Armor

Armor and Shields

• Armor: Reduces incoming damage by its Damage Reduction (DR) rating.
• Blunt Trauma: If an attack deals ≥5 damage but is fully absorbed by DR, you still take 1 point of HP from impact.
• Encumbrance: Heavier or poorly fitted armor may reduce your Speed or Coordination.
• Shields: When actively wielded and facing an attacker, add your shield’s defense bonus to your parry or block.

Armor and Shield Tables

Armour / Shield	DR	SPD	Coord	Cover	Wt lb	Days (dy)	Modern Euro
Padded cloth vest	1	0		¾ torso	6	12	€ 756
Padded cloth suit	1	0		¾ body	15	30	€ 1 890
Supple leather vest	2	0		85 % tor	5	18	€ 1 134
Supple leather suit	2	0		85 % bod	12	48	€ 3 024
Heavy leather vest	4	−1		85 % tor	12	72	€ 4 536
Heavy leather suit	4	−1		85 % bod	49	150	€ 9 450
Scale vest	10	−1		95 % tor	30	120	€ 7 560
Scale shirt	10	−2		95 % ta	35	150	€ 9 450
Scale suit	10	−2		95 % bod	68	240	€15 120
Light mail vest	8	0		90 % tor	12	360	€22 680
Light mail shirt	8	−1		90 % ta	15	600	€37 800
Light mail suit	8	−1		90 % bod	29	960	€60 480
Light mail coif	8	0		head	4	80	€ 5 040
Heavy mail vest	11	−2		90 % tor	19	420	€26 460
Heavy mail shirt	11	−2		90 % ta	22	540	€34 020
Heavy mail suit	11	−2		90 % bod	44	1 080	€68 040
Heavy mail coif	11	0		head	6	120	€ 7 560
Light plate + helm	14	−2		95 % bod	56	1 200	€75 600
Heavy plate + helm	16	−3		95 % bod	90	1 800	€113 400

Shield	DR	Defense Bonus	Close-Combat Penalty	Coverage	Weight	Days (dy)	Modern Euro
Small Shield	8	+1	–1	Front only	6 lb	6	€ 378
Medium Shield	8	+3	–2	Front only	14 lb	12	€ 756
Large Shield	8	+5	–3	Front only	18 lb	30	€ 1 890

Detailed Armor Descriptions

Padded Cloth

Real-World Equivalent: Gambeson / Arming Doublet

Lightly quilted layers of linen or wool stitched into a thick jacket. On impact it “swells” like a shock absorber, dispersing the force but offering only DR 1. No mobility penalty—think of a heavy canvas coat, perfect for scouts or messengers who must stay light on their feet.

Supple Leather

Real-World Equivalent: Deerskin Jerkin / Soft-Tanned Hide

Thin, oil-treated deer or calf hide so it flexes easily. Grants DR 2—enough to shrug off most knife-point attacks—and only a −1 Coordination penalty. Imagine a high-end biker jacket tweaked for stealth: quiet, wiry, and ideal for rangers or light cavalry.

Heavy Leather

Real-World Equivalent: Cuir Bouilli (Boiled Leather Cuirass)

Thick hide boiled in wax and molded, then reinforced with rivets. DR 4 reliably stops most daggers and light slashes. Encumbrance: −1 Speed, −3 Coordination—like wearing a stiff plastic breastplate. Favored by mercenaries who need decent protection without the cost of mail.

Scale Armor

Real-World Equivalent: Lamellar (Fish-Scale) Armor

Rows of small metal scales laced onto a leather backing. DR 10 blocks most slashing weapons, at the cost of −1 to −2 Speed and −3 to −6 Coordination. Picture ancient Roman lorica squamata or Japanese karuta—excellent defense at the price of agility.

Mail (Chainmail)

Real-World Equivalent: Riveted or Welded Chainmail Hauberk

Interlocked steel rings forming a flexible shirt and coif.

• Light Mail (Vest/Shirt/Suit/Coif): DR 8, minimal encumbrance in a vest, moderate in a full suit.
• Heavy Mail (Vest/Shirt/Suit/Coif): DR 11, significant weight and penalties but resists heavier blows.

Think of wearing a mesh of tiny metal donuts—flexible enough to dodge but weighty enough to slow you down.

Full Plate

Real-World Equivalent: Gothic Harness / Maximilian Plate

• Light Plate: DR 14 with helm—nearly impervious to swords but vulnerable to warhammers; encumbrance −2 Speed, −4 Coordination.
• Heavy Plate: DR 16 with helm—the pinnacle of medieval defense; only the largest siege weapons or specialized attacks penetrate; same encumbrance.

Imagine lugging around a refrigerator, but looking like the realm’s heavyweight champion.

Shields

Real-World Equivalents:

• Small Shield (Buckler): 12–18″ round steel disk minimal weight.

• Medium Shield (Heater/Round): 2–3 ft wood core faced with leather/metal balanced defense.

• Large Shield (Pavise/Tower): 4–5 ft tall barrier covers most of your body but is slow to maneuver.

To use a shield, you must actively wield it and face the attacker. Wielding a large shield in one hand may impose extra penalties on one-handed weapons (−2 knife, −3 rapier, −4 broadsword).

Bargain Bin

Armour piece (condition)	DR	SPD	Coord	Cover	Wt lb	Price (sp)	notes
Threadbare Padded Vest	0	0	–1	¾ torso	6	3.6	Stuffing thin, ties frayed
Mildewed Padded Suit	0	–1	–1	¾ body	15	8.4	Musty odour, itchy seams
Dry-cracked Supple-Leather Vest	1	0	–1	85 % torso	5	8.0	Leather squeaks, split lace
Oil-stained Supple-Leather Vest	1	0	0	85 % torso	5	10.5	Reeking but still supple
Patch-quilt Supple-Leather Suit	1	–1	–1	85 % body	12	22.0	Mismatched hides, heavier
Axe-scarred Heavy-Leather Vest	3	–1	–1	85 % torso	12	28.0	Deep cleft crudely stitched
Strapped-together Heavy-Leather Vest	2	–2	–2	85 % torso	12	18.5	Buckles added where torn
Loose-scale Vest	8	–2	–1	95 % torso	30	38.0	Missing a handful of plates