Echoes of Eventide

Eventide, a poetic word to describe the time of day between late afternoon and evening. In this case, specifically, sunset.

With the exception of the cloak and circlet, this is the first time I've used many of these pieces. I had purchased the Ultimate Edition of Before the Shadow before I left LOTRO in early 2022. Two cosmetic sets came with the top tier package, the Valiant Armour of the Dúnedain and the Armour of Flowing Silver. I didn't have the chance to experiment with those sets back then, nor was I able to explore the alternative leveling path through Cardolan and Swanfleet. I've been prioritizing this blog and uploading new outfits over experiencing the new story, but I hope to create a new character and adventure through the new intro zones.

This appearance is centered upon the chest from the Dúnedain set. As gorgeous as it is, it was also difficult to integrate into an outfit. Almost every piece contains undyeable copper accents, limiting the number of colors that don't clash with those accents. Initially I worked with browns and other earthen tones. I made something that I loved. However, when I was taking screenshots in daylight, those coppery tones took on a slightly reddish hue. I was devastated and ended up scrapping the initial outfit. 

Back to square one, I started digging through the plugin ItemTreasury with great determination. After a few days, I found a perfect middle ground with pieces that turned a delightful warm copper through the use of Sunset Orange. (I'm going to age myself here and describe those colors as if they were the Crayola crayons of bittersweet and burnt sienna. I have no other way of putting a names to those colors). Did you know that the heavy crafted Minas Ithil pieces take on two colors when dyed? The fabric sections dye the true color and the plate sections dye a muted version of that color.

Head: Circlet of the Night Watcher (Black, bartered from the Lore-master class vendor in Dol Amroth)

Shoulders: Attacker's Pauldrons of the Rising Moon (Sunset orange, crafted from the Shoulder Guards of the Rising Moon metalsmith reputation recipe)

Back: Worn Cloak of the Ranger (Sunset orange, reward from the Vol 3 Epic Quest Separate Ways)

Chest: Valiant Chestplate of the Dúnedain (Black, Before the Shadow Collector's Edition box)

Hands: Attacker's Gauntlets of the Rising Moon (Sunset orange, crafted from the Gauntlets of the Rising Moon metalsmith reputation recipe)

Feet: Morgul Explorer's Sabatons (Sunset orange, bartered from Torodon in Echad Uial)

Weapon: Sealed Reforged Captain's Halberd of the Second Age, level 100 (Crafted from recipe of same name)