Items · Materials · Non-Magical
Moonsilk
A type of silk given by a special type of larvae, much finer than conventional silk. Gowns woven from Moonsilk are not more alluring but can also give off musical sounds as breezes rustle over them.
Full Item Description
Moonsilk is woven from strands that form the cocoon of a type of special larvae found in the region of Hitermann. As a result of ingesting the particular breed of mulberry leaves in the region, this specimen of larvae spits out strands that are a lot finer than usual.
Any gown woven from Moonsilk will be so translucent that it will reflect the moonlight, hence the name 'Moonsilk'.
Special Properties
Gowns woven from Moonsilk are particularly alluring as such half-transparent gowns sets off a woman's figures in subtle ways that spark the imagination of suitors in a way that would be both a pleasure and a torment to men.
In addition, breezes rustling over such gowns would create a musical sound much like that of wind chimes. Moreover, the pitch of the notes given off such garments changes with different types of body movements as well as the strength and direction of wind. It is rumoured that this is the result of a special technique of weaving that no one outside of Hitermann knows. Hiter musical troupes often wear gowns made of Moonsilk to utilise the unique sound given off the garments. Such troupes do not perform according to set pieces since the notes given off by the gowns on any given day are totally unpredictable but rather all performances are based on moment improvisations. The best of such troupes perform around the World and are generally the most high paying performance troupes simply because they are such a rarity.
Common Uses
In addition to fulfilling the locals' clothing needs, Moonsilk is also commonly used for the following purposes within the Hiter Society:
The Moon Drum
This is a ceremonial instrument only played on the night of the Summer Solstice, a day dedicated to the Deity of Music (Shani) culminating in a festival involving songs and dances. The Moon Drum is a large drum with a diameter roughly corresponding to half the height of an average Hiter. Each year, a new drum skin for the Moon Drum is made from weaving together the various squares of Moonsilk that Hiters routinely give as offerings to the local Temple of Shani.
The Resonating Knot
A symbol of the harmony between two souls (of different genders), the Resonating Knot is a decorative knot made with strands of Moonsilk from the same bolt of cloth that the two lovers weave collectively. It is composed of two symmetric detachable parts dyed blue and red to represent the two different genders respectively. As its name indicates, these two distinct parts create a resonance when held in the proximity of each other. In Hiter society, the crafting of a Resonating Knot between two individuals signifies commitment to each other, which is openly displayed by the two wearing the part of the knot that is a representation of him/herself (referred to as the Self portion of the Knot) as a clothing accessory. At the same time, this commitment can be revoked when one party unties the Self portion. After marriage, the two parts are joined together and worn openly by the husband. Upon the death of either party, depending on whether the remaining spouse intends to remarry or not, he/she will either bury his/her Self portion with the deceased (as a sign of affection for the deceased but signifying the commitment is no longer binding) or the entire Resonating Knot.
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Also in
Codex hubs that gather this piece with similar work.
- Fantasy fabrics Moonlake
Bonds
Curated bonds across the Citadel — sign in to bind a bond. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.
Links to this article 2
- Fantasy fabrics Moonlake linked by Moonlake
- The War Drum of Oyr Alongside Moonlake linked by Moonlake
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Updated: I think it's high time that I get done with my Silks Codex so here's the last instalment of it although I can't really get enough creative spin into it to make it into a full sub and I'm very pedantic with the logic of my ideas so this would have to be just a stub. But I mentioned in the overall Codex, if a comemnt sets me off or if someone is so kind to give me some ideas to make it better, I will come back to this.
Welcome to the joy of stubs. You put something together that is "just enough" of a place holder that it explains the linked subject. Now you can leave it this way, or fill it in, but the reader will have an understanding now.
Update: Added Common Uses. Promoted from Stub to Sub since this now feels complete to me.
I find this sub both a pleasure and a torment :)
Resonating Knot is evocative!
Another Moonsilk variation. Very nice.
Wow, didn't expect so quick a response (to the towncrier)! Thanks for the comment. I quite like the Resonating Knot myself.
I am always a little suspicious when the sub name is similar to the author name. But this looks nice. I will go with 3.5 because I found it a quality submission with something extra, but it did not have that increased usefulness that really it apart.
Good work Moonlake.
Actually, the sub name genuinely doesn't have much to do with my username except that I've decided to attach some kind of natural element as a prefix to all 3 of my fantasy silks.
Thanks for the comment- I think it's quite fair. I also do not envision this as being more than a background item that just enhances the atmosphere of gameplay. I think that's why I originally put it as a stub in the first place- because it felt a bit mundane in comparision to the other 2 silks (and the length back then just happened to suit the stub format).
Oh, very nice ... I fancy I'm going to steal this for my campaign.
I think this whole post could use a little restructuring or clarification.
This sentence: ' Any gown woven from Moonsilk will be so translucent that it will reflect the moonlight, hence the name 'Moonsilk'.'
Why the suggestion that reflecting moonlight is a special quality? Can't any reflective surface reflect moonlight? Or are you suggesting that silk resembles moonlight?
I would also suggest putting the sound making abilities at the begining of the presentation. That seems to be a major feature, I know you following a format...origin, appearance, and special abilities. But you could just toss something into the teaser.
I think this could be useful item though, any thing that creates noise, turns kinetic energy into sound or really any tool....would find a use in the hands of a problem solving player, a flashy creative-type player or trap building players.
I believe the word MoonLake was looking for was opalescent, not translucent.
This is quite - relaxing really. A nice piece of detail one can give to a people to add to their exoticness and lore.