Samurai Armor Exceptions

### Intro

In an attempt to promote unique and uniform armor exclusive to the Verditians, we make a few exemptions for Japanese styled armor. Before invoking a right outlined in this document, it is **highly advised** that you seek the approval of a forge-master (Derath or Torrens).

### The Exceptions

There is a gallery immediately following this list with examples of policy.

1. **Penvaren Decoration**
	* Penvaren members may utilize white lacing for the mimi-ito (See example gallery below) on Sode, Kusazuri, and Shikoro.
2. **Vangaurd Rank Seal**
	* Vanguards may utilize green lacing in specific areas on their armor. The accompanied image shows the only locations where green may be utilized.
		+ What this means: Samurai armor may utilize a forest-green ‘rank seal’ on the bottom of Sode, Shikoro, and Kusazuri. It can also utilize lacing on the mimi-ito, the top most row of a Do's tateage, and the Takahimo/Munaita cords. (again see accompanying image)
	* Vanguards are not allowed to use varying colors of green. Only forest green colored lacing is permitted. (see example gallery below)
		+ Unlike Knights, Champions, and Warlords; who are not restricted to a particular shade.
3. **Vanguard Obi**
	* Vanguards are also allowed to utilize a forest-green obi when utilizing samurai armor. This item can never be worn outside of armor. (This obi is not restricted to fabric, it can also be made out of rope)
4. **Allowance of decorative black fabric** (see example below)
	* Much of the armor is sewn into a fabric base. Unlike standard garb we allow fabric patterns to deviate from plain black to incorporate designs. These fabrics are required to be pre-approved by a forge master. (Remember that this does not mean you can violate the all-black standard, designs **must** be black)
5. **Special Antioch symbol on suemon kanamono and Maedate**
	* 'Suemon kanamono' are small decorative plates that appear on the kabuto (helmet) and gyoyo (plate that covers lacing).
	* Suemon Kanamono can only be gold for the command members the rank of Taichou and above.
	* For all other members, the suemon kanamono must be black or natural steel.
	* The Maedate is the circular crest on a kabuto (helmet). It follows the same uniform standards as a suemon kanamono.
6. **Gold *Accenting* on Chainmail**
	* Only command members the rank of Taichou and above may utilize this policy.
		+ This refers to using gold connector rings for chainmail portions of the samurai armor.
		+ This policy does NOT allow for gold covered plates (A right reserved for Warlords only)
		+ This policy does not allow for gold lacing or rank seal imitation.
7. **Kikko Auxillary Armor (specifically variants sewn between fabrics)**
	* Traditional kikko armor is defined as small hexagonal metal shaped plates that are sewn in-between cloth layers.
	* Traditional kikko is only permissible as an auxiliary armor, never as a main line of defense. As such it is only allowed on the knees, neck, and as an **under-layer** armor wakibiki or manchira.
	* Kusari-variants of kikko are allowed in any standard armors.
8. **Fourth Guardian Silver Accenting**
	* Fourth Guardians may decorate their armor with limited silver accenting. This includes utilizing natural steel connector rings and select plates. While there is no hard standard on where you can utilize this decoration, it is important to note that this policy is intended for accenting only. An administrative command staff can refuse to allow particular schemes if they deem it a deviation from the intended allowance. See images examples of acceptable and encouraged decoration schemes.
	Fourth Guardian AccentingAccenting exampleAccenting example
9. **Silver Fasteners, Grommets, etc./Natural Kohaze**
	* Samurai armors are granted an exception to the all-black standard for findings, buttons, grommets, etc. These items may utilize natural steel, gunmetal, and other silver/gray finishes. Command ranks of Taichou and above may utilize gold-colored findings, grommets, etc. Buttons (Kohaze) may be natural browns or blacks. This loose standard has subjective limitations and can fall at the discretion of a vindication for approval/denial. See images for examples of what is meant and intended by this policy
10. **Rank Seal Plate Accenting for Verdish Elite**
	* Knights, Champions, and Warlords may decorate their armor in the same fashion a Fourth Guardian would, but instead of utilizing natural steel, they are allowed to utilize their respective rank seal. Red for Knights, Blue for Champions, and Gold for Warlords.Knight AccentChampion AccentKnight Accent

### Example Gallery

1.) White mimi-ito2.) Vanguard Rank Seal2.) Acceptable Forest Green3.) Rope obi3.) Obi example on armor3.) Red obi example5.) Mon-styled Antioch symbolDecorative Fabric5.) Suemon kanamono and Maedate5.) Suemon kanamono6.) Gold connector rings7.) Kikko examples7.) Kikko example (knees)Lacing examplesRaw kikko