Category: Reviews

To the English-speaking world, Bruchtal might not be immediately recognisable when it comes to references to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien – perhaps most notably in The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. However, German aficionados of Tolkien’s mythology will likely immediately recognise it as a reference to Imladris – or Karningul in Westron, the common tongue of Middle Earth. Also known as Rivendell, it is the location of the House of Elrond Half-elven.

Within Second Life, it is the name Sharon Neiro has selected for his utterly stunning personal adaptation of the mythical lands of Eriador (and beyond) within Middle Earth, and which encompasses the Shire and Rivendell.

And when I say stunning, I really do mean exactly that; Tolkien world has oft be reproduced or used as inspiration within Second Life, and as someone with a deep love of all of Tolkien’s work and world-building, I’ve enjoyed many of them down the years.

However, Bruchtal is perhaps the most captivating for its sheer beauty and for the skill and love evident in the way this single Full region has been beautifully sculpted to present two vastly different aspects of Middle Earth separated by many leagues, within a single location whilst allowing both to maintain its own unique identity and offering a sense of genuine journey from one to the other.

Immerse yourself in the magic of Bruchtal, hidden among high mountains, surrounded by deep forests and the gentle sound of mighty waterfalls. Stroll across romantic meadows in the valley, past colourful flower fields and along clear streams. Let your soul unwind to the music of the Elves and find peace beneath ancient trees – or at the riverbanks, embraced by the one you love. Discover the Shire, celebrate with the Hobbits, and enjoy its joyful, romantic charm. Follow the old paths to the Wood Elves, explore their mysterious tree houses, or wander through the deep, enchanted forests.  

– Bruchtal Destination Guide entry

The Landing Point sits on a sky platform high above the region. It offers a choice of destinations – the setting itself, a trip to the J&S and Ink’n’Shape stores and teleports to Pususaari (which I last visited in April 2025) and TheNest: Sunbird (which I also last visited in April 2025).  These are all reached by touching the requisite mirror teleport – which will also require the acceptance of the Sauvagess Experience by Walton Wainwright (the creator of the teleport mirrors), if you have not previously done so.

Touching the mirror for Bruchtal will deliver you to one of the elven halls of Rivendell. This offers information relating to Tolkien’s mythology. For those not familiar with the likes of The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, the board can make for a useful read.

Beyond this hall lies an interpretation of Rivendell which appears to draw particular inspiration from Peter Jackson’s vision for the House of Elrond. It hugs the step sides of the dell within which it lays, trees climbing the steep slopes to either side and waterfalls dropping from on high. With the region surround of high peaks suggesting the lofty heights of the Misty Mountains and the region EEP setting adding a particular beauty to the setting, it is hard not to believe you haven’t been transported to Middle Earth.

Across the dell, and reached via a winding path, a choice of trails wind downwards. One offers the way to the floor of the valley. This is a place of serenity and natural beauty and offering multiple places to sit and pass the time.

The second path continues on down the side of the valley before crossing one of the outward flowing streams and entering The Shire. Here the path winds through a Hobbit village. Whether you opt to see this as Hobbiton itself or not, is up to you; certainly, there is a large Hobbit house on a hill and, below it a field set out for what might be A Long-Expected Party – and towards which a cart and horse is making its way, carrying a certain grey-cloaked wizard…

Beyond the village and the party meadow, the track continues, passing through a pastoral setting and under a stone arch hung with lanterns. As it does so, it takes us further into Middle Earth and to the realm of the Sindarin, the wood elves. Here, among the woods, the great Mallorn trees rise, stairs rising around them to open-sided talans, open for people to visits (as are the Hobbit holes from the village). More places to sit and pass the time can also be found down on the ground and under the shade of the trees.

All of this just scratches the surface of the region – there is much to discover and appreciate. Gandalf, for example, is not the only notable Tolkien character waiting to be found; Galadriel waits (for Frodo?) before her mirror; Elrond stands high up on one of the Talans, whilst his daughter Arwen stands somewhat pensively within Rivendell. Further rounding-out the region is an audio stream featuring arrangements of Howard Shore’s music from the movies, together with pieces by Enya (who, of course, wrote May It Be).

In all, a genuinely engaging, rich setting, beautifully put together and executed – and more than worth spending time exploring.

SLurl Details

• Bruchtal – land of the Elves (Star Light, rated Moderate)

Yoyo Collas is back with another Homestead region design he has called Sunkiss, a late summer / early autumn setting described thus by Yoyo:

Summer has lost its strength, the air is warm, the wind is gentle, the rustling of the leaves announces the change of seasons. Sunkiss offers peace, adventure, and a connection to nature—perfect for those eager to explore.

– Sunkiss About Land description.

Presented as an island with a north-south orientation, the setting features a wide swath of beach to the west, backed by grassy slopes rising to form the backbone to the island their eastern side a rugged line of cliffs dropping back to the open waters.

It’s a simple but effective design, the simplicity of approach making it a welcoming environment with a sense of peace and opportunities for relaxation and sharing.

A single house occupies the setting, sitting with its back to the cliffs towards the island’s north-eastern extent. With a roof insulated by turf and mounting solar panels, it is open to the public and offers a commanding view out over the beach to the west.

An old motorboat sits up on keel blocks alongside of the house, although how it might be safely lowered down the steep slope to the beach below is entirely open to question. Fortunately it appears that when the tide comes in, it does so over a fair amount of the beach – as evidenced by the fishing boat moored to a floating buoy but itself stranded high on the sand as if deposited there by a retreating tide -, so getting the motorboat from the foot of the hill and into the water might not be too hard a job.

The beach extends practically the full length of the island, offering several places to sit as it does so. A houseboat sits mired in the sand at its southern end, again open to the public and perhaps best noted for the cats that appear to have claimed it as their residence. Only one of these feline “owners” appears to be showing some interest in the episode of The Twilight Zone being shown on TV (1961’s It’s a Good Life, which also marked actor Bill Mumy’s second appearance in that series), which is a shame, as it is widely regarded as one of the series best segments.

The main house on the island appears to be an attempt at a degree of self-sufficiency. As well as the solar panels on the roof, energy appears to also be provided by way of a wind turbine located on the island’s southern headland.

This is reached by way of a meandering path-come-trail running along the island’s spine. Along the way, the path passes a semi-rundown barn with further signs of self-sufficiency: chickens watched over by a cockerel, together with goats, while sheep graze on the nearby scrub grass.

The path is not the only route of exploration around and across the island, as it is entirely open to simple wandering. Throughout all of this are many places to sit and pass the time. There’s also a rich soundscape to help bring the setting to life, while birds and small animals add their own touches to the island.

In all – and as one would expect from Yoyo – an engaging visit, rich in detail.

SLurl Details

• Sunkiss (rated Moderate)

Hailing from the UK, Sylvia Sable is the creator of Moonless Designs landscaping, and who demonstrates her creativity and artistry in this regard  through her Full region. Called Fern & Fable, the region is described by Sylvia thus:

Fern & Fable is a public space I rebuild whenever the mood takes me, each time opening a new chapter with its own theme and story. From a fantasy realm, to the dust of an apocalypse.

– Sylvia Sable

For the current iteration, the region presents Bramblewood, a setting which is at its core inspired by the landscape, towns and villages found in northern England, but which it is not unfair to say incorporates influences and aspects far beyond England’s green and pleasant land – if I might use the words of William Blake.

Once upon a time, in the northern reaches of the UK, there were villages bound by stone walls and iron railings, their strength tested by war and time. Cotton mills that once thundered with industry have been re-purposed into gentler spaces, and winding walking trails now weave through fields and hills where locals and visitors find their peace. Here milkmen set bottles by the door before dawn, farms breathe life into the land, and the pub’s hearth glows with welcome at day’s end. Bramblewood is my telling of that story – a Northern UK Village inspired setting where history lingers in every wall and lane.

-Sylvia Sable

The reason I suggest the setting draws – intentionally or otherwise – on other physical world locations is for several reasons.
Take the mountainous region surround for example; whilst the north of England does have the Pennines, the mountains surrounding Bramblewood are perhaps taller and more rugged than might be found along England’s backbone and for me, brought to mind Scotland’s Grampians. Similarly, parts of the built-up area of the setting and some of the low-lying areas perhaps have hints of North America and Europe.

However, this should not be taken as a negative critique of the region’s design; there are practical reasons why some aspects might well suggest places further afield than England’s northern counties. If nothing else, apart from iconic “British” elements such as the old red Post Office telephone boxes and the familiar red columns of Post Office letter (mail) box, thatched cottages, things that are quintessentially “England village” in tone and look are far outnumbered by other items sold through the Marketplace and in-world, thus some mixing is entirely natural. More to the point, the mixing of elements and styles give Bramblewood a further sense of being a special place in time and space.

The setting takes up roughly two-thirds of the region, with an open body of water to the south. The land is further split between a larger and smaller land mass, the latter sitting to the west, a tongue of land connecting it to the larger area. This western area pays homage to the north of England’s heritage as the cradle of the industrial revolution, being the home of large factory / warehouse buildings, the entire area updated as an event space.

The eastern end of the island is home to the main village / town setting. This again mixes elements, some of which are to be found in English country villages – dry stone walls, the aforementioned telephone and letter boxes, a cottage and local pub (with a further outdoor event space). Other elements perhaps lean more towards the United States (road signs, pumpkins for Halloween), which as noted, give the village and unique look and feel.

The middle of the setting is given offer to a open space of natural beauty, richly wooded and with paths and trails meandering through it, a stream tumbling down from the hills, waterfalls serving a river, camp sites, fishing spaces and plenty of opportunities for exploration and photography.

It is within this parkland that the Landing Point is located, presenting the richest opportunity for exploration and discovery. And discovery is the best way to appreciate both the beauty of Fern & Fable – Bramblewood and Sylvia’s design skills- so why not pay a visit yourself?

SLurl Details

• Fern & Fable – Bramblewood (Karmic Wonder, rated Adult)