Cloth armour

Many mages rely on spells over their simple cloth armour.

Cloth armour refers to protective clothing made out textiles. It is available in Ultima II, Ultima III, Ultima IV, Ultima V and Ultima VI.

Description

Cloth armour on Earth was made by layering and padding materials such as linen and canvas such as that the resulting garment was able to offer some padding against blows. It is unknown precisely how the cloth armours of Sosaria and later Britannia were manufactured, but it seems likely that the process was similar, given that both worlds share the term gambeson when describing such gear.

Among all types of armour, it is the lightest available, and is commonly used by those lacking in funds for anything more elaborate or by those whose professional vows restrict them to such fare. At one point in time, many spell casters eschew non-cloth garments for reasons of their arts, although the reasons for this have never been made clear.

Protective Value

In Ultima II, cloth armour has a protective rating of 56% and requires a minimum strength of 9.

In Ultima III cloth armour has a protective rating of 53% and all professions could wear it.

In Ultima IV cloth armour has a defensive value of 128, an evade rate of 50% and all professions could wear it.

In Ultima V cloth armour has a defensive rating a "1".

In Ultima VI cloth armour has a defensive rating a "1".

Lore

“	Peasant's garb for those who can afford nothing better, or those restricted by the vows of their profession from wearing aught else. A reluctant favorite among Magi. – from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV)

“	Usually little more than a heavy quilted gambeson worn below a tunic, cloth armour is inexpensive and comfortable, but it affords only limited protection. – from Book of Lore (Ultima V)

“

Foolish is the adventurer who embarks on a quest without the best armour he can afford. Several different types of armour are available — everything from inexpensive and relatively ineffective cloth to costly but highly protective plate. The armourers of Britannia will gladly allow you to examine their wares. Take advantage of this and acquire the armour best suited to your abilities and fighting style. – from Compendium (Ultima VI)

Trivia

• Iron (such as might be used in armour craft) has a long folkloric tradition as being a repellent against witches, fae and other magical creatures. While such mythology is never alluded to in the Ultima series, it may be possible that this association has helped to inspire long-standing high fantasy tropes of magi avoiding metal armour.

See Also

• Armour Values

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Armour

Basic Armour	Cloth armour ☥ Leather armour ☥ Ring mail ☥ Scale armour ☥ Chain armour ☥ Bone armor ☥ Plate armour ☥ Blackrock armor
Enhanced Armour	Magic armour ☥ Anachronistic armour ☥ Exotic Armour ☥ Mystic Armour ☥ Leather Vest of Flameproof ☥ Artifact armor
Other Armour	Armour in Martian Dreams ☥ Primitive armour ☥ Antique armour ☥ Armour of Beauty ☥ Winter gear ☥ Wyrmguard armor ☥ Pirate outfit ☥ Avatar armor
Head Protection	Helmets ☥ Viking helm ☥ Spiked helm ☥ Helm of Courage ☥ Caddellite helm ☥ Cap of Missile Protection ☥ Cowl of Valor ☥ Helm of Light ☥ Living toupee
Shields	Shields ☥ Shield of Monitor ☥ Shield of Valor ☥ Magic shield ☥ Jeweled shield ☥ Dupre's shield ☥ Mage shield ☥ Kiran shield ☥ Serpent Isle shields
Legs and Arms Protection	Swamp boots ☥ Boots of Bouncing ☥ Dragonskin boots ☥ Leather Leggings of Stealth ☥ Greaves ☥ Stocking ☥ Gauntlets of Missile Protection ☥ Gauntlets of Quickness
Other Items	Kidney belt ☥ Loriel's Gift ☥ Spiked collar ☥ Serpent artifacts ☥ Ring of Protection