Bronze Wardens

Even a shining light needs a helping hand

One day, I found myself wandering through the bustling streets of Al’Nahar, the bronze light of the south. The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and the hum of merchants peddling their wares. Above, the bronze rooftops shimmered like molten gold, a testament to the labor of the Hafir dal’Shamir, the bronze wardens.
As I walked, my gaze was drawn to a figure descending from one of these gleaming rooftops. His robes, woven from a special fabric to withstand the sun’s fury, billowed slightly in the desert breeze. His face was veiled, but the burns on his exposed hands were unmistakable, a stark reminder of the dangers of his work.
Curiosity mingled with a sense of unease as I approached him—after all, these people were considered unclean, their work necessary but untrusted. The sight of his scars made me wary, and I hesitated, unsure of how to address him. “It must be difficult, working up there in the heat,” I said cautiosly, my voice betraying a hint of discomfort.
The Bronze Warden paused, deep brown eyes meeting mine with a weary, yet resolute gaze. “It is our duty,” he replied, his tone devoid of pride or complaint. There was a silent gravity in his words, a silent acknowledgment of the sacrifices he and his brethren made daily.
I took a step back, the weight of his response settling over me. The burns, the veiled faces, the grueling labor under the scorching sun—it was a life far removed from the comforts of the city below.

Excerpt from The journey's of Mihar Sulimani

Al’Nahar, the undisputed capital of Ri'kahar, wears many names. The pearl of the south, the desert's crown, throne of the heavens - but the one thats spoken most is "the bronze city".

The name “Bronze City” the city earned for a unique architectural feature - almost every roof in this city is clad in hammered plates of bronze, covering the whole city in a shimmering golden glow, Amidst this radiant splendor, clans of tireless workers known as the bronze wardens undertake the vital task of cleaning and polishing these magnificent structures in the scorching heat of day. Their job, though perilous and demanding, is essential to maintain the city’s grandeur and ensure its roofs continue to shine brilliantly under the desert sun.
Yet, despite their crucial role, the Bronze Wardens are often seen as unclean and shunned by society. The burns and scars that mark their skin, hidden beneath their veils, serve as a stark reminder of the dangers they face daily. Their cloaked figures, moving silently through the city, evoke a mixture of suspicion and disdain among the cityfolk.

Goals and Purpose

The bronze wardens have only one task - that is to preserve the beauty and integrity of Al’Nahar’s bronze roofs. These roofs,not only a symbol of the city’s grandeur but also part of an ingenious cooling system, require constant care to prevent tarnishing and damage from the harsh desert elements. It falls to the bronze wardens to maintain the roofs and repair damaged tiles of bronze plating.

Members

The brotherhood of bronze wardens, also called Hafir dal’Shamir, is a close-knit family composed of several ancient clans. Most of the workers are men , but within their ranks, there are also quite a few women who have proven their mettle under the scorching sun. For the clans itself only dedication and skill count towards respect, regardless of gender.
However, the distinction between men and women within the brotherhood is often hard to discern, as all members are usually clad in billowing robes The flowing garments obscure the wearer’s form, making it difficult to distinguish genders.

Attire

The grey robes the bronze wardens wear in the scorching sun are inherited from father to son (or daughter). Flowing robes with a multitude of patches, these are made from heat resistant cloth called "Dragons Hand" . Meanwhile, thick sandals are wrapped with clothstrips to prevent the metal from burning their feet. Veils shield faces from the sun’s glare and hide the burns and scars that mark their skin, the gruelling reminders of a hazardous occupation. The veils also absorb some of the heat , enabling them to stay on the roofs just a little while longer before having to take a rest.

Dragon's Hand

The origins of the fire-resistant cloth used by the Bronze Keepers are shrouded in mystery.
It is rumoured that the Alchemists’ Guild, through secretive experiments and with the most exotic ingredients, managed to craft a unique fabric from a blend of minerals and fibers.
The exact process, rumoured to take weeks of laboring, remains known only to a select few within the alchemists guild - and those charge a heavy coin for it.
Repairing the robes of the bronze keepers is therefore a long and ardous task so that many make use of lesser materials - a fact that adds to the ragged appearance of their robes.