Victorian Gorean aka "Why It Doesn't Work"

One thing about exploring SL a lot is that you get to a point where you realize you really do get around and it takes a whole lot more to get your shock meter going. Tonight, I found myself visiting the sim of Londinium, a mature strict RP sim that seems like its theme could best be described as Gorean-Victorian, for lack of a better explanation. My exploring companion joked that I should have walked around with the "Prey" titler on instead of "Observer". Yeah, right.

I don't know. I had a been-there, done-that before feeling about it, and not in a good way, as it reminded me of the sim of Solarya, which folded quite some time ago now. While Solarya had beautiful architecture, its Gorean-Victorian feel and RP just didn't attract folks. I know that as a merchant there, it was definitely "interesting" to have my Victorian Steampunk clothes next to half-naked slave silks. A friend of mine was actually rather put off by the mix and Solarya itself once he realized what it was truly about and pulled his shop.

Sure, plenty of Vic/Steampunk types that I know have kinks and I know some who also RP as Goreans, but in my experience, that kind of a mix like what Londinium is doing and Solarya did hasn't blended well as its own sim. Like my friend, many folks I know who RP as Victorians--despite those kinks I mentioned--can actually be Victorian-minded sometimes. For instance, sex-related places like brothels--which would have most certainly been found in the RL 19th c.--have not done well in the historic-themed sims. Combine that with the fact that the women in most of the historic sims are forces to be reckoned with and to me, the main ones attracted to Vic RP, you can see why RP where they are denigrated as sex slaves wouldn't bring the green dots.

My firm belief however, is that a true dark RP Victorian-themed sim could work. Its requisite pickpockets, gangs, whores, villains and opportunists all mingling together in grimy, narrow, dark-alleyed slums allowing all vices could do well as it has not been done in SL yet. A CoLA/Toxia/Midian-style Victorian dark RP sim. Not a Gorean sim with a Vic veneer. Gritty and dangerous as many places in that time period would've truly been and where the wealthy lord and lady types would take their chances walking through, if they dared to at all? Wow. History itself (want to read about rookeries in England...pick up some Dickens, or for the US, read about NYC's Five Points ) provides fodder for ideas--for evil or good--that one can't even believe, yet could reproduce in SL.

But you know, in the end...to each their own, right?

And um, yes...that's a pink flamingo on top of a whipping post that I came across.

In the Gorean World w/Tele

As you all know, my good friend Tele enjoys RPing in Gor. The "camaraderie and sparring" he says. You also know what I think about Gorean culture, so no need to rehash it here. So when Tele offered to give me a tour of Torvic Pass, I thought "Screw it. Why not?" After a boat ride in, we arrived at the forbidding gate and Tele shouted up for it to be opened...One thing I do know though, is that you will find great creators and like Torvaldsland, I thought the village was really pretty...
The Pass needed to be reset so we were at the Inlet for a moment. While there, everyone was very hospitable to me. It was actually a beautiful place. One person's RP may not be another's choice, but that's what makes SL special--being able to have that choice in the first place.

Torvaldsland and Toast

I first met Tele because I bid on him at the Caledon Relay for Life Beefcake Auction back in June. I lost the bid, but I gained a dear friend. At the time, he spent more time in the Gorean sim of Torvaldsland fighting, fighting, and more fighting. He had promised back then to give me a tour and climb the mountain with me...
First, he showed me around Hammersgaard with its scribery, town hall, infirmary and central fire that's always kept burning...
We chatted with a few bondswomen who admired my fur coat. I was concerned about them kneeling in the snow half-naked. He was really well-armed although the sim was empty. Seems he would have had to "speak for me"--as I was pretty, unveiled and a freewoman--if another warrior questioned me. He explained that sim is lenient, but others would've been in an uproar of sorts by me. I always find it a bit amusing, as I'm a pretty good fighter--with Gorean weapons no less. You know what I think about Gorean culture, but to each their own. We then climbed to the top of the mountain where he showed me the homestone...
I got a beautiful view of the sim and the adjoining one, Scagnar, where I had watched him fight in the arena long ago. We are both so busy that we rarely get to talk in person anymore, so afterwards, we sat and chatted for a long, long time and it was really nice. He rarely goes back there anymore and I was pleased to have him share somewhere that had once meant a lot to him in here...
Earlier, I had gone to Suffugium to meet Puck's oldest friend in SL Binne. I believe she's the one whomade the hologram of him. Of course he's in Scooby boxers and a "Toast is My Business" T with...rotating...toast...

Another Venture Into Gor

I'm sorry I don't have pics this time, as it's very rare that I go into Gorean sims, but I went with Tele to look at weapons for Caledon's fighting academy. We switched locations from the Cay (we were worried about taking out ferry passengers while trying to test our new longbows), and ran into a problem with them (that had an embarassingly simple solution). I had a chance to meet their creator, Tharkis Olafson--who was very nice--and I will tell you that he makes fantastic weapons!

I tested out my new longbow later and this one is quite different from the others that I own. Your arrows are not unlimited--forcing you to reload, and your distance is determined by how long you draw it back. To me, you can feel its resistance as you do. It also has really great sound effects to accompany it. Definitely for a skilled archer. While a bit slower and not made to run with due to its size, I think it is a more accurate and realistic weapon. Really nice actually.

The fighting arena and practice area at Loch Avie are even closer to being ready. VERY exciting!

Fighting and Axes and Swords, Oh My!

As I said, I lost the bid, but Sir Telemachus (in the black) invited me to watch him spar at the arena in Scagnar, a mild Gor sim. He asked me to wear a dress that covers my arms (easy enough as I was still dressed in Victorian garb). Gorean culture has its own rules, and while I can not say that I agree with them (for instance, women in Gor culture)--like cultures anywhere else, I will still respect them. I was treated rather politely and well actually.

I didn't know what to expect, but I can tell you, the matches were fantastic! Watching Sir Tele and his brothers fight was actually very exciting! It seems that leisurely Caledon living had made Tele a little out of practice (hanging out at the Falling Anvil will do that it seems), so he ate sand for the first few matches. But then he got his bearings and boy, were the matches great! Axe vs. sword, then sword vs. sword and the last one was well-fought. He won the last two and I'll admit, I had a great time. He hopes to bring sparring and fighting instruction to Caledon. I think it's a great idea. I'd do it!