The protection that armor offers in battle is simulated through "Armor Points". Armor points are depleted in combat before life points and are regained through repairing the armor. For more information about repairing armor, see the Craftsman Discipline on page 41.
Just because a player may have armor doesn't mean the character has it. In-game armor must be purchased or acquired during the starting equipment phase of character creation described below or through the course of game play. In general, armor is made through the Craftsman Discipline. Physical representations of armor should not be worn by a player unless the character has armor.
Armor Types and Locations
There are three types of armor: heavy, medium, and light. Heavy armor provides three (3) armor points per location it covers and requires three (3) basic upkeep per location per event. Medium armor provides two (2) armor points per location covered and requires three (2) basic upkeep per location per event. Light armor provides one (1) armor point per location covered and requires one (1) basic upkeep per location per event. The armor locations are the torso, the arms, and the legs. Both arms together constitute only one location. The same holds true for the legs.
Armor Categories
Another important aspect of armor is the armor category. Armor categories are used to represent the amount of encumbrance the armor being worn inflicts on the character. It is important to know what armor category you fall into because certain skills have restrictions that prevent their use based on armor category. Armor categories are based on the maximum total armor points received from the armor a character is wearing; thus, your armor category does not decrease as your armor points are depleted in combat. The only way to reduce your armor category is to remove the physical representation of your armor.
Suits or partial suits of armor that provide between one (1) and four (4) armor points are considered to be in the "Light" category, between five (5) and seven (7) armor points is considered to be in the "Medium" armor category, and finally, suits of armor that provide eight ( or more points are in the Heavy category.
For example, Rogar is wearing a steel breastplate and hardened leather legs. The breastplate is heavy armor and provides Rogar with 3 armor points. The legs are medium armor and provide Rogar with 2 armor points. Rogar has five armor points total which puts him in the medium armor category. Rogar has the "Touch of Death" skill which is limited to light armor. Knowing that he will be using this skill soon he removes his leg armor which reduces his armor points to 3, thus putting him in the light armor category.
Physical Representations
In order to gain armor points, a physical representation of armor must be worn by the player. It is not required to wear real "period" armor to gain these points; however, it is required that all Armor is in keeping with the overall Aesthetics of the game. Armor that does not fit the "Medieval Fantasy" setting will be rejected by the GMs. Armor can be made from materials such as steel, leather, wood, or bone as well as alternative materials such as ABS plastic, foam, sports pads, and aluminum. For more information about making armor, ask fellow players or the GM staff for guidance.
A player's armor physical representation will be judged by the GM staff or a certified armor marshall. The aesthetic quality, encumberance, and weight of the phys-rep will be evaluated and free upkeep tags will be given to the player based on the results. Heavy armor represented by Chain Mail, Plate Mail, Coat of Plates, Scale Mail with Metal Scales, etc. will be granted up to three (3) free upkeep per location covered. Medium armor represented by hardened leather, leather scale, leather lamelle, brigandine, chain mail, wood or bone armor, etc. and will be granted up to two (2) basic upkeep per location covered. Finally, light armor is represented by padded cloth, light leather, furs, etc. and will be granted up to one (1) free basic upkeep per location covered.
Armor can also be made from alternative materials such as ABS plastic, foam, sports pads, and aluminum. Armor of this type will be assigned free upkeep primarily on its Aesthetic quality and either its weight OR encumberance. Rewards for a full suit of plate armor made out of ABS plastic, for example, will be less than the rewards gained for wearing a full suit of steel plate armor.
Armor Location Phys-reps
In order to receive free upkeep for the torso area at least 50% or more of the front and back of the torso must be covered by armor. To receive free upkeep for the legs or arms, they must be covered by a piece of armor that crosses a joint such as the shoulder, elbow, or knee OR cover at least 50% of the front and back of BOTH limbs.
Armor that does not meet the full criteria listed above will be considered half armor in terms of the torso and quarter armor in terms of a leg or an arm. If an individual can get enough fractions to count as a whole piece then they will receive the free upkeep for 1 location. For example, 2 steel bracers and 2 steel shin plates would constitute 4 quarters granting the wearer 1 location of heavy Armor. If the armor types do not match, the armor will provide points based on the judging GM or Marshal's discretion.
2008 armor
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