Tag: Exploring SL Archives

Loch Noble, Pinewinds (Flickr) – click any image for full size

It’s been a good while since I’ve had the opportunity to visit a {Noble} build in Second Life, so much so that I’m not altogether sure as to how many I may have missed since last writing about them far back in 2013. So when both Caledonia Skytower and Cube Republic both poked me about Loch Noble at practically the same time, I knew it is time for me to prepare myself for a visual treat and re-acquaint myself with these fabulous region designs.

Designed by Blossom Noble (AaliyahBlossom) and Noa Noble (VonDutch Sweetwater), Loch Noble carries a very Scottish feel in its name and in some of its looks, although it also carries with it touches of England and the continent (or perhaps America) in some of the smaller details.

Loch Noble, Pinewinds (Flickr)

Divided into four areas by the careful use of water, the region presents a series of individual settings which naturally flow together to present a complete landscape to the visitor. The landing point, for example, sits on an old fortification itself located at the foot of low cliffs, above which can be found a small hamlet with a quite urban look to it. To reach it, new arrivals must follow a wooden board walk, the cliffs to one side and a body of water – perhaps the loch of the region’s title – on the other, until they reach a dry stone wall and gate. Turn left after passing through the gate, and you can make your way up to the town, turn right and you can follow the track over a bridge and through a rural landscape to the Noble’s private home (do please respect their privacy!).

The little town offers a couple of streets, some shops and some little touches of the UK – a Royal Mail pillar box with an old red telephone booth not far away, for example – while through a gated side passage (or around the corner at the far end of a street) sits a cosy little pub overlooking the broad waters, with the hills of the region surround beyond again presenting an illusion of being on the banks of a loch.

Loch Noble, Pinewinds (Flickr)

From the town, and by following the paths, visitors can make their way to the more rugged landscape on the east side of the region. This is again split into two by a narrow channel of water, the land to the north comprising a high rocky plateau with a health-like feel to the top, and which hides a secret within (follow the path to the cave entrance, or take the ladder down  the well-like opening on the plateau). Across the narrow divide, on lower land sits a henge, a screen of trees and another little stream separating it from the Noble’s house.

This is a beautifully located location in which everything flows together naturally. Considerable effort appears to have been taken to ensure the region surround blends at much as possible with the region’s appearance, giving further depth to the landscape. This is particularly apparent in the more upland areas, where the region surround frequently gives the illusion of the landscape rolling away to a hazy and quite natural horizon.

Loch Noble, Pinewinds (Flickr)

The {Noble} builds in Second Life have always been somewhat special; places to be savoured rather than just visited. While it may not in small parts be entirely mindful of Scotland, Loch Noble nevertheless maintains this tradition in composition and presentation. I’m certainly enamoured with it, and confess to enjoying spending my time at the henge and up on the rocky plateau in particular; so much so that you may find me loitering at one or the other when you visit!

SLurl Details

• Loch Noble, Pinewinds (Rated: Moderate)

Belleck House, Oct 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

The seasons change, and in the northern hemisphere winter draws closer, while in the southern, summer beckons. In Second Life, and almost bridging the two, Sera Bellic offers us a new design for her Lick Sim Designs demonstration region of Oyster Bay.

Belleck House present those of us in the northern hemisphere with a period of Indian Summer in the midst of late autumn, while for those south of the equator, it offers a taste of the summer to come. What’s more, in contrast to recent builds on the region, such a The McFly Project, which I wrote about in July, and the apocalyptic End of the World before it,  it offers a much simpler canvas in which to immerse oneself – although “simpler” should not be taken to mean lacking in detail. Far from it.

Belleck House, Oct 2015 (Flickr)

This is a wonderfully rural scene, the simplicity of which is in the very light touch of buildings and balance of open spaces and wooded surrounds. For me, it had a ring of England’s Cotswolds in part, whilst also being far removed from them, but the feeling was enough to help me feel a comfortable level of familiarity as I stepped out of the high stone tower of the landing point and wandered over the hill and into the region proper.

Belleck House is another design which amply demonstrates Sera’s eye for placement and design. The houses, church and folly are all carefully placed while remaining entirely natural within the surrounding landscape, the tracks and long, undulating stone wall serving to add a sense of being dee within the countryside, where sheep calmly gaze, and the church might just serve a small hamlet, perhaps just over the slopes behind it.

Belleck House, Oct 2015 (Flickr)

This is both a serene place and one that is highly photogenic. In fact, such is the overall natural beauty of the setting, that I wouldn’t have been at all surprised to have wandered down into the fields and through the gap in the dry stone wall to find a painter sat behind easel, capturing the view in watercolours or oils. In fact, a peep inside the main house suggests there is an artist living or staying there, although they may well be a little sidetracked with the decorating at the moment. Whoever they are, they do appear to be taking care to compose a letter, and also to enjoy Lewis Carroll. Perhaps the latter is why a little afternoon tea has been set out on the garden table…

At a time when most of us are focused on Halloween, spooky comings and goings and the promise of tricks or treats, Belleck House offers a pleasing side step into those long, lazy summer afternoons just ripe for a wander along tracks and between fields, simply seeing where your feet take you and what may lie around the next corner or over the next brow.

Belleck House, Oct 2015 (Flickr)

SLurl Details

• Belleck House, Oyster Bay (Rated: Moderate)

WOD: Château Village (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Note: this vision of Pandora Box of Dreams has closed.

Miza Cupcake Verlack, partner to Lokhe Angel Verlack (Jackson Verlack) of Pandora’s Box of Dreams fame, recently contacted me about a new role-play environment she and Lokhe are developing. Given I’m very much an admirer of Lokhe’s region designs, I was keen to accept her invitation for a personal tour of their new realm.

World of Darkness: Château Village, as perhaps the name suggests, draws its inspiration from the World of Darkness universe. The intention is to provide an immersive story-based environment with its own flavour of background, events, races and characters. Formal role-play won’t actually commence until after the Grand Opening, but there is currently an open invitation to those who are curious to visit the region and its accompanying website and find out more about the environment, races, factions and various back stories already created, and perhaps enrol as a player and formulate a character of their own.

WOD: Château Village (Flickr)

To get a flavour of the setting and intent, it is easiest to quote from the introductory notes:

The World of Darkness: Château Village, resembles the contemporary world, but it is darker, more devious and more conspiratorial. The dichotomy between rich and poor, influential and weak, powerful and powerless, is much more pronounced than in the real world. Decadence, cynicism and corruption are common. Humans are unwitting victims or pawns of vast secret organizations of supernatural creatures. Vampires, werewolves and wraiths – among others – struggle with internal factionalism and against other species in secret wars of intrigue for control of reality.

Thus it is that Château Village is a place cast forever in the twilight times, where the sun never rises and day never quite comes. A contemporary 20th / 21st century island town located just off the coast of France, it is at first seemingly an ordinary place. Houses are lit from within, warmth and light spilling from windows, and the streets are illuminated by lamps which cast aside shadow and increase the feeling of normality. However, all this is just the surface calm which barely conceals the maelstrom of intrigue, rivalry, the supernatural and magic, the foundations and structure of which are carefully defined through the Château Village website.

WOD: Château Village (Flickr)

In terms of the physical environment itself, this has been beautifully crafted by Lokhe and makes superb use of the available space within the region. So much so that in exploring, it is hard to escape the feeling that it is a place occupying more than a single region.

Architecture and environment are important here, serving to define the various factions occupying them. The Camarilla clan of vampires, for example, occupy a mansion of quite contemporary design located overlooking the main town. The Sabbat, a clan of vampires with a very different philosophy, occupy an older part of town, one perhaps reflective of their more archaic approach, and their desire to stand aside from (and rule over) others. Meanwhile, the Garou (lycans) live in a more rural area suggestive of the edge of town, and close to the woodlands and wilds.

Given this is a world very much of secrets, magic, and hidden powers, there are also hidden places accessible only to those who know the way (or those fool enough to ignore warning signs), and which lay up in the sky or are hidden underground, again making further adding to the expansive feel to the various locations in which RP might take place.

WOD: Château Village (Flickr)

Touring the region, the level of love and attention which has been poured into it is evident; as is the desire of Lokhe and Miza and their team to make this a community-driven RP environment.It’s also highly photogenic – and I did spot Loverdag exploring while I was there!

I understand the Grand Opening is to take place – appropriately enough! – on October 31st, although details are still TBA at the time of writing. Therefore, and as mention, of you are into supernatural  / dark powers RP and are looking for something new, why not drop into Château Village and have a look around and peruse the website. Should you be interested in signing-up, you can find the application form on the website.

SLurl Details and Related Links

• World of Darkness: Château Village SLurl (Rated: Adult)
• World of Darkness: Château Village website
• Château Village Flickr group

Crossing Sands Marina (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Fellow Brit Geoff Qunnell posted an image of his club and boat slips at Richmond Landing, which forms a part of the Crossing Sands community and estate, and it served to remind me that while I started exploring the estate earlier in the year, I never actually got around t completing my explorations or blogging about them. So I set out to put matters to right.

Operated and managed by Little Anwyl (LittleUnicorn Meredith) and her partner Q Anwyl (Kejwla Anwyl), Crossing Sands is an estate of 32 regions, mostly residential homesteads, which have been designed as a themed estate with a distinctly Californian tone to it. Community focused, it offers a range of attractions to residents and visitors alike, including motorbike and car racing tracks (one at ground level, the rest up in the air and reached via the teleport stations to be found around the estate),  driving, boating and flying.

Richmond Landing at Crossing Sands (Flickr)

As it had been several months since my initial visit, I decided to initially re-acquaint myself with the estate by flying out of the local airport  and seeing what had changed since my initial visit (this also gave me the opportunity to try the air racing course!). After this, and on my return to the airport, I took to the road in my trusty (if now a little old and in need of a mesh replacement) 435 GT.

Driving around the estate is another excellent way of finding out about what there is to see and do. The road system connects all of the regions in the estate, using both bridges and tunnels to span the waterways between the various parts of the estate. A drive also helps to get a feel for the various styles of housing used within the estate and what will fit with the theme if you’re interested in becoming a part of the community. It’s also a good way to meet some of the locals.

Touching down at the airport serving Crossing Sands (Flickr)

For those who like to take to the water, sailing and boating is easily accomplished. There are numerous places where boats can be rezzed. I opted to use the Crossing Sands marina for my explorations on the water, which I’m also using as the main SLurl in this article. Do be warned, however, that the bridges in the estate don’t open, so you’ll need to have non-physical masts to safely pass under them if sailing.

The “downtown” areas of the estate are suitably urban in nature, and given the road system that’s available, it should come as no surprise that there are a number of car dealerships to be found here, alongside smaller business districts, such as Richmond Landing. A number of clubs can be found within the estate, offering social opportunities, as well as attractions such as 10-pin bowling and hang gliding.

Crossing Sands (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Should you be interested in renting a parcel or beach house at Crossing Sands, a good place to start is the rental office, located across from the marina I mentioned above. The parcels are all of a generous size, while for those needing a smaller place to call home, the beach houses might be a suitable option.

Whether you looking for somewhere to put down roots in SL, or enjoy exploring themed communities, Crossing Sands is well worth a visit. Should you do so, be aware that although many of the regions are rated Adult, this is not actually indicative of overt adult activities taking place in any of them.

SLurl Details

• Crossing Sands Marina (Rated: Moderate)

Warm Springs (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Take the ferry to Warm Springs, a lovely town with hills overlooking the sea and beaches. Walk the dirt roads under the intertwined ancient trees and see the picturesque charming houses. Take the bridge to the hills where you can see the lighthouse and the cliffs overlooking the sea. Or, simply go to the town’s Bakery and Cafe for some delectable delights. Come, relax, and enjoy the town’s beauty.

Thus read the invitation luring me across the sea to Warm Springs, the homestead region designed by Irina Sofia Deschanel (aka Irina Forwzy) – and I’m glad I was lured, because it is a place to savour and enjoy.

Now held in the cupped hands of autumn, the region is a true natural delight, filled with warm colours, the trees drawing close to shedding their leaves, yet for now offering them as shade from the autumnal sun as you wander the paths and tracks which wind their way around and across the region.

Warm Springs (Flickr)

The landing point occupies a small pier on the north side of the island, a sign inviting the visitor to stroll along the beach to one side while a track beckons one inland. Take your pick as to which you follow; each will offer much to see, be it from the sandy shoreline or from under shady boughs. Just across the mouth of the river from the landing point sits a little orchard, apples ripe for the picking and being harvested ready for market, watched over by the tall striped finger of the local lighthouse sitting atop a nearby hill. To reach this, you’ll need to follow the track inland and cross the river by the covered footbridge.

Warm Springs (Flickr)

Once across the river, the track turns away from the lighthouse, so you’ll have to cross the grassy slope to reach it. As you do so, you might spot the board walk and steps leading down to another beach, this one nestled under the lighthouse, offering a secluded spot away from the world.

Follow the track, however, and you’ll be taken past one of the little houses occupying the region and another set of steps offering the way down to a further stretch of beach, and onwards to a hilltop bakery and coffee-house, where refreshments can be enjoyed, indoors or out.

Back across the river, and relatively close to the landing point, are two more little houses; neither is occupied per se, but they are in keeping with Irina’s statement that the population of Warm Springs can be counted on the fingers of one hand! Both of these houses sit with their backs to the beach signposted from the landing point, completing the circle of the region.

Warm Springs (Flickr)

For those who enjoy taking pictures, there is a Flickr group, and Irina invites those who do take pictures of Warm Springs to consider adding them to the group. Should you enjoy your visit, do please consider making a donation towards the costs of keeping the region open to visitors.

SLurl Details

• Warm Springs (Rated: Moderate)

Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

I’m fortunate to be able to count Boudicca Amat and her SL partner Anthony Wesburn as friends. Both are extremely talented, Anthony as a music lover and DJ with a focus on blues, jazz and rock, and Boudicca as both a storyteller and a gifted artist, as demonstrated by her Flickr stream.

As a storyteller, Boudicca presents readings in voice at Hestium, the home she shares with Anthony, and it was to Hestium that I found myself once again drawn after seeing it featured in the Lab’s Destination Guide Highlights.

Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

A visit to Hestium begins on the steps leading up to a small terrace café overlooking a beach of golden sand and the wide open sea. A chalk board offers a warm greeting to new arrivals and provides a note card with further information about the land – and it is well worth a read. The terrace offers the opportunity to sit and enjoy the view as well as providing access to both Hestium and to the neighbouring parcel, Willow’s Oasis, which is held by Patti Peregrine, aka Willow Amat, one of Boudicca’s oldest and closest friends. Like Hestium, it is open for visitors to explore.

Follow the sign welcoming you to Hestium, and you’ll find yourself on a board walk along which a slightly harried-looking server is hurrying towards the café terrace, laden with cake and refreshments. At the end of the board walk and a short walk along a grassy path, sits a little cottage surrounded by trees. This is the kitchen for the café, and within it an even more harried-looking baker is hard at work.

Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

The path continues onwards through the woods on the far side of the cottage, and will bring you by turn and bridge to Hestium itself, where there is much to discover.

This little township, sitting between high cliffs and split by a channel of water, suggests a place snuggled into the Mediterranean coastline somewhere. However, the mischievous raccoons running riot in places suggest an altogether different climatic location; thus we are free to imagine where – and when – Hestium might lie.

All the buildings here are open to visitors to explore, with the exception of the little cottage up on the hill just outside the township proper. This is Boudicca and Anthony’s home, and visitors are requested to respect their privacy. Also, note that in order to explore the library within the town, you’ll need to use the teleport system, otherwise the buildings are accessible on foot.

Hestium (Flickr) – click any image for full size

A place of invisible inhabitants, Hestium offers clues as to who they might be, but it is up to visitors to discover these clues, some of which might be hidden away somewhere in the houses while some might be in plain sight. There are also clues to be found in the Hestium stories Flickr group.

However, why (and how) they have come to Hestium is something for visitors to decide: there is an open invitation for people to write their own stories about the various characters, and to add a photo of themselves as that character, together with a link to their story in the description, to the Flickr group.

For those who enjoy landscape photography, there is a second Flickr group where photos can be submitted, and these may include avatars as well as being landscape studies.

Willow’s Oasis (Flickr) – click any image for full size

With cuddle spots and places to sit scattered around, and Willow’s Oasis garden next door also awaiting exploration, a visit to Hestium is well worth the time. There are numerous places to sit and relax while exploring, be they on the beach, on the water, or amidst the trees. And there’s also that opportunity to add to the history of Hestium through the stories Flickr group; or you can join Boudicca for a storytelling session in voice every Monday and Wednesday at 15:30 SLT.

SLurl Details and Links

• Hestium (Region rated: Adult; venue regarded as PG)
• Hestium stories Flickr group
• Hestium pictures Flickr group