Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise in Second Life

Almost two years ago, I was introduced to Viper Heaven and Viper Hell by Cube Republic. The work of Markarius Viper, I found both to be immersive and visually engaging, with Viper Heaven in particular captivating me (see: A Viper Heaven in Second Life).

Well, two years on, and Markarius extended a warm invite for me to visit Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise, a huge expansion on the concepts and designs found within Viper Heaven, and quite possibly the most magnificent fantasy-surreal-mysterious-mystical setting within Second Life.

Covering a Full Region leveraging the available land capacity bonus, the depth and breadth of Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise has to be experienced in order to be properly appreciated. After wandering through it across two days – each visit lasting hours – I am utterly in awe of the creativity displayed within the setting’s myriad locations.

PanEden is the best of both worlds. Pandora and a little Eden; you have to experience it to believe it.

– Markarius Viper

Explore it all, you’ll be glad you did.

In fact, “setting” and “locations” are too mild to be applied here; Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise is a bringing together of realms in miniature; vibrant places on the ground, over the ground and under the water. Each exists on its own whilst also joining with its neighbours and a harmonious flow of themes and ideas, elements and environments.

The Landing Point is perhaps the best place to start your explorations – not that any teleport routing is set; but it is here that you will receive the Viper Isles teleport HUD (you may be asked to accept the local experience on first using it, for seamless teleports).

Opening the HUD immediately shows the extent of the realms on offer: sixteen destinations (Viper Club doesn’t appear to lead anywhere – or didn’t on my visits, but the region is evolving!), with exotic names like Titan’s Waterfall, Celestial Cathedral, Dragon’s Lair, Magical Waters… Also on the HUD, located on the second page, are teleports for Viper Hell and Viper Heaven.

The HUD offers a direct means of point-to-point transfer between realms (and might be the easiest way of reaching some). However, I strongly recommend you explore on foot – and do be sure of have your viewer set to Used Shared Environment (Menu → World → Environment), as many of the settings within the region have their own EEP settings.

Another reason for exploring on foot is that not only does this bring home the full beauty of the region, it also reveals places to sit, activities to enjoy (descending by rope, riding a zip line, taking a dragon tour, etc.).

Travelling on foot also allows you to come across portals to move you from realm-to-realm (acceptance of the local experience on a first use, unless already accepted). Some of these are easy to spot, once encountered; at least one is a little harder to fine and a little more mysterious!

I’m not going to describe all the realms and spaces here; as I said, the entire region should be seen first-hand – although Markarius has also produced a video, which he has allowed me to embed at the end of this article.

That said, what you will find here are giants holding up a part of the world; exotic flowers; a perfect fusion of Japanese and Indo-Chinese elements; gardens; places of rest; places of reverie; fountains of light; gardens of beauty; Ents; dragons; sea drakes; an underwater kingdom; giant flying Koi – and so much more besides.  Wherever you turn there is something new and enchanting to see.

This, quite genuinely, is an experience is Second Life not to be missed. And when you have seen Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise, do not forget to return to visit Viper Heaven and Viper Hell.

My thanks to Markarius for the invitation, and for taking the time to walk with me during one of my visits.

SLurl Details

• Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise (Viper Isles, rated Adult)