Embroidered Correspondence

A code of needle and thread

My wife received a parcel from her mother this morning. It was the most beautiful dress. I don't know why, but she has been crying since.

— Lord Cedric Adderly to his brother

Amongst the noble ladies of Serukis, there is a secret language that allows them to communicate with each other. Through the fine embroidery of handkerchiefs, undergarments or even full dresses, messages are able to be sent between castles without anyone being the wiser.

Usage

When Seruic noble ladies get married, they often travel vast distances away from their family home to live in the home of their husband. The separation from their mother and sisters is often difficult. Often, the women left behind will slip embroidered handkerchiefs with hidden messages of encouragement and love into the woman's luggage before they leave. When the woman arrives in her new home, she discovers the messages and these give her courage for the days ahead.
Handkerchiefs are the most common canvas for these embroidered messages, because they are smaller and therefore quicker to embellish. Noble ladies often use these to gossip about their husbands, family life, and court life without fear of the wrong eyes reading them.
However, embroidered correspondence is not always used in such a frivolous manner. In times of war, these embroideries can be used to feed information behind enemy lines if a woman finds herself on a different side than her family, or to share tactics and news with women whose husbands have chosen to keep them in the dark.
It is not unheard of that dresses be used for longer, more complicated messages. However, these can take several months to complete and are therefore not suitable for more urgent messages. A particularly notable use of embroidered correspondence on a dress was the gown that Lady Charlotte Rowse sent her mother in 5266 EA. This gown was a detailed journal of every instance of physical abuse her husband had commited over a six month period.

by AnnaliseArt

by monicore

Common Motifs

A Flaming Heart

This denotes an affair of the heart or passion. Depending on what else is stitched around it, this can allude to an illicit tryst, an ongoing affair, or merely an expression of love for their spouse.

A Feather

This denotes a young man. This is often used by women to gossip about potential spouses for their daughters.

A Rose

This motif often refers to the Elenasia family. It is often used in gossip about court life. A thornless rose is often used to criticise the family.

A Sword

This denotes conflict. This can be used during times of war for serious messages, such as plans for battle or tactics. It can also be used for more frivolous gossip about arguments, feuds or fallings out.