Guest: In the Presence of Saruman by Kemendin

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{[["☆","★"]]}

The words of Galadriel before her Mirror surface in your memory.

 'The prize of knowledge, it waits, ripe for the taking.'
'A library at the pinnacle of the black spire, secrets untold.'
'Enemies without...and within....'
'How far will your heart take you for limitless knowledge, Lore-master?'

Instance: In the Presence of Saruman

Kemendin shared the story of this outfit creation: "This outfit was born out of a two-fold inspiration. The initial glimmerings came to me when Kemendin first entered the instance "In the Presence of Saruman" while being held captive in Isengard. Wandering around, I was struck by the elegance and majestic colour scheme of the tower, and I felt distinctly out of place in the outfit I was currently wearing. So I resolved to find a new outfit more fitting to the surroundings, to show Saruman that Kemendin is not a Lore-master to be taken lightly. And then, with the arrival of Update 5 and new armour to drool over, also came the Prized Isengard steed. Robe met horse, and with a loud bang and flash of light... okay, not quite. But you get the idea."

This is was also one of Kemendin's entries for LOTRO Fashion Week screenshot contest. I had his outfit scheduled a long time before that, but after he posted the mounted screenshot on forums, I immediately fell in love with it! Prized Isengard War-horse is very rarely seen and even more rarely with such amazingly matching outfit.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments! :)

Chest: The Ancient Master's Robe, default dye (Isengard level 75 lore-master purple set)
Head: Hat of Deep Lore, crimson dye (Moria level 60 lore-master purple set)
Shoulders: The Ancient Master's Shoulder Pads, default dye (Isengard level 75 lore-master purple set)
Hands: High Officer's Gloves, crimson dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: High Officer's Boots, crimson dye (T6 crafted)
Back: Linen Cloak, black dye (T2 crafted)
Mount: Prized Isengard War-horse

Guest inspiration: Statue of Elendil by Graegyst

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{[["☆","★"]]}

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: Protector of Knowledge by Kemendin of Nimrodel

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{[["☆","★"]]}

Some say that the lore-master Kemendin has wandered Middle-earth since the dawning of the Second Age. Scarce are the lands through which he has not traveled, forever seeking to delve further into the deepest mysteries of lore. His is the path of knowledge, a road which is often dark and broken, eroded by time and desecrated by the Enemy in his search for power. It is Kemendin's self-appointed task to bear light into this darkness, to kindle the flame of knowledge and to shield it from the Shadow, so that the understanding of ages may be once again uncovered and preserved. Beware, then, you servants of darkness, for great is the Lore-master's wrath when the storehouses of ancient learning are threatened.

Kemendin has already shared one great lore-fitting outfit, and this is the one he wears on his main character. He said about the composition: "I think this has been a work in progress ever since Turbine gave us crimson dye, haha - my "crimson" outfit just kept evolving, and I was never quite satisfied. I think it's finally clicked though."

Chest: Spellweaver's Robe, default dye (Lore-master level 75 epic set)
Legs: Spellweaver's Leggings, default dye (Lore-master level 75 epic set)
Head: Helm of Laindehal's Watch, crimson dye (Ettenmoors Warden set - barterable for spirit stones)
Shoulders: Shoulder-guards of the Keen Eye, crimson dye (Level 75 skirmish raid drop)
Hands: Gloves of the Riddle Teller, crimson dye (Burglar level 75 epic set)
Feet: Spellweaver's Shoes, default dye (Lore-master level 75 epic set)
Back: Golden Tree Summer Cloak, crimson dye (summer festival)

Guest: Ellaen of Nimrodel

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

This outfit was submitted by Kemendin, who put great effort into making a Rohirrim Rider outfit: "I was so excited to see the Rohirrim NPCs all decked out in their Rider finery after being disappointed by the sight of only place-holder NPCs in the beta. My Guardian, Ellaen Fremedon, hails from Rohan and has spent much of her time in Eriador, Moria, and Mirkwood ensuring that those she meets in her travels are able to readily recognize her as a Rider of Rohan - her pride and heritage are what she thrives on. Therefore, upon seeing the epicness of the various Rohirrim encampments, I challenged myself to come up with an outfit that would come close to matching those of the NPCs. It was surprisingly entertaining to stand around in the camps doing various emotes and pretending to be an NPC suddenly come to life!"

I think Kemendin did a great job and got really close to the Rohirrim NPC outfits. Isn't that rascally Eowyn, the most famous guardian in the Red Book, peeking from behing the helm? ;)

Chest:  Nightshade Jacket, Rivendell green dye (Dunland quest)

Head: (Strong) Helmet of Theodred, grey dye (T7 crafted)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Eorlingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Hands: Gloves of the Eorlingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Feet: Boots of the Helmingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Back: Plain Cloak, Rivendell green dye (Outfitter vendor)