Syrkanian Dyes

Along the beautiful rocky cliffs and sandy beaches of the syrkanian coastline, in western Enaskia, unique and highly priced dyes are made and traded throughout the world.

Properties

Material Characteristics

The dye comes from a specific species of sea snails, commonly called rock snails for their apearance. These snails possess an organ that, when touched, produces a substance, which scholars think may be used as a detterent against the snail's predator. The substance is collected by poking the snails repeatedly, or by extracting the organ to drain it.
It is unknown exactly what the entire process of extraction looks like, but various sources seem to suggest it is a time-sensitive process that requires advanced knowledge in the snail's biology and dye techniques. In total, 5 tints of the dye exist, which ranges from dark purple to blue.

Geology & Geography

These "rock snails" are found along the coastal waters of the syrkanian coastline, from the bay of Aksa to the north, down to the Yanah Sea and the northern reaches of the Dead Coast, near the ruins of the city of Ekka. They are especialy prolific around the Yanah Isles, which is where the dyes they produce was first discovered.

History & Usage

History

The dye was first discovered and used on the Yanah islands during the first age, around 5 centuries before The Long Winter, and it was sold to outsiders via the port city of Takan. Its source was kept a secret and its high price made the city quite rich, despite being located on small and relatively desolate islands.
After The Long Winter, the source of the dye was rediscovered by traders from the City of Neyaken, who had secretly obtained information on the source of the dye and parts of the production process. Soon after, the city began to produce its own variety of the dye.
Not to be left out, by unknown but probably similar means to Neyaken, both Ekka and Beikur soon started producing their own dyes, again each with their unique colouration. Then, finaly Aksa started producing the dye as well. Thus, by the year 1000 bc, every large city in the region had their own dye facilities employing highly skilled workers who produced slightly different varieties of the same dye.
Over the course of the next Millenia and a half, each of these dyes came to be known by specific names, related to the shade it had and the city it came from. This is how "Aksa Blue", "Takan red", and "Ekkian Purple" got their names. Ekkian purple became the most popular of the 5, as it was a deep purple colour that becan lighter with time and by exposure to the sun. During most of the Esnian Empire reign in the region, a single gram of the dye was worth 10 times its weight in silver.
After the fall of the city of Ekka during the Age of Chaos in Enaskia, Ekkian purple became extremely rare, as few remained with the know-how to produce its famous dye. Most of them moved to nearby Neyaken, which now produces two of the 5 variety of dye. To this day, Ekkian purple remains rare and highly valuable, although Aksa Blue has since become more popular internationaly. Some explain this by claiming that Ekkian purple produced in Neyaken isn't half a beautiful as when in was produced in Ekka, which the local artisans fiercely push against.

Discovery

The dyes were first discovered on the Yanah islands, an archipelago off the coast of south-central Syrkania. This happened by the middle of the First Age by fishermans studying the rock snails living in the shallow waters around the islands.

Cultural Significance and Usage

While all 5 variety of the dye are sold around the world for eye-watering prices, two in particular have made their marks on society. Of course, Ekkian purple was historicaly the most popular of the 5 dyes. It was especialy popular with the nobles and the royal family of the Esnian Empire. In fact, Ekkian purple used to be called Royal Purple at time in provinces further away from Syrkania, such as in Arros. Aksa blue also has a lot of cultural significance. In fact, since the demise that befell Ekka neary 4 centuries ago, Aksa blue is now considered to be the most popular of the 5 dyes. The city-state of Aksa uses it on the sails of their large navy, and the nobles of the city use it to dye their robes. Even the Great Suriat of Choran, the second holiest place in Choranism, uses it extensively for the temple's numerous drapes and carpets.

Distribution

Trade & Market

All 5 variety of Syrkanian dye remain highly valuable. It is still sold across the seas, as far away as Eastern Arros and Mahador, The western ports of Osian, and the Khartian colonies of mainland Samyria.

Law & Regulation

During the Esnian rule of Syrkania, many emperors would cap the price of all 5 variety of the dye as demand grew amongst the empire's nobles. Ekkian purple in particular was often worn by the emperor itself, driving up its price. Today, each of the 4 dye producing syrkanian cities have their own guild of artisants making the dye and setting its price.

Type

Biomaterial

Value

Extremely expensive

Rarity

Very rare

Color

Various shades of purple, red and blue

Related Locations

• City of Beikur
• City of Neyaken
• City of Aksa

Related Items

• Nsen