Leaf-shaded Lore-master

I'm not even going to pretend anymore that these alliterative names aren't becoming ridiculous, but if I can keep it going, why not?

There's not much to say about this outfit. It's simple and basic, something a new player might throw together; and did a new player throw this together. This is the oldest outfit on the oldest character I have on my account. I haven't enjoyed playing the Lore-master all that much ever since I had other characters, but I can never bring myself to delete him to start anew or simply for another character slot for I keep reminding myself of the work I put in to getting him where he is: Attack At Dawn-ing from the Lone-lands to Moria!

Thankfully, I've begun to enjoy him slightly more of late, especially with outfitting as I get to experiment on a male elf character. I don't think I've mentioned it, but I really hate the neutral stance of the elves in the game, especially how the male elf has to stand at an angle and chest slightly out (at least it looks that way to me). I don't know what I hate so much about it, but I do. Nonetheless, it's different and it provides me a different canvas to paint on. Also, I just realised the horrible overlap of pieces in the picture to the left and I apologise greatly for that.

I remember calling this outfit The Green Dragon when I first made it, and the name came to me in Agamaur whilst removing wights. I liked seeing it there as the bright green stood out from the gloomy red that engulfed the area, making Celebindil seem almost like a beacon of light in the midst of chaos. It was rather hopeful and reassuring.

Head: Thick Quilted Hat (dark green);

Shoulder: Ceremonial Beast-master Shoulders (forest green);

Back: Ceremonial Treiglur-clog (dark green);

Chest: Lissuin Robe (forest green);

Feet: Soft Leather Boots (washed).

Wickie de Viking

Daar is Wickie, hier is Wickie! It's no secret that I've recently become almost obsessed with the Dutch musical Wickie de Musical (based on the characters from Wickie de Viking), even to the point of actually learning Dutch. I was on LOTRO one day while listening to the songs on Youtube when the idea hit me to make an outfit as tribute to my new favourite viking.

"Vikings val aan!" schreeuwt de kleine viking. I based his appearance on Remi De Smet's portrayal in the musical, mainly because I wasn't able to recreate the slightly blue colour of metal in both animated versions of Wickie. Also, it made more sense as I am more attached to Remi's Wickie than I am to the animated series', much the opposite of most fans of the musical who would have had Wickie as a part of their childhood. 

The helm was a no-brainer, and I particularly love it for the undyeable orange on the sides mimicking the orange bob-hairstyle worn by the viking boy. The shoulders were simple enough to decide on, but it took me a while earning Turbine Points just to buy Mithril Coins to make the purchase in Laila's Market, specially for the pinkish lining at the top as opposed to simply using the Mathom-hunter's Shoulder-pads because it has a dark blue.

The chest piece however was a real challenge, as I initially had the Lesser Cry of the West Breastplate which I had ready for use in my wardrobe. The problems was that it had a thick design, making it pop through both the shoulder-pads and the purple bracers on the arms which I felt was essential. I looked around for a decent chest piece with mail and almost couldn't find any until I remembered that Eadyth was an armourer. I logged on her and looked through what she could make and took a leap of faith. Thankfully, it fits well with the other two pieces.

Despite still having a duty to defend Middle-earth, Isenbran doesn't take his cosplaying lightly, and even arms himself with the appropriate sword and shield, though they be not as strong as his other weapons and protection. It's really a fine thing that he's a minstrel, and doesn't have to charge head-on into the forces of darkness. No number of prayers to Lieve Freya can protect him from folly arm choices, and orcs are definitely more intimidated by the Dwarvish Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu! than the Dutch Vikings val aan!, mainly due to the language barrier. 

For a viking, Isenbran isn't a good boatman, losing his ship to the Storm op zee. 

Head: Ceremonial Helm of the Aurochs (white);

Shoulders: Ceremonial Shoulders of the Mighty Verse (white);

Chest: Elven Iron Armour (grey);

Hands: Leather Bracers of the Learned Stag (purple);

Legs: Ceremonial Leggings of the Graven Word (purple);

Feet: Ceremonial Thrill-seeker's Boots (gold).