Csalt

Csalt (Tre. /tʃælt/) is the name for thread derived from the thick, spiny leaves of the pamori plant, which is endemic to the forests of Di'Termalttë. Processed in the traditional way, csalt is quite coarse and scratchy. Clothing made from the traditional method of production of csalt is serviceable in cool weather but profoundly uncomfortable in warm weather, particularly the more that an individual sweats. However, modern processing methods for csalt have managed to nullify many of these drawbacks and have enabled it to rival wool, linen, and cotton in terms of affordability and comfort.

Properties

Material Characteristics

In both thread and cloth form, traditional csalt has a faint green tint to it, and is visibly coarse, even upon cursory inspection. Traditional csalt thread and cloth are said to "sparkle" in a distinctive way. This is due to thin glass-like fibers interspersed with the primary fibers of the plant. These thin fibers are thought to be a means by which the pamnori plant deters herbivores from eating it, as the glass-like fibers are prone to breaking, producing sharp jagged edges that are perfect for irritating sensitive skin, or sensitive flesh like the inside of the mouth, throat, and stomach. Close examination of traditional csalt thread and clothing will reveal these tiny glass-like fibers poking out from the main body of the thread or from the surface of the cloth, which is what leads to the scratchy sensation associated with traditional csalt.   Modern csalt is quite similar to traditional csalt with one notable exception: it does not sparkle. This is because modern csalt has nearly all of the glass-like fibers in it removed, leading to a much smoother and much more comfortable texture.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Csalt fibers are strong, making them ideal for ropes, twine, and long-lasting cloth. In its cloth form, csalt is excellent at wicking moisture, which makes it great for activities that involve a lot of sweat. This is a problem with traditional csalt, however, as the glass-like fibers interspersed with the primary fibers can irritate sweaty skin. Modern csalt does not have this problem.   Another property of csalt is that it naturally prevents infections for much of its lifespan. Traditional csalt was used to bandage wounds, especially those dressed with thick healing poultices that could help smother the profound discomfort that patients would otherwise experience. Conventional wisdom dictates that wounds bound in csalt are far less likely to fester than wounds bound with other alternatives, and an investigation into the matter in the early 30th millennium discovered that csalt had natural antibacterial properties. These properties were more prominent in traditional csalt than in modern csalt, though it isn't known why this is the case.

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