Commission from (also at https://twitter.com/Avalugg_)

The tail end of what would be called the Establisment Era saw a reorganization of the Underworld Kingdom as a peace settled on the people. While Hearth-Under-Stone being widely recognized as the seat of power, technological limitations gave each city a wide degree of latitude, with great swathes of untamed wilderness between them. Banditry, wild animals, and raiding parties from nearby polities a constant concern, lightly armored patrol force was established to ensure a reasonable level of safety for travelers.

The ichcahuipilli base layer was made possible by increased cotton growing regions. Typically made to 3 cm thickness of packed raw cotton sandwiched between two layers of woven, the armor protected from collar to groin quite effectively. Between its light weight, low maintenance need, and high degree of breathability, it was a great boon to far-ranging patrollers. The breathability was of particular usefulness to Noxfolk trekking through warmer climes, as a warm day in a temperate zone could easily spell heat exhaustion to the snow-adapted.

The light plate helmet was a relatively cheap way to protect the head. New mining equipment had allowed further excavation of the home mountains bringing out rich veins of steel, buried and compacted somtime in the past. New forging techniques allowed for better processing and consistent composition. While the helmet came with a visor, many complained of the vision restriction or preferred it as a sun shade and there was never enough facial injury to induce widespread visor adoption.

Light chest plate was valued as much for its protection as for its relative ease of transport. Lighter than bronze equivalents, a breastplate wasn't considered proven until it was painted, scratched by combat, and then re-painted.

Leather gloves and boots were generally whatever the person wore before joining the patrol. Well-worn leather was not a feeling that could be easily replicated or manufactured.

The most important tools in a patrollers kit were their sleeping bag and their canteen. A close third was their recurve bow. Powerful and compact, these bows were good for long walks, hunting food, and taking down raiders. And in a pinch, stabbing with a steel tipped arrow was always an option.