Hawser Mantle

Finger-thick strands of tarred rope have been woven into a short, weighty mantle that creaks softly whenever the wearer turns. The smell of pitch and salt never leaves it, and the fibers tense like ship rigging under strain whenever the wearer braces against a fall or pull.

The wearer's grip and footing never fail on a rope, chain, or line, and they can hold one against any pull short of a ship dragging her anchor for as long as they care to keep hold. The mantle itself cannot be cut, burned, or worn through, and will unlay at need into 200 feet of sound rope and lay itself up again on the wearer's shoulders.