Fantasy Faire – Page 14 – Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld

Fantasy Faire: dreams of the Faery Court and entering the Sanctum

Posted on May 7, 2014March 28, 2023 by Inara Pey

Fantasy Faire 2014: The Faery Court

Two of my favourite Fantasy Faire designers are Elicio Ember and Alia Baroque. Their work never ceases to inspire and amaze me, and this year is no exception.

The huge tree sheltered the whimsical buildings, giant lanterns hanging from its ancient branches glowing softly in the dusky light. The structures themselves were all swirls, spirals and beautiful worked metal. It was hard to decide if the swirls and leaves were grown or worked, and the scaled iridescent domes reflected the light of many lanterns adorning the streets. The sound of frogs, cicadas and birds filled the air. “Welcome to the Fae Court,” a melodious voice whispered behind us…

– Extract from The Apprentice’s Journal, by Elicio Ember.

Fantasy Faire 2014: The Faery Court

Elicio takes as his theme the Faery Courts, both Seelie and Unseelie, presenting them together under the huge spreading boughs of the great Tree of Light and Dark. Here the high roofs of the pavilions and houses reflect the two courts, green for the Seelie, and darker lavender for the Unseelie, the two merging in the rooftop of the great pavilion of Cerridwen’s Cauldron as it faces the Tree of Light and Dark sitting at the centre of this realm.

This is a region filled with a sense of other-worldliness, a place lifted out of the pages of myth and legend into which life has been breathed. It is also one of the more “open” environments in this year’s Faire, where some many of the regions feature woodland and undergrowth. Here there are broad avenues of stone, flowing water and broad pools upon which lilies float and grow. It’s a place with an air of mysticism and a suggestion of ancient fae rights, where great mushroom grow, and runes glow vein-like in the depths of carved rock.

Fantasy Faire 2014: The Faery Court

By day the light of the sun warms the stone avenues and sparkles on the warm waters; by night the Court is lit by dozens of softly glowing lanterns hanging from the boughs of the great Tree and along the sides of paths, forming constellations of colour beneath the light of the stars themselves. Laughter and song go hand-in-hand together here, and visitors from far and wide are welcomed.

Fantasy Faire 2014: The Faery Court

Even the plants here reflect the nature of the two courts, the great mushrooms amidst the tall growths of bamboo bearing the light colours of spring and summer, while those gathered around the houses of the Unseelie carry the darker colours of winter, and the bamboo growth and grass bear the browns of autumn.

Travel to the Faery Court.

Fantasy Faire 2014: Sanctum

Alia Baroque takes as his theme a great cathedral abbey, floating on green isle above the world, yet anchored to it by great chains; a point lifted towards heaven, yet still beneath it, visible from all the lands around, and where a great stair of glass rises upwards to the gates of paradise.

Most people fly or teleport to Sanctum, but if you tread carefully from either Blackwater Glenn or the Fairelands Junction, you’ll find you can ascend gently to the Sanctum by way of glass stair and floating isles – just keep between the chains!

Fantasy Faire 2014: Sanctum

One of the reasons I’m attracted to Sanctum is my love of ancient sites, and there are a number of favourites here in the UK, such as Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire and other great abbeys and cathedrals. While Sanctum is wholly unique and unlike anything I’ve visited in the real world (not least because of it position floating in the sky!), parts of it nevertheless stir memories of visits to place like Fountains, and to churches and cathedrals in Europe.

This is a place of peace and contemplation, where sheep gaze on the grass-topped rocks on which Sanctum is founded, and where stone angels raise their trumpets to the heavens and faint figures stand within high alcoves, shimmering in the half-light as water tumbles from the rock isles to the world below.

Fantasy Faire 2014: Sanctum

Others eyes also watch over all who visit here; not all of the statues which may be found here might be quite what the seem, as bloggers for the Faire have the chance to become a part of the Sanctum and simply stand and watch those who come and go.

The detail in this build is magnificent, and kept me engaged for a fair amount of time during the blogger’s preview, such was the care and attention evidenced. Even now, when time (which isn’t entirely on my side as I’d hoped this week) allows me in-world and I can get over the Faire, the Sanctum is one of the places to which I’m inevitably drawn.

Fantasy Faire 2014: Sanctum

Travel to Sanctum.

Keeping up with Fantasy Faire

Fantasy Faire: comes soon the hunt, while the role-play continues

Posted on May 3, 2014March 28, 2023 by Inara Pey

The Palace of Tears: undamaged during the Great Sack of Surlamar and taken by the Grim Emperor as his seat of power over the land ... (click any image for full size) — The Palace of Tears: undamaged during the Great Sack of Surlamar and taken by the Grim Emperor as his seat of power over the land … (click any image for full size)

The Palace of Tears this year forms the focal point for the Fantasy Faire hunt. The hunt doesn’t kick-off on Monday May 5th, but I slipped through the gates to have a look around …

A mighty stone edifice, protected by stout walls, the Palace is nevertheless deceptively modest for a seat of power. To look at it one might think it the great home of a duke, not that man who had come to rule Surlamar with an iron fist, dividing it into nine wards, one for each of his loyal generals. Yet such it is – or at least, was.

As a seat of high power within the land, the Palace appeared modest; even the throne room occupied by the Grim Emperor lacked the opulence visiting digitaries expected — As a seat of high power within the land, the Palace appeared modest; even the throne room occupied by the Grim Emperor lacked the opulence visiting dignitaries expected

It is said that at first the people appreciated the Emperor’s modesty. His lack of trappings, avoidance of the opulence won him the support of his subjects long after the sacking of the land had been forgotten.

But time never allows thing to go unchanged. Within their wards, the children of the generals, now dukes and duchesses in their own right, sought to remake things in their own image, and divided themselves off from the Emperor, who himself grew ever colder and more remote, imposing great gates between his Palace and the wards, while beneath them all, the people lived through growing hardship and resentment.

It is said that over time, the Emperor became every more remote, his place darker, colder ... — It is said that over time, the Emperor became every more remote, his place darker, colder …

Then one day, uniting in the name of freedom, it is said the peoples of the provinces rose up and marched upon Surlamar to lay claim to the city and cast down the Emperor. Fearful for their own futures, the dukes and duchesses turned to the Emperor, only to find him gone, even as the army of the people could be seen approaching the city walls.

And then the mist descended … and when it lifted, even the Palace of Tears was gone!

Where lies the Palace of Tears now? What magic lifted it from the heart of Surlamar, and what secrets are contained within its strong walls?

Has the Palace been transported to the Fairelands, or has something else happened? This – and more – will be revealed when the Fantasy Faire hunt opens on Monday May 5th, and hunt organiser Da5id Abbot, who kindly provided me with the notes from which this tale has been spun , will reveal.

As always, there are some wonderful prizes to be discovered, and the Palace itself, designed and built by Rynn Verwood, is a marvel to behold and explore, rich in detail, its gardens complete with sculptures by artist Haveit Neox which may (or may not!) form a part of the story of the Palace and the city of Surlamar.

Do the sculptures by Haveit Neox, found within the grounds of the Palace have a part to play in the story of the hunt? Perhaps, perhaps not - you'll have to find out for yourself! — Do the sculptures by Haveit Neox, found within the grounds of the Palace have a part to play in the story of the hunt? Perhaps, perhaps not – you’ll have to find out for yourself!

Continue reading “Fantasy Faire: comes soon the hunt, while the role-play continues” →

Fantasy Faire 2014: as the gates open

Posted on May 1, 2014March 28, 2023 by Inara Pey

Fantasy Faire 2014 has opened its gates. This year, there are no fewer than 11 regions to explore (although at the time of writing, the Palace of Tears had yet to open to public access, and I encountered a considerable amount of lag on the neighbouring Fairelands Junction when trying to sneak a peek over the wall…

As always, there is a lot to see and explore, and I hope to be able to bring a round of updates as the week unfolds. For now, here’s a brief set of highlights, together with some sketches from my pad, grabbed as I explored the regions as a part of the bloggers’ preview.

Asperatus

Created by Beq Janus and sponsored by NeoVictoria (Asil Ares).

Asperatus, a mighty airship built by wealthy merchants and once both their home and seat of commerce. Now, in later years, the Asperatus sits as the mainstay of an unlikely floating colony, drawing power from the turbulent clouds over which it sits and providing a centre of trade as well as a floating home.

From my sketchbook: Asperatus: a floating place of commerce - just mind those whirling rotors ... — From my sketchbook: Asperatus: a floating place of commerce – just mind those whirling rotors …

As you explore the shops and stores, slung beneath great gasbags and wander the catwalks linking them, keep an eye out for strange goings-on, particularly from Monday May 5th onwards. For it is to Asperatus that a renegade aristocrat and an evil scientist will flee after wreaking havoc in the power centre of the NeoLondon Cathedral. Determined to bring them to justice, a group of NeoVictorians are hard on their heels (role-play to commence in NeoVictoria on Thursday May 1st, before transferring to Asperatus).

Blackwater Glenn

Created by Marcus Inkpen/ Sharni Azalee and sponsored by The Looking Glass

Blackwater Glenn, once a vibrant community, is now being slowly reclaimed by nature as swamplands slowly encroach onto the land and under the old buildings. But not all is in a state of decay as gorgeous flowers and mysterious plants emerge sporadically throughout the swamp and pathways of open water lead to the centerpiece, a giant blossoming tree. Tread the wooden walkways carefully and rest assured that the surviving buildings will not collapse on your head. Traders and merchants still thrive here, and there is the hope of rebirth hidden within.

Blackwater Glenn: I sketched this while avoiding invites from pirates to enjoy a mug or two of grog ... — “I sketched this while avoiding invites from pirates to enjoy a mug or two of grog at their little tavern deep in Blackwater Glenn …”

Be wary of the pirates, however. Forced ashore to seek the means to repair their damaged ship, they have set-up a tavern within the Glenn. You can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome there and enjoy a good mug of grog – but you might also find yourself leaving with your purse missing considerably more coin than you may have spent – if your purse doesn’t mysteriously leave your pocket first!

The Fairy Court

Created by Elicio Ember and sponsored by Cerridwen’s Cauldron.

The Fairy Court, a land of light and dark, of water and tree, where mystical folk offer greetings and wares. Here is a place to tarry and renew under the spreading boughs of the tree of light and dark, its entwined trunks reaching up into the heavens. Wander the pavilions and walkways, sample the water and the wares. Above all, to be at peace.

"I do not believe my pen in any way does justice to the fair pavilions of The Fairy Court..." — “I do not believe my pen in any way does justice to the fair pavilions of The Fairy Court…”

I confess to having a soft spot for Elicio’s works, which have never ceased to amaze me over the years, and this Fantasy Faire is no exception. Were I to be a creature of myth or fantasy, the Fairy Court is the place I’d call my home among the Fairelands.

Heavenslough

Created by Alrunia Ahn/ Eldowyn Inshan/ Sweetgwendoline Bailey and sponsored by Creators of Fantasy.

To set foot in Heavenslough is to set foot in another world, where the unexpected is to be expected. down under the leafy canopy, the forest is the home and playground for sprites and secretive fairy folks, where ancient stilt houses sit above the marshlands and platforms and houses sit amidst the leafy boughs of the titanic trees. Above all this, sit rocky plateaus rising into the heavens…

"The sun was kind to me as I sat upon a plateau ledge, sketching Heaven below me..." — “The sun was kind to me as I sat upon a plateau ledge, sketching Heavenslough below me…”

Hope’s Horizon

Created by Jaimy Hancroft and sponsored by Dwarfins

Hope’s Horizon stands, like the fabled Minas Tirith, with its back to the sheer walls of a mountain, its streets winding up through stair and path to houses and stores which cling to the sheer rock, leading the visitor ever upward until at last the high plateau is reached. It is here, above the very clouds themselves, that the Citadel sits, together with the White Tree.

The climb up to the Citadel was long and tiring, but the Sun crowned the evening as a sketched..." — The climb up to the Citadel was long and tiring, but the Sun crowned the evening as a sketched…”

Jaimy Hancroft’s homage to Tolkien caught my imagination from the moment I first read about it, and it does not disappoint. The city is beautifully scaled to present a depth in keeping with the height of the build. The citadel on the mountain’s flat summit is the crowning piece, the echoes of Tolkien clear within the design, which also maintains its own individuality and the mark of Fantasy Faire.

Continue reading “Fantasy Faire 2014: as the gates open” →

Fantasy Faire 2014: Capture a Dream of a Lifetime and be immortalised in print

Posted on May 1, 2014March 28, 2023 by Inara Pey

The 2014 Fantasy Faire photo contest has been launched, the proceeds of which will go to Relay for Life in a very special way.

This year, the theme of the competition is Dream of a Lifetime, and entrants are being asked to submit photos which capture the spirit of each of the eleven sims.

Entries must be submitted between May 1st and midnight SLT on May 11th, 2014, and must comply with the following rules:

Photographs are to be taken at your choice of eleven individually themed Sims for this year’s Fantasy Faire (Read sim information note card for more details).
Pictures must be posted in the Fantasy Fiare Photo Contest Flickr group.
Twelve entries are allowed per person.
Photos may be edited with any photo software of your choosing.
Photos must be PG! We will immediately disqualify any nude or distasteful photo(s).
Reminder, no text on photos.
Fantasy Faire & Relay for Life reserve the rights to use photograph submissions for event advertisement and publication.
Deadline for submission of photos is May 11th, 2014, midnight SLT.
Enjoy the Fantasy Faire Sims and have FUN!
In addition, contest winners will be required to provide their winning photography with the following dimensions: minimum 1800 pixels high by 2300 pixels wide at 200dpi.

The Prize

This year the prize is very special: winning entries will appear in a special commemorative calendar which will be produced via Cafe Press and sold in RL to raise money for Relay for Life. All photographs used will be fully credited to the people taking them.

But wait – eleven sims for a 12-month calendar? What of the twelfth? The twelfth photo will be the one the judges of the competition feel best encapsulates the spirit of the Faire, and thus judged to be the overall winner. Not only will this appear in the calendar, it will also appear on the cover as well.

So, good luck to all who enter, and happy snapping!