Isla Enchanted is a charming Homestead region designed by Isla Nebula and currently open to exploration by visitors. It comes with a simple description:
A charming village, nestled in the mountains and beside a peaceful lake, calls for exploration. Wander the area to discover its magical, hidden gardens.
– Isla Enchanted About Land description
Surrounded by mountains, if separated from them by water, the region sits as two contiguous but separate parts. The larger area of the region, mostly low-lying and shouldered by walls of rocky cliffs, is home to the village mentioned in the About Land description. Encompasses the region’s Landing Point, the village comprises little cottages and cabins scattered between fields both cultivated and rich in wildflowers, the way through the landscape marked by a meandering gravel track.
These lowlands are overlooked to the west by a large plateau topped by two rocky peaks, the larger of which is in turn capped by a large abandoned house. Reached via the track from below switch-backing its way up one side of the plateau, one of these rocky peaks is surrounded by an ouroboros-like stream which, if not exactly eating its own “tail”, is very much chasing its rushing, bubbling self around and around never losing tempo.
Spanned by two bridges – neither of which connect to the outer path as it skirts around the lip of the plateau – the stream’s endless circling is the first aspect of mystery to be found atop the plateau. Two more can be found in the caverns under the two peaks, both connected one to the other by the bridges.
One of the caverns offers a hint of magical goings-on, whilst the other appears to be as mysteriously deserted (outside of stone fireplace and its rising flames) as the house above, perhaps prompting questions as to what might have gone on within both , and why they now appear abandoned. A further hint of magic is to be found tucked behind the two rocky peaks, in the form of a peace meadow with a fairy garden.
Unlike the house up on the peek, the cottages and cabin down in the village are far from abandoned, instead offering themselves as cosily-furnished little retreats, their gardens presenting photogenic vignettes alongside of the fields, all of which – gardens, fields and footpaths are dotted with little touches of details to bring them further to life.
To the east, cliffs throw themselves across the land as a tree-flanked wall seeking to repel invaders, a single arched pathway allowing passage through their bulk. It leads to a marvellous enclosed garden quite magical in its presentation. Here, just past the arch, a rowing boat floats on a sea of flowering grass, mooring lines holding it close the a tree-shaded dock as swans stand guard around it, a shoal of fish pass overhead and taller flower throw their leaves and tendrils upwards like plumes of water frozen as time around them stands still.
Facing these vignettes is a delightful outdoor tea room offering tempting delights whilst surrounded by its own garden. Elsewhere, topiary horses guard a shaded piano and candles burn before a mirror while swings and cup-seats add their own attractiveness to the setting.
Designed in a way to be attractive under a range of environment settings, Isla Enchanted could perhaps benefit from a little more in the way of ambient sounds (bird song from the trees, perhaps?). But that aside, there is no mistaking its tranquil beauty and opportunities for exploration and relaxation.
SLurl Details
- Isla Enchanted (Honeycomb Hills, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 