I decided I wanted a new steampunk look too, but the Faire wasn’t the ideal place to shop for that. While there are lots of excellence shops at the Faire I couldn’t find quite what I was looking for, so I went to The Engine Room event. I picked up a few things that I didn’t realise I was missing until I saw them, like this neck corset by Silvery K, hat by Insomnia Angel and new hair to go under it.
Credits:
Corset: SteamPunk Corset with Watch (own creation from Full Perm items, ask for details)
Alara had heard the trembling and vibrations in the ground as she slept during the daylight hours. They got stronger the closer she got to the mountains and home.
She had seen machinery on a large scale sometimes pass nearby as she traveled at night. What were the surface-dwellers doing?
Rather than taking the cave entrance into the centuries old subterranean city her people called home, she decided to investigate what was going on. She climbed the slope in darkness, to a position where she could look down on the surface settlement and froze with shock.
They had always mined the rock miles above her home, but never had she seen a drill of that size! She looked down into the crater trying to visualize the layout of the city below. If they dug much further they would start to uncover old entrance tunnels!
The giant drill that threatens her subterranean home.
She descended the slope away from the settlement towards the nearest entrance, she must warn her people. No doubt some would already be scared by the inevitable increased noise, but she suspected the Elders would be dismissing it as just more mining if they had no idea what was above them. Stopped for now, but inevitably that drill will start again.
There were several Meet & Greet sessions at Fantasy Faire for NeoVictoria, the one I was able to attend was on 29th April and it was pretty busy! Quite a few of the existing members were able to attend, so the varied collection of interested players were able to get plenty of answers to any questions they had. I believe we may well have gained a few new players for our community!
Visitors may think that the large serpentine statutes around Cassiopeia are just that, statute. They would be wrong.
The statues are meant to be a warning reminder of the planets largest natural predator. Although they have not been seen for a long time and have almost become myth. Yet the evolutionary evidence of the humanoid population cannot be denied, having dark patterned skin that would allow them to blend into natural terrain like a chameleon.
Evidently the humanoid population did not evolve from apes.
Custom dictates bright coloured clothing only be worn in private, going against this is frowned upon particularly by older generations. They say all stories are based on a grain of truth and the same can be said for customs originating from necessity. In this case it was survival.
A question that remains unanswered though is why each serpent statute is accompanied by what those of Earth would call an Angel? Do they represent an alien race? Perhaps a visiting race that destroyed the serpents, to allow the humanoids to thrive. Were they guardians against the serpents, or their keepers? The answers are no doubt long lost.
The serpent statues of Cassiopeia
Credits:
Spacesuit:Space Cadet Bodysuit by {REC} at Agra Adara, Fantasy FaireSkin: Wild Space Skin Set from Stargazer CreationsHair: Raven Belle – Luxe Hair
This fictional piece was written for Fantasy Faire 2020 Faire Bloggers Challenge “Faire Folk”
At the Faire last year I wandered rather aimlessly, I followed the Bubbo Owls storyline and one day I went to a NeoVictoria meet & greet, apart from that I didn’t explore much. It was that meet that would change my perspective, I just didn’t know it at the time.
This year I was at the planning meetings and discussions of what NeoVictoria may do at their meets and discussed what items they would be offering for sale and as gifts. It was this last part that was most relevant, I volunteered to make a freebie gift.
On the evening of the Wednesday before the Faire began I was invited to the “Backstage” group so I could Rez the item for visitors to purchase.
The NeoVictoria stand in Fantasy FaireWith a stage for RoleplaysThe drinks barrel I made as a gift
On the Thursday morning I logged back in to have an explore.
It was surreal being in the Faire before it opened. My previous experiences had always been of bustling regions full of people. As usual I didn’t really have much of a plan of what I wanted to see, I just knew I had about 3 hours before the Faire opened and there would be people everywhere. I just wanted to see as much as I could before the masses arrived.
Since the NeoVictoria store is located in Auxenio’s Pass steampunk region, that’s where I started. When I stepped outside I was blown away by the surroundings. I started walking the paths to see what I found.
A glance down the street
And I see several of these beautiful creations
With the regions being mostly empty except for store owners making final tweaks to their displays and other creators taking the time to wander, it was blissfully quiet.
Blissfully empty streetsThe centre of the Region features a massive drill
I stuck mostly to the paths, with occasional detours, wanting to try and see as much as I could in the time I had. Traveling mostly clockwise around the Faire, I took in the sights of the created locations. Each one mind blowing or boggling in their design. I got about half way around before I ran out of time, but I had a large collection of snapshots taken as I went around. Here are some of my favourites.
The leafy pathways of Autumnia
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia
Lamented Fens – An eerie myst is everywhere
Lamented Fens – Not somewhere you’d want to swim!
A light in the distance? Who would live here?
Isle of Shadows – The sight of this creation is breathtaking
Isle of Shadows – Such detail on a massive scale
Isle of Shadows – Departing the harbour
Isle of Shadows – Off the brige into some welcome woodland
Isle of Shadows – A lovely small place just off the path
Now I look forward to exploring the rest of the Faire!
So it’s this time of year again Fantasy Faire is upon us. Another week and more of exploring beautiful location, roleplay and shopping in aid of Relay for Life in Second Life.
Last year I visited the Faire and for the first time was able to follow their week-long roleplay storyline. That was great fun and I wrote about it in my Bubbo Owls post. This year it appears the RP is called the Grizzly Cubs and I look forward to following this years adventure.
As I’ve mentioned previously, last year I attended a Meet & Greet with the lovely folks from the NeoVictoria Project. I submitted a character and became an official member of the community. They’re holding similar Meet & Greet sessions this year, so I shall be present for at least one of them to help out. I’m also possibly providing a freebie to be given out at the NeoVictoria location at the Faire.
What else is new this year is that I applied to be one of the Official FF Bloggers. However the applications are now closed and my names not on the list. I suspect this is probably due to the quality of my regular images, admittedly lower quality, but it’s usually because they’re un-staged and my focus is the RP or story. (I’ll be remedying that for the Faire) So instead I’m going to try and complete some of their Blogger Challenges which I’ve copied below:
Faire Folk – create a character from the Fairelands
On the 1st of April I attended a Townhall meeting of the NeoVictoria roleplay members to discuss ideas of what we/they will be doing for Fantasy Faire 2020.
It was last year that I met with them at their Meet & Greet events at the Faire
I won’t spoil things by revealing the plans, but there was talks of possible roleplay ideas, freebies and sale items for the charity the Faire supports. They’ll be finalised and released in due time, but they’ll be a lot of fun if everything comes together as planned!
As I mentioned I would in a previous post I returned to the Taluna continent which is styled to represent the Southern Jungles of the planet Gor.
It is made up of 7 regions and they are described as follows:
Here, dwell the tribes of the:
• Toki Aka’am Taluna,
• Veck En Taluna,
• Wa Ngao Taluna,
• Wildings
Here you will find refuges:
• Korat Trading Post,
• Village of Korat.
Seven lands comprise the Taluna Continent. Three are Safe Lands, places for healing, rest, and learning. There is no forced collaring and absolutely no threats of violence will be tolerated in Safe Lands. These are:
• Jungles of Gor
• Korat Cove
• Jungles of Mist
The remaining four lands allow full Gorean role play. Prior to combat and capture, some Role Play (RP) must be conducted. These are:
• Jungles of Schendi (Southern Jungles)
• Jungles of Ushindi
• Jungle of Sheba
• TMP
The Korat Trading Post is a non-combat Safe Zone (as all trade points are, by Gorean custom). All taverns are non-combat.
I arrived at the Kort Village landing point since that was the landmark I had from years past.
I wandered up into the village where I saw various gorean food props for sale
Gorean foodstuffs for sale
among a number of straw huts
Outside the food stall and in these huts are areas for playing “The Game”, the only Gorean board game.
There is also a 2 storey building that seemed a bit out of place. I wandered around but that was pretty much all there was to see here. I headed back down to the dock where I had arrived. Where I found a small boat that I’d missed when I arrived.
Sitting in this ferries you along the coastline to Korat Trading Post
The landing dock, watch your step!
A better view of the waterside of the trading station
(Remember to stand up as soon as you arrive or the boat will vanish and drop you in the water!)
You have to cross a bridge to get into the trading post
I entered the main trade area where there were a number of trade carts as you cross through the main area before you come to a number of buildings including a tavern and a healers premises. You can see here there are a number of signed entryways heading into the jungle.
Numerous trading stalls
One of the entryways into the jungle
A Tavern to the left and a large Healers premises to the right.
Another seaward entryway
The fact there is a second seaward entrance, makes me wonder which way the region owners actually intend for you to arrive. But either way these places provide plenty of opportunity for RP for those that don’t want to play “pew, pew” with bows and arrows in the jungle.
I headed to Lydius again to try and give it a better explore and see if I could meet anyone new. This time I opted to enter via the safer seaward side (docks are always safezones in SL Gor).
Arriving at the Lydius dockA glance back out seawardThe dock gate
This way I might explore in relative safety.
Beyond the dock gate I found quite a sizeable area of land
The city gates in the distanceA glance to the Left..A glance to the Right..
I headed for the gates of the city, but they were unsurprisingly locked.
Knock, knock..no-one home.The building I saw in the distance was a Tavern
Since there was evidently no-one home I decided to explore the other buildings in the area, one of which turned out to be a tavern.
Inside a girl was dancing for her Master
I went and introduced myself and joined him in a vacant chair
Introducing myself
His girl by the name of Roxanne, made me a drink while I chatted with the man,Dirk.
Served a drink by Roxanne
I talked with him of where I was based across the river and of my recent encounter at the other city gate. He told me of who I might contact to get a key to the city gates and that there were homes available inside, so I may consider that.
He then escorted me safely to the city gates since he was returning to his home inside.
As I mentioned in my last post one of the risks of being female in SL Gor RP is the risk of being captured. I experienced a prime example of this very recently.
To the rear of the tavern building I’ve adopted is a bridge leading into the woods.
Crossing the bridge takes you into the next region over and through the woods is a path leading to a city, by the name of Lydius.
Crossing the bridge takes me into the forestAs I go over a stream I catch my first glimpse of the city
Previously I’d had a look around but not RPed with anyone there, however my friend Sigmond the Healer is based there.
I could see on the map there was someone there at the back of the city, so I thought I’d go knock on the door and say hello.
The gates of Lydius
However while I was stood knocking on the gate, someone came up behind me. I turned to greet them and it transpired they did not have my best interests at heart. Below is a transcript of the RP.
[04:40:51] Maddock Bracken (maddock) found himself in the company of fortune this day . . a lone woman inside the gates could be a challenge . . but here, he found one outside the gates, alone and unknown . . he closed upon her, thick dark hands reaching to grasp her
[04:43:26] Ava Delaney (avadelaney) takes a step back ” looking at his outstretched hand “What are you doing? I’m not some wench you can lay your hands on, I live in the fort just to the north”
[04:44:47] Maddock Bracken (maddock) paces her as she steps back . . the firm gate and stone wall soon making itself a barrier to her escape, leaving her words unanswered, he locked a firm grip upon her arm
[04:45:39] zCS # [Mod] Estinie Resident [RP] logged into the region.
[04:45:40] Long Range: Estinie Resident [94m]
[04:46:43] Ava Delaney (avadelaney) thinking since she’s agains the gate she may as wel try getting someones attention again and hammers the wood “Anyone home!”
[04:47:02] East Gate Door L shouts: AvaDelaney Resident knocks loudly at the door ♫
[04:47:33] Maddock Bracken (maddock) grabs the other arm, pulling them behind her, he wrenches them into the small of her back .. drawing out rope
[04:47:46] Ava Delaney (avadelaney) shouts: Anone Home in there?!
[04:47:50] Rurik (Estinie) shouts: Coming!
My assailant (picture taken after the fact)
As soon as Rurik announced himself, my would-be captor departed with great haste. No exit RP, like maybe “hears the voice of the guard and backs away” or something, he just ran. Given the contents of his profile he only had capture and more on his mind. This is the kind of behaviour that gives Gor RP a bad reputation. To say I was fortunate in IC terms that Rurik came along is quite an understatement. Because despite his dubious intentions, my would-be captors actions would have been legitimate in the RP setting.
Rurik let me inside and I breathed relief when the door shut.
I was once captured when I was new to Gor, it wasn’t much fun, but was a bit of a mix up due to my newness and was resolved rather promptly. It was shortly after that time I switched from playing a fair-game panther girl character to Free Woman Inn keeper.
While my assailants RP was mostly legitimate it would have been debatable. Free Women in Gor have a high status and given the location, he was being very reckless.
For a comparison to the real world, it would be something like abducting a minor celebrity from outside a police station at gun point when there’s a SWAT team inside. That’s the level of nerve (or stupidity).
That’s not my ego regarding the value of my person, it’s based on the way Free Women are depicted in the Gor book series. Here are a few quotes to illustrate my point:
“A free woman is inordinately precious. She is a thousand times, and more, above a mere slave.” (Players of Gor, p.92)
“For example, there is no higher person, nor one more respected, than the Gorean free woman.” (Hunters of Gor, p.311)
“A free woman may often make a man angry with impunity, she being lofty and free, this latitude is seldom extended to the slave.” (Blood Brothers of Gor, p.221)
Additionally a comment from a Gor Reference site:
“Free women are rarely raped unless it is leading to their direct enslavement. Even a Slaver who enslaves a free woman will treat her with courtesy until she has been branded.” (Taken from this page on Gor-now.net)
So as you can see, my assailants actions were questionable at best.
