Meditation in the dusk

Ladriell has set off for a difficult quest. Her beloved raven flew out to stretch his wings a little, and didn't come back! It's been a few days already, so young lore-master knew there was something wrong. They were staying in Thorenhad when she let the raven go, so she started searching the surrounding hills.

There were so many fierce beasts that she lost all hopes to ever see her raven again. She stopped counting how many vile hawks has she killed, when she caught a glimpse of white feathers. The raven was watching her, and luring her deeper into the valley! She communicated with him in her mind, but he didn't want to reveal his plan. Only when they reached the most beautiful meadow inside the colorful forest, he told her: "I brought you here to find what I saw - peace in mind. You, my dear master, will be much wiser when you rest a bit and concentrate only on leaves shimmering in the sunset - it will help you become a better lore-master." She listened, and spent long hours alongside her friend, because she realized he was not the lost one - she was.

I wanted to make an outfit featuring Angolgol ever since I've obtained it in Tâl Methedras, but somehow I couldn't find items with the right color scheme. When I got the Robe of the Stone-student, I thought it could match, and I was right! The turquoise and greyish-blue clicked perfectly on both pieces. I didn't want the outfit to be too solemn though, so I decided to bring gold accents to the front with shoulder and head piece.

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

Chest: Ceremonial Robe of the Stone-student, turquoise dye (Moria lore-master level 60 set; also available from skirmish barterer or limited store sale)
Head: Hat of the Stone-student, turquoise dye (Moria lore-master level 60 set; also available from skirmish barterer or limited store sale)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Swift Arrow, turquoise dye (Mirkwood hunter level 65 set; also available as drop from level 75 skirmishes)
Hands: Ceremonial Gloves of the Stone-student, turquoise dye (Moria lore-master level 60 set; also available from skirmish barterer or limited store sale)
Feet: Embroidered Shoes of the Dunland Healer, black dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Angolgol, default dye (Dunland quest)

Lone rider

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

Guest: Fazlee of Landroval

People of North-downs have been afflicted by wargs for long years. Only the young and mighty could travel the broad fields alone, others were easy prey and had to pass by in groups. Luckily, a warden from southern lands passed through the land one day and decided he has to do something about the situation. He managed to kill tens of wargs and drive off every one he has seen, and later patrolled at night to make sure they are not coming back. His mission was successful and people of North-downs are once again safe, at least for this season.

Fazlee's outfits are always unique and exotic. He hasn't broken the trend in this case and prepared very fitting outfit for his warden. I have never seen this chest piece used so well! I'm already looking forward to seeing next outfit from Fazlee, and hope you guys feel the same :)

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

Chest: Esquire's Medium Shirt of Naillan, white dye (Skimish medium armor barterer; shares appearance with Dwarf Leather Shirt available from dwarven medium armor vendors)
Legs: Tavol-socas, sienna dye (Fangorn's Edge Tier 2 drop)
Head: Lesser Arrow of the West Helmet, red dye (Ost Dunnoth level 65 hunter set)
Shoulders: Shoulder-guards of the Eastern Wind, umber dye (Odothuilan skirmish level 75 drop; shares appearance with hunter's level 60 set)
Hands: Cadarn-Durnvol, umber dye (Pits of Isengard drop)
Feet: Fine Grey Company Boots, umber dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Back: Warden's Pack, default dye (Outfitter vendor)

Guest: Grimthold of Estel

Let me introduce Grimthold, a great champion and fierce defender of Bree. Wherever battle calls he will be there. No matter the cost he will stand and fight to protect what he cherishes. He is a champion, a deadly machine, a well trained warrior that fights against Sauron's hordes with merciless ferocity. Always in the front row of the melee he is the first to jump in and slice everything around. He lives by the sword and surely will die by it. His motto is: "Kill them before they kill you!"

Grimthold said about his outfit: "I wanted my champion to have a real plate armor, something totally crazy with a lot a metal plate. I found some nice stuff for the shoulders, the helmet, the gauntlets and the boots (that I LOVE!!) but couldn't find anything for the chest and leggings... so I decided to go with the Ost Dunnoth pieces for chest, legs and boots that went not bad all together. The first version of my "battle ready" champion was with no cloak and the helmet. He now wears a cloak and withdraws his helm when he is not in the middle of a battle. This way he has a more civil outfit that doesn't scare children:) Later I decided to keep the cloak always on. So here is the final version of my super heavy champ, at least the most heavy I could have made him. I switch helm/no helm whenever I feel the need for role-playing purposes or just because I prefer a look over another."

I saw this outfit on forums a few days before Grimthold sent it to me and it stunned me. Such a perfect heavy warrior's gear! The combination of silver and gold is amazingly well balanced and Grimthold definitely knows how to make astonishing screenshots :) I hope you'll enjoy this outfit as much as I did!

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

Chest: Lesser Blade of the West Breastplate, gold dye (Ost Dunnoth champion level 65 set)
Legs: Lesser Blade of the West leggings, gold dye (Ost Dunnoth champion level 65 set)
Helm: Gongarab, white dye (The Tower of Orthanc, T1 Saruman chest drop)
Shoulders: Hyrde-Axle, default dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Ceremonial Dragon-scale Gloves, white dye (Skirmish barter)
Feet: Lesser Boots of Dundirith, white dye (Ost Dunnoth guardian level 65 set)
Back: Cloak of the Westfold, default dye (RoI pre-order)

Mount: White-clad Horse of the Gap (RoI pre-order)

Summerstorm

Brewbelly, the Peacekeeper of Maur Tulhau, has been raised in Gloomglens, but soon after the Rangers visited her village, she joined them. She is a talented minstrel and sings of the legends of Enedwaith, where paths of men, southerners and hobbits cross. She has been very helpful during negotiations between the Rangers and Enedwaith clan leaders, as she quickly understood both cultures well.

No matter how serious job Brewbelly has, she is still a hobbit in the first place and she knows how to enjoy her life. Since joining the Grey Company, she gets to travel a lot and she loves it. Even in the heaviest summer rains (which become blizzards in northern lands), she is happy to see new places. Her joy of life is contagious and that's why her fellowship, in which she's by far the tiniest member, adores her.

This post is made in a rush - as you can see, I didn't even wait for good weather in Middle-earth, although the post was intended to bear summer atmosphere. The thing is that I couldn't resist making  a quick outfit around the new summer festival hat, after I've seen it in Hymne's preview, before I go for a business trip. This isn't my last outfit featuring this hat, because it's just gorgeous, so I hope you like this quickie at least a bit :)

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

Chest: Reveller's Gilded Party Dress, forest green dye (Store)
Head: Summerdays Hat, default dye (Summer festival)
Back: Cloak of the Peace-keeper, default dye (Collector's edition reward)

Emotes:
./spin (Store)
./wave
./lookaround

Fire storm

The fire controls him. He controls the fire. And sometimes he loses control entirely and that's when the lightening comes. Freygald has been known amongst his kin as a little unstable dwarf, not really the one you would like to make mad. When he's angry, he doesn't stop until there's nothing else than burning ground. Lucky for his fellows, things that make him angry the most are enemies and lack of beer.

Those who haven't denied a good pint to Freygald have known him as the most devoted friend, willing the sacrifice everything for success of the mission. Despite his fiery nature, he is very wise and knows a lot about rune magic. He taught many rune-keepers now considered masters of their art, and none of them knows how old Freygald is. Even for a dwarf, he's seen a lot of years pass by and that might also be the reason for his occasional madness. After all, the whole world is mad, so its his only weapon.

When character slots were on sale last week, I didn't hesitate and bought another two (so I have 14 characters at the moment). I realized the only reason I made so few dwarven rune-keeper outfits was that my only dwarf was a champ, and I had no chance to have the beautiful RK skills on dwarf's screenshots. This is now a matter of the past - let me introduce my new character, Freygald :)

I've had this robe for a while now without making an outfit proudly presenting it. I hope I have achieved that now. I haven't used any shoulder piece, because the shoulders of this robe are very elaborate and it would be a pity to cover them. I'm not happy about the satchel though, but what can I do for level 7 rune-keeper :)

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

Chest: Robe of the Learned, red dye (Helegrod rune-keeper set, skirmish barterer)
Head: Hat of the Learned Master, red dye (Ettenmoors Lore-master trader; shares similar appearance with Stone-reader's Hat)
Hands: Ceremonial Gloves of the North Star, red dye (Skirmish cosmetics vendor - Rift heavy)
Feet: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Boots, crimson dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Preserver's Cloak, crimson dye (Dunland quest)

Guest: Aisana of Elendilmir

Aisana is an elven hunter, who is devoted strongly to the forces of light. As a young child, she had a dream of majestic deer who revealed a prophecy of her life - to kill the servants of evil in order to protect the pure. Since then, she's spent a lot of time protecting those in need, but the place she often returns to is her beautiful home, Lothlórien. There she sometimes spends a little time dressing up - she's seen a lot of darkness, but deep in her heart she is still a little girl who wants to be charming.

I love this guest submission really much. Even though the screenshots quality is not very good, I see an amazingly well matched outfit, which is battle ready yet still elegant. Unfortunately Aisana has a really old computer, but she managed to capture the atmosphere of Lothlórien perfectly and used daylight to the screenshots' advantage.

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

Chest: Town-saver's Jacket, Ered Luin blue dye (Warden Rift level 50 set; ceremonial version available from skirmish barterer)
Legs: Elven Warrior's Leggings, Ered Luin blue dye (T5 crafted)
Head: Threadbare Hat of the Dunland Healer, Ered Luin blue dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Town-saver's Shoulders, gold dye (Warden Rift level 50 set; ceremonial version available from skirmish barterer)
Hands: Irman's Gloves, black dye (Barad Gúlaran - Udúnion drop; shares appearance with world drop Gauntlets of the Sun-lands)
Feet: Enduring Boots of Fleetness, rose dye (world drop; many other boots share the appearance)
Back: Fine Quiver, Ered Luin blue dye (Anniversary gift-box)

Ceremonial Moria armour in store - worth buying?

Until August 30th, you have perfect chance to improve your wardrobe by some of the most appealing cosmetic items without effort put into group action. It is really easy to get Medallions of Moria nowadays, but if you're just a solo player or miss too many levels to be able to go to Moria, I really recommend checking out the store offer.

I'd like to give you another piece of advice too: sets of the Written Word/Poet's Heart, Shield-wall/Quiet Step and Whirlwind/Iron Arm share exactly the same looks with crafted Lothlórien sets:

• Ceremonial Robe (Leggings, Shoulders, Gloves, Shoes) of the Written Word/Poet's Heart = Robe (Leggings, Shoulders, Gloves, Shoes) of Lothlórien
• Ceremonial Jacket (Leggings, Shoulders, Gauntlets, Boots) of the Shield-wall/Quiet Step = Coat (Leggings, Shoulders, Gauntlets, Boots) of the Golden Wood
• Ceremonial Breastplate (Leggings, Shoulders, Gauntlets, Boots) of the Whirlwind/Iron Arm = Hauberk (Leggings, Shoulders, Gauntlets, Boots) of the Galadhrim

It might still be worth buying these items - depends on your real money vs. ingame money/level ratio :) Crafting each of the abovementioned items costs around 600 silver + 1 week cooldown and they are usually not sold on auction hall nowadays. You have to do your own math if it's worth 295 Turbine Points.

However, the head pieces of these sets are exclusive to Moria armour/ceremonial store items - Lothlórien crafted head pieces look differently (and less attractive). So it's definitely worth buying:

• Ceremonial Helm of the Shield-wall
• Ceremonial Helm of the Brazen Call
• Ceremonial Helm of the Whirlwind
• ...and the other three ceremonial Moria helms - they are all beautiful and unique!

For inspiration, check out some of outfits published on my blog which feature Moria items being on sale in store:

Sir Kay, Knight of the Round Table
Heritage of Cardolan
Hard work pays off
Into the fire
Inspiration: Rían of Bëor and Simbelmynë
Guest: Keeper of the Forgotten Fortress by Thoargile
Revel among Arnorian ruins
Guest inspiration: Haldir by Thoargile
Captain of the Greenway Garrison

Ghost rider

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)

Equestrian Fashion Contest for August

Kiralynn of the Windy Acres Ranch is once again organizing a contest to satisfy our hunger for beautiful mounted outfits :) In contrast to previous very successful Galloping Gala Fashion Contest, this month's one is not taking place ingame, so everyone from each server can freely participate. All you have to do is follow the contest's rules and send Kiralynn your equestrian outfits. Winner will not only gain prestige, but also a 100 Turbine Points code!

For inspiration, you might want to check out some of mount-matching outfits published on LOTRO Fashion. And I am myself very curious about the outfits you will submit in Windy Acres Ranch contest! :)

Guest inspiration: Lúthien Tinúviel by Noniell

Noniell said about her outfit: "I wanted to capture the image of Lútien Tinúviel herself and the glory of Beleriand. I decided to use sea blue dyes and it turned out to be a great idea, because it matches perfectly to the Steed of Minas Ithil. I hope you can see the mirrored starlight and the grace of the Valar on her face! :)"

Noniell sent this outfit to me in May, almost 4 months ago, but as you all probably now, I'm totally unreliable in my posting schedule. However, even after such long time, I still remember how lovely impression this outfit left in me when I first saw it, and I decided to publish it as the first guest submission after my blogging break.

I love the sea blue, white and silver details all combined and perfectly matching the beautiful horse. This simple outfit consists of just three pieces, but they all "click together" as they were really made to be worn by Lúthien riding her beautiful horse (probably gifted by Beren). All Noniell's screenshots bring up the feeling of serenity to me, and I'm grateful for that :)

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

Chest: Long-sleeved Elven Dress, sea blue dye (Rivendell reputation barter, requires Kindred status)
Head: Winged Circlet, sea blue dye (Skirmish cosmetic barter)
Back: Cloak of the Windsinger, sea blue dye (Store)


Mount: Steed of Minas Ithil

New blog about LOTRO cosmetics - volume IV

I'm proud to present a new LOTRO outfitting blog, Plate Metal Jacket and its very talented owner, Argendauss. After two very successful outfit posts here on LOTRO Fashion, he's decided it's time to have his own blog - his collection of battle outfits is astonishing!

"The blog's focus is aimed at the niche of LOTRO cosmetics that I enjoy the most, which is battle ready-outfits. No dresses, unless they're made of chain-mail or something," Argendauss said. I'd like to add that most of the outfit are really different from what can be usually seen on established LOTRO outfitting blogs, as they are made from man's perspective and that assures great uniqueness. I admire this guy's eye for detail and perfect taste for combining pieces :) I hope you'll enjoy his blog as I do!

Apprentice of the lore

Ladriell, Cenlieg's apprentice, has been riding through Forochel for two days already. Her master sent poor gal to search for their fellowship to the west, where Cenlieg's raven has headed before he got stuck in wargs' den. Luckily, Ladriell found them just before the sun set, as they settled in Pynti-peldot for the night. The fellowship has entered heavy snow storm the day before, so their advance has been slow and painful.

Her friends welcomed her, but she knew there's more danger that she must face alone - master Cenlieg is a wise, but old lore-master. Hence he stayed in Kauppa-kohta, waiting for his apprentice, whom he considered dear as own daughter. She ate fine deer with their fellows and set off for a journey back, to accompany Cenlieg. No night is dark enough for Ladriell to ride through, if her dear teacher's life is endangered!

It's really hard to compete with Hymne's matching outfit for the Steed of the Lore-master - her color match is unbeatable! I also bought the mount last week when it came out (it will be available in store until August 16th) and started building an outfit around it - but damn, the blanket color is really hard to achieve with dyes. However, I love the other details - maps and scrolls are just perfect for my Eriador Cartographile :)

After a while I surrendered trying to get a perfect match and started composing something which I simply liked both matched to the horse and alone. In the end I settled for this robe, as its small details match other small details of the horse - the sleeves, the sienna patches... and thanks to metallic details, it adds a little fierceness to the whole composition (as the steed itself is very feminine and gentle).  Although some people call this robe a bath gown :), I really like it and the patterns on it.

I've always considered Forochel one of the most beautiful areas in LOTRO, but I don't think I've ever appreciated the sunset and dusk there. Today, while taking screenshots of the outfit, I managed to catch a glimpse of the wonderful lilac shadows on the land, and I felt like in paradise. I hope that it helped to underline the outfit's color scheme and derive attention away from the not-so-matching color of the robe and the horse :)

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

Chest: Ceremonial Wandering Bard's Robe, navy dye (Skirmish cosmetics vendor - Rift light)
Head: Hat of the Learned Master, sienna dye (Ettenmoors Lore-master trader; shares similar appearance with Stone-reader's Hat)
Shoulders: Ceremonial Shoulders of the North Star, Evendim blue dye (Skirmish cosmetics vendor - Rift heavy)
Hands: Traveller's Road-worn Bracers, sienna dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Embroidered Shoes of the Dunland Healer, sienna dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Map-maker's Travel Pack, umber dye (Skirmish vendor; also available from Store)

Mount: Steed of the Lore-master (Store)

Cluck cluck

Everyone in the Shire has already headed for the Farmer's Faire. The biggest happening of the season excites all hobbits, because they can either sell or buy the best food available and please their stomachs to the greatest extent! Freyjuska has also been looking forward to the Faire all year long, not only to fill her belly, but also to sell eggs from her own hens.

Wearing her best dress, elegant town hat and signature cloak, Freyjuska gathered the best of the best eggs she could find in the coop and set off for the Bywater market. Her pony Dandelion was running fast like the wind, but careful, not allowing even a single egg to be smashed. The more they sell, the more treats they will be able to buy, and Dandy knows Freyjuska won't forget about her belly as well and get her the sweetest carrots. Let them come!

I did it! The famed Cloak of the Cluck is finally mine! I've wanted it for years now, but never got enough patience to finish all the Flying the Coop quests. Today, I've heard my kin is organizing a chicken run tomorrow (when I'm unfortunately away) and along with Farmer's Faire spirit all around me it boosted my will to finally finish the series.

I was missing four of the Flying the Coop quests: Evendim, Bree-land, North-downs and Trollshaws. The first three were easy as pie, but the Trollshaws were a real torture. I failed it 5 times (3 of which I even had escort) and successfully completed it on 6th attempt, thanking heavens for the perfect guide I found on the forums (I highly recommend reading it before trying Trollshaws run for the first time!).

Although I completed the quest solo in the end, I'd like to thank all the guys who have made getting the cloak possible (thanks to them I had fun and didn't lose faith):

Bobojsza - for shooting my way to the Aurochs Yearling near Esteldin
Danariel - for responding to my maddened clucking under the High Moor and accompanying me up 'till death tore us apart :)
Fardor - for willing to escort me up the High Moor twice, trying to invent tactics to avoid stealth lynxes and cheering me up when I got munched again

Thanks guys!

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

Chest: Fine Short-sleeved Dress, turquoise dye (Anniversary gift box; long-sleeved version available for Mathom house reputation)
Head: Wide-brimmed Spring Hat, turquoise dye (Spring festival)
Back: Cloak of the Cluck, default dye (Flying the Coop quest series)
Hand: Basket of Colourful Eggs (Farmer's Faire festival)

Mount: Springtime Pony (Spring festival)

Housing items: 
Chicken Coop (Farmer's Faire festival)
Giant Pumpkin (Fall festival)

Emotes:
./point
./mood_happy
./mood_calm