Solvahn, the Southern Orcish Suncloak

A garment traditionally associated with culture   Solvahn ("sol" for sun + "vahn," an Orcish term for wrap or shroud)   The southern Orcish clans live in tropical climates, prone to excessive heat and sun exposure. As such much of their wardrobe is made to help withstand the head and aid in cooling while working the fields, traveling, or just day to day activities. One such garment is the Solvahn, or Suncloak, a traditional piece worn by all members of the southern clans meant to keep cool during hot days, showcase status and intent, and used as a gift in certain instances. It is worn loose over one shoulder or draped across the back.   Physical Description   The Solvahn is a lightweight, sleeveless cloak or shawl woven from palm fibers, cotton, or barkcloth. Dyed in earthy tones of sage, gold, sand, and terracotta, the suncloak will often times be trimmed with geometric designs that signal particular clans or families within clans. Metallic threads, shells, and carved wooden or horn toggles can be embroidered in formal gatherings.   Regional Fibers used in weaving of Solvahns:   Ressik Vine: a soft but strong vine producing a silken fiber with natural tan and gold color. Very breathable and holds dye well. Harder to obtain, therefore used in ceremonial or higher status cloaks.   Kahzar Flax: Similar to cotton but a bit more durable and a rougher texture. Harvested from thick, broad-leafed coastal plants. Commonly in everyday solvahns.   Jal'har Barkcloth: A waxy, water resistant fiber taken from the Jal'har palm tree. Slightly glossy, used for travel cloaks and those who work in humid fields.   Colors and Dyes used in the creation of Solvahns   While some may use the natural colors of the fabrics as to not attract attention, or because they know their cloaks may be used in everyday wear, some prefer to have theirs dyed or patterned during creation. There is no limit to the creativity afforded to one's Solvahn, these are merely examples of more common dyes:   Fyroot Red: A deep, burnt rusty red dye made from crushing the fyroot plant. This is common in ritual cloaks and those who travel as emissaries.   Aatsul Blue: A stormy indigo blue made from fermenting the leaves of the Aatsul plant. This fermenting process takes weeks and as such tends to be valued quite high. It is seen as a sign of wealth, patience, or wisdom.   Mossgold: A muted golden yellow from the pollen of a shrub known to inhabit humid jungles. Worn on festival garb and to accent craftsmen's Solvahn   Kohlshade Black: a dusky, almost metallic black made from charcoal mixed with volcanic clay powder, oils, and thorns from the Kohlthorn plant. This dye is reserved for mourning or ritual garments.   Misty Green: a pale green made from bark of the Mistvine tree. Used in travel cloaks or outdoor wear and coming of age Solvahn meant to symolize growth and life.   Varnblush Orange: a vibrant orange made from Varnroot, a thick, rubber like root that grows in hot sandy soil. Worn by those out on hunts in thicker forests and jungles, as well as festivals and trade fairs.   Notable details of a Suncloak:   Usually a Solvahn is cut in a rectangular of crescent shape so that it can easily be draped over the shoulders or wrap around the wearer. Near the hems, geometric patterns are woven or embroidered to represent personal deeds, family ties, clan ties, or often times decorated with depictions of local animals. Small details like clasps made of shells or fastens of carved bone to are personal touches to affix the garment to the wearer. Some Solvahn also have layered dyes. This happens when dyes of older cloaks fade from time out in the sun or from age. This layering also occurs when a cloak is handed down to a new generation so that the new wearer might add a bit of themselves to the garment.  

Example Solvahn: a traveling merchant, D'vrak Son of D'whel, known widely across the Ashen Coast, wears a cloak made from Jal'har barkcloth dyed Misty Green with woven bands of Mossgold that encircle him as he wears it around his shoulders. A tooth of a giant sandwurm carved with a sunburst pattern pins the cloak together. This combination of colors and patterns denotes him as a member of the Wren'hala Clan, a clan known for being herbalists and easy going traders.