A minstrel's tale

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now 

Don McLean - Vincent

It was a chilling, serene autumn night when a bard entered the Prancing Pony. He asked old fella' Barliman for a pint, drank it quickly as always and started playing for his small steady audience. "Strange that we don't even know the guy's name," murmured elderly and slightly drunk lady. Just as herself, the minstrel has been spending time at the Pony since anybody could remember. Old Barliman even claims he knew him as a child, when he was just a little boy accompanying his rich, but ever-drunk father.

Anyway, nobody's ever seemed interested enough in knowing him better, and he returned the favor. Never talking to anyone except for a drunken remark from time to time, he kept coming every evening and played the lute. For an unknown reason, after many years, the elderly lady decided to ask him about his name that particular night - perhaps he seemed a little more sad than usually. His answer was bitter: "It doesn't matter. Not anymore."

Then he walked out of the Pony, saluted goodbye towards his second home (or maybe first) and disappeared. Since then, nobody's ever seen the lonely grumpy minstrel again. People started asking about him, Barliman even offered a free pint for information about the bard's whereabouts, because they all missed the atmosphere his lute created. Who knows, maybe one day our unknown fellow will return - or not?

This outfit originally started as jolly white-and-gold female rune-keeper's one. I'm not exactly sure when it suddenly started to be "a sad unrecognized artist's" outfit - I blame it on Don McLean's song dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh that came to my mind when I started making the night screenshots :) However, I tried to experiment with quite strange white-gold-subtle green combination and finally found a purpose for the mystery cloak I got some time ago. I promise the next outfit and its story will be more optimistic :)

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

Chest: Radiant Westernesse Armour, white dye (T5 crafted)
Legs: Radiant Westernesse Leggings, white dye (T5 crafted)
Head: Songmaster's Hat, gold dye (Mirkwood minstrel level 65 set)
Shoulders: Songmaster's Shoulders, olive dye (Mirkwood minstrel level 65 set)
Hands: Gauntlets of Fleetness, white dye (world drop)
Feet: Ceremonial Boots of the Seven Stars, gold dye (Skirmish cosmetics barter)
Back: Padded Cloak of Mystery, gold dye (Skirmish cosmetics barter - the back pattern is random reward from Padded Cloak of Mystery Box)

Guest: Sigrum Stonebeard of Elendilmir

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Sig Stonebeard is the ultimate outdoorsman. Hunter of beasts, tracker, survivalist and an expert of sitting at the campfire roasting meats and telling stories. That being said, you can imagine your best chances meeting him would be letting him find you, preferably grilling some recently caught game which you'd be willing to share. Finding him yourself? I doubt it, unless he wishes you to ;)

Sid of WARSTEEDS.com said about his outfit: "I've been working on this outfit for a long time, tweaking, making small changes and it's finally perfect." And I can only agree. This outfit combines look of a woodsman and a classy fighter, looking realistic, practical and still very lore-appropriate. And I can't stop looking at the screenshots, they tell a story by themselves!

Dwarven hunters have been a rare breed until now. However, with The Hobbit premiering at the end of November, I think we will see many more of them. Kíli, Thorin's nephew and the youngest dwarf in the company, has been pictured with a bow, shooting arrows at the enemies with deadly precision.

Hopefully this will also inspire more high quality dwarf hunter's outfits, but Sigrum has raised the bar very high :) Match with both steeds - the warsteed and hunter's class mount is also perfect. Interestingly enough the outfit looks great on both huge war pony and rather slim body build of the standard pony. I personally have found it very hard to achieve good looks matching both types of steeds.

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

Chest: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Jacket, olive dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Adventurer's Hat, sienna dye (Skirmish cosmetics barter)
Shoulders: Pauldrons of the Wandering Bard, olive dye (Level 58 minstrel Ettenmoors set)
Hands: Warrior's Buckled Gauntlets, olive dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Hill-Man's Cracked Leather Boots, olive dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Trapper's Backpack, olive dye (Skirmish cosmetics barter)

Warsteed: a light warsteed wearing the "Maurader" set (gear on the warmount is the same quiver from the Steed of the Hunter set)
Mount: Steed of the Hunter (Store)

Lone rider

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

A true burglar doesn't show her face. If you've met this one, her identity is probably still hidden from you, unless you belong to a very limited group of people she travels with. We know she is a hobbit (unfortunately the height difference is hard to conceal), but that's where the information ends. Her attire serves as mimicry in the dusty Lone-lands, where she currently wanders.

I bought the Steed of the Burglar for my little burg Grulka, although it definitely doesn't have not one of my favorite mount designs. Despite that, I can't deny that it's interesting and original. I tried to create a matching outfit around the chestpiece, because it has the same pattern as the pony's blanket, but I'm not entirely sure about the result. The whole outfit seems a little messy to me and I liked the version in full Pathfinder's set much better, but not original at all. I'm curious about your opinions on this one :)

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

Chest: Jacket of Determination, umber dye (world drop)
Legs: Dwarf-make Outrider's Leggings, olive dye (T3 crafted)
Head: Ceremonial Helm of the Whirlwind, olive dye (Moria level 65 champion purple set; also available from skirmish barterer or from limited sale in the store)
Shoulders: Ceremonial Pathfinder's Shoulders, olive dye (Moria level 65 hunter purple set; also available from skirmish barterer or from limited sale in the store)
Hands: Ceremonial Pathfinder's Gauntlets, olive dye (Moria level 65 hunter purple set; also available from skirmish barterer or from limited sale in the store)
Feet: Ceremonial Pathfinder's Boots, olive dye (Moria level 65 hunter purple set; also available from skirmish barterer or from limited sale in the store)
Back: Cloak of the Algraig, olive dye (Store)

Mount: Steed of the Burglar (Store)

Emotes:
./fidget
./lookaround

Late watches

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

If anybody says Shire is a safe haven of Middle-earth, his words are long past due. Bindbole Wood, a landmark in northern Shire, has recently been infested with horrible spiders and goblins, troubling peaceful hobbits and careless travelers. Especially at night, the road passing through Overhill is very dangerous. Luckily, many hobbits have also been trained by the Rangers in recent past, to be able to defend their homeland from allies of the enemy. One of them is Wasabito, a skilled warden born in Overhill, who keeps an eye on his hometown and lumberers working in surrounding forest.

A pre-order option for the upcoming expansion, Riders of Rohan, has become available last week. Of course I had to buy it, for the amazing Rohirrim cosmetics, if for nothing else. I'm a little disappointed that the Armour of the Eastemnet set does not dye, so it remains mostly olive. It's such a pity Turbine limits use of excellent pre-order cosmetics again, as they did with Rise of Isengard :(

Enough complaints - despite it's colour limitations, the Eastemnet set looks gorgeous. So does the steed - it looks sturdy and agile at the same time, fitting for a Rohirrim horse. But the best about the whole ensemble is that the armour looks amazing on all races and genders. It makes even male hobbits look sexy, so I had to make use of it :) I added burgundy accessories (to match the steed's harness) and the horrible Cloak of Vigilance, which I usually hate. Here, however, it seems to bind the pieces of the outfit together and the braided blonde fur matches the mount as well.

Don't forget to check out all the cosmetics which come with Riders of Rohan pre-order on Cosmetic LOTRO - Hymne did a great job collecting and previewing them (even the weird horse-mane cloak rewarded for the ingame deed following pre-purchase - and I mean, there's really horse mane sticking out of it!).

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

Chest: Hauberk of the Eastemnet, default dye (Riders of Rohan pre-order, all editions) 
Shoulders: Hardened Steel Dunlending Pauldrons, olive dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Hyrde-folme, burgundy dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Polished Boots of the Dunland Shieldman, burgundy dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Cloak of Vigilance, burgundy dye (Store)

Mount: Steed of the Eastemnet (Riders of Rohan pre-order, Heroic or Legendary edition)

Emotes:
./mountrearup (Store exclusive)
./look
./think
./charge

Meadows

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Freyjuska, an experienced hunter of Fallohides, has never been a very feminine hobbit. She wore her jacket and pants since she'd first left her parents' hobbit hole, changing only for similar and better suited equivalents for different battle situations. However, she grew tired of fighting and decided to take a vacation for some time, to visit her favourite places in the Middle-earth and enjoy them, without piercing enemy heads this time.

She took out her most beautiful and prized pony Amarië, given to her by the Galladhrim, and rode her across all the beautiful meadows. From the Delving Fields to Heathfells, they both just breathed in the wonderful smell of flowers and trees and for a while lived for the atmosphere.

Sometimes they took a break, so that Freyjuska could pick up flowers - and of course, Frey wouldn't be a hobbit, if they didn't stop for a fine mug of ale from time to time :) Nothing could match her favourite beer from the Bird and the Baby Inn, so she got one right after they'd returned back home. "Traveling is great, and so is a bit of rest. But nothing can match seeing home and knowing I'm ready to fight some more battles very soon!" Freyjuska told her friends and had another sip.

I gotta say I adore the new spring festival cosmetics. The person who designed them should get a bonus, or at least a pie from all hobbits of Middle-earth :) When I saw the brimmed hat in Hymne's spring cosmetics preview, I immediately fell in love with it and knew I gotta use it for Freyjuska. It's so cute and unusual - although almost everyone seems to be wearing it right now :)

I saw the hat and the cloak stand out beautifully in many colours - rose and purple are perfect match, sea or Evendim blue really make the pattern stand out. However, when I tried olive dye on them, it really clicked to me - although I'm not a big fan of greens. It seemed so cheerful and gentle at the same time! This outfit became Freyjuska's historically first feminine attire ever, and think it will last her through many seasons, not just spring :)

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

Chest: Elegant Dress, olive dye (Store)
Head: Wide-brimmed Spring Hat, olive dye (Spring festival) 
Back: Simbelmynë Cloak, olive dye (Spring festiva) 
Hand: Giant Flower (Spring festival gift boxes, now it's not bound in contrast to last years' festival)

Mount: Steed of the Galladhrim (Galladhrim reputation mount)

Emotes:
./spin (Grey Company vendor)
./dance_hobbit (Festival dances)
./mountrearup (Store)
./drink

Guest: The Ranger by Aridor Arthain

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Long have the noble men of Gondor spilled their blood in defense of middle earth. Long have they fought. Allies they have few and enemies many. What dangers lurking in the north might threaten the White City? What allies might be called from the distant north to aid Gondor in her hour of need? Questions such as these must be answered. Whom will go? I will says a grim dirty covered old veteran of war as he steps from the shadows. I will be Gondor’s eyes if she needs them he say. To the north he rides alone to carry out his mission prepared for war. What does this old lord of Ithilien find in the north? Friends or Enemies? Hope or despair?

Aridor said about this outfit: "Simple greens and browns were chosen for the stealth. My attempt with this outfit was to emulate the film’s rangers as much as possible. This character, being in an infantry unit within the rangers,  fights his battles mainly close in with the sword, hence his choice of chain mail for the extra protection. The guerrilla nature of fighting in the Ithilien necessitates that they are armed to the teeth, so he carries a boot knife as well as a fighting knife in his dagger. The desire was to make the uniform look as practical as possible while still maintaining small heraldry like the Star of Elendil."

Chest: Jacket of the Nightshade, umber dye (Isengard quest)
Helm: Fine Grey Company Hood, olive dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Shoulders: Fine Grey Company Wrap, olive dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Gloves: Lesser Secret of the West Gauntlets, ranger green dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Boots: Fine Grey Company Boots, umber dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Back: Cloak of the Grey Company, olive dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)

Wish: Simple hobbit girl meeting the Rangers

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

You might know Brassica from her stories publishes on Casual Stroll to Mordor. This cute and courageous hobbit lass already has a lot of fans, and her journey has just begun! Her travels brought her to Evendim where she is meeting a lot of Rangers, and so far didn't have a proper battle garb suitable for the circumstances. Beldrieth, who is telling Brassica's stories, revealed: "This is the first time Brassica's even thought about something like armour, she an innkeeper's daughter, who hasn't ever dressed for any real adventuring."

This is how Brassica dreamed up her outfit:

• simple and practical (nothing too fancy),
• nothing too heavy - she just can't carry much weight and as a warden, she prefers to be quick and hard to hit,
• something to honour the Rangers she's met in Evendim who gave her a lot of support (and some armour too!),
• she wanted to avoid high-end raiding pieces, otherwise she was willing to do a lot of effort to collect parts of her armour.

To fit into Brassica's role-play, I checked her bio and sent Beldrieth three designs which I thought would suit her:

 

The simplest of the three outfits - here I used dark shades of Evendim blue (to reflect Brassica's Oatbarton heritage) and typical ranger hood & cloak. The chest piece is Inn League Tunic and Pants, so it could also be interpreted as her heritage as inn keeper's daughter. Beldrieth was so enthusiastic about it that I have to quote her e-mail, because it made me really happy :)

"As a proud Sage of Fine Spirits myself, I love the Inn League angle. It hadn't occurred to me to make that connection for her, but it's a wonderful thought. I don't know if it quite fits what I had thought of in terms of her armour needs, but now I know that Brassica is a badge bearing, card-carrying, member of the Inn League."

This outfit includes very pastel green colours, similar to what Brassica wore before. It looks the heaviest out of the three designs, however, it can certainly keep her well protected.

And finally, Beldriet's winner. I designed this as a distinguishable warden outfit, where Ranger element is represented only by the shoulder piece with typical star. Beldriet said about her choice: "I think this outfit is just perfect, looking at it from the standpoint of putting together a story to go with it, it looks like she was given a mail shirt that's entirely too big for her, and a leather hauberk that's needed to be tightened with a variety of straps and buckles in order to fit properly, and the shoulder piece is just the perfect little nod to the Rangers." And she said I've hit the nail on the head - this made the hobbit inside me proud! :))

And here comes the result!

This outfit consists of:
Chest: Scout's Weathered Leather Jacket, olive dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Fine Grey Company Wrap, olive dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Hands: Resilient Westfold Combat Gauntlets, olive dye (T7 crafted)
Back: Warden's Pack, olive dye (Outfitter vendor)

What do you think about the outfit? Please let us know! And don't forget to visit Brassica's blog to read about her adventures! :)

Inspiration: Templar knight

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

This is a variation of yesterday's outfit, which portrayed game character whose role-playing background is fighter against Templar oppression. I couldn't resist making his counterpart's outfit using the same hauberk when I found this helm - it's truly medieval and beautiful. I think I will have a great problem not to use it in every chain mail outfit I make from now on :)

"We command that all the brothers’ habits should always be of one colour; that is white or black or brown. And we grant to all knight brothers in winter and in summer if possible, white cloaks; and no-one who does not belong to the aforementioned Knights of Christ is allowed to have a white cloak, so that those who have abandoned the life of darkness will recognise each other as being reconciled to their creator by the sign of the white habits: which signifies purity and complete chastity."

Templar History: Garments of the Knights Templar

I also like that Cloak of the Westfold now dyes whiter - which wonderfully suits Templar role-play. The green horse displayed on it also matches undyable sleeves of the hauberk, so instead of red cross we have symbol of green horse as the outfit's theme.

Please let me know what do you think of the outfit in the comments!

Chest: Polished Hauberk of the Dunland Shieldman, white dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Polished Helmet of the Dunland Shieldman, white dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Padded Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, white dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Defender's Gloves, white dye (T3 crafted)
Feet: Defender's Boots, white dye (T3 crafted)
Back: Cloak of the Westfold, default dye (Isengard pre-order)

Maddened chicken

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

After the terrible nightmare she couldn't wake up from for several hours, Brewbelly finally rose out of her sleep for the final call to depart to Dunland. Feeling great urge to get straight into the battle, she equipped the most flamboyant attire she found in her wardrobe - maybe she won't be disguised as a minstrel, but she'll surely have some fun!

Chest: (Vibrant) Combat Armour of Théodred, red dye (T7 crafted) 
Hands: Amarion's Padded Gauntlets, crimson dye (Quest: A Collar for the King)
Feet: (Strong) Combat Boots of Théodred, olive dye (T7 crafted)
Back: Wizard's Cloak of Théodred, red dye (T7 crafted)

Natural beauty

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Sidgrid has never understood wardens who envied guardians their heavy armour. She thinks a warrior is able to defend his fellows better when he is agile and quick. Therefore she chose a very light armour to protect her, as well as esthetically please her companions. She wouldn't be an elf if she didn't want to look great, would she? ;)

Chest: Elven Campaigner's Armour, dark green dye (T5 crafted)
Legs: Radiant Westernesse Leggings, umber dye (T5 crafted)
Head: Fine Elven Circlet, default dye (Anniversary gift box)
Shoulders: Elven Leather Shoulder Pads, olive dye (Rivendell light armoursmith)
Hands: Scout's Gloves, olive dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Scout's Boots, olive dye (T6 crafted)
Back: Cloak of the Autumn Wood, olive dye (store)

Guest: Conjal of Brandywine

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Conjal is a hunter. And hunters have always had a strong bond with nature. Conjal's favourite moments are riding one of his horses through the meadows and woods, feeling nothing but the wind in his hair. He doesn't want people to recognize him during such times, so he has a separate riding costume, which allows him to ride unknown.

Chest: Robe of Moonlight, olive dye (world drop; similar design available from outfitter vendors)
Head: Traveller’s Hood, olive dye (store)
Shoulders: Thick Pristine Shoulder Guards, olive dye (T5 crafted)
Gloves: Dwarf Padded Gloves of Rallying, olive dye (world drop; similar design available from outfitter vendors)
Shoes: Westernesse Padded Shoes of Determination, olive dye (world drop)
Back: Warden's Wrap, olive dye (Annuminas reputation barter)

Wish-based inspiration: Link (Legend of Zelda)

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Shire Peace-keeper

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Wardens patrol the borders of civilized lands, preventing the encroachment of fell creatures from the Wild. This is one of them, Honourary Shirrif Wasabito, at service of all peaceful folk of Shire. He has risked his life many times in battle - the eyepatch is a remembrance of an encounter with a vile boar. But he asks for no rewards for his great deeds protecting his fellows - except for a nice meal and beer... about every hour or so :)

Chest: Everstout, olive dye (world drop)
Legs: Leggings of the Sun-lands, olive dye (world drop)
Head: Mariner's Eyepatch, default dye (Pirate event)
Shoulders: Westernesse Shoulder Guards, olive dye (T4 crafted)
Hands: Fingerless Gloves, rust dye (Winter festival)
Back: Cloak of the Peace-keeper, default dye (Collector's Edition - many EU players got it during migration to US server)

Guest: Dueq of Snowbourn

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Our first guest outfit submission comes from Captain of Snowbourn, Dueq. His armour is pretty easy to obtain, but very manly and indeed worth of a captain. Well done, Dueq!

Chest: Dwarf-Iron Armour, olive dye (T4 crafted)
Legs: Dwarf-Iron Leggings, olive dye (T4 crafted)
Head: Nogthol, olive dye (Quest: A Captain's Standard)
Shoulders: Dwarf-Iron Shoulder Guards, olive dye (T4 crafted)
Hands: Dwarf-Iron Gloves, olive dye (T4 crafted)
Feet: Dwarf-Iron Boots, olive dye (T4 crafted)
Back: Spring-Flinger Cloak, black dye (Spring Festival)