Spider Silk

Spider Silk is one of the most sought after materials on Yvari. Not only does it produce light and airy, vibrant garments that seems to shine from inside, but thanks to its strength and elasticity it's also vital for any tinkerer who needs belts and ropes for their contraptions. The Poo Stair in Celsa would not be possible without the light-weight but heavy-duty spider silk.
To most, however, it is just a fancy luxury garment with a ridiculous name. After all, everyone knows that spider webs are way too thin and fragile and sticky to be worn as garments! The common knowledge is that the name references the lightness and ethereal quality of the material, rather than its actual origin.

Manufacturing process

Green Silk by Maliz Ong

The Taflüvï have domesticated the Kömö Spider and for centuries have used their silk to make their traditional clothes. Since the silk is actually partially translucent, they have developed special dying methods that usually make the silk opaque, so it can be worn without exposing their wearer. These methods, however, are a closely guarded secret of the Taflüvï. Some of the traders speculate that it is possible to dye the silk without it loosing its translucent qualities, thus making exclusive and exquisite dresses for courtesans. However, no attempt of bribery has so far led to any results regarding that.
Still, there are different kinds of spider silk. The traditional garments of the Taflüvï, for example, have little of the shine most people have come to associate with spider silk, and the same goes for the belts that are made out of it. Because of the difference, some traders have actually started calling this kind of material "Mountain Wool", to avoid tainting the luxury vibe the words spider silk carries with mundane uses. It is fitting, in a way, since this kind of spider silk is softer and less smooth. It usually gets manufactured to thicker cloth that keeps warmer than most wool items, despite being a lot thinner and lighter. The colors are less vibrant, too.

A set of mekhela chadors made with Assamese muga silk arranged around a japi by Satnath

Traditional garment of the Taflüvï, made from spider silk

Manufactured by

Taflüvï Culture in the Famui Valley

Associated animal

The Kömö Spider