Shockwave's Haunted Maze And The Angels' Haunted Mansion

By Bixyl Shuftan

October has come to Second Life and the Sunweaver/Angels community. And this means of course Halloween season. All over the grid, haunted places and Halloween-themed parties are springing up. And the Sunweaver/Angels community is no exception. If anything, the people here seem to go more into it.

The Sunweaver's noted builder, Shockwave Yareach, has come out with a haunt for the community, and anyone else who want to give it a try: the "Sunweaver Haunted Maze 2018." It is located high above the Sunweaver Eclipse sim.

The Maze is now live and operating. There are six kinds of coins.  Touch one of each, and win fabulous prizes.  Oh, and beware of the monsters and the traps.  We, um, haven't fed the monsters in quite awhile, so they are hungry.  And you look tasty...All are welcome!  Have fun

At a table near the entrance, touch the tall blue box to get the game HUD and a short description of the game. The object in the game is to find the six coins in the haunted maze. But it won't be easy. The maze is tricky to find your way around in. And then there are the traps, such as saw blades. And what would a Halloween maze be without monsters, who'd love to do you in. Be careful as you retreat from them as you might end up in a dead end, and then it's lunchtime for the monsters.

The object of the game is to find all six of the coins. The first two people to do so get one thousand Linden dollars. The third and fourth get five hundred. The fifth and sixth get three hundred. The first six winners also get their names on display.

If you've had experience with Shockwave's games before, you have some idea what you're in for. If not, well, be ready for a challenge

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunweaver%20Eclipse/102/39/2201

If the maze isn't enough, or you want a different challenge, or just someplace to chill in spooky surroundings, head on over to the Purrfection Estates sim. A landmark, or a portal at the Happy Vixen beach club will take you to the Haunted Mansion, sometimes called the Haunted Manor

The Mansion is where Happy Vixen events will be held until after Halloween. On Monday October 8, the first event was held there, with DJ Khyra spinning the tunes.

Hey folks! Trick or Treak arrived early in Purrfection. Ghosts have taken over the Happy Vixen, but are allowing us the use of the haunted mansion. So come on over. The theme tonight is Come As You Are, with DJ Khyra as she's "Spinnin the best EDM tracks ever recorded. So come on down and join in the party!" Pardon any quirks as all of the ghosts might not have been told about the party.

Jasmine Dawn (Orasine), who built the Haunted Manor, had a few words to say to the people at the party, "Firstly Lets give a warm thanks to Umbra (Gardenvale) for allowing this place be built. (And) for Happy Vixen for allowing me to do something for everyone again this year. Now about this place, this mansion is haunted of course. Also there is a mystery here to be solved. If you go out into the front lobby, there is a Mystery board there that will give you a clue. And that clue leads to another, and another, so on and so forth. It will take you all over this house in search of the answers. Once you think you have the mystery solved, go back to the mystery board and give your answer. IF you solve the mystery, please keep the answer to yourself as not to ruin the mystery for others.

"Be warned though, this house has traps, one pitfall that I know of. Some the lighting is faulty and may fall. There are followers, manglers, a fast 'lil rat I can't catch. If you feel your trapped, teleport back to the landmark you all should have. It will place you back outside. If you should become part of the mansion decor wise, your next of kin will be notified."

Jasmine would also say there was a prize for solving the mystery, but didn't say what it was, "if you have something that is FULL perms and wish to include it as a prize, I can add it to the mystery board."

Despite a few glitches that night, the first party went well. The cash prize of 750 Lindens was split between Carolcream and Rita Mariner.

So for "spook-tacular" parties, or a challenging mystery to solve, come on to the Haunted Mansion.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Purrfection%20Estates/126/175/2004

Bixyl Shuftan

Addition: On October 15, Shockwave announced, "The coinhunt maze is closed due to unforeseen technical problems.  The winner is DUSK who got 5 of 6 coins." Apparently, there is a bug in the code in the HUD that is too deep to find before Halloween is over, and so the contest is over, at least until next year. But those wanting to try to get through the maze are still welcome to try.

The Calas Galadhon Haunted Maze

By Gemma Cleanslate

"Decades ago a group of explorers woke to find themselves in the middle of a large, seemingly impenetrable MAZE (Actually not that difficult *grin*).

They set up a base camp with supplies that had been left for them. (Left for them...hmm...)  In time, a group set out to explore what lay beyond and find a way out.

They never returned."

And so it begins....

Every year at this time I look for Calas Galadhon special sims for Halloween with anticipation.
Not because I really love this particular holiday celebration but because I know that Truck and Tymus always prepare their builds by creation of something that is going to be different and enticing to people from all over the world whether they understand Halloween or not. I am never disappointed.

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I began my tour by arriving at the entrance where one is instructed to use the windlight (which I have to turn off to take pictures or you would never see them!), turn on your music and take the elevator to 2. As I stepped off the elevator I saw Alicia Underby and Truck greeting new arrivals and handing out supplies for the trek. I picked up my backpack, helmet , and torch and set out to look first for the boat ride that takes one around the sim  This gives an overview of the foliage and animals and some strange creatures, including zombies, found in these jungles .

When I landed after the ride I set out for the Maze, the beginning of the real adventure. from the entrance I took a right turn and started moving along the openings in the walls and turning back from dead ends . There are torches on the ground in some of the corridors

I finally got to the right pathway that lead to a barn like build behind a door, filled with dangerous rooms occupied by clowns, frightening creatures , giggly children that I got a bad feeling about as I looked into each one. After climbing to the second floor I found a room where one could look out the window and see the boat riders passing by. I made my way back to the entrance of the maze.

Here I found Alicia again and we tackled the left turn into the maze together passing more creatures ready to pounce. This way was not as successfully conquered and Alicia and I went around and around for a while, seeing the same creatures ,  until finally we came to an opening in the wall.Alicia went off to be guide elsewhere and I wandered out into lovely peaceful green tree lined path  to make my way to the Druid Circle and search for the portal to other part of the installation. I found it with little trouble and jumped in!

I emerged into the caverns and took a path into another type of Maze with even more frightening creatures and experiences. Make sure you “Pack a lunch!”  and carry water into your bag to spend some time in the Caverns.That was Alicia’s last admonition as I left the Maze. Make time to stay a while because The Caverns are Not Easy!

I hope you are not afraid of spiders... especially big ones! I am going to leave you here in the bowels of the earth with all the Halloween experiences that are to come.There are three more portals to go .  I really need to go back and make my way out of this horror, what ever may come.. I have other places to visit !

Ultimately I did get to see The Dig. This is the final destination and the place where all the parities will be held .   Begin here . http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ERIADOR/221/76/1

Gemma Cleanslate

Templeton Cove Pirate Maze

By Bixyl Shuftan

Monday September 19 was "International Talk Like a Pirate Day," an informal holiday made up about two decades ago that gained publicity thanks to a syndicated newspaper humor columnist. Those taking part are encouraged to speak a little pirate lingo. In real life, there are occasional stunts, such as the "Krispy Kreme" stores offering a free doughnut for anyone willing to talk like a pirate. In Second Life, there's no shortage of ways one can have some pirate fun. One can grab a pirate outfit from a store, some of which are free such as this one. And one can usually find some pirate events somewhere.

In the past, the Newser has done a number of articles such as how to talk like a pirate. We've also reported on some pirate-themed places, as well as some pirate parties. This year, I did find one thing a bit different: a pirate maze. It was located underneath the piers in the Templeton Cove sim.

"Enter if ye dare!" challenged a sign with skull and crossbones just over the entrance. Going about the maze, the way was marked with the occasional red sword pointing the way, with the way through usually where the piers were widest apart. Barriers, either resembling glass or invisible, were there to block people from taking the wrong path. There were also a couple "no drowning zone" signs where one could pick up a steampunkish diving helmet and wear it.

Along the way, there were occasional sea creature facts on the glass panels between piers. There were also occasional obstacles such as pits, one of which had to be crossed with a rope bridge by "sitting" on it in a certain spot. At least one obstacle would teleport you out of the maze and you'd have to start all over.

Finally at the end of the maze, about in the middle, there was a rec "X" on the ground. There was a nearby shovel rezzer one could touch for a spade, and start digging. And what I found underneath was ... nothing? Arrrrrrr! Seems a scurvy pirate beat me to th' booty, shiver me timbers. Oh well, I had fun navigating the thing.

Templeton Cove (82/60/15)

Bixyl Shuftan

Aero Pines Harvest Festival and Halloween Trail

From Gemma Cleanslate

Found another great Halloween place to visit ! It is also in one of my favorite set of sims and will be another place to wander following the Halloween Trails. It is in the Aero Pines Park and is great fun. The annual Harvest Festival and Halloween Trails is going on with loads of games to enjoy and right next to it a wonderful Haunted House. 

”Welcome To Morgan Mansion ! When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers,‘tis near Halloween. Gemma Cleanslate” was the greeting to me offered by Julianna, one of the Morgan chilren as I neared the mansion.  Not only can you wander through the house but you are invited to log in as a character in the family and become a part of the home. Outside the home are some fun rides and games to enjoy. Hop on the Carousel or the Sky Swatter or get dizzy on the Spider Ride. Whack a Mole , Zombie Meltdown and Ghost Busters are just a few of the games at the fair. I stopped in the Greifer Processing Center and disobeyed the rules not to touch anyone which is definitely scary. 

The trail begins nearby and will take you to various sites . The first I visited was the Witches Camp and made some potions while there .At the Spider Grove I nearly became spider food as the webs entangled me . I passed a man-eating plant by the side of the road  rapidly after that experience. The ghosts in the Haunted Prison were not friendly either. The crowd at the Guillotine was after blood .Down the road it in a field it was fun to watch a shortened version of The Birds,  the Alfred Hitchcock film, while surrounded by screaming gulls and crows. My last stop was at the pumpkin patch where I wandered through the  Corn Maze bumping into the walls for a while. As usual the entire park is full of lovely foliage of  the season which makes the visit there more of a delight. I often go there to take a horse ride when I have time. Seasons change in this Park.

Take a bike or ride a horse along the roads littered with falling leaves seeking out the Halloween sites but enjoying the always lovely terrain. There are more games to play and sites to visit than I have mentioned so plan on visiting for a while. There is a cute jack-o-lantern ride you can rezz for your tour. Watch for it.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Equus/15/207/23 Pick up the map and Landmarks here and in the folder you will find the special Halloween Trails notecard with landmarks for some scary places . All will remain until early November according to Cindy Bolero , the owner of the regions. 

Gemma Cleanslate

Railway Stopover at Jopsy's

As I was tooting along the GSLR railway I saw a familiar sight in the distance. A hot air balloon I visited probably about 4 years ago. I decided to go back to renew my acquaintance with Jopsy's Pendragon's delightful particle places. There is a chair placed before a choice of TPs that will take you off into the sky in the balloon.

I took the ride, first, to the Cloud Chateau in the sky. After debarking I sat and enjoyed a spectacular particle display. This is listed as one of the oldest particle shows in Second Life. You are offered ”peace and welcome to all,” and can enjoy the music while you watch the show. It is a kalidiscope of exploding motion and ever changing color as it evolves before your eyes. It looks even better than I remembered. I think it is a relaxing place even though it is vibrant.

On my next balloon ride I took off to visit the Particle Lab in the sky. The last time I wast here I had no clue of what was going on . Now, I could never use the information but I at least understand now that Jopsy has made a “university” for those who want to major in particles . I can see that all the information here guides those who are fascinated with making particles and using them properly. There is a sandbox for practicing also. Green arrows will direct you on your way around the lab. I made my way back to the hot air balloon after my walk around.

My next flight brought me to the Vehicle Lab. A sign there told me that it is ”unfinished and opening soon," but that I was welcome to visit. It is another section of the university I see, with information for building all sorts of vehicles for a variety of movement around Second Life. I might be able to try building one of these from following the processes laid out here. After looking at the dates on the notecards, I wonder if this part of the university will ever be finished. But there is plenty here to keep one busy learning. The building is massive.

My next destination took me to “The Whale.” As I entered I was invited to join the Cycle of Life experience and enter into the grotto of lost souls. It is an introspective experience that I enjoyed. The next part of my voyage I had to work. I was handed an oar at the entrance of the caverns and had to guide myself through the maze while admiring the sights. It was a more extensive and interesting trip than I thought! As I took any easy way out by mistake I found myself in Jopsy's secret sandbox where there is work going on. There I found a lovely map of the entire balloon rides. There are many.

Again, this is a place that I will have to leave before I finish the tour or you may never read about it! I think you will enjoy a visit to Jopsy's place. If you like some of the articles you see don't miss the store you can shop for them before you leave. Jopsy describes himself as "a mix of Puck, Pan, Puff, Kringle, Elric, & Giger. He lives to tinker, create, teach, and flirt." I have to agree, though I have never met him. I recommend starting here to catch the hot air balloon and then you can choose your own route to adventure. It is right next to the railway in Slate (20, 183, 41)

This is not my last stop! Off on the rails to future fun!

Gemma Cleanslate