Unfamilar Dyes and Fabrics of the Underdark

[Gutz 388]

UNFAMILIAR DYES AND FABRICS OF THE UNDERDARK

On cave material gathering, curating, and farming

 

UKEN VE KRAWN I ROZZ

 

Issued by the

OFFICE OF VE MORRIVI KORT

On the 8th day of Jula ag Piov of 479 E.S.

 

 

---

 

With the world’s move into the underground, resources have become scarce. What goods we have once known as easy stops to the market have become struggles to cleverly craft- whether with cave materials or with the more familiar ones from above-ground hamlets. One example of such a lacking resource has been fabric and dyes. However, recent experiments with our underground’s flora have reaped a new way of gaining the necessary materials for seamstressing- allowing for the creation of new clothes with new resources. A simple harvest is all that is required.

 

---

 

THE HARVESTING AND IDENTIFICATION OF VINES

Vines are seemingly the most populous of flora in our underground abode– littering nearly every pathway and being a general nuisance. There are two types, Crimson Stalks and Azure Vines, easily distinguishable by their color-based names.

 

Crimson Stalks are easiest to harvest, snapping off easily just by hand after cutting off the thorns that adorn them. Trouble may be found by their seeming elasticity, as they bend and curve with the harvester’s grip– snapping rather violently when they eventually give. 

 

Azure Vines, on the other hand, are harder to harvest. If not for their notable thickness added to the elasticity that requires a knife to saw with, then the goo that layers them makes it all the more difficult. Once a grip with the knife is purchased, beware that the goo does not fly back into your face- as it is relatively hard to wash off. Gloves are encouraged as well if able to be found or crafted.

 

 

[Attached to the pamphlet are two depictions of the more popular spots to harvest either vine]

—

 

CURATING CRIMSON STALKS INTO FABRIC

Crimson Stalks produce a fabric with a minuscule knitted pattern. It is thick in texture due to the number of veins needed from the vine for the process, although contrasted with its coarse, smooth feel in contrast to usual wools or cotton. It is capable of providing a good amount of warmth, but only in moderate temperatures– perhaps like those of the cave. Its usefulness, however, shines most with the concept of humidity. Where humid temperatures within the cave and above are typically a threat to comfort, this fabric would be ideal to sport, as it provides coverage without fully trapping heat against the body.

 

– STEPS:

1. Select vines that stretch straight from dark red to brighter red. Avoid any with too many branching vines that cannot be separated on their own. Cut the leaves off from the root side to the top, segment them into smaller pieces, and then make wreaths using about 5-8 vine segments. This allows for an easier soaking process.

2. Soak the vine wreath in a bowl of water for 2-3 hours depending on the thickness of the vines. They should emerge flimsy and more malleable without bounce. This fattens the veins of the vine.

3. Place weights upon the pile to flatten- correcting any folds or creases within the vine that it has gained from the soaking process. Sit until corrected, but ensure the vines do not dry- as the desired veins within will shrink.

4. Remove the outside skin of the vine and expose the meaty inside. Veins within the meat of the vine should now be exposed and fattened by the prior soak. Extract these veins and set aside the discarded skin and meat. 

5. Tie the edges of the veins into knots, gathering three or so in one knot. Weave each bundle of veins as though it were a pie crust- lacing each strand tightly but still loose enough to untie with ease. Continue to ensure the veins remain wet during this process!

6. Once a large piece of weaved veins has been achieved, place over top a fire– distant enough to catch the heat and smoke rather than the fire. Given time, the veins will shrink again- locking the fabric into place. With this, it should be noted to make your swath of fabric larger than wanted in order to accommodate the shrinkage.

7. A final wash, and any other washes should be light, should be done with care and limited water. This will prevent the piece falling apart again– but should your weaving skills and knots be tight, the piece will not be destroyed entirely. This final wash is recommended not required, as it serves only to remove the smell of smoke from the fabric.

 

CURATING AZURE VINES INTO FABRIC

Azure Vines produce a fabric with a straightened pattern. It is relatively thin due to its method of curation, yet provides coverage akin to it’s brother– the Crimson Stalks. It is suited for warmer, more humid temperatures rather than cool; however, it is able to be thickened up during curation of the fabric. This makes it easily adaptable to cooler temperatures and the necessity of providing warmth in such a climate.

 

– STEPS:

1. Select vines that stretch straight and long. Avoid any with too many branching vines that may disturb the desired inner strands. Maintain them as long as possible in equal lengths.

2. Scrape off a good amount of goop from the vine with a gloved hand. One bowl for each yard of fabric is ideal.

3. Run the vine segments under running water briefly to remove unneeded, excess goo– perhaps the nearby waterfall in the underground would be best for this process. Gloves are also recommended here, lest you find yourself washing your hands for an hour next.

4. Remove the vines from the water and allow them to dry- cracking open the shell carefully once dried. This is best done with a knife, running it along the side of the husk deep enough to only cut the shell. Try to avoid cutting the inner fibers.

5. Remove the inner fibers of the vine, laying them onto a flat and clean surface as long as desired. Ensure they are evenly spread out before laying the pre-harvested goo onto them. Coat them well and do not worry about using them too much!

6. Taking a flat object, such as a wooden board or a bamboo scroll, flatten the fibers and goo with even, hard pressure. Once effectively pressed, remove the board.

7. Carefully pick up the surface your pressed fibers lie on and set out in an area with excessive  sunlight and ample air. This will dry the goo, acting as a cement and finalizing the fabric. If the fabric was wanting to be curated thicker, simply layer pressed pieces upon each other before laying it out.

 

—

 

DYE PRODUCTION

Crimson Stalk Dye:

To produce dyes from Crimson Stalks is a simple affair, one only needs to cut off the red mushroom buds that grow from the stalks while avoiding the thorns. These buds are then to be ground up and put to boil. While boiling, one must add half a bottle of vinegar, to allow for a chemical reaction to release the dying agent from the plant. Keep boiling until all the water is gone and a crimson red powder remains. This dye can be rubbed into a fabric to produce a vibrant red-orange color- nearly watercolor like due to its method of application. 

 

Azure Vine Dye:

During the process of extracting the internal silky strands of the Azure Vines, one is left with the blue husk of the vine. This husk can be soaked in water, distilled water is recommended for a cleaner color. The length at which the dye is kept in the water will determine its hue. While the inner fibers produce a fabric already blue in color, dyes from this vine’s husk provide a wider array of color. For instance, two hours may result in a rich blue dye, but four will result in a near black dye with heavy blue undertones.

 

 

[Two examples of outfits made from Vines]

—

 

FARMING VINES

With the continued harvesting of wild vines by various gatherers, the total amount available in the wilderness is starting to diminish. Thus, the Master of Agriculture has developed techniques in order to cultivate the vines for various purposes such as the dye and food industries

 

Cultivating Crimson Stalks:

Crimson Stalks grow from a single but at the top. The bud must be planted into a bed of organic material, be it compost, coil or mushroom cap. Harder materials such as wood, while organic, would be too hard for the vines and roots of the Stalks to penetrate through. If wood is the only option, it is advised to let it rot in water for a week to soften it up.

 

Ample space below the growing bed must be present, so that the vines may grow downward freely. However, they may be planted in close proximity to each other, only space downward must be free. Keep in mind that while Crimson Stalks can be planted close to each other, this will result in the vines overlapping and curling over themselves. This results in them being easier to harvest in bulk, but harder to process.

 

Cultivating Azure Vines:

The process of seeding and growing azure vines is much more complicated than that of Crimson Stalks. The bud of the Vine must be planted into a hole, about a forearm deep into the soil. Then one must take a hoe and plough a spiral trench starting from it. This is because the roots of an Azure Vine are highly twisted, and grow in spirals. This way of preparing the land allows for easier travel of the roots and more stability of the plant, allowing it to grow taller.

 

Despite the complicated manner of tilling the soil, Azure Vines do not have as much quality organic matter to grow, as compared to the Crimson Stalks. But they do require more space from each other.

 

---

FINAL THOUGHTS

The world’s retreat into the underground has paved the way for the discovery of new materials– flora and fauna. Within this scope, humanity may come to find new means of cultivating necessary goods, especially during this period of basic survival. Dyes and fabrics happen to be among these new discoveries, rewarding us with new colors and textures– a minor success amidst the struggle of today.

 

Spoiler

THE SKINS ARE FREE TO USES :)

https://www.planetminecraft.com/skin/-5951654/ 

https://www.planetminecraft.com/skin/-5951791/ 

 

---

 

 IV JOVEO MAAN

 

Her Royal Majesty, Sofia Camila of Hyspia, Queen-Consort of Hanseti and Ruska, Princess of Hyspia, Princess-Consort of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duchess-Consort of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margravine-Consort of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Countess-Consort of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, and Toruv, Viscountess-Consort of Varna, Baroness-Consort of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, Thurant and Astfield, Lady of the Westfolk, Protector and Lady of the Highlanders, etcetera.

 

Lord Sterling Percy Amador, Knight of the Marian Retinue, Vice Emissar, Court Astrologer, Master of Agriculture, Lord of Swan’s Keep, The Swan.

 

Lord Murtagh Matyas Amador, Master of the Wardrobe of Hanseti-Ruska.

[_RoyalCrafter_ 3189]

"Ea need to get some salve for mea hands, all that testing with chemicals has given mea blisters." He applied some ointmet. "Looks gorgeous though." He marvelled at the rich colours.

[Orphvius 423]

Miss Edlynne Mara Amador only wished she could be so sheek..