Shields in Unbound Tales offer an additional layer of defense for your character. They can be used alongside any type of armor, providing a bonus to your Agility defense.

Shields can also be used actively, placing them between yourself and your foes. Raising a Shield is a simple action, and grants you the Cover bonus of your shield.

Load: Heavier shields require a certain amount of physical fitness to use. If your total Load exceeds your Body, you suffer a -1 penalty to all skill checks per each point of Body you are missing.

Deflection: Just having a shield in hand provides considerable benefit. So long as you are wielding a shield, add its Deflection bonus to your Agility defence after it is reduced by your worn armour.

Cover: When you take a simple action to Raise your Shield, you gain Cover until the start of your next turn.

Damage: You can make a basic melee attack with a shield, according to the usual rules for your class.

While shields come in a wide variety of styles and shapes, they mechanically fall into one of five categores, listed below.

Centerboss: Load 1, Deflection +2, Cover 0, d4 damage, 5sp. A round shield held at full extension by its central grip, this shield is easy, though tiring, to use.

Targe: Load 0, Deflection +1, Cover 1, d4 damage, 15sp.
This small square shield covers the hand and forearm, providing reasonable protection when used actively, but limited passive protection.

Kite Shield: Load 1, Deflection +4, Cover 0, d6 damage, 20sp.
While its shape does not give the best cover, it is excellent for deflecting attacks.

Round Shield: Load 1, Deflection +3, Cover 1, d6 damage, 25sp.
This large shield provides reasonable protection both actively and passively.

Tower Shield: Load 2, Deflection +4, Cover 2, d8 damage, 40sp.
The standard for the Empire of Aranor, this massive shield provides remarkable protection, but is heavy and tiring to use. It is widely viewed as obsolete in the Realms.