/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>9673619
For references check out Osprey books, particularly Armies of the Muslim Conquests, Armies of Islam 7-11thC, The Moors 7-15thC and Mamluk Askari 1250-1517. These concentrate on Arabs but there are lots on Turkish and Persian troops and bits on other cultures like the Berbers. Rome's Enemies 3 and 5 cover Pre-Islamic Persia and North Africa/Arabia/Syria respectively. Osprey can be very hit and miss for history but the pictures are great inspiration for fantasy larp kit where historical accuracy is not paramount. /hwg/ on /tg/ has a vast treasure trove of the books.

Wargear-wise, specifics of course vary with withdate/culture. However mail is perfect for a lot of kits either on it's own or layered under lamellar if you want to portray the heaviest cataphracts, ghulams and mamluks but since you mentioned avoiding plate due to weight that the latter is not a great idea. The mail could be worn under robes or made into a jazerant where it is sewn between two layers of fabric lining if you want something more distinctive than bare steel as your top layer. Round or conical helmets with nose guards work well, especially with a turban wrap as in your picture.

Spears, round shields, norman/teardrop shields post-Islam and maces are all good. Most swords were actually straight and very similar to european arming swords, scabbards are worn on baldrics uspended from the shoulder rather than sword-belts for the most part. Sabres were introduced by the Turks and eventually replace earlier styles across the region though some groups like the Tuareg Berbers continue to use straight swords.