Due to metal being scarce, Athas replaces standard metal armor with armor unique to the setting. These are our house-ruled armors for Dark Sun: Grave Burden. A few types have been done away with because they are better lumped in with more generalized type of armor (Breastplate fits under light-plate, splint and banded maille fits under half-plate, and hide is now equal to leather in terms of mechanics).

Specific armors may have minor differences in mechanics but are treated the same as its parent armor otherwise. For example, stone scale would weigh more than agafari scale armor, but it would be harder to break. Mekillot hide might wear differently than typical leather armor, etc.. Rare or special armors also exist, but they still fall under a major category. The idea is to create a base list of armor where each armor scales equally in stats, which can then be modified/specified.

Light Armor

Medium Armor

Heavy Armor

*Heavy armor does not slow down dwarves.

Shields

Armor Breakage

Armor can be broken like weapons. If armor is reduced to 50% or less of its full HP, it is considered broken, its AC is reduced by 2 (to a minimum of +0) and its check penalty increases by 2 due to it being misshapen. Broken armor can be repaired. Once an armor’s HP reaches 0, it is destroyed and cannot be repaired (though it is probably salvageable for 1/2 of its raw materials).

Descriptions

Artwork: Typical suits of armor for an Athasian fighter.

Light Armor

Wearers of light armor take -1 to fort saves vs. heat.

Padded: Padded armor is a step-up from regular clothing. It offers protection by layering thick pieces of cloth or cloth-like material.

Leather/Hide: These suits of armor are worked/unworked beast hides. Leather is cut, tanned, and sewn to fit the wearer. Hide is cut and sewn to fit to the wearer. Leather and hide armor comes in all sorts of arrangements and styles. Leathers can be dyed like clothing.

Reinforced leather/hide: This leather/hide armor is given added protection by either lining the insides (brigandine) or adding harder materials to the outside of the suit. Scale-pattern leather and hide also falls under this category.

Maille/plated shirt: Fine-linked bits of various materials are connected and usually layered over a soft leather or clothing to form a piece of armor that covers only the torso and sometimes the upper arms. Plated shirts are essentially breastplates made of light chitin/carapace/bone.

Medium Armor

Wearers of medium armor take -3 to fort saves vs. heat.

Scale: Small pieces of hard materials are cut and sewn together on top of clothing or leather/hide. The pieces form a pattern and allow the wearer to remain fairly flexible and mobile, while staying protected. Lightweight pauldrons, vambraces, and greaves are occasionally included. Often includes a helmet.

Maille: Fine-linked bits of various materials are connected and usually layered over a soft leather or clothing to form a piece of armor that covers most of the body. Lightweight pauldrons, vambraces, and greaves are often included. Often includes a helmet.

Light-plate: Light-plate armor always covers the entire front and back of the torso in sturdy plates of various materials. Plates also typically adorn the shoulders, forearms, and legs. Includes a plated helm.

Heavy Armor

Wearers of heavy armor take -5 to fort saves vs. heat.

Half-plate: As light-plate armor, but either various light armor covers most of the exposed places or more plates are added. Ventilation holes are usually spread throughout to make the armor bearable to wear most of the time.

Full-plate: Full-plate covers nearly the entire body. Vital areas are usually reinforced as well. Ventilation holes are usually spread throughout to make the armor bearable to wear most of the time.