Laughing Wolf Hide
Laughing Wolves are some of the most vicious predators of Oyea. Just the sound of their laugh can make an Uxili warrior quake with fear. Yet, their hides are one of the most demanded items in the world. So, despite the fear, hunters from Uxili will risk their very lives to hunt down these creatures for their hides.
Properties
Material Characteristics
The hide without treatment has a slate grey color. While the leather has a darker grey color closer to charcoal. Both forms are incredibly durable but lightweight.
Physical & Chemical Properties
These hides and leather are highly prized due to their natural durability. In its unprocessed form, the skin of a Laughing Wolf is resistant to animal bites, porcupine quills, knives, and all but the most powerful arrows. When it is processed the leather retains its natural resistances in addition to now being resistant to blades, arrows, and to a certain degree fire.
Origin & Source
This material can be obtained by skinning the Laughing Wolves found roaming the forests of Oyea that border the cities of Uxil, Salgat, and Jarvi. Of course, with their razor-sharp teeth and claws and powerful muscular form taking down one of these wolves takes a concerted effort.
History & Usage
History
In ancient times the people of Oyea considered the rare pelt or hide from a Laughing Wolf to be sacred with many tribes reserving the honor of wearing it for their leaders or best warriors.
When the Kuchon made their deal with the Braris Empire, Brarisi nobles attempted to make Laughing Wolf hunting an official event. However, this only resulted in several Brarisi being eaten by Laughing Wolves, Pale Bears, or Oyea Tigers as well as other predators.
In recent years, the Uxili people have gained a fair amount of wealth from selling Laughing Wolf hides and furs along with the fur and hides of Pale Bears and Oyea Tigers. However, the ferocity of these creatures, frequent fighting between the Uxili, Jarvi, and the Salgattan, and a natural respect the Uxili have for the creatures prevent the killing of Laughing Wolves from becoming too frequent.
Refinement
The hides can be refined by tanning them to make leather.
After removing the horns and hooves, and trimming unusable portions of the hide, the tanner washes blood, dung, and dirt from the hide. Next, fat, hair, and flesh are removed. After treatment, loosened hair is scraped from the hide with a blunt single-edged knife, and flesh is removed with a sharper, double-edged knife. After rewashing, the hide is de-limed and softened by being drenching in a solution of barley or rye in stale beer. The hides are washed again, then agitated in a solution of crushed bark. After being layered with ground bark, the hides are transferred to a pit filled with a weak tanning solution. Later, they are moved to a tank containing a high concentration of tannins, where they will soak for 12-18 months. After the year to year and a half long soak, the tanned hides are rinsed, and smoothed using a two-handled setting pin. Next, they were dried slowly in a dark shed before being sent to a currier, for stretching, shaving, and softening by the application of greases.
Manufacturing & Products
These hides and leathers are primarily used in the making of armors and clothing. However, anything that can be made from leather can be made from Laughing Wolf hide. There is even a prayer book bound with Laughing Hide leather.
Byproducts & Sideproducts
In addition to hides, fur, meat, claws, teeth, bones, and organs can be obtained from the Laughing Wolves. All of which are used by the Uxili people. Their fur, lines blankets, coats, cloaks, and many other items. Their teeth and claws in ancient time were used as weapons. Now, they are used primarily for decoration or as jewelry. The marrow of bones and meat as well as some organs are eaten. Some bones are fashioned into knife handles, flutes, construction material, buttons, or fertilizer. Organs can be used to create water jugs, bait, and fertilizer as well.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Laughing Wolf hide is a luxury item primarily sold by Uxili merchants. The few non-Uxili merchants who sell the hide or leather bought it from an Uxili themselves.
Storage
Depending on the season and if the hides have been tanned or not, the hides have different storage requirements as they need to be kept somewhere cool and away from bugs.
Untanned
In summer, the hides are stored using the salting method, where the skin is laid hair side down in a wooden container and salt is applied to the flesh side. Roughly one pound of salt covers a pound of flesh. Other hides are stacked on top of this first one and salt is applied to them in the same manner.
In winter, the hides are rolled up and allowed to freeze in a container.
Tanned
The hides must be kept out of direct sunlight.
Law & Regulation
Due to the danger related to obtaining these hides, only the most experienced Uxili hunters can hunt Laughing Wolves. Outsiders are told of these laws if they come to Uxil for the sole purpose of hunting, but most ignore these laws and meet cruel fates.
Type
Biomaterial
Value
High
Rarity
Rare
Odor
The hides, just like the animals themselves retain a strong scent like something burning or cheap soap boiling. Typically, this smell can be lessened by washing the hides thoroughly but the processed leather retains a very faint smell
Taste
In dire circumstances, the leather can be boiled and eaten. Those who have say it has a strong taste of soap and ash.
Color
Slate (hide) or Charcoal Grey (leather)
Related Locations
Related Species
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