Author: Inara Pey

No-one familiar with fantasy in Second Life can be unaware of Elicio Ember and his magnificent work as both a content creator and as a world-builder – notably at the annual Relay for Life in Second Life Fantasy Faire event. For over seventeen years, through his brand, Cerridwen’s Cauldron, Elicio has redefined fantasy and sci-fi landscapes, architecture, and décor in Second Life. From towering bioluminescent forests to elegant elven spires, through unique science fiction elements to modern décor amenable to any home, as well as avatar wearables, his work is synonymous with fantasy, traditions, beauty and quality.

I’ve actually covered his creations as a part of my coverage of past Fantasy Faire events, and in its own right through his store, Cerridwen’s Cauldron, which has always been an inspirational joy to visit. And it is to the store I returned recently, as Elicio invited me to partake of a new chapter in his creativity, as he prepares to formally open it in a brand new iteration at a new location on April 10th, 2025. As with his past store, it will be part of a wider narrative through the provision of a ground-level realm; however at the time of writing this piece, the latter was still in development – and as such, will be subject to a future article. Together, both store and ground-level setting will form Caer Awen.

To appreciate Cerridwen’s Cauldron to the fullest, it is necessary to dip into Celtic – and particularly Middle Welsh – mythology.

Cerridwen (or indeed, Ceridwen), pronounced Ke-RID-wen, not seer-ID-when or any variation thereof, was an enchantress closely tied to the Llyfr Taliesin (Book of Taliesen) and in some tales to the birth of Taliesen himself, and most particularly for giving birth to the beautiful Creirwy, one of the three most beautiful maids of the Isle of Britain, and her hideous brother, Morfan (literally “sea crow”), who is tied to the Arthurian legend. To compensate for her son’s hideous and dark form, Cerridwen sought to imbue him with great wisdom and poetic inspiration, turning to her magic cauldron in order to do so.

That cauldron contained Awen, the inspiration; the breath (or muse) gifted to poets, bards, artists and musicians, and itself born of the three elements of rebirth, transformation, and inspiration (which, quite outside the scope of discussion here, ripple out towards ides of the Holy Trinity), and which also marked Cerridwen as the pagan goddess  of said elements.

Caer (Kair), meanwhile, also has Old Welsh roots, symbolising a fort of stronghold. It can also be used to indicate a citadel, and it is this connotation that is found within Caer Awen – meaning Citadel of Inspiration – and  the name suits the new build perfectly.

Like previous Cerridwen’s Cauldron builds, it sits within the sky as a realm unto itself. As a store, it is laid on around the four cardinal points, each corresponding to an element: North = Earth; East = Fire; South = Air and West = Water, and Elicio’s creations are gathered (with some nods towards convenience) in respect of these elements. So, for example, water plants and underwater items can be found within Water, whilst land plants in Earth, and so on. Each section is clearly signed, as are the aisles within it, the entire layout intended to encourage creative thinking as one explores Elicio’s work.

Around the outer extremes of the store areas setting out some of the items for sale as dioramas. These might both further inspire and offer little tales of their own. Footpaths are clearly laid out, whilst individual items for sale are beautifully displayed, rather than just shown as images on a vendor, thus allowing visitors to fully appreciate the and  – again – feel the breath of inspiration as to how and where they might be used.

Central to all of this is the Citadel itself, comprising a central circular structure rising into the sky and with the Landing Point at its base level. It is surrounded to the North-East, South-East, South-West and Nort-West by four square-based towers. These occupy plazas which in turn sit between two cardinal elements apiece, allowing the themes from the two elemental areas to flow together, watched over by corner-placed spires.

Rising higher than the domes topping the central structure, the four towers each reflect one of the guiding cardinal elements. Nor do they stand alone; they are connected one to the next by graceful skywalks with elegant crystalline forms, with high balconies, while glass-floored walkways connect them to the central tower. Within each of them long stairways gracefully climb their inner walls, passing by their balconies to reach the upper skywalk and thus providing access to the upper reaches of the central tower.

It is within this upper level that Cerridwen’s Cauldron will host events – starting with the formal opening party on Sunday, April 13th commencing at 18:00 SLT. Called the Celestial Fae Court, this space is the social beating heart to Caer Awen’s stunning beauty, replete as it is with more of Elicio’s creations.

But in all honesty, words are not enough to describe anything here; the new Cerridwen’s Cauldron store is more than a place to visit (and make purchases!); it is a place to be tasted and savoured first-hand.  The build itself is utterly magnificent, with detail throughout that captures the eye and wraps itself around and over areas that might not ordinarily be seen – so free-camming is recommended. It is also a place that, conversely, should be navigated in first person if possible, thus allowing its beauty to unfold and blossom whilst following paths, turning corners and climbing stairways.

It is also a place that should be seen using the Shared Environment and with local sounds on for the fullest experience. Sounds change not just in the different elemental areas, but also with a passage of time from day to night. And the arrival or night brings its own beauty as glow and colour spring from plants and garden and crystals, adding further immersion to a setting already so rich and detailed.

As noted, the formal party for the opening is on April 13th, but the store should be available to the public from April 10th. I highly recommend that should you arrive during the region’s daylight hours, you stay until night arrives (the region follows the standard 4-hour day / night cycle, with three hours daylight and one hour of night) – or make a point of returning to see it during the hours of darkness – you will not be disappointed.

Do be sure to visit and immerse yourself in Elicio’s creativity and vision, and I’ll be back with more as the ground level setting opens up later in the year.

SLurl Details

• Caer Awen, Cerridwens Cauldron (rated Moderate)

In May 2024, I visited  TheNest: Sunbird, a Full region design leveraging the available Land Capacity bonus, brought together by Second Life partners Adam Cayden and Lya Seerose with the assistance of Tessa (Tessalie). Offering a mix of public spaces and private rental properties, I found the setting photogenic and engaging (see: A Sunbird’s Nest in Second Life).

Since then, a year has come and gone, and Lya and Adam have most recently been engaged in re-working the public spaces within the setting, and they extended an invitation to me to hop back to the region  – now called TheNest: Sunbird Featherwish – and have a wander.

Visit our serene town nestled in the mountains. Enjoy the peaceful streets and their enchanting views, explore our cosy rentals, and marvel at the natural beauty surrounding you, from the smallest blossom to the tallest tree. Come immerse yourself to the tranquillity of a rural paradise, where every corner is alive with the vibrant colours and scents of spring.

– Adam Cayden writing about TheNest : Sunbird Featherwish About Land

The broad design of the region remains as it was during my May 204 visit: the lowland areas open to the public, gradually climbing back to the highlands where the private rentals sit, all nice and clearly separated from the public areas to help avoid accidental trespass.

Within this design, the township presented at the time of my previous visit has been beautifully supplanted by a location rolling multiple ideas and themes together to present a genuinely delightful sense of small village /town intimacy which could so easily be found almost anywhere in Europe.

As with the previous iteration of the setting, the village / town is pedestrianised – but that’s as far as the similarities go. Now split between elevations linked by broad cobbled footpaths and sweeping steps and stairways, the town presents at its lower extremities access to a cosy beach with the local tram station sitting alongside it. From here, the steps rise under the arches of a high bridge buttressed at either end by hexagonal towers topped by small formal garden / sitting spaces.

Continuing up the steps and under the bridge brings visitors to a local ice cream parlour and its outdoor seating overlooking the tramway below, as the tracks departs the station to pass overland along the edge of of the region before vanishing into a tunnel. Also across from the ice cream parlour sits a little bakery offering treats and its own outdoor seating area, this overlooking small gorge fed by tumbling falls with open meadowlands beyond.

Between ice cream parlour and bakery, the path rises and sweeps past the local tea house, then rises again to arrive at the village / town square – or rather, circle! Here there is so much to see – as there is on the way up (including the local feline welcome committee tucked away and keeping an eye on things), so time dallying and exploring is recommended.

From the town it is possible to join the country walk as it arcs around the woodlands directly below the private rentals sitting up on their clifftop perches offering grand views of all that les below. This path eventually descends down to the meadowlands mentioned above, and which themselves can be reached from one end of the bridge also previously mentioned.

However, my descriptions of the setting are beside the point: such is the love and care that has been poured into the region, a visit is mandatory by anyone appreciating SL region designs. The detail is simply exquisite throughout  – from the cats watching over things and all the easily-missed details tucked into some of the public buildings and in the little alleys and gaps between some of them, to the details scatter along the countryside pathways and trails parks and walks. Throughout everything, there are multiple paces to sit and pass the time and several romantic little points for people to enjoy.

Perhaps the best way to appreciate the setting is to click the Scenic Route sign at the Landing Point and take the teleport down to the tram station. From here, you can work your way up through the town much as I have described – but with the option of turning left on climbing the steps up from the ice cream parlour, then following the signed path around to one of the hexagonal towers and then over the bridge. Just be sure that, whichever route you choose – up through the town or over the bridge to the meadowlands, take your time and keep your eyes open lest you miss something along the way!

A genuine delight to visit – and if you’re looking for a home it SL, it might just be the place to tickle your fancy. either way, why not take a look for yourself?

SLurl Details

• TheNest : Sunbird Featherwish (Pyxee Hollows, rated Moderate)