By Becky "Sha" Shamen
While scanning the World Map for interesting, unusual sim groups, we
came across this cluster of 30 sims. The individual sims were laid out
in such a way as to allow one to travel to all points in the cluster,
while being spread out over a larger area of the grid than a compact
grouping would cover. It was also clear that every sim also contained
water areas that made it obvious that the preferred mode of
transportation is by boat. We have a collection of boats, but thought it
best to make a quick visit to determine what the rules are and what
kind of craft would fit best in the area. Zooming in on the map, we
notice that the sim which is fourth from the top and second from the
right is the only one without any water of it's own and has a darker
texture at the center. This seemed like a good clue that this sim might
be an administration and gathering area, so it was selected as a
starting point for our adventure.
Arriving on a beach, on the West side
of the sim, we open "About Land" and read up on what the area is about.
The entire cluster is known as "Seduction Estates" and is dedicated to
selling or renting residential properties. There are no shops or dance
clubs or other public gathering spots. This region is for rich,
hedonistic, clothing optional adults to have their mansions in a
"Tropical Paradise", kind of like a "Beverly Hills on the sea." The
rules say no child avatars are allowed, but there is no mention, for or
against, of furries being permitted. We played it safe, by going as a 4'
tall adult human female. To keep up with the Jones's, we decided to get
an inexpensive motor yacht and found one at the Marketplace, for only
$75.
We rezzed our yacht at Sunny Beach, to get a feel for how it handles.
Satisfied that it would be a good craft for the adventure, we dressed in
a yellow polka-dot bikini and a modesty top, to give us the rich girl,
playing with "Daddy's Money" look.
We plotted a course that would begin at the Northeast sim and
would take us through all thirty sims, using the public waterways. Since
most of the properties have security orbs, we wanted to avoid getting
sent home, so most of our exploring would be done by zooming and panning
our camera.
To aid navigation, we made good use of both the World Map and the Mini
Map. Unlike most of the places that we have visited, the world map, at
this location, showed all the properties that are for sale or rent in
yellow. This would help us locate and price the available properties.
Although we never found any offices for administration and land sales,
we did discover the only gathering spot on a hill in the center of the
sim we did our first research on, Seduction Isle. This "club" has a
stage, with piano, and three dance floors, we assumed for couples
dances, but there was nobody there during our adventure.
Each of the many individual properties is a small island, surrounded by
rocks, waterfalls and trees, for privacy. Most have a large mansion in
the center. I was impressed by several that even had the nautical
equivalent of a drive way, to moor boats off the main water ways. Few of
the mansions had a lived in look, so we began to think, if you've seen
one cookie cutter mansion, you've seen them all.
That is, until we spotted an
old, derelict sailing ship. The ship and nearby building are probably not a residence. It
seemed more like a local park, the sort of place that young adults might
gather, to be away from the eyes of elders, while enjoying forbidden
fruits.
Speaking of being unseen, we noticed that the number of people, on
all of the sims, was highest after 9p.m., but even then was only a few
individuals and couples and they were mostly up in skyboxes. We had
hoped to find some residents that could be zoomed in on, to check out
what the natives were wearing, but they seemed to vanish, each time we
were near.
Following the World Map, we tracked down the three property sizes
that are offered at Seduction. All of the properties require a one time
payment of L$500 plus a weekly tier payment, based on size. They each
come with a house, which can be replaced with your own. Houses provided
count against the prims allowed for each property. A 1/16th sim is $1550
per week, with 460 prims. 1/8th sim is $2500, 900 prims. 1/4 sims are
$2900, 930 prims.
Personally, as an efficient shopper, I enjoy a higher quality home
and community, for half the price, so I'm not planning on moving. In SL,
we can become anything we desire. If you feel seduced by Seduction
Estates, I wish you all the pleasure desired. Live there or not, we
found it to be a fun adventure. We navigated through 30 sims, in a shiny
new mega motor yacht and it was like a Hollywood bus tour of the homes
of movie stars. Come, enjoy a tropical vacation and let your inner, petite, cuter
than dimples on a bunny, rich white girl come out to play, Queen For A
Day.
We already know what all the guys want,
"Sha"
