It’s been a while since I last visited Alpha Auer’s Alphatribe Island (more fool me), but after seeing the Destination Guide recently and seeing the island’s latest entry, there was no way I was going to miss it!
As can be seen from the title and header image to this piece, the autumn iteration of Alphatribe is called October, and it is something quite marvellous in its touches and humour – even for a region that is always filled with much to delight.
As the name suggests, this is a setting not only celebrating autumn, but also all that October brings with it by way of oddness, although here the touches are very subtle.
For example, there are no hordes of pumpkins everywhere (they are present, but keep themselves well under control!), nor eerie lanterns or suchlike; just little touches offering a nod towards the end of the month: the odd pointed hat perched upon a head; a purple Minion-like character among those greeting new arrivals, the young beau chaperoning his belle, his arms both on the same side…
The village itself is a marvel in keeping with the season. The colours are all muted and caught under an autumnal sky of soft bronze (do use the Shared Environment setting when visiting!).
The houses in particular offer another little October twist: they are both inhabited and inhabitants, many of them sharing a certain resemblance with their occupants, others with entirely unique features. And talking of features, there is something charmingly Tim Burton-ish in some of the locals’ expressions.
Between the human locals and the houses there is also a touch of Steampunk to be found here and there, particularly when it comes to some of the headgear being worn (and the rooftops of some houses!). Elsewhere, meanwhile, hats and clothing perhaps lean more to celebrating the season.
All of which is to say this is a fascinating and quirky little place. One which, whilst touched by October’s lean towards Halloween, is by no means dark or spooky but rather openly fun and bright; even the scarecrows are perhaps more crow than scare!
Thus, October is a place to be wandered through slowly; Alpha always packs her settings with details large and small, but October has so much that some of it might easily be missed (who lives in one of the local wells? Did they divert the water so it runs down from the top of the well in an attempt to keep their home moderately dry?).
One also cannot help but wonder if the two chaps apparently in deep, earnest conversation are aware that their heads have taken the second line of Scott McKenzie’s If you’re Going to San Francisco quite literally!
Wander far enough and you’ll come to Alpha’s store and the chance to purchase some of the characters found within the village or, if you prefer, obtain some headgear in keeping with some of their hats (also to be found on Alpha’s Marketplace Store along with the boats and miniatures of the houses).
I always enjoy visiting Alphatribe island; Alpha’s creativity is joyous and at times mischievous. October demonstrates this is spades throughout, with everything wonderfully balanced from the environment settings through the terrain and to the characters – people, creatures, houses and vehicles.
In this regard, as well as using the Shared Environment when visiting do also make sure you have local sounds on, and to see the village as fully as possible as you wander, draw distance as high as your system can manage – or at least around 100-128 metres.
A genuinely charming setting, highly photogenic and well worth visiting to take a wander through.
Oh, and don’t forget to pick up your gifts at the landing point, together with a notecard from alpha that is well worth the read for the village’s back-story.
Slurl Details
- October (Alphatribe Island, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 