Brigandine Armour

What is Brigandine?
Brigandine is a type of body armour used mainly in the late Middle Ages (14th–16th centuries). It consists of a cloth or leather jacket lined on the inside with small metal plates, which are riveted in place. The plates overlap slightly or sit closely together to provide solid protection while keeping the armour flexible. From the outside, you mainly see the decorated fabric and the pattern of rivets.
Strengths:

• Good protection against slashes, thrusts, and some missile weapons
• More flexible and mobile than full plate armour
• Lighter and more comfortable for longer periods

Weaknesses:

• Noisier than leather when moving stealthily
• Not quite as strong as full plate against heavy blows

Typical Users:

• Wealthier soldiers
• Mercenary captains
• Rangers and scouts needing a balance between movement and protection
• Some nobles seeking lighter battle gear

How Would Brigandine Affect an Elven Ranger?

• Movement: Slight hindrance — more tiring for long sprints or stealthy manoeuvres compared to pure leather.
• Carrying Ability: Minor impact — the weight (10–15kg / 20–30lbs) is manageable for an elf.
• Speed: Slight reduction — not enough to lower movement rates unless burdened.
• Fighting: Still very effective — better protection with only minor encumbrance. Stealth tasks might be slightly harder due to noise.
• Tracking: Tracking skills unaffected, but moving silently while tracking would be harder.

Overall, it offers a good balance for an elven ranger expecting battle rather than pure stealth missions.
In AD&D 1st Edition
Brigandine is not listed separately in the Player's Handbook, but historically and practically, it can be treated similarly to scale mail.
Suggested Armour Class (AC):

• Brigandine: AC 5 (same as Chain Mail)

This places it better than Scale Leather (AC 6), but not as strong as Splint Mail (AC 4).
Movement Rate:

• Standard for Scale Mail: 9" (90 feet per minute)
• Brigandine would reasonably use the same.

Notes:
Elves wearing brigandine should watch for minor penalties to stealth activities (if the DM applies them) but would otherwise retain ranger abilities.
Optional: You could create an elven-made brigandine — lighter, quieter, and finely tailored to reduce stealth penalties!
What might Brigandine cost in Aerisian?
Based on your listed prices:

• Studded leather (reinforced leather with rivets) = 15GP
• Scale mail (overlapping metal plates on leather) = 45GP
• Ring mail (leather with rings sewn onto it) = 30GP
• Chain mail (fully interlinked rings) = 75GP
• Banded mail (heavy segmented armour over padding) = 90GP

Brigandine is definitely better than studded leather (15GP) but not as heavy, expensive, or protective as chain or banded mail.
If we position Brigandine between Scale (45GP) and Chain (75GP), it fits neatly into the 55–65GP range.
Reasonable cost for Brigandine: 60GP
(That would feel right: good protection but without the total cost and maintenance of chain mail.)
Availability in a city like the City League
The City League (from your campaign) is a huge urban centre — like a combination of medieval London, Florence, and Constantinople. In such a city:

• Yes, Brigandine would absolutely be available off the shelf.
• You'd find standard brigandines ready to sell at any major armourer, particularly those supplying mercenaries, militia, or adventurers.
• You might also find higher quality (more decorative) brigandines at premium shops for nobles, elite bodyguards, and successful sellswords.

Brigandine was historically a mass-producible form of protection, perfect for professional soldiers and mercenary companies — exactly the kind of client the City League would have many of.
Summary

• Brigandine Armour: 60GP
• Weight: similar to Ring Mail (~25lbs).
• Availability: Yes, commonly available in the City League.
• Custom versions: Yes, fancier brigandine (e.g., velvet-covered, silk-lined, with gilded rivets) could cost more (e.g., 100GP+).