Linothorax Armor

“Those afraid of scratches wear leather harness. Cowards wear chainmail, and the most incompetent warriors wear plate. The greatest Cyclopean heroes in history wore linothorax armor, and their deeds are legendary.”
— Pelleas of Pailos, famous Cyclopean warrior, 1033 FB

Linothorax armor consists of multiple layers of linen or wool cloth glued together to form a strong, resilient material. Most versions protect the upper body and upper arms. Many cultures underestimate its usefulness. It offers less protection than metal armor, but it is much lighter and therefore less encumbering. And though it is less effective against blades, it provides good protection against impact weapons such as hammers and cudgels.

Linothorax armor is favored by warriors of the Cyclopes Islands, and it is often issued to city guards and soldiers across southern Aventuria and the Lands of the Tulamydes, where cloth armor is more practical due to the climate. Throughout history, heroes have preferred linothorax armor instead of mail (plate armor was invented only a few centuries ago). In the Bosparan Empire, linothorax armor was as popular as chainmail.

“Linothorax armor keeps you from overheating in warmer climes. It is as common in my homeland as it is in the Cyclopes Islands.”

— Mirhiban al’Orhima, Tulamydian fire mage

“Not too bad, for linen and glue. It certainly softens a blow from a club.”

— Geron Bladebreaker, mercenary

“You humans get strange ideas in your heads. This is little more than a few shirts worn on top of each other. Admittedly, thick cloth stops some blows, but when will you admit that nothing is better than mail armor?”

— Arbosh son of Angrax, forge dwarf master smith

“Chainmail is too noisy. I once met a Cyclopean warrior whose full panoply of gear included traditional linothorax armor. It was quite the sight.”

— Rowena of the Transweal, Bornish cat witch

“The armor, or the warrior?”

— Mirhiban al’Orhima, Tulamydian fire mage