Category: Exploring Second Life

In September 2014, I visited The Chamber Library, the literary project undertaken by Storm Septimus which presents visitors with the opportunity to relax with works of literature and poetry from a wide range of authors, including TS Eliot, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Voltaire, HG Wells and The Brothers Grimm – with more titles and authors being added.

However, a lot has changed wince that first post, and so I thought I’d start 2015 off with a return visit – or rather, a visit to the Library’s new location. Because that is perhaps the biggest change wrought; rather than sitting high over a mainland region, the Library now occupies a homestead region of its own entitled Decay (aka Hall of Heroes).

The Library is still located up in the air, but there is now a ground-level location to visit as well, centred on an ageing conservatory. This lies in the midst of a flooded land, a place where the sea has already laid claim to the lowest level of the local lighthouse, a place canted at an angle, perhaps broken and tipped by the ebb and flow of tides washing away the sands around its base. Close by, stranded on its side lies the hulk of a trawler, long deserted.

Slowly being encroached upon by water on all sides, the conservatory nevertheless offers a place to sit and pass the time, or dance for a while. Clues to the Library’s presence can be found – a typewriter with faded pages scattered around it, a small pile of books on a table, and a chaise lounge with bookcase behind it, watched over by two ravens. Should you find yourself landing in the conservatory whilst trying to reach the Library – look to this bookcase for assistance.

The overall design of the Library remains as it was during its incarnation at Hugues, the main difference being that it currently comprises just two levels (a third was in development at Hugues), and each level (I think) has more chambers than previously. Some of the décor has been changed, and not every chamber (yet) offers bookcases, but all present opportunities to sit and read, or chat quietly with a friend. Teleporters in the form of wooden doors link the levels of the Library and the Library to the ground, but do be aware they can be a tad bit bouncy!

Short stories and poems are preferred, and Storm is always looking for contributions; there is a large section devoted to resident’s own original writings, The INFO sign on the floor of the arrival chamber offers details on the Library, and pointers for those wishing to provide material. Reading matter can be obtained by clicking on a bookcase of interest, browsing the list of available titles and then picking something you’d like to read, which will be delivered in note card format.

In September 2014, I noted that The Chamber Library offered an interesting addition to Second Life; with this move, it will hopefully become even more of a feature, and one people will both visit and make use of.

Related Links

• The Chamber Library SLurl (Rated Moderate)
• The Chamber Library on Storm’s blog

 

Storybrooke Gardens, Baja Norte (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Lauren Bentham has brought a fairytale winter to Storybrooke Gardens, high over her Baja Norte region (which I last wrote about more than 18 months ago!). Snow falls across the garden’s trails and paths, layering them in a soft blanket as sunlight slants through frosted white branches of trees, and lanterns drift on the breeze.

Along the tracks and paths circling around and cutting through the gardens, a variety of animals and fairytale folk can be found, some sitting or standing on their own, others forming delightful vignettes, such as the little chipmunks gathered in a tiny field, or the bears and raccoons looking like they’re trying to deal with the excesses of Christmas one way or another.

Storybrooke Gardens, Baja Norte (Flickr)

There is a wonderful attention to detail here; so much so that a casual visit may not reveal all there is to see. To help you take everything in, there are a number of places to sit, either on your own or with a companion, if visiting together.

Tucked away in the south-east corner of the gardens is a little snowbound cottage which is more than likely a photographer’s delight (I confess to snapping it from several angles and then having a play around in GIMP, as shown in the topmost image here). Nearby, and whom you might encounter first depending on the path you follow to the cottage, little fairy folk hover around bright hued mushrooms across the road from a little camp site …

Storybrooke Gardens, Baja Norte (Flickr)

If you are still seeking a little P&Q after the excess of Christmas, real or virtual, Storybrooke Gardens might be just the ticket.

Related Links

• Storybrooke Gardens direct SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

Scribbled Hearts (Flickr)

Looking through my travelogue entries for SL, I was surprised to realise I hadn’t paid a visit to Scribbled Hearts in over a year.

Much has changed since I last visited. *. emm [shop] and Little Closet have both now gone, replaced by Alessandra Ambrosio’s Tarte and Plethora Plentiful’s Plethora. However, much of the “old” look and feel of the region is still retained, with landscaping by Elvira Kytori and  Alessandra Ambrosio. Water still very much forms a central feature and the overall appearance is very rural and open.

Scribbled Hearts (Flickr)

As one might expect given the time of year in the northern hemisphere, the region is in the grip of winter; snow is beginning to lay on the ground – and has drifted in places as it falls steadily from the sky, misting the horizon. Most of the region is open to explore, although a parcel on the north side is restricted access at ground level, so watch out for bouncing off of ban lines if you decide to flip around by air.

Alongside of the stores, the region has a couple of small homes and a strange little hutch-like cabin scattered across it, with a rutted track leading visitors around them and it little touches of interest – a camp fire and chairs here, a swing hung from the tree there, and so on. None of the houses are occupied, so there is no risk of invasion of privacy, and one of them offers a little backyard jetty where you can sit and strum a guitar. Rezzing has been turned off, so the place isn’t quite and amenable to photographs as it once was, but it still offers some good opportunities for seasonal photos and well as a wander through the stores.

Scribbled Hearts (Flickr)

All told, still a pleasing corner of SL to visit.

Related Links

• Scribbled Hearts SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

Never Ending, in its winter guise, is perhaps one of the most surprising regions I’ve visited in a while. The work of しゅにん (Syunin Arida), いお (iorri), and TefTef Violet, it not only carries a seasonal theme right now, it does so in a quite remarkable manner, one which may at first deceive the casual eye.

On arriving, you standing close to a little village deep in snow and surrounded by  snow-covered hills of almost cartoonish undulations. Bare trees are strung with lights, while bears are sprawled on and against logs and tree stumps in one corner of the village, looking well and truly worn-out by all the exertions of Christmas shopping – or perhaps by trying to catch the raccoon who is keeping an eye on them from the upstairs window of the tower behind them…

Theses are not the only furry inhabitants of the village. Just over the garden fence, Grandpa Raccoon  stands on his porch, puffing his pipe, while across the snow-blanketed village green a young raccoon reads outside the local bookshop, Mama bear sitting close at hand, baby bear in her lap. Meanwhile, and next door to the bookshop, Mrs. Raccoon is arriving home with the groceries…

If all this sounds a little twee, don’t be fooled. The little village, with its Christmas tree bearing fairy lights and candles and presents spread under its boughs, is both charming  and avoids a feeling of looking just a little too sweet. It offers a lot to see, with seats and cuddle spots inviting visitors to stay a while; but it’s not all there is to see or explore, so don’t be fooled into just taking a cursory look around and skipping elsewhere.

Just outside the village sits a Flea Circus, and wander a little further or cam around and you’ll note there are other places to explore: a frozen lake, a couple of hidden valleys and little nooks shielded from the rest of the region by the steep hills. There even a wooden lodge sitting atop a steep hill awaiting your visit. But unless you’re ready to do some serious climbing (or cheat and fly), how are all of them reached?

The answer lies in a series of teleports which have been scattered around the region awaiting discovery. Some take the form of double doors, other are anywhere doors and still others are photos mounted on display boards. Herein lies another surprise: not all the destinations on offer are at ground level; several are hidden up in the sky, and are themselves a delight to discover and explore. What’s more, quite where you’ll be taken next isn’t always clear when first exploring, which further add to the mystery and charm of the region.

Never Ending is a true delight, with surprises at every turn;, and a visit I’d suggest you not pass on the opportunity to make. Do be prepared to click on things as well; there are several quite charming poses to be found (look for the umbrellas in particular), and a couple of gift boxes on offer from the designers.

Related Links

• Never Ending, Papillon (Rated: Moderate)