Armor coat [8 denarii]

"I'm looking for some personal protection, sir," you tell the armorer. He smiles at you.

"But of course! I have just the thing. A freshly forged coat of armor - you couldn't ask for better protection! Come back here and I can take some measurements for you, sir." You subject yourself to his ministrations and after a few moments he has your measure. "I think we ought to have a coat that will fit you with just minor adjustments, sir. Be patient a moment, and I'll return immediately."

After a few moments of work, the man returns with a long armored coat. It's lorica squamata - scale armor - which should be plenty of protection. The armor looks well-crafted, too; the scales are all of the same size and shape, tightly riveted together to provide thorough, overlapping points of protection. You shrug it on with his assistance, and it seems to fit like a glove. "How do you feel, sir?"

You grin. "Excellent. Like a whole barbarian horde could do no harm to me."

He chuckles. "Well, I don't know if I'd be hubristic enough to promise that, sir. You'd need a helm before you went into a serious battle. But it does fit you excellently well, and it should protect you from a stray dagger or arrow. You're pleased?"

"Extremely." You pay him with a smile. You won't wear this all the time, of course - but it never hurts to have it handy for when you think there might be something awry.