Category: Reviews

Content creator and friend Cube Republic – who is responsible for some superb plants and landscaping kits  – pointed Caitlyn and I towards a fantasy / medieval role-play region he’s been helping out with, and which is open to the public although still under development.

Set no later than the 15th century, Revenland offers a rich environment for role-play utilising a variety of races  – although there are some constraints on what is and isn’t allowed within the information pack available in the skyborne arrival area. Largely the work of littlenixie, the region represents the continuation of an idea which initially started in AOL before moving to the immersive spaces offered by Second Life.

The region itself is divided into two primary areas: the human-controlled castle and town of Redfoem, together with the Ter’li Fields, separated from the rest of the region by a wooden palisade. Beyond these lies Revenland Forest, home to non-human characters, regarded as a bandits by humans, and the Undercity, home to underground dwellers. Mention is also made of the Honeysuckle Falls – which I think can be found towards the centre of the region – and the Lost City of Lava, which is part of the work-in-progress along with some of the underground areas, as region Admin inboccaallupo informed me:

[They’re] a work in progress. The Undercity is something that will be for a faction and come back new and improved build wise. While some things are a bit more for events, such as the catacombs are on sim and accessible but highly dangerous for the time being, and thus would require a skirmish or group to enter in order to stay safe. Nixie is constantly building her own mesh to update, improve, and bring a more unique look to the sim.

The backstory offers insight into the region and role-play here.

In the past there was a rift between humans and other species, as well as the magical arts. Certain territories (Redfoem, Ter’li Fields) are human-controlled, meaning any who do not look or act human or display magical abilities will be run off, tortured, perhaps even killed (this is up to you). However, don’t expect to stroll into these territories and have nothing bad happen if your character does not seem to fit in with the townspeople.

Like-wise, humans might be ill-received in certain other territories on land, such as in the Undercity.

Non-humans wishing to pass safely within the human areas are advised to either shape-shift into human form, or find an alchemist who can furnish them with a transformation potion. Combat may also form a part of game play; where it does, it is dice-driven rather than metered, although free-form combat is also permissible by mutual agreement. A 1d100 dice HUD is provided in the information pack for most combat situations, together with guidelines on character creation and general rules – the latter of which as noted as being fluid, so as not to stifle developing RP and stories.

If the number of areas within the region seem to be a lot, you needn’t worry about things feeling crowded; such is the design, everything fits together at ground level to leave a good feeling of open space to Revenland. This is greatly assisted by the merging of the region with a mountainous sim surround. So effective is this, that is possible to walk up to the region boundary without realising and then find yourself bouncing off of it whilst trying to continue onwards!

Good use is also made of space both above and below ground. Some areas where this occurs may be obvious, others less so, thus demanding people spend time exploring – although again, those in character had best do so with cautious, depending on their race and where they are!

Visitors to the region who do not wish to participate in any ongoing role-play are asked to wear the Observer tag, which is available in the information pack and via the packing crates at the teleport points. Other than this, and a request that they don’t engage in local cha to disrupt and role-play, visitors have a free hand in exploring the region – but do keep in mind there are places available for rent which may be people’s private homes.

For those seeking a new medieval / fantasy RP environment, Revenland might be just the place to hop over to and tour.

SLurl and Links

• Revenland (Rated: Moderate)
• Revenland website

I first visited Roche in 2012 (see here). Then held by ddsm2 Mathy, the region offered a rural setting which was instantly attractive, making it a popular destination for SL travellers. In 2015, it was announced Roche would by closing. However,  Ricco Saenz pointed out to me, it later re-opened as Up to U, a collaborative effort between Fio and ありえす (ArieS Magic), offering a new look and beauty, which I wrote about here.

Over the course of the next year, I lost track of the region, so I was intrigued to catch word from Annie Brightstar that Roche would once again be closing at the end of September, as announced by the region’s current holder, Uta (xoYUUTAox). Intrigued, Caitlyn and I went to have a look.

Mostly given over to water, the region sits beneath a dark sky, lit to one side by a bright white star caught forever just above the horizon, giving the region a magical, otherworldly feel. Tall trees are scattered across the shallow waters, their willow-like branches glowing dimly and strung with lights as much as leaves. Blue and red lilies carpet the water under some of the trees,  whilst a grove of bamboo stands guard around two oriental style bridges, which rise from the water to span the water, sharing the space with tables of alien-looking blue plants caught in the light of that distant star.

Ruins can be found among the carpets of lilies, and to one side of the region a single rocky outcrop pushes its way clear of the dark water, a giant piglet asleep on its grassy head.  The remaining occupants of the region can be found flapping above a dual line of old electrical poles, or fussing around the litter of chairs and seats scattered in the lee of the poles.

With light falling like raindrops from a cloudless, starry sky and lanterns floating on the water, Roche is a strange, but enchanting place. There is no ambient sound scape; instead the gentle sound of piano solos is offered via the audio stream. For those seeking somewhere to sit, places can be found among the jumble of chairs and seats, at the top of a curving flight of steps, among the ruins, or against the giant piglet on his island.

Roche has always offered unique environments, and Uta’s design is no exception. Whether or not the next incarnation of the region maintains that tradition remains to be seen; as does whatever comes next from Uta’s imagination; I gather she is already thinking about something new elsewhere. In the meantime, if you’ve not paid her vision for Roche a visit, you might want to do so before the region changes hands once again.

SLurl Details

• Roche (Rated: Moderate)