Ghost rider

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

He rides the plains of Eriador, always accompanied by gruesome shriek, and yet he is not a Nazgûl. People say he sold his soul to the power of evil to acquire superhuman strength and fear resistance, but the wise know different. Maney was once an ordinary warrior, champion of his unit, but he felt so powerless. When he was seventeen years old and saw his dear brother and fellow die at the hands of remorseless barrow-wight, he has made his decision.

Maney started training really hard, spending every waken hour practicing his skills with a sword, endurance and courage. He sought challenges and was always there where people needed a savior, especially against undead servants of the worst evil. Soon, however, people started to fear him for his unnatural skill and introversion, caused by deep grief. They started calling him a Ghost rider, and he gratefully assumed this role. And so he rides and rides, knowing only in his heart who is on the side of good or evil.

I love dark outfits. Sometimes I miss the "evil" part of gaming in LOTRO (don't get me wrong, I don't torture young players in other MMOs ;)) and so I try to simulate this side in Middle-earth too. That's why my personal favorite in Yule Outfit Contest 2011 was Kemendin with his Herne the Hunter. Coincidentally, my today's outfit is also a dark-themed rider, inspired by Marvel's Ghost Rider series. It might resemble the Loki inspired outfit we created more than a year ago together with my fiancé, because the goat mask is very unique :), but the theme is different.

On Saturday night I spent a few hours leveling my champion from level 11 to 18, just to get Cleave. This skill looks so amazing on screenshots that I knew my ghost rider should be able to perform it. Then I spent an hour trying to retouch the mobs' names out of screenshots (you can see the very unprofessional result on the first and third screenshot - I just hope not at the first sight :)). However, I hope I have managed to capture the atmosphere I wanted for this outfit.

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

Chest: Dwarf Steel Breastplate of Might, black dye (world drop; same skin is available from heavy armoursmith in Thorin's Hall)
Legs: Tattered Leggings of the Dunland Sage, black dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Visage of the Goat, black dye (Store)
Shoulders: Noriel's Folly, black dye (Great River quest)
Hands: Snow-dusted Travelling Gloves, black dye (Yule festival)
Feet: Boots of the Great Bow, black dye (Moria level 60 hunter teal set)
Back: Flames of the Deep, black dye (Skirmish trader - cosmetic items)

Mount: Steed of Night (Store)

Emotes:
./mountrearup (Store)
./lookaround
./smoke
Cleave (Champion level 18 skill)

Hard work pays off

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Khamrad has spent whole his life digging in dirt, searching for treasures, or even small chunks of shiny metal resembling gold. Most of the time he ended up with simple copper or iron, counting coins from day to day to afford some food and shelter. Often he had to sleep just under the night sky, dreaming of being wealthy one day.

When he's heard about the Low Lands Gold Rush, all the friends, family and fellow wanderers tried to talk him out going there. Hundreds of dwarves, hobbits, elves and men alike digging inch by inch of soil which was said to be full of gold chunks of palm size, usually to find only pieces not bigger than a poppy grain. However, Aulë smiled upon Khamrad and right the first digging site he visited contained the biggest treasure ever found in Low Lands! He was able to afford a good goat to carry all his wealth, gems for all lady dwarves of his family and a new fancy garb to be welcomed as worthy dwarf at home in Thorin's Hall. "My whole life's hard work has finally payed off!" he rejoiced. Let's hope he uses the gold wisely.

I was able to enjoy the Treasure Hunt for almost whole day on Sunday on three of my characters. I adore this event - mounts, cosmetics, emotes: what else can a cosmetic junkie wish for? :) I got everything I wanted except for Treasure Laden Pony for my main, hobbit Freyjuska and a Treasure Hunter's Rucksack (damn!). I am especially happy about the "Rich" emote and the Treasure Laden Goat, which I wanted to show off :)

The goat has orange and brown coat and I wanted the outfit to match it (at least a little) and show off the wealth of its wearer. I decided to give the unpopular orange dye a shot, although it usually makes outfits look a bit out of place. I wanted the top part match the goat's coat and golden horns, and the lower part of the outfit to match the treasure bags attached to the goat and its saddle. Any top without the grey undyable parts would work better, but I haven't found such chest piece with golden pattern which would look good on a dwarf. The shoulders are also rarely used, but here I went for them for a funny reason - they clip so horribly on a dwarf that they kinda turned Herald's Armour into heavier one naturally, as if the shoulders were part of it.

Please let me know your opinion in comments :) I'm also starting to list the emotes used, as they are a vital part of the screenshots and you guys often ask about them. I hope it's a welcomed change :)

Chest: Herald's Armour, orange dye (T6 crafted; shares appearance with other T6 medium crafted armour)
Legs: Leggings of the Brazen Call, orange dye (Moria level 60 captain teal set; also available as champion and guardian set parts with very small differences in looks)
Head: Hat of the Stone-student, orange dye (Moria level 60 lore-master purple set; shares appearance with minstrel's and rune-keeper's Moria pieces)
Shoulders: Forged-iron Dunlending Pauldrons, orange dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Tawarwaith Gloves, orange dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Rusted Boots of the Dunland Berserkers, default/white dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Treasure Hunter’s Pack, white dye (Treasure Hunt event)

Mount: Treasure Laden Goat (Treasure Hunt event, rare drop from Huge treasure)

Emotes:
./rich - first screenshot, drop from Huge treasure cache, also barterable for 300 buried treasure tokens (Treasure Hunt event)
./counterfeit - last screenshot, drop from treasure caches, not barterable (Treasure Hunt event)

Winter revelry

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Freyjuska has recently gained a lot prestige among Dunlending folk and even Théodred's riders, by driving off enemy forces and helping those in need. She decided to give herself a well-deserved break from serious business and get some past time for herself only. Freyjuska went on a good old fashioned hunt to her favourite district - Forochel, which always shimmers with northern light and evokes peace and serenity.

Again, I encouraged you, dear readers, to dress up in a winter outfit, and my own beloved lil' hobbit has been left neglected. Until now. After doing many skirmishes for superior 4th marks, I was left with tons of campaign marks and decided to find a decent use for them. I've never been a big fan of skirmish cosmetic rewards (especially hauberks), but sometimes just the right colour or combination is necessary to fall in love with an attire - and this happened to me just today.

I made so many action screenshots I couldn't decided which one to use as an opening picture. So I apologize for screenshot spam - I've decided to include those I liked the most. I don't usually dress up Freyjuska a lot (for some mysterious reason unknown to me, because she's adorable and I love her!) and when I do, I overenjoy it a bit :)

How do you like this outfit? Please, leave your feedback in comments!

Chest: Decorative Hauberk, purple dye (Skirmish cosmetic barter)
Hands: Burnished Dunlending Gauntlets, purple dye (Dunland quest reward)
Feet: Ajokoira Shoes, purple dye (T5 crafted)
Back: Feathered-Cloak of the North-men, purple dye (Skirmish cosmetic barter)

Guest: Brrokk of Snowbourn

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Brrokk's previous off-duty outfit was ruined by the changes to the Robe of Viisaus. It has changed colour and he can't get it to match the boots anymore. But no problem; there are some nice items of clothing in Dunland and he already did a lot of good deeds to build a new outfit for relaxation and crafting out of the rewards. He is not sure what the rope-like hanging things are, but surely they'll be handy for hanging hammers, chisels and tongs.

Chest: Hill-man's Cracked Leather Jacket, rust dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Weathered Leather Scout's Boots, umber dye (Dunland quest)

Tip: Visit Brrokk's blog!

Guarding home

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Even though most of free people now fight for Middle-Earth far away from their hometowns, nearly every one of them thinks of their home in the first place. Wasabito, a hobbit guardian of great merit, thinks of his home in Shire with every shield bash or sword strike he deals to his enemies. Recently he has come for a visit and realized the place he needs to guard the most is the Shire. Pride aside, he signed up in Brockenborings militia and now serves as a proud defender against the goblin assaults. In the coming dark times, his fellows will greatly appreciate his experience from the battlefield.

Chest: Dwarf Steel Jacket of Might, evendim blue dye (world drop)
Legs: Rift-defender's Leggings, default dye (Rift guardian level 50 set)
Head: Extravagant Festival Cap, evendim blue dye (winter festival)
Shoulders: Shining Dwarf Leather Shoulder Guards, ered luin blue dye (world drop)
Hands: Rift-defender's Gloves, default dye (Rift guardian level 50 set)
Feet: Rift-defender's Boots, default dye (Rift guardian level 50 set)
Back: Cloak of the Sunset Wood, evendim blue dye (store)

Guest: Brrokk of Snowbourn

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Brrokk is already known to us by his battle outfit. He is a great warrior, but he doesn't like to wear heavy armour all the time. When off-duty, it is still important to look good. Brrokk was aiming for a distinctive bright-coloured look, but not overwhelming with bright colours. Has he managed it? I think so :)

Chest: Robe of Viisaus, rust dye (Quest: Vol. I, Book 13, Chapter 4: The Hand of Angmar; also available as Robe of Vigour - lvl 56 world drop)
Feet: Elven Leather Boots, crimson dye (Rivendell medium armoursmith)
Back: Elrond's Exquisite Cloak, default dye (Quest: Vol. I, Book 12, Chapter 10: Half-truths)
Tip: Visit Brrokk's blog!

Guest: Rendalc of Eldar

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Rendalc might seem as a cute hobbit lad that Rosie Cotton may fall in love with, but it is just a deception. At night, while covered by darkness, he wears his burgling attire and does deeds he doesn't talk about during the day. Sometimes he forgets about the time and arrives home too late after last night watches. So please, don't tell anyone - especially Rosie, at least while that silly Gamgee is away ;)

Chest: Cloth Vest, black dye (hunter starter gear)
Legs: Cloth Pants, black dye (hunter starter gear)
Head: Traveller's Hood, black dye (store)
Shoulders: Fine Footman's Shoulder Guards, black dye (T6 crafted)
Hands: Fine Footman's Gloves, black dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Padded Shoes, black dye (hunter starter gear)
Back: Cermonial Cloak of Shadow and Flame, default dye (store)

Cute nobility

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Phloxie has recently made many changes in her life. She left Shire behind, discovered a whole new world and made a lot of money to spend on fashionable attire. She doesn't speak much of how did she do that. Considering current state of wooden weapons market and the fact she can't do anything except woodworking and fighting, we can only assume she is a rental killer. Or simply good learner of her fellow friendly burglars ;) However, she always wanted to look mathomy-shiny and she thinks she achieved that!

Chest: Shining Dwarf Quilted Jacket, forest green dye (world drop)
Legs: Steel-legs, forest green dye (world drop)
Head: Elven Light Helm, forest green dye (Light armourer in Rivendell)
Shoulders: Shining Chainmail Shoulder Guards, forest green dye (world drop)
Hands: Golden Host Gloves of the Awakened, forest green dye (T6 crafted)
Back: Cloak of the Sunset Wood, forest green dye (Store)

Casual huntress

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Many visitors pass through Rivendell on their journeys. Some seek shelter, advice or serenity of this peaceful place, one of the last in Middle-earth in these dark times. Ladriell sought neither of those - she came here to shop :)
Rivendell merchants are famous for selling some of the most beautiful pieces of attire available in all regions. Ladriel is a young hunter in training, and she needed some pretty, yet casual clothes to wear both in the town and on hunt. She wasn't disappointed - the elven pants fit her perfectly.

Chest: Elven Cloth Jacket of Vigour, white dye (world drop)
Legs: Elven Cloth Pants, white dye (Light armourer in Rivendell)
Head: Chopley's Hat, rivendell green dye (Quest: Curious Number of Bears)
Hands: Scout's Gloves, orange dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Ceremonial Nenuial's Boots, default dye (Annuminas cosmetics)
Back: Golden Tree Summer Cloak, rivendell green dye (Summer festival)

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: Drico of Gilrain

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Drico is a sneaky burglar, who doesn't hesitate to stealthily approach and pickpocket anyone. His skills are well known all over the Middle-earth. As he spent a lot time in Staddle as a young lad, the Bree-land guards know him well and sometimes even catch him in the act. Feel free to enjoy his face! :)

Chest: Arrow-fletcher's Jacket, orange dye (Mirkwood hunter purple set)
Legs: Arrow-fletcher's Leggings, orange dye (Mirkwood hunter purple set)
Head: Helm of the Swift Arrow, orange dye (Mirkwood hunter DG set)
Shoulders: Radiant Westernesse Shoulder Guards, orange dye (T5 crafted)
Hands: Arrow-fletcher's Gauntlets, orange dye (Mirkwood hunter purple set)
Feet: Boots of the Great Bow, orange dye (Moria hunter epic set)

Guest: Lookdyss of Snowbourn

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Coming from Iron Hills, one of the closest lieutenants of Dain Ironfoot, Lookdyss has played an important role by waking up the dragon Smaug and tanking him while Bard the Bowman finished him, he became very famous and respected amongs Dwarfs and was the official leader of The Dwarves from Iron Hills at the Battle of the Five armies, while fighting side by side with men of Dale and elves.
Since that moment he became one of the legends of Middle-Earth and retired himself few years in Moria to fix the trouble his Moria's brothers have made. Since that time, he has been building up an army of brave warriors and has created the Order of Justice, gathering others peeps like him from different races which still respect such virtues like honour, bravery, justice, and he is also waiting for the moment to strike Sauron's puppet and Sauron himself.

One day will come when the dwarf age will come and rule Middle-Earth, and I'll be there that day!

Chest: Rift Defender's Armour, orange dye (Rift Guardian set)
Legs: Rift Defender's Leggings, orange dye
Head: Helm of Rohan, orange dye (Store)
Shoulders: Rift Defender's Shoulder Guards, orange dye
Hands: Rift Defender's Gloves, orange dye
Feet: Rift Defender's Boots, orange dye
Back: Cloak of Shadow and Flame, black dye (drop from Gwathnor in Quest: Vol. II, Book 6, Instance: New Devilry; also available as Store cosmetic)

Power of Elements

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Sidgrid is a rune-keeper padawan - she has just begun discovering the power of elements she can use. Her words and runes engage powers of fire, lightning and frost to defeat bothering scum, and  she turns to healing power of nature when her friends are in danger. She decided to pay tribute to all these elements with her attire, which is fiery red, touched by golden lightning, covered with sparkling white ice and soothing forest green notes.

Chest: Everstout, red dye (rare world drop, thank you Hymne for lending this!)
Legs: Leggings of the Sun-Lands, red dye (world drop)
Head: Fine Elven Circlet, default dye (Anniversary event in the past, thank you Nemesrien for lending this!)
Shoulders: Rock-Climber's Shoulder Guards, forest green dye (T6 crafted)
Hands: Golden Host Gloves of the Awakened, orange dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Ceremonial Nenuial's Boots, orange dye (Skirmish cosmetics)
Back: Cloak of the Autumn Wood, forest green dye (Store)