7 Escutcheons

1. Common Escutcheon

The common escutcheon is a small shield made of leather and dungeonwood (fungal in nature) and is light and easily equipped. The shields come in a variety of shapes and colors, denoting different clans within the Gyre. Known versions include a skewed heart shape, a fat crescent moon, a standard diamond (as the playing card suit) a blunted five point star, six point star, and seven point star, a skull, and an extended palm hand shape. The shape has no impact on the abilities of the shield, nor do they have any magical abilities. 

2. Dragonbrass Escutcheon

The dragonbrass escutcheon is a small shield made of dragonbrass layered over a dungeonwood backing. They are only made in two shapes, round, and pear shaped oblong, typically equipped with the narrow end pointing down. These are superior to the common wightish shield and have superior protection. Heroes like finding the shields, not to equip them, but the dragonbrass can be easily scavved off the shield and carried back to be sold to a brass smith for a nice profit. The shields are typically decorated with emblems and embossing the same devices found on the common escutcheon, though none are skewed since that is a concession made to the needs of the small leather shield.

3. Tarasceen Escutcheon

Made of dungeon steel, these shields are entirely metal, and have leather straps on the inside for the user. They vary in quality, with higher ranking wights having more decorated and ornate shields, while lower ranking wights have plain versions. These shields are considered valuable for the metal they contain, and the superior versions used by wight leaders can be enchanted. 

4. Ypreen Escutcheon

Also known as a dungeon diamond shield, or dungeon quartz shield, the Ypreen escutcheon is a composite shield layering tarasceen, and dragonbrass over a dungeonwood frame. The high end shield is notable for having inlays of dungeon quartz/ypreen, which isn't done for mundane shields. All ypreen escutcheons have magical boosts to their defense, magic resistance, and as a function of the stone itself, grant a bonus to sneaking and hiding.

5. Terrasque Escutcheon

The Terrasque escutcheon is made from scales shed by the Terrasque itself. These are the small, fine scales on the creature, and not the thick heavy ones that cover its most protected areas. Those scales are only shed rarely, and are exceedingly hard to work with. The smaller scales from the neck, and underside are more useful, as five to eight of them can be attached to a dungeonwood and tarasceen steel escutcheon. Considering the craftsmanship that goes into these shields, they offer exceptional defense, and can deflect elemental magic spells.

6. Bloodletter Escutcheon

The heaviest escutcheon, the Bloodletter is made of tarasceen steel, dragonbrass, and is set with elgechal (dungeon rhodochrosite). It is adorned with the broken blades of slaughtered would be heroes. While the shield offers exceptional defense bonuses, it has another purpose. The shield is designed to taunt  and draw aggro heroes to it, to fight its bearer. This can be to protect archers and casters, or it can be a tool of a supreme duelist or weaponmaster. It is common for either to be clad in little more than breeches or a wightish kilt and a hand wide ribbon wrapped around the upper torso.

The Bloodletter Escutcheon has a curse laid on it, and heroes who would think to equip the shield find themselves slowed, poisoned, and their health decreasing. The wights are not immune to this, but the large ribbon they wrap themselves in is treated with alchemical agents and/or magics to offset the cursed nature of the shield.

7. Gygaxian Escutcheon

The Gygaxian Escutcheon is the rarest of non-unique shields among wights, and has been made for the purpose of fighting high level heroes and adventurers. The shield is made of tarasceen steel and is inlaid with kaathires (dungeon garnets) and dragonbrass ornaments. The shield offers exceptional defense, and more importantly, it can negate heroic mobility and attack feats, stopping power attacks, cleaving attacks, whirlwind multi-attack combos, and otherwise combo-breaker opponents. It can also be easily used to deflect incoming attacks from multiple opponents. Given these powers these shields are highly sought after as the guilds are still trying to figure out how to make human versions of Gygaxian gear.