Category: Reviews

The Peak – click any image for full size

Note: The Peak is no more, as such SLurls have been removed from this post.

A photogenic community sim, with a European-countryside theme. A full sim with a selection of areas to explore, interactive games to play, rides. We are very voice friendly. We provide rentals as well. Tags: Music, open mic, karaoke, blog, carnival.

So reads the introduction to The Peak // Community, a new full region offering – as noted – a mix of public spaces and private rentals. Designed by KaidenTray, the region recently opened its doors to the public, and I was alerted to its presence by Shakespeare and Max, who had dropped in a couple of days prior to my own visit.

The Peak

There are a couple of remarkable things about this region. The first is the sheer visual appeal it presents, brining together a mix of elements together in what is as very photogenic setting that makes excellent use of the full 30K land capacity available to Full private regions. The second is, that as he notes in his Profile, Kaiden is a member of the Osbourne family in the physical world, and is not shy about the time he spends in Second Life (where he also runs a landscaping business).

While described as a “European countryside theme”, The Peak perhaps most clearly has its roots in rural Britain in terms of overall approach and styling whilst also casting its net far wider than just the UK and Europe. The country church and many of the houses would not look out-of-place among the rural byways of England, whilst the rugged nature of the landscape perhaps carries with it a hint of Scotland; even the wooden chalets out on the southern side of the region suggest the holiday camps from the days before air travel became cheap enough for almost anyone to enjoy.

The Peak

But so too does The Peak carry within it hints of the continental life, thanks to a large Tuscan style villa sitting towards the south-east corner, at the end of one of the semi-paved roads. Just below this sits a little coastal village, slightly separated from the rest of the region by cliffs and rocky slopes. With the brightly painted frontage of the buildings, this could easily be a place sitting on the Spanish coast – as the signage over doorways further suggests.

The more North American feel is evident on the north side of the region. Here, and to the east, a carnival sits, separated from the rest of the landscape by a narrow L-shape gorge. This is marked by the gentle rotations of a tall Ferris Wheel and the twisting madness of a roller coaster, while the derelict walls of a massive industrial-style building have been converted into both a bumper car arena and a gallery of street art, some of which carries a social message. It is here, perhaps that some of the region’s entertainment events will be held: parked within the carnival is a flat-bed truck, ready to serve as a stage for activities, while table games  sit close by as an alternative from for entertainment to the park’s rides.

The Peak

Meanwhile, to the west, a large sign points the way to the expanse of a trailer park proudly flying the Stars and Stripes, which also incorporates the wooden chalets mentioned earlier.

Quite excellent us is made of elevation throughout the region, with the roads and paths winding up and down slopes, around shoulders of rock, with cobble footpaths twisting their way down to what might otherwise be hidden walks along the edge of the sea, or by way of public courtyard down to the previously mentioned Spanish-themed village. For me, the winding, rise and fall of the principal road through the region again gives The Peak a distinctly English feel, as I’ve travelled along many such single-track lanes in certain parts of England many, many times.

The Peak

Being a relatively new region, most of the properties on the region have yet to be rented. Most are easily recognisable by the presence of a green For Rent box outside of them. I assume these boxes will vanish as places are rented, so a good rule of thumb during visits might be to treat the majority of houses, cottages and cabins on the region as rental / rented residences, regardless of whether a rent box is visible or not. For those who fancy being the lord (or laird) of the area, the rental properties extend to a fortified manor house, the church and manse close by adding to the feeling that this part of The Peak may have once formed a landed estate in the region’s past.

At the time of my visit, some work was still going on within the region, so don’t be surprised if you come across the odd sign indicating this to be the case; there’s also something of a Halloween theme presents as well. But these aside, The Peak is one of the most engaging and considered new regions I’ve visited in Second Life: the wealth of detail, the blending of styles and ideas, the inclusion of a natural and atmospheric sound scape; all of this comes together to present a place well worth visiting, exploring, photographing and simply enjoying. Those who do take photos are invited to share them via The Peak Flickr group.

The Peak

 

Winter Moon – click any image for full size

Incredibly, it’s been five years since I last wrote about to Winter Moon, the always evocative Homestead region designed by Dream Shadowcry (see here for more). How I’d managed to let it drop from my list, I’ve no idea – so my thanks to Annie Brightstar for the reminder via Twitter.

In 2013, the region was a near-perfect embodiment of a monochrome setting, watched over by the tall tower of a lighthouse and making good use of water and coastline to present a memorable location. The lighthouse is still there, something of a signature piece for Winter Moon, and the use of water is retained, giving a feeling of familiarity after so long since my last visit, but unsurprisingly, everything has changed.

Winter Moon

From a monochrome photograph to a lover’s sanctuary, the transformation is wonderful to see – as are the many details that link this iteration of the region with past versions. The aforementioned lighthouse for example, or the ivory piano and the curve of a rocky arch; the upturned boat on the beach and the elegant use of water and land to present a memorable, romantic place in which to spend time.

Resembling an atoll with its southern aspect open the sea, the region sits beneath a default pink misty sky. Atmospheric when it comes to romance, the environment serves to make walking the ring of the atoll a journey of discovery. However, those wishing to take photographs may want to try an alternative windlight – and I have to say that doing so in no way diminishes the sheer beauty of the design; it can also make finding one’s way through the more wooded parts of the island easier.

Winter Moon

An informal path runs around the island, progressing from the landing point in thee west, not far from the lighthouse, to pass over flowered field and under leaf-heavy boughs. Circling a good part of the inner pool of water, it leads the way to where the land climbs towards a set of high, narrow cliffs forming a curtain on the east side of the island. Water tumbles down three sides of this high divide, which separates the lagoon on one side from and eastern expansion of beach on the other, a beach that circles visitors back to the open mouth of the lagoon, spanned by a bridge that reaches out to the lighthouse.

The beach, with broad sands and cut into three by narrows channels spanned by low bridges, looks out on three compass points, and is reached via wooden steps running down from the northern end of the high cliffs. Scattered across the sands are numerous places to sit in the Sun or under shade, be that shade from a windswept tree or the lacy drapes of an Arabesque pavilion.

Winter Moon

The beach isn’t the only place available for sitting: more chairs and perches can be found up on the cliff top, whilst array around the lagoon and seaward coasts are more pavilions and chairs sitting under the boughs of trees.

There is a wonderful mixing of styles here that increases the sense of beauty and romance. The Arabesque pavilion mentioned earlier, for example, sits on the beach like a tent in the desert, not far from the steam flowing outwards from tumbling falls where African elephants sit and bathe. Within the rounded shallows cupped by the land, and elven-like series of arches march out over the water to form a circle where couples can sit or dance to suitable music from the piano sited there; while from numerous trees chandeliers perhaps suits to the halls of some great Georgian house  hang to light the woodland paths.

Winter Moon

Throughout, there are many little touches that bring Winter Moon to life as a place used by lovers – such as the typewriter to be found in a waterside pergola, a heartfelt letter caught on its rollers or the champagne waiting on ice in another pavilion. Over all this, the susurration of water washing the shore or falling from high rocks mixes with the song of birds and the tinkling of chimes caught on the breeze, combine to add further depth to the setting, bidding visitors welcome and encouraging them to stay.

Beautifully imagined and executed, with a lot to see and discover, Winter Moon comes with a fitting dedication:

You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you, that’s where I’ll be waiting.

Winter Moon

For lovers, romanticists, grid travellers and photographers alike, this is a region that remains an enduring place to visit and appreciate – and return to.

SLurl Details

• Winter Moon (Winter Moon, rated: General)

Missing Mile – World of Soap – click any image for full size

We are one of the oldest, grunge style, residential estates in Second Life. We feature opt-in community run role-play and events. Our themes range from the supernatural, to everyday urban life.

– Introduction to World of Soap from the estate’s website

I can vouch for the World of Soap, designed by Loch Newchurch having been around a good while, having first visited it in August 2013 – although I didn’t get so far as writing about it. So my thanks to reader Mili Miklos dropping me a line about it and jogging my memory; the note allowed Caitlyn and I to rectify things with a further visit  and (for me at least) the chance to get re-acquainted with this immersive role-play environment with its supernatural / dark tones.

Missing Mile – World of Soap

Founded by Lock Newchurch, the community covers two regions: the township of Missing Mile and the rural Soap National Park. Both are designed to be set within North Carolina, USA, and the national park includes a reservation for the  Oconaluftee Cherokee. Both regions have their own unique character, and are linked via a road tunnel one to another.

Once the host of ritual murders, disappearances and biochemical experiments by the government, Missing Mile holds its fair share of secrets. Some say this dusty old town has become a lawless haven for the supernatural and the insane. Enter at your own risk! You never know what may be lurking among the humans…

– Missing Mile description, World of Soap website

Missing Mile – World of Soap

Unlike most role-play regions, World Of Soap is opt-in, not opt-out. This means visitors are free to roam the town and the park to get a feel for things while those wishing to engage in local role-play are asked to wear tags to indicate they are players.

Given the supernatural theme to RP, it is open to a number of character types beyond human. These are: infected / zombies; vampires; witches / warlocks; animals; werewolves, and aliens (Greys); according to the website, the option to RP ghosts is “coming soon”. There are also a few character types that are not allowed, as they don’t fit the core role-play theme. These include furries, nekos and fantasy races such as elves.

Soap National Park – World of Soap

The core for role-play in the region is based on the books by Poppy Z. Brite (Billy Martin), the humour from which is also reflected with the regions, as noted above.

A great place for fishing, camping and hunting but beware of the mysterious howls that can be heard late at night beyond the trees. Specially on the night of a full moon.

– Soap Natural Park description, World of Soap website

The World of Soap website provides full details on character types, character creation and role-play rules for those wishing to join the community as players, so I’ll not delve into these further here.

Missing Mile – World of Soap

What I will say is both regions have a lot to offer visually, and present plenty of opportunities for photography, which is welcome within them. I cannot speak for the role-play, although during the three visits name in preparing this article, we did see some people wearing RP tags around the town.

Caught under a foggy sky, Missing Mile has the run-down look of a grunge town that has seen better days. Even so; it is still a township – even if it does have the odd ghost walking the streets and spectres hovering in doorways. Under more open skies, the park offers walks and camp grounds to be enjoyed. However, both also include rental properties for those wishing to make their homes on the region, so do be careful around the houses, etc., to avoid trespass.

Missing Mile – World of Soap

Atmospheric, well designed, with the opportunity for role-play as well as offering a range of events (such as the pumpkin hunt on progress for Halloween), World of Soap is well worth visiting and exploring – and for those looking for new role-play opportunities, it might provide a home-from-home.

SLurl Details

• Missing Mile (Soap, rated: Moderate)
• Soap National Park (Paper: rated: Moderate)