Unique Magic ARMORS AND SHIELDS

A Dungeon Master's Resourcefor Classic Dungeons & Dragons

byDennis Laffey

(Lord Gwydion)Copyright 2008

table of contentsHow to Use This Document 2Sources 2Magic Armors and Shields (d100 list) 3

Chapter 1: Shields 4Shields Illustrated 4Description of Shields 5

Chapter 2: Armors 8Armor Terminology 8Armor Types Illustrated 9Description of Armors 10

Leather 10Scale 11Chain 12Banded 13Plate 14Suit 15

Chapter 3: Arms 16Description of Arms by Type 16

Scale and Shield 16Chain and Shield 16Banded and Shield 17Plate and Shield 18Suit and Shield 19

Copyright Notice 20

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How to Use This DocumentThe purpose of Unique Magic Armors and Shields is to give Dungeon Masters a way to

add some spice to the magic armors found in their games without the need to create lots of overpowered special abilities. Every armor or shield listed in this document has a name, description, and powers (mostly from the normal treasure tables). By using this document, you never have a simple suit of “chainmail +1.” Instead, you'll be able to provide your players with a unique named armor, with more character, even though the game stats for the weapon may simply be chainmail +1.

The item descriptions can by used by a DM as rumors, adventure hooks, or as fruits of PC research within the game. In many cases, the description may give a hint of an item's special functions, if any. The fact that each armor and shield described here has a name and description should signify to players that it is an important item. Whether the DM uses non-named armor in addition to these items, or uses these items as the only armors and shields available is up to individual DMs, but there should be enough items here to last through most campaigns.

When magic armors are indicated on a treasure table roll, the Dungeon Master can easily select an appropriate item from the lists, or roll a d100 randomly. If rolling randomly and a duplicate result comes up, it is suggested that the DM either use the next lower entry, or select one they like.

The table is arranged with single shields first [25 entries], then single armors by type (leather, scale, chain, banded, plate, suit) [50 entries]. Finally are sets of an armor with a matching shield, again arranged by armor type [25 entries]. This gives 100 entries with a total of 50 shields and 75 suits of armor. Within each type, items are arranged from weakest to strongest. For DMs of low level parties, careful judgment will be necessary to decide if a randomly rolled powerful armor should be placed in a treasure hoard or not. Using a method like rolling 1d4-1, 1d6-1 or 1d8-1 for the “tens” digit and 1d10 for the “ones” digit will still work to a point, in that it becomes less likely that the stronger base armors or combinations of armor and shield will be rolled, but strong bonuses will still appear.

The game stats involved are derived from the Mentzer Basic, Expert and Companion sets and the AD&D DMG, and should be compatible with all Classic editions from Gygax/Arneson ('74) through Allston ('91), as well as AD&D and retro-clone systems.

SourcesThe various armors listed in this document were pulled from a wide range of sources,

from mythology and legendry to popular fiction, film, and video games. The use of names from copyrighted sources is meant as an homage, and not as a challenge to the copyright holders in any way. In most cases where the armors are known or believed to be under copyright, the armors are similar in description and powers, but not identical. As this document is for free distribution, this hopefully will not be a problem.

As this document was prepared primarily for the author's home game, the bulk of the armors and shields are pulled from European or European-inspired sources. This is because the author's home campaign is heavily Norse and Celtic inspired. For more multicultural campaigns, the individual DMs should of course feel free to change the listings and descriptions to include whatever armor types are common in their campaigns, and to substitute names from other mythologies and fiction derived from other cultural milieu.

Hopefully, both DMs using this document and players in the games of these DMs will enjoy finding these items as part of treasure hoards, especially when the players recognize the item from its mythological or pop cultural source. We're just playing for fun, after all.

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Magic Armors and Shields (d100) 1 Beowulf's Iron Shield (+1) 51 Fingolfin's Hauberk (Elf +2) 2 Alucard Shield (+1) 52 Regin's Hauberk (Dwarf +2) 3 Fingon's Shield (+1) 53 Brynhild's Mail (+3) 4 David's Shield (+1) 54 Turgon's Hauberk (Elf +3) 5 Goliath's Shield (+1) 55 Gimli's Mail (Dwarf +3) 6 Hyppolyta's Shield (+1, cursed) 56 Bilbo's Mithril Shirt (Halfling +3) 7 Alucart Shield (-1, cursed) 57 Gil-Galad's Armor (Elf +1) 8 Skafloc's Shield (+1, haste) 58 Black Dwarf's Splint (Dwarf -1, cursed) 9 Perseus' Mirror Shield (+1, reflection) 59 Rinaldo's Armor (+1, turn undead 3/day)10 Dragonscale Shield (+1, resist dragon breath) 60 Caesar's Lorica Segmentata (+2)11 Questing Knight's Shield (+1, remove curse) 61 Pendragon Armor (+3)12 Caesar's Shield (+2) 62 Peregrin's Gondorian Plate (Halfling +1)13 Shield of Hyrule (+2) 63 Doli's Mail (Dwarf +1)14 Uriens' Shield (+2) 64 Corslet of Menegroth (Elf +1)15 Beaumains' Shield (+2) 65 Golden Plate of Tir Asleen (+1)16 Dracula's Rib (+2, warding) 66 Alucard Armor (+1, displacement)17 Galahad's Shield (+2, bless) 67 Bullroarer's Armor (Halfling +2)18 Valeria's Shield (+2, charm) 68 Roland's Harness (+2)19 Resef's Shield (+3) 69 Alucart Armor (-2, cursed) 20 Svalin (+3) 70 Athena's Breastplate (+3)21 Agiad Shield (+4) 71 Lothian Armor (+3)22 Atalanta's Shield (+4) 72 Vlad the Impaler's Armor (+1)23 Roland's Shield (+4) 73 Joyous Gard Armor (+1)24 Star Shield (+5) 74 Faxanadu Battle Suit (Elf +1)25 Aegis (+5) 75 Perilous Armor (+2)26 The Ranger's Studded Leather (+1) 76 Pryderi's Arms (+1/+1) Scale & Shield27 The Barbarian's Bandoleers (+1) 77 Turpin's Arms (+1/+1) Chain & Shield28 Queen Susan the Fair's Armor (+1) 78 Meriadoc's Arms (Halfling +1/+1)29 Legolas's Breastplate (Elf +1) 79 Mordred's Arms (-1/-1, cursed)30 Nelwyn Cuirass (Halfling +1) 80 Boromir's Arms (+1/+1, +4 vs missiles)31 Elladan's Cuir Boulli (Elf +1) 81 Kay's Arms (+1/+2)32 Questor's Armor (Elf +1) 82 Gloin's Arms (Dwarf +1, cure wounds/+2)33 Conare Mar's Armor (-1, cursed) 83 Sigurd's Arms (+1/+3)34 Otr's Skin (Dwarf +1, gaseous form) 84 Holger Danske's Arms (+2/+2)35 Belmont Cuirass (+2) 85 Arms of Longinus (+1/+1) Banded & Shield36 Elrohir's Leather Scale (Elf +2) 86 Balin's Arms (Dwarf +1/+1)37 Strider's Armor (+2) 87 Thyra the Valkyrie's Arms (+1/+2)38 Lughs' Corslet (+2, fly) 88 Percival's Arms (+2/+1)39 Cuchulain's Harness (+3) 89 Andvari's Arms (Dwarf +2, electricity/+2)40 Nemean Lion Skin (+3) 90 King Peter the Great's Arms (+1/+1)41 Valusian Serpent Mail (+1, cursed) 91 Nockmarr Arms (+1/+1) Plate & Shield42 Gwystil's Mail (Elf +1, invisibility) 92 Benwick Harness (+1/+1)43 Imric's Armor (Elf +2) 93 Ganelon's Arms (-1/-1 cursed)44 Fishmaster's Mail (+2, water breathing) 94 Bedivere's Arms (+1/+1, protection)45 Red Dwarf's Byrnie (Dwarf +1) 95 Arms of Erebor (Dwarf +1/+2)46 Feanor's Mail (Elf -1, cursed) 96 Olivier's Arms (+1, ethereality/+2)47 Awnuvyn Armor (Elf +1, energy drain) 97 Lyoness Arms (+1, absorption/+3)48 Beowulf's Byrnie (+2) 98 Phthian Arms (+2/+2)49 King Edward the Just's Hauberk (+2) 99 The Cavalier's Arms (+2/+3, force field)50 Hyrulian chain (Elf +2) 100Astolpho's Arms (+1/+1 cursed) Suit & Shield

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Chapter 1: SHIELdsShield Terminology

In game rule terms, there is only one type of shield, as in the Classic version of the game any size shield provides the same bonus. The Advanced version of the game makes a game rule distinction, and some retro-clone games may as well. DMs will need to decide on their own which descriptive types listed below belong to each category of shield for those game systems. The descriptions of shields use historical or pseudo-historical terms to give the reader some idea what the shield specifically looks like. Some terms are used anachronistically compared to the historical or literary source of the shield, but since for game purposes most shields are the same anyway, the term that closest matches the form of the shield has been used, rather than using numerous terms for shield from a variety of languages for shields that are more or less the same, just from a different era or culture. Those descriptive terms used are:

Buckler: a small round flat shield that can be strapped to the forearm, leaving the hand free.

Targe: a medium sized round flat shield that is held with a handle opposite the boss.

Hoplon: a large round convex shield, with both a forearm strap and a handle.

Kite: a large sized triangular or upside-down teardrop shaped shield, with both a forearm strap and a handle.

Heater: a medium triangular shield, often with curved sides, with a pair of arm straps, one of which may be gripped. The shield of heraldry in the later Middle Ages.

Scutum: a large rectangular or oval convex shield, with rounded edges and a pair of arm straps.

Tower: a very large flat rectangular or oval shield, requiring two hands to move.

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Description of ShieldsAegis Shield +5This adamantine hoplon bears the face of a medusa as its boss. Legend says this is the actual face of the original Medusa herself. The shield glows faintly (1' radius), but if the wielder has a Wisdom of 13 or more, the glow becomes weak (5' radius), and if 18 or more, strong (10' radius)

Agiad Shield Shield +4This solid bronze hoplon is unadorned, and scratched and dented. It weighs significantly less than a normal shield of its size (treat as a buckler for encumbrance). It is always found together with a crimson cloak and bronze open-faced helmet. It is said that the shield belonged to a king who led a famous last stand against an overwhelming army.

Alucard Shield Shield +1This oak heater shield is covered with a layer of silver, with iron edges. It bears the device of a silver dragon rampant, the symbol of the knightly Order of the Dragon. It is identical to its cursed brother shield, the Alucart Shield.

Alucart Shield Shield -1 (cursed)This oak heater shield is covered with a layer of silver, with iron edges. It bears the device of a silver dragon rampant, the symbol of the knightly Order of the Dragon. It is identical to its non-cursed brother shield, the Alucard Shield.Curse: The Alucart Shield gives the wielder a -1 penalty to Armor Class, must be used in lieu of other shields, and may not be discarded willingly.

Atalanta's Shield Shield +4This hide buckler has an olive wood frame and bronze reinforced rim. The bronze boss is gold plated, and shaped like an apple.

Beaumains' Shield Shield +2This pine and leather kite shield is quartered purple and green, with a two-headed eagle device in the purple quarters and a pair of white diagonal bands in the green quarters.

Beowulf's Iron Shield Shield +1This massive tower shield is made of solid iron 1” thick, with an iron handle and shoulder rest welded to the back. It bears scorch marks on the outer surface that cannot be removed by any means short of melting down and re-forging the shield.

Caesar's Shield Shield +2This oval scutum is made of olive wood covered with ox-hide, dyed red. A brass boss shaped like a crowned eagle with wings spread decorates the center of the shield. The rim is also brass. This shield glows with a strong white light (10' radius).

David's Shield Shield +1This targe has a cedar wood frame, covered with layered white ram's hide. The handle behind the copper boss is padded with red felt. The shield's device is a gold six-pointed star with a blue crown in the center. A great king of antiquity is said to have had this shield commissioned after defeating a giant in single combat.

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Dracula's Rib Shield +2, WardingThis unusual heater is made of red steel, and embedded in the center of the reverse, between the twin leather straps, is a rib bone, said to come from the lord of the vampires. The shield bears the device of a silver dragon rampant, the symbol of the knightly Order of the Dragon.Warding: Dracula's Rib protects its wielder from magic missile spells as the shield spell. The wielder may make a save vs. spells for each missile to negate its effect.

Dragonscale Shield Shield +1, Resist Dragon BreathThis is an oak targe with an iron boss. The surface of the shield is covered with cast off scales of the dragon Vermithrax Pejorative.Resist Dragon Breath: Wielders of the Dragonscale Shield gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against dragons' breath weapons (of any type), and take one point less damage per hit die of the dragon (minimum 1 point per hit die). This shield has no effect on other breath weapons, such as that of hell hounds or chimera.

Fingon's Shield Shield +1This yellow and green kite shield has a mithril boss shaped like a great tree. The shield itself is made of malorn wood, with a rim of steel. When wielded by an elf, the shield glows strongly with a silver light (10' radius).

Galahad's Shield Shield +2, BlessThis iron, flat-topped kite shield is painted white with a red cross slightly off-center.Bless: Once per day, Galahad's Shield can create a bless effect, as the spell. All friendly creatures in a 20' square centered on the wielder gain a +1 bonus to morale, and +1 to hit and damage rolls in combat for one hour.

Goliath's Shield Shield +1This rimless cedar wood tower shield is painted yellow, and bears the device of a ram's skull. The shield is actually a giant's shield, but it functions as a tower shield for humans and demi-humans. This shield does not emit any light when used by dwarves, halflings, or other small creatures. In the hands of humans, elves, and similar sized creatures, it glows faintly (1' radius) with a greenish hue. In the hands of ogre or large sized creatures, it glows faintly (5' radius).

Hyppolyta's Shield Shield +1 (cursed)This rectangular scutum is made of birch wood reinforced with brass bands and rim. It has a copper boss shaped like a female centaur. The shield glows weakly (5' radius) when used in combat.Curse: Hyppolyta's Shield must be used in lieu of other shields, and may not be discarded willingly. If the wielder is female, the wielder becomes desirable by men (+2 reactions) but despised by females (-4 reactions). If the wielder is male, the wielder's Strength score is halved (round down).

Perseus' Mirror Shield Shield +1, ReflectionThis mithril hoplon is polished so brightly that it acts as a flawless mirror. The rim is encrusted with gemstones, which may not be removed. Legend says this shield was used to slay the original Medusa.Reflection: Perseus' Mirror Shield will reflect any light or continual light spells cast at the wielder back upon their caster (who must save against the spell or be blinded). Also, when fighting against creatures with a gaze attack, the wielder is considered to be holding a mirror while fighting, but suffers no penalties to hit while doing so.

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Questing Knight's Shield Shield +1, Remove CurseQuartered sky blue and crimson, this kite shield bears the Questing Beast as its device. The Questing Beast is a creature with a leopard's body, stag's hooves and antlers, and a serpent's tail. This shield emits a pleasant music, audible to all within 60', whenever it is within 30' of a cursed individual (not a cursed object).Remove Curse: Once per day, the wielder of the Questing Knight's Shield can remove one curse, as the spell. Nothing is rolled, the curse is automatically removed. The Questing Knight's Shield will only function in this manner three times. After that, it loses its special power, but retains its magical bonus to Armor Class.

Resef's Shield Shield +3This cedar wood targe is reinforced with an iron rim and crossed bands. The wood is painted dark gray, with blue lightning bolts in each quadrant. It emits a rumble like distant thunder when struck in combat.

Roland's Shield Shield +4This kite shield is made of walnut wood, rimmed with black iron and covered with horse hide. The hide has red and white quartering, with no device.

Shield of Hyrule Shield +2This heater is cast completely of quality steel, and covered with deer hide. The hide is brown, with a beige cross in the center.

Skafloc's Shield Shield +1, HasteThis targe is made of an elm wood frame covered with stretched troll hide, and rimmed with iron. The boss is also iron, and bears a 3” spike.Haste: Once per day, Skafloc's Shield can create a haste effect, as the spell, on the wielder only. This allows the wielder to move at double speed and attack twice per round, but not cast two spells in one round. The effect lasts for one turn.

Star Shield Shield +5This adamantine hoplon is painted in concentric circles of blue, white and red, with a white star in the central red circle.

Svalin Shield +3This pine wood targe is faced with copper, and has a flanged copper rim so that it resembles the sun. When in otherwise total darkness, the shield glows brightly (10' radius).

Uriens' Shield Shield +2This poplar wood heater has a rim of tin. Its face is quartered with purple and orange, with the device of a mermaid in the center.

Valeria's Shield Shield +2, CharmThis rectangular scutum is made of fir wood, and banded with brass. The rim and boss are iron. The shield has no device. If the wielder's Charisma score is 13 or higher, the shield will glow weakly (1' radius) with a blue aura. Charm: Once per day, Valeria's Shield can charm one opponent, as the spell. Every time an opponent hits the wielder in combat, the opponent must make a Save vs. Spells or be charmed (with a +4 bonus if the attacker uses a weapon). After one creature has been charmed, the ability no longer functions for the day. The duration lasts as a charm person or charm monster spell, as appropriate.

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Chapter 2: ARMORsArmor Terminology

In game rule terms, there are six types of armor: leather, scale mail, chain mail, banded mail, plate mail, and suit armor, and game stats listed after the name of each armor use these terms*. The descriptions of armors use historical or pseudo-historical terms to give the reader some idea what the armor specifically looks like. Those descriptive terms are:

Harness: a generic term for armor of any sort.

Cuirass: a term originally applied to leather armor, later taken as a general term for a breastplate.

Cuir Boulli: a type of leather armor boiled in bee's wax to harden it.

Studded Leather: a misinterpretation of illustrations (likely of brigandine), leather armor with metal studs probably never actually existed.

Leather Scale: a scale armor made with thick leather scales rather than metal scales.

Hide Armor: an armor made of thick-skinned creatures' cured hides

Scale Armor: an armor made of overlapping metal scales, often with a fish-scale pattern.

Lorica Squamata: Latin for scale armor.

Mail: an armor made of riveted metal links, typically iron.

Lorica Hamata: Latin for mail, typically a haubergeon.

Byrnie: a Norse term for a chain shirt down to the waist, with long or short sleeves.

Hauberk: a mail shirt covering the torso down to the knees, with long sleeves.

Haubergeon: a mail shirt covering the torso to the hips, with short sleeves.

Chausses: mail pants.

Coif: a mail hood, sometimes worn under a great helm.

Banded Armor: an armor made of overlapping strips of metal or laminated (lacquered) wood or leather, typically horizontally arranged.

Splint Armor: a type of banded armor with vertical bands of metal.

Lorica Segmentata: a Roman horizontally banded armor.

Plate-and-Mail: a hauberk, chausses and coif reinforced with solid metal plates.

Corslet (Corselet): a breast-and-back plate armor, with shoulder guards and an armored skirt, often bronze or leather, but occasionally steel.

Gothic Plate: a suit of full plate armor, with minimal mail reinforcing joints or weak spots.

Jousting Plate: a suit of plate or plate-and-mail with an extra thick breastplate for jousting, and often with minimal back armor.*Some Classic D&D game systems are limited to leather armor, chain mail, and plate mail. In these cases, count scale mail as leather armor, banded mail as chain mail, and suit armor as plate mail.Also, Advanced D&D systems includes some armor types not listed here. DMs can either decide which armors of a similar type are actually those unlisted armor types, do without, or make up their own unique armors on their own. It shouldn't be too hard to do that.

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Description of Armors by TypeLeather Armor

Belmont Cuirass Leather Armor +2This soft but thick leather cuirass has a tasseled skirt with brass studs at the end of each tassel. It comes with red lacquered leather bracers and greaves, but no helmet.

Conare Mar's Armor Leather Armor -1 (cursed)This fully leather corslet is made from hardened boar skin. It lacks a skirt, but has thick shoulder guards and a leather skull cap. It glows with a faint (1' radius) yellow light.Curse: Conare Mar's Armor gives the wielder a -1 penalty to Armor Class, must be used in lieu of other armors, and may not be discarded willingly.

Cuchulain's Harness Leather Armor +3This suit of hip length leather scale is made from the skin of a sea serpent. It includes greaves of the same leather and an iron helmet, but not bracers. If worn by a berserker, it glows strongly (10' radius).

Elladan's Cuir Boulli Elf Leather Armor +1This Elven cuir boulli breastplate is made of doe skin that has been dyed in patches with green, helping it blend in with woodland terrain. It is a breastplate only, with no other sections.

Elrohir's Leather Scale Elf Leather Armor +2This Elven leather scale is made of a samite shirt set with riveted buck skin scales, with a four-section skirt also set with scales. The scales are alternately green and brown, aiding in camouflage in wooded areas. Supple leather boots and greaves are included.

Legolas's Breastplate Elf Leather Armor +1This Elven archer's cuirass is made of soft goat skin, with the breastplate reinforced with hardened bull's leather. It has no skirt, but does come with bracers. Leaf patterns are etched into the leather around the seams and edges.

Lughs' Corslet Leather Armor +2, FlyThis corslet, with a four-section skirt and shoulder guards, is made of cured bear skin. It is dyed bright yellow, and is decorated with abstract animal designs etched in silver, with tiny gemstones for the eyes. Fly: Once per day, the wearer of Lugh's Corslet can fly, as the spell, for two hours. The wearer flies at 360' (120') by concentration.

Nelwyn Cuirass Halfling Leather Armor +1This supple Halfling cuirass is made of pig leather, with a tasseled skirt set with rows of iron studs. It is well oiled and appears almost black, with some brown highlights.

Nemean Lion Skin Leather Armor +3This is not actually a suit of armor, it is the hide of a monstrous lion that is hard to penetrate with weapons. The skin is worn like a cloak which wraps around the torso of the wearer, with the monstrous lion's head for a helmet, and the arms and legs tied together over the chest and stomach.

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Otr's Skin Dwarf Leather Armor +1, Gaseous FormThis Dwarven cuirass is made from the hide of a giant otter, which legend says was actually a dwarf polymorphed into an otter to fish whom Odin killed by mistake.Gaseous Form: Once per day, the wearer of Otr's Skin and all equipment carried can become gaseous, as the potion, for up to one hour. The wearer can return to normal form at any time by concentration.

Queen Susan the Fair's Armor Leather Armor +1This finely crafted cuirass is made from the hide of a great monstrous bull. It is decorated with enameled jewels and silver runes along the edges. The inside is padded with wolf fur.

Questor's Armor Elf Leather Armor +1This Elven archer's armor is made of cuir boulli which has been dyed bright green. It comes with green leather chaps and a pointed hat, also green.

Strider's Armor Leather Armor +2This well-worn cuirass is made from oliphant hide, darkened to a deep chestnut brown. It has a four-section skirt, steel bracers, and leather greaves.

The Barbarian's Bandoleers Leather Armor +1This unusual armor is made up of thick and broad studded leather straps which form a belt and crossing bandoleers, with a fur breach-cloth. It comes with bronze bracers and a horned iron helmet.

The Ranger's Studded Leather Leather Armor +1This thick leather corslet has rows of iron studs set in the green dyed leather. It has a four-part skirt and bracers.

Scale Mail

Fishmaster's Mail Scale Mail +2, Water BreathingThis sleeveless fish scale armor is made of steel that never rusts. It comes with scaled leggings but without arm protection or a helmet.Water Breathing: The wearer of the Fishmaster's Mail can breathe water, as the spell, at all times. Once per day, the wearer can also impart the water breathing ability on another creature for four hours, as the potion.

Gwystil's Mail Elf Scale Mail +1, InvisibilityThis Elven scale armor is made from fairy silver, crafted to resemble dragon scales. It includes a scale shirt, short leggings, and a fairy silver closed helmet.Invisibility: Once per day, the wearer of Gwystil's Mail may become invisible, as the spell. Additionally, the armor itself can be made invisible three times per day, so that the wearer appears not to be armored.

Imric's Armor Elf Scale Mail +2This suit of Elf-forged lorica squamata is made of an unusual alloy of metals that is light yet strong. The suit contains the armor shirt, full leggings, and a great helm and gauntlets. It is rumored that the alloy is not native to this world, but was brought by Elves from another plane of existence.

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Valusian Serpent Mail Scale Mail +1 (cursed)This suit of bronze scale armor has diamond shaped scales, and resembles a snake's skin. It comes with bronze bracers, greaves, and visored helm.Curse: Valusian Serpent Mail must be used in lieu of other armors, and may not be discarded willingly. If the wearer is Lawful or Neutral, this armor acts as a Helm of Alignment Changing, making the wearer Chaotic. If the wearer is already Chaotic, the character slowly changes into a serpent-man (no stat changes, only appearance) within 1 month of first donning the armor.

Chain Mail

Awnuvyn Armor Elf Chain Mail +1, Energy DrainThis crimson hellsteel byrnie is long sleeved and covers the hips, and comes with chausses, coif, and great helm. While it appears to be Elf-forged, it also bears traces of otherworldly origin. When worn on another plane of existence, it glows strongly (10' radius). This armor is always cold to the touch, except after its Energy Drain ability is used. Once it has drained a creature, the armor is hot (but not burning) for 1 hour.Energy Drain: By speaking a command word, Arawn's Armor becomes charged with death energy, and a second command word dissipates the charge harmlessly. If the wearer is struck while the armor is charged, the attacking creature is drained of one level or hit die, although it may save vs spells to negate the loss (with a bonus of +4 to the roll if a weapon is used). Once the charge has been expended, the armor may not be charged again until the next day.

Beowulf's Byrnie Chain Mail +2This knee-length, short sleeved byrnie is made from links of raw iron, but crafted with great skill. Rawhide thongs that lace up the back secure the armor. It lacks chausses and a coif, but does come with a nasal helmet of leather and steel.

Bilbo's Mithril Shirt Halfling Chain Mail +3This Halfling-sized short sleeved haubergeon was forged by Elves. The links are all of mithril, making it light and comfortable to wear beneath a shirt or jacket, disguising its presence. It lacks any accompanying pieces of armor. Legend says it was made for the son of an Elven noble, but later became the property of a renowned Halfling burglar.

Brynhild's Mail Chain Mail +3This mid-thigh length byrnie is fitted for a human female. It has short sleeves, and comes with bracers and a skullcap of steel. Legend says it was forged by the gods, others that it was made by a long lost race of magical dwarves, for use by a famed valkyrie.

Feanor's Mail Elf Chain Mail -1 (cursed)This finely crafted Elven haubergeon comes with chausses and coif, and a tall, conical nasal helm. A tabbard that belongs with the mail shows a grouping of seven shining jewels surrounding a hammer. Legend says this was the first set of mail ever created, by a cursed Lord-Wizard of an earlier age.Curse: Feanor's Mail gives the wielder a -1 penalty to Armor Class, must be used in lieu of other armors, and may not be discarded willingly.

Fingolfin's Hauberk Elf Chain Mail +2This battle-scarred Elven hauberk is made of bright steel. It has pauldrons attached, which have Elven script etched into them, bearing war poetry. It comes with chausses, coif, and visored helm sporting horns and a high, plumed crest.

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Gimli's Mail Dwarf Chain Mail +3This utilitarian Dwarven hauberk comes with a leather padded vest underneath, and a wide leather belt-and-bandoleer rig with many loops for axes or other weapons. It also comes with a nasal helmet of strong iron.

Hyrulian Chain Elf Chain Mail +2This Elf-forged haubergeon of fairy silver comes with leather leggings and steel bracers and gloves. It also has a green tabbard with a triangular crest, and a jaunty pointed green cap of felt.

King Edward the Just's Hauberk Chain Mail +2This hauberk, plus chausses and coif, are of fine gnomish manufacture. They come with a red tabbard sporting a lion crest on a gold background, and a filigreed leather sword belt.

Red Dwarf's Byrnie Dwarf Chain Mail +1This long-sleeved Dwarven byrnie comes with a coif, but no chausses. It is forged of blue steel, and comes with a leather undercoat to protect from chafing.

Regin's Hauberk Dwarf Chain Mail +2This Dwarven hauberk is made of plain black iron, but the links are intricately wrought and every link has been riveted closed, making it a sturdy armor. Legend has it that the smith Regin created this armor, but lost it when he was killed attempting to betray a great hero.

Turgon's Hauberk Elf Chain Mail +3This kingly Elven hauberk is made of bronze, but is as strong as steel due to Elven craftsmanship. It comes with bracers, grieves and a full helm. When worn by a Lawful Elf, it glows with a faint (1' radius) golden aura.

Ban ded Mail

Caesar's Lorica Segmentata Banded Mail +2This is a finely crafted suit of steel lorica segmentata. Each band over the torso has an eagle etched into it in gold. The armor glows faintly (1' radius) when worn, unless the wearer's Charisma is 13 or higher, in which case it glows strongly (10' radius).

Gil-Galad's Armor Elf Banded Mail +1This Elven banded armor has bands made from mithril set over a mail backing. The vambraces are fully banded, with no mail. It comes with an open-faced helm of steel with bronzed rims.

Black Dwarf's Splint Dwarf Banded Mail -1 (cursed)This sturdy suit of black iron splint armor was forged by Dwarves. The leggings and vambraces are leather with iron splints riveted in place, while the torso splints are set in a mail backing. Legends say this suit was forged in the darkest heart of the Earth by the Black Dwarves.Curse: Nickabrik's Splint Armor gives the wielder a -1 penalty to Armor Class, must be used in lieu of other armors, and may not be discarded willingly.

Pendragon Armor Banded Mail +3This suit of steel lorica segmentata has been lacquered azure. Enameled onto the breast-bands is a coiling red dragon, surrounded by 13 gold crowns.

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Rinaldo's Armor Banded Mail +1, Turn Undead 3/dayThis set of bronze splint armor is set on an iron mail backing. The pauldrons each sport a white mountain painted on them. It comes with chausses rather than splint leggings.Turn Undead: Three times per day, the wearer of Rinaldo's Armor may Turn Undead as a 9th

level Cleric. If the wearer is a Cleric, then the armor may be used to attempt to Turn a group of Undead that the Cleric has failed to Turn by his or her own power.

Plate Mail

Alucard Armor Plate Mail +1, DisplacementThis black steel corselet comes without vambraces or grieves. It bears a crest with a coiled dragon. The armor shimmers and occasionally seems to fade, and the wearer's blurred image trails behind when walking or running.Displacement: Alucard Armor disrupts light, making the wearer appear to be 2-5 feet from its actual position. Attackers suffer a -2 penalty to melee attacks, and normal missile attacks automatically miss (large missiles, such as boulders, may still hit), unless the attacker has magical means to detect the wearer's actual location. The wearer also gains a +2 bonus to saving throws against Wands, Rod/Staff/Spell, and Turn to Stone.

Alucart Armor Plate Mail -2 (cursed)This black steel corselet comes without vambraces or grieves. It bears a crest with a coiled dragon. The armor is surrounded by flickering shadows, and shadows bend and twist when the wearer passes near or through them. This armor was created by a necromancer as a trap for the hero Alucard.Curse: The Alucart Armor gives the wielder a -2 penalty to Armor Class, must be used in lieu of other armors, and may not be discarded willingly.

Athena's Breastplate Plate Mail +3This bronze corselet was crafted by immortal cyclopes, and the metal is harder than steel. The corselet comes with bracers and grieves, and an open faced helm with a plume of giant owl feathers.

Bullroarer's Armor Halfling Plate Mail +2This Halfling-sized plate-and-mail is made of sturdy but unadorned steel. The breastplate and pauldrons are light green, while the mail is uncolored. The armor was commissioned by a Human king for the Halfling hero who aided his kingdom in its darkest hour.

Corslet of Menegroth Elf Plate Mail +1This Elf-forged corselet is made of mithril. All of the plate pieces are inscribed with lines of epic poetry from a great Elven kingdom of a former age.

Doli's Mail Dwarf Plate Mail +1This thick iron corselet bears the device of the Court of the Fair Folk. It has a great helm and iron chausses. It was forged by the Fair Folk for one of their great Dwarven heroes, and it glows strongly (10' radius) when underground.

Golden Plate of Tir Asleen Plate Mail +1This ornate steel plate-and-mail is enameled black and trimmed with pure gold. It comes with vambraces, cuisses, grieves, and a horse hair plumed open-faced helm.

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Lothian Armor Plate Mail +3This suit of finely crafted plate-and-mail is painted purple. The breastplate is decorated with a two-headed gold eagle. The wearer never tires from fighting as long as the sun is rising or at its peak, but tires normally as the sun sinks in the sky.

Peregrin's Gondorian Plate Halfling Plate Mail +1This Halfling-sized corselet comes with chausses, mail sleeves, and an open-faced helm. The peaked breastplate bears the image of a great white tree with seven blossoms etched into it.

Roland's Harness Plate Mail +2This is a full suit of plate-and-mail, with red and white quarterings on the tabbard that comes with it. It glows faintly (1' radius) with a golden aura when the wearer is uninjured. When the wearer is at ½ hit points, it glows weakly (5' radius). When the wearer is down to ¼ hit points or less, it glows strongly (10' radius).

Suit Armor

Faxanadu Battle Suit Elf Suit Armor +1This heavy suit of Gothic plate is sized for an Elf, but was forged of fairy silver by Dwarves. It comes with a visored helm designed to look like a dragon's jaws.

Joyous Gard Armor Suit Armor +1This well-worn harness of jousting plate is made of high quality silvered steel. The breastplate bears a leopard device over three red bands. Legends say the greatest knight that ever lived wore this armor when in tournaments and on the battle field.

Perilous Armor Suit Armor +2This jousting harness is made of unadorned steel, but is crafted with great care. It comes with a white tabbard divided into quarters by a red cross. If the wearer is virtuous, the suit glows weakly (5' radius) with a white light when worn in battle.

Vlad the Impaler's Armor Suit Armor +1This strange suit of red Hell-steel Gothic plate is molded to look like muscles with the skin peeled away. It is unsettling to look at, and may provide morale penalties to those opponents who are easily shaken.

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Chapter 3: ARMsArms is actually a general term for both weapons and armor, but for the purposes of this

document it is a convenient term to use for the listings of a suit of armor and a shield together on the treasure tables. Of course it is up to the adventurers that find a set of arms if they will give both the shield and armor to the same character, or split them between two characters. The descriptive flavor text for these combinations make it apparent that they came from the same famous source character. As there are some sets of armor and shields listed individually that also have the same source character but will be found separately, there is no reason why these sets listed below need to remain whole once discovered.

In the case of cursed Arms, one item of the pair may be cursed and the other not, both may share a single curse, or the two items may be cursed separately. The nature of each curse and the methods of removing them are detailed in the section for each set of Arms. There is no section on Terminology for Arms, as they share the same terminology as shields and armors above.

Description of Arms by TypeScale Mail and Shield

Pryderi's Arms Scale Mail+1 & Shield +1This suit of bronze diamond scale armor is white, with the lower tip of each scale painted red. It comes with a wooden targe with a ring of nine brass bosses around a large iron central boss. The shield is likewise white with the bottom edge red.

Cha in Mail and Shield

Boromir's Arms Chain Mail +1 & Shield +1, +4 vs MissilesThis steel haubergeon comes with leather bracers and grieves, and a thick red velvet tabbard. The targe that comes with the armor is oak covered with ram's leather and reinforced with a brightly polished steel band around the circumference. +4 vs. Missiles: Boromir's Shield is considered a +4 shield with respect to attacks by missile and thrown weapons of all types.

Gloin's Arms Dwarf Chain Mail +1, Cure Wounds & Shield +2This mithril byrnie was forged by Dwarves. It comes with an iron nasal helmet and heater shield bearing a pair of crossed hammers as its device. The Dwarves revere the original hero who wore these arms, and his son, also a great hero, greatly.Cure Wounds: Once per day, the wearer of Gloin's Armor can cure ½ of all hit points lost, no matter what that number may be (round up). If the wearer is 1HD or less, all damage will be cured instead. This armor has no effect on poisons, diseases, or other ailments.

Holger Danske's Arms Chain Mail +2 & Shield +2This iron short-sleeved hauberk comes with an ox-horned leather and steel helmet, but no other accoutrement. The kite shield that comes with it bears the device of three red hearts interposed by three gold lions on a blue field. Legend says the knight who first wore these arms sleeps an eternal slumber, only to be awakened when his nation is in great need.

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Kay's Arms Chain Mail +1 & Shield +2This is a full suit of lorica hamata, with hauberk, chausses and coif made of blued steel, and a closed-face helm of black steel with a red feather plume. The tabbard over the mail is light green with a large red flame on the breast. An oval scutum made of solid bronze comes with the harness also bears the flame crest as its boss.

Meriadoc's Arms Halfling Chain Mail +1 & Shield +1This Halfling-sized haubergeon closes on either side under the arms with braided horse-hair thongs. It comes with a nasal helmet and leather vambraces. The tabbard is dark green, with a white running horse as its device. The buckler that goes with the armor is of solid maple wood, reinforced with bands and studs of bronze.

Mordred's Arms Chain Mail -1 & Shield -1(cursed)This steel hauberk comes with a gorget set with onyx and jet. Bronze bracers, grieves and visored helm complete the harness. A steel reinforced wooden kite shield, crimson with a brown and white falcon as its device, comes with the harness.Curse: Mordred's Arms gives the wielder a -1 penalty to Armor Class for both the armor and the shield, both of which must be used in lieu of other armors and shields, and may not be discarded willingly.

Sigurd's Arms Chain Mail +1 & Shield +3This crude but sturdy iron byrnie contains the teeth and claws of a great dragon riveted into the front and back. It is matched with a targe made of northern pine, reinforced with iron studs and rim, and covered with dragon-hide. Legend says these arms were forged by the immortal smith Wayland.

Turpin's Arms Chain Mail +1 & Shield +1This white steel long sleeved hauberk laces up the sides with leather thongs, and has besagews over both armpits and another reinforcing the heart. The iron kite shield that comes with it is also white, with four blue abstract lilies on the quarters.

Ban ded Mail and Shield

Andvari's Arms Dwarf Banded Mail +2, Electricity & Shield +2This Dwarven splint armor is made from strips of adamantine fixed to a backing of boiled leather. When charged (see below), it emits tendrils of wispy blue energy that provide a weak (5' radius) illumination. The kite shield that comes with it is made of adamantine on a wooden frame, painted black with a large golden ring in the center.Electricity: By speaking a command word, Andvari's Armor becomes charged with electricity, and a second command word dissipates the charge harmlessly. If the wearer is struck while the armor is charged, the attacking creature takes 6d6 electrical damage, although it may save vs. spells for half damage (with a bonus of +4 to the roll if a weapon is used). Once the charge has been expended in this fashion, the armor may not be charged again until the next day.

Arms of Longinus Banded Mail +1 & Shield +1This iron lorica segmentata comes with a crimson cloak, plumed open faced helmet, bracers, grieves, and a mail skirt. The olive wood and bronze rectangular scutum with the armor has a stylized black eagle on a yellow field crossed by three horizontal blue bars. The armor and shield glow faintly (1' radius) with a yellow glow if they are worn together by a Lawful character.

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Balin's Arms Dwarf Banded Mail +1 & Shield +1This suit of Dwarven splint is made of steel inlaid with golden Dwarvish runes which tell the history of the great Dwarven lord for whom this armor was crafted. The ash wood targe that completes the suit is rimmed and bossed with steel, with light blue moon and pale yellow sun quartering for its device.

Percival's Arms Banded Mail +2 & Shield +1This banded armor is made of strips of bronze on a mail backing. The bands are painted fuchsia and twin rows of golden crosses decorate the bands down either side of the breast. A gold and fuchsia quartered heater, bearing a pair of griffons rampant as its device, comes with the armor.

Thyra the Valkyrie's Arms Banded Mail +1 & Shield +2This blue steel banded armor has horizontal bands for the breast, back, and spaulders, and vertical bands for the pleated skirt. A solid blue steel targe is divided into three concentric rings—a reinforced boss, a central ring, and a reinforced outer rim.

Plate Mail and ShieldArms of Erebor Dwarf Plate Mail +1 & Shield +2This Dwarf-forged corselet is made of high quality steel. It comes with bracers and gauntlets, a mail skirt covering the hips and thighs, and an open-faced helmet with eagle wings. It comes with a large oak targe reinforced with iron rim, studs and boss, painted green.

Bedivere's Arms Plate Mail +1 & Shield +1, ProtectionThis red steel jousting plate has a thick breastplate set over a haubergeon, with plate vambraces, cuisses and grieves, and a flat-topped great helm. A hazel wood kite shield is covered with deer hide, decorated with yellow and white halves, and a large blue chalice as a device. Protection: Bedivere's Shield provides the wielder with a bonus to saving throws equal to the shield's magical bonus to Armor Class, as a Ring of Protection. If a Ring of Protection is also worn, the bonus to AC from both items applies, but only the greater bonus to Saves applies.

Benwick Harness Plate Mail +1 & Shield +1This plate-and-mail has blue steel plates over gray iron mail shirt, chausses and coif. The armor is always warm to the touch in cold weather, and cool to the touch in warm weather, making it very comfortable to wear. The blue steel heater with the harness bears the device of black geese in flight forming a chevron.

Ganelon's Arms Plate Mail -1 & Shield -1 (cursed)This mithril plate-and-mail comes with cuisses and grieves, bracers, and a visored helm. While they do not glow, the mithril shines brightly, and seems very light until the armor is donned, at which time it feels heavier than it should. The kite shield that completes the set is oak trimmed with brass, and bears no device or colors. Legends say a great traitor first wore this armor, and it has brought poor luck to all those who have worn it since.Curse: Ganelon's Arms gives the wielder a -1 penalty to Armor Class for both the armor and the shield, both of which must be used in lieu of other armors, and may not be discarded willingly.King Peter the Great's Arms Plate Mail +1 & Shield +1This Dwarf-forged plate-and-mail is made of steel, and the breast and back plates, vambraces, cuisses and grieves are coated with silver, and trimmed with red velvet padding. The heater that comes with it is mithril, and bears a red lion rampant as a device.

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Lyoness Arms Plate Mail +1, Absorption & Shield +3This suit of jousting plate does not have any mail—all of the plates held together with leather straps and backing. It lacks a backplate. It is forged of black cold iron, and glows faintly (1' radius) when worn in combat. An adamantine targe that comes with the harness, as well as the tabbard, are green with a golden lion's head deviceAbsorption: Once per day, the Lyoness Armor will negate the first successful energy drain attack (single or double energy drain) directed at the wearer. The character still takes normal damage, if any, but the energy drain is ignored. Further energy drains that day are suffered normally.

Nockmarr Arms Plate Mail +1 & Shield +1This black steel corslet has a skirt of scale, and scale and brigandine covering for the arms and legs. It comes with a full helm, the face of which is made from the skull of an ogre, and a black bearskin cloak. A fine wooden targe with the device of four crossed arrows over an axe comes with the harness.

Olivier's Arms Plate Mail +1, Ethereality & Shield +2This full suit of plate-and-mail is made of fairy silver—some say by the Lady of the Lake's smiths, others by Wayland. It comes with a hawthorn wood buckler bound with a fairy silver rim. Neither the harness nor the shield bear any device, but the helm has as plume of hippogriff mane-feathers.Ethereality: Once per day, the wearer of Olivier's Armor can become ethereal for as long as desired. A command word must be spoken to become ethereal, and a second command word must be spoken to return to a material state.

Phthian Arms Plate Mail +2 & Shield +2This bronze corslet, made of back and breastplates set over a leather cuirass, paulrons, bracers, grieves, and leather skirt, comes with a bronze closed-faced helmet with pegasus hair for a plume. A hoplon of bronze with iron reinforcements bears the mark of the Myrmidons.

The Cavalier's Arms Plate Mail +2 & Shield +3, Force FieldThis harness of plate-and-mail is a yellow corselet over blue hauberk and chausses. An orange steel heater shield comes with the harness. The shield bears a white circular device with a black wolf's head. The shield hums slightly when wielded.Force Field: Once per day, the wielder of the Cavalier's Shield may create a spherical (or partially spherical) invisible force field, as the spell, with a 10' radius. This force field lasts for up to 2 turns, and can move with the wielder.

Suit Armor and Shield

Astolpho's Arms Suit Armor +1 & Shield +1 (cursed)This full plate jousting armor is made of mirror-bright steel that never needs polishing. It comes with a steel kite shield, also mirror-bright, that bears the design of a sea-green hippogriff in flight.Curse: Astolpho's Arms must be used in lieu of other armors and shields, and may not be discarded willingly. If the wearer fights from a mount, the character must Save vs. Wands each time an opponent scores a hit to remain on the mount. If both the armor and shield are used, there is a -2 penalty to the Save. If the character competes in a joust competition, the character automatically falls from the mount on every pass.

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Copyright NoticeWhile most of the armors or their fictional owners described here are from myths and legends, and public domain, some names are taken from copyrighted sources, and are used without permission. The author hereby fully acknowledges all copyrights and makes no challenge or claim to these names. Those names known to be under copyright, and those believed to be under copyright, are listed below, as are those inspired by copyrighted sources but named by the author of this document:• Holger Danske's Arms, Imric's Armor, Scafloc's Shield © Poul Anderson.• Balin's Arms, Bilbo's Mithril Shirt, Boromir's Arms, Bullroarer's Armor, Elladan's Cuir

Boulli, Elrohir's Leather Scale, Feanor's Mail, Fingolfin's Hauberk, Fingon's Shield, Gil-Galad's Armor, Gimli's Mail, Gloin's Arms, Legolas' Breastplate, Meriadoc's Arms, Peregrin's Gondorian Plate, Strider's Armor, Thingol's Corslet, Arms of Erebor, Turgon's Hauberk © J.R.R. Tolkien.

• Valeria's Shield, Valusian Serpent Mail © Robert E. Howard• Alucard Armor Alucard Shield, Alucart Armor, Alucart Shield, Belmont Cuirass, Dracula's

Rib © Konami Entertainment.• Awnuvyn Armor, Doli's Mail, Gwystil's Mail © Lloyd Alexander.• Black Dwarf's Splint, King Edward the Just's Hauberk, King Peter the Great's Arms, Queen

Susan the Fair's Armor, Red Dwarf's Byrnie © C.S. Lewis.• Golden Plate of Tir Asleen, Nelwyn Cuirass, Nockmarr Arms © Lucasfilm.• Dragonscale Shield © Paramount Pictures.• Questor's Armor, Thyra the Valkyrie's Arms © Atari.• The Barbarian's Bandoleers, The Cavalier's Arms, The Ranger's Studded Leather © Marvel

Productions and Wizards of the Coast.• Hyrulian Chain, Shield of Hyrule © Nintendo Entertainment.• Star Shield © Marvel Comics.• Fishmaster's Armor © D.C. Comics.• Faxanadu Battle Suit © Nintendo Entertainment, Hudson Soft, Nihon Falcom.

PUBLIC DOMAIN ARMORS (some names coined by the author of this document for otherwise unnamed armors in Public Domain sources):Aegis, Agiad Shield, Andvari's Arms, Arms of Bors, Arms of Longinus, Astolpho's Arms, Atalanta's Shield, Athena's Breastplate, Beaumains' Shield, Bedivere's Arms, Beowulf's Byrnie, Beowulf's Iron Shield, Brynhild's Mail, Caesar's Lorica Segmentatat, Caesar's Shield, Conare Mar's Armor, Cuchulain's Harness, David's Shield, Galahad's Shield, Ganelon's Arms, Goliath's Shield, Hyppolyta's Shield, Joyous Gard Armor, Kay's Arms, Lothian Armor, Lugh's Corslet, Lyoness Arms, Mordred's Arms, Nemean Lion Skin, Olivier's Arms, Otr's Skin, Pendragon Armor, Percival's Arms, Perilous Armor, Perseus' Mirror Shield, Phthian Arms, Pryderi's Arms, Questing Knight's Shield, Regin's Hauberk, Resef's Shield, Rinaldo's Armor, Roland's Harness, Roland's Shield, Sigurd's Arms, Svalin, Turpin's Arms, Uriens' Shield, Vlad the Impaler's Armor

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