A modified chart of body armor, based on the Fantasy Hero tables. Player input is welcome in improving this data based on real world experience, or appeals to thematic style. Weights listed are for more-or-less full body coverage. To simplify combat, the GM will assume you have the defense of your largest piece of equipment when it comes to body coverage. (Rafskeg is starting the campaign with a chain hauberk (short sleeve tunic length) leather pants and sleeves, heavy leather boots and gloves, and a steel helm. He is considered DEF 6 overall)
Shell Armor: This being a fantasy universe, any armor involving rigid plates may be constructed using shells instead of metal. Mind you, in this particular approach, we are discussing the use of giant bugs, a general term that includes both land and aquatic arthropods. Shell armor weighs 80% as much as the steel equivalent (or twice as much as aelum, and has one DEF less. Also, stock shell armor has a lower overall durability, tending to crack or snap instead of bend. The advantage of shell is that a skilled craftsman can shape it like plastic, allowing for superior fit and mobility. Shell is also used by most underdark communities where surface dwellers would normally employ wood.
| Armor Type | Normal DEF | Normal Wt. | Aelum DEF | Aelum Wt. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Cloth | 1 DEF | 3.5 kg | n/a | n/a | Winter or heavy labor garb, Lallybroch woolen skirts |
| Padded Cloth | 2 DEF | 5 kg | n/a | n/a | Gambeson, northlands winter clothing |
| Padded w/ Leather | 3 DEF | 6 kg | n/a | n/a | Anime “light” armor, mostly padded cloth with leather on key areas. Good for environments where metal is a liability. |
| Woven Cord | 2 DEF | 5 kg | n/a | n/a | A woven rope doormat tailored into armor |
| Heavy Animal Hides | 3 DEF | 7 kg | n/a | n/a | Classic barbarian garb |
| Soft Leather | 1 DEF | 3.5 kg | n/a | n/a | Club wear |
| Heavy Leather | 2 DEF | 5 kg | n/a | n/a | Punk wear, Mad Max villains |
| Boiled Leather | 3 DEF | 7 kg | n/a | n/a | Cheap peasant levies |
| Soft Leather Variants | |||||
| Studded | 1/2 DEF | 4 kg | n/a | n/a | Improved DEF vs unarmed non-monster attackers |
| Ring | 3 DEF | 7 kg | 3 DEF | 4.9 kg | Non-overlapping metal rings sewn onto the leather |
| Coin | 3 DEF | 7 kg | 3 DEF | 4.9 kg | Non-overlapping metal disks sewn onto the leather |
| Scale | 3 DEF | 7 kg | 3 DEF | 4.9 kg | Overlapping light metal scales sewn onto leather |
| Dō-maru | 4 DEF | 8 kg | n/a | n/a | Boiled leather scales laced or sewn to light leather Popular in Yamato |
| Heavy Leather Variants | |||||
| Studded | 2/3 DEF | 5.5 kg | n/a | n/a | See above |
| Ring | 4 DEF | 10 kg | 4 DEF | 7 kg | See above |
| Coin | 4 DEF | 10 kg | 4 DEF | 7 kg | See above |
| Scale | 4 DEF | 10 kg | 4 DEF | 7 kg | See above |
| Heavy Dō-maru | 5 DEF | 11 kg | n/a | n/a | See above |
| Boiled Leather Variants | |||||
| Studded | 3/4 DEF | 7 kg | n/a | n/a | See above |
| Ring | 5 DEF | 14 kg | 5 DEF | 10 kg | See above |
| Coin | 5 DEF | 10 kg | 5 DEF | 10 kg | See above |
| Scale | 5 DEF | 10 kg | 5 DEF | 10 kg | See above |
| Scale Armor Variants | |||||
| Brigandine | 4 DEF | 10 kg | 4 DEF | 7 kg | Metal scales or bars between two flexible layers |
| Lamellar/Splint | 5 DEF | 14 kg | 4 DEF | 8 kg | Heavy metal scales attached to flexible under layer |
| Banded Mail Yamato Ō-yoroi | 6 DEF | 20 kg | 5 DEF | 8 kg | Rectangular metal plates laced together with leather. Does not count your under layer weight! |
| Chainmail Variants | |||||
| Chainmail | 6 DEF | 18 kg | 5 DEF | 7.5 kg | Interlocking metal rings. Flexible and classic |
| Fine Weave Chain | 5 DEF | 10 kg | 4 DEF | 4 KG | 3mm rings make this variant nearly a fabric, ludicrously expensive, and quite popular in the right crowds. |
| Double/Bar Mail | 7 DEF | 25 kg | 6 DEF | 10 kg | Heavier/ tighter weave Metal bars run through some areas |
| Reinforced | 7 DEF | 25 kg | 6 DEF | 10 kg | Leather woven through the chain weave |
| Plate Armor Variants | |||||
| Plate & Leather | 6 DEF | 18 kg | 5 DEF | 8 kg | Heavy leather with metal plates over vital areas Typical anime fantasy armor Trades chain's better coverage for mobility |
| Plate & Chain | 7 DEF | 28 kg | 6 DEF | 11.5 kg | Chainmail with plates over important areas |
| Plate Armor | 7 DEF | 28 kg | 6 DEF | 11.5 kg | Full coverage metal plates with lighter armor at joints |
| Field Plate | 8 DEF | 28 kg | 7 DEF | 11.5 kg | Plate for nobles: fitted w/ articulated joints |
| Full Plate | 8 DEF | 40 kg | 7 DEF | 16 kg | Jousting plate for rich nobles. +3 nonresistant Pd |