Armour List

The armour list provides a comprehensive array of protection for combatants in the setting. Choosing a type of armour to wear, conscious of its weight and the free movement it allows, is a crucial consideration for any character. Heavier forms improve the character's armour class, but slows the character's movement through encumbrance. The selection below includes pieces that are carried or worn, made of metal, leather, cloth and a varied balance of each. Varieties made of rare materials, such as wood, tortoise shell or rattan are discussed upon the pages linked upon the table shown.

Armour Types

Type (in order of effectiveness)	adjustment to armour class (AC)	AC when worn alone	AC when worn with shield
gauntlet	0	10	9
helmet	0	10	9
shield	-1	9	—
padded armour	-1	9	8
leather armour	-2	8	7
studded leather armour	-3	7	6
ring mail	-3	7	6
scale mail	-4	6	5
chain mail	-5	5	4
banded mail	-6	4	3
splint mail	-6	4	3
plate mail	-7	3	2
plate armour	-8	2	1

Overview

What follows is a brief description of armours and accessories:

Banded mail. Incorporates horizontal metal strips, known as bands, attached to a fabric or leather backing, providing the distinctive pattern. Flexibility and mobility are limited due to the weight and restriction provided by the form, though very sturdy and durable.

Chain mail. Made of tight, small interlocking rings, creating a solid and protective mesh. The garment provides complete coverage for the body, including the head, torso and limbs. The weight provides considerable limitation on the wearer's mobility, though the garment itself is flexible. Preferred armour for heavy foot-soldiers and lesser knights.

Guantlets. Heavy leather gloves, sometimes with iron articulated segments fitted to protect the back of the combatant's hand, worn as protection when pummelling opponents and improving one's grip on weapons.

Helmet. Constructed from materials such as steel or iron, providing vital protection for the head, skull and face. The design of helmets varies widely, but most merely cover the head; "great helmets" feature visors and faceplates, and sometimes additional protection for the neck and throat. All absorb the shock of impacts against the head.

Leather armour. Crafted from animal hides, known for its flexibility and lightweight nature, making it a practical choice for those who require agility in combat. Preferred armour for lightly armoured foot-soldiers, archers and scouts.

Padded armour. Composed of a hauberk that covers the upper body and chansons that fit the legs, typically constructed from multiple layers of a quilted cloth called gambeson. Padded armor offers a light defense against both edged and blunt weapons, absorbing and dispersing the force of impacts. Metal-constructed armours are worn atop a base padded armour garment.

Plate armour. Similar to plate mail, except that every part of the body is completely covered in shaped metal pieces, including additional joint pieces for the shoulders, hips, knees and throat. Ungainly and heavy, for nobility and royalty able to afford it, and whose engagement in actual battle is expected to be limited, this is the preferred form.

Plate mail. Formed of large, articulated metal plates riveted to a chain link backing, offering a highly superior defense against attacks. Comparatively attractive also, when the metal surfaces are polished; they may also be engraved with intricate designs. Despite the great weight, the protection offered makes this a preferred armour for nobles and greater knights.

Ring mail. Armour consisting of interlocking open metal rings, made of steel or iron and connected in a pattern to form a flexible protective garment. The rings are light and not nearly as heavy as more densely plated armour, so that it's no better against attacks than studded leather.

Scale mail. Made of small, overlapping metal scales, typically made of materials like iron and potentially brass. These scales are attached to a fabric or leather backing, arranged in an overlapping pattern that's similar to the scales on a fish, allowing for flexibility to create a strong protective garment. The weight grants a modest reduction upon mobility.

Shield. Constructed from materials like wood, metal or a combination of both, serving as portable barriers against enemy attacks. The design of shields can vary significantly, but they generally feature a sturdy, protective surface and a handle on the back for the combatant to hold, supported by straps that can be buckled closed.

Splint mail. Composed of rectangular or oblong metal strips, known as splints, which are riveted to a fabric or leather backing. These splints are placed in an overlapping pattern to create a protective surface. Like banded, the weight and flexibility are considerably compromised in comparison to lesser armours.

Studded leather armour. A form of leather-made armour that's strengthened with metal suds or rivets, enhancing it's durability and defensive capabilities. The metal studs are strategically placed across the leather to create a protective layer without compromising flexibility.

See also,
Armour (spell)
Barding
Combat
Dexterity (ability stat)
Magic Armour
Phantasmal Armour (spell)
Skullcap
Weapons List