How long from time found, to reality??

[garhkal]

Elves live upwards of 600 yrs iirc, but even they would still be 5-6 generations removed from when plate was known about..

As for the few encounters with monsters who have them, They've all been FOUND items for those monsters.. Even the bugbears who are known for being armorers (as evidenced by the forge the one bugbear camp had), make at most banded...