Tag: Calas Galadhon

October is here once more, and with it come the familiar round of pumpkins, mysteries, hauntings and region and parcel builds with a spooky twist.  To be honest, I’m not actually much for all the kafuffle that goes with Halloween, as I’ve noted in the past; however there are one or two exceptions to my overall lack of enthusiasm, of which the most notable is probably the annual Calas Galadhon Halloween build – and 2022 is no exception.

Every year, Tymus Tenk, Truck Meredith and the Calas team bring us worlds of wonder to explore in the form of their Halloween and Christmas wonderland builds as an adjunct to Calas Galadahon Park, and each year we are gifted with (generally) two regions of mystical / seasonal delight. Mixing an atmospheric setting rich in places to explore, scenes to uncover, rides to enjoy and events to attend, all knitted together by the weave of environment settings, soundscape and supporting music, these builds are always and genuinely a highlight of Second Life.

For October / Halloween 2022, the team present Gardens of Shadowfell, a journey to a realms which although probably not modelled specifically after any element of Tolkien’s mythology, carries with it something of a sense of Middle Earth during the Second and Third Ages, mixed with hints of other franchises to offer an engaging potpourri of elements deserving of careful exploration.

As with all of the Calas themed builds, this is one in which it is very important visitors not 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).
• Make sure Advanced Lighting Model is active via Preferences → Graphics).
• Enable local sounds.

It is suggested that those who can, should also enable Shadows via Preferences → Graphics.  This is worthwhile if you can, but I would suggest you’re not losing a lot from the experience if you cannot, as the general look and feel of the regions is just as atmospheric with shadows as with. For those who would like to see Shadowfell with shadows enabled, but may find it hard going, pulling any high (128m+ draw distance down could help boost performance – particularly as the overall design of the build works with moderate draw distances.

In terms of exploration, Shadowfell offers two primary means: on foot, following the paths winding through the regions; and via tour boat (available a short walk from the landing point). I strongly recommend you take the time to use both; the paths and trails offer the most comprehensive way through Shadowfell – including a journey through the caverns; while the boat tour misses the latter, it has its own features and views of the setting that are unique. I would also suggest, perhaps, that when exploring on foot, the accompanying music track is turned off during a first visit. Instead, turn the music on for the boat tour (and for subsequent visits); in this way all of the local sounds can be fully appreciated when exploring. Finally, and as per the guides at the landing point, keep an eye out for the eye-in-hand tapestries along the routes – they offer teleport opportunities to additional sit points and locations that you are unlikely to otherwise reach.

This is a place very much of two halves: the landing point directly adjoins a walk that takes visitors through a dark realm. It’s not Mirkwood by any shape or means – but in places it carries a Mirkwoodian vibe. Here the trail winds under the boughs of bent intertwined trees and along an ancient stone path that passes over strange, misty waters on the back of stone bridges. Follow the route correct through trees and mystical quarry, and it will bring you to the entrance to the caverns.

As this entrance here is open and without a great lake before it, there is no need to ponder riddles before suddenly crying, “Mellon!” or fear what might emerge from the waters behind you. However, the first part of the route through these caverns is not as simple as may appear; and those who fail to Touch at the right place might be fooled into retracing their steps prematurely….

The caverns proper are one of those places where I wish Second Life allowed us to set music streams via altitude – for within them, we move from a suggestion of Middle Earth and Tolkien to what might be called the Realm of Ridley Scott; a place that ideally suits the music of Jerry Goldsmith, as written for Scott’s 1979 Alien (a film which, the first time I saw it a good few years after its release but still on the big screen, fairly scared me out of my knickers!). These are tunnels made to be walked to the haunting strains of Goldsmith’s theme from that film (in fact I actually did this during a visit, with a little help from You Tube, even allowing for the spiders along a part of the route and their suggestion of Mirkwood again!).

Beyond the caverns, visitors can travel onward to where the path is partially drowned; its stonework visible just under the glowing waves, stairs descending to it and rising on the far side of the water indicating it is still the way forward. Cross the waters brings you to a very different realm (and over a region crossing). If the first part of the journey gives a sense of travelling (in part) through Mirkwood, then here lies a suggestion of that great forest before it fell into darkness, and the times when it was known in elvish as Eryn Galen, or Greenwood the Great.

Here, while there are still creatures of darkness / mystery lurking, so too are sights more pleasant: rabbits might be found frolicking, whilst further on is a great and wild garden of exotic flowers and plants filled with a sense of a mystic presence. This is a place in which, gardens and ruins alike, there is an unmistakable elven feel – and more than one path to explore. It is also where several of the tapestry teleports can be found – although they are not exclusive to this part of Shadowfell. The platforms and pavilions they access offer a mix of places to sit and opportunities from private dancing.

The individual scenes to be found throughout Gardens of Shadowfell are many and varied – from the Alien-esque elements up in the caverns, to the orcs busily at work through to the zombies wandering here and there and the crocodiles waiting to waylay boat tours and more, time is needed to appreciate all of the detail and care poured into this setting – care and detail that are Ty and Truck’s annual hallmarks. And , of course there are the little touches of humour awaiting discovery – like the Gollum-like alien sneaking his precious way among the face hugger eggs, or the zombie worried about her broken nail or Mickey Mouse, who pops up quite unexpectedly with a happy greeting whilst simultaneously looking a little lost and bewildered…

I could wibble on and on about Shadowfell, but in truth, it’s best you go see it for yourself – and check the schedule of entertainments set for the pavilion there as well!

SLurl Details

• Gardens of Shadowfell (Mist, rated Moderate)

December 2021 has arrived, and with it comes the public opening of the Calas Galadhon winter / Christmas regions, put together by Tymus Tenk and Truck Meredith, ably assisted by the Calas team.

There are many things that make the end of the year special: the holidays, celebrations, snow and more – all of which are to be found in Second Life. However, what is unique to SL, and looked forward to every year, are the Calas Christmas regions. A highlight of the season every year, for 2021, the Calas Christmas setting once again returns to a 2-region layout, and as always both are beautifully decorated for  visitors, with lots to see and do, be it wandering, riding, skating, cuddling, photography, or just getting into the end-of-year spirit.

The theme for this year is A Christmas Wish, and after the last couple of years in the physical world, we’re probably all already wishing for a brighter and more open 2022. In this, the Calas regions get us off to a good start; from the landing point, it’s a short walk to the Arctic Express – a familiar motif for the regions over the years – and thence along the train tracks to where a white stag stands waiting in the train tunnel. However, before anyone can reach the stag, they are teleported to the regions proper.

From here, signposts point the way to the main pavilion, the path itself fairly direct as it winds through snow-laden trees and around the edge of the frozen lake. But while it may be direct, it is not the only route to locations awaiting discovery with in regions, so wandering and exploring is strongly recommended.

The Pavilion overlooks the traditional skating lake, and provides within it opportunities for dancing and getting into the Christmas spirit by a roaring fire. Close by is the balloon tour gazebo, whilst a little further away is a pavilion set out for fine dining. Meanwhile, across the ice, a smaller pavilion awaits dancers who would like a smaller, more intimate dance area.

The balloon ride offer a skyborne tour of the regions, and it is joined at the ground level by the traditional sleigh rides through the region – these can be found close to the arrival point at the start of the pavilion trail. Also awaiting discovery within the region are a number of romantic spots, indoors and out, such as the cabins among the trees. These can be found via exploration or by grabbing a note card from the giver just inside the entrance to the main pavilion and which contains local LMs.

Prior to the public opening, Ty confessed to me he tends to drive himself to have the Calas team “outdo” the previous year’s build, which is getting harder and harder to achieve. My response to this is that, really, I don’t think it is necessary; all of the Calas Christmas designs have been richly engaging down the years, and sometimes a sense of less is more is better than trying to pile things on.

For 2021, A Christmas Wish offers an also perfect balance between offering a richness of Christmas cheer and a relaxed openness of winter settings and walks – some with touches of Ty’s and Truck’s usual humour. There are also numerous poses awaiting discovery that further enhance the opportunities for photography that also make it well worth while taking a wander, rather than just heading for the pavilion and the skating. Finally, there is a also a nice use of off-region elements to the setting that allow for a dense of depth without throwing up huge amounts of off-region landscape to distract the eyes.

Entertainment will, as always, be presented at the Pavilion, with additional entertainment also available via the main Calas regions; for dates and times, refer to the Calas Galadhon blog in the coming days.

The Calas Christmas regions are always a popular destination, and avatars can place the heaviest load on the viewer, consider keeping your avatar dressed accordingly, use Bakes on Mesh, and avoid outfits that utilise multiple high-res unique textures. Also, to assist the simulators, do lighten your script load..

Also, keep in mind that because the regions are popular, you may want to make adjustment to your viewer to help with processing: reduce the maximum number of fully-rendered avatars, perhaps turn off shadow rendering, if used (other than for photography), drop your draw distance, etc.

But above all, enjoy your visit!

SLurl Details

Note that Sincere Estates is rated Moderate.

• A Christmas Wish main landing point
• A Christmas Wish pavilion
• A Christmas Wish ice skating

Calas Galadhon is one of the gems of Second Life – and somewhere we always enjoy visiting. Designed and operated by Tymus Tenk and Truck Meredith, together with their team of volunteers, this 13-region park offers something for everyone: wide open spaces to enjoy on foot or via horseback – those with wearable horses can use their own, while there are horse rezzers to be found around the park; there are opportunities for boating, balloon rides, dancing (including at events at the park’s various locations), and much more.

February 2020 saw the addition of a new attraction to the park: Villa Eirini, and as with everything else at Calas, it is a delight to visit, and offers a lot to be enjoyed and appreciated.

The villa is located on the Bay of Bel, part of the park’s extensive waterways, which extend from Eriador and Erebor in the west (and which are home to the Calas holiday settings at the end of each year, as well as being home to the stunning recreation of Santorini that made a return to Calas in 2019 – see The return of Calas’ Santorini in Second Life), to progress east and north to Long Lake (although they may not be fully navigable by boats due to the low bridges bordering the bay). This affords the villa extensive over-the-water views that – providing you can pump up the viewer draw distance sufficiently – offer stunning vistas from the villa and its immediate surroundings, with the view back to Santorini perfectly framing the architecture of the villa.

Sitting within low walled grounds, the villa is fully and delightfully furnished to offer a place where people can relax, chat and dance, either indoors or out on the terrace that looks eastwards to Santorini and the open-air events venue that sits on the far side of the bay with its flooded gardens and ancient ruins.

A flat table of rock rises immediately to the south side of the villa, coming close enough to almost touch it. With its top reached via spiral stair from the terrace and connecting walkway from the villa’s upper floor, it is home to a secluded and welcoming Zen garden constructed using Alex Bader’s excellent building set (which I’ve coincidentally used at Isla Pey – see Bringing a little (Studio Skye) Zen to your SL garden).

The eastern end of the villa’s island offers a small circle of sand and a causeway linking it to the fens of Belgaer, from which rises the equally welcoming Two Loons waterside café, another addition to the park Ty and Truck added in 2019 (see: The Two Loons in Second Life). The causeway actually forms part of the Calas riding trail, which skirts around the villa to continue north-east over a second causeway to reach the shores of Santorini, before doubling back north and west over natural rock arches across the waters of the bay to reach the headlands of Grey Havens and, beyond them, Armenelos and Long Lake.

We first rode this trail back in 2017, just after it opened (see: A little (Bento) horse riding at Calas Galadhon in Second Life), and places like Santorini and now the Villa Eirnini make it an even more attractive and worthwhile ride today. While the trail does pass the villa, there doesn’t appear to be a horse rezzer close by, so those using the Calas horses to explore and who opt to dismount to spend time at the villa may have to continue their travels on foot.

If walking isn’t to your liking, a pier on the north side of the island offers a couple of boat rezzers. The first will, when touched, present you with a pontoon boat capable of carrying up to 6; the second (and by way of a colour picker dialogue) will present a 2-seat paddle boat. Note that the “driver” *must* select the seat farthest from the pier and sit first / stand last to avoid the boat being unexpectedly derezzed.

Boat niggles aside, Villa Eirini forms another superb addition to Calas Galadhon and makes for a perfect place in which to spend time and relax.

SLurl Details

All Calas Galadhon regions are rated Moderate.

• Villa Eirini landing point (Bay of Bel)
• Calas Galadhon main landing point (Calas Galadhon)