Sea-bound Swan - Aldebaraan of Gladden

I feel like I've been periodically synching up with other LOTRO fashion bloggers. About a week after finishing the draft for this in early August, Gloredh from Wandering Around Arda had posted something strikingly similar in concept. In case you're wondering why I didn't post this immediately, I have a carefully arranged schedule of posts that last for weeks and sometimes months. If I had, that schedule would have needed some serious rearranging. Therefore, I think it's much easier just to add each new outfit I make to the back of the queue. Next week's post will be something visually similar to one of Hymne's outfits. This was also another one done shortly before she posted hers. Hopefully, the one after that will actually feel original! (It's always awkward when you feel like you've copied someone else.)

Like Gloredh, I had envisioned this outfit for an elf traveling the roads of Lindon, particularly near Mithlond. It's a place that I've secretly hoped to see, and as the game continues towards Mordor and the inevitable destruction of the Ring, the possibility keeps growing. I blame the grey ship sitting in Celondim's harbor for this secret hope! From watching the films and reading the books, I've noticed that elves travel to Valinor in groups, but not once have I heard of any particular armed escort accompanying those elves. That was the true basis for this outfit. With the grasp of Sauron slowly extending across Middle-earth in the Third Age and the increase of less-than-friendly beings sharing the same roads, I thought it prudent to provide some sort of protection.

The Dol Amroth gear has opened up many possibilities for lore-based outfits. Not to mention, these pieces been incredibly inspiring and made it possible to add another few weeks' worth of blog entries. Provided I have no unexpected seasonal themes for outfits (I've been careful up to this point), you'll see something featuring medium Nadhin armor next week and a light Nadhin outfit the following one.

Oh yes, I have to admit I actually picked up Western Gondor to pass the time and experience the added storyline. I had the needed TP sitting there, unused, when it was half price in early September. Now I can collect those ever-so-slightly reskinned landscape rewards based upon the Westemnet tier crafted gear and see if I can do anything with them. That should extend this blog for a short while, considering what I'm about to announce.

It's somewhat fitting that in a post referencing Lindon and sailing to Valinor, I've begun my journey to Mithlond and the Grey Havens, preparing to board the ship that will bear me across the western sea. On Tuesday evening, I announced my decision to close the doors of Material Middle-earth during the first quarter of 2015 via Twitter. Between my current feelings regarding Turbine, the direction of the game since Helm's Deep's release, and the staggering and ever growing grievances I've both witnessed personally and read within the PvP, RP, raiding, and music communities, my love for LOTRO has finally reached its inevitable conclusion. I won't get into the specifics here, but I'll leave it at this: LOTRO is no longer a healthy place for me, despite my undying love for outfits. My feelings haven't changed in the past year, even though this blog is all I do.

However, I do encourage you to keep following Material Middle-earth to the very end. : )

Shoulders: Shoulders of the Ancient Tongue (Sea Blue, skirm camp classic vendor, level 65 Barad Guldur light armor)
Back: Cloak of the Ibis (Sea blue, LOTRO Store)
Chest: Heavy Nadhin Armor (Sea blue, Dol Amroth heavy armor vendor or post-50 world drop)
Hands: Gauntlets of the Deathstorm (Sea blue, level 85 Barad Guldur heavy armor)
Feet: Boots of the Deathstorm (Sea blue, level 85 Barad Guldur heavy armor)