A minstrel's tale

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now 

Don McLean - Vincent

It was a chilling, serene autumn night when a bard entered the Prancing Pony. He asked old fella' Barliman for a pint, drank it quickly as always and started playing for his small steady audience. "Strange that we don't even know the guy's name," murmured elderly and slightly drunk lady. Just as herself, the minstrel has been spending time at the Pony since anybody could remember. Old Barliman even claims he knew him as a child, when he was just a little boy accompanying his rich, but ever-drunk father.

Anyway, nobody's ever seemed interested enough in knowing him better, and he returned the favor. Never talking to anyone except for a drunken remark from time to time, he kept coming every evening and played the lute. For an unknown reason, after many years, the elderly lady decided to ask him about his name that particular night - perhaps he seemed a little more sad than usually. His answer was bitter: "It doesn't matter. Not anymore."

Then he walked out of the Pony, saluted goodbye towards his second home (or maybe first) and disappeared. Since then, nobody's ever seen the lonely grumpy minstrel again. People started asking about him, Barliman even offered a free pint for information about the bard's whereabouts, because they all missed the atmosphere his lute created. Who knows, maybe one day our unknown fellow will return - or not?

This outfit originally started as jolly white-and-gold female rune-keeper's one. I'm not exactly sure when it suddenly started to be "a sad unrecognized artist's" outfit - I blame it on Don McLean's song dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh that came to my mind when I started making the night screenshots :) However, I tried to experiment with quite strange white-gold-subtle green combination and finally found a purpose for the mystery cloak I got some time ago. I promise the next outfit and its story will be more optimistic :)

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

Chest: Radiant Westernesse Armour, white dye (T5 crafted)
Legs: Radiant Westernesse Leggings, white dye (T5 crafted)
Head: Songmaster's Hat, gold dye (Mirkwood minstrel level 65 set)
Shoulders: Songmaster's Shoulders, olive dye (Mirkwood minstrel level 65 set)
Hands: Gauntlets of Fleetness, white dye (world drop)
Feet: Ceremonial Boots of the Seven Stars, gold dye (Skirmish cosmetics barter)
Back: Padded Cloak of Mystery, gold dye (Skirmish cosmetics barter - the back pattern is random reward from Padded Cloak of Mystery Box)

Guest: Fazlee of Landroval

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

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

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Ghost rider

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

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)

Guest: Eodread of Nimrodel

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

This mysterious traveler hails from Gondor, specifically Pelargir. He has traversed the borders of Gondor and Harad, and feeling the heat, found an armour to protect himself, but to keep cool in the harsh heat. With his favourite horse Jade they roam the lands of Middle-earth, helping those in need and punishing the allies of evil.

This outfit might be less original than the previous creation of Eodread, but I love it because of the chosen dye. I've never noticed how awesome and nomadic does the OD burglar set look in white. The little details such as dagger on gauntlets or little daggers hanging around the waist make it one of the most valuable sets for cosmetic purposes and each and every part of it can be nicely matched.

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

Chest: Lesser Secret of the West Breastplate, white dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Legs: Lesser Secret of the West Leggings, white dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Head: Lesser Secret of the West Helmet, white dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Hands: Secret of the West Gauntlets, white dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Feet: Cry of the West Boots, white dye (Ost Dunhoth captain level 65 set)

Mount: Prized Algraig Horse (Algraig reputation)

Guest: Fazlee of Landroval

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Do you know the feeling when you catch a glimpse of motion above your head or behind you, but when you look around, there's nothing? I'd say it was just an illusion... if I didn't know Fazlee. He is always vicious, concealed, almost stealthy. But this guy is not a burglar - he's a champion of Middle-Earth, watching over your safety and a chance to beat up some enemies. So fear not - there's always someone guarding your safe passages.

Another unique and exotic outfit by Fazlee - I'm impressed by the combinations nobody except him has tried before. He's combining very different styles into a matching and role-play fitting outfits. Well done!

Chest: Disused Robe of the Dunland Soothsayer, white dye (Dunland quest)
Legs: Lesser Secret of the West Leggings, white dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Head: Lesser Arrow of the West Helmet, umber dye (Ost Dunhoth hunter level 65 set)
Shoulders: Noriel's Folly, umber dye (Great River quest)
Hands: Vibrant Calenard Battle Gauntlets, umber dye (T7 crafted)
Feet: Rusted Boots of the Dunland Berserker, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Fancy Quiver, umber dye (Trestlebridge outfitter)

Emotes:
./kneel
./cheer
./look

Captain of the Greenway Garrison

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

In the days of Elendil and his descendents, the North Road ran from Fornost down through Andrath until it became the South Road at Tharbad. From there it continued all the way to Minas Tirith in Gondor as the primary trade-route between the North and South Kingdoms. The wars with Angmar and Rhudaur that brought the North-kingdom to an end also caused trade between north and south to fail. 

Disused for a thousand years, particularly north of Bree, the Greenway is overgrown with grass and is little travelled except by refugees from the war-torn south. Brigands and ruffians lie in wait alongside the ancient highway waiting to prey on the weak and unguarded. Few now dare the treacherous wilds through which the Road runs.

It's been no secret that criminality has been rising over centuries along the Greenway. With recent years' increase of traffic, caused by warriors and merchants passing north-east towards Rhovanion, the situation has become even worse. The veterans of old battles, seeking to find their purpose when they no longer had strength to fight the armies of Sauron, came up with an initiative very well accepted by Bree-land and North-downs authorities.

They will guard the Greenway, riding along and searching for ruffians, thieves and murderers, protecting everyone trying to pass along the lands the Greenway runs through. It will no longer be dangerous to roam the beautiful fields, because brigands will run or hide on simple sight of the dangerously looking guards. So was the Greenway Garrison formed, with Maney as its captain, to protect the innocent and unleash their rage on all thugs causing trouble.

Since today's Update 7 release, we are able to purchase Rift cosmetic armour in the skirmish camp. After about 4 years since Rift offered the top gear, these armour sets are still some of the most beautiful items available ingame. Of course, I ran to the first skirmish camp to spend my last medallions on what I consider the best plated armour available ingame - the pieces of North Star set.

Playing around with the combinations, I realized I could make it a mount matching outfit. I wanted to make both Rift based outfit and matching outfit for the Reveller's Gilded steed, but in both cases I wanted to avoid superficial combinations of pieces which obviously go together well, but everybody would use them the same way.

So I ended up with combination of silver plate to match white parts of horse's harness, gold dye to match golden gilding and a shade of reddish pink on the cloak to match pink parts of mount's blanket. I think it lets both the horse and the armour shine in their own way.

Check also other outfits I made & guest submissions using Rift cosmetics!
Guest: Lookdyss of Snowbourn (dwarf guardian)
Guarding home (hobbit guardian)
Doom Hunter (dwarf hunter)
Guest: Vindrayeth of Snowbourn (elf hunter)
Guest: Dwalfor of Snowbourn (dwarf guardian)

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

Chest: Carn Dûm Breastplate, gold dye (Drop from Carn Dûm)
Legs: Ceremonial Leggings of the North Star, gold/default dye (Skirmish cosmetic barter - Rift heavy)
Head: Strong Westfold War Helmet, white dye (T7 crafted)
Shoulders: Ceremonial Shoulders of the North Star, gold/default dye (Skirmish cosmetic barter - Rift heavy)
Hands: Ceremonial Gloves of the North Star, gold/default dye (Skirmish cosmetic barter - Rift heavy)
Feet: Boots of the Brazen Call, gold dye (Moria level 60 captain teal set)
Back: Pendevig-clog, red dye (Drop from Skûmfil)Mount: Reveller's Gilded Steed (Store exclusive, limited offer until May 24th)

Emotes:
./lookaround
./shakefist
./mountrearup (Store exclusive)

Sir Kay, Knight of the Round Table

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

"Nine nights and nine days his breath lasted under water, nine nights and nine days would he be without sleep. A wound from Kay's sword no physician might heal. When it pleased him, he would be as tall as the tallest tree in the forest. When the rain was heaviest, whatever he held in his hand would be dry for a handbreadth before and behind, because of the greatness of his heat, and, when his companions were coldest, he would be as fuel for them to light a fire."

About Sir Kay

When I first saw the Steed of the Champion, I immediately fell in love with it. The striking sharp lines of its saddlery, unconventional combination of bright red, grey and brown - it all appealed to me very much. Even though my champion is level 11, I had to buy it at least for outfitting purposes (and who knows, maybe one day I'll give Maney a go too :). I've created a matching outfit for it based on knight theme. When I decided the outfit's finished, it was raining all over the Middle-earth, which is not very good for taking screenshots - but I decided I will use it to add dramatic atmosphere to the pictures.

It was fun to combine all the pieces - those of you who have been following my outfitting know that I love impossible combinations. I wanted to cover all unique aspects of the horse in the outfit - sharp lines, red, metallic grey, umber without making it look disturbing. I'm not sure how well did I manage it - I'll be more than grateful for your comments and ideas, so that I could improve the outfit further.

If you want to ride Steed of the Champion yourself, don't forget that you have only until May 3rd (this Thursday) to buy it. Good deal I used myself to get two nice horses in one was buying Mithril Edition on sale, about which Hymne also informed on her blog. For $15 you can get 2000 Turbine points (just enough to buy Steed of the Champion) and a unique Mithril Edition Steed of the Horse-Lords (this one is given to all of your characters).

Please let me know your opinion on the outfit in comments :)

Chest: Chainmail Chestpiece of Fleetness, crimson dye (world drop)
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: Polished Helmet of the Dunland Shieldman, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Scout's Weathered Leather Shoulder-guard, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Gloves of Forbidden Love, white dye (Great River quest)
Feet: Boots of the Brazen Call, white dye (Moria level 60 captain teal set)
Back: Ceremonial Defender's Cloak, umber dye (Store)
Mount: Steed of the Champion (Store exclusive)

Emotes:
./mountrearup - store exclusive mounted emote

Guest: The Citadel by Argendauss

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Argendauss' reputation as a captain of Free People precedes him. His is most renowned for his versatility - his fellows can always rely on his blade, shield and morale-boosting speeches. To stand as a citadel against waves of enemies, he is properly equipped by armour made of steel and gold, which even the most precise blows with a spear cannot pierce.

Argendauss said about this outfit: "The inspiration for the outfit was the Shield of Endless Heroics, a drop from the Erulian Campaign of skirmishes. It has this sky blue coloring to it that was a challenge to match, but I found that the Cloak of the Silver Star and Head-Cage played very well with it. The chest piece I've chosen even has very faint lines tinted light-blue running across the center of it, though those lines look more silvery in the screenshots I'm submitting. For the rest of the outfit, I have silver and gold. I had to do gold because Head-cage is gold even when dyed white. The pieces from OD all have this fantastic metallic gold coloring which I was happy to incorporate into the outfit."

Chest: Breastplate of the Rallying Shout, white dye (Moria level 60 captain purple set; shares appearance with T6 crafted Armour of the Galadhrim)
Legs: Lesser Defender of the West Leggings, white dye (Ost Dunhoth warden level 65 set)
Head: Head-cage, white dye (Drop from Grand Stairs, Igash)
Shoulders: Lesser Cry of the West Shoulder Guards, white dye (Ost Dunhoth captain level 65 set)
Hands: Stoutheart's Gauntlets, white dye (Moria level 60 captain purple set; shares appearance with T6 crafted Gauntlets of the Galadhrim)
Feet: Officer's Boots, white dye (T6 crafted; available as T6 crafted heavy armour under different names)
Back: Cloak of the Silver Star, white dye (Store)
Shield: Shield of Endless Heroics (Drop from Erulian Campaign skirmish raid)

Guest: The Lord of Gondor by Aridor Arthain

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

What did our ranger Aridor Arthain find here in the north? Kinsmen long forgotten defending a ruined city against a long forgotten foe. A rising threat that must be stopped lest it march south upon the rear of Gondor. The dirty ranger sheds his greens and browns for the raiment of war. A lord of Gondor, son of Númenor he fights endlessly to aid his kinsmen in the City of Kings. Wearing Heraldry awarded by Elendil he now fights to protect Elendil’s city.

Aridor said about this outfit: "This outfit is Aridor in his full heraldic armor. The blues mark his family’s link to the sea and the golden eagle represents their service to the kings of Númenor. The cloak bares the white tree of Gondor emblazoned on the blue field of the Arthains. The cloak was what really started this outfit. Nearly a year ago I found it and knew I had the key piece I needed for my character’s Gondorian noble look. I’ve spent forever trying to find all the right pieces to make a heavy armor look that avoided all the weird overly spikey armors. When I hit Mirkwood and found Tarchar, I knew I had the next piece. It is in my opinion the best most realistic helm in game. It looks so much like the movie’s helms for Elendil and Isildur that I knew I had to use it. The other armor pieces were chosen from the new RoI cosmetics for their plain steel look. I really wanted to avoid a fantasy look in the armor so these were perfect."

Chest: Hauberk of the Eagle's Crest, gold dye (Store)
Helm: Tarchar, gold dye (Mirkwood barter)
Shoulders: Hydre-axle, white dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Hydre-folme, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Feet: Battered Dunlanding Boots, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Radiant Cloak, Evendim blue dye (T5 crafted)

Guest: The Ranger by Aridor Arthain

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Long have the noble men of Gondor spilled their blood in defense of middle earth. Long have they fought. Allies they have few and enemies many. What dangers lurking in the north might threaten the White City? What allies might be called from the distant north to aid Gondor in her hour of need? Questions such as these must be answered. Whom will go? I will says a grim dirty covered old veteran of war as he steps from the shadows. I will be Gondor’s eyes if she needs them he say. To the north he rides alone to carry out his mission prepared for war. What does this old lord of Ithilien find in the north? Friends or Enemies? Hope or despair?

Aridor said about this outfit: "Simple greens and browns were chosen for the stealth. My attempt with this outfit was to emulate the film’s rangers as much as possible. This character, being in an infantry unit within the rangers,  fights his battles mainly close in with the sword, hence his choice of chain mail for the extra protection. The guerrilla nature of fighting in the Ithilien necessitates that they are armed to the teeth, so he carries a boot knife as well as a fighting knife in his dagger. The desire was to make the uniform look as practical as possible while still maintaining small heraldry like the Star of Elendil."

Chest: Jacket of the Nightshade, umber dye (Isengard quest)
Helm: Fine Grey Company Hood, olive dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Shoulders: Fine Grey Company Wrap, olive dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Gloves: Lesser Secret of the West Gauntlets, ranger green dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Boots: Fine Grey Company Boots, umber dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Back: Cloak of the Grey Company, olive dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)

Guest: Eodread of Nimrodel

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Eodread, a man of Rohan with Dúnedain blood, has seen many battles and enemy's blade has scratched his breastplate countless times. Recently he helped defending Fornost from the terror of Angmar, protecting it from repetition of destiny which has made this once great city a sorrow place. If only he had been there that time - maybe we would now be attending a ball among the decorated castle walls...

Eodread said about this outfit: "The inspiration was to distinguish my character from other ranger outfits, but still keep a Grey Company look." I think he achieved his goal, what do you think? Let us know in comments! :)

Chest: Lesser Cry of the West Breastplate, black dye (Ost Dunhoth captain level 65 set)
Legs: Lesser Defender of the West Leggings, black dye (Ost Dunhoth warden level 65 set)
Head: Fine Grey Company Hood, default dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Shoulders: Fine Grey Company Wrap, default dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Hands: Secret of the West Gauntlets, black dye (Ost Dunhoth burglar level 65 set)
Feet: Battle-leader's Boots, black dye (Barad Guldur captain level 65 set)
Back: Cloak of the Grey Company, default dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)

Crimson ranger

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

The Rangers of the North, the last of the Dúnedain silently protecting Middle-earth, are rarely seen because of their inconspicuous clothing of green and grey tones, blending into the environment. However, there are times when the tide of battle can be turned by drawing attraction towards oneself. Maney knows that. For the battles where disguise is meaningless, he wears this crimson garb, ensuring the enemy will notice him just a moment after he charges out of stealth and just a moment before he delivers the killing blow.

This is the last of the crimson outfit series, as the Fashion Week 2012 ends today. Don't forget to use your last chance and submit your entries to the screenshot contest! I've enjoyed process of creating crimson outfits (as it's my favourite dye) and I'm happy about this one, although it might not be the most original outfit seen nowadays :) It's also not very lore-appropriate for a ranger to wear striking colours, but I couldn't resist when I found out how amazingly the crimson dyed chest & legs piece match the epic ranger cosmetic rewards. I picked the lighter pieces, because they dye better, and the dark shoulders, because they have more interesting features. To match them, although they come from different ranger cosmetic sets, I dyed the headgear and cloak crimson, while shoulders are red.

Use your last chance to grab a crimson dye for free today! Before the end of Fashion Week 2012, grab a free crimson dye off the store with our exclusive coupon code!

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

Chest: Arth-crus, umber dye (Drop from Update 5 instance cluster)
Legs: Rhuvel-socas, umber dye (Drop from Update 5 instance cluster)
Head: Worn Ranger's Hood, crimson dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Shoulders: Fine Grey Company Wrap, red dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Hands: Fingerless Gloves, umber dye (Yule festival)
Feet: Worn Ranger's Boots, umber dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Back: Worn Cloak of the Ranger, crimson dye (Quest: Volume III, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)

Guest: Retarius of Gilrain

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Captain Retarius' linage is very closely tied to the Rangers of the North. He often helps his kin in solving the most thorny problems. His blade is swift and just, so he often brings news of joy instead of sorrow. He has dedicated his life to protecting the Middle-earth and hasn't failed his oath.

Chest: Chestplate of the Gallant Commander, forest green dye (Level 75 captain epic set)
Legs: Lesser Defender of the West Leggings, forest green dye (Level 65 warden epic set)
Head: Lesser Secret of the West Helmet, forest green dye (Level 65 burglar epic set)
Shoulders: Lesser Ward of the West Shoulder Guards, forest green dye (Level 65 guardian epic set)
Hands: Gauntlet's of the Rousing Cry, forest green dye (Drop from raid skirmish or Draigoch raid)
Feet: Boots of the Gallant Commander, forest green dye (Level 75 captain epic set)

Guest: Black Captain by Amethad

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

Black captains are brave warriors of the Free People with many of supporting skills. They wear black armour because their troops attack mostly at night. Many of filthy goblins were slain beforehand they had seen who was their executioner. Black is their favourite colour! They wear black clothes in a battle as well as in a tavern. Amethad was kind enough to pose in the shade of Dunland's trees.

Chest: Elven Steel Breastplate of Determination, black dye (world drop, also available from Heavy armoursmith in Rivendell)
Legs: Malledhrim Leggings of the Gloaming, grey dye (T6 crafted)
Head: Makeshift Ranger Mask, black dye (Skirmish barter - cosmetics)
Shoulders: Hyrde-axle, grey dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Vibrant Calenard Battle Gauntlets, black dye (T7 crafted)
Feet: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Boots, black dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Ceremonial Singed Cloak, black dye (Store)

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: Fazlee of Landroval

Rate:

{[["☆","★"]]}

In desert lands of Lonelands, the sun was slowly setting down and all the critters started to seek warmth and shelter before the cruel night. But for Fazlee Blackmoor, a nomadic captain known as Swift Executioner on Landroval, the fun was only starting. He enjoys the day but thrives at night, fighting the most dangerous enemies and facing all the dark and evil he can find. Fear not Amon Sûl, fear not Middle-earth! Fazlee can save you and amuse himself at the same time!

I simply love how exotic this outfit looks. It could be used as perfect southern ranger garb, as well as true Nomad's hunting attire. By the way, notice how Fazlee matched the ranger star on shoulders to its equivalent on gauntlets :) Fazlee didn't use any cloak to make his great sword stand out, but if you'd prefer one, he recommends Scholar's Cloak in burgundy, which can be crafted by T4 tailor.

Chest: High Herald's Armour, burgundy dye (T6 crafted)
Legs: Lesser Secret of the West Leggings, burgundy dye (Level 65 burglar epic set)
Head: Traveller's Hood, burgundy dye (Store)
Shoulders: Fine Grey Company Wrap, burgundy dye (Quest: Volume III Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways)
Hands: Gloves of Helmingas, default dye (RoI pre-order)
Feet: Hardened Steel Dunlending Boots, default dye (Dunland quest)