Plotscild Armor

Part of Armor of Otheia
A plotscild is the most common type of armor among the Otheiae, being found issued as munitions to soldiers, in the personal armories of the aristocracy, and in the hands of adventurers and bandits alike. Consisting of a round plate over the lower chest and upper belly, and sometimes two smaller rounded plates over the breasts, it is designed  to protect the vitals of the wearer, while still enabling rapid movement.
Generally consisting of two wrought iron and a steel plate, the iron plates are placed on either side of the steel. The plates are then laminated into a single piece by forge welding with powerful hammers.
The different types of metal are used as the wrought iron provides compressive strength, while the steel provides tension, thereby allowing the armor to be slightly more defensive than otherwise. When a bulk order for the armor is placed, usually by a realm’s army, the steel is often forgone, as it increases the cost of the armor. 
Visual records indicate that Plotscild armor has been worn since the Age of Kings, though it only rose to prominence following the Glorious Revolution, as the increased use of magic on the battlefield has forced soldiers to become more mobile, causing other, heavier armor to be cast aside. 
Plotscild is often worn accompanying a short-sleeved maille shirt. It is common among civilian groups, such as adventurers and bandits, but armies issue both forms of protection to their heavy infantry and more valuable assets, such as spellswords and battlemages. 
In terms of armies, plotscild is issued as munitions to almost every soldier, such as infantry, archers, sword-staffers, hunters, and rangers. Those soldiers who supply themselves, such as irregular militia forces, spellswords and battlemages, as stated above, also commonly wear plotscild. 
Category:Armor of Otheia