Revel among Arnorian ruins

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Recently everybody's been talking about a gorgeous lady who had visited the Rangers encamped in Tinnudír. She came just before dusk and seemed to be in a hurry at first - it was clear that dark thoughts burdened her mind. While they were talking, a local treasure hunter heard fragments of her speech like "shadow", "threat to the King", "our support", as well as part of Calenglad's answer: "We stand ready."

This must have reassured the mysterious lady, because a smile suddenly appeared on her face. She stayed with the Rangers until the late watches, contemplating with goblets of wine and dancing. Then she set off for a journey, heading further to the east of Eriador. As she was riding away on the Men Erain (Road of the Kings), the local people could have seen more horse riders joining her. "Who are these people?", they asked. It may take long before they find out the answer.

This is third of Rhûnen ladies we've met in the Middle-earth, bringing mysterious news to the warriors of Eriador. So far they've visited Elves of Falathorn, Lossoth of Forochel and Rangers of Tinnudír. Based on the news we have learned so far they arrived to Ered Luin harbour and are journeying further east into the Eriador. Are there more of them? If so, where will we meet them next time?

It's funny how differently some outfit designs develop. It might seem I wanted to create a matching outfit for the Anniversary steed here, but it's not true. I was tidying up my outfit pieces and ran into Elf-queen's Dress, which is one of not-too-many dresses I really like. I've also recently bartered the beautiful Moria helm and found out it looks beautiful in pastel colours, such as sea blue. I built the outfit around these two pieces and it wasn't until I started taking screenshots for the blog when I realized it matches the Anniversary horse. I'm quite happy how it turned out, because I never really used the horse and didn't have any matching outfit for it (as I didn't like the matching Anniversary cosmetics very much).

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

Chest: Elf-queen's Dress, white dye (Store)
Head: Hat of the Stone-student, sea blue dye (Moria level 60 lore-master purple set; shares appearance with minstrel's and rune-keeper's Moria pieces)
Shoulders: Gwir-palvais, sea blue dye (Drop from Isengard instance cluster)
Back: Cloak of the Ibis, sea blue dye (Store)

Guest inspiration: Haldir by Thoargile

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."

Haldir, in The Two Towers

Haldir's role has been much bigger in the LoTR movie trilogy compared to the books, especially in The Two Towers. His deeds in the Battle of Helm's Deep have inspired Thoargile to create an outfit using Haldir's movie appearance and action figures as models:

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

 The Realm of the Jedielfqueen

I was very happy to receive this guest submission, because about a week ago, I was working on the same theme for Eragith, a reader who asked for Haldir themed outfit for his elven hunter. This is outfit I designed for him:

Unfortunately, the "Haldir leggings" (as I dare to call them) are part of Moria heavy classes' set and only champs, captains and guardians can barter for them (as they come from the class trainer). Unfortunately, Eragith doesn't have any of these, so we substituted these leggings with Sellsword's ones and he claimed he will level up a champion just for the sake of getting the "Haldir leggings" :)) [This is no longer true, see important note below.] About a week later, I received Thoargile's amazing submission and now I am so glad Haldir can come to life on this blog!

Thoargile's outfit is even more suitable for an elven hunter than mine, because it features more significant elven elements. My version includes more plate and is much heavier, therefore it's questionable if it allows enough agility so important for a bowmaster.

Important note: Thanks to Thoargile I've found out that the leggings are barterable not only from class trainers in The Twenty-first Hall (who are class restricted), but also in Shadowed Refuge from Heavy armour trader. You can get these "Haldir leggings" for only 3 Medallions of Moria, no matter what class you are!

Thoargile's Haldir outfit consists of:
Chest: Golden Host Coat of Knowledge, crimson dye (T6 crafted)
Legs: Leggings of the Brazen Call, red dye (Moria level 60 captain teal set; also available as champion and guardian set parts with very small differences in looks)
Head: Ceremonial Town-Saver's Helm, crimson dye (Skirmish barter - Rift cosmetics)
Shoulders 1: Aermal, crimson dye (Drop from Barad Gúlaran; also available Elven Steel Shoulder Guards from Rivendell heavy armoursmith)
Shoulders 2: Nestadbellas, default dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 4, Chapter 10: Herdsmen of the Starkmoor)
Hands: Gauntlets of the Swift Arrow, crimson dye (Mirkwood level 65 hunter purple set; also available as T6 crafted August Gloves of the Golden Wood)
Feet: (August) Boots of the Golden Wood, crimson dye (T6 crafted)
Back: Sturdy Elven Quiver, crimson dye (T2 crafted)

Guest inspiration: Doom of Arvedui by Thoargile

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Arvedui was the last King of Arthedain and father of the first Chieftain of the Dúnedain. His fate is a sad one. Soon after Arvedui's rise to throne, Angmar attacked, driving the Dúnedain away. Gondor sent help in the form of a great fleet, but it came too late: Arthedain was destroyed, and Arvedui fled to the Ice-bay of Forochel. Círdan, the great elven mariner of Lindon sent a ship north to rescue him, and, against the advice of the Snow-men of Forochel, Arvedui boarded it and was drowned. Along with him, all the elves on board perished in the freezing sea. Except for one...

Author of this outfit told us his story: "Thoargile survived what others could not - the frozen fields of the Forochel and deadly cold of the harsh winter. He was lucky to kill a bear and sewed some warm clothes – in other case he would have perished too. On other screen he stands near the wreckage of the ship, looking at the horizon and hoping to see another ship, coming for him. The Eldar of Forochel. He’ll be alright, I hope :)"

I adore this submission. Recently, I've been getting a lot of very beautiful lore-inspired submissions and I am speechless in front of so many great outfit ideas. Thoargile developed story from LoTR lore into his own and took amazing screenshots to illustrate atmosphere of an elf struck by loss of his fellows, but having hope for better tomorrow. His outfit is stunning and I (not so) secretly hope he will submit more soon! :)

Chest: Robe of Vigor, Evendim blue dye (world drop; shares appearance with Robe of Viisaus available in store or from epic storyline: Vol. 1, Book 13 -- Chapter 4: The Hand of Angmar)
Head: Ceremonial Wandering Bard’s Helm, white dye (Skirmish barter - Rift cosmetics)
Shoulders: Vibrant Assault Pauldrons of Théodred, white dye (T7 crafted)
Hands: Ceremonial Leijona Gloves, Evendim blue dye (T5 crafted)
Feet: Ceremonial Ajokoira Shoes, Evendim blue dye (T5 crafted)
Back: Cloak of the Boar, default dye (Fall festival)

Guest inspiration: Statue of Elendil by Graegyst

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Elendil (known as Elendil the Tall or Elendil the Fair) was the father of Isildur and Anárion, and the first High King of Gondor and Arnor and first King of all the Dúnedain. He was known as a great warrior and a wise king, and a heroic figure among the Dúnedain. Leading the remnant of The Faithful Númenóreans to Middle-earth, he established strong regimes there and created the great alliance that put an end to Sauron's power for over a thousand years. His bloodline and spirited leadership survived in the Dúnedain of the North and South of Middle-earth, that would in turn sire the brave and heroic men that would help bring a final end to Sauron in the War of the Ring.

One Wiki to Rule Them All on Elendil

Author of this outfit, known to readers of my blog as Kemendin, spoke of its creation: "I was questing in Evendim on my burglar, doing the quest line involving Aragorn and Gwindeth and the Silithar, and I got to the part where you have to cleanse one statue of Elendil and return the other restored statue to its pedestal. All of a sudden the thought hit me - why not try to recreate this outfit that the stone Elendil is wearing? So I jumped immediately onto my poor neglected minstrel, Graegyst (encouraging him to grow a very quick beard), and outfitted him in the closest things I could find to match the statue. It's certainly not exact - I took a creative liberty with the cloak, for instance - but I'm extremely pleased with the result."

I love this inspiration myself, it feels like Elendil came alive in Graegyst! Also, Kemendin found a nice Easter egg - the same statue actually appears in Ost Baranor in Chetwood as a representation of Aranarth, the first Chieftain of the Dúnedain. Turbine this way managed to successfully confuse those with some knowledge of Middle-earth history :) "Hence why "Elendil" is looking very confused in this screenshot next to the statue in Ost Baranor," Kemendin explained.

Chest: Forged-Iron Dunlending Hauberk, black dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Fated Westfold Assault Hat, black dye (T7 crafted)
Shoulders: The Ancient Master's Shoulder Pads, default dye (Level 75 lore-master purple set; has equivalent for minstrel)
Hands: Leather Gauntlets of Might, black dye (World drop)
Feet: Soft Leather Boots, black dye (Outfitter vendor in Bree)
Back: Ceremonial Wig-feld, black dye (Store)

Shadow of the night

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

A mysterious lady, accompanied only by her horse and snow-white lynx, recently arrived in the night's midst to Great Lodge of Sûri-kylä and requested immediate audience with Lossoth chieftain, Council Elder Yrjänä. Dressed warm for the freezing chill of Forochel winds, she still seemed a little exotic even to southerners traveling by. One of the visiting elves knew her and whispered to his companion: "She looks like one of the Rhûnen ambssador's companions, remember, in the harbours!" The lady disappeared right after her discussion with the chieftain, still covered by shadow of the night, and only the strange feeling of noble presence was left in those she passed by.

This outfit is basically remastered winter version of Lady of Rhûn outfit I decided to make after Hymne shared her discovery that we can put Ettenmoors armour into our wardrobe as well (we just need tradable Spirit Stones to barter for them). I've been in love with this lore-master's hat since I first saw it on My Precious blog, so I must have got it immediately for my lore-master, who is slowly approaching level 50 :)



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

Chest: Herald's Armour, burgundy dye (T6 crafted)
Legs: Clanweave Leggings, burgundy dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Hat of the Learned Master, burgundy dye (Ettenmoors Lore-master trader; shares similar appearance with Stone-reader's Hat)
Shoulders: Disused Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, burgundy dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: (August) Resilient Gauntlets of the Golden Wood, burgundy dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Embroidered Shoes of the Dunland Healer, burgundy dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Cloak of the Algraig, burgundy dye (Store)

Guest inspiration: Strider, by Lauredin of Elendilmir

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

"Suddenly Frodo noticed that a strange-looking weather-beaten man, sitting in the shadows near the wall, was also listening intently to the hobbit-talk. He had a tall tankard in front of him, and was smoking a long-stemmed pipe curiously carved. His legs were stretched out before him, showing high boots of supple leather that fitted him well, but had seen much wear and were now caked with mud. A travel-stained cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him, and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the hobbits." 

 J.R.R. Tolkien: The Fellowship Of The Ring - Chapter 9 - At the Sign of The Prancing Pony

I already quoted Strider's description from the book once - when I made a Strider inspired outfit, which I am now almost ashamed to link (well, not only almost). Lauredin did an awesome job - his Strider inspired outfit made me feel like I was there, in the Prancing Pony, being in Frodo's place and watching disguised Aragorn warily. This is in my opinion as close to a ranger as one can get without the upcoming ranger cosmetics. Do you like this outfit too? Let us know in the comments!

 Strider in the Prancing Pony (LoTR: Fellowship of the Ring movie)

Chest: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Jacket, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Padded Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, ranger green dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Fingerless Gloves, grey dye (Yule festival)
Feet: Threadbare Shoes of the Dunland Healer, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Plain Hooded Cloak, ranger green dye (Outfitter vendor)

Brave cub of the East

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Phloxie has never cared much about clothes. She is a warden and wardens value utility above everything else - even she as a hobbit prefers protective and flexible attire to fancy mathomy robes. Yet when she saw travelling merchant's goods in Oatbarton, she didn't hesitate for a second and bought this armour. The merchant said he bartered for the leggings and helmet in Celondim harbour (which has been frequently visited by travellers from Rhûn). Phloxie's wary guess is that he'd rather stolen it, but who cares - now, the armour will bear the blood of all who attack Phloxie's friends. She will defend them with her bear strength!

Phloxie is my baby warden, currently leveling in Evendim. Similar to Brewbelly, I've awfully neglected her in terms of outfitting. I have been searching for a nice leathery outfit, which would express the warden character as well as cuteness of a hobbit. I was lucky to get the Survivor's Jacket as nobody needed in it my raid and decided to combine this typical warden piece with more exotic clothes from Dunland.

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

Chest: Survivor's Jacket, rust dye (Drop from Prancing Pony raid level 75; shares appearance with Spear-hurler's Armour - part of Moria warden set)
Legs: Clanweave Leggings, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Helm of the Graduate, rust dye (Drop from School of Tham Mirdain level 75)
Shoulders: Hardened Steel Dunlending Pauldrons, rust dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: (August) Resilient Gauntlets of the Golden Wood, rust dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Vibrant Westfold War Boots, umber dye (T7 crafted)
Back: Heavy Fur Dunlending Cloak, grey dye (Dunland quest)

Maeglaz showing off his Legolas-inspired outfit!

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Do you remember Legolas inspired outfit I've created based on Maeglaz' wish some time ago? I was very surprised and excited by all the positive comments this composition received on both blog and forums. But the most important feedback I received came from the "wisher" :)

The most immediate feedback in e-mail really made my day :) "YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAWWW I'm sooooo excited for questing now! :D Soo happy, thanks a lot Freyyyy!" Reactions like this make me very happy I've ever started this blog and doing readers' wishes :)

A bit later, Maeglaz sent me screenshots of his character wearing the outfit. He commented:

"Hello Frey, I thank you again for that wonderful outfit, Maeglaz loved it too! He persuaded me to take some screenshots of him while we were in Isengard depths…. The shots weren’t really pleasant…. Well what do you expect! Saruman doesn’t want people around taking photos of his slaves!!! Anyway, I hope we can find a way to get the heck out of that place…"

This was exactly a month ago, when I had a break from my blog, so I hope Maeglaz already found his way out of horrible Isengard prison :) Cheers and thank you for great feedback, I really appreciate it!

Wish: Éomer inspired outfit

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Let me use a way-back machine and take you to long forgotten pre-Isengard era of outfitting :) Today I present you brave guardian Tomeoric of kinship The Westfold Marshals on Riddermark server!

This wish-based outfit has made it to this blog's book of records - as longest time between a reader made a wish and its publishing :) It was still hot summer (July 30th), when I received a wish from a reader who was listening to CSTM cosmetics roundtable and noticed that I'm trying to fulfill readers' wishes for their desired outfits. The process of outfit creation took approximately a month and it was another two months until publishing - we wanted to publish Tomeric's and his daughter's outfit at the same time, but in the end didn't finish the second one (private life & RoI came in the way :)).

Tomeoric gave me very specific and interesting requirements (which I am thankful for :)):

• outfit inspired by Éomer and Théoden battle armours
• brown, burgundy and crimson tones with gold highlights (also typical for Rohirrim battle armours)
• matching to Prized Angmar's Free Peoples Horse

The first design I created seems a little bit funny now - although at that time, I found it quite decent :D I was trying to imitate Théoden's hauberk, which was pretty difficult considering I could work with pre-RoI and non-class specific pieces only:

Tomeoric provided a very detailed feedback, which helped me learn a lot - we discussed many peculiarities of Rohan armour design and I enjoyed it very much. I must quote one of his comments on the design above, because it made me laugh very hard: "I think the color/design from neck to waist and from elbow to shoulder is great - near spot on. From the waist to boot top, if you look quick, it looks like he is wearing an apron.  Now that I've seen that, I can't not stop seeing it!  Give him the Prized Pie to carry around and it would be the perfect Mr. Mom of Edoras." He was so right :)

I created second design, abandoning the hauberk attempts (as most of keen LoTRO fashionistas know, the pre-RoI hauberks were not manly at all and didn't resemble Rohirrim design even remotely). This basically meant getting closer to Éomer than Théoden from the initial idea. I also mentioned there are leggings ingame with plates on thighs similar to Éomer's, but they don't look good, so I used the elven ones:

Tomeoric and his home jury (all family playing together and helping him look the best :)) gave thumbs up for this design, but had particular remarks. The helmet hid character's hair (unfortunately headgear in LoTRO hides hair - I already had a small rant about it when I was designing Link inspired outfit), and he wanted the cloak to match the burgundy more than bronze/silver parts of the outfit. We agreed I will try more helm & cloak combinations. He was also interested in the "ugly plated trousers" I mentioned, so I showed them to him:

As you probably noticed, I didn't try more helmets due to hair hiding and we discussed that using just a circlet or no headgear might work better in the end. Tomeric picked his final cloak and I sent him the final design we agreed on:

Key features of this final design (besides remote inspiration by Éomer's battle armour) were matching the burgundy, silver and bronze parts on all armour pieces and introducing as much plate as possible. I also sent Tomeoric the "shopping list" with pieces used, and he started the journey to obtain them all. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get Gaerdail - boots used in this outfit dying very solid burgundy (similar crafted boots dye differently). So we decided to switch boots for the ones available in the store.

Tomeoric liked this outfit very much and since he collected all the pieces, he even received a lot of ingame compliments. I was a little worried because of how close we got to Kedwyr's Elven Defender's outfit, but you readers can see yourself how long was the process leading there :) Now, even though the fashion trends in Middle-earth have changed a lot with Isengard, we are both interested in your opinions about about the outfit :)

Final result:
Chest: Breastplate of Orod-Na-Thôn, burgundy dye (world drop)
Legs: Leggings of Orod-Na-Thôn, burgundy dye (world drop; also available from Rivendell heavy armoursmith)
Head: Circlet of Helmingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Shoulders: Shining Dwarf Leather Shoulder Guards, burgundy dye (world drop)
Hands: Gauntlets of Orod-Na-Thôn, burgundy dye (world drop)
Feet: Brushed Leather Boots, burgundy dye (Skirmish cosmetic vendor or store)
Back: Ceremonial Defender's Cloak, burgundy dye (Store)

Lady of Rhûn

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Wish-based inspiration: Legolas

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Wish-based inspiration: Elendil

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Today's inspiration was suggested on globallff by Earenduil, a captain of Snowbourn server. He was looking for an armour suitable for warrior of Númenór, inspired by captain archetype, Elendil. 

Elendil was the father of Isildur and Anárion, and the first High King of Gondor and Arnor and first King of all the Dúnedain. Leading the remnant of the Faithful Númenóreans to Middle-earth, he established strong regimes there and created the great alliance that put an end to Sauron's power for over a thousand years. His bloodline and spirited leadership survived in the Dúnedain of the North and South of Middle-earth, that would in turn sire the brave and heroic men that would help bring a final end to Sauron in the War of the Ring.

Luckily, we have two similar helms to one that Elendil wore in the movie. I went for the one which shows character's face and can only be more easily acquired (it can be purchased from vendor). There is also one with covered face, called Tarchar (Malledhrim reputation barter) or Enduring Helm (world drop), which can also be successfully used for a Númenórean warrior look:

 
For the other pieces, I was also going for good role-playing items. Therefore I chose westernesse  breastplate and captain specific pieces. There will hopefully be some class unspecific items in Rise of Isengard expansion to use instead of the leggings, but I haven't seen ones of similar shape with chainmail patterns.

What do you think of this outfit? Does it resemble Númenórean style? Please let me know in comments :)

Chest: Chainmail Chestpiece of Fleetness, white dye (world drop)
Legs: Leggings of the Brazen Call, white dye (Captain Moria purple set)
Head: Elven Pointed Helm, white dye (Rivendell heavy armoursmith)
Shoulders: Shining Shoulder Guards, washed (world drop)
Hands: Reinforced Westernesse Steel Gauntlets Of Might, washed (drop from Barad Gúlaran)
Feet: Boots of the Brazen Call, white dye (Captain Moria purple set)
Back: Warden's Wrap, black dye (Annuminas reputation barter)

Inspiration: Boromir

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

"...He violently fights with forwarding orcs, blows his horn hoping the others will come to his rescue … but all in vain. Boromir dies heroically. Aragorn finds him sitting with his back to a great tree, as if he was resting. But Aragorn saw that he was pierced with many black-feathered arrows; his sword was still in his hand, but it was broken near the hilt; his horn cloven in two was at his side. Many Orcs lay slain, piled all about him and at his feet."

Boromir, Lord of the Rings

Boromir, Commander of Gondor, was man of many faces. We have known him at his best and his worst. However, we all remember him as a great warrior who's died in honourable death, saving the hobbits and subsequentially the whole Middle-earth. All the other is past, wrong deeds were redeemed. Celebrate Boromir's victory of a true Champion, a victory over himself!

Note: I used the shoulders despite the awful clipping this hauberk causes. I chose to accept it as torn cloth, bearing signs of a fierce fight.

Chest: Sellsword's Hauberk, black dye (Store)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Eorlingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Hands: Gloves of the Helmingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Feet: Boots of the Helmingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Back: Plain Cloak, black dye (Outfitter vendor)

Inspiration: Strider

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

"Suddenly Frodo noticed that a strange-looking weather-beaten man, sitting in the shadows near the wall, was also listening intently to the hobbit-talk. He had a tall tankard in front of him, and was smoking a long-stemmed pipe curiously carved. His legs were stretched out before him, showing high boots of supple leather that fitted him well, but had seen much wear and were now caked with mud. A travel-stained cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him, and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the hobbits." 

 J.R.R. Tolkien: The Fellowship Of The Ring - Chapter 9 - At the Sign of The Prancing Pony

For this inspiration, I borrowed Frodo's description of Aragorn, yet only known as Strider, as he first met him in the Prancing Pony. This outfit was truly a challenge, despite my character Maney cooperating very well (he even grew his beard for the matter's sake). Finding a leathery shirt looking well in dark colours and ragged at the same time was an endless struggle. In the end I settled for Crafted Armour, which has terrible texture (looks like low detailed no matter how high graphics quality you set). I thought I could use it as an advantage, as it truly looks like covered in grimy mud (along with Salamander Stomper). I'm very curious for opinions on this post, as I think I got pretty far from the original. If you have any ideas how to make it better, please comment.

Chest: Crafted Armour, black dye (T2 crafted)
Legs: Sturdy Westernesse Leather Leggings, black dye (T5 crafted)
Head: Traveller's Hood, black dye (Store)
Shoulders: Shining Chainmail Shoulder Guards, black dye (world drop)
Hands: Fingerless Gloves, black dye (Winter festival)
Feet: Salamander Stomper, black dye (Quest: Tooth and Scale)
Back: Plain Cloak, black dye (Outfitter shop)

Guest inspiration: Gandalf the Grey

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Today I present you a guest submission inspired by one of the most significant Lord of the Rings characters, Gandalf. Sahasrahla's outfit is a little more blue instead of grey, which is because it is supposed to represent a student and follower of Gandalf, not a lookalike. He is noble and mysterious at the same time, and his beard only illustrates his wisdom acquired over the years. Enjoy!

Chest: Robe of Viisaus, default dye (Quest: Vol. I, Book 13, Chapter 4: The Hand of Angmar)
Head: Aguti's Hat, indigo dye (Quest: The Local Wildlife is Deadly; also available as the light armour hat from the Angmar and GB sets)
Hands: Stone-reader's Gloves, default dye (Moria lore-master epic set)
Feet: Boots of the Stone-student, default dye (Moria lore-master purple set)
Back: Jubut-Rud, default dye (drop from Grand Stairs)