Umbrasilk
Smooth Shadows
The first known sample of Umbrasilk was produced sometime between the 1st and 2nd centuries AL (After Lightfall), and is currently being held by the Sigil Institute in The Wissan Dominion. However, it is thought that the fabric was produced by the devout of Celethys, goddess of night, and her son Sceiron, god of shadows, much earlier during the Thaumition Era. The piece of cloth, measuring roughly one square foot, is thought to be immune to both the corruption that is common amidst a Gloom Cloud and the decay that typically follows, along with any other forms of decay or rot. Found half-buried in a pot filled with a rotten substance (assumed to be a concoction of unfortunate, drowned rats and stillwater), the sample of Umbrasilk seemed as if it had been made recently.
The material originated from one of the many Wood Elf clans that cling to the corrupted forests littering the continent of Vasara, though it is unknown which one began initial production. These elves, at least those that stayed away from or never migrated to the Elysian Bastions have all been touched by the malignance that plagues the continent. This corruption also spread to their livestock and other beasts that were kept, including silkworms. This new species of worm are called Lunamites on account of their dark carapaces and yellow speckles, as well as being a noctural counterpart to your average silkworm.
Lunamites
These corrupted silkworms, known as Lunamites, function identically to their non-corrupted cousins save for a few key features. Firstly, these corrupted insects opperate on an inverted day/night cycle from the norm, where they are active during the night and dormant during the day. It is thought that, for best production, these insects are to be left in the dark for 16 hours of the typical 24 hour day. Secondly, their diet shifted from being herbivorous to omnivorous, and they prefer meat that has been left to age or rot for a handful of days. The proteins from this change in diet is thought to cause the Umbrasilk produced by their cocoons to take on it's characteristic black hues. The final key difference between silkworms and lunamites is their cocoons; silkworm cocoons are able to be boiled to loosen the threads, whereas lunamite cocoons are soluble in water and will disolve upon contact. Instead, a much more volatile and dangerous substance, Ever-Rot, has to be used. The tar-like material is heated until bubbling and the lunamite cocoons are dropped in. Due to their outright immunity to decay, the cocoons simply soften from the liquid heat roiling around it, and the standard production of silk may begin with the specialized cocoons. See: Ever-Rot entry for saftey procedures.
Type
Textile
A length of Umbrasilk being prepared for processing
Safety Notice to All Employees
Due to the turbulent and destructive nature of Ever-Rot, it is recommended that all tools, containers, and other such items be constructed from glass upon procurement of supplies. Once the strands of Umbrasilk are extracted and dried on a glass rod over an open, glass container, they will be safe to handle with mundane tools and bare hands once more. Remember to always wear saftey equipment during the production process, lest you leave the workshop with one less limb that you walked in with.—Management
I really liked your idea about black silk and how it was created. It's nice how you brought up the culture of the forest elves, although I would have liked you to make it more believable with a few anecdotes or small quotes. I also like your warning about the dangers, which makes up for it a little. Well-written article.