Royal Purple

"Father, I would like a purple cloak, so I can look just like the Sarisi."
"Do you have the gold for it? If so, tell me about it. Even if we had that much, I wouldn't waste it on pretty clothes."
A Kalu father and son

Properties

Geology & Geography

The dye is manufactured on some Natiawas islands and in Teshua tributary states. There must be a great enough concentration of certain kinds of snails, which can either be naturally present or grown in large artificial tide pools.

Origin & Source

Derived from a few species of sea snail, the color comes from mucus secreted from the snails when they hunt for food or when they are disturbed.

History & Usage

History

Purple dye has been produced for hundreds of years. It was first extracted by the Anuhani, fore-bearers of the Natiawas. The purple trade grew with the development of long-distance commerce between Bronze Epoch kingdoms.
Once other peoples discovered which type of snails were needed to create the dye, workshops sprang up throughout the Western Sea basin.
Although purple has always been expensive, recent disruptions of trade networks and the destruction of most facilities have increased prices to ruinous sums even for the wealthiest men. Rather than purchasing more dye or new garments, monarchs now hoard any of either they can find.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Due to the labor-intensive process of creating purple, its according expense turned it into a symbol of great wealth and power. Only kings and the most powerful nobles have the means to afford it. Friendly rivalries between kings sparked sprees of spending, in which hundreds of gold talents are exchanged for purple cloaks and robes. It is also a preferred form of tribute and gift.
Anyone else would not dare to hope of owning anything colored purple.
While other dyes fade over time, Royal Purple develops a richer color, making anything dyed with it a valuable family heirloom.

Refinement

In areas where the snails are kept alive, slaves or workers gently prod them with small rods or feathers until they release the substance that makes purple. Less patient individuals simply crush the snails. The mucus is then collected and placed into metal vessels, where it is mixed with salt water. It is left to slowly boil over a period of ten days. The dye is then collected or used to dye cloth.
A bright blue is made with a certain species by exposing the mixture on the final day of production.
The darkest and richest purples, which are the most highly prized, are created by keeping the boiling pot covered until the dyeing process.

Manufacturing & Products

Making Royal Purple requires dedicated workshops located by the sea. The dyers must have the means to collect the pigment using either of the two methods. One needs the snails, salt water, and a container to boil it and a cover.

Byproducts & Sideproducts

Beside the sought-after dye, many thousands of crushed snail shells are often left over after the process is complete. These are piled up into mounds that can reach heights of ten men or more.

Type

Livestock

Value

More than its weight in gold

Odor

Fish-like, salty

Taste

Rotten fish

Color

Shades of purple ranging from red to purple to blue and everything in between

Related Professions

• Purple Dyer