Flush with the great wealth gained from the sale of the Golem Manual, Snickwick and Odd will seek out local craftspeople in Glantri City to turn their wealth into AC!
Snickwick:
As a newly minted “Blue Cap Gnome” Snickwick feels compelled to refresh his accoutrement to reflect his new station. Blue Cap Gnomes are often seen as protectors or guardians of gnomish warrens and their folk, and often bear some burden of leadership in gnomish communities. While Snickwick is more inclined to wander, he feels the need to improve his appearance to reflect his position.
Snickwick will seek out a talented enchanter with expertise in leathercraft to have a suit of enchanted leather armor made for him. The armor should be simple but elegant, with good flexibility to enable quiet and graceful movement. It is imperative that the armor include the traditionally pointed Gnomish battle cap, and sturdy boots (with appropriately curly toes). The trimmings of the armor (and especially the cap) should be dyed a rich sapphire blue to reflect his elevated status.
Snickwick has 7000gp to spend on the armor. If possible, he would want to secure Leather Armor +2 but isn’t intimately familiar with the cost structures involved in fabricating and enchanting leather armor.
For the base armor, one option is the halfling leatherworker Hazel Heathertoes in Lindenhollow, who is experienced in crafting gear that's properly fitted for gnomes and is happy to work with fellow demihumans. On the other hand, certain human leatherworkers in Glantri are far more experienced in crafting leather gear especially for purposes of enchantment, though they lack experience with gnomish armor and may be somewhat prejudiced against demihumans. Snickwick does hear that one of these leatherworker, a fellow in Touraine named Heron, is quite friendly toward demihumans — "perhaps too much so," although detail is not forthcoming.
The obvious choice to enspell the armor is the gnomish enchanter Fizzlewink in Lindenhollow, given his skill and experience with gnomish magic. However, he is also known to be doddering and whimsical. Alternatively, there are a number of traditional human magic-users who have been known to enchant battle-gear in exchange for coin, trade, or services, such as the somber recluse Robard de Thelchineau, or the veiled rune-mystic Chanteprime.
Note that much of the cost involved in enchanting an item comes from the materials involved in its manufacture. For leather armor, the intact hide of a magical beast is invaluable; these are quite expensive on the secondary market. If Snickwick can provide such a hide himself, that would significantly reduce costs. (But by no means eliminate them; there are numerous other reagents involved, along with the high cost of skilled labor on the part of the leatherworker and the enchanting magic-user.)
The exact cost of the armor, as well as the chances for some minor complications with the enchantment, will vary depending on the specifics — who Snickwick hires, what materials he brings to the table, what additional services he's willing to perform, and to what extent he's willing to risk quirks or flaws in the final product.
Leather armor +1 is definitely doable for 7,000gp — possibly less, depending on the aforementioned specifics. Leather armor +2 is conceivable, but would cost Snickwick at least 10,000gp, and would definitely require additional materials/favors and have a higher risk of quirks/flaws.
Odd:
Odd would like to source a suit of steel Field Plate Armor (unenchanted) and matching shield, crafted to his specifications. He would prefer to find a Dwarven smith to forge the suit, as it is well known that all craftsdwarfship is of the highest quality.
Odd has 3000gp to spend. It seems like the cost of field plate can be somewhat variable based on the size of the wearer. If cost permits, Odd would seek to purchase a matching set of the armor for his dear companion Gathring.
A stroke of luck! Over the years, Odd has become friends with the dwarven smith Tekenti Steelheel, a neighbor in Lindenhollow. Tekenti has a lull in business and some leftover armor plates from a previous commission, so she cheerfully offers a decent discount; 1800gp for one suit of field plate, or 3500gp for two.
