Karse Fiber

The roughest of all the cloth materials on Brandara, karse fibers are widely produced due to the fact that it grows on the karse plant, one of two products that come from this nearly ubiquitous staple crop. Karse is both durable and inexpensive, making it the most common clothing material, though its scratchy nature means its uses tend to lean more towards outerwear- even for the less tactilely-sensitive clothe-wearing species.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Karse fibers are naturally black, and just short of wiry in feeling.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Karse fibers are durable and water-resistant. When properly woven, karse fibers also trap heat effectively.

Origin & Source

Karse fibers are one of two resources obtained from the karse plant; they grow under, over, and around the seed pod of the plant, protecting it from the elements and predators.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Karse fibers are most commonly woven into outerwear, heavy blankets, curtains, rugs, and similar fibrous items which require a certain level of durability.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Karse clothing and items represent the lowest level of wealth, due to the availability and lackluster quality of the products (considering the relative difficulty in making karse fibers feel soft). Though karse clothing is better than none, there are a multitude of materials more suitable and socially preferable for the more indulgent sapient.

Refinement

Karse fibers need to be woven into the final product and preferably picked to decrease scratchiness before being used.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Any common clothier and some of the lowest-end tailors will sell karse clothing as their staple items.

Storage

Due to the natural water resistant structure and durability of karse fibers, the only thought one needs to have to its storage is what can be trapped within the fibers- it is annoying to have to pick seeds or pebbles out of the fibers before you can weave them.

Type

Textile

Rarity

Karse fiber is one of the most common textiles.

Odor

Karse fibers have no natural odor, but they retain food and other scented crumbs very well, making them tend to smell like stale and rotting edibles when worn as clothing.

Color

Black

Related Species

• Karse Plant