The Language of Colour

Streaked granite and pale limestone adorn the city, framed by basalt and black walnut wood, leading to a stark black and white contrast of the colours the locals wear. Due to their location and resources, the colours that people wear have particular meaning, that may differ from elsewhere.

Black – Drawn from abundant Black Walnut trees, the colour of shadow and volcanic soil, common among labourers and Syndicate alike, black hides stains and speaks of practicality, shadow, and roots, and power from below.

Red – Worn in honour, blood, and binding, red is sacred to the people and to Alsaria, the Red Sister. Every oath, duel, and funeral bears its hue; it marks beginnings, endings, and unbreakable bonds.

Gold – A burdened gleam, gold is not a mark of greed, but of responsibility. Those adorned in gold are oathbearers – bound by Weave, blood, and burden.

Purple – Harvested from sea snails, purple is worn by fisherfolk as a mark of hardship and quiet pride. Though rare, its origins tie it to toil rather than nobility, leading to upper classes donning the colour to invite ridicule.

Blue – Blue is a deadly luxury; its creation requires poison, alchemy, and care few can afford. Wearing it is a statement of both wealth and risk, found among the powerful or the dangerously informed.

Green – Rich green dyes are rare, toxic, and prized; envied for their beauty, feared for their danger. A bold noble in green walks a fine line between admiration and hubris, shadowed by whispers of death.

Yellow – Bright yellow shines with sulfur’s sting, crafted by alchemists and worn by showmen and sly merchants. It suggests wit, trickery, or risk – seen on those who profit from danger or dance with unpredictability.

Orange – A very rare colour in Porto Radia in a vibrant hue, orange is the colour of bold ambition or desperate flair, drawing attention whether earned or not.

Brown – Abundant and reliable, brown is the colour of farmers, builders, and steady hands. Made from bark, earth, and rot, it is humble but vital – never flashy, always grounding.

White – True white requires care and cost; sun-bleached, alumed, and often imported. Symbolic and ceremonial, it is reserved for vows, rites, and the rare clean moment in a soot-covered city.

Grey – Found in stone dust, smoke, and faded dye, grey is the in-between. Quiet, neutral, and worn by scholars and artisans, it honours both beginnings and the unnoticed work of keeping the city standing.