Vylith

Vylith is an Official GemStone IV Document, and it is protected from editing.

A staple of the Crimson Legion, vylith is a sturdy, water-resistant or waterproof wool made from the winter undercoat of gaks.  While traditional fabric comes in black, crimson, or gold hues, vylith is available today in any desired color.  Vylith may be treated with beeswax or a combination of beeswax and lanolin for added luster and waterproofing.  Despite being quite durable, the production processes lead to a wool that, while initially stiff, softens with age and proper care.

The History and Use of Vylith in Ta'Vaalor

Essay penned by Miss Penelia Caisandoral Loenthra, Master Seamstress.

Sourced from the archives of Lord Clessar Ryvvuel Illistim, First Couturier of the Argentate, and the archives of High Yeoman Vonya Selaelis Vaalor.

Vylith originated during the Wooded War (2402-2416) between the Vaalor elves and the forest gnomes that had migrated to Neartofar Forest and other surrounding woodlands within the city-state. Years of particularly cold and wet seasons necessitated a fabric that could endure the elements while still protecting against the abundant Greengair defenses as Crimson Legion scouts navigated the hazards in the cool, damp forests.  During the fourth winter of the war, a textile guild rallied its craftspeople to develop a new fabric that could be produced in abundance during a time of hardship.  Frequent infrastructure-dismantling raids by the forest gnomes had dwindled the availability of sheep and rolton.  However, the gaks seemed impervious to these attempts, likely owing to their excessively ornery demeanor.  As such, the bovine became the central focus of the textile research. Their winter undercoats were found to be suitable when combed, and the production of vylith commenced.

Due to the noxious nature of gaks, vylith undergoes an intense washing process: first, it's scoured in wood ash and lye, then it's rinsed several times, and finally, it's finished with a deodorizing herbal rinse in lavender or rosemary-infused water. Impurities are further removed through carding before the fibers are spun into a sturdy weaving thread suitable for a loom.  Vylith is always crafted with a twill weave to impart durability to the finished product.  The fabric then goes through fulling to further strengthen the fabric and provide the characteristic water resistance.  For production expediency on the naturally dark fibers, early vylith was dyed black with rusty nails due to the wartime hazard of collecting oak galls; however, this had a detrimental effect on the longevity of the piece, and in modern times, alternative methods are applied.  As the popularity of the fabric increased within the Legion, crimson and golden hues were added to the standard color palette.

The resulting fabric proved a benefit to the scouts, reducing the risks of exposure and decreasing the need to stop and shelter when the weather turned. The smooth finish achieved from fulling the wool made vylith resistant to snags and allowed the scouts to traverse the forest with ease and speed, even through Greengair-crafted briar barriers. Vylith was so well-received that it became a customary fabric of Crimson Legion uniforms, for outerwear, pants, leggings, or slacks. It is also used today for skirts, waistcoats or vests, as well as kirtles, robes, or other overdresses. It is rarely used in formalwear, due to the more utilitarian nature of the fabric, though Crimson Legion dress uniforms may include variations mentioned below.

It should be noted that there are variations of vylith that came about postwar due to the growing popularity of the fabric. After the Treaty of Neartofar was signed, new trade agreements with the Greengair forest gnomes increased the availability of beeswax within Ta'Vaalor. Craftspeople began using the influx of this resource to treat vylith, heating the beeswax and brushing it onto the fibers before sealing it with a hot iron, waterproofing the fabric with a softly lustrous finish. Not all vylith receives this treatment, as it is typically reserved for fabric destined to become outerwear. Some merchants will market waxed vylith as "vylithen" to differentiate their stock. Vylith is occasionally blended with silk or treated with lanolin during the waxing process to increase the luster, especially for ceremonial pieces.

Alteration Notes

• No fodder is required.
• Any merchant may work with this material.
• Vylith and vylithen may be used interchangeably. However, if vylithen is used to denote the fabric, the alteration should not contradict the fact that it is a wax-treated fabric with a subtle luster.