All about Armor

All about Armor

As a means of defense, several different armor types are available in The World Called Hollow. For RP purposes (and not statting purposes), the armor a character chooses may depend on their race or class, and each kind has its inherent strengths and weaknesses. Armour generally protects best against sharp weapons, such as swords or axes, that deliver chops and slashes. The blunt force of a weapon such as a mace or a club will still be enough to damage a wearer through the armor. More injuries in battle result from blunt force than armor or mail being pierced or torn open.

Clothing

Regular clothes offer little protection against attacks. It can protect against cold weather or be suitable for traveling. A woman may wish to wear pants while fighting instead of a skirt. Those who do choose to engage in battle wearing only their usual clothes might be looking for an opportunity of surprises, such as a thief wanting to throw off his opponent or an assassin trying to look like just another citizen.

Robe

Robes offer about as much protection as regular clothing does. It’s usually only seen on magic-users, for it gives the freedom of movement they require to cast their spells. Usually large enough to conceal the true form of the figure beneath, this simple trick of the eye might be enough to allow its wearer a moment to defend whatever may be coming at them. They can also be used to conceal weapons, potions, or other tricks someone might have up their sleeve. Robes of magic users are often enchanted or made with enchanted thread to protect them from elemental attacks from their fellow magii.

Leather

Leather armor is the most basic of armor types and is generally lightweight. Thieves, rogues, and smaller races might prefer to wear leather armor for it allows flexibility and speed while offering a small amount of protection against blades. While reasonably effective against slashing, leather provides little to no protection against thrusting weapons. A simple leather armor tunic could easily be concealed beneath a standard shirt or robe, thus allowing the meager amount of defense to be hidden when an enemy might launch an attack. It can be studded, or the leather can be hardened through various means to make it tougher.

Chainmail

The next step above leather armor, chainmail, actually offers protection against the average sword blow. A vest could also be concealed within a larger shirt or robe, offering the element of surprise should the wearer be attacked. Slightly heavier than leather armor, this suit is favored by the traveling knight or others who require freedom of movement yet substantial protection. A well-constructed suit of riveted mail is extremely tough to pierce, able to resist stabs and slashes from all sorts of various weapons; however, while a full-force blow from a weapon such as an ax may not break the links, the armor does -not- protect from blunt force trauma. Forceful impacts will cause the rings to bunch up, only affecting energy transfer so much; broken bones or heavy bruising are still very possible. Chainmail is also often worn with something else or even underneath the plate. As chain upon skin would be somewhat uncomfortable, it is usually worn over a layer of padding, which also assists the armor in protecting the body.

Plate

Plate armor consists of steel or iron plates, fastened by buckles and generally worn over a suit of chainmail worn over cloth or leather. This armor is heavy, and while mobility can still be maintained, the person wearing such a suit will not be as quick. The plate's protection is very high, with some plates even able to deflect pellets from early black powder weapons such as flintlock pistols. However, plate armor has a few weaknesses, such as the gaps, mostly in the joints that allow for movement and apparent speed restriction. The best way to defeat such armor lies within crushing or bludgeoning weapons rather than tearing or piercing the sturdy plates, which is almost impossible for conventional weapons.