How does blocking work?

I've been wondering what the blocking action (with the shield) does - is your character totally unprotected by armor when not blocking? If you're wearing body armor, but no shield, does blocking do anything? What is its effect in terms of calculating damage?

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Mark

I, too, have wanted to know exactly what blocking does. How, exactly, is the calculation of damage affected by this?

-Jeff

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Experiences = Integrate( Life, {t, birth, death} )

In addition to the above (which I third), can I make a Zelda style shield using blocking (will clarify if needed).

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