Lore:Armors and Their Properies
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“The best armor?" There is no such thing. The best armor is the one that saves your arse! there is no one defense to fit all circumstances, except your own mind - meaning you must CHOOSE wisely.Thoughtful selection is the key.
So spoke Diego Sosa de Torres-Ramírez, the unmatched master of swordplay, and when it comes to the selection of armor, nobody knew better than Diego. Proper armor selection has saved many a warrior's hide, and improper selection has certainly seen many and more meet an early, bloody end.
A poorly-made purchase could very well be one's last. There are many ways to tell the work of a gifted armorsmith from that of a novice. The best rule is to use the old adage: “Trust the known names.” But that advice, while sound, can hardly always be used, for as in every craft there are many with skills not yet known widely enough for their names to be recognized. Armor making is no exception.
Furthermore, the craft has not managed to avoid the plague of forgery, and many have, unfortunately, found out too late that the Darandeel breastplate they purchased, having paid their hard-earned money for what seemed to be good merchandise, was nothing but a sham that broke immediately under the duress of battle – by which time, of course, its owner could hardly go back and obtain armor from a more reliable source…
And so the conclusion is clear. Only by carefully analyzing the properties of the armor can its efficacy be certain.
Resistance to Slashing:
slashing is the most basic attack in a swordfight. Thus, resistance to it will be a primary expectation of any armor. Whether done by sword, axe or other edged weapon, the effect of a slashing cut may be devastating. When wearing armor, one must never forget to tie it properly if it comes in several parts, and to protect the junctures - especially the neck, the groin, and beneath the arms.
Resistance to Bludgeoning:
A blunt wooden club may appear to be nothing to worry about, especially next to a razor-sharp sword, but blunt weapons are the leading cause of instant death on the battlefield - when hitting an unprotected body, that is. Armor that can protect against heavy impact from a blunt weapon is worth its weight in gold.
Resistance to Frost:
Worn to protect its wearer from the creeping death, Cold. This type of armor is most effective against magical attacks, or to protect your bum while sledding. Usually made of toughened or enchanted metal so as to prevent shattering in the event that solid freezing does occur. It will require the wearer to be strong.
Resistance to Fire:
Fire can be one's best friend and his worst nightmare. Using fire-resistent armor is one way to make the odds fall overwhelmingly on the side of that gamble that favors your survival. An armor that can tolerate heat will protect its wearer from attacks by fire magic, as well as damage from the environment.
Resistance to Shock:
Lightning has been the bane of a many a tireless warrior seeking to defeat a mage. Therefore, shock-proof armor will be invaluable to one facing opponents adept at lightning magic. Such armors are usually built without metal parts. (In some commonly available variants, this comes at the cost of decreased protection, e.g. from piercing or slashing.)
Resistance to Poison:
Poisons can be sneaky killers. An armor that resists poison but not piercing will, for example, be of little protection against a poisoned stiletto! It will protect its wearer in toxic environments and shield his or her body from perils such as poison gas clouds, though. Just two uses of this incredibly valuable armor style.
Resistance to Spectral Damage:
Spectral attacks afflict the soul, making it difficult to imbue an armor in a way that will adequately protect you from it. However, some armorsmiths have figured out ways to create such protection, though proceed with caution - this will often come at the cost of another, equally valuable defense.