Marsh Leather
"Marsh Leather"
Properties
Material Characteristics
Marsh Leather looks like other leathers but is tougher, more rugged, flexible, and extremely waterproof. It comes in a variety of natural colors or magically enhanced colors for a little extra.
Geology & Geography
The Marsh Monitor lizard that this material comes from is found in a few swampy regions on the planet. Most notably it is found in Paluster Marsh in the city-state of Cuska in the kingdom of Pythos.
Origin & Source
This material is harvested from lizard know as a Marsh Monitor.
Life & Expiration
With proper storage, this material can last for many years, on average 10 years or so.
History & Usage
Discovery
This material was first utilized by the early Cuskans before Pythia united all of the city-states into one monarchy.
Everyday use
This material is used to make water proof clothing, in particular pants, boots, hats, cloaks, and even some expensive tents.
Refinement
The refinement process is generally the same as for creating other types of leather, except greater care must be taken when scraping the skin. Any small holes or perforations will ruin the natural waterproofing. The smallest nick will spread during stretching process, ruining the entire skin.
Manufacturing & Products
Common products include pants, shirts, light overcoats, hats, gloves, cloaks, small tents and parasols.
Byproducts & Sideproducts
In addition to harvesting the waterproof leather, the Marsh Monitor can also be eaten, but it is not very tasty, however the meat can be used as food for other creatures, in particular other monitors. There are also 2 small venom glands in the lizards mouth that can be distilled and used as an antiseptic to clean wounds and kill germs. Greater refinement of the venom can produce a liquid drug that gives a small euphoric high.
Hazards
The only dangers associated with the creation of Marsh Leather, is in obtaining the skin of the Marsh Monitor. The great lizard is know to fight quite fiercely when cornered.
Environmental Impact
For a time, when there was rampant over harvesting of the Marsh Monitor, there was an explosion in the lizard's prey item's population. In particular, the Marsh Rats grew larger in size and range and ventured into the towns and cities bringing many diseases that killed many people.
Reusability & Recycling
This material is only able to be made into an item once, but the actual item can be reused many times until it is punctured or cracks from age, wear and tear, or poor storage.
Distribution
Trade & Market
This water proof leather is produced and traded in the city-state of Cuska in the kingdom of Pythos. The demand for this unique material is quite abundant, especially in the rainy season. This demand allows for higher taxes on Marsh Leather as an export out of the empire and the cheaper prices will be found closer to the materials source in Cuska itself.
Storage
This material should be stored dry and in a cool environment. As a waterproof material it dries very quickly, but finding a cool place to store it, in Pythos is a bit more difficult.
Law & Regulation
Initially there were no regulations on the material, which led to over harvesting and almost extinction of the Marsh Monitor. Now with new laws and regulations, one must apply for a permit to hunt the lizard. This has led to a resurgence in the Marsh Monitor population and more material is available now.
Type
Biomaterial
Rarity
Marsh leather is can be found quite commonly in Cuska and throughout Pythos, but it is exceptionally rare in other parts of the world lacking Marsh Monitor.
Color
Various shades of brown are available, as that is the natural color of the lizard. Due to its strong waterproofing, it cannot be dyed into other colors. However the color can be changed through magical means.
Related Species
Related Professions
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