Allerleirauh, I respect your basis, but you are talking about modern evolutions of sword arts that mostly reflect later evolutions from the last half of the second millenium. During the peak of Celtic influence, you weren't going to find many Celts, Gauls or Germanic warriors wearing gauntlets or much in the way of fancy armor. Most AD&D worlds are a mix of technology that didn't historically coexist much in reality, but the historical point is seperate from the Fantasy world, where the rules don't often apply anyway. During the first millennium b.c. through most of the first millennium a.d., you may find exceptions where complex armour and gauntlets were used, but this was not universal across cultures. Also, through out history, it was mostly the elite military forces that had these more complex elements. It is no exageration that the Irish Celts during Roman expansion into the British Isles fought nude. The Celtic blades of the era didn't provide much, if any, protection of the hand. The only "armour" was a lyme mix applied to the hair which hardened, giving some protection to the head. The Roman soldiers had the height of current military technology, in armour and arms. In spite of this, the Romans NEVER succeded in invading Ireland, though they tried for over 200 years! The Romans attributed this to the great skill and frenzy of the Celts, along with the influence of the white robed Druids who's leadership and "magic" inspired the morale of the warriors. And yes, there were woman warriors along side the men, AND the greatest blademasters, who taught most of the great legendary heros of Ireland, were women! :)