Mechanik’s Union

Armorsmiths throughout history have always strived to create a perfect protection from harm on the fields of war. Towards this end, the warriors of the Iron Kingdoms have progressed from the loincloths and skins of barbarity through to the refined processes of producing fine linked-chain coats and hauberks, and even the renown Warcaster Armor that carries Immoren’s greatest heroes through the thick of pitched battle. At every turn, new weapons and techniques have foiled these protective coats; but the armorsmith’s ingenuity continues even into the modern period.

Custom-tailored to each suit of armor and its wearer, the Reinforced Undercoat is worn underneath a suit of heavier armor to bolster its defensive properties. Thick layers of wool batting, specially-treated by a little-known alchemical process, sit beneath exterior metal plates, mitigating the trauma of blunt force. Flexible but tear-resistant patches of silk from the elusive and monsterous Crypt Spider are used to protect joints and other exposed areas from cuts and scrapes. These undercoats often include a wool undercap for helmets, also custom-fit.

Benefits

Reinforced Undercoats provide +1 to the AC of the wearer, which specifically stacks with the armor bonus granted by the armor and shield of the bearer. Worn alone, a Reinforced Undercoat grants a +2 Armor Bonus. Additionally, a Reinforced Undercoat provides damage reduction against Slashing and/or Bludgeoning damage, depending on the skill of the crafter and price.

Crafting

When crafting a Reinforced Undercoat, determine its base cost by the following formula: 5 crowns x AC bonus of the armor it is crafted for x (DR) x (4 if DR applies to both Slashing and Piercing). The Craft (tailor) DC of a Reinforced Undercoat is 15 + (AC bonus of the armor it is crafted for) + (DR Value for slashing) + (DR value for bludgeoning). Damage Reduction values can range from 1 to 5.

Example Reinforced Undercoats

Requirements and Caveats

Crafter must have 5 ranks in Craft (Armorsmithing) or have the direct assistance of someone who does for 3/4 of the crafting time.

Enhancement bonuses to a Reinforced Undercoat will not stack with enhancement bonuses to regular armor.

When worn with any armor other than the specific suit the Reinforced Undercoat was crafted for, the wearer gains all the penalties of non-proficiency with that armor.

Reinforced Undercoats increase the Armor Check penalty by 1. Masterwork Reinforced Undercoats still suffer this effect.

This process is available only for Breastplate, Banded Mail, Splint Mail, Plate, and Full Plate armor types. When worn with other types of armor, a -4 armor check penalty applies and no AC benefit is bestowed. Reinforced Undercoats do not qualify as Light Armor for purposes of class abilities or feats.

Characters using a Reinforced Undercoat and attempting to utilize another mundane means of damage reduction (e.g. a Reinforced or Armored Greatcoat) lose the benefit of any DR against Bludgeoning granted by the Reinforced Undercoat.