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a shadow-laden ensemble of the haruspex

Born of the darkest hour of the night, the ensemble flows about the wearer like night-time fog clinging possessively to the body. The entire front is black lace gleaming like a crow's wing, its pattern not the cloying flora of so many gowns but ritualistic imagery that bespeaks horror. Creeping up the front is applique of thorny vines, picked out in black spidersilk thread, which preserves modesty but remains a daring and sensual choice. Sewn into the lace covering the chest is a necklace of sharp-edged stygian crystals, the echo of evanescing shadowfire reflected in each. Room has been left in the back for wings but the openings are anything if not macabre for the entire back has been stitched to mimic the rib cage. Stretching the entire back, a line of ruched chiffon follows the spine from the high collar to the small of the back, while ribs of matching fabric grip the sides of the dress horizontally. The sleeves brush just past the wrists where they suddenly narrow to provide a voluminous and ethereal silhouette on top, while the waist is gathered by an overabundance of dusk-grey ribbons, dainty blackened chains, and shadowhawk feathers glinting with faint lines of silver. Beneath that, the skirts spill to the floor in layers of chiffon and tulle laid over black silk, each wisp of fabric a breath of pale mist in the depths of the night. Coils of steam escape the ensemble every so often, slithering up the forearms like the last breath of entrails freshly cast in ritual.
It weighs about 1 pounds and 14 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel.
It has the following aliases: ensemble.