Silk

Silk was a common form of textile in the Realms.

Description
Silk was the processed fiber from silkworms. Silkworms were fed the leaves from Mulberry trees, who then made cocoons of silk. Most desert locations could not harvest silk from silkworms, and had to aquire it through trade.

Usuage
Silk could be fashioned in several different ways. Sheer silk was fine and translucent. Samite was a fabric of thick silk. Velvet was an expensive fabric made from silk with piles. Brocade was silk with contrasting colors and textures woven into it.
 * Clothing:
 * Breeches
 * Caul, a hair net with silk draperies.
 * Gloves
 * Kirtle, an undergown made from silk.
 * Headscarf and occasionally used to adorn hoods
 * Robes.
 * Sashes and waistcoats
 * Shirts
 * Slippers
 * Stocking
 * Veils
 * Vest

Wizards from Neverwinter wore silks as they indicated their high status. The wizards of Hlondeth wore robes of silk, dyed in bright scarlet, emerald or deep azure. Sembian wizards were known for wearing many layers of silk.

The elves and humans of Myth Drannor frequently wore loose garments of silk.

The Simbul's Children in Aglarond wore breeches and tunics of emerald green silk.

On the Sea of Fallen Stars, a ship captain who wished to brag about their wealth and status often had sails of silk. In the Sea of Fallen Stars, sea elves and the shalarin used silk to mark position or rank within their society.

In Zakhara, kalat were knee-length tunics that was sometimes made from silk Keffiyeh were also made from silk. An agal was a cord (or group of cords) used to secure a keffiyeh to one's head. Elegant agal was made from silk dusted with gold. Caftan, a long ankle-length garment, was usually made with cotton, but finer versions could be crafted from silk. In the Pearl Cities, men occasionally wore headclothes of silk. Rich women in Zakhara wore silk instead of cotton, except in the Cities of the Pantheon. The Al-Badia considered the wearing of silk shameful.

In Kara-Tur, silk was very popular. Maitung, a subdued tunic made from silk that was popular with bereaucrats and scholars in Shou Lung. Cheosong was a narrow and tight dress commonly worn by the high-born women of Shou Lung. Obi was a sash of silk. while hakama were pants made of silk. A kosode was a silk robe. and samfu, while commonly made from cotton, the wealthy in northern Shou Lung wore samfu of silk. Kimono could also be made from silk. The inhabitants of Wang Kuo Province were known for their heavily embroidered silk coats. In Tu'Lung silk is a very important symbol of status. In Tabot, noblewoman usually wore gowns of silk. Clothing of high quality and bright silks were common in southern Shou Lung.

In the Kuong Kingdom, clothing made from light silk was popular. In Laothan, clothing made from brightly colored silk was popular. In Tu Pe, silk belts were popular. High-knecked dresses of silk were common as well. The inhabitants of the villages in the Kesasar Valley wore samfu of brightly colored silk. In Wa, farmers were forbidden to wear clothing made from silk.

In, among the noble woman of Waterdeep, it was a trend to wear gowns of silk, with their legs behind several layers of sheer silk, to social functions.

In the desert, a filter mask, often made of silk, was common.

Silk has many other uses, including:
 * Other Uses:
 * Silk could be used to make parasols.
 * Silk was used as a thread.
 * Silk could be used to make flags and pennants.
 * Silk could be woven to create tapestries.
 * Silk could be made into pouches that can hold currency.
 * Silk bedsheets
 * Silk hankerchiefs
 * Small boats could use sails made from silk.
 * Silk could be used as a cover for pillows.
 * Sheets of silk woven into a fine mesh were used as insect netting. It was effective against natural insects but useless against spells such as insect plague or creeping doom.
 * Silk could be made into drapes.
 * Tents.
 * Hammocks.
 * The skin of a doll could be silk.
 * Silk napkins
 * Silk could be used to protect food such as cheese
 * Silk could be used to line the interior of a container such as a coffer.
 * Kites.
 * Silk can be laminated and used as pages in a book.
 * Byobu, which were folding screens that used silk.
 * Ninja often wrapped cords of strong silk around their scabbards to be used to climb.
 * Haramaki, a type of armor made from silk and chain mail.
 * Silk Swathes

Cost
Silk was an expensive textile, with prices growing the father one was from a silk producing region. Due to it's value, caravans transporting silk were always under heavy guard. Silk cost roughly 1 gp per pound and 1-3 gp per square yard


 * Faerûn:
 * In Waterdeep, of rope made from braided silk cord, used for ornamental purposes, cost 25 gp.
 * A bolt of the finest quality silk from Shou Lung costs up to 4,000 gp in Faerûn, while a silk tapestry from Shou Lung costs up to 8,500 gp.
 * A bolt of silk from Hillsfar costed 100 gp per bolt.
 * A large pillow made from Turami silk cost 25 gp.

In Zakhara, a bolt of silk cost about 60 gp. A bolt of black silk cost 200 gp in Zakhara. A bolt of red silk trimmed with gold thread was worth 2,000 gp.
 * Zakhara:

Below is a list of the normal cost of silk items at a bazaar or market in Zakhara:
 * Keffiyeh: 7 gp
 * jacket: 80 gp
 * parasol: 5gp
 * slippers: 10 gp
 * shirt: 8gp
 * stockings: 2gp
 * veil: 6gp
 * of rope: 10 gp

The standard price of a bolt of regular silk was usually about 3 ch'ien in Kara-Tur. A kosode cost about tael, a silk vest 1 tael and a length of rope cost 5 ch'ien.
 * Kara-Tur:

Faerûn
Silk was an integral part of the economy of Thesk and Telflamm

In the Dalelands, Archendale, Deepingdale , Harrowdale imported silk. Harrowcoaster House in Harrowdale sold silk. The Sheathed Dagger in Arrowmark imported silk.

Jarwain's Imports was a shop in Ashabenford in the late 14 century DR that specialized in exotic imported goods from the nation of Cormyr. For steep prices, Mistran shoppers could purchase fine, spun cotton, lace, silk, or vibrant garments from the Forest Country. Riurmorn's Silks and Linens, a textile business in Tasseldale in 1368 DR that imported Sembian textiles and eastern silk. Aladiam's Imports in Tasseldale imported silk from Sembia. Mirksha, Mirksha and Mirksha, a company of three brothers in Archendale that traded exotic goods from southern coast of the Sea of Fallen Stars.

Silk was an export of Sembia.

In Cormyr, Marsember shipped silk. In Suzail silk ccould be purchased at Fallas' Treasures of Thentia, while n Arabel, silk could be purchased at Jhamma's Silks and Furs and Saerdar's Silks and Flowers.

Storm Dragon House in Raven's Bluff sold silk at an unbelievable low price. Silk and silk products were available in several shops in Raven's Bluff, including * Crimyn's Imported Silks, Horace's Shirt Shop , Blue Star Trading Company and Madame Coth's Silk Shop.

Myratma in Tethyr was famous for its silk, which was highly sought after by the wealthy in Amn and Calimshan.

Waterdeep imported silk from Calimshan.

In the Moonshae Isles, silk was imported from Calimshan via the port of Caer Callidyrr.

Halruaa imported silk from Durpar. Nobles in Ulgarth imported silk from Calimhsam.

Silk was one of the main exports and was the preffered textile for clothing Calimshan. In Calimport, silk was sold and safely stored in the various khanduqs throughout the city. Warriors in Calimshan usually wore vibrant and colorful silks under their cloak.

Grunwald traded fur and carvings of wood for silk.

Silk was available for sale in Daggerford at Farrel's Fine Jewelry and Apparel but at a high price.

In the market of Mantol-Derith in Menzoberranzan, silk from the surface could be purchased.

House of Silks was a fine clothing and jewelry shop located in Westgate in 1367 DR.

In Silverymoon, Flamebar Canvas sold sails made from silk, popular with the river barges in the area.

The Silver Branch in Eveningstar imported silk from Mulhorand.

History
The year was known as the "Year of Silken Sabers".

In After trail-blazing the Golden Way to Kara-Tur, the Impilturan merchant Windyn Balindre returns with silks and spices. Gaining a charter from the ruler of Lyrabar, Balindre founds the Royal Company of Shou Lung.

Notable Users

 * Janol Famisso frequently carried cords of silk for climbing.
 * Liriel Baenre often wore a silk shirt under her drow chainmail.
 * Beneath his trademark black cloak, Cyndre wore a robe of cotton woven with silk.
 * Orgauth often wore black shirts of the finest silk.
 * Victor Dhostar wore white gloves of silk.
 * Danilo Thann always carried several silk shirts.
 * Asilther Graelor always carried of silk rope. She also wore a cord of silk bemeath her belt which she used to bind targets, or as a garrot.
 * Dove Falconhand was known to wear silk shirts during her adventures.
 * Laeral Silverhand filled a stocking of silk with gems in Blackstaff Tower, which she used as currency when the need required it.
 * Fuigarm wore a silk shirt of protection +1.
 * Elvrin Crownsilver was always seen finely dressed in a silk shirt and breeches.

Notable Items

 * Belabrantan caparison of warmth
 * Mask of Lhestyn
 * White cloak of the spider
 * Tasmia's heart
 * Yellow Silk of Kuang
 * Storm's Garter
 * ''Vest of shadows:
 * ''Shield of shadows:
 * Hulasahr's slippers:
 * Najjar's cloak of weaponry:
 * Andrathath's mask:
 * gauntlets of Faerglamer
 * Sash of heat endurance
 * Sash of fire resistance
 * pennant of the vind rune
 * robe of serpents
 * Runes of Norzahk
 * Juia Lo'tanu
 * Edu'sascar
 * Rope of climbing

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Novels
 * Video Games
 * Video Games
 * Video Games