The Shrie-Ryie has multiple names, depending upon which language it is translated into. But, ever since its inception, every name has translated back into one noun, also used for one specific animal : the Crown o’ Thorns Starfish. Looking at it’s array of spikes, purposefully angled in every direction, it’s easy to understand why.
Not designed for offensive work, it is a common piece of armor for guardsmen or warriors to wear, some even electing to wear it on a daily basis. The spikes, while still capable of fearful impalement, are best understood as a deterrent to prevent other merfolk from grabbing at the limb with their jaws. No matter how strong the crushing power or sharp the teeth, the mouth is still a sensitive part of the body, and trying to do so with such heavy metal could easily result in impalement into the most delicate parts of the sinus, throat, eyes, skull, and brain.
Merfolk do not tend to favor any one arm over the other, and lighter fighters or those who more infrequently see combat share this trait. However, through the course of heavy weapons training, recruits will often develop greater muscle strength on one arm over the other, particularly in the use of two-handed weaponry. This arm bears the most of their weapon’s weight, and is the one they use most often with whatever their preferred armament is, and the removal of it can often mean the loss of most of that particular warrior’s use in a battle. Thus, that arm becomes an easy target for anyone who wishes to maim their opponents and make the fight easier for themselves.
The Shrie-Ryie then, prevents the targeting of their preferred arm. The heavy metal plates are lined with spikes to keep martial fighters from crushing or grabbing, and the extra plate along the front of the fin along the strut of the bone will similarly stop any attacker from grabbing it in attempt to dislocate the joints. Thick straps on the underside and across the back and shoulders are resistant to crushing, stabbing, cutting, blunt force, and most other means to attempt to remove the armor from behind. Cushions below the plates and along the straps keep the comfort of the wearer in mind, and sometimes an undershirt might also be constructed, to similarly prevent anything from stabbing through the main body to get to the shoulder joint.
Those who see regular combat, or are particularly worried about being caught off-guard, can often be seen wearing their Shrie-Ryie as a part of their daily wear, and some can grow rather peculiar about never removing it from their person.
Yg’lloze’aa’s Champion Warlord is no exception. ( @cleaverbilt )
