Hailing from the UK, Sylvia Sable is the creator of Moonless Designs landscaping, and who demonstrates her creativity and artistry in this regard through her Full region. Called Fern & Fable, the region is described by Sylvia thus:
Fern & Fable is a public space I rebuild whenever the mood takes me, each time opening a new chapter with its own theme and story. From a fantasy realm, to the dust of an apocalypse.
– Sylvia Sable
For the current iteration, the region presents Bramblewood, a setting which is at its core inspired by the landscape, towns and villages found in northern England, but which it is not unfair to say incorporates influences and aspects far beyond England’s green and pleasant land – if I might use the words of William Blake.
Once upon a time, in the northern reaches of the UK, there were villages bound by stone walls and iron railings, their strength tested by war and time. Cotton mills that once thundered with industry have been re-purposed into gentler spaces, and winding walking trails now weave through fields and hills where locals and visitors find their peace. Here milkmen set bottles by the door before dawn, farms breathe life into the land, and the pub’s hearth glows with welcome at day’s end. Bramblewood is my telling of that story – a Northern UK Village inspired setting where history lingers in every wall and lane.
-Sylvia Sable
The reason I suggest the setting draws – intentionally or otherwise – on other physical world locations is for several reasons.
Take the mountainous region surround for example; whilst the north of England does have the Pennines, the mountains surrounding Bramblewood are perhaps taller and more rugged than might be found along England’s backbone and for me, brought to mind Scotland’s Grampians. Similarly, parts of the built-up area of the setting and some of the low-lying areas perhaps have hints of North America and Europe.
However, this should not be taken as a negative critique of the region’s design; there are practical reasons why some aspects might well suggest places further afield than England’s northern counties. If nothing else, apart from iconic “British” elements such as the old red Post Office telephone boxes and the familiar red columns of Post Office letter (mail) box, thatched cottages, things that are quintessentially “England village” in tone and look are far outnumbered by other items sold through the Marketplace and in-world, thus some mixing is entirely natural. More to the point, the mixing of elements and styles give Bramblewood a further sense of being a special place in time and space.
The setting takes up roughly two-thirds of the region, with an open body of water to the south. The land is further split between a larger and smaller land mass, the latter sitting to the west, a tongue of land connecting it to the larger area. This western area pays homage to the north of England’s heritage as the cradle of the industrial revolution, being the home of large factory / warehouse buildings, the entire area updated as an event space.
The eastern end of the island is home to the main village / town setting. This again mixes elements, some of which are to be found in English country villages – dry stone walls, the aforementioned telephone and letter boxes, a cottage and local pub (with a further outdoor event space). Other elements perhaps lean more towards the United States (road signs, pumpkins for Halloween), which as noted, give the village and unique look and feel.
The middle of the setting is given offer to a open space of natural beauty, richly wooded and with paths and trails meandering through it, a stream tumbling down from the hills, waterfalls serving a river, camp sites, fishing spaces and plenty of opportunities for exploration and photography.
It is within this parkland that the Landing Point is located, presenting the richest opportunity for exploration and discovery. And discovery is the best way to appreciate both the beauty of Fern & Fable – Bramblewood and Sylvia’s design skills- so why not pay a visit yourself?
SLurl Details
- Fern & Fable – Bramblewood (Karmic Wonder, rated Adult)
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