Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld
Second Life, virtual worlds and virtual realities
Draxtor Despres tapped me about a fun little video he put together for Mayah Parx’s Ravenshard build at Fantasy Faire 2013. It’s just 50 seconds long – so enjoy!
I’ll be visiting Ravenshard later in the week in my Faire travels.
With thanks to Draxtor Despres.
The elves of Yuale Nura would not allow me to travel onwards alone. “Your way must take you through the Valley of Ish’Nar, filled with wonders great and also dreadful, and where the heart can be drawn to seek the Key of Hope,” they told me. “And while that is a great and noble quest, perhaps it is one for your return, when our kinsmen of Caras Calar will bring you back to us, and we well all seek the key together…”
And so, with heavy heart, I departed the tree tops of Evensong Woods; but I did not travel alone, for a small company of elves travelled with me, longing to hear the sound of water against rock and see their brethren on the high walkways of Caras Calar.
At first our journey took us deeper into the great forest, the path winding between great trunks which gradually thinned as the road began to climb. As the days passed, so the deeps of the woodland fell ever further behind us, and my companions began to sing less. High peaks rose before us, their tops held by sunlight when all below was deep in the day’s end twilight. Eventually, we came to a great gorge, as if riven into the high peaks by a great axe: the Valley of Ish’Nar, guarded by the tall, silent figures carved into the living rock, great swords held at rest before them.
Here our mood became sombre as we travelled through the valley, passing among those who had come in search of the Key of Hope – and what I had been told was true; my heart yearned to join them. But I knew my quest lay in another direction for now. And so we followed the stone road, passing ancient ruins and lonely buildings of which my companions would say little, until we reached a great falls, and before it, a stone-built bridge, with one arch collapsed into the waters below.
“That is the way we must pass. Beyond the bridge lay the stairs and the road to Caras Calar. But beware! the water is swift and cold; tread with care as we have no wish to fish you from the waters a dozen leagues from here!”
So we crossed the bridge and threw down ropes which we used to descend to the waters below, crossing with care yet with haste; yet another day was drawing to a close and my companions were eager to show me the wonders of Titan’s Hollow as the sun set. Beyond the waters of the falls, after a steep climb, we rejoined the path and climbed broad stairs which soon became a carven path, cut into the rocks of the valley. And so it was, as the sun descended before us, another valley opened before us, this one deep and wide, surrounded by tall cliffs and filled with clear waters and over which, suspended like a hundred gleaming lanterns, lay the cliff city of Calas Calar.
Those who have not visited the city can scarce understand the magnificence of its beauty or the wonders of its design; crystal-walled houses, framed in gold, glass-like walkways and crystal stairways, all suspended on great golden chains cast across the clear waters of the valley from the high cliffs, and everywhere flowers and plants the likes of which the world has not otherwise seen!
Swiftly, we descended the path to join the broad stairs leading up to the great city and, spied from above, we were quickly joined by the fair folk of those high houses, eager to greet their cousins and brethren from the deep woods. I was welcomed as well, and many a wish for may stay to be long and refreshing were given; and looking up at the great houses and passing the tall flowers, inhaling their rich and delightful scent, I knew that my journey would again face a pause.
Region designs: Valley of Ish’Nar by Rynn Verwood and Titan’s Hollow by: Elicio Ember
Titan’s Hollow sponsored by: Cerridwen’s Cauldron; featuring: FATEwear; Dragon Magick Wares; L’Uomo; Spyralle; Mermaid Treasure & Boutique; FANTAVATAR & MOONSTRUCK; and with themed stores: Dreamscaped Designs; Sterling Artistry; [][]Trap[][]; [Gauze]; [ni.Ju]; Arx Loricatus; AZE Jewelry; Bliensen + MaiTai; Southpaw; yo bailo.
I departed the fair, colourful city of Luminaria with a heavy heart; it was not an easy place to leave, filled with bright peoples and wonders as it was. But my quest demanded I must; time was passing and I knew I had far to go.
After a day’s travel I came across a vast woodland, tall trees with deep shadows standing like sentinels blocking my way. I knew not how broad it might be, nor how many leagues it may run on either side of my path; so while it seemed foreboding to my eyes, I dared not turn aside to try to find a way around it. Instead I decided to take the last of the day’s light and try to cross the forest as quickly as I could, and followed a rough path under the first outstretched boughs.
Beneath the trees snow still lay on the ground, as if spring had passed by without note, and I turned my collar against the chill which seemed to fill the air beneath the great trunks of these mighty trees.
“Wrap up warm, fair traveller, for the days beneath our homes are yet cool, and the nights colder still!” I stopped at the sound of the voice, fair and light, which seemed to float down to me from above, accompanied by gentle laughter. “What brings you to our home beneath the stars, and why do you hurry so beneath our trees?”
I remained paused, looking to find the source the source of the voice and the gentle laughter which followed it. As I did so, the rays of the sun broke through the green canopy above and I perceived houses and walkways high up in the boughs, some straight and wide, others slung like bridges between the trees – and there, to one side, a wooded stair leading high overhead, on upon which stood, fair and tall – elves!
“Come!” said one, extending his hand to me. “Night draws near, and as homely as we find the Evensong Woods, they are no place to be alone. Come join us if you will, and tarry among our homes amid the trees, for we have much to show you, and would hear what tales you have to tell of the wider world!”
And so it was, scarce a day from Lumenaria, I found myself once again amidst wonders, these high in the trees in the elven enclave of Yuale Nura, by day washed in the light of a warm sun and by night bathed in silver moonlight and lit by a hundred glowing crystals. And everywhere … everywhere they sound of music and laughter and the sweet voices of the fair folk, always lifted in greeting and welcome.
Region designed by: Searlait Nitschke.
Sponsored by Roawenwood; featuring: Boudoir; ~*Star Kindler Designs*~; Illusions; Mystique; Mindgardens Creations;ThatChick; and with themed stores: Swings Paradise Furnitures; Unique Obsession; Kotori; +Half-Deer+; {Lemon Tea}; An Lema; EagleHeart Designs; ~Sa-eela~; ~ Mystic Sky ~; .:EMO-tions:.
Total raised at the start of day 3: L$3,296,095 (approx: $13,184 USD).
Luminaria, Fantasy Faire, 2013
Lumenaria. I’d often heard the name. A beacon of hope and light standing against the world’s ills; a place I’d longed to visit but which seemed forever out of reach. Just now I stand on the stone streets beneath a golden sun and warm skies, bathed in colour, light and life.
Tall walls provide safety to those within, who paint the roofs of their houses and stores with gay colours which match the rich blossoms and flowers which grow alongside the paths and within gardens. Water splashes from fountains, and everywhere is the sound of mirth and good humour.
Luminaria, Fantasy Faire, 2013
Even the names of the stores suggest life and the warmth of dreams wrapped with a hint of exotic mystery: Solarium, Oran, Garden of Dreams, The Library, KittyCat’s Creations, Elysium, Pywicket’s Myths, Bare Rose, and more. Around me roam wonderful creatures the likes of which I’ve never seen and which the locals call “Meeroos”, and small, industrious folk who refer to themselves as “Dwarfins”. Overhead flies a great dragon, magnificent wings flung wide in the warm airs, a great sky-ship slung beneath it, from which at times I hear sounds of music and delighted revelry.
Weary from my travels, I will rest awhile here. Perhaps I will climb the nearby tower soon, and ride another skyship to that great dragon and see what it is that so delights all who visit it on high …
Luminaria, Fantasy Faire, 2013
Region designed by: Kayle Matzerath
Sponsored by: Solarium; featuring: Dwarfins; Garden of Dreams; Kittycat’s Creations; ND/MD Skins & Shapes; Mythos; Pyewicket’s Myths; and with themed stores: Old World; Oran; *~ Dream Things ~*; Panda Express; Luas; Quixote’s Dream; ~The Library~; ::{Elysium}::; 22769; Bare Rose; Meeroos.
Total raised on day 1: L$1,960,572 (approx: $7,842 USD)
It’s time once again for lovers of the spoken word to update their diaries for dates at the Seanchai Library SL, as storytellers there bring us a host of new tales to tell.
As always, all times SLT, and unless otherwise stated, events will be held on the Seanchai Library’s home on Imagination Island.
Join Caledonia Skytower, as she brings us John Watson’s telling of Holmes’ most famous encounter – with that of one Professor James Moriarty.
Holmes arrives at Dr. Watson’s one evening in a somewhat agitated state and with grazed and bleeding knuckles. He has apparently escaped three murder attempts that day – the result of his attempts to bring a criminal enterprise led by Moriarty to justice.
Despite the attempts, preceded by a visit from Moriarty himself warning Holmes to break off his attempts in order to avoid a “regrettable outcome”, Holmes is determined to stop the ciminal mastermind, seeing it as the crowning achievement of his career as a detective.
However, with Moriarty very much his intellectual equal, Holmes knows that the task will be far from easy; indeed, Moriarty’s own pursuit of Holmes forces the Great Detective, Watson at his side, to depart England for the continent where they eventually arrive in Switzerland. Here they rest at an inn, the Englischer Hof in Meiringen, a town in the canton of Bern and which is famous as a stopping place for those wishing to visit the nearby splendour of … the Reichenbach Falls …
Gail Carson Levine is an author of young people’s fiction and perhaps best known her spirited updates to familiar folk tales starting with Ella Enchanted, her debut novel published in 1997, and stories like Cinderellis and the Glass Hill, which recently featured at the Seanchai Libary.
Join Caledonia Skytower, as she brings us more fairytales from the pen of Gail Carson Levine at Magicland Park.
Join Crap Mariner and guest Taralyn Gravois, as they serve up a heady mix of fairy tales with a twist – and I’m not talking lemon or ice.
Join Kaydon Oconnell and Caledonia Skytower as they bring us more tales about Polar Bear, the Manhattan cat saved from the streets by Cleveland Amory.
An animal rights activist, Cleveland Amory provided Polar Bear with a home after finding on the streets on Christmas Eve 1977. This incident led to Amory writing The Cat Who Came for Christmas, recently featured as a part of the Seanchai Library’s festive season of tales.
The book was followed by several more charting Polar Bear’s adventures and the proceeds from which were put back into his Fund for Animals, which in turn financed three animal sanctuaries.
Here Caledonia and Kaydon present A Difficult Matter and other selections from The Cat Who Came for Christmas.
With Shandon Loring.
Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and additions to the week’s schedule.
In April Seanchai are inviting library guests to join them in supporting their featured real world charity Project Children! Have questions? IM or notecard Caledonia Skytower.
In a week where many eyes are going to be focused on Fantasy Faire, it’s worth remembering that April 20th through 29th 2013 also marks Bay City Fashion Week.
Now it its second year, the event is a week-long celebration of style and design in SL hosted at the Bay City Fairgrounds, North Channel. This year, the selected theme is The American Urban Experience 1940-1965, and will feature displays from a selected cadre of designers, together with fashion shows and other activities.
The designers taking part in this year’s event include Schadenfreude, Sonatta Morales, Misha Kerang Designs, FIN, Robin (Sojourner) Wood, Eclectica, Volstead, 1-800-BETTIES, Ingenue, Purplemoon Creations, Rhapsody, Vita Bella, Delicate Sensibilities, and Pure Poison. They were selected on the basis of their designs fitting the theme for this year’s event, which is perhaps best typified by Chicago circa 1950, and marked by a distinct deco influence.
In a week which is going to be dominated by Fantasy Faire, the Bay City Fashion Week offers a possible escape to a more intimate affair, and is certainly a must-see visit for those into vintage fashion designs – so why not pop over and take a look?
Further information on the event can be obtained from Marianne McCann in-world.
Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest Bay city group, and home to most Residents of Bay City.
