Rtagevopicoti (Nonlit. 'Tapetum lucidum checker')
Public socioanthropological record
Property of the Royal Atheneum of Hövnís, Eörpe
A peculiar historical occupation that was practiced within the Ascendancy over 9900 years ago.
Etmyology & Definition
The profession's name is lusoyan in origin, and while it direct-translates to 'Face-mirrors looker' a more correct contextual translation would be 'Tapetum lucidum checker'. It's thought that the name of the occupation rose from a belief that the surest way to know someone (a lusoyan, more specifically) had been infected by the Ahn Kereuh parasite or victim of an ersätzer, was to check if their eyes would still reflect light in certain specific spectrums.History
The occupation appear to only have been in use between the time period of 8960-8990 years ago, prior to and during the Ascendancy's ongoing campaigns against the state of Revered Cheusal that led to the presumed extinction of the Ahn Kereuh and the Cheusali they had enslaved. The occupation was officially retired and rendered obsolete circa 10 years after the end of these campaigns.Purpose
Employed workers were expected to work through a pre-defined lists of Ascendant citizens they had been assigned. Each citizen on the list was to be called in for a mandatory exam in order to establish that they hadn't been taken over by an Ahn Kereuh parasite.Qualifications
The individuals assigned to the job all had a medical background and were required to have extensive knowledge in neurology and anatomy to be able to identify an Ahn Kereuh parasite in any of its life stages.Payment & Reimbursement
Individuals were compensated by having a sum of the Ascendancy's secondary currency added on top of their regular salary.Career Progression
The occupation had no progression, as employed workers were expected to return to their previous profession once their term was finished.Workplace
A public building located centrally in the region was typically assigned as the temporary workplace of the Rtagevopicoti. They'd be assigned a desk each, any medical equipment they required, in the largest open room of the building. Citizens coming in for examination were directed through a queue to each Rtagevopicoti's respective desk. If not present beforehand, it'd be fitted with a modern security & monitoring system, and security guards would be close at hand.Hazards
Despite being offered significant protection, the Rtagevopicoti were still at great risk of being targeted and attacked, both in and out of working hours.Occupational Data
Enforced by Government
This is an interesting profession. I like that people just did it for set terms and it wasn't like a full time career.
Yeah, not sure if it came across properly, but the occupation was made as a part of an emergency service. Once the emergency was over and it'd been concluded no parasite-infected citizens were left, it was discontinued and those assigned to it returned to their previous profession. It's still listed as a distinct, separate profession by the government 'just in case', but no one can currently take a job as one. :)
Ah, makes sense! Let's hope it is never needed again! :)
What a great article. So interesting to have a profession which only lasted for a short period of time to fulfil a set need and people were more or less seconded into it. What a good idea, and excellent storytelling jumping off point.
Thank you! Happy to hear you liked it. :)