Linen

Derived from the flax plant, linen has become an indispensable material in both Arros and Enaskia because of its many important uses.

Properties

Geology & Geography

The flax plant, the plant used to create linen fibres, originates from the foothills of the Syrkan mountains, in western Enaskia. By the end of the First Age, farms from central Darnia t just south of Old Jasua were cultivating it. In the Second Age and the Third Age, linen cultivation has spread to most temperate regions of Enaskia and Arros.

History & Usage

History

The first major culture to cultivate the flax plant for linen was the Darnians, during the First Age, mostly in the north along the Nyos river, where temperature were less hot. After The Long Winter, they began cultivating the plant again, and soon, other countries in Enaskia began to cultivate it as well.
When The Esnian Empire. expanded into Arros, they brough the flax plant with them to the continent, where it began to be cultivated extensively as well. Nowadays, most of the regions of Arros and Enaskia cultivate the plant for its fibres. These fibres have found various uses throughout the years, and its trade with regions too hot or cold to proprely cultivate it on their own is pretty lucrative.

Everyday use

Linen is used extensively in more in-home/domestic uses. Many different types of clothing, such as undergarments and tunics, are made with linen. Wool, leather and fur chothes may also use linen in their fabrication. Finner pieces of clothing, such as cloaks and gloves may also be entirely or partialy made of linen. Bags and pouches made of cloth may also use linen in their fabrication.
What distinguishes linen from most other clothing material is its use by people from all walks of life. A peasant farmer and his local noble lord may both wear linen clothes, with the difference being their refinement and the use of embroidery and well as wool and silk in the noble's clothes.

Industrial Use

Seabound ships, sailing across the vast oceans of Hysal mostly operate using sails, even the famous steam powered Koch ships of rumalian still use sails. As such, linen remains very important as most sails are made of linen, as its strenght is grealy appreciated by sailors. 
Similarly, the envelope of Winged ships, which surrounds their rigid wooden frame, is also made of linen. Its strenght and resistance to tears as well as it being light weight offers great protection to the internal frame of the vessel without weighting it down too much. The airship's sails and aileron are also made or coated with linen for those same reasons.

Distribution

Trade & Market

In Enaskia

The United Lorasian Provinces, a country in north-western Enaskia, has become the largest producer and refiner of linen on the continent, surpassing even the Kingdom of Darnia, which was historicaly the continent's largest producer. In southern Lorasia, the city of Pelham has become renouned throughout Enaskia for its very high quality Linen, which is mainly used for industrial purposes like sails for boats and airships. Its fabrication is heavely regulated by the local guilds to ensure the highest quality products.

In Arros

Unlike in Enaskia, there isn't a single city or country that has a disproportionate share of linen production in Arros. However, the plains of shorai in the west, the torrenian marches in central arros, as well as the eglazian marches to the north are where most of the continent's linen is grown. The cities of Palynor, Moratt, and Tilesi are where the product is primarily woven for industrial uses.

Propreties
Linen is a strong, flexible, and lightweight material that is also resistant to water and rot.

Type

Textile

Color

Generally pale grey or beige, but can be dyed in any colour.

Related Items

• Bedroll

Related Vehicle
Winged ships
Koch ships