Spirit Orchid Pod Fiber

Properties

Material Characteristics

Overwhelmingly, spirit orchid pod fiber is harvested from a fully transformed spirit orchid, and so its shape and density can vary wildly. In broad categories are the very dense and high tensile strength varieties used as defensive shells or exoskeletons and brutal natural weapons, the much less dense stretchy and springy varieties also often used for defense and for locomotion, and the stringy cable-like variety often used to root or cling to difficult surfaces. The final option is predictably somewhere in between all of these, and is found only if a spirit orchid is discovered before or during its metamorphosis. Although this is much less common, it is much preferred because the harvested material is much more easily manipulated, and the orchid can often grow several pods in succession, making the quantity per plant much higher.

Physical & Chemical Properties

The primary characteristics common to all varieties of spirit orchid pod fiber are a complete resistance to acidic and alkaline substances, and a remarkable resilience to temperature; it is not possible for the fiber to melt, it remains in a solid state even at the highest temperatures ever observed. Beyond these its properties can vary based on the orchid it was harvested from, but most often it is refined, despite the exorbitant cost, from whatever state it existed in before into thin fibrous strands which are then woven into threads. These threads are absurdly durable and can be used to create objects ranging from silken textiles to unyielding plates much like metal based on the number and methodology by which they are woven together.

Origin & Source

When a spirit orchid's flower captures an animus, it immediately pulls a mass of plant matter with it and detaches from its parent, at which point it grows a large perfectly spherical pod around itself to undergo its metamorphosis. This pod is the first thing created using the animus' energy, and is intensely magical. Ideally this pod would be broken off and harvested immediately both because it is easiest to process in this form and for safety, but even if this window is missed, the pod is always incorporated into the final form of the emergent orchid, and so it can still be harvested at any time post-metamorphosis. The longer the delay between metamorphosis and harvest, the more dangerous the orchid is both in terms of its strength and its aggressiveness.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Although using the spirit orchid pod fiber directly is significantly more useful for almost every application, it would be prohibitively expensive for any but the wealthiest in all Khthon, and even for them it is likely overkill. In almost every case, instead some number of threaded fibers are woven into a lattice of some other base material. Adding even just a few threads to a textile, brick, or ingot is enough to dramatically improve enchantment acceptance as well as durability if the threads are placed strategically. Adding a few more threads can increase the efficiency of the enchantment as well. Enough threads can even amplify enchantments, allowing heights to be reached not ordinarily possible for the amount of power channeled.

Refinement

Although the refinement process can vary fairly significantly based on what variety of fiber used as a starting point, it can all be summarized as a painstaking application of great physical force to twist and pull the fibers apart while keeping them wet to avoid tearing. From there the fibers are partially dried and woven together into threads before being dried completely while drawn out.

Type

Biomaterial

Odor

decadent chocolate

Taste

decadent chocolate

Color

varies wildly

Boiling / Condensation Point

impossible

Melting / Freezing Point

impossible

Common State

exclusively solid