Shields

Shield List

This section lists the data for shields in general use.

Name Type Block Mod Block Score Stealth Value (Silver) Effects
Gauntlet Small +2 +1 −0 13 Proper equipment for monks
Buckler Small +3 +2 −0 25 Parry (+1)
Round Shield Small +4 +3 −4 35
Targe Small +5 +3 −4 40 Parry (+1)
Lantern Shield Small +3 +3 −8 85 Weapon; Parry (+1); provides light
Spiked Shield Large +4 +3 −8 45 Weapon
Kite Shield Large +4 +4 −8 50 Parry While Riding (+1)
Heater Shield Large +5 +4 −8 70 Parry While Riding (+2)
Tower Shield Large +5 +5 −8 80
Pavis Large None +6 −8 100 Can be set up

Shield Attacks (p. 186) #

A character can use their shield for a melee attack. Its attacking attribute is treated as bludgeoning damage. The standard hit score for a shield attack is found using this formula:

Standard hit score = technique focus + level of a class that can equip that shield + bonus from Weapons: Maces or Weapons: Close-Combat

All small shields without weapon data have a power of 1d3+1, and their hit modifier is −2. All large shields have a power of 1d3+2, and their hit modifier is −2.

Small Shields

Gauntlet Small Shield (Metal) / Light
Block Mod: +2 Block Score: +1 Stealth: −0 Value (Silver): 13
Effects:
  • Not Throwable
  • Treated as proper equipment for monks, who can add their monk level to block checks.
A crude but sturdy gauntlet. Some purposely equip one for use in melee combat.
Buckler Small Shield (Wood) / Light
Block Mod: +3 Block Score: +2 Stealth: −0 Value (Silver): 25
Effects:
  • Parry (+1)
A small shield that covers the hand. More frequently used for parrying than defense.
Round Shield Small Shield (Wood) / Light
Block Mod: +4 Block Score: +3 Stealth: −4 Value (Silver): 35
Effects:
  • None
A circular shield made of leather stretched around a wooden plank. Its popularity means it tends to be recommended for those unsure of what shield to get. Some also use it for throwing. There was even one person who, during the Age of Mythology, swung one around on a chain.
Targe Small Shield (Wood or Leather) / Light
Block Mod: +5 Block Score: +3 Stealth: −4 Value (Silver): 40
Effects:
  • Parry (+1)
A small shield that hangs from a knight’s armor as an auxiliary form of defense. It’s perfectly usable when held, too.
Lantern Shield Small Shield (Wood or Metal) / Light
Block Mod: +3 Block Score: +3 Stealth: −8 Value (Silver): 85
Effects:
  • Not Throwable
  • Parry (+1)
  • Can be used as a weapon with the data below.
  • It houses a lantern, so it can be used as lighting.
A shield with a lantern inside for keeping watch at night. Its shutter allows the user to control how much light it gives off, but it’s both heavy and fragile as far as shields go.
Lantern Shield (when used as a weapon) One-Handed Sword / Light
Use: One-Handed Attribute: Slash / Pierce Power: 1d6
Hit Mod: −4 Range: Close
Effects:
  • Not Throwable
  • Pierce (+1)
  • Slice

Large Shields

Spiked Shield Large Shield (Wood or Metal) / Heavy
Block Mod: +4 Block Score: +3 Stealth: −8 Value (Silver): 45
Effects:
  • Can be used as a weapon with the data below.
A shield with spikes on it. As cheap of a trick as it looks, it’s prominent for its intimidation factor in hand-to-hand combat. It’s a formidable weapon in its own right.
Spiked Shield (when used as a weapon) Mace / Heavy
Use: One-Handed Attribute: Pierce / Bludgeoning Power: 1d6+1
Hit Mod: −4 Range: Close
Effects:
  • SB: Bludgeon (+2)
  • Pierce (+1)
Kite Shield Large Shield (Wood or Metal) / Heavy
Block Mod: +4 Block Score: +4 Stealth: −8 Value (Silver): 50
Effects:
  • Parry While Riding (+1)
A large shield used mainly by knights on horseback. Shaped like a longer triangle, it can protect down to the feet when mounted.
Heater Shield Large Shield (Wood or Metal) / Heavy
Block Mod: +5 Block Score: +4 Stealth: −8 Value (Silver): 70
Effects:
  • Parry While Riding (+2)
A more refined kite shield. Made smaller and more efficient with advances in armor, it became better for swinging around on foot in close quarters combat and sturdier.
Tower Shield Large Shield (Wood or Metal) / Heavy
Block Mod: +5 Block Score: +5 Stealth: −8 Value (Silver): 80
Effects:
  • None
A large shield used by frontline soldiers and the like. Aptly referred to as a portable wall, it’s used to form a line, then pressure and push back enemies.
Pavis Large Shield (Wood) / Heavy
Block Mod: None Block Score: +6 Stealth: −8 Value (Silver): 100
Effects:
  • Not Throwable
  • A pavis can be set up on the ground using a main action. Hiding behind it prevents enemies from seeing you. If the pavis takes 20 or more points of damage at once, it will fall over and become useless. A character can use a main action to pick a fallen pavis back up. This shield cannot be used for shield attacks.
A large shield meant to be set up on the ground, it is fixed with stakes to serve as a screen. Used mainly to create a simple defensive position for bowmen and mages to guard against arrows and the like.