Several different types of shield are described in the series. Typically they are round in shape, though they range in size from the huge shield used by the Gor-bound Kurii to the small bucklers wielded by gladiators in the Stadium of Blades in Ar. The most common shield in use upon Gor is the standard warrior's shield of the civilized cities. This is a largish round shield comprised of many concentric overlapping layers of dried shaped leather, probably stretched over a wooden or metal frame, and banded for extra strength with brass or iron bands. It is fitted with a pair of straps whereby it can be worn upon the user's arm, typically the left one, and is worn slung across the back for ease of movement while its user in travelling from place to place. Among the civilized armies of Gor such shields are normally painted boldly and have infixed in them some device for identifying the bearer's city. The Warriors of the southern city of Turia are known for their usage of distinctive shields which are oval, rather than circular, in shape. Shields appear in every book of the series.