Canvian Field Armor

It's All Dune Shields.

    That's it, article over.

 

Lore.

    But on a more serious note, it's basically a projected energy field that sits slightly above the user's skin and is projected by a small barrier-generation device typically attached around the belt on the back left side. Canvian field troops typically also wear a ballistic vest (stats as a breastplate) for any time they get caught with barriers down. In addition to the armor, typical field uniform includes a backpack (basic rations, spare ammunition, a few of their unique grenades, any small personal effects), attached radio unit (think World War I-era scout radios), their preferred melee sidearm on the left hip, their preferred pistol sidearm on their right hip, any casting foci on the back right side of their belt (typically a holy symbol of Mereval, their dracolich creator god), and their primary weapon kept easily accessible in a sling carry.

    Anyways, back to the actual armor. There's three major series of barrier generator in common military use, each of which represents a general weight class of armor. Essentially, the stronger of a barrier generator used by a soldier, the more protective it is, and the more restrictive it is to use; less air gets through, it resists your movements more, etc. All of them follow the same general mechanic: As an action, you can activate or deactivate the barrier generator to don or doff the armor it provides, respectively. They also all follow the same core design principle; trade off points of AC to get more interesting armor.

• The Hakn series. This is the heaviest stuff, prioritizing defense, with a few interesting modified forms.
• The Mayl series. This is the medium tier stuff, trading AC for mobility, stealth, etc.
• The Laris series. This is the light tier. It actively enhances how agile you are, but doesn't offer much protection at all. 

Why Barrier Shields?

    I just think they're cool. But also, Mereval is from an off-world Type II civilization and was sent to reclaim Elysara from the horrific wasteland it had become as a result of nuclear, biological, and magical warfare. As a result of some... complications... Mereval was entirely cut off from home and thus had to make things work all alone, so outfitting soldiers with equipment capable of protecting them from a mix of horrific diseases, undead hordes, massive amounts of ambient radiation, surprise gravitational anomalies, and other generally unpleasant things was a necessary step relatively early on in Canvian history.

Using this Stuff in a Less Sci-Fantasy Setting

    Basically just treat the various barrier generators like magical armor. Maybe instead of projecting a protective field of magic through tech mumbo jumbo, it's a rune carefully stitched into the back of a ball gown by the court wizard for the princess, which she can invoke to ward herself from harm. Maybe it's a divine blessing conferred by a paladin having branded his sacred orders into his own flesh. Maybe it's a suit of relatively normal armor that an abjuration wizard got a bit bored and decided to enchant while inventing some more interesting types of golems. Let your imagination run wild, and don't be afraid to reskin things.

The Crunchy Stuff.

Hakn Al-Asal
Heavy armor
Futuristic
1,500 gp, 5 lb.     AC 18

The Hakn Al-Asal heavy barrier generator is the most powerful heavy model used by Canvian military forces, providing comparable defenses to conventional armor with only a fraction of the weight.

The wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

If the wearer has a Strength score lower than 15, their speed is reduced by 10 feet.

 

Hakn Ket-Asal
Heavy armor
Futuristic
1,500 gp, 5 lb.     AC 17

The Hakn Ket-Asal heavy barrier generator trades some of the defensive power of its Al-Asal counterpart to enhance the physical might of its user. While the Hakn Ket-Asal is activated and you make a Strength check, you can roll 2d4 and add the number rolled to the ability check.

The wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

If the wearer has a Strength score lower than 15, their speed is reduced by 10 feet.

 

Hakn Ket-Sur
Heavy armor
Futuristic
1,500 gp, 5 lb.     AC 16

The Hakn Ket-Sur heavy barrier generator trades some of the defensive power of its Al-Asal counterpart to help its user stand their ground. While the Hakn Ket-Sur is activated and you make a Strength saving throw, you can roll 2d4 and add the number rolled to the saving throw.

The wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

If the wearer has a Strength score lower than 13, their speed is reduced by 10 feet.

Hakn Scutus
Heavy armor
Futuristic
1,500 gp, 5 lb.     AC 15

The Hakn Scutus heavy barrier generator is a second generation variant of the Al-Asal model, advancing Mayl theory tenets with its regenerating shield. While the Hakn Scutus is activated, you gain a number of temporary hit points at the start of each of your turns equal to twice your proficiency bonus.

The wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

If the wearer has a Strength score lower than 13, their speed is reduced by 10 feet.

 

Hakn Retris
Heavy armor
Futuristic
1,500 gp, 5 lb.     AC 14

The Hakn Retris heavy barrier generator rebels against the tenets of Mayl theory to trade defensive power for offensive capability. While the Hakn Retris is activated and you are hit with a melee attack, the attacker takes force damage equal to twice your proficiency bonus.

The wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

 

Mayl Al-Asal
Medium armor
Futuristic
750 gp, 3 lb.     AC 15 + Dex (max 2)

The Mayl Al-Asal medium barrier generator is the most powerful medium model used by Canvian military forces, providing comparable defenses to conventional armor with only a fraction of the weight.

Although more demanding of their users' strength than the lighter variations, the Mayl series provide a reliable compromise between defense and mobility.

The wearer has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

Mayl Mej-Asal
Medium armor
Futuristic
750 gp, 3 lb.     AC 14 + Dex (max 2)

The Mayl Mej-Asal medium barrier generator trades some of the defensive power of its Al-Asal counterpart to enhance the mobility of its user. While the Mayl Mej-Asal is activated, your walking speed increases by 5 feet.

Mayl Mej-Sur
Medium armor
Futuristic
750 gp, 3 lb.     AC 13 + Dex (max 2)

The Mayl Mej-Sur medium barrier generator trades some of the defensive power of its Al-Asal counterpart to help its user shrug off debilitating effects. While the Mayl Mej-Sur is activated and you make a saving throw against being paralyzed or restrained, you can roll 2d4 and add the number rolled to the saving throw.

Mayl Scutus
Medium armor
Futuristic
750 gp, 3 lb.     AC 12 + Dex (max 2)

The Mayl Scutus medium barrier generator is a second generation variant of the Al-Asal model, advancing Mayl theory tenets to specialize in defense against energy weaponry. While the Mayl Scutus is activated, cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, radiant, and thunder damage you take is reduced by your proficiency bonus.

Mayl Nyaris
Medium armor
Futuristic
750 gp, 3 lb.     AC 11 + Dex (max 2)

The Mayl Nyaris medium barrier generator is a second generation variant of the Al-Asal model, advancing Mayl theory tenets to specialize in protection from ranged attacks. While the Mayl Nyaris is activated, you have resistance to damage from ranged weapon attacks.

Laris Al-Asal
Light armor
Futuristic
45 gp, 1 lb.     AC 12 + Dex

The Laris Al-Asal light barrier generator is the most powerful light model used by Canvian military forces, providing comparable defenses to conventional armor with only a fraction of the weight.

Although less innately protective than the heavier variations, the Laris series allow for significantly greater freedom of movement.

Laris Xil-Asal
Light armor
Futuristic
45 gp, 1 lb.     AC 11 + Dex

The Laris Xil-Asal light barrier generator trades some of the defensive power of its Al-Asal counterpart to enhance the dexterity of its user. While the Laris Xil-Asal is activated and you make a Dexterity check, you can roll 2d4 and add the number rolled to the ability check.

Laris Scutus
Light armor
Futuristic
45 gp, 1 lb.     AC 10 + Dex

The Laris Scutus light barrier generator is a second generation variant of the Al-Asal model, advancing Mayl theory tenets to specialize in protecting its user from areas of effect. While the Laris Scutus is activated and you make a Dexterity saving throw, you can roll 2d4 and add the number rolled to the saving throw.