The Hearthplate

A symbol of the God of Home and Hearth, this metal breastplate is worn by the Hearthkeepers, the ruling council of Vol Khadiroth.

Appearance

The Hearthplate is more of an accessory than a piece of armour. A metal breastplate has a window or door cut out of it, similar to that which you would find on the front of a stove. Some of the more intricate Hearthplates have mechanisms that open or close the opening in the door, while the standard design will just have thick rectangular lines, for each time a new member of the Hearthkeepers is elected to their position on the council they will have a custom Hearthplate made just for them during their time in government.
All plates are worn over formal attire. Most will dress in warm colours such as reds and golds that show through the gaps in the breastplate, accenting the guise of a hearth or stove.

Significance

Inspired by Barud, the God of Domesticity and the Hearth, these unique pieces of equipment have been crafted in their own image, that being a warm hearth burning within their chest. In order to emulate this highly-recognisable aspect, the leaders of Isturoth's capital of Vol Khadiroth chose to design a cage-like breastplate to be worn only by leaders of the council known as the 'Hearthkeepers'.
This unsubtle attempt at tying their political authority in with the comforting benevolence of the God of the Home has had very polarising reviews since its inception at the founding of the city. Some are vehemently against the actions of the Hearthkeepers, solely for the blasphemous implications, while others have relaxed their views over the years and now derive some semblance of security and safety from the sight of a leader wearing the now-dubbed 'Hearthplate'.
One can not deny that it does play on the same feelings as those received from blessings of Barud, for better or worse. The appearance of a Hearthplate on the street has the potential to fill those that see it with a feeling of warmth and protection, something a politician should always strive for.

Materials

Aside from the outfit worn underneath, the metal Hearthplates themselves are often intricate and ornate, requiring expensive filigree or precious metals. The construction of a single Hearthplate may run for several months and demand the expertise of a number of different artisans. There is a school of Isturian Metalcraft in Vol Khadiroth that specialise entirely around Hearthplate construction and design, the metals used can reach an exorbitant price.

History

While the concept of the Hearthplate was introduced many centuries ago with the Hearthkeepers themselves, there have been more than a few iterations of the design. It is likely a breastplate was chosen for the costume of elected officials because the founding of the city came right off the heels of the War of the Ashes, the series of conflicts that resulted in the two-nation condition of united Isturoth. As the foul smell of war was still in the air, the first Hearthkeepers kept themselves protected with armour and weapons on their person at all times.
One can still find in museums some of the earliest Hearthplate creations and scrolls bearing their blueprints. At this point in history, the emphasis was on utility and protection, so the Hearthplates were solid and merely had the symbol of Barud or the motif of a roaring fire emblazoned onto them. As time went by, there was less use for these to provide actual protection and more need for them to look less authoritative and intimidating, so artisans got more creative with their design. Every now and again, a new Hearthkeeper may opt for a more 'classic' design that also provides ample guarding of their torso.

Item type

Clothing / Accessory

Rarity

Unique

Weight

4-6 kg