Winter's Plumage

This year's Yule Festival has been eagerly anticipated and welcomed with equal joy. Of all LOTRO's festivals, this is my absolute favorite. There's a large variety in the cosmetics offered (robes, cloaks, tunics, and dresses) through quests and vendors, as well as a multitude of titles, steeds, and a beautifully designed Yule portrait frame. Of course, I can't neglect mentioning the gorgeous belegaer blue dye! If you haven't seen the latest rewards, other than the robe pictured in this blog entry, I'd suggest checking out Wandering Around Arda's preview. If you're like me and have had little time to spare for LOTRO this holiday season, this link may help you make some time.

With U23, there's been a delightful influx of bird-themed cosmetics. Two black feathered cloaks from the Harvest Festival, a beautiful robe from this festival, a hooded feather cloak from Skarhald, and two well-hidden hoodless white feathered cloaks sold exclusively by the Traveller's Quartermaster for figments. I'm not sure what the reason is, but I do suspect that they're are all related to the messenger ravens of Ravenhill, at least in concept.

Although the Vestments of the Northern Sky displays purely white feathers, it could be a reference to the elusive white raven (found near Vancouver, BC in the real world), the prominent swan imagery of Dol Amroth, or a snow owl, which the full Northen Sky set seems to embody. I've could have stuck to any of those images. Instead, I chose to create my own outfit using a mishmash of cosmetic skins, creating a casual combat appearance. Last Saturday, Hymne of Cosmetic Lotro put her own amazing spin on a swan theme!

And with this entry, I've officially wrapped up 2018. Just a couple of quick things to mention before signing off until 2019. The first being the Yule Outfit Contest, announced a few days ago. Please direct your gaze to Wednesday's entry for full details. There are some amazing prizes listed! Second, I would like to take a moment to wish everyone the following:

Happy Holidays from Material Middle-earth!

~May you be blessed with the love of family and friends this season~

 Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for another amazing year!

Head: Turquoise Summer Circlet (Belegaer blue, LOTRO Store)**
Shoulders: Reinforced Soothing Mantle of the Adventurer (White, selectable reward from the Coffer of Adventurer's Armor - Light)***
Back: Cloak of the Grey Mountain Stalwart (White, bartered from the Adventurer's Quartermaster in Skarhald)****
Chest: Vestments of the Northern Sky (Belegaer blue, Yule Festival barter reward)
Feet: Westemnet Campaign Shoes of Fate (Belegaer blue, T9 Tailor recipe)

Main-hand: Thindris (Bartered from the Classic skirmish camp vendor, under Helegrod - Treasure)
Shield: Fornost Healer's Shield (Drops from T2 Draigoch)

**Shares skin with the Criclet of the Night Watcher, bartered from the Lore-master vendor in Dol Amroth
***Shares skin with the quest reward, the Mantle of the Dwarf-holds
****Can drop from the Adventurer's Steel-bound Lootbox