Aelotian style

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

A Glance at Aelotian Style

Early in time, the aelotoi became quite adept at creating fabric out of the scant natural materials accessible on Bre’Naere. Their arrival in Elanthia has only heightened their innate abilities, and when combined with a tremendous increase in the types of resources available to them, the aelotoi have begun crafting specialty fabrics out of their new home in Cysaegir.

Fabrics

Flyrsilk

The most popular seller has been a new silk variety called flyrsilk. The word, "flyr" is an Aelotian word meaning, "flower," which is characteristic of the fabric's patterning. The silk is exceptionally soft, completely opaque, and possesses a very subtle nacreous luster. Material design varies widely between artisans, with floral motifs being the most intricate and time-consuming to weave. Aelotian artisans carefully guard their precise weaving techniques, but rumors circulate that the key to the high quality of their fabrics lies in the design of their uniquely styled fel looms. Flyrsilk is also produced in foliage-inspired patterns, such as branches, thorns, and leaves, which is often preferred by males, though it is frequently worn by both genders. Patternless varieties are usually a single color and are faintly textured with an understated latticed finish.

Ramie Silk and Ramie Linen

The aelotoi have also improved upon producing two blended fabrics, ramie silk and ramie linen. The usual spinning process to create ramie has been simplified to remove as much of the resin from the natural fiber as possible, after which, it is washed in a special treatment of talneo. The resulting fiber is much finer and has more elasticity than regular ramie, allowing it to be easily blended with silk and linen. The addition of ramie increases the durability of the silk and linen, giving the finished material a faintly lustrous, luxurious appearance.

Paeline

Paeline is a lush wool fabric woven from the hair of Paeladri goats. Paeladri is a compound name originating from the Aelotian words, "paeli," meaning, "tufted," and the suffix, "-adri," indicating the animals' small, compact size. The goats have been carefully cultivated by the aelotoi in Cysaegir since their arrival. The animals are unusual in that they molt twice a year; once in the spring and again in the fall. Light combing of the goats produces a hearty crop of fibers, which is then cleaned and woven or spun into the thin, yet remarkably durable wool called paeline. Dyeing techniques and coloring take very well to the fibers, as the hair is a nearly translucent, snowy white in its natural state. The finished texture of the wool is downy soft, making it ideal for linings or formal attire.

Miscellaneous Fabrics

Other fabrics being produced in large volumes are silk linen, silk gauze, jacquard, damask, tweed, twill, and an exceptionally fine brushed suede, all of which are predominant in aelotian clothing.

Garments

Life on Bre'Naere had a tremendous effect on clothing preferences for the aelotoi. Traditional tailoring of garments tends to be more narrow or fitted, but not at all restrictive. This is a style element originating from their homeland, where it was used to avoid getting caught or snagging material as much as possible while flying. A strong desire for practical, durable, and lightweight material was of prime importance, so the aesthetic appearance of fabrics is only now being refined in Cysaegir.

Many aelotoi are delighted to have access to a wealth of new clothing options. Toquas are considered a proper outerwear choice, with an endless assortment of cuts and lengths available to accentuate both body and wings. Women are fond of column gowns, or for practicality's sake, longer tunics with leggings. Saephuas are primarily used as ceremonial garments for females, but are also seen with some regularity at other formal occasions. Men typically choose doublets and breeches, or slim ankle-length robes, which are overlaid with a set of decorative metal or leather pauldrons. Classic shirts and gowns are tailored to emphasize the shoulders, collarbones, or wings. Colors palettes are vivid and reflective of nature and the changing seasons. Each garment has a clear focal point, and care is taken not to add too much to the overall outfit.

Adornments

Adornments are used sparingly by the aelotoi, but much thought and planning goes into their selections to ensure they genuinely enhance the garment. Traditionalists still avoid costly gems such as ruby, emerald, diamond, and sapphire, out of memory and loyalty to their loved ones that were left behind. However, many aelotoi have come to appreciate jewelry and embellishments crafted of wood, stone, fabric, or glass.

Wood is the prevailing material used in ornamentation and is a prized commodity that is donned by men and women for accessories, jewelry, and adornments of all kinds. The winged race seems to be exceptionally gifted at the art of marquetry, which is a common theme in fashion and architecture alike. Meticulously detailed pieces can be accomplished by artisans, highlighting the stark contrast between the different colors of wood. Customary woods include fel, hazel, rowan, haon, thanot, tanik, ruic, monir, ebonwood, and rosewood.

Contemporary stones used for accents include jade, turquoise, nephrite, dreamstone, petrified woods, and all types of quartz and agate. Sea glass and spun glass are used on fragile pieces. Glaes is vastly sought after by both genders and has swiftly become a favorite enhancement for clothing, as well as jewelry. Glaes is said to be have been all together absent from Bre'Naere, making it a new discovery for the aelotoi race.

Elven Influence

While the aelotoi still shy away from the elaborate layers of fabric so predominant in elven dress, they have developed a penchant for elven metals and accessories. Vaalin, vaalorn, and faenor are favorites for delicate metalwork, and the gold and silver filigree favored by the elves has been reworked into the complex knotwork motifs preferred by the aelotoi. Females have traditionally woven flowers into the intricate braiding styles that are fashionable in aelotian culture, but modernists have adopted threading thin metal strands into their plaits. The elves are deeply respected for sheltering the aelotoi in their greatest time of need, and as a result, elven culture will continue to leave a lasting impression on the race.