Currently open at Akimitsu, a member of the Akipelago regions held and operated by Akiko Kinoshi (A Kiko), is an exhibition of art by ArtCare gallery curator, DJ and artist Carelyna. Entitled Nefelibata, it comprises a dozen images captured in Second Life and then beautifully post-processed to present scenes with a dream-like quality entirely in keeping with the exhibition’s title, which Carelyna defines thus:
Nefelibata is a Portuguese word that translates to “cloud walker”. It describes a dreamer or someone who lives in their imagination, detached from societal norms, literature, or art conventions. Originating from the Ancient Greek words nephele (cloud) and batha (walker), the term is used to describe an unconventional, imaginative, and dreamy individual who thinks and lives outside the box.
– Carelyna
Akimitsu, October 2025: Carelyna – Nefelibata
Among their many character traits, nefelibata embrace solitude and nature. For them, solitude is never lonely; it is a cherished companion. The natural world, meanwhile, is looked upon as a sanctuary offering both peace and contentment in which reflection and, notably, inspiration might be found, the latter thus becoming a muse for creativity and expression.
To the nefelibata, life is art and art is life. The medium – painting, writing, poetry, dance – are not merely endeavours or performances; they are an expression of existence, both revealing and shaping their identity and worldview. With every word or piece of work they create, they reveal what lies within themselves and exposes an ability to see the world not for what it is so much as for what it might be.
Akimitsu, October 2025: Carelyna – Nefelibata
In this, nefelibatas might be defined as nonconformists. they reside outside of established rules governing their chosen form of expression; as Carelyna notes, “A nefelibata chooses their own path and lives by their own inner truths rather than societal norms”.
All of this is softly, beautifully captured in the twelve pieces presented by Carelyna. In nine of them, individual figures – male and female – are presented. They are the nefelibatas, the settings in which they are featured presenting clear expressions of the individuality of their dreams, their thoughts, the world as they see it within their imaginations. For all but one of these nine pieces, the faces of the individuals are either unseen or at best partially seen, adding to the idea of them being dreamers; their presence within the pieces as dream-like as the setting itself.
Akimitsu, October 2025: Carelyna – Nefelibata
All of them present the world in terms of its natural beauty, each expressing a dream-like quality Taken as a whole, the images marvellously present the theme of the nefelibata and underscore Carelyna’s own position as on of these upward-looking artistic nonconformists.
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025 – click any image for full sizeShadowfell, the special three-region setting presented annually by Tymus Tenk, Truck Meredith and the Calas Galadhon team for the Halloween season, has opened its doors for 2025, and I received an personal invitation from Ty to hop over and take a look – which given the annual treat always presented by the setting, I was only too happy to do.
Now it is fourth year – and thus appropriately titled Shadowfell IV – the setting has also been expanded with a fourth region, with all four being Full regions utilising the Land Capacity bonus available to such.
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025
As with all of the Calas themed builds, this is one in which it is very important visitors note at least some of the guidelines regarding a visit, all of which can be found at the landing point – with the most important perhaps being:
Make sure you Used Shared Environment (via World → Environment).
Enable local sounds and make sure you have particles visible.
If you are on a PBR viewer,
If you are running a non-PBR viewer, make sure Advanced Lighting Model is active, and if your system can manage it, do make sure Shadows → Sun/Moon + Projectors is enabled.
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025
For those familiar with past iterations of Shadowfell, much of the first three regions (Mist, Mist II and Mist III) present a familiar setting and walks. These include the boat tour close to the main Landing Point, the caverns with their experience-based teleport up to the Darkfell setting in the sky, the gardens of Shadowfell, the swamp and ruins, the floating platforms, the creatures and touches of Tolkien I’ve covered in both my 2023 reporting on Shadowfell and my 2024 short video, which I’m taking the liberty of embedding again below.
However, none of the above means these regions should be skipped be returning visitors, there are plenty of new touches and twists worth discovering as one follows the trail(s) northwards through the regions. As such, making your way through all of the regions remains the recommendation.
But it is the newest region in the setting, Mist IV, which is the focus for me in the rest of this piece. It is here that the City Ruins of Shadowfell can be found, together with the Elven Flyer and the magnificent Temple of the Moons.
The Elven Flyer offers another touch of Tolkien, the flyer in question being called Star of Eärendil II – a reference to Eärendil half-elven, forbear of Aragon, who carried the Silmaril Morning Star on his brow as he sailed across the sky (The Silmarillion). Like Eärendil’s voyages across the skies of Middle Earth, Elven Flyer also takes to the air, providing an airborne tour of the newest region within Shadowfell, with occasional dips into the Mist III region. Flights take roughly 17 minutes, and have the novelty of having people ride the winged boats whilst floating (both singles and couples).
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025
The Temple of the Moons and city ruins also offer an interpretation of Tolkien’s legendarium. In Middle Earth, the elves departed “into the west” from Mithlond, the Grey Havens. Here, the Temple of the Moons is described as serving a similar purpose: From which the elves sailed to distant lands, although the reasons for the sailings are different: in Tolkien’s tales, the elves departed because their time in Middle Earth had drawn to a close; within Shadowfell we are informed they departed “before the darkness came”, thus giving Shadowfell a touch of its own mythology.
The temple itself rises from close to the centre of Mist IV, sitting on an island which appears to be of artificial construction more than a natural formation. A single channel of water points north and west to the open sea, presumably the route by which departing elves started their journey to those distant lands. Multiple bridges connect the temple’s island with the surrounding land and gardens.
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025
The towers of the temple rise almost to match the surrounding trees, steps rising to meet the ground level of the structure, the stapes guarding two tall amphora which suggest they might once have been for illumination rather than being filled with liquid, although if so then their fires have long since been extinguished.
Behind the amphora, two tall statues of (presumably elven) warriors stand with their backs to the walls of the temple. They appear to be guarding a floating egg sitting within the first level of the temple. Stairways up to this egg lie on the far side of the central tower relative to the guarding statues. Touching the egg either by approaching via the stairs or from below, will teleport visitor to the upper level of the temple, revealing the reason for its name in the sky to the west – a sky where a dragon also flies.
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025
The moons also cast their light down onto an open space with a pond, a number of naturally raised seating circles (and a woodland throne!), standing stones and a stage area with is back to the sea. This appears to be a second event space, complete with an Intan dance system, so I presume some of the events planned for Shadowfell will be taking place here, although the schedule of events, available at the Shadowfell Pavilion only mentions the latter as an events venue.
As always, the regions of Shadowfell are packed with details and characters – not all of the latter necessarily monstrous or wicked or born of darkness. The Darkfell does continue its Alien-esque leaning whilst offering a couple of new additions (or maybe I’m simply misremembering from visits in past years).
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025
Travel through the setting can be aided through the use of landmarks available through the Shadowfell information notecard, or by keeping an eye out for the Journey Cloths scattered throughout the setting. However, I strongly exploring on foot and working your way around the various paths in order to experience Shadowfell to the fullest, with the boat tour and Elven Flyer helping to ensure you don’t miss anything. Those who enjoy musical accompaniment with their explorations should enable the local music stream, which features a selection of music curated by Ty.
Shadowfell remains one of the highlights of the Second Life Halloween season, and should not be missed by anyone who enjoys Halloween or has a love of fantasy. I gather than further elements might be added whilst the regions remain open, so return visits through October for both the events and additional exploration might be in order!
Calas Galadhon Shadowfell IV, October 2025
As always, my thanks to Ty, Truck and the Calas team for the invitation to explore and for all that they do for Second Life through Calas Galadhon, Shadowfell and their Christmas settings.
It’s October, which means Halloween sits a-waiting at the end of the month. I’ve noted on numerous occasions that I’m not a fan on the modern take on the celebration, but within Second Life I do like to take a look at region settings and installations that offer a take on things that is a little different to the usual. Such is the case with Cica Ghost’s October installation: Happy Halloween, which she invited me to visit as it opened on October 1st, 2025.
Offered largely in monochrome (the pumpkins and stars being the exception here!), Happy Halloween offers much that might be associated with the modern take on Halloween – but also perhaps applies more broadly to generally spookiness and fun. It even carries with it what might be seen as a little nod towards Tim Burton.
Cica Ghost, October 2025: Happy Halloween
The main Landing Point sits in the sky over Cica’s regions of Mysterious Isle, where can be found the usual request about using the local environment settings, a link to Cica’s on-line store and a tombstone teleport down to the installation proper. The latter delivers visitors to a setting caught under the same star-dusted sky as seen from the Landing Point, complete with a crescent Moon low in the sky.
The quote accompanying the build is a popular take on a line made famous by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his first inaugural address. At the time, America we deep into the Depression, and his words in that address were both solemn and intended to give hope and reassurance. He certainly did not originate the phrase in question – various forms of it have been recorded since the 16th century. The version Cica uses gives it a decidedly humorous little twist:
The only thing we have to fear is FEAR itself – and spiders.
Cica Ghost, October 2025: Happy Halloween
And there are certainly spiders to be found here. They grin and bounce among flowers with equally toothy grins, or sit on stalks as if they are themselves flowers. They share the landscape with bat plants and star plants, all growing out of a dusty ground with tall hills all around, their surfaces pockmarked like the surface of a moon. In places the dust gives way to a checkerboard effect, whilst scattered across the entire setting are bare trees, odd little houses and all the local denizens.
The latter come in many forms: monsters who appear to be out for a lark more than to frighten, ghosts who fade in-and-out of view, black cats, giant pumpkins, crows… the list goes on, and I really don’t want to spoil things by saying too much here – other than the little touch of Tim Burton might be seen in the people also scattered across (over over in one case) the setting as they go about their evening’s business.
Cica Ghost, October 2025: Happy Halloween
As always with most of Cica’s builds, there are various opportunities to be found for interaction within Happy Halloween, and plenty of opportunities for photography and smiles.
Ofrenda Nocturna, September 2025 – click any image for full size
Occupying a Full private region, Ofrenda Nocturna is setting primarily designed by Pris (Pieris) and the home of club Afterneath. It’s a rugged setting, the inclusion of Afterneath adding a sense of mystery to itself, for reasons I’ll come to.
Ofrenda is a rugged, natural spot with much interest for photographers and dreamers. Relax, immerse yourself, and indulge your senses. Find those surprises and don’t get lost. This is an adult destination, with something for everyone, so be ready to explore!
– Ofrenda Nocturna About Land description
Ofrenda Nocturna, September 2025
The main Landing Point lies to the east of the region aboard a ferry boat. This has managed to dock at the end of a pier forming a part of a small harbour which is perhaps not the easiest place to test navigation skills, given the number of rocks raising warning heads above the waves and the carcass of a motorboat that didn’t quite make it to the little harbour’s workshop, to say nothing of the warning buoys and local lighthouse.
Alighting from the ferry with bring you to the shore by way of the pier and a rather interesting location for a gentleman’s barber. A scramble over rocks and sand is then required to reach solid land. Here a path made from loose-laid stones skirts around a mini Stonehenge, offer a choice of routes.
Ofrenda Nocturna, September 2025
A turn to the left takes visitors around to where a gypsy caravan offers the treat of “topless Tarot”(!); something which prompts me to note that this is an Adult-rated region, and there are some RLV trapping elements around – so those using RLV/a-enabled viewers – be warned 🙂 .
Close by this caravan, tucked into the south-east of the setting is a grassy headland and a barn. The latter is home to a horse rezzer for those who fancy seeing the region via horseback. A more overgrown field lies above this barn and slightly more to the west, a trio of places to sit and pass the time scattered over its back, one of them alongside the stones of the henge.
Ofrenda Nocturna, September 2025
Follow the path around to the right of said henge, and it will give the choice of crossing either of the region’s two streams. To the right, an arched wooden bridge provides access to a further choice of routes.
One of these runs alongside the larger of the two streams, passing behind the local camp site and up towards the stream’s rugged source. The second path runs more or less north from the bridge and provides the most direct route to the campsite / trailer park, both of which overlook a couple of linked inlets cutting into the region.
Ofrenda Nocturna, September 2025
The remaining path, helpfully highlighted by a “This Way” sign offers the way to three more of the region’s interesting settings: a hideaway tucked into a hollow of the rising land and complete with a hot tub and another adult-themed element. This is reached via steps hewn into the rock, some of which also descend into one of the region’s caverns. A separate path winds up and over the hideaway to a rocky path leading up to the ruins of an old abbey and chapel occupying the north-eastern headland.
The path on the far side of the second bridge offers a choice of routes: one to the region’s second large cavern – and the surprise waiting within; and a path up to the cobblestone paved plateau forming an open-air event space. A gravel path leading off of this event space offers access to the aforementioned Afterneath, and via the span of a stone bridge, to a large Zen garden hugging the very western edge of the region.
Ofrenda Nocturna, September 2025
Sitting within its own parcel and EEP environment, Afterneath sits under the Zen garden within the region’s largest cavern. Two searchlights mark the way down and into the atmospheric club.
Once a month, Afterneath opens fully, unleashing a night that is seduction. This isn’t the kind of party where you stand against the wall and sip something safe. This is where the rhythm takes you under, where sweat and smoke blur together, and where strangers become something more beneath the strobe and shadow.
Rich in detail and with a stormy sky (which may not be obvious from my images here, as some odd rendering artefacts encouraged me to substitute an environment setting over the local EEP)and sprinkled with sculptures, Ofrenda Nocturna makes for an interesting visit and place to explore.
Buddha Garden, September 2025 – click any image for full size
In February 2025, I visited the always enticing Buddha Garden, designed by Gian (GianArt Clip), with the support of Viola Blackwood (see More time within a Buddha Garden in Second Life). This is a truly beautiful setting utilising the Land Capacity bonus available to Full private regions to present a place that is largely public in nature, with some private residences available for rent as well.
Given the sheer beauty of the region and the creative talent poured into it, I actually hadn’t expected it to be changing again in the short-to-medium term, so I was surprised to receive a message from Gian indicating further changes have been made, and inviting me to pop along to take a look. Understandably curious (and admittedly a little worried that the designed I’ve visited in February had vanished), I jumped across to have a look.
Buddha Garden, September 2025
My fears were totally unfounded: the majority of the region remains very much as it appeared back in February, its beauty intact. What has changed is hidden by the waters sitting to the south-east of the setting, specifically those separating Frog Island (the flat-topped island of private residences I mentioned in my February article) from the main bulk of the region. It is here, under the waves, that Gian has added a marvellous set of of what I’ll call drowned gardens, including an Ancient Dragon Theatre.
A direct SLurl is offered above as finding your way to these new features from the region’s main Landing Point is perhaps not obvious (perhaps intentionally). Should you wish to try, take the steps down from the main Landing Point building and then make a left turn, following the coast and trail under the stone archway guarded by two tall carved figures of Buddha. From here, cross the field of Sakura blossoms and go over the bridge beyond, before following the coast along the south side of the region as it passes between open water on one side and waterfalls on the other.
Buddha Garden, September 2025
Here the path passes over a shoulder of rock where more water drops into a bathing pool, before dropping down to a golden meadow watched over by a golden Buddha. A little stone bridge on the far side of this meadow offers the public way forward, but if you walk out into the waters before the bridge, you’ll find yourself slipping underwater and coming across the submerged path linking the two undersea elements, marked by tall fronds of seaweed and passing giant turtles and glowing jellyfish.
The first of these, the “drowned gardens”, are reached either by the direct SLurl given above or by turning left on reaching the submerged path – two more Buddha figures with pulsing orange eyes mark the steps leading down to the gardens in the case of the latter.
Buddha Garden, September 2025
Sitting within a natural amphitheatre, the drowned gardens are enclosed by ancient walls. Patrolled by fish of all sizes, including a large marlin, together with mantra rays and giant turtles, they feature a large shrine to Buddha, guarded by dragons and offering a place of meditation before it. Also within the gardens, seahorses dance amidst the brightly coloured seaweed and kelp growths clinging to the aged walls and the rocks of the seabed. It’s a small but tranquil setting.
The Ancient Dragon Theatre, meanwhile lies west and south of the drowned gardens, at the far end of the underwater trail. For those who teleport directly to the garden, the steps up to the trail can be found beyond the stone gateway directly behind the Landing Point.
Buddha Garden, September 2025
Following the trail brings you close to the water’s surface before dipping down to reveal a narrow cleft in the rock. Here, fish once again swim and dance and bright strands of kelp mark the way down into the cleft to its “carpet” of coral. However, the most eye-catching aspects of the cleft are two vividly coloured and ornate Chinese celestial dragons. Standing atop of carved columns, they guard the way forward, their expressions as fierce as the the bladed weapons they hold.
Beyond these dragons the cleft broadens, coral giving way to a floor carpeted with fungal undergrowth rich in colour as it points the way between two more wardens, this time great wingless dragons. Passing these bring you finally to the Dragon Theatre, where its host is holding court amidst a circle of stone-carved Buddha figures. The theatre itself is almost completely obscured by the surrounding rock until one enters it, the central opening above the stage and its occupant allowing sunlight and moonlight take their turns illuminating the scene within.
Buddha Garden, September 2025
Mystical and attractive, these underwater elements are a fitting addition to what was already a must-see destination, further elevating its status.
Critterflop Hallowpop, September 2025 – click any image for full size
October is starting to rise over the year’s horizon, bringing with it – inevitably – thoughts of Halloween, pumpkins and all the associated shenanigans associated with this time of year. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a particular fan of the modern hullabaloo around Halloween, but within Second Life it can sometimes be rewarding exploring suitably themed region designs that opt to offer offer something a little different from the usual fare.
One such place is Critterflop Hallowpop, the latest iteration of Alpha Auer’s Alphatribe Island.
Critterflop Hallowpop, September 2025
Following somewhat is the tradition of Quirklewick Hollow (see my piece here for more) and Gingerbread and the Woodies (again, see my piece here for more), Critterflop takes a jump into a critter-led celebration of all things seen as Halloween related – broomsticks, pointy hats, pies, and more – coupled with a further engaging science fiction-ish twist.
As with the two designs mentioned above, Critterflop Hallowpop focuses on a village setting, one which seems to meander across a misty landscape and between autumnal trees gathered into groves close enough to one another to form a loose woodland. But as this is Alpha, the homes and houses in this village are far from ordinary: their styles are an engaging combination of ideas and looks.
Critterflop Hallowpop, September 2025
Black roofs rise to points or curves, their looks distinctly hat-like over and around white walls withing which the placement of windows and doors can suggest the idea of a face here and there. In addition, the shapes of some houses are almost organic and / or suggestive of familiar objects – a sailing boat here, a coffee pot lacking its spout there (or perhaps a lighthouse tower with a hat replacing its lantern room), a pumpkin with its oversized stalk draped by a large hat, and so on. One even sits on four sturdy legs with a beak and eyes at one end and a tail at the other, looking like a living creature, the living space with familiar door and windows forming the creature’s body.
On, in, and around these are the village’s inhabitants – cats, crows, bats, rag dolls, a sorcerer, and raccoons. They all share the space with more curious characters. Some of these appear to be little aliens coming for a visit, others – the bird-like cats, for example – suggest some of the locals either have ingenious Halloween costumes or have been tinkering with magic.
Critterflop Hallowpop, September 2025
Not that any actual dark mischief is going on here; the locals are having too much fun for that. The raccoons, for example, appear to particularly enjoy baking pies. Wander through the woodlands and you’ll find a group of them showing off their baking skills whilst sitting on giant pies. Elsewhere, in a clearing, more raccoons are demonstrating their broomstick riding skills as they circle a bonfire, watched by an appreciative audience of other racoons together with rag dolls.
All of the critters to be found within the village are available for sale and come as huggies. A market stall featuring all of them, together with framed paintings, can be found to the north-east of the setting. Just across from it is a further store area, again offer the current critters together with those from previous builds, together with her superb sculptures and unique flora.
Critterflop Hallowpop, September 2025
As ever with Alpha’s designs, Critterflop Hallowpop is charming in its engagement, and photogenic in its uniqueness and detail. On arrival, I strongly recommend locating the information giver close by the Landing Point. This will deliver a folder of information and bits – notably an introduction to the setting with ideas for enhancing your visit, and some notes on best viewing.
In short with the latter, please using the local Shared Environment for lighting; if you can, enable shadows and local lighting and push your draw distance as high as s comfortable for your system’s performance). Also included in the folder is a rezzable pack of complimentary poseballs for people to use it they wish (rezzing is open within the region, with a 120-minute return time – but do please pick up anything you might rez out).
Critterflop Hallowpop, September 2025
But above all, do visit Critterflop Hallowpop and have fun
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 