Stycian Fur Cloak

The emblematic stycian fur cloak is the representative clothing item for the people of the Northen Expanse. A symbol of strength in the face of danger, these cloaks also provide protection against the wind and freezing temperatures of the area. They are considered a rare, high-value commodity by the aristocrats of the Meridian plane because of how hard it is to obtain stycian fur. Its brownish gray color with natural purple undertones became popular at the height of Old Medeea; the cultural importance of this piece of clothing is ever-present.

Design

The particular design of a stycian fur cloak can differ based on the person who made the cloak itself. There is no agreed-upon style or theme for such an item, making each individual piece an unique work of artistic expression and talent. However, it is considered disrespectful to paint the leather or the fur; the natural colors must be preserved. As a result, all stycian fur cloaks share the same color palette of browns and beiges, with gray and a little white and black. There is another reason why painting the fur is not a well-thougth idea: people don't want to cover the subtle purple shimmer caused by the unusual diet and constitution of the stycian gorilla. Indeed, the pale sparkles caused by mana excess inside the body of the gorilla are the main selling point of the clothing item, moreso because the effect has yet to be artificially replicated.

How to Obtain

The first step is to take the fur of a stycian gorilla, an animal that can reach heights multipe times bigger than that of an elf. These gorillas can only be found on the cold, thick forests of the Northern Expanse, with most of the members of this species inhabiting the area known as the Highland Plateau. Fighting and successfully killing one of these beasts is a feat not many can achieve in their lifetime, as their fur provides low to mid protection against magic-based attacks. They are carnivores and are known to have an explosive temperament; if someone is spotted by one of these apes in the open, their rate of survival drops to near zero percent.
After the gorilla is killed and its pelt is properly removed and cured, you can start the process of turning it into a cloak. The tradition of the Northerners is for the hunter to use the pelt as they see fit; many of their hunters are very skilled craftsmen because of this. Some of the most beautiful cloaks are layered or use other pelts for aesthetic purposes and a few will even use the large teeth of the hunted gorilla. Royal cloaks include strands of gold that blend beautifully alongside the purple shimmers of the fur. These artistic liberties are not something one needs to consider, as even the simplest of models are stunning to wear or look at.