The Swiftwater City RP Community

 

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.

 

The community's public entrance is at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Beast%20Estate/107/185/33 . It also has it's own Discord channel, Swiftwater City. 

Bixyl Shuftan

The Deathlands

By Bixyl Shuftan

Recently, a friend and I dropped by a rather desolate place in Second Life: The Deathlands. The place describes itself as "an isolated post-apocalyptic island community where a handful of hardy survivors desperately cling to what passes for life after the nuclear winter." Upon entering, a crow greeted us, "Greetings ... welcome to Deathlands! It is many years since the Nukes cleansed the Earth. Among the frail and diseased survivors there are few rules, so feel free to wander Deathlands and sample its many pleasures and perils." Almost as if on cue, the radio stream played the tune "Darkest Dream." Later songs included, "Love is Dead," and "Poison Remains."

The place is owned by Rebel Wolf (HermitBlue), considered the "mutant warlord" here, and Luddita Wolf (luddita) his consort. Seeing us, "We are the survivors," they showed us around. "You are under the care of Baron Wolf," he told us, "It's safe in Deathlands. Well, sorta safe. Probably should not drink the water." Showing us some NPC figures, one was a rather bloody doctor with a paitent who didn't look too good. "Hes the only medical we have," Rebel told us, "so he gets away with a lot."

There were a few places mentioned in the notecard that I'd gotten on entry, such as the Dead Tree where a number of corpses hung, "The Motel From Hell" in which the beds were bloody mattresses and the "bathroom" was a bucket with flies buzzing over it, the hull of an old Russian submarine that had somehow washed ashore and repurposed, and others. There was one not mentioned that Rebel wanted to show us: The Bunker.From the outside, the place was concrete and steel. Inside, there were bunks, machinery, and what looked like some kind of control center with access to satelites, "Some of us survived the nuclear winter in here!" For some reason, there were warheads of small missiles in there.

But not everything here was a grim survival story. There are two social spots. One is "The Music Festival Grounds." Rebel spoke of it, "The survivors built a dancefloor." The dancefloor itself was made of of sections of wood planking piled together with a rustic-looking stage in the back. The place was surrounded on three sides by chair-link fencing, presumably to keep the more drunken partiers from stumbling into the lagoon. But not everything about it looked safe as there was a yellowish-green looking cloud of mist in the middle. When I asked Rebel, he responded, "Oh, I think it's radioactive gas (cough)." As we were talking, a few more people came by, including one with a guitar. Before long, he was playing some music, and an impromtu party started.

After a while, the party moved to what passed for a high class club around here, "The Loser's Club." Advertised as a "notorious dive bar where survivors barter their favours in return for liquor and cigarettes," the peace was kept by a burly-looking NPC acting as a bouncer standing watch just outside the front door. "Dont mind Ivan outside," Rebel told us, "he just looks mean!" Another NPC, a waitress, handed out drinks on request. Those not dancing could sit on an old couch or one of the barstools. One seemed a little woozy from the gas earlier, "I may pass out soon."

There were other places in the distance that I never set foot on, such as a stretch of highway that came to a dead end over the water, a waterfall, and numerous other buildings in various states of repair and disrepair.

The Deadlands is in http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Blue%20Eyes/118/159/22

Addition: on August 18, the Deathlands was moved to a new sim, at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Paradise%20Kingdom/88/35/22

Bixyl Shuftan

1920's Chicago Roleplay

“Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town”

But this is Chicago in the Roaring 20’s. RP gangsters, the real kind.  You might get shot!  There is a hospital waiting for you if you end up needing it.  Old advertisements of the era on the building walls, the elevated tracks, the true opulence or desolation of the times.  Pick up some duds at a local shop and explore in style.  There are some shops with guns and damage meters so you can join in the gang wars.   Thugs hang out on the streets, and have many hang outs to be at. 

At the corner of Fullerton and Wrightwood you will find a barber shop.  Stop in and get a cut.  Or, better yet, seek the secret entrance to the hidden speak easy.  The hoochies will be waiting for you.  This is the Back Room.  Blues and jazz are all the rage at this sim.  There are many venues to enjoy, from The Back Room, with all its seclusion and secrecy, to the fanciness of Fiume Jazz Club.  There is the Asylum, the Red House Society, in the red light district, (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more), and The Fox Club. Just to name a few.  But don’t miss out of the Burlesque show!  A real burlesque show for you in Second Life.  The Empire hosts this show in a plush red themed theater. A naked and naughty 1920's style burlesque every Saturday night at 7:30 SLT. 

The Chicago Theater show movies, current to the times, in class. I find that the lush art deco style eases the eyes after seeing the slums.  Art works in deco style are for sale in many shops or in the city hall.  Wrigley Field is there, in its original simplicity.  Run the bases, if you like.  Of course there are places to rent for your own shop, and homes.  I even found a Bear Detective agency for all your furry legal needs.  I have found myself welcome there and feel all will be, if you respect the role play about you.  I love it for the music, the art deco builds and the fun of old time Chicago.  Secret room, gambling halls, and teleporters to skyscrapers are there to be found. 

The Roaring 20's Chicago Mobster Group is there to join so you can add to the role play. Get to know the citizens and mob bosses there.  Pretend you are Americas Most Wanted, shoot up the town and take over, if you can.  They are love RPing here and would enjoy it if you got in the act. 

Don’t forget to visit Lyon, Avon and Sons Mortuary, (you stab ‘em, we slab ‘em).  Who knows, you might just end up there anyway.  Beats “sleepin’ with the fishes”.  And as always, tip the venues, workers, shop the stores and respect what they offer you.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shepham%20Estates/129/224/22

Fritter Enzyme

Rocca Sorrentina: Reliving the 18th Century

By Fritter Enzyme

Rocca Sorrentina, an imaginary island off of Italy, still living in the time of 1784.  The landing point puts you near an art exhibit supported by the Missouri Humanity Council dealing with Shakespeare in the 18th century.  Other art exhibits are there to find too.  This is a RP ”lite” sim, so you don’t have to be in costume.  But they are provided for free, at the landing point, and shopping is available for those looking for finer period clothing to have.  Information for shopping, and a general map is at this landing point.  A teleporter to take you out of the greeting area is nearby. You teleport down to the water front on a ship, just like you have arrived to the island that way.  From there you begin your journey of exploration.  To the left of that dock you can rez a sailing vessel to cruse the waters.  A swimming HUD is also available there.

There are shops, with clothing and era pieces of furniture to buy, or sit in the bar and have a snifter of brandy.  Frescos and tapestries on the walls, inlaid textures in the ceiling really bring this place to life.  Residences available with beautiful stairwells full of art.  The dock area abounds with the needs of shipping, supply stores, blacksmiths, a chapel and the like.  Move deeper in to find the riches of the city. 

I have been told that Saturday morning, between 11 and noon, SLT, is the best time for a visit.  This is the time of the coffee house conversations.  While at the sim you can RP with the others you meet.  Gestures are given with the outfits for free.  A court bow or curtsy are expected when coming across others.  Politeness is the all the rage.  And art, in every detail, every buildings ceilings and trim, doors and walks.  There is much to take in here.  The opulence of the structures and parks, with statues, fountains and the water front is amazing.

It started more than four years ago, under different management.  Magistro Alda Stern and Sere Timeless have taken it over and added another sim. They greeted me and were very nice to talk with.  It is meant to be an immersive learning experience with book discussions, music events, the roll play and exhibits.  A perfect place for SL photography.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Westphalia/105/175/2801

Fritter Enzyme

Reader Submitted: The Koto Project

By Fritter Enzyme

The Koto Project is one of the most beautiful sims you can find.  Japanese ones are known for their detail and quality.  This is one that takes out the overkill and makes a place that is superb, in the plants, and the open spaces.   The trees here are like something out of a Japanese painting.  Half the sim is a walled city, the other is a wooded park.   


 It is a RP community, but the website states it is a human community.  Yet I have spoken with the owner, in the fur, and have not been asked to leave.  I have been there many times and had furry friends along to see it.  I can’t apply to be a character in the RP group, but I still seem welcome to enjoy the environment they have created.


The walled city is Edo era, and things sold there fit that theme.  A horse and buggy await at the gate to take you for a ride through the city and back out again.  The woods outside the wall are worth spending time mulling throughout for the views and hangouts.  The sim surround is wonderful; the water front has a boat with reflections that lends itself to photography with ease.  In the city you will find shops, temples, tea houses, restaurants, a bath house, a Zen garden, and if you join the RP group, even a Geisha house. 

They also have many rental homes of different sizes.  There is an animated work area with props are in the back of the residents homes.  Pick apples, chop wood, or feed the chickens.  And a meditation stand at the waterfall makes for a nice resting place for the whole Zen experience.  Some shops have yet to open.  Click on the food in the restaurant and sit to eat while you play a game on the wall.  Put on your kimono and get in the spirit of Koto!  If you don’t have one, some of the best I have seen are sold there.  Koto Project.  A surprisingly sweet place to be. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoudai/130/49/22

Fritter Enzyme

Pine Lakes

By Theonlyjohnny Resident

 An unending friendship, and a place to call home are just 2 of the many things offered at Pine Lakes. I have spent just a few days at Pine Lakes, and I can assure you, it is something that is amazing, and something different from other places.

While other town/city RP sims have just the basics, houses, law enforcement, fire station, and shops, this has more. This has a deli that seems to be 5 stars, or at least 4. It has a church, with active priests. The houses are affordable, and there are enough for a lot of people to live here. There is even an adoption center.

This reporter decided to stray from the fire department and join the PD instead, and within only a few days, I am having so much fun here that I can do nothing but give it good reviews. There is no discrimination, take it from me, I'm using a female furry av here, and they don't care, they treat me like one of them.

The design of the sim is very easy to follow, and difficult to get lost in, since it's not made like a labyrinth. Not to mention, the people here are nicer than ever. I am not kidding, you may feel a bit threatened at first, because of how they act, but when you get to know them, you will see that they are awesome people, and even better friends.

I would definitely recommend this sim to anyone reading this sim. It's amazing, and worth a look.

Johnny

ADI In The Wasteland

By Theonlyjohnny Resident



ADI, also known as, Atlas Defense Industries, is actually an evil group. ADI's main goal is to dominate the entire North American land. despite being under investigation by others, it still actually sells weapons to, not only the two investigating groups, but anyone who requires a weapon.

Despite being evil, the group still holds common courtesy, and fairness, higher than other combat groups. While others may use speed huds, prim shooting, and other cheap tactics, to their advantage, ADI uses the strength of its soldiers, to their advantage.

Look to the sim, at first, and see how it's designed. Most people would take one look at it and assume ADI has a massive advantage. However, take another look, at the entire sim.

While ADI does hold most of the sim, it doesn't give them an advantage. Firstly, lets take a look at vehicles. Any raiding vehicles will be able to spawn, and get completely set up, in safety, due to the wall. However, ADI's aircraft spawn on top of the building, in the open, with no protection. ADI's tanks and mechs do spawn in safety, but they're only defended by a door.

Now let's take a look at the safety of the infantry. While there are barricades, that defend the defending infantry, the barricades are spread out in a thin line, not giving a lot of protection. Look at the wall defendin the raiders. This wall, and the barricades on top, as well as the buildings, give the raiders a greater advantage.

So, how, you ask, do ADI manage to be one of the best? Well that's simple really. Their training. While most groups will simply train their fresh recruits in the beginning, ADI trains constantly. Many will ask how they train, well, that is classified information. Otherwise ADI would meet its match.

ADI is always recruiting, and not just for combat. You see, at ADI, the weapons and vehicles are not something you can find on the marketplace. ADI makes its own weapons, and vehicles. The people that make them, are known as scientists. ADI is always looking for more scientists.

The combat side is always recruiting as well. ADI has many things to try, there is infantry, mechs, artillery, pilots, and even tank drivers. If you want to experience some combat, and would like to join the winning team, then check out ADI, I swear, you will not be disappointed.

ADI's sim is located at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wasteland/117/17/84

Theonlyjohnny

Tellus

By TheonlyJohnny Resident

The Tellus Sector, is a single sim, with many parts to it. Like all roleplay sims, there are IC (in character) areas, and an OOC (out of character) area. Also like other RP sims, it has a back story, that must be followed, otherwise the back story is useless. However, few RP sims are as in depth, as The Tellus.

The sim itself is a wonder, to behold. One might wonder how it's possible to stick a city, right in the middle of a wasteland, without all the greenery dieing. Well, they did it at The Tellus. They built a domed city, in the middle of a wasteland, filled it with trees, grass, buildings, and even water, and it has blossomed.

The secret to this amazing achievement is the fact that the dome filters out most wind, and heat. Without it, the city wouldn't even have lasted a few weeks.

If you wish to read more about the city, you can check out their wiki,
http://tellussector.wikia.com/wiki/The_Tellus_Sector_Wiki .

The amazement doesn't stop there. The people of this RP sim are not only helpful, they are awesome roleplayers, who love to RP. No matter what, if something is wrong with your character, weapon, vehicle, or whatever, they not only will let you know, they will give you advice as well. They don't just care about if they're having fun rping with you, they care about if you're having fun.

If you're not having fun, don't fret, they are all extremely helpful, in their own ways. Whether they tell you your weapon won't work there, or that your building isn't right, or that your outfit shouldn't be a certain way, whatever it is, they will let you know. However, most people would question how that helps if they just say something is bad. Well, don't start questioning just yet. It's the way the let you know that helps you.

They will not tell you, "You're gun isn't allowed here." They will actually say, "You're gun isn't allowed here, since you can't find parts for a sniper rifle (using sniper rifle as an example), or other guns that use bullets that large, or are that large, in the wastelands."

They will let you know what's wrong, and why it's wrong, which really helps you figure out the best things to use.

Not only are the people nice, but so is the sim itself. So much time, and work was spent on building just the main area, which may not look like much to some people, but if you explore it, you will see how much work really was put into making this RP sim.

All in all, I think that Tellus is one of the best RP sims in all of Second Life. If you're ever looking for something to do, go ahead and check it out.

Theonlyjohnny

Palm Springs

 From the quiet sim of Cedar Creek, which tragically isn't around anymore, the new sim of Palm Springs arose. From the people who gave you Fairhaven, and Cedar Creek, this sim is a quaint little town that looks larger than it really is.

The sim boasts a Fire Station, a Police Station, A bar, a beach, a nude beach, and even a gated community, making it one of a kind. It is run by people who are very good friends of mine, and allow just about anything.

Of course, that doesn't mean a giant dragon has any business being here. However, they allow furries, and even child avatars (with supervision), meaning they are laid back when it comes to reality. This isn't a bad thing, however, as it simply means they understand that there is always a human on the other side of that screen.

I have been with these sims, since they started with Fairhaven, and have been in love with the sims ever since. To any of you looking for a place to rp, come here, you'll have a great time, I guarantee it.

Theonlyjohnny Resident

Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek may look like a simple residential sim, however it is much more than that. It is a community of roleplayers, who have come together, and made a city. Not only are there nice people here, the general air of the sim, itself, makes this a great place to make friends, and even start RPing.

The owners, Ashley and Ace Walker, started the sim, on February 28, 2014. It was meant to be a place where people could come and have fun. Not only have they met their goal, they surpassed it. They not only run the sim, they even personally meet each person that visits the sim, whether or not they are going to rp here or not.

Just take a trip here, if you are looking for a place to RP. Visit the sim anyway, even if you're not going to rp here, it is such an awesome place, and it is so well designed too. Of the buildings here, I know for a fact, that the fire station was made by Ashley, herself, from scratch.

Yes, there is a fire department here, there is also a police department, and there is sometimes a department of transportation as well. How would I know all this? Well, that is an easy one. I am a firefighter on the sim. I love this sim, not just because I am friends with the owners, but also because I love to rp, and meet new people.

If you love RPing, and meeting new people, come here, and take a look. It will become a favorite place for you, really fast. I promise, taking a trip here, will not end badly. You will be amazed at how much two people can accomplish, and you may find yourself coming back, very often, that's normal. It's an awesome sim, and it will do that to you.

Johnny

Neo Victoria

By Becky Shamen

 In recent months, the Newser has had some great articles on Steampunk communities, like Caledon and Steelhead. Reviewing the Destination Guide, Josh discovered a collection of other Steampunk communities, ranging in size from two to thirteen sims. Names and addresses were gathered into a notecard and he began exploring each of them.

After touring the first four, beleaguered by lag and yearning to yawn, it began to look like his report would be titled "adventures in adversity." While it was true, he had noted a point or two of interest at each location, there are only so many ways to say, it was beautifully, ornately textured, but beyond my meager budget to buy. Such a list would not be something he, or Sha, would be willing to sign their name to.

Thank gods and faes, our next stop proved to be an adventure, worthy of a story of it's own. Landing in Neo Victoria, we find ourselves in the visitors center, where me must prepare for what lies below.

By it's own definition, Neo Victoria is, "Dark roleplay, Steampunk style - A small community of gifted artists, working together to bring their stories out of Second Life, into the world of the real."
Avatars of all types and species are permitted, as long as they are not "cartooney." An anthro coyote is OK, Wile E. Coyote is not.

Orientation and shopping is in the sky. The two, ground level sims serve as home for members and a film lot for Machinima videos. If you are not a member, or out of character, you can visit ground level, but must get and wear the OOC (out of character) tag. To engage in roleplay, one must conform to the local story line. No cross story lines are allowed. As a means of learning the lifestyle, notecards are given as you walk down the dark halls that lead to the TP to ground level. Alternatively, there is a web site, giving more details and samples of their videos at www.NeoVictoria.net . They also have a web site for members only, which has community news and personal pages for each member.

Other factors that made Neo Victoria a great place to explore were, no doubt, the bi-product of using the sims for making videos. There are fewer mesh scenery objects, making it almost lag free. They also allow you to rez things there, with auto-return after 15 minutes. Using this, I rezzed my airship, for a birds eye view and saw the entire place, in far greater detail than was possible at other places visited.

Becky Shamen

Vanwenia - Realms of Fantasy

By Becky Shamen

Before exploring and writing about adventures in Second Life, one must first discover that they exist and where they are located. The best tools, I've found, are the Destination Guide at secondlife.com and the World Map, found at the website and also within the viewer. Both of these tools played a part in finding the sims for this article. My home in SL is on Sunweaver Bay, which is on the West side of a collection of 8 connected sims. There are two maps available in the viewer. The mini-map is like a people radar, showing nearby avatars as green dots if they are at the same elevation as you. If they are at a higher elevation, the dots turn to ^, if lower v. If the dot is a friend, the radar blips are shown in yellow. The radar also shows, in low resolution, objects and builds and ground texture. Most objects are black, but the ones you own are shown as blue. The Map does not give accurate locations of avatars, because it is not updated as often as the mini-map, but does give a better look at the sim detail. When zoomed in, it is like viewing the sim from an airplane. When zoomed out, it is like a satellite view of large areas of SL. If you know the size of a building, you can find the distance to any point on the sim. Knowing that a sim is 256 meters square, you can find the distance to other nearby sims. 

 Using my map, I discovered a large group of connected sims, which were only 1.75 miles West from my home. I made a mental note to go and explore them, at a later time. As I looked for my next place to explore and write about, I opened the destination guide, in the "Fantasy, Adventure" category. In the list provided, four of the places turned out to be located in the same area I had found so close to home. Naturally, I decided it was time to explore them.

Before going to visit, I like to make a detailed map, to help find my way around and then use as an illustration in the news article. To make the maps, I first zoom out to show the whole group of sims and capture a screen shot, to use as an index. Then I zoom in, for greater detail, and make shots of each of the sims. I then combine them all into one big map, using the index to get them back in the right locations. These large maps are way too big to upload inworld, because SL limits textures to 1024 pixels in height and width. To upload them, a copy has to be resized, so that neither dimension exceeds the limit. On each map, I place the name of the area, such as Blake Sea or Caledon. 

For the name of this 39 sim area, I searched, but could never find a name for the collective area. In getting to know the people and places, I asked everybody I met if they knew the name. None of them knew the answer. I got invited to a party, where I met and friended the king of Asgeir, who's name is Asgeir Askvigg, I asked if he knew the name. He said it didn't have a name, so perhaps I should be the one to give it one. With this in mind, I began thinking of names that might fit the overall theme of the area. Several names came to mind, but I kept asking each person I met if they knew the name. On Elven Quest, the last of the sims I explored, I met a Lady elf and had a long chat with her. She explained that, originally the sims were organized by "The Builders of Arda" but over time they had become less connected to each other. She suggested that perhaps some Elven words might make a good title, like Vedui, Vanwen (greetings, hello). Having found all the people friendly and helpful, I thought that was a great idea, so I named it "Vanwenia,"  meaning "hello place."

Vanwenia is made up of several realms and a few individual, residential sims. The largest realm is called The Dragon Empire of Uhre and is loosely based on E.E. Knight's 'Age of Fire.' Kingships are on a per sim basis. I met and friended two kings, Cromm Slade of Dragon Lolth and Asgeir Askvigg of Asgeir. Cromm's wife, Eva, is Queen of Singing Woods and there is a bridge connecting their sims. Dragon Lolth and the Empire of Uhre, shown outlined in red on the map, were the first sims I explored.

Sometimes I walked, or flew, from sim to sim, but to save time, I usually used my map to TP. The first time I TPed to Asgeir, I found myself on a large, flat ground, covered with grid lines. In my radar, I saw a green blip approaching at great speed. This turned out to be a lady named Armix Portal. She seemed very upset that I was there, asking, "How did you find this place?" and "Who gave you the LM?" I was not on the ground level of the sim. It was a sky platform, with a template texture, that she used for building houses. When I explained who I was and that I was writing a story about the area, her mood became more friendly. She TPed to the ground and sent an offer to TP to there. 

It was Armix, the next day, who got me invited to a party. There I met the king. Asgeir is a viking themed sim, with snow covered ground and log buildings. It was late night, when I was there, and nobody else was there, so I took a quick look around and headed to the next sim. To the West is Uhre Belegaer Sea. On the map, I noticed that all of the sims in this Empire are connected by water routes. I could have rezzed my sail boat and toured them all by water, but, already dealing with lag, I decided to fly north to Uhre Lava Dome.

The ground at Lava Dome is all black, basaltic rock, with rivers of molten lava and multiple volcanic cones. I flew around, selected the tallest cone and headed for the top. Remembering that I had chickened out, on my Route 66 tour, I decided, this time I would land in the caldera. As I stood on the boiling magma, I noticed a large, green, sculpted dragon was begining to take shape. It was standing in front of a cave entrance, with an iron gate protecting it's contents. Thinking that the dragon would be no threat, until fully rezzed, I tip-toed past and clicked on the gate. That action put me right inside the dragon's lair. The walls and columns were richly decorated with scrollwork and the floor was covered with gold nuggets, coins and colorful gems. I expected to find a prize here, but a quick inspection revealed none, so I went back out. 

Now, standing behind the dragon, who did not seem to notice me, I saw that he had a saddle on his back. I clicked on it and found myself mounted in the saddle. The page up and down and arrow keys gave me full control of my new steed. Within moments, after take off, I realized a photo of my flight would go perfect with this article, so I paused and posed for the camera. I began to wonder if the dragon was able to cross into other sims, or if it would poof at the border. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I had started out on foot, so headed for the border to test my theory. The dragon made it across the boundary, to my delight, so I used it for a dragon's eye view of several more sims, pausing here and there to zoom my cam down on points of interest.

The total area of the lands I call Vanwenia is around two and a half million square meters. It would take months to get to know the lands and people. The scenery is some of the richest I have ever seen and it is dotted with more unique castles than you can count. The people are as varied. It's like being in the places in a Tolkien book. All of the people I met and talked to were friendly and helpful. I asked many questions regarding the divisions of Kingdoms, Realms, Empires and Alliances, but this Gordian knot awaits an Alexander to cut through it. 

On the map, I have outlined a few of the realms, to give a rough idea of them. I pray the residents will forgive me, if I have got a few lines in the wrong place. The same goes for the names of each of the sims. The names used on the map came from the destination guide, but the residents may have their own names for them. An example of this is Asgeir, the Viking sim, which is known to the locals as Midgard, or the Northern "Great Alliance", parts of which are called the Torgan Kingdom. There are many groups that can be joined, such as Knights, Rangers, Mages,and Healers. You can engage in combat RP, or stay neutral. There are a variety of avatar types to be found, but note that furries are permitted in some areas, but not all of them. My advice is, until you've learned the rules, keep your visor down and your ears and tail tucked in.

I had a wonderful time exploring and can assure you, if you have a taste for fantasy, in this place, you can live Happily Ever After.

Becky "Sha" Shamen

Play Knight - Medieval RP in SL

By Becky Shamen

I had mentioned finding a shop at Mont Saint Michel, in my previous article, that sells great medieval armor and how I just had to buy some. When I finished my explorations there, I went home, unpacked my souvenir and put on my shiny new armor. It's nearly perfect, but for one small problem. I was now faced with the age old dilemma of being "all dressed up with no place to go.. In my many adventures, I had been in a few medieval sims, but never crossed paths with any Chevaliers [French for Knights]. Perhaps, I thought, there would be RP sims where knights gain fame and honor, by kickin' canned cans. By now you know, my next move was a visit to the second life destination guide.

A word of warning, before we take one more step here. In the last month, secondlife.com has become more scary than any sim inworld. They now are filled with pop-up adds, that will infect your computer with a host of malware. DO NOT GO THERE without protection. OK, public service announcement done, let's move on.

I did a search of places, using the keyword "knight". That produced a list of about four dozen locations. Of those, the majority seemed to be places to shop. I trimmed the list down to eight places to explore. Two of them actually said they were for role play, with the remaining ones being of questionable value. One was called, AKK Horse Ranch. When playing chess in Texas, the knight is often called a horse, so if I'm looking for knights I better check out horses while I'm at it. Having opened that can of dogfood, I might as well start with discussing horses first.

About  AKK Horse Ranch horses, unlike "breedables" these horses do not require feeding. Knowing that I would not be engaging in any actual RP, just reporting on it, I was only here to see how they looked and how much they cost. Most of the horses come with either a western or English saddle and cost L$2000. They also had a group, called EZ Start Horse, for $500. Their most expensive horse was a skeleton (literally), for $4000.

Next, you'll need the armor, sold separately, ranging in price from $600 to $3600 for beautiful, ornate unicorn armor. They had a floor model that you could sit on, which I did for the included photograph. The sign says it can be resized to even fit tiny avis and the cost of this ready made war horse was a mere $3500 (ouch) and it only came in the one color combination shown. I confess, although I promised myself, after having bought armor, not to spend another penny on this theme, I did return, several more times to drool over it. I saw a free demo, one to customer, good for five uses, which I got and tested. Still in sticker shock, I went back to the marketplace and got demos for four other brands of horse, the working models of which ranged in price from $475 to $1,999. Ultimately, kicking myself in the butt all the way, I returned to AKK Ranch and bought, separately, the AKK '09, in white, for $2000 and Silver chainmail tack for $750. I saved $750 and got the colors I wanted. I figure I got three horses for the price of one, given that I can make copies and have one with armor, one with western saddle and one bareback, which will be handy when I go riding on my property in the Everglades, heehee. Enough about my spending habits. Let's get back on the topic of RP sims.

First of all, when you find a RP sim that sounds good, in most cases, the LM won't take you directly there. Your first stop will be a "Gateway" or welcome area. Clicking signs there, you will get notecards, explaining their history, the rules of play, the type of battle meter required, if any, ie, , , etc. and most will require you to wear a visitor or observer tag, provided free, to be worn until you are a member of their group. Finding only a few good sims to explore, I returned to the destination guide, this time searching "Medieval RP". That search provided many more locations to round out my perspective of this genre.

Our first stop is "The White Armory." This is a large shop with clothing and weapons, which is the gateway to the RP areas. Don't be tempted to use the TP on the right of the entry, labeled "Knight Life Portal". That will only take you to a lame skybox with a horse ride, on a horse that won't follow directions and a carriage ride to a beautiful ballroom that has no dance balls. Instead, walk about the shop, check out the merchandise and look for TP discs on the floor. These discs allow you to select from a list of areas, including; Tipping (jousting), Battlefield, Arena, Cathedral, 99L and Armory. Some of the areas can only be selected by members. They don't sell horses here, so you will need to bring your own. The combat arenas are typical of most other RP sims, with seating for spectators and a scoreboard, showing standings of the contestants as they progress up the levels, as in many sporting events.

Our next stop is called "Usk Medieval Market / Role Play" at Realm of USK (5, 166, 501). These guys are strict about your playing by their rules, so be sure to get and read the notecard. Pay attention to it's governors, the Earl, Elders and Knights. Events and training include Jousting, Archery and Sword. To enter the RP area, you must dress and chat in character and click that you agree to follow the rules. By the way, this realm is humans only, with no Gor, Slavery or flying. I guess that's why I didn't see any of my friends there (grin).

Moving on, we come to "Avilion Nexus: Medieval Fantasy Role Play Community" found at Avilion Nexus (128, 128, 251). To combat here, you will need a combat meter, either Spell Fire, or ACS Avilion Combat system. Both meters are available, for free. You can compete without if it is with a friend and you agree, before hand to do so. Combat areas include a sword fight arena, archery range, mage arena and jousting arena. They also sell weapons, including some mesh ones.

I explored many other sims, but I think I have already given a good picture of this genre, so will close with one last location, for the benefit of my furry friends: Drekiheim - Medieval Fantasy Roleplay (furry friendly) at Turquoise Island (86, 130, 1255). Most of my research is done between midnight and 5am, so it isn't often I meet the locals. At Drekiheim, somebody I never got to see face to face sent me an IM welcoming me as a new face at the sim. I took advantage to ask questions, clarifying things I read in the notecard. This sim has a Nordic, Viking flavor to it. They are "free form" combat, anything goes, provided it fits the historic period (no guns or light sabers please). Battles can take place anywhere but in the Gypsy camp. There are two opposing camps you can join, but that isn't required. However, to get in on the head bashing, you do need to fill out a "Character Sheet" and put it in the dropbox at the welcome center and get approved. A sample sheet can be obtained, to help in creating yours.

If the medieval thing gets you hooked, you might find yourself wanting to live in your very own castle. There are quite a few places that sell them, but I'll just mention two, briefly here. One is Skye Castle Showroom Prefab Castles. These castles are very ornate, have many prims and are expensive. You probably won't want to buy one, but they are worth looking at. The smallest ones start at $2950 and are made from 200 to 300 prims. The other end of the scale cost more than I can count to, are big enough to take up most of a sim and use most of it's prims. My favorite castle showroom is
CASTLE Q Castles: HALF PRICE Birthday Sale Medieval and Gothic. In the past, I bought and lived in both the Q1 and Q2 models. I really liked the two I lived in.

You are not likely to see me engaged in combat, at any of these sims, as I'm a peace loving hippy at heart. But, if you see a cute girl, in silver armor, riding a white stallion, by all means, come chat.

Becky "Sha" Shamen

New Bastogne: WW2 in Second Life

By Grease Coakes

 

Second Life has endless ways to make use of a sim. You can have a rocking dance club, or others use a sim to hold prayers and build an ashram or church. Native Americans use a sim just to hang out at and express their culture and heritage. Another way to use a sim is for fun filled combat. Had a bad day at work? Blast your friend’s head off with a submachine gun, or even better use a bazooka.

 

Vickster Khun created a combat area in a sim owned by her, New Bastogne, which recreates a World War II environment based in France during German occupation in 1944. Nydia Tungsten and JessicaBelle Dayafter gave me a tour of the sim in a 1940’s armored car. When I first warped into the sim I saw a realistic room like a 1940’s office. Walking out, I was in an underground bunker. Jessica was a Lt. Colonel and Nydia was an under officer as a 1st Sergeant. Nydia played as her attaché being the driver while Jessica explained everything.

 

As I was in the back seat I saw destroyed buildings and old posters and cafes in giving the player or myself a historically accurate and terrible war like environment. The builders behind the sim did a great job in creating a realistic World War II recreation. In fact Nydia ran into an old style lamppost on purpose and it actually fell over and the same with chairs and table on an outside café.

 

 There are also sewers to go underground if you wanted to be sneaky and not be in direct combat. The goal of the sim, or rather the combat, was to capture flags and change them to your faction or nation. But of course as a combat sim you need firepower to overwhelm those nasty Germans, or you could be playing as the Germans trying to take control of Europe.

 

Nydia and JessicaBelle showed me where to pick up weaponry and a uniform so I’d be ready for battle. When I got the hang of it, I shot Nydia "killing" her by surprise. Sadly for me she came back and killed me several times going around the sim in fun filled combat. The combat scripts you put on only give you 25 hit points and allow you to put a flag above your head to show you’re an American or another allied nation. The low hit points add realism to the combat sim. Instead of taking 20 bullets before you die you can only take a shot or two before you die and respawn. To not be offensive the German sign is a red field with a cross, not the infamous Swastika used in Nazi propaganda.

 

A SMG isn’t for you? Well good news, there’s more. Unlike the first person shooter "Team Fortress 2" where you can pick a class to use certain weapons you stick with the basic rifle, however you can still use bazookas you just don’t start with full ammo like the solider in TF2. You have to pick up ammo crates to load your bazooka. That way not everyone is going around German occupied France with a bazooka you have to earn it by grabbing the ammo crates.

 

There are also vehicles to use as well to blast other players. You can grab a tank or even a fighter plane to blast away with. The tank gun made holes in the ground with a fiery after-effect and a sound effect of voices yelling German commands to fire. The plane itself was tricky to fly and I crashed into the sim next door. I had to laugh at myself in good fun.

 

JessicaBelle Dayafter wanted to show off the sim she likes roleplaying in and she wanted to vent some frustration at a group of people abusing the sim by bending the rules and not playing fair. Like Blizzard’s game "World of Warcraft," lots of players picked one side overwhelming the other faction. The game loses fun when this happens, in Jessica’s words. In fact when I brought up WoW she mentioned a lot of these unfair players may be also WoW players.

 

JessicaBelle Dayafter: “And all too often people would not use common sense of fairness. Like if you are fighting 3 enemies, coming over with 12 soldiers and 2 tanks is wayyy overkill, and totally unfair.”

 

Also people can become abusive getting too seriously involved in the sim. JessicaBelle Dayafter told me,  “Going back to the topic at hand of insults (sort of), another thing that drove many people off, is certain people take their RP waayy too serious, and bordering on being down right offensive/breaking rules of conduct set in place by LL.” 

 

As an officer, a Lt. Colonel, JessicaBelle tries giving orders, however her orders are often ignored by the other players. So by those upset by the cheating players she suggests going to LL to complain. Part of the problem is however is the managers and owner of the sim aren’t always sure what to do and her suggestions fall on deaf ears. I used the analogy of the NFL how when refs make bad calls against the home team you’ll hear boos resounding from the stands.

 

JessicaBelle Dayafter, "Some examples of shenanigans: spawn camping gathering large a large amount of troops, and waiting within line of sight or right outside the spawn areas, so anyone trying to re-enter battle gets massacred. A lot of it too was slinging insults to each other in combat, and not in a playful/meaningless way."

 

Sounds like some people want to ruin the game for others and bend the game to their will beyond reason and cheat. Which is sad when instead of enjoying the WW II sim in a fair way, they made the sim not fun anymore. This is just common sense or something you learn as a kid that other people do not like it if someone else cheats or plays a game whether a video game or a board game in an unfair way. Or if someone is winning by roll of the dice or just good shooting not to take offense and be a sore loser. That’s something to be reminded of in the holiday season when fairness and kindness show good holiday spirit. 

 

Check out the WW II sim when you get the chance readers of the Second Life Newser I had a fun time goofing off with Nydia and JessicaBelle.  That’s certainly part of the Christmas season just having fun.

 

Grease Coakes

The Dusty Streets of Dodge City

 

The Marshal held his gun in one hand and in the other, the rope that held the well-bound outlaw. He and his deputy were the only ones there to transfer the prisoner to the train to Leavenworth. The prisoner had offered a heavy reward  to anyone who could rescue him before the train. There was a hideout ready. Marshal Cobb knew he and the deputy were taking their lives in their hands. He had asked for help but no one appeared. He began to move down the deserted street dragging the prisoner behind him and watching for any sudden moves. 

As the shooting started from all sides he ran through the prairie grasses and woods to avoid the shots but it was to no avail. Both he and his deputy went down for the last time. The prisoner was  dragged to the hideout and set free. 

 

This was a role play event in Dodge City that was great fun to watch. 

 

The American west was a wild one in the days following the Civil War between the North and South. People really began moving west from the Mississippi River when the war was over. Forts were established across the land to protect the migrants on their journey. Towns began to spring up near the Santa Fe Trail. Their histories are not that old since this was in the decades of the 1870-1880s. There has always been a fascination with  the well known bad guys and good guys, names known from movies about cowboys and Indians, Jessie James, Wyatt Earp  and his brother James, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok and others. 

 

Now in SL there is a new role play sim called Kansas West. Here, life in the small towns of Dodge City and Ellsworth is re-enacted by those who love the era. Sebastian Cobb, Mayor and Marshall of the town, and Annaliese Cobb are the owners with the region. They try to keep peace but that is not easy. There are issues with the nearby Native Americans, outlaws passing through, rough cowboys who appear to drink and play cards in the many saloons.   Duncan Wolf is the the main builder who recreated the railway station, saloons, inns and shops based on the original photos of the Old Dodge City. The scene is planned to be as close to  real life  as possible from old photos of the era. 

 

Duncan and his wife Stacy are part of the Cheyenne nation. Near by is Fort Harker. The new Captain, Tak3hiko is recruiting new soldiers for the fort. The soldiers come to town to drink and dance with the “doves” at the Lonestar Saloon and Dance Hall. Although the rule is ”guns left at the bar” there are  fights that often end badly.  There are frequent attempts at robbing the bank. It is a very busy town. And there are the  settlers who come to town for supplies, mail , and to attend Church. Next to the church is a hanging tree and  behind that is the cemetery. 

 

Kansas West has been up and running only  since the 7th of July so you can make as good life in town or out on the prairie. To participate fully you will wear a hud that allows you to collect food, materials, tools, and other necessities for your life there.  The Pinkerton Detectives have also now come to town. Dodge City is looking for new members: those interested in the history of the time and, especially,  role play; those who would like to join the  Native Americans, soldiers for  the fort, settlers with their families and of course, outlaws. 

 

 If you are interested you can contact any of the persons listed above, or you can join the group . There is an inviter on the wall of the railroad lobby. You will also find some free period clothing. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kansas%20West%201870s/146/119/292 . Perhaps you can attend an event to see how you like it. 

 

Nice people, nice place, but keep that gun handy!!! 

 

Gemma Cleanslate