Lady of Rhûn

A few days ago, a ship bearing the most unusual passengers arrived at the Celondim harbour. They were the Avari elves, so rarely seen in these lands. Avari are ancient elves who refused Oromë's summons to Valinor and remained in their lands, dwelling in the forests and discovering the seas. Our visitors come from Rhûn, the area to the far east from Eriador. They didn't want to talk about their business here, they asked for hospitality of only a few particular elves residing in Falathorn, and remained discussing private matters there for days. Who knows what brings them to our lands? News of the Easterlings? Or some worse evil?

I wanted to make an outfit around Clanweave Leggings since I got them as the quest reward. They add beautiful curves even to subtle elven posture, but are terribly hard to match with the chest piece because of both colouring (undyable grey and rust areas) and the body shape they create. Quite frankly, the matching Clanweave Robe looks horrible on female characters - on contrast to the leggings, it makes the body less feminine than any other armour.

So I just couldn't come up with something which wouldn't look too exotic and mismatching with the other pieces. Until I came across the headgear drop in level 75 School of Tham Mírdain run. It is a caster piece, but I was lucky that our minnie didn't want it and I could take it as the most precious treasure for my wardrobe :) It immediately reminded me of pharaohs, and also medieval Arabic ladies from old movies. This outfit is very remotely inspired by Nefertiti, but I didn't want to make it as an inspiration - I aimed for Middle-earth appropriate outfit.

Did I succeed? Please let me know in comments :)

Chest: Scout's Armour, Evendim blue dye (T6 crafted)
Legs: Clanweave Leggings, Evendim blue dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Pageturner's Cap, Evendim blue dye (drop from Library of Tham Mírdain lvl 75)
Shoulders: Disused Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, Evendim blue dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Scout's Gloves, Evendim blue dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Golden Host Boots of the Gloaming, sienna dye (T6 crafted)
Back: Embroidered Cloak of the Dunland Healer, Evendim blue dye (Dunland quest)

Guest: Bluet of Arkenstone

Bluet is a hobbit minstrel, but who says hobbit ladies cannot bring royal elegance into their wardrobe? Inspired by the elf-friends of her father and donning a gift from Lothlórien, Bluet ensures she can go into battle while still looking top class.

Chest: Lorien Fancy Robe, Rivendell green dye (Lothlórien barter item)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Swift Arrow, green dye (Mirkwood hunter purple set)
Back: Hooded Cloak of the Silver Birch, Rivendell green dye (store)

Wish-based inspiration: Legolas

This inspiration was suggested by Maeglaz more than two months ago. I knew this was going to be hard - the archetype of LOTRO hunters is a big challenge. Since then, I've tried to approach Legolas' movie appearance countless times and it always looked horrible. I'm not a big fan of ranger green dye, and there wasn't a hauberk nor gloves any similar to my model. As you probably noticed, I'm questing a lot in RoI zones and when I bumped into these wonderful bracers, I knew this time I might finally do a Legolas outfit I could even publish :)

Tall elven shadow quickly shimmered between the trees. Legolas has returned to his fellowship from scouting the surrounding deep forest. Nothing could escape his wary hearing and judicious, yet piercing sight. Sindarin elf and the Prince of Mirkwood never let his friends down, and never will, even if they are foolish enough to step into the darkest places.

The hauberk is not a very close match, but I felt it's better to have a little extra ring mail and belt, than to struggle with old hauberks' fit on male elves. I was also considering Shirriff's Hauberk dyed ranger green, but it makes an elf too slim and has pattern which Legolas' movie hauberk didn't have as well.

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

Chest: Scout's Weathered Leather Jacket, ranger green dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Padded Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Traveler's Road-worn Bracers, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Gaerdail, grey dye (world drop)
Back: Plain Cloak, grey dye (outfitter vendor)

Guest: Pobo Woolyfoot of Gladden

As One Bad Hobbit, Pobo does not need flashy garments or shiny armour with spikes. This overly confident halfling is most comfortable in this unassuming garb. The shirt and pants are easy to wash – important for removing blood and other stains – and the backpack is handy for smuggling contraband of any sort. And, of course, a single feather will never do, a real badass hobbit needs two.

I am very honoured to host this guest submission of Pobo, renowned hobbit Casanova & subverter of the Gladden server. All the local ladies know him, young ones faint and their mothers throw violent tantrum on the sight of him. You can watch this all yourself, because Mr. Woolyfoot is also a movie star! I showed the pictures to Freyjuska and even such hardened hobbit lass blushed... I promised I won't tell you she asked for Pobo's post address!

Chest: Padded Armour, green dye (T1 crafted)
Legs: Thick Quilted Leggings, umber dye (T2 crafted)
Head: Bounder Shirriff’s Cap, green dye (Quest: A Bounder of Great Merit)
Back: Elegant Backpack, umber dye (Bree reputation barter)

Dragon cub

Accornia has always been fascinated by dragons. When she first entered Angmar, she didn't like the surroundings and was bored by killing wargs and stupid hill beasts. But when she first caught a glimpse of these magnificent creatures, she was amazed. She suddenly felt so attached to them, couldn't kill them although the people of Angmar wanted her to, and kept visiting the dragons ever since. They even gave her some of their scales for her quest and armour. Sometimes she wants to believe she might be a dragon cub, lost and found again after the ages.

Chest: Breastplate of the North-drake, red dye (drop from the Rift)
Legs: (Sturdy) Dwarf-make Defender's Leggings, crimson dye (T3 crafted)
Head: Elven Soldier's Helm, crimson dye (T5 crafted)
Shoulders: Westernesse Steel Shoulder Guards of Might, crimson dye (world drop)
Hands: Hyrde-folme, crimson dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Boots, crimson dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Cloak of the Boar Clan Warrior, crimson dye (Dunland quest)

Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor

For within his mind he imagined
That when such matches were,
Those outlaws stout, without [all] doubt,
Would be the bowmen there.

So an arrow with a golden head
And shaft of silver white,
Who won the day should bear away
For his own proper right.

Tidings came to brave Robin Hood,
Under the green-wood tree:
'Come prepare you then, my merry men,
We'll go yon sport to see.' 

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads: Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow 

I couldn't resist making an outfit around another wonderful hat found in Dunland. The Robin Hood inspiration was suggested by my kinnie and fellow reader Brrokk. I've decided to use female model, because some of the Dunland cosmetics look weird on women - and luckily this one is not the case :) 

I also started new way of posting outfits - my best critic Loki suggested I should include bigger action screenshots, displaying the attire within the surroundings fitting role-playing background of the character. Sometimes it will be difficult, because I use the same race model for all classes (Ladriell portraying a hunter here is a lore-master in reality) so I usually won't be able to work with class skills, but I hope I will find a way how to boost the RP in other ways :) Please let me know if you like this way of posting more!

Chest: Scout's Weathered Leather Jacket, Rivendell green dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Scout's Weathered Leather Helmet, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Padded Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Heavy Plated Dunlending Gauntlets, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Weathered Leather Scout's Boots, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Cloak of the Fallen Leaves, Rivendell green dye (store)

Guest: Dirhallith of Arkenstone

This outfit is simple, yet effective. Wearing it is Dirhallith of Arkenstone, inspired by her time among the elves of Lothlórien and their White Lady. It's not always practical when hunting down orcs in Moria or storming Dol Guldur with her fellows, but it certainly helps remind her of a peaceful time long ago as she wanders the Golden Wood in style.

Chest: Ceremonial Dress, default dye (summer festival)
Head: Fine Elven Circlet, default dye (Anniversary gift box)
Shoulders: Leather Shoulder Pads, gold dye (Esteldin medium armoursmith)
Back: Hooded Cloak of the Dove, white dye (store)