Shimmering Song

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join a T2 Tower of Orthanc raid as a healer. It was with an experienced group that knew most of the challenges inside and out. Wing by wing, we defeated each of the bosses and climbed our way to Saruman. For the first time since Rise of Isengard, I was able to complete this raid on T2. Also, for the first time, I saw a broken cloak clasp drop...and I was lucky to win the roll. Having been a serious raider back at level 75, I had a full collection of Draigoch cloaks tucked away. Not knowing if or when I'd see another cloak, I chose to upgrade my favorite Wyrmscale Blademaster's Cloak to the Shimmering Blademaster's cloak.

I had to use it in an outfit, but I wasn't sure how. Since the cloak is iridescent, and that the colors it rotates through are washed, finding the proper clothing and dye color would be difficult. Pairing it with any of the T2 Orthanc armor sets would be easy. Just as easy pairing it with anything largely white. It took a few days, but I learned that almost anything that dyes belegaer blue is a perfect match for the cloak. A light blue against a washed rainbow of color.

As for the rest of the pieces, it's an unconventional combination. Normally, I'm a but picky about what I pair with what, but something about the blend of the shoulders with the robe were appealing. By themselves, they might feel out of place. Thus, I complimented them with a particular sword and shield set from Stangard in the Great River.

Some of you may recognize this outfit from recent pictures on Twitter. If so, this was the outfit my little hobbit wore for Rangers of the West's Hobbits to Isengard event. I needed a quick outfit for her, that way she wasn't running around in her intro gear, and these pieces were still in my wardrobe at the moment.

Head: Runemaker's Hat (Shire peach, Runekeeper Barad Guldur armor set - classic skirm camp vendor)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Ancient Tongue (Grey, Ost Galadh Runekeeper vendor)**
Back: Shimmering Blademaster's Cloak (Default, Ox-clan Camp)
Chest: Tattered Robe of the Dunland Sage (Belegaer blue, Dunland quest reward)***
Feet: Westemnet Campaign Shoes of Fate (Black, T7 Tailor recipe)

Weapon: Sword of the Steady Mind (Stangard repuatation vendor)
Shield: Eastern Herald's Shield (Stangard reputation vendor)

**Shares skin with the Shoulders of the Lady's Foresight, the Dar Narbugud set from Caras Galadhon
***Shares skin with the Robe of Countless Stars, which can be purchased from the Dunlendling Quartermaster in Galtrev