Why would PCs wear capes?

[Kid Socrates]

Well, there are no jet engines to get trapped in so they should be safe

That's true, but how many adventurers have met a grisly fate when a team of horses drawing a carriage stepped on the end of their cape and then they were trampled? It's not a pretty sight!

A strong cape could be very handy in a number of situations. Take it off and tie it to two heavy things on either side of a doorway, and you have a garish tripwire. Hiding contraband in your inn room? Fold it up in the cape and store it with your stuff. Need to transport fragile books? Wrap them up in the cape. Need to make an impression at the king's ball? Why, capes are stunning and a great fashion accessory with nearly anything!

A cape or cloak could also be thrown off in a fight and then wrapped back around you when the guards come to investigate the disturbance, helping you bluff your way out of it ("No, officer, I just got here.").

 

[Mark CMG]

I would assume that capes (as opposed to modern day ties) come off easily.

Unless they are cursed . . .


. . . even if they are clip-on capes . . .

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Capes with a hood are very utilitarian. In colder weather, bulky layers can be quite a hinderance to movement. The cape allows you to leave it open in warmer weather, but wrap it around you when it gets colder. Using a clasp that releases fairly easily prevents someone from choking you or restraining you with it, and allows you to drop it quickly. In the rain a woolen cape can still keep you warm, but once you get inside it is easy to remove and hang to dry. And then there are the pockets and concealing effects mentioned above. And of course it just looks sharp.

 

[argo]

Because the only thing cooler than a good cape is a hooded cloak that leaves your face obscured in shadow?

Because you never know when a beautiful lady might need to keep her feet dry?

Because when you do wear one it seems that a strong north wind is always blowing no matter what direction you are facing (or even if you are inside)?


Seriously, in addition to protection from the elements capes/cloaks also serve to keep you looking clean. Travel is a dirty business when the roads are unpaved (or even when they are paved but used as an open sewer) the outer garment gets coated with dust/dirt/mud/less savory materials while your normal clothes are left looking somewhat more presentable.

Later.

 

[kyloss]

As has already been mentioned cloaks were essentialy the long/ winter/rain coat of there time and remained fairly commonin one form or another up until aprox. 1850's or later in some areas til early 1900s (particulary for women-cloaks work better for some dresses of the time) when the trench coat became popular from WWI as the industrial revolution started to make buttons cheaper. We dont realize now but when the were hand carved buttons were expensive so a cloak with a simply tie cloasure or single clasp was a cheaper alternative a heavy coats were generaly reserved for, army and outdoorsmen who needed both hands free and clear in the outdoors, or the rich for new style trends. Basicaly think of them as black (leather) long coats today.

 

[Savage Wombat]

They also keep the green slime from hitting your head on the first round.

Giving you time to burn the stuff off with a quick Burning Hands spell.

 

[francisca]

I would assume that capes (as opposed to modern day ties) come off easily. Otherwise, I could have fun with this as a DM...

DM: The dragon's maw barely misses you as you turn to run away.

Player: Great! I'll keep running!

DM: Unfortunately, the dragon has a mouth full of your cape.

Who needs jets when you have Dragons

Funny ha-ha guy answer: Ooh man, my players would give me such a beating. I love it. Yoink!

Boorish answer: But, the cloak is figured into AC. A miss would not grab the cloak!!!!! If you want that kind of realism, go play Harn, blah blah, blah , blah....

 

[was]

extra protection against the weather.

 

[sjmiller]

Just to clarify things a bit, a cape is generally only waist length. A cloak is ankle length, or mid-calf length. If you cloak drags the ground it is a bit too long. Clasps, pins, hooks and eyes, frogs (cloth button closures), toggles, and buttons are all ways that they are kept closed. Some longer ones have slits to allow your hands to be used. Hoods can be found on both cloaks and capes.

Cloaks and capes are, as some have already mentioned, good for protection from the elements. Being made quite often of heavy wool or leather, they repel rain, wind and snow with ease. Capes were often used during the era of the rapier as a shield-like device. Whole schools of swordsmanship were designed around this tactic. Travelling cloaks, generally hooded, make great bedrolls and can even be made into a leanto if necessary.

So, fashion, while important in fantasy art, is not the only reason one would want a cloak or cape.

Oh, and as someone who often wears one during August and September as a Renaissance Festival performer, they are darn nice to have when it is cold or rainy.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

I suppose you could rip it off in combat and fling it over the head of your oppenents to gain a sneak attack!

A good swashbuckling maneuver!

Now the question is, is flinging your cape at an opponent a full round, move-equivalent, or standard action? If its move-equivalent, I have an idea to both embarass and put some fear back into my overconfident PCs...