Shadow of the Vale

 

Between 2012 and 2021, I've uploaded over 200 outfits to Material Middle-earth. I'm still astonished by that number. It wasn't always a labor of love. Not all of these outfits came together easily or naturally. There were some that were a genuine struggle that took days or even weeks to feel like they were complete. And there were some, though not very many, that never felt worth uploading.

This particular appearance was one of them. I don't know why—in fact, I don't remember why—I left this one in a folder labeled "Unfinished Ideas" in 2020. In that folder, there are screenshots of outfits that never made it beyond the in-game dressing room panel. Perhaps it took the full three year absence to appreciate the unique blend of contrasting styles and armor types seen here.

Not quite a Gondorian set, and not quite an Orthanc set, the combination of those pieces still offered a sleek, mostly black and white appearance. Given how long it's been, I'm entirely unsure of this outfit's concept. I have a feeling I originally designed this for scouting or stealth maneuvers under the cover of night. Perhaps it was even something designed to fit the bleak atmosphere of the Dawnless Day or for traveling inconspicuously though the eerie Morgul Vale.

Regardless of how or why, I'm glad to have revived and shared this.

Head: Circlet of Osgiliath's Fury (White, Dome of Stars T2 Lore-master class set)*

Shoulders: Embroidered Mantle of the Pathfinder's Artifice (Black, crafted from the Superior Doomfold Pauldrons recipe)

Back: Cloak of the Bridge-warden (Black, drops from T2 and T2C Osgiliath instance chests)

Chest: Jacket of the Osgiliath Shield (Black, T2 Ruined City Warden class set)**

Hands: Gloves of the Thamen (Default, Ox-clan Merchant Camp Warden class vendor)

Feet: Boots of the Thamen (Default, Ox-clan Merchant Camp Warden class vendor)

Weapon: Sealed Reshaped Warden's Spear of the First Age (crafted from woodworker recipe of same name)

Shield: Blackroot Tempered Warden Shield (reward from the quest A Dark Pact)

*Rune-keepers and Minstrels can also win this skin from the Osgiliath Ruins Armour box. Must run at level 100 or higher on T2 for chance to drop.

**Hunters and Burglars can also win this skin from the Osgiliath Ruins Armour box. Must run at level 100 or higher on T2 for chance to drop.