargo routes would be through the frozen forests and mountain passes around Gilfrost, which are only traversable at the height of summer.

Social Status

Keepers are modestly paid but have free housing provided on the nursery grounds since sometimes long hours are required if there is an illness going around among the larvae or a mother is close to birthing. High wages are not necessary for either recruitment or retention, as working with limmels is an extremely rewarding experience. Keepers very rarely leave the profession and have a reputation for being happy, hardworking, and quick to help others.

Demographics

Most keepers are from one of the tribes of Pangfen, although the profession is not limited to tribespeople as is membership in the trading guild. However, outsiders have a tendancy to view limmels as either beasts of burden or bizarre, somewhat terrifying creatures and neither of those perspectives is conducive to seeking out a career as a keeper.

Demand

Keepers are critical to the Fortean economy