And by black, I do mean the color – not evil or anything lol. Featured here – finally – is one of my LM’s staple outfits, modified only slightly for cooler weather.
As I’ve stated in previous posts, robes/hauberks are my LM’s go to wardrobe item. In the fantasy genre, wizards are generally portrayed as wearing long robes (and pointy hats, though I think we all know I’d never do that to my beautiful elf). Now, I know what you’re going to say, “Lore Master’s don’t technically use magic – at least, not according to Turbine or Standing Stone Games – and I mean, sure, actual magic users in Lord of the Rings are rare, but Lore Masters seem to resemble the order of the Istari (Gandalf’s group of wizard dudes) a lot more than the rune keeper class. Don’t get me wrong, RKs are super cool, but like…where are they really explored in the books?
I get that in the novels Elrond and Galadriel have obvious magical powers through use of ancient knowledge and words, but where did actual rune stones come into play? Don’t get me wrong – I love playing my RK – but I also refuse to accept that Lore Masters don’t technically use magic. I mean, how else do they manipulate the elements? Why else do they have staffs like – I don’t know – Gandalf, Saruman, Radaghast (you know, the actual wizards of LOTR)? So no matter what SSG might say, I consider my LM to be a magic user.
Besides, how else could she call on such awesome beasts like Radaghast did?
But anyways, back to the outfit. So for some reason, black is kind of my LM’s go to color. I had originally intended it to be violet (I made her eyes a blue/ish grey that sort of resembled purple), but I’ve found it surprisingly difficult to make a purple outfit that looks remotely practical. I guess violet just isn’t really a color that blends well with plants or rocks…who would have thought.
So over the years I’ve played this toon, I’ve settled on a more black and white aesthetic. I’m trying to branch out, but there is just something about it, combined with her pale skin and dark hair, that makes for a very nice cosmetic appearance.
Plus a lot of the pets you can summon as an LM have dark skins, so you can match your fur friend!
Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate how pretty Ered Mithrin is??? Developers, you have my greatest applause.
OUTFIT:
Shoulders: Ceremonial Pauldrons of the Mark (black)
Chest: Forged-Iron Dunlending Hauberk (black)
Gloves: Heavy Plated Dunlending Gauntlets (black)
Feet: Threadbare Boots of the Dunland Healer (black)
Staff: Reshaped Lore Master's Staff of the 1st Age
Warsteed:
Head: Head-Piece of the Northern Herald (black)
Body: Trappings of the Northern Herald (black)
Saddle: Plain Black Saddle
Legs: Light Leggings of the Norcrofts (black)
LOTRO Adventurer 