Midgardian Shield

Midgardian shields are round and made of fir, spruce, or pine slats laminated together and backed with three crossbars, with the central one serving as the handle. In the middle of a shield is an iron boss, which protects the hand, and the rim is wrapped with leather or rawhide to prevent the shield from splitting. A leather strap connected to the top and bottom of the handle crossbar allows the shield to be worn on the back. They are also waterproofed by coating them in oil and often painted with colors and designs denoting allegiance or simply to make the warriors wielding them stand out.
In battle, warriors can use them to block or deflect incoming arrows or blows or to strike by bashing with the flat face of the shield or punching with the rim of the shield. Large enough to cover most of the body, leaving only the head and the legs exposed, the Midgardian shield effectively stops arrows and spears, allowing for a maximum of ~1" of penetration, though a spear lodged in the shield may make it impossible to wield effectively. Slashes to the face are entirely deflected, while slashes to the rim might split the wood and cause the attacker's weapon to become stuck in the shield to a depth of ~2". When worn on the back, it remains effective at defending attacks from behind.
Not just wielded in the shield wall, these shields are often seen hung on the top rail of a longship, hung on the walls of a longhouse, or buried with the deceased. They can also be used as a makeshift stretcher for the wounded.

Weight: 11 lbs.

Dimensions: 3' diameter, 1/2" thick