Stalwart of Sarn Ford

Sarn Ford was a shallow, stony crossing of the Brandywine River on the southern bounds of the Shire. The ford was reached by taking a road south from Waymeet, which then continued up the opposite bank of the Brandywine to eventually meet the Greenway. In the waning days of the Third Age, Sarn Ford was covertly guarded by the Rangers of the North (or the Watchers, as they were known somewhat mysteriously to the Hobbits) as part of their discreet protection of the Shire. On the night of 22 September, IIIA 3018, the Rangers defending the ford were attacked and defeated by the Black Riders, their forces slain or scattered.

This Ranger is one of those who regularly patrols the country near the ford. Though the protection of the Shire and its inhabitants is a duty which he takes very seriously, he enjoys his post, for the Shire is pleasant and beautiful territory. But on this evening in early autumn, as dusk falls a shadow and a fear has been growing in his mind and those of his fellow Rangers. They have gathered at the ford to take counsel and tell all that has met their eyes and ears. While none is sure what is amiss, a feeling of cold dread steals up the road from the south, ever approaching the ford, and the Shire beyond. The Rangers steel themselves, loosening their swords in their scabbards, and hefting their shields. Only the rushing of the waters of the Brandywine can be heard as evening’s shadow deepens. Then, they hear it: the sound of approaching hoof-beats from accross the ford. Could it be their chief, Aragorn? But no, the gloom around the road parts to revel nine terrible riders, shrouded in darkness, upon nine black steeds.

One way to make an outfit that stands out is to use an unusual colour instead of unusual pieces. This outfit’s constituent parts are very common, but I tried to make the outfit pop by taking advantage of the unusual base colour of the robe, shoulder guards, and gloves. These are the only items I know of in-game that have this Wedgwood-green colour, and unfortunately this outfit will only work on a Man (not Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, or even Women) because on all other characters, the Wedgwood-green portion of the shoulder guards becomes red instead. On a different topic, I hope everyone likes the recent changes I made to the appearance of the blog as well as the couple new features I added like the “Popular Today” thumbnails in the sidebar and “You may also like” suggestions at the bottom of posts. Please feel free to let me know what you think!

• Head: Traveller’s Hood (purchased — LOTRO Store), white
• Shoulders: Explorer’s Shoulder Guards (crafted — tailor T4; or looted — world drop/general), indigo
• Back: Worn Cloak of the Ranger (quest reward — epic [75] Volume 3, Book 5, Chapter 1: Separate Ways – Radanir), default
• Chest: Dwarf-robe (purchased — Thorin’s Hall light armour vendor; or looted — world drop/general), default
• Hands: Ceremonial Beast-master Gloves (bartered — skirmish camp cosmetics quartermaster/Helegrod cosmetic clothing – light), default
• Feet: Elven Hunter’s Boots (crafted — tailor T4; looted — world drop/general; or purchased — LOTRO Store), rust
• Shield: Recruit’s Heavy Shield of Adlan (bartered — skirmish camp heavy armour vendor/level 23)

Tips: If you’d like to eliminate the purplish colour from the outfit, you could dye the shoulders rust or sienna to match the robe’s waistcoat, and then replace the boots with crafted/world drop elf-style shoes. Some of these shoes, when dye-washed, have a pale sage-green upper that would match the outfit quite well.

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