Iron weed is indigenous to Mount Altar. A weed that is light and pliable while still green, but becomes incredibly hard when pulped, formed, and dried while still maintaining its lightness. The glider-folk use this to create lacquered armor and sometimes even weapons, but the practical application here is limited, as while initially sharp, such weapons will not hold an edge and cannot be resharpened. Manufacturing of weaponry is therefor limited to bows and arrows, darts, spears, and clubs. The primary purpose of iron weed is as a raw material for armor. The plant does produce an edible fruit with a mildly narcotic effect, but these are not a primary food source.
Traditionally the warrior himself harvests the plant, pulping it with a large mortar and pestle, while softening it with water. Items can also be constructed on a smaller scale where the fighter may just chew the weed and shape this into a small bracelet or other trinket. The pulp of the iron weed is formed to fit the individual warrior and cannot be mass produced as each piece is unique to the wearer. When complete the armor uses few straps, but rather interlocking mechanisms that make each piece seem as a singular part of the whole.
Glide-fighter armor varies, but there are three main types: One, highly stylized and intricate for ceremonial purposes and the attracting of mates, this armor is ornamental and often garish. Two, functional but overly flashy armor meant for ritualized and staged exhibition fights in the Kiln, and Three, simplified and wholly functional armor.
The glide-fighter A-Shaya was famous for rejecting ornamentation while still embracing the flamboyancy. His armor was full combat armor, but was painted as though it was meant for only ritualized fighting. He wore no other kind while most warriors would have at least one of each example.
The norms of armor were often violated by elite fighters, but lesser fighters and lower flocks did not deviate.
Glide-fighters obsess over weight. The typical glide-fighter refuses to carry any more than required. The standard kit includes little more than a coil of rope with a grapple, a whip, a handful of darts, and their primary weapons are two prosthetic spurs worn above the wrist of each hand a third of the way up the forearm. Their armor consists of an incredibly light material made from plant called ironweed. The weight of each piece there’s a little more than the same amount of paper.