With the addition of the Macuahuitl and Tepoztopilli, i have been more than excited for the past few hours. As a person who loves Mesoamerican culture, i feel like this underrated world finally got a bit of a shine now. But, let us cut to the chase, as i can go on about how much i love the many Empires and states of such world.
Memes aside, one suggestion i want to quickly shoot a few additions if you all do not mind.
Chimalli
Shield
Item Cost, Medium-High
The Chimalli shield is a cleverly constructed shield that is made out both wood and leather. Because of its light weight, it was very easy for such shield to move around in formation, deflect attacks and block incoming blows if need be. The handle of such shield is also very flexible, as a warrior can use either his forearm to stabilize the shield as he holds it, or control the shield like a buckler by using a fist grip position.
Rolled up shield
Shield
Item Cost: Low(?)
Though no evidence, and hardly any depiction, it is theorized that perhaps such shield may not have even exist. But during Cortes' stay in Tenochtitlan, Bernal Diaz Del Castillo does make an interesting note of a shield that can easily be rolled up when not in used. But when unrolled, the size of the shield can cover the entire body of a warrior. This is not surprising since the Chimalli shield is rather small, and it could be difficult to deflect and block against the many javelins and arrows that may fly on the battlefield. Unlike the Aztec elite warriors, the Tlaxcalan nobility preferred to use bow and arrow in warfare, so it is not too shocking that the Aztecs may have constructed a large shield of some sort to protect against projectiles in the many sieges against Tlaxcala
Ichcahuipilli
Body Armor
Item Cost: Low-High?
Like a Gambeson, the Ichcahuipilli was able to protect the torso from any harm (dur). But unlike the Gambeson, the Ichcahuipilli is made out of cotton rather than linen or wool. Sadly, i do not know how effective cotton is compare to their counterparts, but apparently it was effective enough for the Spanish to use beneath their cuirass or outright replacing it. Some variations of the Ichcahuipilli can extend as far as to the upper knees, though i would expect such armor to be reserved for the elite fighting classes. Depending on what state you are from, the color and variation can vastly differ from one another. For example, colors such as orange, red and yellow would be painted on the skin or armor of a Tlaxcala warrior, while the Aztec uniformed are depended on what unit you are in.
Types of decorated variations for the body armor.
Jaguar Knight vs Tlaxcalan Elite noble
This is just scratching the surface of the Mesoamerican weaponry! I would totally love to write down more as the culture still have much more weapons to show! but i can imagine this being a modders nightmare to edit and create. So i do not expect any of this to appear in cRPG, but there is such a thing as wishful thinking!
