At The Fantasy Faire

 

 Sunday it was back to the Fantasy Faire, ant it's sights to see. I didn't have as much time as Saturday, but still had plenty of fun.

 

 With the technical glitches gone, the Children of Stories roleplay at 1 PM went smoother.

 

 We were investigating the mystery of the zigurat, and helping out ghosts we found, going through a portal, making a choice of which of three trials to face, and meeting the challenge.

 

Who chooseth the Gold Casket shall gain what many men desire.
Who chooseth the Silver Casket shall get what he deserves.
Who chooseth the Lead Casket must give and hazard all he hath. 

 

 

Those who chose lead ended up facing a challenge that rewarded us with a "Staff of the Fallen." But for one of us, it was so exhausting, it was back to camp. 

 

Check out today's events here: https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/calendar/ 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Going About The Fantasy Faire, And Grid Issues

 

 Yours truly has been exploring some of the Fantasy Faire. Faireland Junction by itself had much to see. 

 

 

 And some people took the opportunity to don a great fantasy look.

 

 

 The Fairchylde is where the daily dance parties are, a rainbow walkway leading to it from the pier. 

 

 I dropped by a set being done by Baine Finch, with people in all kinds of avies dancing away.

 

 But when it was time for the Children of Stories roleplay at 1PM SL time, The Squires of Garland, in which the return of the Golden Hour area is being investigated, along with a huge zigurat. But there was a problem. Linden Lab was working on problems with the Grid, and many avatars wouldn't rezz, or appear partially gray, and some objects wouldn't fully rezz.

 

Investigating - We are undergoing inventory maintenance on April 25th 2026 at 12:40 PM Pacific Time. Please be advised that in-world inventory access, Login activity, rezzing objects, displaying avatars, and loading times may be temporarily impacted during maintenance. Our engineers are working on resolving this issue as soon as possible.

 

 Troubles would continue to 5PM SL time, when some people told me they were starting to clear up.

 

Check the schedule for events today here : https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/calendar/ , or just walk about and enjoy the scenery, and shopping. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

1890s Creede, Colorado

 

Netera Landar recently checked out a roleplay community, one with a Wild West theme: 1890s Creede, Colorado. It's been only a few years since the territory was officially made a state, and in Creed County, the discovery of silver has led to an influx of people, including some entertainers from Denver as the city has been cracking down on gambling and prostitution. The roleplay has been around for over ten years, has a few SL business in addition to those strictly for the roleplay, and has some lively characters. 

 

Read Netera's article in People. 

 

Fantasy Faire Opens In Three Weeks

 

For those who can't wait for the Fantasy Fair, just hold on a little longer. It will be opening three weeks from today, Thursday April 23. 

 

The Fantasy Faire is one of the major events of the Relay for Life fundraising season in Second Life, with many highly skilled performers and builders behind it, offering shopping, music events, roleplaying, story reading, the Fairelands Quest game, and lots of gorgeous scenery to explore across many sims. 

 

For more information, check the blog here: https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/ 

Hopeby Village

 

Netera Landar was recently at a roleplay community depicting life in a small British town, Hopeby Village. Founded by Chard and Stevie Hope, a number of others have moved into this cozy area, taking on various roles, and it is still open for more. Netera would look around and have a few words with one of the founders. 

 

Read Netera's article in Places.

 

The Harmony Hills Community

 

Netera Landar recently dropped by somewhere that wasn't just a place, but a virtual home for a number of residents, the Harmony Hills Community. Founded a year and a half ago by Angeliana Claro, the place has expanded in size in both land and people to five sims and two hundred locals. So what was the place like besides the numbers?

 

Read Netera's article in People.

Announcement: "Goth Darn-It" Masquerade Ball

 

Bliss & Benefit invite you to join us for a

Goth Darn-it Masquerade Ball

This immersive role play experience will include a full dinner with live entertainment. 

Choose the show you would like to attend during your dinner and if you would like to include a spa night with your package. 

General admission tickets will be available for the performances if you would like to opt out of the dinner or spa.

Groups are welcome. 

This event will be held on an adult rated region, no children allowed. 

To book your reservation, please go to https://forms.gle/x2bZ1YQMfkaB4zY36

All proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society

For questions or more information, contact AveryMae Amore or Epheni Resident 

Bliss & Benefit
https://gracewins.wixsite.com/bliss-benefit/events

 

Shropshire

 

Gemma Cleanslate was recently at a place in Second Life based on a real one: Shropshire. Based on a small community in England founded in Viking times, there's plenty of horse-related activities, as well as roleplay, homes one can live in, and more. Gemma had a chat with it's owners, Jenni Jones (Pixie8615) and Stefan Jones (Skilledavatar), as well as having a good look around. 

 

Read Gemma's story in Places.

 

Announcement: A Magical Night in Japan

 

 

This immersive role play experience will include a full dinner with live entertainment.

Choose the show you would like to attend during your dinner and if you would like to include a spa night with your package.

TABLES ARE FILLING FAST!

To book your reservation, please go to https://forms.gle/x2bZ1YQMfkaB4zY36

The Swiftwater City RP Community

 

There's a new urban roleplay community: Swiftwater City. Created by Draven Malakai Hopshire (Nightingale Foxpaws), this new city already has a number of people and has many roles for those interested in joining up. Bixyl Shuftan dropped by and had a chat with it's founder, as well as looking around some at the buildings.

 

 Read the story in Places. 

Scenes From The Fairlands: "The Desert Foxes"

 

 The Fantasy Faire is one of the mega-events of the Relay for Life fundraising season, one that has become about as beloved as the Relay weekend itself. It's noted for many things, the scenery, the shopping, the Fairelands Quest, and more. One part of this event is the roleplay, done by the Children of Stories. For this year, it's  "The Desert Foxes," in which the characters try to find the cure for Desert Fever, a quest that leads them on quite a journey. Yours truly has been dropping by, when he can, and taking a few pictures. On Monday April 22, I dropped by once more and grabbed a few. 

See the pictures in Events.

Scenes From The Fantasy Faire

 

 

 There's quite a bit going on at the Fantasy Faire. At the Fairchylde, I saw four people holding up "Winter is Coming" signs. Were they "Game of Thrones" fans, or perhaps a hint of what is to come?

 

 There's usually a giant avatar somewhere at the Faire. One night, I saw her dancing next to the Fairchyle.

Not all of the action I saw was at the party ship. The "Children of Stories" roleplay is going on, this year, the tale is "The Desert Foxes." A quest to try and find a hidden library in hopes of finding a cure for Desert Fever led them to a mysterious door ...

The hidden library was found. But to the disappointment of the group, the books were all blank, and the guardian had lost it's memory, including of what happened. So the search continued. 

Stay tuned for more scenes of the Faire.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Montecito Bay's Funabashi Station

 

"Huh, what's this? It looks like an alley full of little shops! Don't worry, nothing going on here that isn't- KSSSSSHHHH "

Funabashi Station has a little hideaway... right next to Studio 86! These little mini-stores are perfect for RP and photos! There's many different ones, with different themes and objects, and are just the perfect spot to explore~

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Montecito%20Bay/195/58/23

Come check them out!

Becky Nosferatu

 

Summit City

 

 There's a new community in Second Life one can make a home at, Summit City. It is welcoming new residents. This includes roleplayers such as firefighers, policemen, and others who make a real-life city running, but it is not necessary to get a place here. They offer luxurious homes at various price ranges, and promise constant updates and land development. Events are held here to help encourage community activity. If you have breedable pets, they are welcome here (within reason).

For more information, check our Discord at https://discord.gg/R74jRmUe3e , or message Jack Asclepius (JackAsclepius Resident)

Live your best second life in Summit City, a community that strives to deliver the peak of prosperity.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elk%20Park/129/124/24

 

Fantasy Faire's "Children of Stories" Roleplay Finalle

 

 

 Of of the activities in the Fantasy Faire is the Children's Roleplay, done by the "Children of Stories." This year marks the tenth such roleplay, and the one for 2023 incorporated characters from the previous nine, "The Children of Stories And The Secrets of Flambois." Characters from the nine groups found lanterns that requested their help, summoning them to the Fairlands Academy of Magic, at Flambois. Some of the children were eager to accept the invitation to enroll. Others were hesitant, wondering if there was something not so innocent going on. And over the next several days were a series of roleplay sessions, in which the story came about, gradually revealing what was going on and what was needed to do about it. There was a witch up to no good, and it turned out she had the help of some dark entity, the details which can be revealed on the Daily Update page (here).

 

 

On Sunday April 30, the finale of the roleplay took place in the Fairlands Junction sim. The characters were ready to confront the evil witch and get rid of her once and for all, "Lets do this!" "... for we have all been touched by the Unweaver .. we will show him what for!!" "Be prepared though, once we have the witch trapped here, there is no telling what will happen!" "Ready your spells children!!!"

 

The event was turned into a party with DJ Madonna playing the music. Over time, tens of thousands of Linden dollars were donated, some people offering to match large amounts, "I will match the first 5,000L donation made." There were also avatars of all shapes and sizes, some getting comments, "OMG those tiny kitten wearing mushrooms outfits are the CUTEST THING ever seen!!!" And there were comments about the event, "watches that kiosk jump, cause this is the power of the children!! NOTHING CAN STOP THEM!!!!"

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

 Loki Eliot would post a video of the confrontation with the witch, and the greater dark force revealed. At the very end, there was an unexpected surprise.

 

The total amount raised that day exceeded 500,000 Linden dollars.

Go Relay! 

Bixyl Shuftan

EOTB: Second Life Destinations - Dwarka

 

 

Recently, Second Life Destinations featured an underwater area: Dwarka.  

Dwarka is an elaborate universe that allows a fully immersive role-play experience underwater. Races that live on land and in the water coexist here, form alliances, do battle, and imagine intricate scenarios within the existing but constantly changing lore of Dwarka. Oh and yes: folks at Dwarka do go shopping, hang out in taverns and educate themselves at the Merbrary, where books are available under as well as above water.

 

The place is run by Kei Kawanish, "Dwarka was created with about 75-80% of it underwater, and the rest on land. There are 3 underwater districts - The elven city, the Mer city and royal court, and the depths." The article would say there's places for both land dwelling races such as humans and elves, and oceangoing ones such as merfolk and aquatic kobolds. There's also a "D&D style" roleplaying HUD, " "Whether you're already an aquatic fanatic and want to take your RP skills to a new level or you're an already experienced RPing nerd who is looking for something new. The destination will bring something for everyone." There's a number of themed shops there, as well as an aquatic spa, "Rumor has it that each approved new member gets a spa ticket on the house!"

For more information, read the full article here, or check the Destinations Guide.

 

Video by Draxtor Despres 

 

Faerie Tale (158/135/1003)

 

"Wrestling Made in Second Life - Valiant Wrestling

 

Today in the official Second Life blog, Linden Lab posted about a subject that's a combination of sports and entertainment: furry wrestling. They wrote about "Valiant Wrestling."

Valiant Wrestling is a Second Life based furry wrestling federation that brings high octane live action wrestling to the grid every Wednesday. 

 

Co-founded by CEOs Dylan Mattel and Charlie Covfefe, Valiant Wrestling offers plenty of fun and excitement at their weekly live events as well as a great community for longtime wrestling fans. Residents looking for a way to live out their wrestling fantasies in the safety of an online community, can find this form of wrestling roleplay both rewarding and interesting. CEO Charlie says, “I have a slight heart issue so I can not pursue a wrestling career IRL. But here in SL I can live out my dream!”

With over 20 furry wrestlers currently active in the federation, the fights include ring announcers, referees, and sometimes even agents that play a part in the proceedings. It is a fully immersive roleplay experience!

Draxtor Despres would film a video about the wrestlers, which included an interview and some scenes of the action.

Goings On At The Fairelands

 *

Quite a bit has happened to the Fairelands, much of it deserving of articles all of their own. Among them was this year's Children of Stories' roleplay, "The Sniffer Moles of the Hunros Mine." With Loki Eliot having designed the sim, the roleplay's plot was that a group of child miners of magical energy at an elven mine suddenly found their livelyhood threatened by both the magic growing thin, an unknown saboteur, and the town mayor's response to the thinning magic. After several says of roleplay with numerous twists and turns, events came to a head on Saturday April 30 in an event that raised 1.3 million Lindens, Loki posting a video on Twitter. One can read the roleplay's day by day happenings (here). 

Wednesday May 4 was the Centaur Parade. While the majority of these six-limbed folk were from the Centauria community,  there were others present. In the meet-up before the parade. When they gathered in the Necturn Moon sim before the walk, there were over sixty in the seem. Needless to say, many of my pictures had a considerable amount of gray, and I crashed just before the walk started.

Wildstar Beaumont took a few other pictures of his own: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildstar_b/albums/72177720298648596

Later on Wednesday from 5 to 7PM, Team Sunbeamer's own DJ Mattie played the tunes at the Fairechylde, the flying boat over the Effervescent Cleffs sim. Mattie played a combination of pop and country tunes. Some of these had some deeper meanings to the Relay such as "Braid Her Hair" and "Clouds."

Mattie's set raised almost 41,000 Linden dollars.

Also, the second part of the Fairelands Quest is up.

The Fairelands Quest team is so grateful to each of you for your kindness and patience. And we're delighted to tell you that Part 2 is now open.

Two recommendations: First, don't all pile into Clouded Mountains at once :)  Finish what you're doing, maybe do something else, then start part 2. The region will be there. Second, because there's been a delay, you might like to remind yourself where the story left off. You can see the second video by clicking History on your HUD and choosing

That's about it for now from the Fairelands. Sunday May 8 is the last day. After that, the sims disappear into the mists once more.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Weekend in Brief

 

Much happened over the weekend. There were various Relay events, notably some at the Fantasy Faire such as the storybook roleplay at the Hunros Mine (above). There was the monthly fundraiser concert at Veterans Isle. There was a preview of an exhibit of Covid and vaccinations at the Peale Museum. There was a memorial service for Teal Freenote whom had recently passed away.

More on these events later.
 

The Tenebris Falls Roleplay Community

 

The Newser recently heard about a promising new roleplay area and community: Tenebris Falls. The roleplay was organized by people who wanted both a place that would last, and a group that was open to a broad range of character types. In the story behind it, various supernatural beings try to live side by side with humans in a modern North American town. We met up with a few people behind it, who talked some about what it had to offer, as well as exploring the place.
 
Read the story in People.