Guardian of Imladris

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{[["☆","★"]]}

The southern passage into Rivendell is called the Gates of Imladris and establishes a clear bastion of civilization and safety in an otherwise wild land. Nevertheless, the Elves of Rivendell guard this approach carefully, and it is not entirely safe for travellers to approach unannounced - those who pass this way with ill intent in their hearts are rarely seen or heard from again.

Sidgrid is a guardian of Sindarin origin. Her family had kept out of politics and wars for generations, being scholars of the times old forgotten. However, their firstborn child had spirit of a warrior, and they didn't object to her joining the Guardians of Imladris. She began her training as a very young elf back in the Second Age and finished it far sooner than her brothers in arms. Over the centuries, she became the leader of the Guardians, who are the key to keeping the pass to Rivendell safe. However brave and experienced, she is still an elven lady and even her unpiercable armour shows that.

An elven female guardian - that's quite an unusual combination. Hard to dress as well - elven maidens tend to look comical in bulky heavy armour, it squeezes them so they look like they were wearing an oversized can. Here I wanted to create a distinguishable heavy outfit, which would look protective and feminine at the same time.

I wanted to use the Helegrod items which are now available in store as cosmetic armour. When I started matching the Dragon-scale breastplate dyed Ered Luin blue, I realized the shoulder part of the piece is violet... I was like - what?! In the default red dye, I've never noticed that, although I don't understand why - now when I look at the chestpiece, the violet is striking my eyes :) However, I started searching for a complimentary colour and ended up with pastel green.

I also used a hooded store cloak - I have to say I hate this kind of hoods and use them very rarely in my outfits. However, here it seemed fitting and served much better than any of the helms I've tried. The whole outfit ended up being cheerful and battle-ready at the same time, I hope.

Please let me know what do you think about the outfit in comments, or simply rate below the post's title :)

Chest: Ceremonial Dragon-scale Breastplate, dark green dye (Store)
Legs: Leggings of Orod-na-Thôn, dark green dye (world drop; also available from Rivendell heavy armoursmith)
Shoulders: Hardened Steel Dunlending Pauldrons, violet dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Gloves of Forbidden Love, grey dye (Great River quest)
Feet: Rusted Boots of the Dunland Berserker, dark green dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Hooded Cloak of the Silver Birch, violet dye (Store)

Emotes:
./charge
./look
./roar
./lookaround
./swordsalute
./kneel

Battling the blizzard

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Phloxie is enjoying the holiday spirit, but even in the merry times, she likes to be engaged in a little fighting. As a true warden, her heart jumped of joy when she heard Frostbluff needs driving off some frost grims to protect the poor who were forced to move outside the town walls. Dressed appropriately to resist the freezing cold, she gave the blizzard some good tanking and spanking. People of Frostbluff were so happy and grateful they invited her for some mulled wine and they sang a lot of carols together to celebrate the victory over the cold. And Phloxie was star of the show once again :)

Usually when I'm checking out items' appearance on auction hall on my hobbit main, I'm disappointed, because many items don't really 'shine' on hobbits. However, this chest piece and leggings combo got me excited immediately - altogether it makes hobbit girls look so much slimmer and taller! Paired with a furry hooded cloak, which is absolute guarantee of cuteness on hobbit lass, I like the result this festive outfit gives. The rolled up sleeves don't entirely help winter look, but I have an excuse - a good fight and a little bit of mulled wine can really make any hobbit feel very warm! :)

Do you like the outfit? Please let me know in comments!

Chest: Arth-crus, Rivendell green dye (Drop from Update 5 instance cluster)
Legs: Rhuvel-socas, dark green dye (Drop from Update 5 instance cluster)
Shoulders: Padded Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, white dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Gauntlets, red dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Ajokoira Shoes, red dye (T5 crafted)
Back: Bearskin Winter Cloak, white dye (Store)

Guest: Maeglaz of Eldar

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna míriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, sí nef aearon!

O Elbereth Starkindler,
white-glittering, slanting down sparkling like a jewel,
the glory of the starry host!
Having gazed far away
from the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth,
to thee, Everwhite, I will sing,
on this side of the Sea, here on this side of the Ocean!

"A Elbereth Gilthoniel," also known as "Aerlinn in Edhil o Imladris" (Hymn of the Elves of Rivendell)

Chest: Hauberk of the Greenwood, rivendell green dye (store)
Head: Traveller's Hood, rivendell green dye (store)
Shoulders: Treasure Hunter's Shoulder Guards, forest green dye (T6 crafted)
Hands: Fine Footman's Gloves, black dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Brushed Leather Boots, rivendell green dye (store)
Back: Quiver of Caras Galadhorn, rivendell green dye (store)

Wish-based inspiration: Link (Legend of Zelda)

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{[["☆","★"]]}

Today's inspiration was suggested by Calaham, a Warden of Firefoot server, who grew up playing Legend of Zelda games. He wanted to see a Link inspired outfit he could possibly use. Calaham's warden is a man, but I chose elf as a model - I just couldn't overlook Link's pointy ears and posture :)

The biggest struggle was to find any headgear that would resemble Link's hood. Unfortunately, in LOTRO we don't have any headgear which would let a bit of hair slip out. It's a big shame, because the hood in Legend of Zelda looks cool, while the one I found in LOTRO is... well, awkward. I decided to include it in final outfit anyway, because the hood is such a significant part of Link's attire it couldn't be omitted.

I hope Calaham and other Legend of Zelda fans will like this inspiration - maybe you can just go without the hood to achieve better appearance. Oh, and I almost forgot Calaham's advice - Tundra Horse from Forochel looks just like Link's horse :)

Chest: Quilted Shirt of Might, rivendell green dye (world drop; also available as Padded Shirt from outfitter vendor)
Legs: Elven Leather Leggings of Courage, olive dye (world drop)
Head: Heavy Quilted Hood, olive dye (T2 crafted)
Shoulders: Pristine Elven Shoulder Guards, dark green dye (T5 crafted)
Hands: Gloves of the Eorlingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Feet: Soft Leather Boots, umber dye (outfitter vendor)
Back: Warden's Pack, default dye (outfitter vendor)

Guest: Bundas of Snowbourn

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{[["☆","★"]]}

Today I proudly present you the founder of Hobbit Hare Squad, notable warden Bundas. The HHS hunting duo has beaten many naughty men, slayed many evil beasts and laughed hard at many sights. It's been always an honour to fight alongside this fella!

Chest: Elven Cloth Shirt, dark green dye (world drop/Rivendell outfitter)
Legs: Strong Sturdy Elven Leggings, dark green dye (T3 crafted)
Gloves: Strong Sturdy Elven Gloves, dark green dye (T3 crafted)
Feet: Strong Sturdy Elven Leather Boots, dark green dye (T3 crafted)
Back: Golodir's Cloak, default dye (Quest: Chapter 1: The Heraldry of Lindon; also available as Bree reputation reward)