Hobbit-skald - Pennycandy of Gladden

This here is the final outfit request I'll be honoring. As you know, Saturday will be my final day updating this blog. I understand that there are other creations that some of you would have liked me to make, but I'm out of time. It's taking all of my willpower to stick to my guns and retire, as planned, this weekend. Thank you for strongly encouraging me to continue, but the longer I stay, the harder it will be to leave. Let's get back to the outfit, shall we?

I had a brief conversation with Lilyrose, the leader of Rangers of the West on the Gladden server. Some of you may recall that I've had the pleasure judging two server fashion events hosted by her wonderful kinship between 2013 and 2014. Anyway, she was wondering if I could make some sort of warrior-skald outfit. Usually she dons her Draigoch set and charges headfirst into battle on her hobbit mini. I'm hoping this gives her (and other similar halfling characters) another combat-ready option.

The Purveyors of Pie

Mid-January, when I had asked for outfit ideas on Twitter, Fredelas posted the following on my wall: "Could you help me with some LOTRO outfit ideas befitting my position as Certified Pie Inspector?" This was a tall order for me, as I am dreadful when it comes to outfitting hobbits. I never bothered with dwarves during the three year run of Material Middle-earth, but I certainly tried my hand at a few hobbits. For the first week, whenever I applied the term "Pie Inspector" to our adorable halflings, I couldn't think of anything. It was absolutely frustrating. Halfway through a second week of drawing blanks, a blizzard swept through and buried me under 3-4 four feet of snow. Dealing with that gave me a chance to distance myself from LOTRO. This past weekend, when I sat back down, I had a couple of ideas:

• A Certified Pie Inspector that understands the process of making quality pies from scratch. This inspector holds everybody else's to the same lofty standards that he holds his.
• A Certified Pie Inspector who has never baked, but eaten enough of them to know the combinations of fillings and mixings that make a superb pie. (Considering hobbits also appreciate good ale, I tossed this into the mix as a side hobby. This explains the robe I chose below.)

Brainstorming was only the first step. Finding the right attire? That was going to be tricky. Other than the Bounder Shirriff's Cap and the tunic out of the Mathom House, I knew of no signature hobbit clothing. In fact, I don't think I've seen anything other than attire that's designed for dwarves, elves, or men (though men and hobbits seemed to share the same or similar styles). Thus began my search to find clothing with justifiable hobbit-like appearances or origins. What you see below is my final product. These outfits might not exactly feel hobbit-like, though they do stand out enough to give our Certified Pie Inspectors the proper air of respect and authority!

Beneath each picture, I've included short captions. I've decided to do a little storytelling for this entry, something that I haven't done in a very long time. Also, you're in for a small surprise. I've featured my first male hobbit!

Naturally, the hardest thing about baking apple pies is reaching those pesky apples first. Everything else is easy for little Pennycandy.

Of course, you can't be an official Pie Inspector if you can't bake your own to perfection! 
Those crusts must be golden brown and just thick enough to not collapse when cutting that first delicious slice...

Head: Plumed Hat (Red, introductory quest reward)
Chest: Arth-crus (White, Fangorn's Edge instance reward)
Hands: Oven Mitts (Red, skirm camp cosmetics vendor)**
Legs: Balanced Leggings of Might (Red, world drop)***

**These mitts are only necessary when putting in or taking out that delicious pie from the oven.
***The Rhuvel-socas leggings from Pits of Isengard would make the ideal pairing with the shirt. I've been trying to get them for a long time, but to no avail. If I had them, they would have been pictured instead.

Flower Girl - Pennycandy of Gladden

My hobbit mintrel is a character I have no intention of leveling. I had created her for one reason originally--Turning of the Tide's own Hobbits to Isengard event, which I held back in September 2013, long before Sapience held it for each server. To tell the truth, Forgotten Darkness of Gladden was the first community, that I know of, to run that event in early 2012. Community events or not, I decided to keep little level 8 Pennycandy and use her as an additional model. So far, she's provided me with a significant amount of practice in clothing hobbits casually. I highly doubt I'll have any battle-ready outfits for that race.

Snowbound - Pennycandy of Gladden

It's been a while since I've dressed up a hobbit, especially this little darling. I don't know what it is about them, but no matter what I put on a female hobbit, I feel all warm and giggly and melty on the inside. It's like a cuteness overload! (D'awww!!!) And speaking of warm and fuzzy, I felt compelled to create a winter-friendly outfit for one. Versus using evendim blue, which I abuse to no end, I opted for the darker ered luin blue to make a bolder contrast between the lighter and darker colors, and to make the fur stand out. Have a character heading towards the Misty Mountains or Forochel? Look no further!

Despite the fact that summer is in full swing, sweltering heat and disgusting muggy days included, a little bit of winter apparel makes the weather seem cooler. Any more 90°F days (32°C), and I'll be praying for the snow! Gloredh of Wandering Around Arda used the same location and temperature-related reasons in a recent outfit, Ambassador to the Elves.

Spring Series - Greenfields Party-goer

If all goes well, the Spring Festival should be coming up soon...by that I mean sometime in late April or early May. Anyway, I've been thinking about the Feast of the Greenfields, which was added literally as a tribute to St. Patrick's Day back in 2009. The handheld Bullroarer's Tankard, the Greenfields Clover Hat, and clover patch are all that comes to mind. St. Patty's Day is on the 17th, and in lieu of the festival that gets pushed back later each year, this outfit is a tribute to the "Eat, drink, and be merry!" March holiday. Except that this tribute is being done Hobbit style! On the 17th, log into the game with a few friends and kinnies, take the group down to the Shire and celebrate with a pint!

Winter Series - A Long Expected Yuletide

Why not kick off the Yule Season with a very simple and easily obtainable outfit? Well, mostly obtainable. The Fine Elven Circlet can only be earned from the Anniversary Festival gift boxes. If you don't have it, there's no need to worry! This cosmetic set still looks wonderful without it. With a little work for the upcoming Yule Festival, you can earn most of these easily without having to worry about instance grinding, leveling or endgame. Versus seeing these festival exclusives on stationary models found on the LOTRO forums and blogs, I wanted to give you an idea of how these look combined and in motion. And if you're a first timer to this season in LOTRO, you've got a wonderful idea of what to expect!

This year, the Yule Festival will run from December 18th, 2013 to January 14th, 2014.

A Midnight Snack - Asphodella of Gladden

"'I know,' said Frodo. 'But all the same,' he added with a shamefaced laugh, 'I am terrified of him and his dogs. I have avoided his farm for years and years. He caught me several times trespassing after mushrooms, when I was a youngster at Brandy Hall. On the last occasion he beat me, and then took me and showed me to his dogs. "See, lads," he said, "next time this young varmint sets foot on my land, you can eat him. Now see him off!" They chased me all the way to the Ferry. I have never got over the fright – though I daresay the beasts knew their business and would not really have touched me.'"

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Shortcut to Mushrooms"

Elegant Farmer - Asphodella of Gladden

I must admit, it's been wonderful taking a break from the game, for the most part. All I've really been doing is running Inn League dailies to stockpile Summer Festival Tokens for cosmetics and mounts. There's not much more to do on LOTRO right now other than work on costumes since the Rohan Expansion got pushed back to October 15th, I believe. Even then, I've been feeling pretty burned out playing the game. I'm strongly considering taking a break from grinding and questing until the expansion's release. Instead, I'll use that time to create and line up some new outfits for the blogging community to view! Speaking of new outfits, I hope you enjoy this simple one : )

Forgotten Darkness Kinship Cosmetic Contest

Hey there everybody! What a great way to kick off this cosmetic blog for LOTRO players with a kinship contest I had hosted! There were quite a few submissions from fellow kinsmen, for which I'm thankful. It excites me to know players that have an interest in fun and fashion : )

Anyway, this was a simple cosmetic contest--a best of three show. Submissions featured costumes that spanned a few themes, ranging from casual, to professional, to formal attire while utilizing gear from all three armor types. Everybody was allowed to submit up to three costumes, however I seperately judged and chose the best outfit from each player and counted it toward the contest.

I'll display the winners, followed by the honorable mentions, and then the alternate submissions of contributing players.

And I do apologize for the slight pixelation...for the time being, I only have MS Paint for editing : p

Winners:

1st Place:  Oskamayer

2nd Place: Elyariel

3rd Place: Noobythemidget

Head: Thrill-Seeker's Helm (Washed, Rift barter item)
Cloak: Keen Cloak of Fate (Black, world drop)
Shoulders: Shoulder Pads of Might (Black, world drop?)
Chest: Lesser Breastplate of Dundolen (Sienna, Ost Dunhoth barter item)
Hands: Enduring Gloves of Vigour (Umber, world drop)
Legs: Arrow-Fletcher's Leggings (Black, Loth barter item)
Feet: Boots of the Westfold (Washed, Isen pre-order item)

Head: Extravagant Festival Cap (Yule Festival, olive dye)
Cloak: Cloak of the Silver Birch (Burgundy, LOTRO store)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Mighty Verse (Burgundy, Moria barter item)
Chest: Jacket of the Shade Finder (Burgundy, Quest item)
Hands: Tawarwaith Gloves of Knowledge (Olive, t6 crafted)
Legs: Golden Host Leggings of Awakening (Burgundy, t6 crafted)
Feet: Tawarwaith Shoes of Knowledge (Olive, t6 crafted)

Head: Tactical Helm Dye: Crimson)

Cloak: Singed Cloak (Dye: Black)
Shoulders: Burnished Warrior's Shoulder Guards (Dye: Black)
Chest: Armor of Fem (Dye: Black)
Hands: Wood-cutter's Gloves (Dye: Black)
Legs: Matti's Thick Winter Leggings (Dye: Black)
Feet: Boots of Fem (Dye: Black)

Honorable Mentions:

Cloak: Thaliongol (Ered luin blue, Malledhrim barter item)

Shoulders: Blademaster's Shoulders (Ered luin blue, Moria barter item)
Chest: Blademaster's Breastplate (Ered luin blue, Moria barter item)
Hands: Blademaster's Gauntlets (Ered luin blue, Moria barter item)
Legs: Blademaster's Leggings (Ered luin blue, Moria barter item)
Feet: Blademaster's Boots (Ered luin blue, Moria barter item)

Head: White Rose Circlet (Washed, Spring Festival)

Cloak: Fine Radiant Cloak (Crimson, t5 crafted)
Shoulders:  Superior Sellsword’s Shoulder Guards (Washed, t6 crafted)
Chest: Ulfar’s Robe (Evendim blue, Quest item)
Hands:  Superior Sellsword’s Gloves (Washed, t6 crafted)
Legs: Superior Sellsword’s  Leggings (Washed, t6 crafted)
Feet: Treated Elven Steel Shoes (Washed, world drop)

Alternate Submissions:

Head: Arastil's Helmet (Red, quest item)

Cloak: Cloak of Mordirith's Bane (Vol. 1 epic item)
Shoulders: Enduring Elven Cloth Shoulder Pads of Fleetness (Red, world drop)
Chest: Fighter's Ward (Red, GA drop item)
Hands: Restored Guardsman's Gauntlets (Red, Guardian barter item)
Legs: Steel Leggings (Red,  T3 crafted)
Feet: Boots of Fem (Red, quest item)

Head: Boar Festival Mask (Purple, Harvest Festival)

Cloak: Golden Tree Summer Cloak (Purple, Harvest Festival)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Swift Arrow (Purple, Mirkwood barter item)
Chest: High Herald's Armor (Purple, t6 crafted)
Hands: Gauntlets of the Swift Arrow (Purple, Moria barter item)
Legs: Starkmoor Caretaker's Leggings (Purple, quest item)
Feet: Hillman's Cracked Leather Boots (Purple, quest item)

Head: Dolen-Helm (Evendim blue, quest item)

Cloak: Wig-Feld (Grey, Ost Dunhoth drop)
Shoulders: High-Officer's Shoulders (Evendim blue, t6 crafted)
Chest: Ancient Inlaid Breastplate (Evendim blue, quest item)
Hands: Isengard Prisoner's Gloves (Evendim blue, epic quest item)
Feet: Isengard Prisoner's Boots (Evendim blue, epic quest item)

Head: Mask of Fleetness (Red, world drop)

Cloak: Wood-Wanderer's Cloak (Red, LOTRO store)
Shoulders: Pathfinder's Shoulder Guards (Red, quest item)
Chest: Jacket of the Shade-Finder (Red, quest item)
Hands: Gauntlets of Durin's Guard (Red, Moria barter item)
Legs: Unnecessary Gardener's Leggings (Red, quest item?)