From the publisher's website:
The evolution of various societies has led to a constant and thrilling rush to new and exploratory technologies. With the principles of offense and defense, this has been a spinning wheel where quite literally the dog is chasing its own tail. Since the earliest days when Cro-Magnon would battle Neanderthals, there has been a constant arms-race to see who could survive the lasts’ attack. Whether a large piece of tree bark designed to block the blow of an impromptu club, or a 1” thick piece of hardened steel meant to stop a 7.62 bullet, the race has changed little when it comes to weaponry. Arms and armor will always be an important part of any fantasy roleplaying game—whether the knight in shining armor, or the swift seafaring buccaneer.