Silk

"A hundred twenty florins for a bolt." Vance sighed. "Lodia isn't going to be happy."
The cloth merchant frowned. "The demand for silk has never been higher, and you're seeing noblewomen wearing entire pavilions made of silk this year. Blame the couturiers."
The hunter shrugged. "Lodia would know more about that than I would. I was under the impression she simply needed to mend some of her clothes."
"Your wife, then?"
"No, not quite. It's a bit complicated."
"Ah, one of those. Tell you what." The merchant pulled out a small chest and opened it. Inside was a riot of differently colored silks. "Scraps and tailings, not enough to make a full dress, but if you say it's for mending, it should suffice. Yours for thirty florins."
"Done." Vance handed over three notes. The merchant nodded.
"Good luck with your affairs." Vance grimaced at the thought.
"I wish it was as simple as an affair."

Properties

Material Characteristics

Silk is a strong, smooth textile that's easy to wear in warm weather, relatively water resistant, and luxurious on the skin. When used by a skilled artisan, it can be colored to dramatic effect and made to iridesce in sunlight, but it is a pale yellow color naturally.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Silk is one of the most long-lasting fabrics known; chests of clothes have been discovered with marked and moth-eaten cotton and wool fabrics, next to untouched and pristine silken wear. Silk is well suited to hot climates and breathes easily, making it a preferred fabric for the clothing of nobility.

Origin & Source

Silk is derived from the extract of silkworms, the only colony of which is found on one island in a chain somewhere in East Saibh. The details of its production are a state secret, as the Principality moved to take over the silk production industry upon silk's discovery; the Principality retains an absolute monopoly on silk textile production. Bolts of silk are distributed through the Textiler's Guild, which distributes them in turn to its artisans and vendors.

History & Usage

History

Silkworms were discovered not long after the founding of the Principality, but the silk produced was in insufficient quantity for commercial use; it was seen as a researcher's curiosity. This changed when an independent tailor showcased his latest creation at the annual Etoilean Fair, a single silk dress of outstanding quality and expense. Interest in silk clothing intensified, and the location of the silkworm farm in Eastern Saibh became a Principality secret to deter poachers. The Principality conducted extensive research in silkworm farming and silk production methods, and this effort has recently borne fruit; silk now regularly enters the Capital and the wealthiest nobles are seen proudly wearing silken garments.

Discovery

Silkworms were discovered by a trading caravel that had been blown off course while navigating the great circular trade route in East Saibh. The worms were discovered on a small island where the trader stopped to replenish water; he took a few as a curiosity on his return to the capital. Researchers arrived soon afterwards and discovered the silkworm colony, but the worms do not thrive anywhere other than that specific island.

Everyday use

Silk is the most expensive and luxurious textile, and is predominately used in clothing worn by the upper crust of nobility in the Etoile Capital City. Undyed silken undergarments are inexpensive enough and can be saved for and purchased by most, but the colorful high fashion displays favored by nobles and their couturiers can run into the tens of thousands of florins.

Refinement

The refinement of silk is a Principality trade secret; its production is in a secret facility somewhere in East Saibh.

Reusability & Recycling

Dye can be washed out of silk and the silk reprocessed into other garments; this is the most common production method of silken undergarments and the reason for their relative inexpensiveness. Each reprocessing cycle wears down the silk, as the recycling of the threads inevitably shortens them.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Silk is a notorious luxury, and bolts of silk are distributed only by the Principality of Etoile to the Textiler's Guild. Bolts of silk found on the open markets are typically those deemed unsuitable for use by a Couturier, or potentially stolen.

Law & Regulation

Silk may be openly traded, but the state enforces an absolute monopoly on the production of silk from silkworms, and reaps a hefty profit from that monopoly.

Type

Textile

Value

A silken dress made by a couturier runs at least two thousand Principality Trade Florins.

Rarity

Uncommon

Color

Pale white (natural)

Common State

Cloth