Leather Vest:

This vest is essentially the lighter, cheaper version of Leather Armor. From a game-mechanics perspective, it is no different than a full leather suit; however, there is a minor impression that is given off socially and in role-playing. One who cannot afford even a full suit must be a poor adventurer (in several contexts). That said, there are ceremonial leather vests at the high-end of the economic scale, but those are not purchased at the market price.

Leather Armor:

This armor is made from processed hide, typically from a cow or goat. After soaking, liming and tanning, the leather material becomes available to stitch together into an armor which covers the body like a suit; however, the shoulders and chest are usually boiled in oil to make those parts stiffer. The rest of the armor remains softer and more flexible. Despite the mild defensive protection, this armor offers nothing additional against piercing damage.

Padded Armor:

This construction consists of quilted layers of wool and linen, wrapped in an animal hide. While light in weight, it is a bit bulky. This does add a little insulation against lightning damage, but unfortunately exposed to fire one’s armor base is lower. When attempting to take any stealthy action, such as sneaking undetected or picking the pocket of another, the wearer is at disadvantage for the action. The Agility modifier is used when calculating attribute bonuses for this armor. A mere tailoring skill is all that is required to craft padded armor.

Studded Leather:

This is constructed like a leather suit of armor but has many parts of it boiled to harden them. The arm and shoulder sections typically remain softer leather but reinforced with numerous close-set rivets and spikes. Due to more hardened portions and the adjustments from the metal, the piercing issue of the leather armor is resolved, even offering a bonus against blunt attacks. The Agility modifier is combined when wearing this armor. Sometimes this armor is called cuir bouilli [ KWɪR Bü • yee ].

Bishop Robe:

While this item can be acquired on the black markets, it is typically reserved for members of the clergy. It is a leather robe, offering an armor base of 11. However, it has spaced columns of lamellae from bone or metal sewn into the lining. This offers a base of 12 against blunt strikes. Further, it is treated by a simple alchemical process, granting it to be a base of 12 against fire as well. Those who wear this publicly and are not part of the church run the risk of social problems and possible anathematism. If the wearer is a true priest and known to be one, then social interactions gain +1 to all rolls. However, if not a priest or interacting with those ideologically opposed to the church, then social interactions will be rolled with disadvantage. It is a craftsman armor controlled by the church, but further it is required to created on holy ground to gain the attribute modifier from Faith. If the creation process is duplicated but not made through the ceremonial ritual, then those Faith bonuses will not be granted. Finally, due to its spiritual nature, this robe will reduce 1 point of smite damage successfully struck against it per attack die pool or die used in magical spell.

Brigandine Armor:

A brigandine is a garment made of canvas and leather, lined internally with small oblong iron plates riveted to the fabric. It does offer slightly better protection than studded leather; however, its maintenance cost is much greater. Also it creates penalties for sorcery. This has caused the brigandine to become more of a decorative and ceremonial armor, one that marks position and station rather than a functional suit in which combat happens. This also contributes to why the jack of plates has social issues associated with it, as it is an obvious dishevelment of the brigandine. As it is typically an armor reserved for lower officers, it is not widely available in the market. However, any craftsman with leatherworking can craft a suit; however, a skilled metal-worker would be required to substitute superior metals for the plating.

Heavy-Padded:

This armor is nearly the same design as padded but uses a heavy-hide instead. It is a sturdier version. Hides from thicker creatures like gorgonopsids are needed to produce this armor, but the only skill needed is tailoring. Not only does it protect better against lightning, but it will also reduce 1 point of blunt damage per strike. On the downside, it is a bulky piece which throws disadvantage both stealthy actions and sorcery.

Chain Shirt:

This is sometimes called a hauberk, but should not be confused with the elfin feywood version. This armor covers only the torso, leaving the arms and legs free. Typical this armor has a cloth layer underneath to prevent chafing and bruising. Due to its weight hanging from the shoulders, it does become uncomfortable over time, has a cumbersome fit, and interferes with sorcery as highly metallic pieces worn as armor cause a slight repulsion of the knurls of magic. While this makes no difference on the game numbers nor does it offer any magical protection, it does mean grasping those strands of energy needed to perform sorcery becomes challenging. The result is the chain shirt does not prevent arcane casting, but it does create a disadvantage on any sorcery axiom used while donned; disadvantage for magic explained later. Lastly, only half of one’s Agility modifier (round down) is used.

Jack of Plates:

This is a type of armor made up of small iron plates sewn between layers of felt and canvas. Often, this is a thug-made armor, crudely patched together and possibly includes parts from four or five discarded armors. Barbarian societies, even some Jen’esse, that lack quality tools or material often create amalgam armor from bone, pelts and hides; these types will often carry a jack-of-plates classification. Anyone wearing a jack of plates is almost always seen at the lower end of society and possibly as a criminal. As a result, any social interactions, such as bartering or interrogation, are performed at disadvantage as the wearer is not taken seriously and with great skepticism. Further, unless well known, the social condition of an NPC will be indifferent at best. It is also likely that GMs will have city guards and other police harass those wearing a jack of plates. Whenever a crime has occurred, someone wearing this will be seen as one of the “usual suspects,” causing a significant amount of time to interrupt whatever that character's business in town might be. Also, the Agility modifier gained is one-half the normal bonus when wearing a jack of plates.

Lamellar:

Lamellar is a sturdy armor similar to the breastplate but with small rectangular plates, scales of iron, punched and laced into horizontal rows on the exterior, worn over a heavy cloth undergarment. Often this armor extends down to a skirting to protect the legs as well. This armor comes with a higher maintenance cost, making it a less popular style for the mercenary types, but it is available in many places, especially war-torn areas. Moreover, richer, more-successful adventuring types tend to be fond of it. It is considered a craftsman for these reasons, but the armorer need only armoring to create the basic iron version. Due to its weight and size, this armor only permits one-half of the Agility bonus.

Breastplate:

This covering protects the wearer’s front and back with a metal cuirass which also includes a hooded leather helmet. The head protection acts like that of a leather cap. A light swath of leather beneath the breastplate helps to protect the limbs. One of the desired benefits of a breastplate is it reduces inflicted piercing damage at 1 point for each die pool that hits. Nonetheless, it does create a disadvantage for any sorcery cast when wearing. Bonuses for an attribute are halved when this armor has been donned.

Ring Mail:

This defense is based on studded armor with large, weighted rings attached and woven to it. Its rings help to reinforce the base against axe or sword strikes. It is inferior to other full body suits and has not integrated headpiece; however, it is much cheaper. Contrariwise, ring mail comes with disadvantages for actions of stealth and sorcery; not to mention it can be worn barely over a day before penalties occur. No attribute modifiers can contribute when wearing this armor.

Brigandine Chain:

This combines a custom style of brigandine that is worn over and fashioned into a hauberk. It has a higher maintenance fee and some increased time for forging; however, many find the benefits worth the additional expense. One of the most notable benefits is brigandine chain reduces edged damage for each die pool strike. However, despite being lighter than most of the full suits of armor, it cannot be slept in but perhaps one night before penalties are inflicted. An armoring skill is required to craft this type of armor.

Chain Mail:

A much heavier armor than most, chain mail is a protection made of interlocking metal rings. Leathers and cotton worn underneath prevent irritation and chafing. The chain links in this defense are excellent protection against edged damage. Not only do edged weapons have to strike a higher Defense score, but also the mail suit reduces that type of damage. It is often used as a base for splint and plate armor. Due to its bulk, weight and form, wearing chain mail will cause the wearer to be at disadvantage for archery, sorcery and stealth actions. A chain head covering is part of this armor, which acts as a leather cap. Other helmets can be worn at the same time, but only the stronger of the two helmets have its adjustments used.

Splint Mail:

Made up of several vertical strips of metal, this suit is worn over cloth padding with the joints interwoven with chainmail. It is one of the most restrictive armors in respect to range of motion, and as a result anyone wearing it suffers disadvantage not only for sorcery and stealth but also when firing a weapon of archery. Despite those restrictions, this is a highly resilient armor, with added protection against blunt and piercing damage types. Moreover, it will reduce damage from both blunt and piercing as well. A galea helmet is included with this suit of armor when purchasing.

Plate Mail:

This full suit consists of shaped, interlocking metal plates to cover the entire body. A suit of plate includes gauntlets, heavy leather boots, and a bascinet-helmet. Buckles and straps distribute the weight over the body. Due to its bulk, actions of archery, sorcery and stealth are performed at disadvantage. This is the most protective of all armors available, but the weight of this armament would cause a common human to be heavily encumbered. For those who can wear it gain a very high Defense score and an even higher score against incoming fire damage. All the physical types of damage will have damage reduced. Blunt and piercing have 1 point of damage absorbed by the armor for each die pool that attains a hit. However, edged-based damage is thwarted as the covered is effectively resistant to the damage, which means that only half-damage (round down) is inflicted.

Buckler:

A buckler, sometimes called an ecranche, can be made from metal or wood, and can be carried in one hand, strapped to a wrist or shoulder. This allows using two-handed melee weapons that have a normal 5-ft reach: bastard sword, great axe and war maul. This does not add anything to the shield bonus portion of Defense; however, it will add +1 to the Receptions against Blunt and Slashing damage. Further, these bonuses are cumulative with any that come from armor. A buckler cannot be used with the shield-blitz skill.

Round Shield:

This is a small shield forged in metal or crafted from wood, which is carried in one hand. For all intents and purposes, this is the same as a regular shield, except it grants only +1 to Defense, but it does have an extra bonus against Blunt attacks. If used in a shield-blitz attack, the shield has a weight-damage value of zero points.

Regular Shield:

When the term “shield” is used without specifics, this is the type that is usually perceived. It adds +2 to Defense in the Shield category. If used in a shield-blitz attack, the shield has a weight-damage value of zero points.

Crescent Shield:

This is a specially crafted shield designed to be used when one obtains the shield hand skill. More details are explained in the skill description, but it these shields allow polearms, which often require two hands, to use the groove of this shield as the balancing hand. However, this causes the attacks to suffer a -2 penalty. It adds +2 to one’s Defense total. However, due to its design and technique, it cannot be part of a shield-blitz attack.

Tower Shield:

The tower shield is a very large guard which not only adds +2 to the Defense but also reduces a point of damage from Blunt, Piercing or Slashing damage against each die pool that hits. This offers the best defensive protection of all shields; however, it cannot be wielded even with light weapons without having the shield-use skill. Even then, its cumbersome size and shape force all melee attacks from the one employing it to have -2 on all d20 dice rolled. It adds +2 to one’s Defense total. That said, if in a shield-blitz attack, the strike will count as a medium weapon for calculating extra damage.