I know steel is better, but I wanted to go with the cheaper iron set to start off with. So I've been through Seyda Neen, Balmora, and finally up through Caldera. Got everything but that last pauldron. Is there any dungeon I could find it in? Or where could I buy one from?

Did you check Verick Gemain in Caldera? I think he should have one.

Nope never mind. UESP says he doesn't sell it. Well, darn. I'll keep checking.

All right, try this: Balen Andrano in Vivec's Redoran Canton. UESP syas he sells it. I hope that works.

Alright I'll try there. Going to be quite a bit of traveling, but its fine. Vivec is one of my favorite cities anyways.

For the record, Hannabi Zabynatus in Gnisis also sells the pauldron.

One would think that iron armor would be somewhat more common. Steel pauldrons are several times more common in shops