
Fantasy Faire 2018 has reached the final weekend of its extended run. Sadly, I’ve not been able to cover this year’s event as much as in the past: a hectic schedule and other elements in my physical world activities have combined to limit my SL availability.
While it is the final weekend, for those interested, there is still the opportunity to participate in the Fairelands Quest and obtain a cache of prizes – and a weekend is more than enough time to complete the tasks you’ll face.
As with previous years, The House of Garland asks adventurers to come to the assistance of the Fairelands and the Bard Queen in order to bring a stop of the Unweaver’s dark doings. And this time – as the time-honoured saying goes – it’s personal. Also in keeping with previous years, the Quest in a multi-part activity; however it doesn’t need to be completed all at once; you can take a break from things and tackle the adventures over a couple of day if you wish.
The first act of participating in the Quest is to obtain a Quest HUD, such a via the vendors at the Fairelands Junction. Two versions are available: the basic L$250 version and the L$350 version which includes a set of costumes for those who wish to get into character. Both also provide an introductory note card which provides enough information to get started.
When you have worn the HUD, and if you have not previously undertaken a Fairelands Quest, accept the Experience via the dialogue box that also appears on your screen. You’ll only have to do this once, and it is vital you do so; the Quest will not work if you don’t. If you’ve previously participated in a Fairelands Quest (and have not revoked the Quest permissions), you’ll be automatically accepted into The House of Garland adventure.

Also to be found in the Quest package is a note card that should get you started on your adventure. This will unfold in a series of steps:
- Locate the Bard Queen herself – she is somewhere in Fairelands Junction, and will give you further information to help you get started.
- Meet Cheer, the squire who will provide you with company and more. Cheer is an NPC included with your Quest HUD and should be worn with the HUD, but she’ll not become visible until you actually encounter her in Fairelands Junction.
- Locate the Archetypes in the Fairelands. There is one Archetype per region, and the HUD will help you identify them. Note that Archetypes can only be found in public areas of the regions – they will not be instead any stores. They can also be sought in any order, and each will provide you with further assistance.
- Travel to Ardessa, the Quest region. You should only do this once you have located all the archetypes. Once in Ardessa, seek the gates within the region in order to progress towards completing your adventure. Note that with one exception, the gates can be sought in any order; should you happen upon the exception before you have found all the other gates, it will simply tell you to seek those you have not found.

Unlike more recent previous Quest regions at the Fairelands, Ardessa is a verdant land, rich in flora and fauna, full of the colours of summer. Designed by Éclair Martinek, it offers a wooded and sometimes rugged landscape with many paths to follow and things to discover. As such, it is well worth taking the time to explore, whether or not you are engaged on the Fairelands Quest (if you simply chose to explore, the Quest won’t interfere with you).
So while there is still time, why not visit Ardessa, or get your teeth into the Fantasy Faire 2018 Quest? All proceeds from the sale of HUDs go you RFL of SL, and there’s a generous range of prizes to be claimed!