Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25159376-20140315221615/@comment-4536066-20140505033558

This is how I address armor categories in RP with regards to the triangle.

Metal will naturally disrupt magic somehow (usually, in my interpretation, by making it more erratic and therefore more dangerous or hard to handle as a byproduct of its conductive properties). However, metal can be enchanted by talented enough magicians in ways that counter this effect enough to make small quantities not a huge detriment. Metal behaves the obvious ways for melee, and good plate armor is strong against ranged in all cases usually up to (but not always, and sometimes including) strong or enchanted bolts or very powerful bows with well-tipped arrows (see: draw weights up in the 60's of lbs and up, depending on distance and angle and such).

Leather will naturally stunt magic (usually, in my interpretation, because the flesh of mortal creatures of anima has dissappative effects on rune magic). However, leather can be enchanted or used by a talented enough mage in ways that discourage this effect enough to prevent it from causing problems with spellcasting. Leather usually won't be enough to stop a good stab from a sword or a particularly strong arrow or bolt, but it will be useful in blunting or even completely dampening slashing attacks for a strike or two and cushioning more mild crushing attacks. It may also help nullify the effects of enchanted bolt tips.

Cloth may or may not have any special effects at all. It's possible that the use of compostable materials, like cotton or silk, facilitate the weaving of magic, but by my conjecture it seems much more likely that cloth in general is both more comfortable (for those who don't need to wear armor) and much more receptive to magical enchantments and buffs than metal or leather. So, the particular effectiveness of a cloth garment could vary radically depending on the exact enchantment on it, if there is one at all. It could be enchanted with anything between a powerful blow-stunting resistance that softens anything short of a direct stab to a completely offensive boost that helps the mage power up his spells stronger and faster.