Hatam Silk

"The Lakuye are masters of using Hatam silk and are the only ones who know how to produce it, though any fool can weave it into their clothing."~On Exotic Peoples

Hatam silk is a special variety of silk that is commonly used by the Lakuye in their armor as well as some formal wear. The silk is notable for being able to maintain its cohesion and many have described it as harder to pierce than chain mail, making it invaluable armor in the arid climate of the Divobi Desert that the Lakuye call home.

Properties

Physical & Chemical Properties

Hatam silk is notable for being very difficult to break, being several times stronger than an equivalent weight of steel.

Compounds

The exact materials used in the production of the silk are unknown but it is widely believed that the primary component is some form of spider silk due to its similar tensile strength and texture, though Hatam silk is not sticky like most spider silks are.

History & Usage

Everyday use

The most common use of Hatam silk is armor. Due to the brutal heat of the Divobi desert, the use of metal or even leather armor is unfeasible for extended periods of time. The silk's tensile strength makes it extremely difficult to pierce with bladed weapons, though armor made from the silk has the notable weakness that it offers little to no shock absorbtion, making the wearer vulnerable to blunt force trauma. This is the primary reason that the Lakuye carry blunt weapons such as maces or hammers and almost never carry bladed weapons.

Refinement

The exact process for refining the silk remains a closely guarded secret of the Lakuye, though they are willing to trade away the finished product in limited quantities.

Type

Textile