Tunics were a kind of garment, worn on the body, that came in a variety of styles and materials. Also known as cotes (or cottes),[1][2] they could be found almost anywhere on Toril, from the True World of Maztica, west of the Trackless Sea,[4][5] to the mystical lands of Kara-Tur, far to the east of Faerûn.[6][7] Even in the treacherous Underdark,[8][9][10] and everywhere in between, tunics were used as a simple and reliable piece of outerwear.[1]
Description[]
A young man stands with a hand on his hip, modeling a tunic.
A cote could be made either with or without sleeves, and, depending on the garment's length, typically reached to the ankles or knees. After donning their tunic by maneuvering it over their head, however, the wearer could further cinch their silhouette at the waist by use of a girdle.[1] Cottes were generally best suited for temperatures of around 50 ℉ (10 ℃) to 70 ℉ (21 ℃),[12] but they could be supplemented in colder weather through the use of surcoats, among other things.[1][12]
One exemplary style of tunic was the cotehardie. This elegant cote was designed to fit closely to the wearer's body, worn with flared and short sleeves, and could be found—alongside other varieties—in the city of Waterdeep, often as a garment of either gender. In the mid–14th century DR, men styled their cotehardies atop a jupon with longer sleeves, alongside hose, and their tunics with breeches;[13] women preferred to wear either their cottes or cotehardies over their skirts, or possibly, if a plain tunic, under their bliaut.[2]
Others, of Kara-Turan origin, included the Shou maitung, which went down to the floor,[14] or the linen cotes of T'u Lung.[15] Similar tunics of white linen were even worn while laboring in Koryo.[7]
Ornaments[]
Cottes could also be embellished in a variety of ways, such as with small gems, known as jasmals, that were cut to resemble glowing orbs of orange.[16] Bearing certain flowers, too, could impact the way a tunic was received. In Cormyr, for one, it was considered a show of affluence to wear a bloodrose upon one's cote, given the flower's rarity,[17] and its parasitic twin often served a similar purpose upon the tunic of an undead of notable power.[18]
History[]
Cottes were already in use by −339 DR, during the bygone days of Netheril,[19] and survived past it to 650 DR,[20] where they were often worn by the dwarves, halflings, and gnomes of Myth Drannor. Although these wore tunics of muslin, the elves shamelessly preferred nearly translucent fabric for their own cotes.[21]
A standard cote offered by Aurora.
Still more centuries later, tunics and linen cottes were sold by Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue, though both were listed as separate items.[22] The former cost only 1 gp, and it was demanded that the client specify a size for it to be made in,[23] whereas the latter's price depended on a variety of factors. Cotes made for humans and elves cost the most, at 7 and 6 gp, respectively, then gnomes, at 3 gp, and halflings, lastly, at only 4 sp. Whilst Aurora's Emporium offered black, brown, tan, and white cottes, a customer could request they be dyed a particular color, though this incurred a doubling of the cost. Elaborate, gold filigree could also be embroidered into them for another 4 sp.[11]
As noted within the infamous guides of Volothamp Geddarm, however, Aurora's was far from the only purveyor of tunics. Cotes were also sold in the Barbaric North by the Amphailan ladies of Imbryl's Cloaks and by the proprietors of Winter Winds, a shop in Yartar. The latter's products were more fashionable, and, thus, expensive.[24] Tunics of a similar quality—and cost—could be bought at Chalasse's Fine Clothing, all the way in the Cormyrean town of Immersea, where the local style dictated the cottes be made with slashed sleeves.[25]
Even the people of Maztica, an ocean apart from the mainland of Faerûn, had, at some point, invented the tunic. Though they had plain cotes, which were valued at 100 cb, the Mazticans also wore a unique, feather-bearing tunic. At a cost of 10 gq, this particular style of cotte was worth fifty times as much as the standard one.[4]
Notable Owners[]
Individuals[]
- Dhusarra, a vampire and Huntmistress of Malar, wore a tunic of black silk and matching breeches, caped by a skinned displacer beast.[26]
- Garwin, a mage working in Phlan, was known to wear a cote with a dagger hidden in one sleeve.[27]
- Jhingleshod, the mysterious Iron Axeman of the High Forest, wore a tunic of woodland green to match his cloak.[28]
- Lineus, a priest of Sune who became trapped in Undermountain's Lost Level, wore a tabard atop his expensive, chainmail cotte.[29]
- One of the avatars of Lolth, the Spider Queen, would occasionally be garbed in a tunic made of skillfully woven drow chainmail,[30] and most drow, too, fashioned their magical chainmail into the form of cotes.[31]
- Even certain monsters, such as the powerful maedar, were known to prefer wearing tunics when donning humanoid apparel.[32]
- The dancing nymphs of the Goblintide River, in the Savage Frontier, also wore tunics—though simple, they were adorned in both gold and gems.[33]
- In Waterdeep, both Rachel Arren, the human priestess, and her husband, Arkiem Arren, the elven cleric, were known to wear cottes and breeches, with the latter adding a jerkin atop his. Clion, a local watchman, similarly styled his loose tunic with a lizard-skin vest.[34]
- Rolanda Invenweigh, the necromantic druid who watched over the Battle of Bones, wore a cote under which she hid her companion, Fez, the undead ferret.[35]
- Yondalla, the Blessed One, also used a tunic when in avatar form, one of brown and yellow coloration, alongside a green skirt.[36]
Organizations[]
- The Fangs of Rashemen, the army of that distant nation, used cottes of fur-and-leather as part of their uniform.[37][38][39]
- Many of the Guilds of Waterdeep wore livery that incorporated tunics of various colors, such as the Guild of Apothecaries & Physicians,[40][41] the Most Careful Order of Skilled Smiths & Metalforgers,[42][43] the Loyal Order of Street Laborers,[44] or the ceremonial wear of the Guild of Chandlers and Lamplighters.[45][46]
- When off-duty, at least one group of Shadowdale guards wore cotes emblazoned with the coat of arms of the local lord, Mourngrym Amcathra.[47]
- Various churches wore tunics when adventuring or performing certain rites.[48][49] These included:
- The Church of Auril, who, during the Waterdhavian festival of Auril's Blesstide, observed as members of the citizenry plunged into the icy waters of the Sea of Swords wearing, if anything, only cottes of thin, white fabric.[49]
- The Church of Azuth, when questing, typically wore practical, grey tunics embroidered with the High One's symbol over the heart.[50]
- The Church of Beshaba and its doommasters chose black cotes of simple style, the Maid of Misfortune's symbol on the chest, atop stockings of the same color, while guiding its followers in ceremony.[51]
- The Church of Chauntea, at least its urban priests, often wore their tunics beneath the rest of their uniforms.[52]
- The Church of Deneir used pale cottes as their standard wear—be they white, off-white, or tan—in ceremonial and quotidian dress.[53]
- The Church of Ilmater preferred a monochromatic, solid gray tunic, as well as a tabard and trousers, during their ceremonies.[54]
- The Church of Mask wore a unique style of cote as part of their ceremonial dress: their embroidery was vivid, symbolic of wealth, with large, balloon-like cuffs and sleeves—but all were hidden by a gray cloak.[55]
- The Church of Waukeen similarly chose to drape themselves in ostentatious, expensive tunics of fabric or fur, dyed in lively colors.[56]
- Cottes that differed in style and material were also commonly worn by the clergies of various interloper deities, including, but not limited to: Shakak; Nephthys, Osiris, Seker, Set, and Thoth; Mielikki and Untamo; Zeus, Apollo, Demeter, Hecate, Hermes, Poseidon, Prometheus, and Tyche; or even Lolth and Yeenoghu.[57][58]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
External Links[]
Tunic article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Cotte article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 128. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb (September 1988). City System. Edited by Karen Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 29. ISBN 0-8803-8600-2.
- ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 29. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Douglas Niles (August 1991). “A Journey to the True World”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 69. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Tim Beach (September 1991). Fires of Zatal. (TSR, Inc), pp. 29, 31, 35. ISBN 1-5607-6139-3.
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), pp. 18, 54. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume II). (TSR, Inc), p. 120. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1991). The Drow of the Underdark. (TSR, Inc), p. 18. ISBN 1-56076-132-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1991). The Drow of the Underdark (Monstrous Compendium). (TSR, Inc), p. 13. ISBN 1-56076-132-6.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (1992). Menzoberranzan (The Adventure). Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc), p. 4. ISBN 1-5607-6460-0.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 80. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kim Mohan (November 1986). Wilderness Survival Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan et al. (TSR, Inc.), p. 18. ISBN 0-88038-291-0.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb (September 1988). City System. Edited by Karen Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 28. ISBN 0-8803-8600-2.
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), p. 18. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Donald J. Bingle (April 1995). “The Battle of Bones”. In Elizabeth T. Danforth ed. Elminster's Ecologies Appendix I (TSR, Inc), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-0115-2.
- ↑ Donald J. Bingle (April 1995). “The Battle of Bones”. In Elizabeth T. Danforth ed. Elminster's Ecologies Appendix I (TSR, Inc), pp. 20–21. ISBN 0-7869-0115-2.
- ↑ slade (1996). How the Mighty Are Fallen. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 0-7869-0537-9.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 3. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 57. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), pp. 76, 80. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 76. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), pp. 25–26, 103. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 156. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (June 1996). Undermountain: The Lost Level. (TSR, Inc), p. 30. ISBN 0-7869-0399-6.
- ↑ Mike Breault, David "Zeb" Cook, Jim Ward, Steve Winter (August 1988). Ruins of Adventure. (TSR, Inc.), p. 32. ISBN 978-0880385886.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (1988). The Savage Frontier. (TSR, Inc), p. 58. ISBN 0-88038-593-6.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (June 1996). Undermountain: The Lost Level. (TSR, Inc), pp. 21, 31. ISBN 0-7869-0399-6.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 29. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 32. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ David Cook, Steve Winter, and Jon Pickens (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume Three Forgotten Realms Appendix (MC3). (TSR, Inc), p. 48. ISBN 0-88038-769-6.
- ↑ Jennell Jaquays (1988). The Savage Frontier. (TSR, Inc), p. 46. ISBN 0-88038-593-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Adventurer's Guide to the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 49. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Donald J. Bingle (April 1995). “The Battle of Bones”. In Elizabeth T. Danforth ed. Elminster's Ecologies Appendix I (TSR, Inc), pp. 1–2, 4. ISBN 0-7869-0115-2.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 219. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ Steve Perrin (1988). Dreams of the Red Wizards. (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 0-88038-615-0.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 120. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1987). Waterdeep and the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 39. ISBN 0-88038-490-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1987). Waterdeep and the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 41. ISBN 0-88038-490-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 50. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 49. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1987). Waterdeep and the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 40. ISBN 0-88038-490-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Who's Who in Waterdeep”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 44. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), Shadowdale. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 35, 43, 50, 55, 77, 110, 179. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Adventurer's Guide to the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 43. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 50. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 55. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 77. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 110. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 179. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 134–142. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ James Ward and Robert Kuntz (November 1984). Legends & Lore. (TSR, Inc), pp. 119–126. ISBN 978-0880380508.