Concealed Armors [Archive] - Wizards Community

Concealed Armors [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Seeker4015
08-11-06, 11:34 PM Hiya, I'm looking for rules on concealing armors (light specifically, but I'm interested in all the rules), or armors that can be worn under clothing, or armors that look identical to clothing. I'm looking for stuff that's nonmagical (which is so much harder), and has a high max dex bonus. I'm not having quite the luck I hoped for after browsing about 15 pages, but I have found some interesting things so far:

Shadow Silk (good potential) - Tome of Magic (Pact, Shadow, & Truename pg. 155)

Spider silk - I found an interesting reference in http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=682465 to Drow silk armor and spider silk in something called Arduin, but I have no idea where to find more information on it...any help?

Gnome....something - The reference to this material was for an expansion book called Races of Stone, can someone enlighten me as to what this material is?

Mithral armors - these generally work, and is amusingly one of the cheaper options, but I don't know if this can be concealed under clothing the way celestial armors can (what's the difference between the two anyway??)

I'm looking for non-magical gear because I'm starting a campaign called Midnight where magical items are not only restricted and death to possess, but magic items can be easily sniffed out by occupying forces, so...all help is greatly appreciated, and thanks for any input in advance!
Dire_Rhino
08-11-06, 11:42 PM I can help you with RoS. There are 3 armors you may be interested in:

Gnomish battlecloak: A cloak that acts as a shield with appropriate proficiency
Gnomish twistcloth: A bunch of, well, twisted cloths hung on the wearer (can't be worn under armor, if the fluff is read right)
Earthsilk jersey: A shirt that provides DR 1/slashing or bludgeoning.

Both Gnomish armors need Ex. Armor Prof. to function, but IIRC you get them free if you're a gnome. Unfortunately, the combined AC for both is like... two. Very high max dex though.
Dheran
08-12-06, 06:29 PM This isn't what you were asking for, but what about combining magic armor having the Glamered property (which lets the armor appear as normal clothes) with Nystul's Magic Aura to conceal its magical nature? The spell lasts 1 day/level, so it's not going to run out on you at inconvenient times.
Ryu Katsuragi
08-12-06, 07:07 PM Gnomish battlecloak: A cloak that acts as a shield with appropriate proficiency
Gnomish twistcloth: A bunch of, well, twisted cloths hung on the wearer (can't be worn under armor, if the fluff is read right)
Earthsilk jersey: A shirt that provides DR 1/slashing or bludgeoning.

Both Gnomish armors need Ex. Armor Prof. to function, but IIRC you get them free if you're a gnome. Unfortunately, the combined AC for both is like... two. Very high max dex though.

And just to add to this irrelavant post, only Gnomish Battlecloak requires proficiency to use. Gnome Twistcloths have no Max Dex (to my knowledge), and with proficiency, applies it's AC to both touch and normal AC.
RavenDrake
08-12-06, 07:29 PM There aren't really any specific rules for "concealing" armour. I would say, personally, that you can use a Disguise check or a Slight of Hand check(as with Hiding a weapon) to conceal your armour(Hiding it under a baggy jerkin or cloak, wrapping cloth around joints so they don't show, oiling chains and seams so they don't squeak, etc). This would be opposed by a spot check from anyone who sees you, or a search check from someone who frisks you physically. The Search Check would give the searcher a +4 bonus on his attempt, since it's easier to find things than to hide them effectively, and I'd give it an additional +2 bonus for light armour(total +6), +4 bonus for Medium Armour(+8), and a +6 bonus for Heavy armour(+10) since they're so bulky. Also, honestly, that bulk will show through so I'd also give the Spot check +1 for Light, +2 for medium, and +4 for Heavy. Also, the Armour check penalty for a non-proficient armour would count against your hiding check here as wel.

Certain things would give you other bonuses... Mithril will reduce the weight class of the armour reducing it's noticeability(and I'll allow it to reduce the penalties for light armour to only +4 on search, no bonus on spot). Wearing a large, heavy, nondescript cloak would grant you a bonus(depending on the cloak) to your check but may raise suspicions.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Seeker4015 08-11-06, 11:34 PM	Hiya, I'm looking for rules on concealing armors (light specifically, but I'm interested in all the rules), or armors that can be worn under clothing, or armors that look identical to clothing. I'm looking for stuff that's nonmagical (which is so much harder), and has a high max dex bonus. I'm not having quite the luck I hoped for after browsing about 15 pages, but I have found some interesting things so far: Shadow Silk (good potential) - Tome of Magic (Pact, Shadow, & Truename pg. 155) Spider silk - I found an interesting reference in http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=682465 to Drow silk armor and spider silk in something called Arduin, but I have no idea where to find more information on it...any help? Gnome....something - The reference to this material was for an expansion book called Races of Stone, can someone enlighten me as to what this material is? Mithral armors - these generally work, and is amusingly one of the cheaper options, but I don't know if this can be concealed under clothing the way celestial armors can (what's the difference between the two anyway??) I'm looking for non-magical gear because I'm starting a campaign called Midnight where magical items are not only restricted and death to possess, but magic items can be easily sniffed out by occupying forces, so...all help is greatly appreciated, and thanks for any input in advance!
Dire_Rhino 08-11-06, 11:42 PM	I can help you with RoS. There are 3 armors you may be interested in: Gnomish battlecloak: A cloak that acts as a shield with appropriate proficiency Gnomish twistcloth: A bunch of, well, twisted cloths hung on the wearer (can't be worn under armor, if the fluff is read right) Earthsilk jersey: A shirt that provides DR 1/slashing or bludgeoning. Both Gnomish armors need Ex. Armor Prof. to function, but IIRC you get them free if you're a gnome. Unfortunately, the combined AC for both is like... two. Very high max dex though.
Dheran 08-12-06, 06:29 PM	This isn't what you were asking for, but what about combining magic armor having the Glamered property (which lets the armor appear as normal clothes) with Nystul's Magic Aura to conceal its magical nature? The spell lasts 1 day/level, so it's not going to run out on you at inconvenient times.
Ryu Katsuragi 08-12-06, 07:07 PM	Gnomish battlecloak: A cloak that acts as a shield with appropriate proficiency Gnomish twistcloth: A bunch of, well, twisted cloths hung on the wearer (can't be worn under armor, if the fluff is read right) Earthsilk jersey: A shirt that provides DR 1/slashing or bludgeoning. Both Gnomish armors need Ex. Armor Prof. to function, but IIRC you get them free if you're a gnome. Unfortunately, the combined AC for both is like... two. Very high max dex though. And just to add to this irrelavant post, only Gnomish Battlecloak requires proficiency to use. Gnome Twistcloths have no Max Dex (to my knowledge), and with proficiency, applies it's AC to both touch and normal AC.
RavenDrake 08-12-06, 07:29 PM	There aren't really any specific rules for "concealing" armour. I would say, personally, that you can use a Disguise check or a Slight of Hand check(as with Hiding a weapon) to conceal your armour(Hiding it under a baggy jerkin or cloak, wrapping cloth around joints so they don't show, oiling chains and seams so they don't squeak, etc). This would be opposed by a spot check from anyone who sees you, or a search check from someone who frisks you physically. The Search Check would give the searcher a +4 bonus on his attempt, since it's easier to find things than to hide them effectively, and I'd give it an additional +2 bonus for light armour(total +6), +4 bonus for Medium Armour(+8), and a +6 bonus for Heavy armour(+10) since they're so bulky. Also, honestly, that bulk will show through so I'd also give the Spot check +1 for Light, +2 for medium, and +4 for Heavy. Also, the Armour check penalty for a non-proficient armour would count against your hiding check here as wel. Certain things would give you other bonuses... Mithril will reduce the weight class of the armour reducing it's noticeability(and I'll allow it to reduce the penalties for light armour to only +4 on search, no bonus on spot). Wearing a large, heavy, nondescript cloak would grant you a bonus(depending on the cloak) to your check but may raise suspicions.