I’m going to start by saying that by the time some read this, Soulstone will have taken on a new guise compared to what is seen here. The fault for this is mine entirely; this Full private region – held and designed by Valayra Asher (Valayra) – has been in its winter guise for some time, but things being what they are with life in general at the moment, it has taken me a while to get from taking photos and jotting down notes to actually getting something half-way decent written up.
So, my apologies for that!
In its winter cloak, the region has presented an engaging mix of art, fantasy and a soupçon of science fiction. The landscape is split in two, thanks to a dogleg channel running through it, the sides of which suggest it may be artificial in nature, the walls formed by parallel lines of great basalt columns, one arm of which marches resolutely out to sea, leaving the land behind, to form a kind of breakwater.
Both of the islands are flat-topped, their remaining sides forms by natural rocky cliffs and slopes falling to the sea, with water flowing outwards from fissures here and there to cascade of the rocks below. Each island is home to a number of structures, but be aware that the small island with its well-appointed house and older lighthouse, appears to be a private residence, so please restrict explorations to the larger, L-shaped landscape.
The landing point is located in a gazebo of cathedral-like proportions; and like a cathedral, it sits head and shoulders above the rest of the landscape thanks to the shoulder of rock on which it has been built. Within it might be found a cosy hideaway and a series of teleport boards which can carry visitors to the major points of interest around the island. However, I’d recommend to those who read this article and make it to Soulstone before it temporarily closes on February 15th for redressing in readiness for spring, that initial explorations are carried out on foot.
The landing point shares the island with a warehouse-like building either still under construction or lacking in repair (you decide!) and a number of other structures which should pique curiosity. The incomplete warehouse helps to set the artistic elements to be found within the setting, being home to sculptures by Bryn Oh and Rogue Falconer, with further statues outside by DRD with other by Mistero Hifeng awaiting discovery.
The twists of sci-fi are humorously offered – H.R. Giger alien is collecting its order of cookies and hot chocolate from the café, pot-bellied “greys” have turned their flying saucer into a DJ hangout or are heading the local (and novel) swimming pool for a dip. There’s also a slight Orwellian slant in places as well, thanks to piles of television screens here and there keeping what seems to be a Big Brotherish watch on things.
There are several waterfront locations to be discovered as well. Some might require exclusive use of the teleport boards to reach, whilst others might be reached by stairways or paths hewn or worn into the rocky outer flanks of the island. One of the former passes through a most unique gorge: natural rock cliffs rising above the flat top of the island, the inner walls of side either bearing the façades of buildings as they escort the path down to the beach
Throughout all of this are multiple places to sit – and also the remaining locations to be discovered by the teleport boards (which you should return to and try after an initial exploration of the large island, in order to ensure you get to see everything). There are also numerous little touches of detail scattered throughout, some quite unexpected – such as the owls or the bicycles neatly parked in their rack; others add to the mysterious air of the setting – but I’ll leave you to hope across and find them for yourselves.
Quietly unique and eminently artistic and photogenic, this iteration of Soulstone will be vanishing from Second Life come February 15th, as noted – so do please again accept my apologies for the lateness of this article and, of you are a keen SL explorer and have not see it already, be sure to make the most of the remaining 36-ish house before Valayra and her partner close it for the aforementioned redressing.
SLurl Details
- Soulstone (Enchanted Escape, rated Adult)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 