Hopeby Village

 

By Netera Landar

Chard and Stevie Hope created a roleplay sim rooted in the warmth, tradition, and the quiet magic of British village life.  Hopeby represents an East Yorkshire village in the rural county in the north of England. 

Find out what's on the menu at Hopeby Cafe and Sweets.

“East Yorkshire was a natural choice, as it is a place familiar to Chard, with its wide, open flatlands and winding waterways that seem made for stories to unfold,” said Stevie. “It’s a perfect setting for imagining a delightfully cheesy Christmas Hallmark movie come to life, where an American visitor—that would be me—arrives a bit reluctantly, only to find herself falling in love with both the village and a local lad named Chard.”

“From that love comes marriage, family, and eventually the creation of a village built on shared history, community, and hope—what would come to be known as Hopeby Village,” she added.

Hopeby Village Hall.

Together, they turned a simple idea into a living, breathing village with a story of its own. The one sim community is kept small to foster a quieter, more intimate setting that offers a sense of calm, familiarity, and belonging. 

“Every corner of the village has been thoughtfully planned to feel both expansive and cohesive, allowing the world to unfold naturally without ever feeling crowded or disconnected,” said Stevie. “Winding paths, open spaces, and shared gathering spots give Hopeby the feeling of a living village rather than a busy hub.”

The layout provides “gentle” room for growth, allowing the community to develop naturally without losing the heart and charm that make it feel like home for its residents. 

“Both of us have been involved in community building in the past, and that experience helped us begin Hopeby with a clear sense of purpose from the very start,” said Stevie. “We created a thoughtful foundation: housing to feel like home, businesses to encourage daily village life, welcoming communal spaces, a growing body of lore, and a strong community ethos to guide interactions.”

She said that these elements are designed to inspire connection, creativity, and lively roleplay, allowing residents to step into a village that feels lived-in, meaningful, and full of possibility.

The village is decorated with British flags on a quiet morning.

“The planning of Hopeby began weeks before the first stone was ever set, with long conversations shared between husband and wife – ideas passed back and forth, imagined, reshaped, and dreamed into something just a little clearer each time,” said Stevie. “As the village began to take form, that planning never truly stopped, continuing as an ongoing, shared effort shaped by love, patience, and a mutual belief in the story we were building together.”

Stevie said that the landscaping and placement were arranged to avoid the “cookie-cutter feeling. The design was chosen by the owners, ensuring a consistent aesthetic throughout the entire sim.

“Chard laid out the bones of the village—its roads, plots, and rhythm—while I followed behind him, bringing warmth and life to each space. I adorned the land with natural beauty and carefully decorated the interiors of several shops, including our family-owned café and ice cream parlour. Step by step, room by room, we built Hopeby blending structure and detail, vision and heart, until the village felt not just designed, but truly loved.”

A manor near one of the stables in Hopeby Village.

Seventeen family homes are currently on the land. They began welcoming a few families into the village on January 20. There are cozy homes, traditional cottages, and manor-style properties. Several stables have been added, which would be perfect for Teegle and other horses. Empty shop spaces can be rented for a role-play business or a main marketplace store. Residential and shops in the business district are 1.75L per prim. Stevie said that this makes it easy to settle in and plan long-term without surprise costs. To celebrate the grand opening, a rental incentive was offered through the end of January. Residents who paid for four weeks received an additional week at no charge.

“Each home and business space is individually parceled, allowing tenants the freedom to choose their own music, manage their own security systems, and personalize their space. Tenants may add visitors to the group as ‘guests,’ ensuring friends and family are never limited in their ability to rez while visiting. Our goal is to provide both freedom and peace of mind, so every resident can truly feel at home in Hopeby.”

Tenants and residents will be personally greeted by the Hope Family. Chard and Stevie’s son, Correus, will not only assist with the village, but he’s also eager to meet new friends and help them feel at home.

Hopeby Village Pet Care is ready to serve you and your special fur babies.

As the village grows, residents will take on roles and responsibilities, integrating their creativity and imagination with the founders.

The shops and roles will create a lively community where every resident has a story to tell. As the shops are filled, tenants will step into their roles naturally, becoming threads in the tapestry of Hopeby, where friendships are forged, stories unfold, and the village hums with gentle energy, said Stevie.  

“Imagine gossip pinned to the parish boards, laughter spilling from the pub late into the evening, children racing through the streets, and neighbours gathering for shared celebrations that feel both grand and intimate,” added Stevie. “There may be the occasional mild scandal, a mix-up at the market, or a spirited debate at the town meeting – these are all part of the rhythm of village life.”

In the near future, a Village Council uniting residents and business owners will have a voice in shaping the community's future.

There will also be events. Seasonal festivals will feature music and fresh treats. Drive-in theatre nights will be organized for quiet gatherings. Live music from talented performers or DJs will be scheduled. Bingo Nights and clever quizzes will test residents’ wit and memory.

Meet your friends for a drink at  Hope & Anchor bar.

Residents will gather at The Hope & Anchor pub to share stories, build friendships, and enjoy a friendly pint or two. The Village Green will offer a space for larger gatherings, seasonal festivals, and community-wide celebrations. Hopeby Café & Sweets is ideal for morning chats over hot tea or coffee. Families will enjoy gathering at Hope Kids Scoops for an ice cream cone to have quality time together.

“We hope Hopeby will become more than just a place to live; we want it to feel like a living village, one where laughter is shared, adventures are imagined, and every small moment – whether a quiet stroll along the winding lanes or a bustling market day – adds to the rich tapestry of community life. Here, every character has a place, every story matters, and every resident is a part of something enduring, heartwarming, and truly special.

A winding waterway runs its course under the bridge, a short distance from the residential area

The village welcomes all, regardless of species, race, religion, gender, age, or who they love, Stevie added. It is a gentle, moderate sim where days move a little slower and everyone cares for one another. 

The village is guided by a shared covenant – simple, respectful, and meant to protect the comfort and well-being of everyone who calls Hopeby home.

Netera Landar 

 

Shropshire

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

I love to visit regions in SL that are based on real life locations. I have been to visit Shropshire Rolling Hills and Farm inspired by the County of Shropshire in England. The owners, Jenni Jones (Pixie8615) and Stefan Jones (Skilledavatar) have created a site that honors history from the Norse and the present. There is modern roleplay offered, as well as visiting a Viking village that demonstrates the manner in which they settled in England.

 

The main vision of the region, however, is everything horse. There is no way to express the constant offerings of daily activities except to join the group and see the notices. Classes are offered in everything and anything related to horses, even beginners Teegle. If I had time I would definitely be going to many of them. The multitude of opportunities is dazzling.

I did drop in on one that was a practice session for dressage. There were not only avatars mounted on their horses but also many horse avatars ready to learn more and work out. It inspired me to go get the dressage hud and take a few turns around a sandbox to see how it all went. One of the dressage riders passed a wonderful guide book to the region and its history. Perhaps when time permits I will be able to go back and join a basic class. JamesT Juno, the owner of the former SL Newspaper where I wrote articles before the SL Newser opened, was a dressage and jumping expert and had many trophies and medals. I went to some shows and I thought it was beautiful then and still do.

This region is a family friendly place .One can rent a home at very fair prices. Get-togethers for chatting and game playing, and parties are on the agenda. Jenni said “we welcome all Avatars from small tiny bugs to huge Giants, we’re an all welcome sim, no matter your beliefs, mental state, gender or intelligence, we have an amazing Quadrille Team that are working on a show for the upcoming Dog and Pony Show, if you don’t know what Quadrille is, its basically group dressage” 

 

I visited the village. The homes were sweet. I found a pig farm down a lane and nearby a chicken coop. One chicken I noticed is an avatar who lives there, a singing chicken who gives concerts named Nivor. Evidently Nivor challenged a witch who turned her into a chicken so while she waits to end the spell she lives here. This area is called the small Animal Shelter though I think a dragon may have a resting place here too. I believe I saw a dog training class in a notice.

Nearby on the next road I found the combo Post office and Farm Shop. I walked along the road past homes which are labeled Private so watch for those and remember not to disturb. Along another road there is a Veterinary service. On a corner I found a restaurant called the Codfather serving delicious meals and stopped in to have some. I could not resist the smell. Yum.

I went to the Viking area to visit and that is where the riding trails go through the wood and if you don’t have a horse of your own to use on the trails there is a horse rezzer and you can choose the one you would like to ride. Explore the shops while you are in the Viking area and see the offerings available for those who wish to stay and participate in activities. There are helmet, clothing, avatar accessories, and lots of cheese!

Role play offers the emergency services to practice and stage events such as saving a barn from fire, rescues and more. They meet at the new services building to plan events.There is a hospital also and Doctors , Nurses. Police, Paramedics and others are invited to join in. Contact Jenni. You will be very welcome. Go visit whether you are a horse person or not. Pick up the Guide Book on the fence where you land. On the boards there is a teleporter to some of the areas you don’t want to miss.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Innocent%20Eyes/68/111/21

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

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

Wild West RoleplayLands

By Becky "Sha" Shamen

I have been writing for SL Newser, for several years now. With all this practice, we gain skills in finding and writing about ever greater adventures. This also enables us to observe and teach those elements that make any life, real or virtual, better for all. Life can be difficult, but the rules are very simple. To have a better life, always obey these two little rules. One, life is fun. If you're not having fun, you aren't playing by the rules. Two, life is for learning new things. Everything in life is a fun lesson and even an old god can learn a new trick. If you are not learning fun new things, you are stuck in a rut. Being stuck is not fun. Go back and read rule one. In addition to writing about a fun life here, we also give one-on-one guidance, to those that seek it. They are like students or Padawans. We will be including one of these padawans in this adventure. Let us begin to set the stage, for his entry.

On an intuitive hunch, I opened the World Map, of the SL Grid and began scanning for interesting sim clusters. Finding a good candidate, we zoom down for a closer look at the terrain. Like a good spy satellite, we get a detailed picture of what is going on down there. In this case, we located a tight collective of 24 sims. Each sim is named after an area in the western part of the USA and you could see it in the landscaping. This area had all the elements of a great place to explore.

I had copied the SLURL for one of the sims and went, briefly, to set a LM and get a "first impression". The landing is a skybox, with a painted interior. There is a shack, a horse and a few signs. The 24 sim area is called "Wild West Roleplay Lands" and, as we guessed it, there will be rules. As kids, we called "Roleplay" by the name "Let's pretend". You did your best to look and sound your part, in order to free the imagination to act out the role. It has been many moons, since we last played "Cowboys and Indians" and my imagination has many other ways of getting around. I decided that when I come back I would take in the whole experience, by joining the group and wearing the HUD and health meter. After the regularly scheduled evening's event, I returned home to dress western, horse included, and returned to those wild days of yore.

Back at the skybox, I gathered and read all the notecards about the ground rules and notice that they are in English and German. That seemed unusual, at the time, but I would eventually learn the reason. I joined the local Buffalo Wyoming Group and wore the WW meter HUD and health meter. Now I was ready to descend to ground level and begin the adventure. 

Turning towards the TP, I spot something at my feet that wasn't there before. It was my tiny neighbor, friend, Erik Mouse. He had located us on his world map. Not long ago, I had invited him to join me, during my explorations of Creations for Parkinson's and he had figured out, if I was far from home, I was probably researching another fun adventure. I could tell, he was hoping to get invited to join the fun. I have to admit, my first thoughts were, this is like getting a hot first date and your mom says to have to watch your little brother and let him tag along on your movie date. Then, my mind steps in, telling me this is exactly the thing we are trying to teach others to do. It wouldn't be a change in our plans, because we were making it up as we go along. Besides, I reasoned that roleplay was a bit like sex, being more fun to play with friends, than to play with self. I told him that I wouldn't mind if he joined me, but he would have to do it as a human cowboy. He said he had never played a human, in SL, but would do what it takes. I informed him that he could find a human avatar in the library section of his inventory and that they provide free period clothing at the near by shed. Our location seemed to be preventing us from making any changes to our avatars, so we returned home to make a man of him. At the Surf's Up club, I located a complete cowboy avatar, on Marketplace, for only L$25. The cowboy avatar even came with a coiled lasso, so Erik was now fully prepared to rope him some fun.

So, now we have Erik, on his first day as a human, but he's not the only cherry. I quickly discover that I am no longer the author of this play and the actors are working without a script. Our first location, on the ground, was the town of Buffalo, Wyoming. Sha, from experience, takes up the lead position and her faithful companion follows a few paces behind. Being in a Wild West town, our first interest was finding the local Bank. We found it, but it was locked so we went across the street, to the Saloon. The barkeep and patrons are all cardboard cut-outs. If we wanted adventure, we needed to head on down the road. A quick check of the radar showed that we were the only ones on this sim, but there are a handful of others on the next sim, so we head in that direction. As we entered the next town, there only seems to be one resident and he is taking a nap, in front of the Pub. I spot the local jail and head over to check the accommodations. I entered a jail cell and invited Erik to come in and pose for a souvenir photo of our adventure.

 We broke out of jail and returned outside where I spotted a gallows. I think this might be a good place to demonstrate the virtue of Courage, so I clicked the gallows and selected the hang by the neck animation.

 Well, I was having some fun, but my companion was probably wondering when the adventure would begin, so we headed towards the blips on the radar. This ain't no big city. There are no paved roads or direction signs to follow. As we walk, I spot three buffalo, grazing in a field and say, "Oh look at the cute critters. Let's go pet them". BIG MISTAKE! One of the buffalo turns in my direction and prepares to charge. I take off for the hills, double time, and see on the radar that Erik is right behind me. I run into a stone canyon and find a Medicine man's tee-pee and campfire. Thinking this is a safe place, I sit down at the fire. Turning my cam around, I see Erik lying face down on the ground, with a rattle snake biting his leg. I asked him about the snake. He said that he didn't know about the snake, but his HUD just informed him that the buffalo had killed him. I'm like, OMG, they killed Kenny! I brought my little buddy here and got him killed. Then, the unexpected happened. Laying face down in a pool of blood, Erik begins to comfort me. "Don't worry, I'm just dead. I'll be better in about 30 minutes". WOW! Who is this guy and what did he do with the timid little mouse? I said, " no worries pal. I'll sit here and wait for you, while I smoke this peace pipe that I found by the fire." As I sat there thinking, I realized something else about this man named Erik, that was different from the mouse I had known for years. From the time he found me in the skybox, until now, he had not been AFK, even one time, throughout our adventure.

At about this time, a stranger approached the campfire, carrying a rifle. I could only hope that he was one of the good guys, because we were in a defenseless posision. As he began to talk to us, or should I say, er begann, mit uns reden, I realized this cowboy was speaking German and it was being translated to English. I learned, later, that Wild West Roleplay is very popular in Germany. The cowboy told us that Erik would soon live again, although his full strength would take a bit longer. When Erik rose from the ground, the cowboy pointed to the ground and said, here marks the spot where you were dead. The blood was gone and the cowboy bid us well on our journey. I told him, "Danke shon", and Erik and I continued on the trail. We soon found ourselves in another small town and it had a church. I have always been interested in the architecture of places of worship, so we went inside for a look. Erik's first comment was that we could have used some of this guy's healing skills, back on the trail. WOW! He understands religion. I was seeing inside the RL Erik in a new light. I wanted to get to know him even better, so I steered the conversation to our RL selves. "Do you go to church", I asked.  "No", was his reply. I told him my age and birthday and he told me his. Erik is in the same age range as my three daughters. Our sun signs are also very compatable. I asked him if he used Facebook, so we could friend there. He did and we set it up, then and there.

    The hour was getting late and I had a staff meeting the next day. I told Erik to feel free to explore some more, but I was going to bed and would probably come back a few more times, to explore more of the Wild West Roleplay Lands. He wanted to know if he could come again, with me. I told him, "Si, mi casa, su casa".

   I must point out here that Erik and I only covered about 1/6 of the Wild West Roleplay Lands. If you come here, there is enough adventure to keep you going for months or even years. Besides that, I am scratching my head, wondering what this story is really about. A fairy mouse king becomes a mortal man, to descend to earth, is killed and comes back to life. It all begins to sound like a symbolic initiation into some secret brotherhood of knights or an ancient Greek passion play or the labors of Hercules.

   I don't know where the story came from, but I'm signing it,

"Sha"

The Amazon River- Eight Regions, One River!

By Britty Bee
 

Deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest lies the Amazon River. This River is the largest by discharge in the world and is also the longest. The Amazon River sim transports you back to a primitive time where working with nature is essential for survival.

The Amazon River is home to a large role play community which includes several tribes, groups such as Bandits and Raiders, and several individuals that keep to themselves in the wild. KellyLee123 states, “We have natives of many tribes that all live together, working together to survive the wild Jungle.” After joining the group, the HUD paired with this sim provides an immersive experience. This provides transportation to various locations in the sim, change your appearance, your health stats, and food to keep your energy up. Threats lie all throughout the jungle, with fierce wildlife that will attack! There are crocodiles lurking at the edge of the river, and snakes hiding in the tall grass. Danger can find you at any given moment! Survival in the Amazon is very realistic, giving you the full Amazon experience.

The jungle is filled with treehouses, teepees, and huts to seek shelter on those warm nights. Row down the river or hike through the trails to take in the stunning scenery. Head over to the wisdom caves to test your skill; few make it out! According to legend, the Mouthpiece of the Gods, in the temple near the Wisdom Cave, gives you a way to communicate with The Creators! Climb the top of the tower for stunning views of the sim, relax in a hammock, face an active volcano, or explore the creaky bridges and hidden trails.

Will you brave the Amazon?

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Baia%20Santa%20Rosa/177/140/22

Britty Bee

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

Avatar in Second Life (Jan 2010)

By Bixyl Shuftan

In December 2009, the much anticipated sci-fi movie "Avatar" by James Cameron reached the theaters, and was a blockbuster hit, drawing huge numbers. People marveled at the groundbreaking special effects used to create the alien "Na'vi" in the film, as well as the planet's beautiful appearance. In Second Life, it was frequently talked about, the tie-in with the name "Avatar" being obvious. Avatars of the aliens were soon made, and before long, roleplay areas.

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James Cameron’s science-fiction movie “Avatar” has taken cinema by storm, setting box office records in the United States and elsewhere across the world. Inevitably, people began making avatars of the alien “Na’vi.” Whenever there’s something big in science-fiction, people are drawn to begin with to recreate it here. With “Avatar,” there was a certain irony to it. There’s the movie’s name, making the “Na’vi” in Second Life “Avatar” avatars. And just like the humans in the movie create “avatars” to go about in an alien world in an imersive and personal manner, people have been doing so with “Na’vi” avatars here in the Metaverse. And of course Second Life avatars tend to be much taller than normal human anyway.

Many of us have already seen the familiar blue, thin humanoids showing up at clubs or other places. As it turns out, there have been efforts at more, trying to recreate the world of Pandora in Second Life.

Probably the most detailed of these Pandora areas is the Pandora Magic sim in Second Life. The entry area has a few freebies nearby, notably the rp combat system. Portals can take you to shops, or straight down to the planet. And given a little time to load, it is a most beautiful sight. Trees standing tall in the air, luminous plants and creatures providing colorful light - notably when seen at nighttime, flowers that make “crunch” noises and temporarily vanish when you walk near.

And of course there were a few Na’vi avatars about, walking here and there. There was also a couple embracing in a leaf boat moving slowly along a river. There were other cuddle poses throughout the sim, for any couples going here for a stroll in the woods. Supposedly some people after seeing the movie are depressed about not being able to visit Pandora for real (Click Here for CNN article). Logging into Second Life and going to Pandora Magic would certainly be one way to ease these down feelings.

Pandora Magic and its sister sim Pandora Hellsgate are the location for a German Na’vi roleplay group, though they don’t seem to have a problem with visitors going about the forest. The language at the starting area was German, though some notecards had English translations. Most of the chat heard was not in English, but there was one who did, commenting, “I think the reason Second Life has gone AVATAR crazy is because the movie related to us in a big way. A lot of us log in to a new body and a new world with unimaginable possibilities. SL is the outdated version. (laughter).”

Going into Search and typing Na’vi or Pandora, one will find other sims. Checking some of them, none led to a forest as lush as Pandora Magic’s, but there were some other roleplay groups. Angels Sanctuary had a Na’vi forest, which while not as detailed as Pandora Magic was better than most other "Avatar" places I saw. Two places had the same design space station, with a free human Hardsuit and 1L hovercraft, though except for demos the Na'vi avatars were a little costly. And some areas, while a nice place to stroll, seemed to have nothing to do with the “Avatar” movie, or were just a place to sell expensive avatars and props.

So if you’re someone who’s seen the movie and wants to relive it, or just want to see a little of what all the hype is about, Second Life offers places and things for you.

“kîyevåme, eana-txim.”

"(See you soon, blue butt.)"

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Eventually, the movie was dropped from the theaters, and the chatter among the bulk of Second Life residents faded. But for the roleplayers the movie continued to hold their interest. Checking the map a couple years later, the Pandora Magic area was still around, and there were both buildings for the humans, and a group of Na'vi avatars going about. Five years later, the sim is gone. But a search of sims with the name "Pandora" revealed one with a familiar looking landscape with a huge tree. For some, five years after the movie came and went from the theaters, the movie still inspires them to recreate the scenery here.

Bixyl Shuftan

Ithil Ar Giliath

By Jamie

When people think of medieval roleplay, they think of people running at each other, swords drawn, and really to spill blood. While there are a lot of sims like this, this is not the case at Giliath. At Giliath, everyone has a role to play, and not everyone is in combat.

The roles of the sim are the usual medieval job classes, blacksmith, baker, inn keeper, butcher, etc. However, unlike other sims, this place has different species, and races, roleplaying within the same sim. Not only that, but this sim has more than one court around.

The allowed species on the sim are Humans, Elves, Half-Elves, Drow, Half-Drow, Fae, and Shifters. And under these, are different races, mainly under Fae, and shifters. Each species has their own area of the sim, from the caves of the Drow, Half-Drow, Fae, and Shifters, to the above ground of everyone else. However don't let this small list fool you, other species are allowed as long as you have permission. These species include werewolves, and vampires. There is even a robot rping on the sim as well (maybe they think he's a magical golem).

The sim is still recovering from the devastating loss of the other URA sims, but they are determined to continue going strong. This didn't even deter them away from building and amazing sim.

However, these aren't the only things that make the sim great. The admins and other roleplayers are extremely helpful. While other sims allow only admins to be greeters, this sim allows anyone to greet and help, but only the admins can approve of things. I mean, even I have greeted quite a few people to the sim. The admins are extremely helpful though, from sending links to new players, to better understand the role they play, to even helping with some of the payment for characters.

These things make this sim an awesome place to be, no matter what.

Jamie

New Toulouse

By Fritter Enzyme

Lafitte's Old Primsmith Bar is just one of my favorite places at New Toulouse.  Described as:  “Home of Mama Cree's Freebies, All Full Perm - The oldest structure in New Toulouse!  Refurbished a few times, but it was here first! Stop by and drown your sim-blues in prim-booze.” It is the type of place I was hoping to find in New Toulouse.  The environment is with the trimmings and music of the era in the flavor of Second Life.  Tarot cards on the bar really work, with instructions for you to learn from.  You are reminded not to drop your cigarette butts on the floor as they may burn the hands and knees of the other customers as they leave. 

I ran into Henri Godenot, the Mayor of the city and owner of the sim there.  He welcomes all to come to Toulouse to explore the city and bayou as well.  It is nice to have an official welcome extended to all. 
New Toulouse is based on New Orleans, circa 1900-1925.  The buildings show it, and music everywhere is jazz, blues and zydeco.

In the old time cemetery you can find tombs, all above ground, as it truly is there.  One is for you to leave your current worries.  It is called the Catharsis Laval. Open the tomb, and touch the floor and type in your worry.  Close the door and leave it behind you.  The grave yard by itself is a beautiful and unique experience.  Lots can be rented, if available to set up a mausoleum as creative as you are.   Included is a tomb dedicated to Miss Ing Inventory:  The Lab giveth, the Lab taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lab. 

Street cars (one named Desire) run through the streets to give you a ride or tour of the city.  Art galleries offer proper vintage posters and art for your home in New Toulouse, which, of course does offer rentals for homes and businesses.  The homes can be a simple apartment or a Victorian house.  Architecture is one of the best features of the city.  Hanging plants, balconies, and pony mounts are everywhere.  Silent movies of the era are at the Bijou Impromptu.  It is near the Beth Shalom Synagogue. 

Another favorite of mine is a second hand store called Look What the Cat Dragged in. They gave grab bags in the back room, and all products are delivered by a cat with a bag in its mouth.  Speaking of cats, they are all over the city, many at Miss KK's cathouse.  This is a home for abandoned cats, not what you might think as a ‘cat house.’  It is by Skye Qi Vintage Apparel Emporium. Which is a fine place to find your outfits for this sim.  Sadly lacking in much for males, but this seems so true for most of Second Life.

But now, a trip to the bayou.  Land of swamps and alligators.  Bridges and boats will bring you around in this land.  Many residential areas are here, but then you will find places to shop and rest, or drink… same thing.  Watch for the gators here.  Things are very rustic and rural. Broken windows and river rats are the norm.  Private areas are here, and armadillos too.  Club houses exist as well as great swamp nature to see. 

Voodoo, and spirituality are everywhere in both sims.  You can make appointments to get your fortune read at many places.  Even participate in reading them yourself.  Houses range from boats to shacks to nice dwellings, but all have that touch of age, and of the damage of the bayou.  You may find modern music here on some private lands, but all seems open and worth seeing.  The homes all seem very accessible here.  One last word.  There is a newspaper here, the Tattler.  It has gossip, events, and a lot of silliness worth seeing. 

New Toulouse:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse/209/202/23

A video of their Mardi Gras event:  http://www.newtoulouse.org/samedi-gras-15-movie/

The Tattler: http://www.newtoulouse.org/

Fritter Enzyme