Chainmail

Chainmail (or chain mail), also called simply chain, was a common form of armor made of interlocking metal rings. Clothing was typically worn underneath such an article to prevent irritation and chafing. Chainmail could also provide the base of other armors, such as plate mail.

Description
Chainmail could comprise an entire set of armor, or it could be a specific article, such as a chain shirt or gauntlet. Aurora's Emporium sold chainmail chemises (45 gp), corsets (25 gp), leggings (35 gp), loin cloths (20 gp), bustenhalts/brassieres (15 gp), and skirts (40 gp). Chainmail was often used for barding (armor for a horse or other mount).

Chain shirts covered only the torso, leaving the arms and legs free. They usually had a cloth layer underneath to prevent chafing and bruising. A typical chain shirt was considered light armor and cost 100 gp. Chainmail armor covered most of the body and hung from the shoulders, making it uncomfortable to wear for a long time. A typical set of chainmail armor was considered medium armor and cost 150 gp. Some chainmail armor was considered heavy armor.

Lace mail was a variant of chainmail that was "airier" and showed off the skin beneath it.

Ring mail was a variant of chainmail in which large metal rings were sewn onto a backing of leather or cloth. It was harder to maintain and provided less protection than standard chainmail.

Materials
Chainmail was usually made from metal. In Faerûn, the following special metals were typically used:
 * Adamantine
 * Arandur
 * Magically-treated copper
 * Darksteel
 * Dlarun
 * Fever iron
 * Hizagkuur
 * Living metal
 * Mithral
 * Treated platinum

Sometimes, other nonmetal materials could be used to make special chainmail:
 * Silverweave (silver coral fronds), used by the races of Serôs.
 * Bluewood, used by volodni in the Unapproachable East.



Notable chainmail items

 * Elven chainmail, armor crafted by the elves.
 * Drow chainmail, adamantite armor crafted by the drow. It decayed when exposed to sunlight.
 * The fist, a magical dwarven gauntlet.
 * Silver mail of the Unicorn Queen, an elven chainmail.
 * Gauntlets of weaponry arcane
 * Gloves of Taarnahm the Vigilant

Notable wearers of chainmail

 * Individuals:
 * Storm Silverhand (elven chainmail)
 * Drizzt Do'Urden (mithral chainmail]])


 * Groups:
 * Axe of Mirabar
 * City Watch of Waterdeep
 * Lances of Leilon
 * Warswords of Impiltur