w 
            mo om 
            ( H ) 
         ____).(_______ 
        (RS:  :  :LS: S! 
        (  :RT:LT:  :  ! 
       (RA/ ( : )(LA)  ! 
  ^    ).(  (.:.: ).(  ! 
-)UI==(RH)= !   ! (LH: ! 
(___)       !.W.!_____/ 
            [ : ] 
            [ : ] 
            (R:L) 
            !L:L! 
            ).:.( 
           (__F__) 

The total armor points worn by a hero and the hero's weapon are the main components in defense rating. Weapons are described in the brawling chapter.
There are 14 armor locations: left hand (LH), right hand (RH), left shoulder (LS), right shoulder (RS), head (H), left terso (LT), right torso (RT), waist (W), left leg (LL), right leg (RL), feet (F), and shield (S).
The picture above, (vaguely depicting a human in armor), is used to keep track of armor location. Locations separated by "." and ":" are considered next to each other. This picture is also on the hero log sheet. Each location can have 1 armor type on it. Partial armor values can only add to the total if next to other armor.

Spread adds to the armor if it's next to other armor, multiply spread by the number of adjacent locations.
Shields do not spread, but do count as a location for purposes of spread.
Higher qualities of armor can up to double the point value of the location; for each 1/2 point, double the cost.
Shields can be used as weapons or armor, but not both in the same attack.
For a standard, (round), shield; limit and defense = the physique of the user, up to the armor rating of the shield.
The weight of a shield = its armor rating.
Special shields, (bucklers, legionnaire), may have higher or lower limit and defense, the weight per armor rating rarely varies, (mithril).
Normal shields cost 2 times armor rating silver coins.