Clò-adharail
The Ethereal Cloth of the Fey
Clò-adharail, often slightly erroneously Commonised as "Clohaeral", is a rare and prized type of cloth similar to silk that is made from the fibers of the Luibh-Gogaidiche (Giddywort) plant, typically the leaves, though the petals can also be used from particularly large varieties.
In the Material Plane it is classed as an exotic fabric; light, flowing, and luxurious with magical properties that gives it value beyond its appearance. A single bolt of Clò-adharail can take anywhere between nine to eighteen months to create, and each part of the crafting process is typically done by hand, ensuring perfection within every weave.
Rare and expensive, Clò-adharail is most often seen draped across the forms of the high-ranking members of the Fey Courts, as well as prominent Archfey that are inclined toward such decadence. In Tìr na Sìthe, Titania and Mab are both known to wear clothing made from it, as are the Archfey Maeve and Ninianne. Orlaith, when she does wear clothes, almost exclusively wears Clò-adharail. In Tìr nan Dubhar, Caitir is known to favour light clothing made of Clò-adharail.
Properties
Material Characteristics
Clò-adharail is soft, smooth, lightweight, flowing, and non-slippery fabric with a sheer, shimmering chiffon-like appearance. In it's natural colour, Clò-adharail displays a rainbow-hued iridescence across a white base, having an appearance similar to the colour of an opal. It can be dyed various colours and patterns.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Highly resilient, strong, and resembling a fine mesh under a magnifier, it is a translucent fabric that drapes well with a shimmery, sheer appearance. Unlike its silk counterparts, it does not easily fray due to the self-sealing nature of the Giddywort fibers. The fabric also possesses magical properties that vary depending on the colour of the plant it was made from, however the different colour varieties of plant are only available within certain Planes of the Fey. Fabrics made from Pink or White plants are most common, with those made of Red, Orange, Light Blue, Lilac, Dark Blue, Purple, and Yellow being rarer. Of the Elemental Fey varieties, Yellow is the most widely available while Red and Orange are the least.
Pink or White Giddywort
Resistance to psychic damage and resistance to enchantment magics. White gives a stronger magical effect. Only found in Tìr na Sìthe.
Black or Cerise Giddywort
Resistance to necrotic damage and resistance to illusion magics. Cerise gives a stronger magical effect. Only found in Tìr nan Dubhar.
Red or Orange Giddywort
Resistance to fire damage strengthens Constitution. Orange gives a stronger magical effect. Only found in Tìrean na Sìthichean Dùileach.
Light Blue or Lilac Giddywort
Resistance to sonic damage strengthens Constitution. Lilac gives a stronger magical effect. Only found in Tìrean na Sìthichean Dùileach.
Dark Blue or Purple Giddywort
Resistance to cold damage strengthens Constitution. Purple gives a stronger magical effect. Only found in Tìrean na Sìthichean Dùileach.
Yellow Giddywort
Resistance to lightning damage strengthens Constitution. The deeper the colour of the flower, the stronger the magical effect. Only found in Tìrean na Sìthichean Dùileach.
The colour of the plant harvested has no impact on the colour of the final material, which is always an iridescent white colour. Clò-adharail can be dyed and takes colour very well, often being able to hold deep, rich shades without fading or muddying of colours.
Origin & Source
Giddywort fibers are harvested from the plants by having the leaves (and sometimes the petals) through a process of decortication, where they are washed, split, and non-fibrous materials scraped away. The washing, splitting and scraping can occur up to three times, producing a fine, flexible fiber that is then spun into thread. This thread is then used to weave bolts of cloth.
The entire process is traditionally done entirely by hand by a Master Weaver.
History & Usage
History
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Everyday use
Clò-adharail is most commonly used to create elegant, floating gowns and accessories such as capes. It can also be used in ribbons, scarves, and lingerie.
Cultural Significance and Usage
Clò-adharail is very expensive and is a symbol of power, luxury and wealth. It is most often used by members of the Fey Courts, but can also be seen on unaffiliated Archfey. While the Fey most often operate via trade of services or goods rather than through gold transactions, a single bolt of Clò-adharail could set a buyer back 750 gold in the Material Plane, at minimum.
Makers of Clò-adharail are held in high regard amongst Weavers, as the process of creating each bolt is done entirely by hand. It is said that attempting to create the fabric with mechanical aid will curse the fabric and subsequent wearers with terrible bad luck.
Environmental Impact
The creation of Clò-adharail is heavily restricted and monitored within the Fey Realms because the Giddywort is a particularly difficult plant to maintain. One variable off, and the whole plant could easily die. It is said that even cultivator Archfey such as the Green Lord and the Dryad Queen cannot simply make it grow, as it requires such careful tending.
Additionally, dying Giddyworts tend to bleed unwanted toxins into the surrounding soil, causing other plants to die or become contaminated. Suitably contaminated land can become poisonous with hallucinogenic properties. For that reason, Giddywort fields are heavily protected and harvesting of the plants without permission is severely punished.
Reusability & Recycling
Clò-adharail is not easy to damage, but once it is, large pieces can be unwoven, threads separated, and then respun into new thread. However, this is a very time-consuming process that only a handful of individuals within the Fey Realms engage in.
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