Wanderer’s Rest
Part Four of the Embervault Series
“By Bahlin’s bent fork, this armor naps better than me bloody mattress.”
Mike’s Story: Sleep in Yer Armor, They Said…
There’s armor for war. There’s armor for parade. And then there’s Wanderer’s Rest — armor that doesn’t hate you for wearin’ it past midnight.
I found it on a dead ranger slumped over a log, smiling like he'd just rolled a nat 20 on a retirement plan. No dents. No stink. Just peace. That’s when I knew somethin’ was wrong.
Turns out this patchwork beauty was sewn from dozens o’ scraps — leathers, chain, even some stitched-together hide from a celestial elk. Sounds awful? Feels like a campfire hug. Smells like the road. Magic stitched in not by wizards, but by travelers who never stopped.
And like the rest o’ the Embervault Series, it don’t show off right away. It grows. Learns yer gait. Learns yer snore. Eventually, it becomes home.
Here's the rest of the set, if yer mad enough to complete it:
Armor That Sleeps As Hard As It Travels
Perfect for rangers, monks, druids, and wandering clerics who nap with one eye open. Especially those who hate taking off their greaves just to get a good rest.
Armor Type: Light or Medium (flexible scaling)
Rarity: Uncommon → Very Rare (scales with level)
Base AC: 12 + Dex (Light), or 14 + Dex (max 2) (Medium) — chosen at attunement.
Trait – Restful Stride:
Level 1–4:
No penalties for sleeping in armor.
Gain +1 to all CON saves vs fatigue or exhaustion.
Level 5–9:
During a Long Rest, regain 1 additional hit die.
Unaffected by difficult terrain during overland travel.
Level 10–14:
Immunity to magical exhaustion effects (but not physical damage that causes exhaustion).
Passive +2 to movement speed and +1 Dex saves while outdoors.
Level 15+:
Never requires sleep for mechanical purposes (still needs rest, but watch rotations become optional).
Can instantly don or doff the armor as an action.
Where to Drop It: Sewn by the Road
Let it show up in a merchant’s cart — worn, mismatched, but unreasonably comfortable. Or hang it in a forgotten shrine to an unknown traveler statue. One touch, and the wearer feels like they’ve walked a hundred roads to get here. Because maybe they have.
Not All Roads Lead to Towns
📌 If yer group keeps collapsing every time they forget to rest right, this armor’s the closest thing to divine mercy they’ll ever wear.
👉 Wanderer’s Rest is for characters who never sit still. Pair it with the Coin of the Lost Patron if yer wanderer likes risk, or layer it under Verdant Ironmail if they’re heading somewhere deadly. Find the rest at Tavern Armory, or ask Mike where the road goes next.
FAQ
Q: Can this armor be upgraded to Heavy?
A: Nay. It’s made for movin’, not moanin’. Pick Light or Medium when ya attune. No changin’ later.
Q: What if my character’s an elf or doesn’t sleep?
A: Still works. You just feel like you rested in silk and warm cider.
Q: Is the instant don/doff magical or mechanical?
A: Both. There’s a strap trick in the shoulders. I tried to copy it. Got stuck in a curtain for two hours.
For the Ones Who Sleep with One Eye Open
📌 By Tharn’s itchy chainmail, if yer still takin’ armor off every night like a civilized halfling, you ain’t adventurin’ right.
👉 Wanderer’s Rest is the unsung hero of road-worn campaigns. It doesn’t glitter. It doesn’t shout. It just works. Pick it up, pair it with Grudgeplate or Emberhook Blade, and thank me later when yer still alive after three bad sleeps.
