Wooden Shield

The children of Bramblemead loved nothing more than to craft themselves wooden shields and swords and then challenge one another to single combat. They would play the roles of brave heroes against dastardly villains, whacking one another with their wooden toys. It gave the local healers constant work.

Yey, a wooden shield is no toy and has saved the lives of countless warriors. As a beast's claws slice against you, having a hunk of wood between you and the creature is much appreciated. Wood splinters, but flesh bleeds, and blood is less easily replaced than timber.