We know from Alberic's tale that Stoulstones are not returned upon retirement - as, if the Warrior of Light is a Dragoon, Alberic's Soulstone that we acquire.Â
On the point of the armor. Alberic no longer wares his, and had stepped down from the upper echelons of the Dragoon.
We see this with Estinien, leaving behind his helm at the end. But note that his own soulstone was never indicated to be left behind as well, and indeed he still carried his lance with him, assumed complete with at least the base line of his skill with it.
So, if we were to establish a rubric to advise retired Knights Dragoon, I'd say at the very least the official Drachen Mail gets retired. There are plenty of alternatives as seen in lore (Often depicted as replicas or discarded designs.) that fit the Dragoon motif if desired - however I'd assume someone walking around wearing Drachen mail or a variant would be considered simply an adventurer aspiring to be more than what they are - whether or not they had the skill to back it.
On the point of the armor. Alberic no longer wares his, and had stepped down from the upper echelons of the Dragoon.
We see this with Estinien, leaving behind his helm at the end. But note that his own soulstone was never indicated to be left behind as well, and indeed he still carried his lance with him, assumed complete with at least the base line of his skill with it.
So, if we were to establish a rubric to advise retired Knights Dragoon, I'd say at the very least the official Drachen Mail gets retired. There are plenty of alternatives as seen in lore (Often depicted as replicas or discarded designs.) that fit the Dragoon motif if desired - however I'd assume someone walking around wearing Drachen mail or a variant would be considered simply an adventurer aspiring to be more than what they are - whether or not they had the skill to back it.