Scouting out the Lonelands

So I’m currently running around Middle Earth with my 130 Elf Huntress as I complete the Ballad of Bingo Boffin. As a result, I’m revisiting a bunch of low level areas, and have decided to make outfits to go with it. My last outfit was worn as I quested through the Barrow Downs just outside of Bree, and today I’m sporting a more stealthy outfit as I travel through the Lonelands.

I’m actually having quite a bit of fun with this. Bingo Boffin is a pretty demanding hobbit. He’s lazy, and I’m half-convinced he can’t do anything for himself. But running around as a skilled warrior helping out a curious hobbit does make me feel more immersed in the world of Middle Earth than I have in a long time, and I’m having a lot of fun getting into the experience. Feeling annoyance at Bingo, dressing up in area-appropriate clothing, feeling superior and awesome next to this bumbling hobbit…It’s pretty awesome.

I see you orcs. Prepare to meet your maker.

I really had too much fun with this. But LOTRO is supposed to be fun, so that’s all that really matters. And as much as Bingo annoys me, questing for him really does make me feel like I’m back in Middle Earth.

So you want to dance, do you? Have at me, scum!

Moving on to a different orc camp to wreak more havoc…

Also, it’s really funny remembering that lower level mobs won’t attack you. You can literally run through the middle of an orc camp and they won’t even come near you. It’s like you don’t exist.

I’m supposed to kill you…but…you’re not attacking me…

Look, if I don’t kill you, you promise not to hurt me, right?

Alas, it was time to move on from my new friend. So I remounted my horse, and set off for Weathertop.

Also, I just want to say, it’s moments like this — where I can just stand at a distance and look at the majesty of Weathertop that I’m reminded of how much I love this game. This view is just so cool.

Lol I love how the feathers just float down after you kill a bird.

Outfit:
Head: Lesser Secret of the West Helmet (burgundy)
Shoulders: Pauldrons of the Mark (red)
Lesser Secret of the West Breastplate (crimson)
Gloves: The Bowmaster’s Gloves (crimson)
Legs: Spellweaver’s Leggings (red)
Feet: Lesser Memory of the West Shoes (black)
Bow: Exquisite Black Ash Bow
Sword: Defender of Gwingris
Dagger: Hero’s Dagger

Warsteed
Head: Head-Piece of the Northern Herald (Ccrimson)
Body: Harness of the Harbinger (crimson)
Saddle: Citadel saddle
Legs: Citadel Leggings (red)

Autumn Harbinger

Continuing the trend of doing the same outfit but in a different color…Sorry. I really couldn’t resist. This one just reminds me of Halloween. It’s basically the same as the previous one, except with different shoulders (the ones in the other outfit aren’t dyable). This outfit had a similar outfit with dying, where the same dye would render different pieces different colors, but it was slightly easier to compensate for with red.

Outfit:
Head: Time-worn Headpiece (crimson)
Shoulders: Expeditionary Mantle (crimson)
Back: Cloak of the Autumn Sage (crimson)
Body: Vestments of the Autumn Sage (burgundy)
Staff: Hardened Ash Staff of Fate
Cosmetic pet: black wolf-dog

Warsteed:
Head: Mask of the Autumn Sage’s Bearance (burgundy)
Body: Caparison of the Autumn Sage’s Bearance (burgundy)
Saddle: Saddle of the Autumn Sage’s Bearance
Feet: Tattered Feathers of the Harbinger
Tail: Tail of the Gloaming Autumn

Autumn Traveller

This outfit has been around for a very long time. Like, over a couple years I think. It’s undergone lots of tweaking, some as recent as a couple days ago. But I’ve decided it’s time.

This outfit was actually developed at the same time as my “Forest Warrior” post – essentially, this was an alternate version, and I had to choose between the two (It was originally in green as well). After making my decision and posting the outfit, I then couldn’t bring myself to move on from it. Instead I started adapting it to a more “autumn” palette, and gave it to my fire RK. She’s had it as her main outfit ever since.

Just to give some background, sunset orange is one of my favorite dyes in game. I’m not quite sure why, as I’m not normally a huge fan of the color orange, but I love it. So. Much. It’s also the main color I’ve decided to use for my fire RK’s outfit. And, as it turns out, it matches perfectly with the default color of the Autumn Traveller outfit.

I purposely chose items that had elements of yellow and gold in it as well. This outfit is basically just supposed to evoke the image of “autumn leaves,” so I wanted as many shades of orange and gold as possible. I’m a little biased, but I love it.

I don’t often use steeds that aren’t my warsteeds (except in cities and stuff because as much as I love my war steeds, they’re still not the best at maneuvering. Like at all. Sometimes when I’m bored I’ll take my warsteed to Minas Tirith and see how far I can get before being rubberbanded back to the previous circle. It’s fun. Sort of).

Anyways, I do love my occasional elk steed, especially for an outfit like this, which really evokes “elf ranger” themes.

Outfit:
Head: Time-Worn Headpiece (sunset orange)
Shoulders: Golden Host Shoulder Pads of the Gloaming (sunset orange)
Back: Cloak of the Autumn Traveller (default)
Chest: Ceremonial Thunderstruck Shirt (sunset orange)
Hands: The Bowmaster’s Gloves (sunset orange)
Legs: Trousers of the Autumn Traveller (default)
Feet: Lesser Memory of the West Shoes (sienna)
Mount: Steed of the Autumn Traveller

Holly Princess

So I didn’t understand why they added yet ANOTHER white rabbit to the yule fest. And then I saw a close up picture of it. And I fell in love.

I mean, look how cute it is!!!!!

Okay, so there is an outfit here too, featuring this year’s new festival cosmetics: the shire holly set. I dyed it Rohan green to match the color of the holly leaves (instead of the lighter, mint-y color it came in).

I even did the warsteed to match!

But seriously, look at the BUNNNYYYYYY

So. Majestic. (And I’m not talking about the dancing elf)

Outfit:
Head: Shire Holly Crown (default)
Shoulders: Mantle of Shire Holly (rohan green)
Back: Cloak of Shire Holly (rohan green)
Chest: Gown of Shire Holly (rohan green)
Held item: Bunch of Holly

Warsteed:
Head: Shire Holly Head Ornament (forest green)
Body: Shire Holly Caparison (forest green)
Saddle: Shire Holly Saddle

Cosmetic Pet: YULE PRINCESS BUNNY

Music in the Mountains

So I did this outfit in two colors – one in steel blue to match the original color of the cloak, and the other in dark red. Funny enough, the red outfit formed first, and adding the cloak was a last minute decision. Once I decided to add it though, I decided I also had to do another color scheme that matched the cloak’s original version. I honestly don’t know which I prefer. I love them both.

I really like the way the white/silver of the shoulders matches the white designs on the arms of the tunic. It goes well with the snowflake design on the cloak.

Additionally, I decided to pick the medium Nadhin gauntlets and boots, since they have a sort of quilt-like texture that matches the tunic. It’s kind of amazing that they’re from different sets, actually (Although I guess both armor sets that they come from are from Gondor?)

So yeah, that’s it! I just really like this outfit 🙂

Red Outfit:
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Precise Bowmaster (default)
Chest: Lesser-Coat of the Fury Wielder (crimson)
Hands: Medium Nadhin Gauntlets (burgundy)
Back: Wintertide Cloak (crimson)
Feet: Medium Nadhin Boots (burgundy)

Blue Outfit:
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Precise Bowmaster (steel blue)
Chest: Lesser-Coat of the Fury Wielder (steel blue)
Hands: Medium Nadhin Gauntlets (steel blue)
Back: Wintertide Cloak (default)
Feet: Medium Nadhin Boots (steel blue)

Happy Holidays!

Scout from Rivendell

This is another outfit I’ve had for awhile, just never got around to taking photos of. I was hoping to take pictures in daylight, but it turns out twilight and evening suited the outfit well.

I’ve really enjoyed my high elf huntress. She’s been so fun to play and make outfits for, and I’ve really embraced the nature vibes when it comes to her style 🙂

This outfit was really centered around the shoulders and the cloak. It’s a pretty fun outfit in my opinion – although it probably works best for the autumn. I’ll probably wear it come harvestfest and fall festival.

Outfit: 
Back: Cloak of the Gloaming Autumn (Rivendell Green)
Shoulders: Mantle of the Gloaming Autumn (default/washed)
Chest: Jacket of the Wall-Warden (default)
Legs: Leggings of the Wall-Warden (default)
Feet: Boots of the Wall-Warden (default)
Hands: Bow-Master's Gloves (rivendell green)
Bow: Exquisite Black Ash Bow

War Steed:
Head: Head-Piece of the Northern Herald (Forest Green)
Body: Citadel Caparison (Forest Green)
Saddle: Citadel Saddle
Gear: Hunter's Gear

Master of Dragons

I’m still here! Officially survived my fist year of college and my first (and hopefully last) summer of Covid! Anyways, I really hope that the few figments of my imagination that actually read this blog are staying safe and healthy.

Anyways, it’s been suuuper hot this summer so I decided to go all out and make a “fiery” outfit (Get it? Get it??). I actually designed this outfit for the new RK I rolled who traits red line for fire. And yes, I know that they always say use yellow line (lightning) for leveling RKs and red line (fire) for endgame, but I like the idea of having two magic users each excelling in a specific element.

My new RK – She’s super fun. I love her.

Anywho, my new rune-keeper is only level 34, so there was no way she was gonna survive the trek to Mordor to take some photos.

You’d think for having such a cool name the Lone-lands would have cooler monsters to fight…

Therefore, my LM was chosen to be today’s model.

Admittedly I edited the brightness on the Mordor photos a bit – just cause Mordor is soooo dark to take pictures in, even if it does have drakes and flames.

I don’t normally use helmets either, but I decided this outfit warranted one to complete the dragon like appearance.

This was also a great opportunity to pull out the unflagging dragon war-steed appearance.

Outfit:
- Head: Helm of the Dead City (red)
- Shoulders: Shoulder's of the Lady's Wisdom (sunset orange)
-Back: Wyrmscale Wizard's Cloak (black) ---- there is also a ceremonial version available in Lalia's Market
- Chest: Breastplate of the Slayer's Raimant (sunset orange)
- Hands: Strong Gauntlets of Thorin's Strength (black)
- Feet: Wildermore Boots of Combat (black)

War Steed:
- Head: Head-Piece of the Unflagging Dragon (red)
- Body: Caparison of the Unflagging Dragon (red)
- Tail: Tail of the Unflagging Dragon
- Saddle: Saddle of the Unflagging Dragon

Sage of Winters Night

This is a companion outfit to my last post – basically once I finished the previous outfit I just had to make its opposite.

Same location, same basic outfit design, just at night.

This one was actually a LOT easier to take screenshots of than my first one, probably because it’s not a white outfit on a white background…

Seriously though, the Misty Mountains are GORGEOUS at night.

It also gave me the opportunity to showcase my second favorite LM pet, the Ember Eagle! I liked how the accents of red on the wing tips and tail complimented the red of the robe.

Again I also brought out one of my cosmetic birds. In my previous post I used the snowy owl, and in this one I used the raven! (I really like birds, so I’ve decided my LM does too – can you tell?)

Anyways, be prepared for more winter outfits! I go a little crazy when Yule Fest rolls around.

Outfit:
Head: Lesser Memory of the West Hat (black)
Shoulders: Fur Mantle (black)
Chest: Robe of the Lavenhebron 
Hands: Medium Nadhin Gauntlets (black)
Feet: Medium Nadhin Boots (black)
Back: Cloak of the Autumn Wanderer (black)

Warsteed:
Head: Head-Piece of the Northern Herald (white)
Body: Caparison of Rivendell (black)
Saddle: Plain Black Saddle
Tail: Tail of the Gloaming Autumn
Feet: Tattered Feathers of the Harbinger
Body/Tail: black

Viking Warioress

This is an outfit I made a while ago based around the vales gear. I don’t have much to say about it and I don’t feel like writing a lot, but basically it’s centered around chainmail, a worn aesthetic, and somehow a viking feel?

I also took these screenshots before I used my aria on my high elf hunter, so these pictures are set in ered luin (a lower level region).

OUTFIT:
Head: Ceremonial Nenuial's Helm (burgundy)
Shoulders: Ceremonial Shoulders of the Stone Servant (burgundy)
Chest: Lesser Cry of the West Breastplate (dark clay)
Hands: The Bowmaster's Gloves (crimson)
Legs: Swift Leggings of the Vale (default/dark clay)
Feet: Wildermore Boots of Combat (default/burgundy)
Back: Cloak of the Skin-Changers (grey)

Here’s the outfit without the helmet:

Warden of the Norcrofts

So, I got back into LOTRO recently after a bit of a break. And what do I see the first time I log in? There’s a huge special on war steed cosmetics. So what do I do? I blow ALLLL my saved up LPs on them. Cause you know, that’s what you do. Anyways, as a result, I’m now fully in the war steed craze, which means it’s time to take my toons back to Rohan!

Basically, after I got my warden a war-steed, I stopped playing him for a bit outside of festivals. So now I’m officially going through the East Rohan circuit to get all the base game horse cosmetics.

I also stumbled across another randomized horse in the Norcrofts that I decided I liked, so I decided to give my warden a second steed. So, allow me to introduce Chili: my warden’s lighter horse for travel and for hunting.

It’s been really fun to get back into playing a warden – I personally find the gambit system really fun, and it’s just a nice blend of play styles in my opinion.

Also, as a reminder, here’s my warden’s main steed Ronan: the heavy war-horse always ready for battle:

Interesting side note I actually purposely decided not to give Ronan a bridle in this post to distinguish him from a regular steed. See normally you use a bridle and a bit to guide a horse – you pull the reins one way and the horse steers to the left and vice versa.

In battle, however, a knight wouldn’t always (and in fact often didn’t) have free hands to hold the reins given that they also had to hold their weapons. So, they would wear spurs on their boots, and war-steeds were specially trained to respond to these.

War-horses were also often unguelded stallions, because having a fiery, violent temper was an important asset to have in battle. These horses would also be trained to bite and kick on command. They were not merely methods of transportation, they were weapons in their own right.

Outfit:
Shoulders: Medium Nadhin Shoulders (burgundy)
Chest: Robe of Anorien Mercy (burgundy)
Hands: Leather Gauntlets of the Leaping Stag (burgundy)
Back: Warden's Pack (burgundy)
Feet: Reworked Boots (grey)
Shield: Shield of the Strong

Chili:
Head: Head-Piece of the Northern Herald (crimson)
Body: Light Caparison of the Norcrofts (crimson)
Saddle: Saddle of the Great Alliance
Main/Tail: sorrel
Coat: Red Roan Overo

Ronan:
Body: Medium Banded Leather Caparison (crimson)
Legs: Medium Banded Leather Leggings (crimson)
Saddle: Plain Black Saddle
Main/Tail: Red Roan
Coat: Dappled Flaxen Chesnut