Person(s) of The Year: Baron Wulfenbach/Melanippe of Themiscyra

 

Many people made the news last year. Sadly, the person who had the most impact was with her departure. On November 7, we reported that a lady player behind both Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (Klauswulfenbach Outlander) and Melanippe of Themiscyra (Melanippe Karas) had died. 

 

Baron Wulfenbach was based on the "Girl Genius" online comic character of the same name, and was constantly in character (though often in a better mood), and was quite a presence in the Steamlands. While he had his own sim, he was often in other places such as Steelhead. Melanippe of Themiscyra (melanippe.karas) was part of the ROMA community, and part of a number of events. 

 

Memorial events were held for both personas. The one at ROMA for Melanippe had a roleplayed funeral ritual, followed by a talk about both her and the Baron. A few days later at the Burton Library in New Babbage, people gathered, a few who hadn't been online in a while, to talk about the Baron, but also Melanippe. 

 

Honorable mentions include Crim Mip, the development teams behind the mobile viewer and the avatar welcome package, Scrim Pinion, and the Relay for Life Volunteer group.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Remembering Baron Wulfenback

 

On Sunday November 16 at 2PM SL time, residents gathered at the R.F. Burton Library for a memorial service to Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, or the other personalities of the person behind the avatar Tanarian, Corgi, or Melanippe of Themiscyra. At least a few dozen were in the building, including a few people whom it is guessed have not been online for some time, taking a break from their hiatus to honor the departed. 

 

 One at a time, various people would go over an old memory, whether it was a first impression, a memorable event, or something else. A couple people would recite poems. 

 

"... he gave me a personal tour of the Cavorite mines, during which he warned me about the unstable, dangerous floor, just before he accidentally fell through and got trapped himself!  He was also my very first dance partner at my first, formal Caledon Ball.  I will always miss his grace and presence.  He made a newbie feel welcomed and brought me into the Steam community." 

 

"Herr Baron vaz der great guy, hyu knowz?  He encouraged me, alvays, to do crezy schtuff."

 

 "I remember the Baron well, from the time he was Consulate for Antiquity. He was always polite and friendly to everyone.  Personally, I always felt he kept many Estates linked together, so many people attended each other’s events. He is one more person who is sadly departed from us all."

 

"...we had many adventures together. But the greatest was when she returned the favor and dragged me into the Steamlands, with Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, played to the hilt from the Girl Genius online comic. And all our friends spun new characters and stories from that universe. My thanks to the rest of you for recounting the memories."

 

"I will only say this: it is because of Ms. Tanarian that I am here today. She taunted me with promises of many hijinx if I joined SL. And so there has been." 

 

 After the remembrance, some went to where the Baron's casket was on display at the Capitol Building in Texas Antiquity. Antiquity's Prince Jacon Desanto Cortes de Bezar (Jacon Cortes) would thank the Honor Guard which had been standing watch, and give a statement in the departed's honor, "It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to Herr Baron ... I had no idea he as also in Roma. I dealt with him there as Mel, and had no idea. Herr Baron was well known as you can tell by the many that have attended services for him. The services were fuill for a reason. He touched many people. Now we bid good bye to our friend, in whichever form you knew him...."

A larger article will be done, eventually, with all tributes given. For now, the Aether Salon has a transcript of the talk in the library available (here). 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: "Rememberance of The Baron At The R.F. Burton Library"

 

 The R.F. Burton Library will be hosting the Salon in remembrance of the Baron on Sunday.  

"Bring your favorite memory of Baron Wulfenbach, Tanarian, Corgi, or Melanippe to share. The real-life creative soul behind them has left our earthly realm."

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Babbage%20Canals/195/63/105

 

Honoring Baron Klaus Wulfenbach And Melanippe of Themiscyra

 

Last week, the person behind two personalities in Second Life passed away, Melanippe of Themiscyra (Melanippe Karas), and Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (Klauswulfenbach Outlander), People honored both of them in different ways. The Roma community held a memorial service for Melanippe. Caledon and Antiquity would also honor the Baron. 

 

Read more in People. 

Anouncement: Baron Klaus Wulfenbach Laying in State in Antiquity

 

From the Antiquity group:

 

It is with sorrow that her Imperial Majesty announces the death of Herr Baron Klaus. Former Prime Minister, Ambassador, and friend of Antiquity. 

He will lay in state in the Repose of the Capital Building,  from Monday the 10th of November for those wishing to pay their respects and sign the book of memorial.

The Royal Family joins all people that knew Herr Klaus (in the many lives they had), in mourning.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antiquity%20Tejas/151/173/24
 

Klaus Wulfenbach/Melanippe of Themiscyra Has Died

 

The Newser has some sad news to report. The lady behind three avatars in Second Life, two of whom we've written about has passed away. Inworld, she was known as Melanippe of Themiscyra (Melanippe Karas), Tanarian Davies, and Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (Klauswulfenbach Outlander)

 

A generous friend, devoted dog parent, and role-player par excellence has departed this life. Corgi, aka Tanarian Davies, aka Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, aka Melanippe of Themiscyra, died this morning (Nov.7) after suffering extensive brain bleeds on Oct. 30. Her beloved dogs Piston and Sparkplug are safe in a new home.
 

Melanippe was the oldest of the accounts, appearing in June 2007, the other two appeared a few months later.  

 

 Baron Wulfenback was based on the character of the same name from the "Girl Genius" online comics, the ruler of the "Pax Transylvania," and the antagonist of the strip's heroine. In SL, he was a familiar sight at Steelhead and his own sim Europa Wulfenbach. The Newser would interview him in 2012. While he dropped out of sight for some months in 2023, word has it he came back soon after Jan 2024. 

 

Melanippe of Themiscyra (melanippe.karas) was a familiar sight in the ROMA community, being a part of many events and festivals. Tanarian Davies was of a lower profile than the other two, not really getting the attention of the Newser. 

 

The Aether Salon will be doing an event on  Sunday Novemeber 16 at 2PM in her/his honor, people invited to share memories of the person's personas.

 

The Newser was not previously aware of these three avatars being the same person in real life.

 

Rest in peace,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Europa Wulfenback Still Going

 

 

On Friday, the Newser reported that Baron Klaus Wulfenbach had been missing from Second Life since the end of July. While he's still absent, his sim, Europa Wulfenbach, is still going. It's flags are still flying over town. The zeppelin is still flying over head. The clank (robot) is still in the office, and the "Devices of Doooooooooom" are still about. Talking to Cynthia Farshore, she mentioned that the local Concordant has still been having events, the last one being a few days ago. 

So how is the sim still going months after it's owner's last appearance? It certainly could have been paid for well in advance. But odds are someone, either the Baron or someone else involved with the sim, is keeping the place going.

Stay tuned for more information.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Europa%20Wulfenbach/53/55/55

Bixyl Shuftan

Baron Wulfenbach Missing

 

Among the personalities in the Steamlands, one was from online comics: Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (Klauswulfenbach Outlander). Baron Wulfenback, often simply known as "The Baron" based his persona on the character from the steampunk online comic/graphic novel "Girl Genius." A decade ago, he was a regular at events at the Steelhead community. He also had his own sim, of which a build of the floating fortress in the online comic flew over. He would also host Walpurgistnaucht parties every spring. In 2014, the Newser would interview him.

 

Sadly, it seems the Baron has dropped out of sight.  One of the residents of the CDS community messaged the Newser that Klaus hadn't been on for a while and his sim had closed. A look at one of the groups he was in showed he was last logged in on July 31, 2023. Messaging a couple steampunk groups on Discord, no one who responded knew why he hadn't logged on since then.

If Baron Wulfenback really has left, it would mean one of the more unique personalities from the steampunk communities is gone. Hopefully his absence is temporary.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Walpurgisnacht is Nigh!

For those who have not kept an eye on the calendar, the veil between the worlds thins Thursday night, and Europa will be keeping the malign denizens distracted with our annual dance.  Join us at 10 pm in your most fantastical outfits (or Saturday at Noon, for early birds) and caper until the rift closes again.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Europa%20Wulfenbach/111/97/3680

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach

SL Video: "Caledon the Musical"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Oolon Sputnik on Sept 2008, "Caledon the Musical, in aid of Relay for Life '08, from the Independent State of Caledon and Caledon Studios, Second Life. Raising over L$100,000 in the fight against cancer, the good people of Caledon donated money to be in this machinima.

"In total, in '08, the fine folks of Caledon raised L$3,000,000 for Relay for Life.

"Hopefully this film showcases some of the amazing sims in Caledon and the amazing variety of smashing people. This is filmed at peoples properties and at assorted locations around the steampunk Victorian sims.

"May I just tip my hat, one more time, to the good peoples of Caledon and the Caledon RFL Team '08, without whom this wouldn't have been possible.

"Yes, apologies, some parts of this are a bit rough and ready, but when shooting so many shots with so many avatars one has to take the frame rate that's available at the time. As this was for charity, from every group of shots at least one of each group made it into the final edit. Also, being machinima, it has suffered somewhat from recompression issues during upload to YouTube. A better rez version is available for download at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LNP0UQCR just pop in the code and there's one on Vimo at http://www.vimeo.com/1887775"

Baron Wulfenbach's Anniversary Party

On Thursday night, one of the more unique personalities of Steelhead and the Steamlands, and his partner, celebrated their anniversary with a dance party. The requested wear was traditional Japanese clothing.

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach and Baronin Zantabraxus invite you to join us for our Anniversary Celebration. Thursday Aug 6th   7-9 pm SLT. Please join us in Edo for a Traditional Formal Japanese celebration held in beautiful cherry blossom gardens. We will have live music provided by Zanya, dancing, gifts, and enjoyment for all.

The event was held in the Caledon Stronghold sim. Getting there, the place was packed with people in kimonos and other older style Japanese

fashions. But DJ Zanya's music was familiar enough to the steamlanders and friends of present. Among those in the Asian flaire were the Baron  amd Baronin, Klaus whom had put aside his normal Victorian era and slightly unkept hair (the common fashion among Steam-Age scientists), was wearing a male kimono and styled his hair in.

The Baron, and Baronin Zantabraxus, can be found at Steelhead's City Hall meetings on Tuesday nights, Steelhead's Friday night dances, and several other regular Steamland events.

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Walpurgisnacht

The Folk say that Walpurgisnacht, the night before Beltane (May Day) is one of the times of the year when the veil between the mortal world and that of the spirits grows thin, and can be crossed easily.  In days of old, to prevent dark spirits from snatching away good souls and dragging them off to infernal realms, people would dress as the demons, devils and imps to disguise themselves - after all, why would an infernal seize one of its own?

Europans serving here in the Consulate of Europa Wulfenbach bring a version of this tradition here, and provide bonfires, music and wild dancing in frightening and fantastic costuming until the light of the dawn comes and we are all safe again.  Please join us for this, our sixth annual celebration, at one of the three times and nights provided.

Steelhead West Moorland, Steelhead Port Harbor (39, 127, 3513)
Friday May 2, 7-9 PM

Consulate of Europa Wulfenbach, Europa Wulfenbach (62, 22, 23)
Saturday May 3, 9AM-11AM

Yours sincerely,

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, Consul
Baronin Zantabraxus Wulfenbach
Vice Consul Annechen Lowey

Seraph City is Saved, Moved to New Sim

Good news for fans of the "retro-future" city area, Seraph City. Once in danger of fading away from Second Life, it now has a new home in the Symbiosis sim. On Wednesday night, I was invited to Club Seraph where some of the location's friends, including some involved with it's rescue, had gathered to celebrate with a few drinks at the bar.

Read Bixyl's article in Places.

The Wulfenbach 2014 Winter Games

On the weekend of Saturday Jan 25 and Sunday Jan 26, several Steamland areas took part in the Wulfenbach 2014 Winter Games, a Gaslamp Fantasy salute to this year's Olympic games in real life, as well as a chance for the residents of the Steampunk communities (and their friends) to have a little fun. There were several events, from fencing, flying, shooting, and others.

More on the story in Events.

Two Festivals This Weekend: ROMA Paganalia and the Wulfenbach 2014 Winter Games

This weekend will have not just one, but two fun-filled festivals taking place over Saturday and Sunday. In ROMA, the Paganalia celebration takes place. This salute to the ancients features crocodile races, sword fights, and roleplaying of ancient rituals. In Steelhead and Caledon, there's the Steampunk salute to the Olympics, the Consulate of Europa Wulfenbach 2014 Winter Games. In this Gaslamp fantasy part of the Grid, look for steam powered flying carpet races, fencing, and a Monster Hunt to rescue the North Pole from disaster.

The first Paganalia event, the ritual to honor Ceres, takes place Saturday Jan 25 at 10AM SL time at ROMA Vinovium (206/18/31). Shortly afterwards, the Winter Games kickoff starts at 11AM at the Dragon Amphitheater (pictured) at Caledon On Sea (161/35/3076).

Details will be added to the "Events Next Week" section later.

The Annual Steelhead RFL Horse Races

Last weekend the Steelhead community's team for the Relay For Life, the Steelhead Salmons, held one of their last events for the season: their annual horse races. Participants got a chance to compete in one or more of three races on a horse track, and the mount didn't always have to be a horse. It was the kind of chaotic fun and mayhem typical of the steampunk-themed community as the horses and other critters didn't always behave or act according to plan. And neither did some of the residents.

Read more in Events.