Tag: Exploring SL Archives

A long time ago in a region far, far away

Posted on by Inara Pey

Onderon, January 2014Onderon – Iziz City (click for full size)

Goizane Latzo led me to travel to Onderon (not to be confused with the region of the same name), an adult-rated Star Wars role-play area located at Tropical Paradise. I’ll say from the outset that I’m not a Star Wars fan by any stretch of the imagination, but the images Goizane captured drew me to the region out of curiosity (I actually had no idea it was directly related to Star Wars until I arrived).

People often get quite het-up over Second Life being described as a “game” and / or that Linden Lab have attempted to add capabilities to the platform which are directed towards gameplay mechanisms of one sort or another (the most obvious perhaps being pathfinding).

Onderon, January 2014Onderon – the forests of Onderon (click for full size)

I’m not about to suggest SL is a game; far from it; but I would point out to those who do complain about the latter of the above two points, that however you prefer to refer to Second Life, it is an environment where a large percentage of creativity on the part of users has actually gone into trying to create immersive game-like environments. People like the MadPea team, or Timmi Allen and his team with things like Dranopia and their other games, for example and SL has always been attractive to role-players from a wide range of genres. So is it really that bad if the Lab try to provide tools which could enhance such environments?

As an immersive role-play environment, Onderon is quite skilfully executed. The arrival point is located high above the planet in at the space station Dauntless, which includes an orientation centre (reached by TP) and a shuttle bay leading down to the planet (reached by a series of passages that take the visitor through the mall space). As this is a role-play region with a specific setting , do please take the time to read the rules which can be found on the Onderon website.

Onderon, January 2014Onderon – bounty hunters! (click for full size)

These will not only set-up the requirements for RP within the region, but also introduce you to the back story of the planet,  Iziz City and the undercity. If you’re there as an observer, please ensure you wear the observer tag (and please don’t metagame!). As a neutral planet, all are welcome to Onderon except Sith.

The planet exists as a couple of region-wide platforms sitting at altitude, and the ground level terrain. In these are located the jungles of Onderon, Iziz City and, down on the ground, the undercity, each providing region-wide space in which to role-play. Teleports connect the space station, jungle and city with one another, and the undercity can be reached via Iziz. Do please note the need for environmentally sealed armour, gas masks or rebreathers; the air down there is pretty blargh, so don’t say i didn’t warn you. I’ll also leave it to you to find your own way down, lest I be accused of trying to encourage you to risk your health making such a visit…

Onderon, January 2014Onderon – the undercity (click for full size)

For those into Star Wars RP and with a hankering to visit other worlds (or take a break from disputes between rebels and Empire) may well find Onderon’s neutrality appealing. There’s certainly space for a lot of role-play, and even a little mystery with dark presence of the undercity. For the casual visitor – again, please reminder the rules for observers – there is also a lot to see and the environment is friendly enough that one needn’t be worried about being accosted for being OOC or anything.

All told, Onderon is an immersive and colourful place to visit, offering a lot to see and do whether you’re into Star Wars or not. Just respect the rules and be careful when waiting on a friend while in any cantina you happen into …

Onderon, January 2014Onderon – Iziz City (click for full size)

More images on my Flickr pages.

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Discovering an island of muses in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Isle of Mousai, January 2014Isle of Mousai, Ancient Alexandria

Isle of Mousai. is a recently opened music venue in Second Life; however, anyone visiting it who has been to Hesperia of Templemore  (a place I’ve been to a number of times, but have yet to blog about) may well  get an odd feeling of déjà vu. There is a certain something about the one that does put you in mind of the other, albeit perhaps in something of a subtle way; the design of the some of the stage areas, the use of statues, the presence of balloons and dirigibles floating overhead.

Isle of Mousai, January 2014Isle of Mousai, Ancient Alexandria (Flickr)

There’s nothing sinister in these similarities; rather they are clues that both Hesperia of Templemore and Isle of Mousai are the work of Luis Lockjaw. However, this should not to be taken to means they are clones of one another; far from it. Mousai very much has a look and feel which is unique and very different to that of Templemore.  It’s not so urbanised in appearance, for one thing, and it has a broader spread of architectural styles, some of which give it a whimsical feel. And while the various styles are distinct, the overall design of the region, which includes the clever use of elevation by way of hills and small escarpments, allows them flow together via the footpaths, tracks and steps which connect them.

Isle of Mousai, January 2014Isle of Mousai, Ancient Alexandria (Flickr)

The primary aim of the region is to provide a venue – or venues – for live music and DJs; however, there is much here to attract the casual visitor, the explorer and those wishing to share a little space with friends. Take the little hilltop open-air theatre, for example, complete with a sheet hanging from a line as the screen; it offers a convivial spot to sit and chat with friends. Elsewhere there are little places to sit on your own or with a close friend, all of them charmingly presented to those wandering the paths and trails.

Colour plays an important role here as well, especially if you take the time to twiddle with your windlight defaults a little. If you do the results can be quite stunning whether you simply want to sit and enjoy them while exploring or if you’re into SL photography.

Isle of Mousai, January 2014Isle of Mousai, Ancient Alexandria (Flickr)

I will get around to blogging about Hesperia of Templemore; right now I’m waiting for the snow there to melt, as I’m pretty sure  that many of those on the North American continent have had more than their fill of wintry scenes already.  In the meantime, if you’ve not dropped into Isle of Mousai, do make a note in your diary to do so, it’s a visual treat!

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Isle of Mousai, January 2014Isle of Mousai, Ancient Alexandria (Flickr)

Seeking respite in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

inimist, January 2014Binemist, January 2014 – click for full size

I first visited Binemist back in September 2013, and I make no apologies for returning to it so soon. For one thing, a lot has changed within the region since that first visit;  for another, Bine Rodenberger is a woman after my own heart, with a love of water, trees, music and art, so I’m naturally attracted to her builds.

Recently given a make-over, Binimist is now predominantly a water-themed region although, as Bine herself says, “I do also love trees, so it is a water SIM with patches of lots of trees.” This is intended to be a place of calm and peace, and the balance of water, trees, artefacts and art, combined with an excellent music stream, achieves precisely that.

inimist, January 2014Binemist, January 2014 – click for full size

There are still elements here that will be familiar to those who have visited the region in its past incarnations – the church still sits atop the cliffs, reached by a winding wooden stairway, and the lighthouse still keeps a sweeping vigil from the south-east corner of the region while pieces from a number of noted SL artists lay beneath its watchful, ever-turning eye, acting a focal points for exploration and contemplation.

There is a low-lying island to one side of the region, where a small copse partially hides a little cottage. Not far from this sits a small cafe complete with flooded patio seating front and rear.  The trees Bine mentions form a small wood towards the centre of the region, from which flooded, tree-line paths twist and loop, leading one past yet more pieces of art and to places to dance and enjoy the company of others.

inimist, January 2014Binemist, January 2014 – click for full size

As a place of quiet contemplation, either when on your own or with a loved one, or as a place to simply dance and relax with a friend or friends, Binimist is up there with the best SL can offer. As such, it serves as a perfect getaway when you simply need a little refuge from the toil of real life – or indeed, Second Life. I know I could happily while away many an hour, both wandering and admiring Bine’s design for the region and the art she’s put out for people to enjoy – and simply sitting and listening to the music stream.

Definitely not a place to be missed, whether you’re new to Binemist or a returning traveller; and if you enjoy your visit – which you will – please consider dropping a donation at the landing point to keep this beautiful region running.

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Farewell Frisch?

Posted on by Inara Pey

Frisch Castle, January 2014, December 2013Frisch Castle – click for full size

Back in late 2012 I wrote about Frisch Castle, a Norman-style set of ruins and once an  orentation spot for new users, particularly those from Germany.

The article struck a cord with many, and Frisch itself was highly regarded in SL for its historical context. At the time of writing, I noted that it was on Governor Linden land, and one worth the visit for those who hadn’t seen it before.

Now it appears to have come to an end. Frisch region, where the castle once sat, is gone, as has the castle’s entry in the Destination Guide (where it once appeared under “Castles and Ruins”). This isn’t conclusive proof that the castle has indeed vanished form Second Life – it may (perhaps) have been relocated. If anyone is aware of this being the case, please drop me a line!

Frisch Castle, January 2014Frisch Castle – click for full size

If the castle has indeed gone, that it is something of a loss. The build may not have been recent, but it did have a sense of grandeur and offered a very photogenic location and an ideal backdrop. As to when it may have been “retired” is hard to say,  my last visit was in July 2013, and I’ve not had the opportunity to return since – or take any further high resolution images 😦 . So here’s a collection of some taken between November 2012 and June 213.

RiTai Dreamland: an eclectic tropical splendour

Posted on by Inara Pey

RiTai Dreamland, January 2014
RiTai Dreamland – click for full size

Goizane Latzo over at Bitacora drew my attention to RiTai Dreamland, a full region which is jointly owned by Tai – HH (Taishatai aka Tai (taisha Lemon)) and her partner Richard (dexterity00).

I’m not sure if the region forms their private home, but Tai and Richard have generously opened it to the public, and the ground level is more than worth a visit, as it is a very picturesque place which offers more than might initially be apparent to the new arrival. Taking a tropical theme as its basis, the region is oriented towards the west – all the better to appreciate SL’s beautiful sunsets – and has all the trapping of a typical location in the tropics: golden sands, tall palms, high rock faces down which waterfalls tumble; the sound of waves breaking upon the shore, a curving, lagoon-like sweep of water cutting into the island, and more…

RiTai Dreamland, January 2014
RiTai Dreamland – click for full size

However, this is not just a tropical island. Follow the paths around it, cross the bridges over the water, and you’ll pass by a fascinating range of artwork from a number of SL artists, including Bryn Oh (who has her own place on the neighbouring RiTai East),  Sniper Seimens, Nera Ireman, Yana Inaka, Nessuno Myoo and Tai herself. Some of these sit on their own, under the shade of palms, others sit within public sun decks or out on and over the surrounding waters. But wherever they are, each of the pieces on display offers its own unique focal point as one explores the island, serving to both give pause as one wanders and to prompt one to carry on around the island to see what else might be found.

The art isn’t only down on the beach areas or on / over the water, either.  There is a tree house offering more pieces to be admired (use the teleport button at the base of the tree to make your way up to it), notably – again – from Bryn Oh. From here a wooden bridge spans the gap to the top of the waterfalls, although you may feel like you need a battered fedora and a bullwhip while crossing it! A further wood-and-rope bridge leads you to the top of the remaining cliffs, and a further view of the landscape below and the surrounding sea.

RiTai Dreamland, January 2014
RiTai Dreamland – click for full size

Alongside of art, a love of speed and flight is very much in evidence in RiTai Dreamland. In the lagoon-like centre of the region sits a gleaming white cruiser, while one of the beachfront lounge areas sports a scale model of a Formula 1 racing car and a gleaming motorcycle. Elsewhere, a number of helicopters can be found, one of which can be flown by visitors wanting to enjoy more of a bird’s-eye view of the island and which the adventurous might want to try taking up and landing on the cliff-top helipad.

Nor is the helicopter the only activity which can be enjoyed here; those who don’t wish to walk around the island can saddle-up and ride a horse; there is also hangliding and surfing on offer as well as the infamous pirate ship Blake Pearl (not to be confused with a pirate vessel of a similar name from a certain film franchise 😉 ) to explore and even canons to fire!

RiTai Dreamland, January 2014
RiTai Dreamland – click for full size

All-in-all, RiTai Dreamland offers a wonderfully imaginative destination which has it all: beautiful  landscaping, some excellent pieces of art and sculpture to admire, things to do and places to simply sit and unwind. There’s even Bryn’s place just across the water, but I’m leaving that for another day and another visit…

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Of willows and water and on finding tranquillity

Posted on by Inara Pey

Annwn Willows, January 2014Annwn Willows – click for full size

I first visited Annwn Willows nigh-on a year ago. Back then, it was known as Just Visiting, and  Joanna Corith had – as she explains in the note card visitors receive on arriving – recently (the end of 2012) started creating small builds within the region.

That visit was marked by me suffering from something of a mental block, blog-wise and struggling to put thoughts together on a number of subjects I wanted to write about. My visit helped clear my mind somewhat, each of the vignettes within the region serving to offer a little haven of peace and tranquillity at a time when even Second Life felt like it was getting a little too full of bustle and noise.

Annwn Willows, January 2014Annwn Willows – click for full size

More recently, Annwn Willows has again come to the attention of a number of bloggers: Ziki, Amy, Honour and more, who have all blogged or re-blogged about it – and rightly so; Joanna’s creativity is infectious in the moods and feelings it creates. As it has been close to a year since my last visit, I thought it time I once again bathed, as it were, in the calming influence of her designs.

One of the major attractions to Annwn Willows, for me at least, has been the fact that it is a water-based region, something Joanna acknowledges herself. This helps imbue the region with a sense of peace and calm, and to bring focus to each of the vignettes created within it. With the current design, the aquatic theme is very clear – the region is almost entirely covered in water, with individual scenes to be found both above and below the rippling waves – or in the case of the arrival point, floating over them.

Annwn Willows, January 2014Annwn Willows – click for full size

Don’t be deceived by the apparent “emptiness” here; there is more to Annwn Willows than may initially meet the eye, and careful exploration is encouraged. This is a place merfolk will enjoy exploring, given there is so much to be enjoyed under water. And when you’ve explored all there is down below, either side of the waves, don’t forget the teleport system, which will reveal more to you in the sky above, including the store area, where proceeds help to keep the region alive.

Calas Galadhon Parklands, December 2013Annwn Willows – click for full size

“Annwn Willows is about a story still asleep. It dreams,” the introductory note card tells us. If this is so, then the individual elements within the region are perhaps images of those dreams slipping into a conscious reality, allowing us to share in them, become a part of them – even add to them through our own presence.

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