This piece of literature intents to “shed some light” on the history of Chitin as armor material. Should be found on Imperial settlements such as Old Ebonheart.
In Regards to the Dunmeri Chitin Armor
by Roiwra, Military Historian and Enthusiast
All civilizations and societies are products of their environment. Although this is a very useful principle for those that aspire to study the history or culture(s) of Tamriel, it becomes even more prominent when one takes it upon him to analyze the Dunmer of the east.
At first glance, it might seem peculiar that the Dunmer use animal parts to manufacture their armor instead of iron and steel like the Imperials and the Nords. However, one has to take into account the exodus to Morrowind. This fated migration to the east stripped the Chimer (ancestors of the Dunmer) from Aldmer resources and methodology of the time, forcing the new nation to start from the ground up.
As one might imagine, the first step was the development of agriculture and husbandry. Netch leather was used for clothing and bug resin for a plethora of tool making, and it was not long before warfare forced the denizens of Morrowind to come up with ways to defend themselves.
The protective chitin of native insects had various applications before its use as means of defense. As argued by notable Dunmer historians, the implementation in shield-making probably predates use in armor, but not by much.
The chitin style was a recipient of much experimentation early on, but its design eventually reached its apex. The modern style consists of a multitude of insect carapace layers, held together by powerful resinous glues that act as insulation, strengthening agent and padding.
The material, from which the armor is made permits air flow, allowing the warrior within to endure hot summer days and last longer in combat. As such, chitin armor has been (and continues to be) used by light infantry, whose main role is to outflank more heavily equipped adversaries.
There is no doubt that chitin is a unique and cost-effective armor material that will be used for generations to come in land of the Dunmer. Perhaps other cultures, including that of the people of the Empire of Tamriel, could learn much from the adaptability of the Dunmer.
2016-01-19 19:35
5 days 22 hours ago
Does this mean all chitin is made from mudcrabs? As I assumed it was from shalk or other native Morrowind bugs. Otherwise I’d assume we’d see instances of chitin springing up all over Tamriel (among the tribal cultures in Valenwood or Black Marsh for instance), as mudcrabs are present in most of the continent, but that isn’t the case.
2016-05-09 13:13
4 days 18 hours ago
"The Dunmer of Morrowind construct chitin armor out of the shells of native insects layered with resinous glues."
- Skyrim Dragonborn DLC, Loading Screen
Chitin armor is made from the carapace of native insects and held together by resinous glues.
- Morrowind, TES Wikia
2015-08-10 20:50
2 weeks 5 days ago
Chitin armour looks as though it was made directly from Scrib shells to me, really, but I’d tend to not specify a particular creature. Morrowind’s chitin armour is probably a stand-in for what would really be a vast array of diverging armour styles and configurations.
I like the text. To me, it reads like it could be trying to ‘sell’ the idea of using local armours to a western audience, and perhaps that idea could be expanded on a little. What if the author is a bureaucrat of the Imperial Legion who is trying to make a case for using local armours in favour of imported steel armour for Morrowind’s legions, to save on expenses and simplify production and supply lines, for instance?
2016-05-09 13:13
4 days 18 hours ago
Or, maybe the application of mudcrab chitin in cyrodiil as a cost-saving way of making armor locally
2016-05-12 05:43
8 years 3 months ago
Edited as per criticism!
Thank you very much!
2016-01-19 19:35
5 days 22 hours ago
Transferred to asset browser. Author has responded to and incorporated suggested edits.