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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TBeholder" data-source="post: 8609821" data-attributes="member: 41606">“Not D&D specific”? It comes from <a href="https://middenmurk.blogspot.com/2015/09/apocryphal-armour.html" target="_blank">flimsy attempts at historical research by Samuel Rush Meyrick</a> who pulled “facts” out of painting techniques and whatnot. The “ring mail” is not a thing that existed, because it simply does not make sense. The rest is his extra-fancy terminology for real things. Fanfic grade stuff. And then Gygax came, saw and made all this nonsense popular.That said, maille  includes a lot.You could use "ring mail" stat line in old tables for sparse "Asian" patterns (rings in two distinct positions interlocking at right angle: coplanar and perpendicular, <a href="https://www.mailleartisans.org/weaves/weavedisplay.php?key=18" target="_blank">square 4-in-1</a> or more dense <a href="https://www.instructables.com/How-to-make-Japanese-6-1-Maille-Armor/" target="_blank">hexagonal 6-in-1</a>; Japanese so gusari and hana gusari respectively). Such mail is rather transparent. It obviously resists slashes by sabers and suchlike well enough, but generally is less effective against bludgeoning (due to low density and greater flexibility) and stabbing than "<a href="https://www.instructables.com/European-4-in-1-maille-chainmail-speedweaving/" target="_blank">European</a>" (all rings are locked the same way, tilted, usually 4-in-1; Japanese nanban gusari) patterns. It's also relatively light, very flexible and lets the air through, as such it allows fast movements with less effort and isn't so hot to wear (thus can be actually worn at length in hotter climates). Which is also why it's commonly used for cosplay.Of course, you may want something more solid over the body parts that don't bend much, but contain vital organs. A <a href="https://www.medievaltymes.com/courtyard/armour_terminology.htm#Lame" target="_blank">lame</a> or a whole row of them <a href="https://www.instructables.com/Maille-and-Plates-Armour/" target="_blank">can be woven into</a> either pattern. Or have separate maille and plate components in one suit. Which was done a lot.</blockquote>

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