Tnnil Purplesilk

Purplesilk

While regular silk has always been a luxury item among the elites of Sonnerand, no other fabric can match the coveted status of the beautiful and flowing purplesilk of Tnnil.

History & Usage

History

Purplesilk is a textile and craft that has been around for centuries. Before it was processed, purplesilk was seen for what it was-- a type of purple excremental algae produced by the Moffi fish native to Lake Violet. Unprocessed purplesilk carries a swampy odor and once choked the surface of Lake Violet. To the young Tnnil Empire, learning to use this pungent algae was as much necessity as it was for a profit.

Discovery

Tnnilians discovered that, once dried, the Moffi algae became stunningly soft. The clumps of algae, which began to decorate and pad the inside of Tnnil hussars' armor, did not last long when taken from the water and would often deteriorate in the span of a few months. 
So ancient is the practice of purplesilk weaving that the original founder's name has been lost to time. Most refer to the faceless orginal creator of the weaving method as "Loff Lurnen" (The one who threads).

Everyday use

Purplesilk decorates the bodies and rooms of the elite members of society. Outside the Tnnil Empire its high price makes it a status symbol among the extremely rich. An entire outfit of purplesilk usually costs a few thousand gold pieces and can take months to make. There is no 'common use' only what can be said to be 'common' among the ultra extravagent.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Purplesilk is the Tnnil Empire's most profitable export and it is solely responsible for keeping the nation's treasury overflowing. Thanks to purplesilk, Tnnilians, from the most meager farmer to the most stately aristocrat, do not suffer from want. The Empire provides each citizen a modest monthly state-sourced allowance. Even with this expense, the price of purplesilk outside the empire ensures that the flow of money is constant and plentiful which allows Tnnil to be the richest nation in the world.
The significance, therefore, is obvious and apparent whenever one visits Tnnil. Purplesilk and everything around its production and use makes up a large part of Tnnil culture. It decorates most buildings, especially in the capital city of Sumai and the Moffi fish is the Empire's symbol. As the biggest industry in Tnnil, almost 40% of the population work in some part of the purplesilk produciton line.

Industrial Use

Overtime different methods of smoothing and spinning the algae developed. Because the algae was more like a clumped mass of material and not strands of fiber, unique machines were developed that flattened, cut, separated, then wove the algae into textile. The newly created material, dubbed 'purplesilk' for its unbelievable color and suppleness, still deteriorated quickly. So over time, new methods developed that involved infusing Lake Vioet water into the fabric which had the added benefit of making the material superbly waterwicking and cooling.

Manufacturing & Products

Purplesilk is (not so) commonly used to spin amazing outfits, unbelievable bedsheets and pillows, strings for violins and guitars, sails, flightsuit wings, wetsuit lining, and other fashionable applications.

Byproducts & Sideproducts

A huge amount of water is needed for the production of purplesilk. Within the past 15 years, the water level of Lake Violet has dropped by an inch and a half due to the amplified production of purplesilk.
Older Tnnilians sometimes proudly display their permanently purple-dyed hands and fingers. They call themselves 'Plum Thumbs.'

Hazards

Tnnilians claim wearing purplesilk extends one life and that the material has many health benefits. In reality, it is really just fish poop made fancy.

Environmental Impact

Overexploitation of the Moffi fish is a danger in purplesilk production. In Lake Violet, the once copious Moffi fish is rarely found in open waters, with most of the population being cooped up in hatcheries and carefully watched farms.

Reusability & Recycling

Purplesilk effectively never deteriorates, a stark contrast to the original material. It cleans well too, meaning that even a 400-year old yard of purplesilk is just as valuable and usable (if not moreso). The only exception to this is if the material spends too much time in sunny high heat, which will gradually reduce its color and shine.

Distribution

Trade & Market

In every part of the world outside the Tnnil Empire, purplesilk is a luxury exotic good only available at the highest end of shops or on the glorious trade ships that flow in and out of Tnnil's ports.

Storage

The purplesilk is shipped in watertight crates that contain the dyed water of Lake Violet which help the silk maintain its luster and color.

Law & Regulation

The Tnnil Empire keeps the production of purplesilk a closely guarded trade secret.

Type

Textile

Value

2000gp / lbs.

Rarity

Exclusive

Color

Deep Royal Purple