Indigo
A purple flowering plant native to Western Trystire. It is the single most important crop culturally and economically to the Royaume du Terdiore. The proper processing of the flower and leaves create a long lasting, vibrant, purple-blue dye common in Havercois textiles exported all over Aasha.
History
Archaeological studies of ancient Yuan-ti sites in the Serpent Sands have shown that the plant was important to the religious ceremonies of the lost civilization. To what extent, it is unknown. Old pottery and wall paintings that have survived to this day seem to contain indigo pigments. Furthermore, the Circle of Sages deduce that since it is believed that the Nomadic Tribes of Terdiore are descended from the ancient Yuan-ti, many Nomadic rituals involving indigo could be similar to those of the ancient snake worshipers. After the War of Ascension and the desertification of the Western Trystere, the population of wild indigo was all but extinct. The Nomadic peoples cultivated what the could along the river beds near their capital of Jalwarat, but as the desert grew ever more southward, cultivation and preservation of the plant became increasingly difficult. Traders from Havere were introduced to the plant when meeting with the Nomadic Tribes, and when it was learned that indigo could be turned into vibrate dyes and paints, the trades started to bring it back to Havere. Indigo started popping up in tailor shops and paintings but did not gain widespread fame until the Blue Ball. In a display of power and wealth the then Queen of Havere organized the Blue Ball where many of the decorations were dyed indigo and she herself sported a vibrant, and elegant blue gown. It was after that occasion that Indigo became the newest fashion craze. Demand for the plant skyrocketed. Soon, hundreds of farmers with eyes on fame and riches raced to figure out how to cultivate the plant on the wetter, but colder coast along the Glass Sea. Many failed, but those who prevailed produced a plant that could survive the bitter-cold Havercois winter by laying dormant.Legacy
Havercois Indigo is now a central part of the culture of Havere. It is the considered the color of the kingdom and the denizens of Havere wear it with pride. Much of the financial success of Havere has been the export of indigo-dyed textiles to all of Aasha. The demand for these dyed textiles have supported the sheep raising, yarn spinning, and textile weaving industries for hundreds of years. The Church of Olastra adopted the color as a symbol of Olastra. They claim that the people's piety to the ocean god has granted this blessing on all of its people, and as long as they continue to worship Olastra as their patron god, the Royume and its people will continue to prosper.Basic Information
Growth Rate & Stages
Indigo is a perennial plant that takes years before the plant is mature enough to flower. During the young "stalk" stage the plant grows to be almost 3 feet high. Afterward it enters the "bush" stage where the plant grows outward with thin woody stalks growing from the main plant. On average, indigo bushes are symmetrically three feet high and three feet across.
Once the plant flowers, it is considered mature or an indigo "tree." Small purple flowers grow along the woody branches among the larger leaves. The average life of an indigo plant once it reaches the "tree" stage is about 6 years.
Ecology and Habitats
Indigo prefers warm, humid weather in order to grow and flower. The Sages believe that Indigo was a common plant in the ancient jungles of Tystire but when Imix turned the jungle into the Serpent Sands the population of Indigo all but vanished.
Due to thousands of years of cultivation since that time, the Havercois have developed a strain that lays dormant but alive during the bitterly-cold winter months on the coast. The rainy springs and hot humid summers of the western Trystire coast are perfect for the plant to thrive and flower.
Many have tried to cultivate indigo in other parts of Aasha, but every attempt has failed. The Sages have not discovered why.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Royaume du Terdiore only. Mostly along the Glass Sea coast, but along river beds in the Serpent Sands also.
Lifespan
10 years
Average Height
3 feet
Average Length
3 feet
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