Alpine earth pony armor 01

A bit of world building from my Equestria dreamscape that I did on my last Picarto   stream. Specialized military forces will often have distinctive equipment and uniforms that set them apart from regular forces. Sometimes it is down visually to denote these units as being specialized or elite units. However these differences can be based on the type missions those units perform.

    Equestria is an interesting place where firearms are becoming more prevalent in the armed forces, but due to tradition and magical enhancements, armor hasn't been completely driven from the battlefield or reduced to parade regalia. This earth pony is part of the alpine units that patrol the many mountainous regions of Equestria. Often they will dispense with the armor entirely, but when the mission calls for close combat they don their armor.

    Since they may have to climb steep, rocky terrain to reach their opponent the Alpine troops will trade absolute armor protection for lighter weight and mobility. Also they are fond of waterproof, windproof, padded armor often with chain mail sandwiched between the fabric instead full plate. The plate offers better protection but the exposed metal makes a great heat sink.

     On top of this armor this mare has an additional vest of brigandine to protect the chest. Her bascinet/barbute helmet has a aventail of padding and mail, and if desired a detachable/moveable visor can be attached to the helm. Light leg defense help more with scuffs and scraps while climbing in rocky terrain.

    In this sketch the only weapons she has on her are a pair of sheathed leg blades on her lower legs which she can use to make slashing cuts on her opponents. However the Alpine forces carry many types of personal weapons along with early versions of light weight mountain guns that can be fired at high angles to reach opponents in the craggy terrain they patrol.

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