Updated Paladin Kit

Here is my current paladin kit

I need to upgrade some elements. This is my latest wish list for a paladin kit. from head to toe:

Helmet
I like this helmet from Norton (http://www.nortonarmouries.com/product-page/spangenhelm-with-nasal-bar), in plain steel color. Size 62 cm (24.5")

Coif
My current coif is OK, although it bothers me from an authenticity standpoint that it uses velcro. I could upgrade with this one from Medieval Collectibles. Size Large.

Gambeson

I have a ranger's gambeson, but its tan color doesn't really look paladin-like. Also, it is too thick to wear under my chainmail. I can just wear chain over my tunic, but the metal stains the tunic. A nice gambeson, like this one, would help. Size Large.

Tabard
The tabard is a loaner. I need my own. I am going to try to make one, but if it doesn't work out there is always this one. Size Large. Color TBD. The red looks really good, but I am partial to blue myself.

Torso Armor
I currently have a nice set of aluminum chain mail. Unfortunately, it only covers down to the upper thighs. I'd like to extend coverage to my knees. Perhaps a chain skirt, such as these.

Ultimately, I'd also like to get a coat-of-plates. Currently working on making a set myself, although Alchemy Armory has a kit.

Arm and Leg Armor
My chain currently covers most of my arms, but there are times where I may not want to wear the chain. For example, I want to make/get a coat-of-plates, or I could just go with the gambeson. It would be nice to have some armor for my arms. However, I want it to be light - plastic light. Alchemy Armory has nice plastic armor (not as nice as Norton or Wyrmwick but functional and cheaper). Get the full arms. The tops of my legs will be covered by my chain skirt, but the shins are still vulnerable. Protect these with the greaves.

WISH LIST

• I will be ordering greaves ASAP.
• Next on my list is the helmet and gambeson.
• After that TBD

Heavy Metal

UPDATED Oct 28

I've been shopping around for stuff to make a paladin kit and found some metal armor at really decent prices.

A simple helmet for $60

10/28 update - I emailed the supplier, asking for the weight of the helmet. They responded that it is 3.8 pounds. Seems a bit heavy; I think I will stick with plastic.


Greaves for only $27

The question is do I really want to go with metal? Interestingly, metal is cheaper than either plastic or leather, but it is heavier. Still, I could use it with Dagorhir (can't use plastic for Dag) and I get extra armor points in Amtgard. Hmmm.

10/28 update - At yesterday's Dag battle, I tried out some metal greaves and bracers. The greaves felt fine; I wore them all day and barely noticed them. The bracers, however, were very uncomfortable. I may get the metal greaves but will definitely stick to plastic or leather for the bracers.

By the way, I really like this gambeson (only $49)

10/28 update - this gambeson is still on my wish list.

There are a few other things I have my eye on, but the above are my highest priorities.

More Paladin Wish List

I previously discussed some purchases I want to make to change my outfit to a paladin-y look,

Last weekend I went with a paladin look. I like how it turned out.

A few points about this kit:

• My aluminum chain really sells the knight in shining armor look. I'll have to wear it more.
• However, there is no armor coverage from the bottom of the hauberk to the knees. I can rectify that with a chainmail skirt (e.g. this).
• The tabard really makes the kit pop. I borrowed this from Artemis. I wonder if she'd be willing to sell it.
• Another upgrade would be silver or white greaves. I should order a pair from Alchemy.
• The coif is OK but I still want this one. Also, I could really use a helmet to top it off. I'm now leaning toward a simple spangenhelm.

Assault on King's Landing

Battle of Blackwater Bay - Part Two

Despite taking severe losses from Joffrey's wild fire (as accounted previously), the forces of Stannis Baratheon managed to land at the gates of King's Landing.

They rushed up the beach to the gates and began to batter them down. Joffrey's men sallied forth. There began a brutal fight under the walls of the beleaguered city.

But Stannis's troops proved too strong for Joffrey. The gates fell and the way into the city was open.

But then a trumpet sounded from the west. The struggling soldiers all turned to look. A new army, bearing the colors of the Lannisters and Tyrells, had arrived!

OOC Notes

• For the second part of the Game of Thrones scenarios, we played a castle battle. There were 2 entrances into the city. Stannis's troops had to annihilate their opposition.
• The scenario was intended for Stannis to win. His troops had unlimited lives while Joffrey's forces had 5 lives each. The goal was to eliminate the defenders as quickly as possible. I let each team be the attackers and then compared times. The second team (I forgot who was captain) won handily.
• This scenario was merely a set-up for the final scenario, which will be a fight for the fate of King's Landing pitting the reinforced Lannister/Tyrell forces vs. Stannis. We did not get to play it last weekend. If permitted, I will run another Game of Thrones day where we complete the battle.

Battle of Blackwater Bay

Part One

The navy of Stannis Baratheon, true heir to the throne of the Seven Kingdoms, slid into Blackwater Bay, preparatory for an attack on King's Landing. King Stannis was determined to end the reign of the bastard Joffrey, who erroneously claimed to be the eldest son of the late King Robert Baratheon. By taking the capital, Stannis would ascend the Iron Throne and gain the honor he deserved.

The vanguard of the fleet was met by a few paltry ships of the bastard. But then disaster struck.

A hail of wild fire struck the fleet, obliterating it in seconds. Although Ser Davos Seaworth was thrown from his ship, he was quickly rescued by the second wave and took command. He tried a flanking maneuver but was driven off.

Then, Sallador Saan led the remainder of the fleet in a mad rush across the bay. The wild corsairs under his command swept the enemy from the shore, establishing a foothold at the base of the walls of King's Landing. King Stannis landed and prepared to storm the city.

OOC Notes

• As I mentioned in my last post, the Kingdom of Neverwinter is doing a Game of Thrones themed reign, so I have been running GoT scenarios. Today we did the Battle of the Blackwater.
• The first scenario, described above, involved an amphibious landing. Stannis's army had 4 boats (sticks of Frost King foam) and had to make its way through the bay (the battlefield), land on shore, and seize a control point. To prevent them, Joffrey's force had 2 boats, and wild fire (fireballs). 
• I let each team take a turn as the invaders. In the first run, Xhorja (playing Davos) and his force was wiped out by fireballs in their first attempt. Later, Xhorja managed to make it to shore, but was quickly killed.
• In the second run, I limited the wild fire because it was too overpowering. I guess that was true to GoT. Also, the second team (led by Hollywood) tried a different strategy. They made a mad rush to the shore. Quickly overpowering the defenders, they seized the objective for the win.
• Next time, I will make the boats move at a walking pace. Hollywood's mad rush kind of broke the scenario, although it was good strategy.