Anthony
Knight
Sorry for the title; I don't know the English equivalent, except the rather unwieldy definition of what it means; wearing a shield on one's back for defense. My suggestion is to allow a shield that isn't in use to be slung on the back of the character; it would not provide defense from all attacks to the back, but perhaps arrows and what not could be stopped by it, or perhaps the occassional attack to the rear (or simply stop attacks to the mid-section or upper part of one's back). Lots of folks did this; Saxons, Norse, Gaels, etc.; it wasn't really much in defensive posturing, it was how one slung their shield. However, it did provide real protection from attack.
Further; carrying weapons. Is there a way that perhaps one could could increase the number of weapons they carry perhaps? Based on baldrics, wearing additional frogs and what not. The balance would be how much weight one would end up carrying, and one still wouldn't be able to really carry much beyond small weapons (throwing knives and the like), but it wasn't difficult for one to carry numerous additional little weapons, not just a few of them; larger weapons would of course be a different situation.
Of other weapons; why no slings or flails? Slings because they were a common hunting weapon, cheap, and could greatly increase the damage one could deal with a stone (and were longer range and more accurate than the average bow). Flails I suppose would be a bit of physics issue, but they'd certainly look great. Others; perhaps shorter spears that are used overhand (IE; Gaelic lances; I'm an Irish historian, can't help it; all Gaels fought with spears overhand), and darts (1/3rd length javelins with weighted heads that were meant to break holes in chain and punch holes in helmets).
What about more clothing? Again. ...Gaelic clothing. Real Gaelic clothing, not kilts (kilts are a very late invention). Gaels wore, either (depending on their social status) tight trews, a thigh length shirt (not too different than what's available), but also wore knee-length shirts, and were otherwise bare-legged. With it was worn a mantle (often plaid). There were also great variety of robes worn by aristocracy (nobility is erroneous; the Gaelic governments lacked set 'nobility', and one's station was based more on how much wealth they could accrew via business or warfare, coupled with their skill in combat and command). There would also be cloaks, but I'm certain those have been mentioned. More variety in 'heraldic' armor would be a definite plus; various designs, colorations, etc. on the tabard. Or, make the tabard its own piece of clothing with great variety of design; these were common throughout most of medieval Europe, and would look best with great variety, and worn by all of the upper class troops (conversely, such things weren't worn by Gaels, though Norman-Scots in the lowlands {such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce} wore them over their armor, since they were, after all, technically Normans in culture).
More variety in shields, as well. More than kite and round shields were used (and even those could do with some variety of design; really, even the same stats but with various designs to choose would be fun, such as tabards; round shields could use a bit more 'regular' appearance such as just round wood planks unpainted/unrimmed, and such). Oval shaped shields were still in use (vikings sometimes used them, some cavalry employed them, the Welsh used them, etc.), as well as other shapes, such as sexagonal and hexagonal (six and eight side) shields, and crescent shaped shields were sometimes used in parts of the steppe (though, did that fall out of use by the middle ages? not my area). Bucklers I'm certain have been mentioned, and would be nice as a cheap, simple shield, that could perhaps be used by peasants and militias, and players who need something cheap at the outset. Even those could have a bit of variety in shape and appearance.
My real complaint with the game (which I greatly enjoy) is a lack of variety, I suppose. I'm aware it would take a while to add much, but I'm not demanding of impatient about it; just, I think those could add something to the feel of the game. Immersion via available equipment, and how sides dress and such, would help. Ultimately, I'd hope for more factions and such one could assist, and more complex jobs and larger battle capable (including battles where one doesn't command all of the force they're allied to).
Further; carrying weapons. Is there a way that perhaps one could could increase the number of weapons they carry perhaps? Based on baldrics, wearing additional frogs and what not. The balance would be how much weight one would end up carrying, and one still wouldn't be able to really carry much beyond small weapons (throwing knives and the like), but it wasn't difficult for one to carry numerous additional little weapons, not just a few of them; larger weapons would of course be a different situation.
Of other weapons; why no slings or flails? Slings because they were a common hunting weapon, cheap, and could greatly increase the damage one could deal with a stone (and were longer range and more accurate than the average bow). Flails I suppose would be a bit of physics issue, but they'd certainly look great. Others; perhaps shorter spears that are used overhand (IE; Gaelic lances; I'm an Irish historian, can't help it; all Gaels fought with spears overhand), and darts (1/3rd length javelins with weighted heads that were meant to break holes in chain and punch holes in helmets).
What about more clothing? Again. ...Gaelic clothing. Real Gaelic clothing, not kilts (kilts are a very late invention). Gaels wore, either (depending on their social status) tight trews, a thigh length shirt (not too different than what's available), but also wore knee-length shirts, and were otherwise bare-legged. With it was worn a mantle (often plaid). There were also great variety of robes worn by aristocracy (nobility is erroneous; the Gaelic governments lacked set 'nobility', and one's station was based more on how much wealth they could accrew via business or warfare, coupled with their skill in combat and command). There would also be cloaks, but I'm certain those have been mentioned. More variety in 'heraldic' armor would be a definite plus; various designs, colorations, etc. on the tabard. Or, make the tabard its own piece of clothing with great variety of design; these were common throughout most of medieval Europe, and would look best with great variety, and worn by all of the upper class troops (conversely, such things weren't worn by Gaels, though Norman-Scots in the lowlands {such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce} wore them over their armor, since they were, after all, technically Normans in culture).
More variety in shields, as well. More than kite and round shields were used (and even those could do with some variety of design; really, even the same stats but with various designs to choose would be fun, such as tabards; round shields could use a bit more 'regular' appearance such as just round wood planks unpainted/unrimmed, and such). Oval shaped shields were still in use (vikings sometimes used them, some cavalry employed them, the Welsh used them, etc.), as well as other shapes, such as sexagonal and hexagonal (six and eight side) shields, and crescent shaped shields were sometimes used in parts of the steppe (though, did that fall out of use by the middle ages? not my area). Bucklers I'm certain have been mentioned, and would be nice as a cheap, simple shield, that could perhaps be used by peasants and militias, and players who need something cheap at the outset. Even those could have a bit of variety in shape and appearance.
My real complaint with the game (which I greatly enjoy) is a lack of variety, I suppose. I'm aware it would take a while to add much, but I'm not demanding of impatient about it; just, I think those could add something to the feel of the game. Immersion via available equipment, and how sides dress and such, would help. Ultimately, I'd hope for more factions and such one could assist, and more complex jobs and larger battle capable (including battles where one doesn't command all of the force they're allied to).
In fact, blows hurt my arm worse than they hurt me through the shield flapping around on my back. I think the key might be in it not being firmly afixed to the body, and distributing the force over a very large area. Remember, weapons only work because they distribute force over a very *small* area. 
