We were drawn to Whimsies and Dreamscapes, a Full region using the additional 10K land capacity designed by TwinkleStarLight, on the recommendation of Shawn Shakespeare. And I have to admit, the region certainly lives up to its name and description: this is a setting that is intentionally an eclectic mix of offerings on land, on water and – if you’re prepared to take a dip – under the water. So much so that actually trying to formulate a description isn’t that easy – discovery is perhaps the best way to learn about the various elements. However, I’ll try to offer a little teaser.
First, up the land – which is split into a number of boxy, rocky islands, water channels and low-lying areas of grasslands – has no enforced landing point. The one I’m using here is the one provided (at the time of writing) in the About Land floater, but you can pretty much hope around quite freely. The landing point I’ve used sits on the lowlands of the region, toward the north-west corner. Backed by Whimsies Candy Shop – which might be regarded as a “gateway” to the underwater elements of the region – it offers a good starting point for explorations of the region’s lower grasslands.
Bounded by water on all four sides, the shop and the lawn before it are connected to the rest of the lowlands be means of a simple wooden bridge passing under a high rocky arch. Beyond this sits a more curious landscape, a place filled with old ruins, a tumbledown retreat on the top of a small hill (looking for all the world like a wizard’s hideaway although it is a fact a cosy little snug), a stone henge, paths and trails and wild gardens stalked by flamingos and a unicorn, and both human and elven houses that again offer places to sit and relax and share time with others.
Scattered through these areas are a number of teleport mirrors. According to the about land description, these are apparently designed to assist in getting around. Unfortunately during our three visits, the mirrors were non-responsive; even joining the local group (there are approximately two inviters you may encounter whilst exploring) failed to wake them up for us. Fortunately, insofar as getting up to the highlands in the region is concerned, there are ways other than teleporting available (although I’ve no idea whether or not the teleports also provide access to places in the sky over the region).
One of these routes can be found on the south side of the large inland island to the west of the region. Decorated in the form of a graveyard (for Halloween, perhaps?), it can be reached via a set of stepping stones located close to the elven house. Creepy though it might be, the upper part of the cemetery with to one of the region’s more whimsical elements: a mist-covered “sea” that tumbles down the sides of the island on which it sits to the waters below; it is home to the partially sunken and broken hulk of a galleon. That his ship might well be wrecked doesn’t appear to bother the chap floating on a modern life buoy within the wreck; perhaps that’s down to the rum his appears to be enjoying!
A further bridge, this one on southern coast of the cemetery island and a short walk from the stepping stones, gives access to the western extremes of the island. High and low, the land here offers a mix of more garden spaces, a floating house set out as both an artist’s retreat and a place for people to again enjoy time together, and beaches. Steps again lead up to the the tops of the cliffs where the further one travels northwards, the more eclectic and whimsical things get.
The nature of the region means that I really don’t want to give too much more away in terms of outright description; as noted, this is a place that deserves exploration and discovery. However, when visiting I would suggest that you experiment with local windlight settings; the default offered by the region doesn’t entirely do it justice.
Also, don’t forget the underwater elements! These are perhaps best explored starting with a leap off the pier at the back of Whimsies Candy Shop, and offer a number on little garden spaces connected by narrow pathways between steep sandy slopes that could perhaps benefit from rocky cladding – but land Capacity is Land Capacity! The quirkiness in the scale of some of the items here makes these spaces a further curio of exploration, and I particularly liked the octopus’s garden – and what lies above it. For those who prefer time on the water rather than under it, the pier behind the shop is also one of the places where swan-headed boats can generally be obtained for cruising the region’s channels and bays.
Unconventional in presentation, rich in detail and with plenty to see and plenty of places to pass the time, Whimsies and Dreamscapes can made for an engaging visit where there camera may well see a fair degree of use.
SLurl Details
- Whimsies and Dreamscapes (Spinker, rated Moderate)
- Exploring Second Life 2019
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