The Cleric's New Clothes: New Armour Options for Clerics

So a while back I wrote an article about the most ridiculous weapons I'd ever seen.  In all my years of playing Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder and other Dungeon-Delving fantasy games.  You can find the post here.  One of the books I referenced was the Ultimate Equipment Guide Volume 1 from Mongoose Publishing.  While the book for the most part is a pass, it does have some very interesting items in it.  Including the ones that inspired today's post.

Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce to you the Holy Robes and Holy Vestments.  I found these little gems on pages 44 and 45 of the Ultimate Equipment Guide, in the chapter named Clerics and Temples.  Now I don't know about you, but the idea of a Cleric in Chainmail swinging a mace around never really made sense to me.  Sure there have been examples of Priest's dressing in armour and wielding maces in real-world history.  I refer you to Bishop Odo of Bayeux, William the Bastard's (a.k.a. William the Conqueror) brother and right hand man.  More known for his skill as a warrior and a statesman than a man of God.  There is one vital difference between Odo and you're typical Cleric in Fantasy Roleplaying game though.  Odo was for the most part a mortal man, while Cleric's in D&D can call down the wrath of their god.  Why would they need to wear chainmail?  I personally find that the Holy Vestments and the Holy Robes offer an alternative to chainmail for your Cleric.

Holy Vestments

"Clerical holy vestments are blessed to withstand attacks, protecting their wearers from harm.  Often made from silk and wool, these robes are both comfortable and easy to move in.  The symbol of the patron deity is often embroider upon the centre of the chest of the robes in the chose colours."

Statistics D&D 3.5

Light Armour; 40 gp; AC +2; Max Dex +6; Check Penalty -; Spell Failure 5%; Speed 30 ft./20 ft.; 15 lb.

Statistics D&D 5th Edition (Converted by Yours Truly) 

Light Armour; 40 gp; AC 11+Dex modifier; Strength -; Stealth -; 15 lb.

Statistics Pathfinder (Converted by Yours Truly)

Light Armour; 40 gp; AC +2; Max Dex +6; Check Penalty -; Spell Failure 5%; Speed 30 ft./20 ft.; 15 lb.

Holy Robes

"As an alternative means of protection, many clerics fabricate their own form of armour.  These robes are crafted from durable wool and blessed with holy water by the temple priests for a fortnight before they are given to a cleric for use.  It is believed that the deities of the temples bless these robes to protect their followers."

Statistics D&D 3.5

Light Armour; 250 gp; AC +3; Max Dex +6; Check Penalty -1; Spell Failure 10%; Speed 30 ft./20 ft.; 15 lb. 

Statistics D&D 5th Edition (Converted by Yours Truly) 

Light Armour; 250 gp; AC 12+Dex modifier; Strength -; Stealth Disadvantage; 15 lb.

Statistics Pathfinder (Converted by Yours Truly)

Light Armour; 250 gp; AC +3; Max Dex +6; Check Penalty -1; Spell Failure 10%; Speed 30 ft./20 ft.; 15 lb.

Now granted mechanically they aren't great.  They're about the equivalent of Leather & Studded Leather Armour in terms of protection.  The Holy Robes in particular have a ridiculous price tag for the bonus it offers.  By the time a character can afford a set of Holy Robes they'll probably have a set of Magical Armour anyways.  That's not the reason that I suggested them though.  It's more for flavour than anything else.  It's for the purposes of Roleplaying.  At Level 1 a Cleric can't afford any armour more expensive than a set of Holy Vestments anyway (at least in Pathfinder).  Yet imagine how special you can make your Cleric feel by having him wear a set of what essentially cloth and still be protected.  (Especially when it supposedly is blessed by your patron deity themselves).  It's just a thought, you can disregard it as you wish, I just think it's an interesting roleplaying angle.  

That about wraps it up for me.  Be sure to +1, follow, comment and re-share.  May you roll many crits and have a nice day.