Guest inspiration: Lúthien Tinúviel by Noniell

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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

Guest inspiration: Haldir by Thoargile

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{[["☆","★"]]}

"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

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Guest inspiration: Chaos dwarf by Brrokk

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{[["☆","★"]]}

Brrokk Barrowbane heard that some of the young hobbits in Bree play a game called "Warhammer". He thought this sounded good until he heard that it featured "chaos dwarves". How disrespectful! One can't settle scores like this in Bree by beheading, but he decided to dress up as one of their bad guys to give them a fright. Here is the result. Brrokk's reign of terror didn't last long though, because Watcher Heathstraw admonished him about, "Behaviour likely to cause alarm, annoyance or astonishment". It won't happen again, honest.

This outfit is inspired by Chaos dwarves from Warhammer. I think Brrokk did pretty amazing job in dressing as scary dwarven villain :) What do you guys think? Please tell us in comments!

Warhammer Chaos dwarf

Tip: You can see other Brrokk's outfits here.

Chest: Breastplate of Durin’s Guard, red dye (Guardian Moria level 60 teal set)
Legs: Leggings of Durin’s Guard, red dye (Guardian Moria level 60 teal set)
Head: Spiked Helmet, red dye (Medium armoursmith in Thorin's Hall)
Shoulders: Dwarf Leather Shoulder Guards, red dye (Medium armoursmith near throne in Thorin's Hall)
Hands: Gauntlets of Durin’s Guard, red dye (Guardian Moria level 60 teal set)
Feet: Boots of Durin’s Guard, red dye (Guardian Moria level 60 teal set)
Back: Embroidered Cloak of the Dunland Healer, red dye (Dunland quest)

Inspiration: Saint Nicholas

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{[["☆","★"]]}

Tomorrow's morning will be very special for all children in my country (and let's face it, us adults love this feast too :)). Saint Nicholas, called Mikuláš in Slovak and Czech, will be bringing delicious sweets and candies to all the baby hobbits who have been good for the past year. Those who have been bad should receive chuck of coal from the devil, but who knows - maybe even them will find something tasty in their polished boots placed on the windowsill :)

I couldn't resist posting this outfit, although I'm not satisfied with this composition very much. It would be so much easier to make Santa Claus using LoTRO cosmetics, but I wanted to portrait our European St. Nicholas. The tradition of him bringing little treats to those who deserve them is based on a beautiful legend, starring good-hearted Greek bishop Nikolaos of Myra:

"Legend says: a poor man had three daughters but could not afford a proper dowry for them. This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment would have to become prostitutes. Hearing of the poor man's plight, Nicholas decided to help him but being too modest to help the man in public (or to save the man the humiliation of accepting charity), he went to his house under the cover of night and threw three purses (one for each daughter) filled with gold coins through the window opening into the man's house."

Wikipedia: Saint Nicholas

Mikuláš, Middle-European version of St. Nicholas

In Middle Europe, Mikuláš travels accompanied by an angel and a devil and continues in doing good deeds of his predecessor. I'm very happy that we still keep this beautiful tradition. Today on my way from work, I had opportunity to watch many St. Nicholases, angels and devils visiting little children and making them rejoice. And I rejoiced silently too :)

Chest: Survivor's Robe, white dye (Quest: Vol. II, Book 1, Chapter 8: Before the Doors of Durin)
Head: Scholar's Hat, red dye (T4 crafted)
Hands: Oven Mitts, white dye (Skirmish cosmetic barter)
Feet: Ajokoira Shoes, red dye (T5 crafted)
Back: Yule Hoodless Cloak, red dye (Yule festival)

Guest inspiration: Strider, by Lauredin of Elendilmir

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{[["☆","★"]]}

"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)

Maeglaz showing off his Legolas-inspired outfit!

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Wish-based inspiration: Legolas

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Inspiration: Templar knight

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Wish-based inspiration: Altair (Assassin's Creed)

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Today's inspiration was suggested on Snowbourn globallff about a month ago. I was waiting for Rise of Isengard to be released, because I knew there would be this amazing hauberk among the quest rewards. The red belt is missing for perfection, but I compensated for it with a red cloak (although Altair did not wear any).

In the year 1190 AD, the wars of the Third Crusade engulfed the Holy Land, and Crusaders clashed with Saracens for control of the Holy City, Jerusalem. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, a member of the Assassins, returned home to Alep from an arduous journey and found it under attack by the sworn enemies of the Assassins, the Knights Templar. Left with no choice but to repel the attack, the Assassin defeated many of them, even killing a low-ranking captain before the attack was halted.

Assassin's Creed Wiki: Altaïr's Chronicles 

Even though the role-playing background of this outfit has little in common with Middle-earth lore, it's very fitting for a human burglar. Assassins in Assassin's Creed are a secret society of warriors committed to the protection of humanity against the Templars. They oppose the Templars and their goal of complete dominance over humanity, and promote free will and the right of individuality. They abide to the Creed, a set of three rules that dictate the daily life of an Assassin. The three tenets are: stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent, hide in plain sight, do not compromise the Brotherhood.

Sounds very light-side burglar-ish to me :) Please let me know what do you think of the outfit in the comments!

Chest: Polished Hauberk of the Dunland Shieldman, default dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Hood of Night, white dye (Halls of Night cosmetic)
Shoulders: Hill-man's Cracked Leather Shoulder-guards, white dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Enduring Dwarf Steel Gauntlets of Might, white dye (world drop)
Feet: Weathered Leather Scout's Boots, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Warden's Wrap, red dye (Annuminas reputation barter)

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)

Wish-based inspiration: Loki

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{[["☆","★"]]}

Today I prouldy present you common creation of me and my fiancé, Loki. We've been playing MMORPGs together for over 6 years now, 4 of those we spent in LOTRO. He's had a big playing cooldown recently, because he missed a darker side of the game. I tried to persuade him to resume playing a lore-master he loves, but he decided to create a new character to go through the whole way again. This lore-master will have his dark side properly presented, including a well-tailored outfit ;)

 

Picture of Loki by Marvel

Six years ago, when we started playing our first MMO together Lineage II, we both picked our nicknames after deities of Norse mythology - Freyja and Loki. Loki was god of trick and mischief who was known as troublemaker in Norse myths. My fiancé wanted this to be reflected in his character personality as well as attire. 

We have tried countless combinations of many armour pieces in all dark colours one can think of. When we were just desperate enough, we noticed Visage of the Goat in the store - pretty unusable piece for any outfit, except for the situation when the Marvel's horned depiction of Loki suddenly popped into our minds :) The Ajokoira northerners armour pieces nicely added the spirit to the Norse god inspired outfit. And here is the result.

We were aiming for something unusual which not everyone might like, especially in a game like LOTRO. But we are very curious for your opinions! Let us know in comments :)

Chest: Ceremonial Ajokoira Armour, crimson dye (store)
Legs: Ceremonial Ajokoira Leggins, crimson dye (store)
Head: Visage of the Goat, crimson dye (store)
Shoulders: Tawarwaith Shoulder Pads of Knowledge, crimson dye (T6 crafted)
Hands: Hall Defender's Gauntlets, crimson dye (store)
Feet: Elegant Leather Boots, crimson dye (store)
Back: Flames of the Deep, crimson dye (store)

Wish-based inspiration: Link (Legend of Zelda)

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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)