Base IngredientsThese herbs and plants are found throughout Temuair and each yield a different dye or dye ingredient. They grow in the enchanted garden, the fae glade, different parts of the Eastern Woods, Pravat, and the meadows near the Kasmanium Mines. (It is quite possible these herbs and plants have medicinal or magickal qualities also, but these are the names given to them by the Guildmasters at the Five Guilds of Rucesion (the Rogue Guilds) who teach Paint, Ink and Dye Alchemy.) Angelica is a small plant that grows in clusters of small, narrow spiky leaves that are dark green with a lighter olive green underside. It is often mistaken for budding trigonelle. When the leaves are crushed and soaked in wine, the mixture yields a bright blue dye. Bittersweet is a large bush that yields fern-like dark green leaves with pale green undersides. When the leaves are crushed and soaked in brandy, the mixture produces a rich green dye. Capsic bark is harvested from the capsel tree, which is native to all the major villages, towns, and areas of Temuair. Capsel trees grow to medium height and are characterized by oval, medium green leaves and grayish-brown bark. Capsic bark is the thin, inner layer of bark that overlays the soft wood. When these fine shreds are peeled from the tree and steeped in one part wine and one part rum, the mixture yields a true black dye. Chicory is a large plant that grows in fans of five to seven dark green leaves and a large tan kernel in the center. When the kernel and leaves are crushed together and soaked in rum, the mixture yields a rich brown dye. Hyssop is a large plant of medium height that yields large, flat pink leaves with purple veins and a white underside. When the leaves are crushed and soaked in brandy, the mixture yields a bright red dye. Paola Nut is a small plant with five to seven dark green leaves and a small yellowish kernel in the center. It is often mistaken for budding or immature chicory. When the kernel is crushed and soaked in spring water, the mixture yields a bright yellow dye. Spirulina is a small flowering bush characterized by round, dark green leaves and star-shaped white blossoms. It is sometimes mistaken for betony though it tends to grow taller and produce fewer, smaller flowers. When spirulina flowers are crushed and soaked in rum, they produce a milky liquid that bleaches fabric or lightens other dyes. Trigonelle is a large plant with long, narrow, spiky leaves. When the leaves are crushed and soaked in Suomi wine, the mixture yields a rich violet dye. |