Ithil-watcher

Sometimes, I feel like I'm always playing catch up in the LOTRO cosmetics blogosphere. Taking that extended break from game content from the release of U14 (Western Gondor) until U18 (The Battle of Pelennor Fields) due to feeling burned out, I missed out on the opportunity to tinker with the newest cosmetic skins as they were released. I missed out on the Osgilliath sets while that content was relevant (I rarely see the cluster run anymore), the Morgul-crest bartered Faramir sets, and, by the time I caught up story-wise, the Pelennor and Throne sets. I had logged in for that long stretch of time only to make outfits. It's only now, after a significant amount of effort, that I've gotten around to showcasing some of the spectacularly designed U19 gear from the North Ithilien/post-Pelennor quests.

This particular ensemble required two playthoughs of North Ithilien (you could do it in one if you didn't collect full sets like I did) and mixed both heavy and medium armor rewarded by both the Epic and landscape quests. I was amazed at how painstakingly detailed these pieces were. Many golden swirls and patterns reminiscent of Elven design, yet images of wings and trees that are distinctly Gondorian. I found it to be a delightful blend. However, with the colors I had in mind, especially on my Warden, I had to throw in an optional and unique bartered shield from The Wastes...the Shield of the Midnight Sky.

Lately, my posted outfits have contained many skins obtainable in post-Dunland zones with unique pieces that can't be obtained again once sold or discarded. I've realized that not everybody has a high level character--my kinship has quite a few low level characters in addition to first-time LOTRO players--and I haven't forgotten that. Despite the obsession I've had with the more recent cosmetics, I've also planned to resurrect my 2014 Simple Fashion series. Mostly, those posts will contain skins obtainable from various festivals and early to mid-game vendors. My hope will be to provide outfits accessible to almost everybody. That series worked well in the past and I'm optimistic it will once more!

Head: Winged Circlet (Gold, skirmish camp cosmetics vendor)
Shoulders: Shoulder Guards of the Reclaimed City (Ered luin blue, After-battle Pelennor fields quest reward)
Back: Cloak of the Ibis (Ered luin blue, LOTRO Store)
Chest: Ithilien-weave Armor of the Ambusher (Ered luin blue, Vol 4 Book 7 reward)
Hands: Gauntlets of the Silent Watcher (Ered luin blue, North Ithilien quest reward)
Feet: Steel Boots of the Silent Watcher (Ered luin blue, North Ithilien quest reward)

Shield: Shield of the Midnight Sky (Master-armorer Host of the West reputation barter in The Wastes)