Story Quilt

They may seem like just a swatch of fabrics to you, but these quilts are cherished pieces for each family. Our histories are chronicled with care put into every stitch. To lose or damage them would mean the loss of our ancestral connections and the many stories they carry.

This item is found in many Carthi homes. It is important and sacred. The tradition of keeping a story quilt is one of their oldest and was kept during their move to Omari. Its use and purpose has remained the same over time.

Stitched Stories

Each square is unique and contains a depiction that varies from family members to major life events. The eldest member, typically the matriarch, is the one who maintains the fabric. They also do all the stitching until the day comes to pass the duty onto the next person.
The creation of new squares is often a family wide event. Relatives will gather in a communal area of the home while the work is done. During the session, the quilter will recite the stories to their family. Snacks and drinks are typically shared while everyone lounges and listens.

Preservation

In order to keep their history preserved, the quilt's physical condition needs to be maintained. The fabrics used are high quality, but are not immune to the degradation caused by time and wear. If a family member has the skills, spells like mending may be used. Otherwise, repairs are done by hand.
Squares too worn for simple fixes are replaced entirely. The Carthi take great care to avoid this when possible. When a quilt reaches a certain size, it is stored in a special area and a new one is started from the most recent line of squares.

Moving Out

Carthi households are multi generational, but occasionally a member will move out on their own. To maintain their connection, the current quilt maker will recreate a small starter quilt. It will begin with the patch that represents the person moving and contain several pieces relative to their story.
Not all younger generations feel the strong need to continue the tradition in full. Some will add to theirs in less frequent amounts while others keep their starter quilt the same as the day they left. In either case, the blanket is usually displayed in a common area of the house.

Other Uses

Other than depicting a family's lengthy history, story quilts are used in other traditions as well. The main ceremony it's used for is the mushraina. This is a coming of age event for new Carthi adults. The quilt is draped over the participating individual while they experience their mushroom induced dreams.

Type

Blanket

Rarity

Common

Cost

Priceless
Sum of materials used

Associated Culture

Carthi

Materials

Fabric

Thread