Armor
Armor, also spelled armour, is a protective covering or device worn or wielded to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, creature, or vehicle by weapons, projectiles, magic, or other potentially dangerous environments or acts.1
Classes of armor
Armor can be classified in a number of ways:
By weight
- See also: Category:Armor by weight
Suits of armor worn by humanoids and humanoid-like creatures can be coarsely graded into three weights: heavy, medium, and light. Generally, but not exclusively, the heavier the armor, the greater the protection gained, albeit at the expense of faster or more flexible movement, and the ability to perform physical tasks or cast spells unimpaired.2
By technological level
- See also: Technology and Category:Technological armor
On Golarion, most armor is made of refined metals, wood, and other simple materials. However, more advanced armor employs more complex mechanical, chemical, electrical, or other technological processes.3
Most technologically advanced armor on Golarion is of alien origin, found scattered across Numeria. Such armors often provide unique capabilities, such as physically impermeable force fields, holographic disguises, or environmental protections.3
By magical enhancement
- See also: Magic item and Category:Magic armor
Armor can be enhanced with many types of magical effects, which can increase its protective ability, specialize its defense against specific types of harm, or grant its wearer or wielder enhanced abilities.4
By material
- See also: Category:Armor by material
Armor can be crafted using many materials, from mundane wood and steel to more exotic skymetals. Styles of heavy armor made from lightweight mithral, for example, impede their wearers less than their steel equivalents.5
Other types of armor
Shields
- See also: Category:Shields
A further addition to a person's armor could be a shield wielded in a hand or on an arm, which can have similar properties to worn armor. Shields can also be used offensively, or even thrown, and some combatants specialize in the art of attacking with a shield.2
Accessories
- See also: Category:Armor accessories
Armor and shields can be augmented with spikes, oils, and other accessories to alter or increase their effectiveness.6
Barding
- See also: Category:Barding
Barding is armor used to protect animals, such as mounts.7
On Golarion
Golarion has seen tremendous armed conflicts across many millennia, and as a result many of its cultures have developed diverse ways to create and use armor.
Manufacturing
Armor is manufactured by armorers and sold by arms merchants in armor shops and armories.
- See also: Category:Armorers, Category:Armor shops, and Category:Arms merchants
In culture
Racial armor
- See also: Category:Armor by race
Several of Golarion's races have armor uniquely suited to their strengths, preferences, or cultural norms.
- Dwarves alchemically treat shale and basalt rocks to craft heavy stoneplate armor.8
- Elves alchemically treat leaves and weave them together to create leaf armor with the equivalent strength of metal.9
Ethnic armor
The many human ethnicities of Golarion also often have armor uniquely suited to their people or culture.
- Keleshite soldiers wear armored kilts as light armor or to supplement other suits of armor.8
- A klar is a combined shield and weapon of Shoanti design originally made from the skull of a giant gecko.101112
- Shoanti riders wear hide shirts for its flexibility in both movement and rapid removal.13
Regional armor
Many regions of Golarion are known for deploying certain types of armor.
- Akhentepi's armor is common in Osirion and grants insight into near-term danger.14
In history
Specific pieces of armor have played pivotal roles across Golarion's war-scarred history.
- The Armor of Skulls is said to be made from the skull of the blue dragon Kazavon.15
- The Shattered Shield of Arnisant, also known as the Shield of Aroden, was responsible for the destruction of the Whispering Tyrant's mortal form.1617
In organizations
Suits of armor often double as uniforms for organizations, such as military and law enforcement units and mercenary companies.
- The dottari of Chelish cities have uniform armor or distinctive accessories.1819
- Each Hellknight order has a distinct suit of armor.2021
- The Mercenary League's distinct black armor lends them their nickname, the Blackjackets.22
- Members of the Red Mantis assassin cult wear distinctive red and black studded leather armor.23
In religion
- See also: Category:Armor by deity
Few followers of deities venerate armor as they do weapons:
- Abraxas is often depicted wielding a flail and shield.2425
- Iomedae is often depicted as wearing plate mail and wielding a shield that can cast holy light across unholy foes.26
- The empyreal lord Mazludeh favors a heavy shield as her weapon.27
- The holy symbol of the Osirian pantheon god Neith is a shield crossed by two arrows.28
A few pieces of armor also have particular religious significance:
- A suit of armor of the pious often bears the holy symbol of a paladin who wears it.29
References
Paizo published the Armor Master's Handbook as a major sourcebook about armor. Adventurer's Armory, Adventurer's Armory 2, and Lost Treasures also include many pieces of armor.
- ↑ Armor, Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jason Bulmahn et al. (2012). Ultimate Equipment, p. 8. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-390-3
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 James Jacobs and Russ Taylor. (2014). Technology Guide, p. 20. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-672-0
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn et al. (2012). Ultimate Equipment, p. 114ff. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-390-3
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn et al. (2012). Ultimate Equipment, p. 48ff. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-390-3
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn et al. (2012). Ultimate Equipment, p. 9. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-390-3
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn et al. (2012). Ultimate Equipment, p. 80. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-390-3
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Erik Mona et al. (2008). "The World". Campaign Setting, p. 212. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). "The World". Campaign Setting, p. 211. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). "The World". Campaign Setting, p. 208. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider. (2007). Rise of the Runelords Player's Guide, p. 1–10. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-059-9
- ↑ James Jacobs and Mike McArtor. (2008). Curse of the Crimson Throne Player's Guide, p. 12–13. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-087-2
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider, Amber E. Scott, Tork Shaw, James L. Sutter, and Jerome Virnich. (2012). Varisia, Birthplace of Legends, p. 14. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-453-5
- ↑ Jim Groves. (2014). Mummy's Mask Treasures. The Half-Dead City, p. 60. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-588-4
- ↑ JD Wiker. (2008). Relics of Kazavon. Crown of Fangs, p. 63. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-109-1
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2011). Gallowspire. Dungeons of Golarion, p. 15. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-304-0
- ↑ Sean K Reynolds. (2008). "Magic". Gods and Magic, p. 61. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-139-8
- ↑ Steven Schend. (2009). Westcrown. The Bastards of Erebus, p. 49. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-190-9
- ↑ Crystal Frasier. (2015). Kintargo. In Hell's Bright Shadow, p. 61. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-768-0
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider. (February 15, 2008). Hellknight Order of the Nail, Paizo Messageboards.
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider. (2009). Hellknights. What Lies in Dust, p. 68. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-197-8
- ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 72–73. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ John Compton, Paris Crenshaw, Adam Daigle, et al. (2013). Inner Sea NPC Codex, p. 48. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-594-5
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2009). Demon Lords of Golarion. Descent into Midnight, p. 55. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-131-2
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2010). Lords of Chaos, p. 9. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-250-0
- ↑ Sean K Reynolds. (2008). "Gods of Golarion". Gods and Magic, p. 20. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-139-8
- ↑ Crystal Frasier. (2015). Anuli, City of New Beginnings. Distant Shores, p. 23. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-787-1
- ↑ Rob McCreary. (2014). Gods of Ancient Osirion. Empty Graves, p. 70. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-589-1
- ↑ Neil Spicer. (2013). Wrath of the Righteous Treasures. Sword of Valor, p. 62. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-568-6