By Bixyl Shuftan,
I was recently contacted by Draven Malakai Hopshire (Nightingale Foxpaws) about a new urban area and it's community: Swiftwater City.
I went over, and I navigated the exits to get out of the entry building, The Swiftwater Convention Center. Looking around, the scenery was interesting. I quickly met up with Draven and someone else part of the community, Lea Tankthrust (LeaRodriguez Resident). After greetings, I asked Draven how long the community had been around. "We reopened," he told me, "originally opened our doors on the 24th of October." I asked if the place had a particular theme. He told me, "Well. Swiftwater City is a vibrant urban roleplay community in Second Life that blends the excitement of city living with immersive storytelling. The sim is designed to feel like a bustling, modern metropolis, offering endless possibilities for players to carve out their own unique stories in a dynamic environment.
"The city features diverse neighborhoods, from upscale districts to gritty backstreets, reflecting the many layers of urban life. Its theme revolves around realism, but with the freedom to explore creative and dramatic scenarios. The city thrives on its blend of professional roleplay opportunities and casual interactions, making it a hub for everyone from seasoned roleplayers to newcomers.
"Key thematic elements include: Law and Order: A fully functioning police department and justice system, creating opportunities for crime dramas, detective stories, and legal roleplay. Emergency Services: Firefighters, paramedics, and rescue teams play a crucial role in responding to city emergencies, providing action-packed scenarios. Community Life: Local businesses, public events, and casual hangouts foster a sense of community, encouraging social interaction and personal storytelling. Nuclear Research Facility: Swiftwater City is home to a cutting-edge nuclear research facility, opening doors to intriguing narratives involving science, innovation, and potential intrigue or disaster scenarios. Edge of the Unknown: Beneath the surface of everyday life, mysteries and secrets await, encouraging players to delve into darker or more thrilling narratives.
"Swiftwater City is a canvas for creativity, offering the perfect backdrop for characters from all walks of life to connect, grow, and thrive in an engaging urban setting."
I then asked where the idea for the RP came from. Draven answered, "In my time here on Second Life, I have been roleplaying at many roleplay communities which have sadly since closed there doors. So I decided to open my own community up." I asked how many people were in the community so far. He told me, "We have about 17 members in our main roleplay group so far. ... three have estate manager roles One is founder which is me. One is the co-founder. One is the HCI Director." I asked about the other roles, and was told, "Some are police, one is a gas station owner, one is my DoPW engineer."
He then pointed to Lea, "Lea here is the chief of my Fire Dept and one of my estate managers." I then asked how many fires and medical emergencies there'd been so far. She answered, "Theres a new emergency every few days last one was a zombie outbreak." I asked about it, notably "How does a fire department contain a zombie outbreak?" Lea answered, "There is hazmat division in FD we just clean up the green stuff."
Asking how the outbreak happened, I was told, "The T-vVirus was released. But dont worry the facility is safe and back under our control. The tunnels are still blocked off from wreckage of the truck responsible for the release of the T-virus. Not sure if you saw the hazmat cordon down there?" She asked me to follow to a place, "That there is the entrance to the research facility. It is safe to enter and look around the place if you would like to." So where did the virus come from? "Umbrella Corporation," I was told, "They were responsible for crashing tankers in the tunnel."
Draven would tell me, "We are also in the process of setting up rolepay so at least it will feel like the residents are making a living." I notice Lea's tag and asked what Ultor was. She answered, "Ultor is in charge of fire department its one of the divisions of a conglomerate company that does alot of different stuff." So it was a potential plot device for future adventures.
As we were talking, someone from the Second Life Coast Guard dropped in. She was curious about the place, and we struck up a conversation that lasted for a little while, her asking for more information and expressing interest in joining, before I needed to leave. So Swiftwater is attracting people as we speak, and there may be more residents there than the 17 I had been told.
Looking around, there was much in the two sims of the city. There were numerous tall buildings, offices and apartments. There was a gas station. There was also a fire station, though with a spiral staircase instead of a sliding pole. There was a medical center and a bank (at the time, with a crime scene marker). I was told the police station was located nearby at HCI - Hitcorp International. There was an industrial center where shipping containers were loaded and unloaded. There was a bank. For those who like fishing, I saw a 7Seas fishing game. And there were plenty of roads to drive on, including some steep climbs and drops.
The Swiftwater Research Center is a large facility, built into a stone fort and mountaintop, though players in-character will need clearance to get to it. Much of it I hadn't seen, though there are rumors of a particle accelerator underground, and even a secret spaceship under construction.
But those are rumors.
There are some places still under construction, so don't be surprised to see a little wood paneling. But this is still an active community with things going on.
Bixyl Shuftan
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