Elder Elle in Eyr

I thought Eyr was really lovely and I like RPing. I'm a writer in RL and new to para RPing and could still use the practice at it! I had an elderly elf character I had created months ago and never used. I tweaked her costuming and hair and voila! Jungle elf elder Elle! I've decided to name her "Nasirah," which means "support" or "helper." I've got a whole back story worked out and everything.

I'm looking forward to participating in Eyr. As I said before, I had visited when the sims were the Realm of Mystara. They closed in March (the RP was that they were reclaimed by the mysts), but one sim was saved and the community kept intact with the creation of Eyr (look for the Mysts of Eyr when it comes up in search). Coming from what I just experienced with Steelhead, I appreciate that. Although the sim owner is a former Mystaran community leader, it still has the input of the original creator, which I think helps with continuity.

The story here is that the Mystarans, fleeing their land's reclamation, have made their way to this jungle island to eke out a new existence. Only thing is that the island was not empty and its indigenous inhabitants (the Moei Aising) aren't too thrilled about it. Everything is still new, so the stories are still being created and explored. Exciting!

In the Water: Two Ways

I thought I'd take my sailboat out and caught this beautiful sunset on the Blake Sea...

I was then inspired to do so as a mermaid too, and afterwards visited the RP sim of Eyr. I really liked the way it is setup and all and I had visited it (when it was Mystara) as a dark elf. I think that now I'll look into RPing there or something...

Drow Realm of Luth

I am always on the lookout for places to be a dark elf/drow in SL and went exploring. I came across the Drow Realm of Luth...

I saw a door and knocked on it. A drow named R0anoke greeted me and one of her house members opened it from within. She gave me a tour of their Underdark, one of the nicest I've ever been to in SL actually, with rooms, training areas, tunnels, and caverns...

I am not sure of how active they are or the nature of their RP, but if you are a drow inworld, go check it out!

The Tier is Too Damn High

It was crazy. Just as I had started really getting into fantasy roleplay in SL, both of the communities that I was involved in--Estara and Mystara--closed! I feel like a jinx or something.

For both, the high tier rates were cited as the major factor behind the closures. I still marvel at the fact that in 2015 they are still expensive. One of the things that could possibly attract people to sim ownership is accessibility price-wise. But I suppose if you can make a killing gouging folks, why change your model?

I know I have always wanted my own sim: to create, show folks something wonderful for them to enjoy. The price was and is so prohibitive. For some folks, just making their regular tier is a struggle, but so many are like me...wanting the space to create and thrive inworld.

Hopefully more communities won't be lost or displaced because the rent is too damn high.

Drow/Dark Elf Roleplay Sim Considerations...

I love being a dark elf/drow. A little wicked. A lot sexy and beautiful. An absolutely fun form for me to be.

I have been considering doing fantasy RP for some time--something I've never truly done--so I thought I'd check out the Realm of Estara...

I went to their Drow 101 workshop and put some thought into my character, but I still haven't dived in quite yet. I also checked out Mystara...

I came across a huge bear and quickly steered clear. I really liked their Underdark area and overall look. I think that with both, as I am so new to this that the "paragraph style" of RP'ing is frankly, intimidating as hell and I don't want to make an ass out of myself. I did a little RP back in City of Lost Angels/CoLA years ago, but it wasn't longer form para RP. It's unclear how to start as a newcomer to me. Do I need a mentor? How does that work? So many questions...

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.

Masks and Mirrors

Tonight's themed dance in Steelhead was a masquerade ball complete with a crashed chandelier and masked gentlemen and ladies with names like the "Red Death" and "Black Fox". I, the "Mysterious Lady" survived a dance with Death and a black-haired Lunar as well, although I was quite content to stand to the side, fluttering my gold spangled fan...
A dress and hair that big takes much time to prepare, so I was in no rush to get out of the ensemble right away afterwards. Where else could you look like that and be normal? Why, Versailles, of course! It had been over a year since my last visit. This time I really took time exploring the Chateau itself. I felt as if men with powdered white wigs and satin finery should be flattering me and currying my favor with silken words as I batted my eyes from behind my fan in one hand and bonbon treats in the other...And then there was the lovely Hall of Mirrors...where are my bonbons, I say?!

Where to be a Dark Elf/Drow in SL

Alright, I love being a dark elf in SL as it fits me very well personality-wise. Could I be a mean, arrogant, Spider Queen worshipping, snake-whip wielding, white-haired beauty hell-bent on cruelty and deceit? Hell yes, as a drow I can be! It's probably the only RP outside of Victorian/Steampunk that I'd truly like to learn more about and become more active in, that is...if I ever figure out the SpellFire system.

I thought I'd explore the dark elf/drow RP areas inworld and see what was out there. I know I'm probably missing some sims and I'll be adding to this list as I find more drow-appropriate places. If you are a member of one of these communities and would like folks to know more, please IM or drop a notecard to me inworld. As in all RP sims, take the time to read their rules, have at least a basic back story, and don't be a pain to the existing RPers...

Valsharen

Houses: 6, most powerful ruled by Ilharess Rilyn'Afin

Deity: Lolth/Lloth

Meter System: DCS2

Teleport HERE. The big red crystal is the TP system. Choose "Dark Realm." Walk up the stairs when you arrive.
Danger and beautiful places among the caverns. I love the mushrooms there...

Thraldom

Houses: 2
Faith: Lolth/Lloth
Meter System: Spell Fire
Teleport HERE. Take the purple TP pad under the swirls to "Underdark" to see it.

You can also explore the sim in general. I think they are having a Grand Melee fight tournament here soon. Oooo...

Avilion Isle--L'Renden Forest

Houses: Unknown to me
Faith: Eilistraee
Meter System: SpellFire
Teleport HERE

The drow of Avilion are Eilistraee followers and have made peace with the fae and other elves present there. The L'Renden Forest is beautiful, with its darkness and moonlit areas. You may read more about them here.

Dartagnon/RaghallachHouses: One (as far as I know), as it is a group of refugee drow

Deity: Multiple deities
Meter System: SpellFire (color green)
Teleport HERE

They have an entire Underdark sim. I really wanted to see it, but I think access was restricted so I couldn't explore it to tell you more it.

Ravenscraig/KaramoonHouses: Unknown to me

Deity: Unknown
Meter System: BNJ RPS
Teleport HERE

Drow are one of the races here. Ravenscraig also offers a RP class in Ravens Nest. The Dark Lord of Karamoon invited me to stop by his keep and say hello. I'll take him up on it if he's ever in.

Terabithia
Houses: One--Agaden
Deity: Lolth/Lloth
Meter System: SpellFire (color red)
Teleport HERE
It is one of the main temple of Lloth locations and has a fantastic underdark region.

RP/Themed Communities Discussion

I logged in early today to attend a discussion on RP/Themed Communities in SL, hosted by Nokia. It was mainly conducted in voice and I listened in, but the text chat was just as interesting as the attendees, who represented some of the most well-known themed areas on the grid. Those of us from Steelhead and Caledon 19th c sims were well-represented...There was a contigency from The Wastelands, whose leader NeoBokrug Elytis also attended. From Caledon, there is Duchess Gabi on the left and Her Lyonesse, the Duchess Kamilah to his left...
Representatives from the Hogwarts Harry Potter-themed sims...
Members of the military sims Ordo Invictus...
And here is Baron Wulfenbach, wearing my custom Europan-style ensemble. The event was held on Lunar's incredible build of his airship...
Sure, I could sit here and talk about it being some corporate pick-our-brains marketing event blahblahblah, but you know, for me it was extremely interesting having such a diverse group of RPers and themed sim citizens all in the same place like that. There should be more discussions like this among the themed sims, given that we actually have a good deal in common.

Space Colony Necronom VI

During my quest to explore and visit futuristic sims, I went to Space Colony Necronom VI before I left for vacation...Necronom is a RP sim--dark futuristic--and is set on a space station filled with slaves, cyborgs, crew members, aliens, traders and pirates. I picked up their interesting HUD called NeMit, which allows you to accomplish missions without necessarily being a part of the overall RP. I honestly like that idea as I have found that as a noob in other RP sims you can often don't know what to do with yourself and it feels hard to integrate with the long-established cliques already present...
Hmm...what's this? An energy core of some sort? I won't get too close just in case...
Roaming the corridors of the different halo levels...
Stasis time! I had better not wake up to some creature on my damn face!

Thoughts About RPing

Last night got me thinking. In RL, I am a published writer. Outside of immersing myself in the characters I create and their worlds, I have never had any experience with roleplaying--whether online or traditional like D&D. It wasn't until I came inworld that I thought I would try, thinking it would be fun. For a little over a year now, I have been a citizen of Caledon. Is that RP? It doesn't have rules notecards or weapons systems or anything like that, but for the most part yes, it is. As a Caledonian, you take on a persona of a resident of a re-imagined "polite" Victorian era, whether you are peerage, merchant, Steampunk, or any other assorted "character" you can dream up. In New Toulouse, I speak and behave just like a 1920s flapper.

When I decided to give RPing in Toxian and CoLA a try, it is like I knew what to expect from being diligent and actually reading the rules and notecards, yet didn't know quite what to do when I got there. Hell, after 2 weeks of visiting both, I still don't to some extent. Although I can write, I'm not used to essentially describing everything that we are doing and when you're new and alone somewhere like that, where do you even start? Especially when it is so divided by factions.

I remember when I first started in Caledon--the confusion, the ignorance, the fear of saying or doing something idiotic...it was all very intimidating, but look at me now. But at least there, someone's not going to pull the trigger because you said you noticed them. These cities are dark RP. It's a bad place with bad people and bad things happen. I knew that going in. I find myself having to truly think like the RL city girl I am, something I haven't done in a long time inworld. The adjustment has been hard to make. I wanted a different experience inworld, and I sure am getting it. Things I have found out:

1. I can shoot a gun, but no...I decided that since I like and am familiar with melee fighting and since I'm an angel, I think my character should use a sword. However, inworld being glitchy and rezzing it in my crotch or not at all defeats the purpose.
2. Should I not respond when confronted negatively? Although I am of a "nothing" level? I shouldn't pay attention to levels and names as I'm not supposed to know that anyway. I am no jerk, but I have to be willing to deal with the result of that.
3. I hate not knowing and feeling stupid because I don't know exactly a) what's going on and b) exactly how to use the weapons system. I have been trying to observe and learn rather than just jumping in.
4. Can lag, server issues, and fighting co-exist? Do I need to be noncom more often in a combat sim just because my computer and inworld itself won't keep up? How is that perceived?
5. I've got a way with words and can tell a great story if given the chance, but I am unsure still during RP (see #2 and #3)
6. Defeat doesn't bother me. As my friend Tele says, "A warrior tastes dirt many times and gets up again anyway."
7. I am out of practice and need to train again.
8. I like it despite it all, and keep going back and trying anyway.

Angel RP: "And So Then, This..."

It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake.
--H.L. Mencken

I staggered into what could only passably be called Toxian's hospital and laid down upon one of its beds, not caring for the moment about anything more than how I had gotten there. I stared up at the stained ceiling tiles as my wounds healed and could only think one thought over and over again: "How had it come to this and why am I doing this?"

I made a mistake. A rather grievous one if it was enough to land me in here. I crossed a much higher level Shadow. One who I believe thinks he taught me a lesson by shooting me although I did not (and was unable to) draw my weapon. I should have communicated that better. I should have done a lot of things better. I will not forget this night. I would have rather ended up in a pool of blood having drawn my sword and fighting badly that not to have done so at all...

So once again, "How had it come to this and why am I doing this?"

Angel RP: Thorns and Stings

Thorns and stings
And those such things
Just make stronger
Our angel wings.
~Emme Woodhull-Bäche

Angel RP: Angel in a Forsaken Place

(in character)

Me and my big mouth...

I fingered my sword as I arrived and its shining blade upon me brought me comfort as I walked past the burned-out buildings lining the dim streets. I squinted, surprised to see sunlight filtering through the pollution-choked clouds. It is so incongruous as this place, Toxian City, is one that is more suited to dark. "Smite them all and let's just be done with it already," I had said flippantly. For that statement, I was ordered by Gen. Michael to help assist in bringing the Light back. A "lesson in humility." Damn. He's one to talk. What in the universes have I been conscripted to do? Where do I even start? I do not even have time to resent my mission, although you may be certain that I do. After seeing so much strife for so long the word "jaded" has become an understatement.

For millennia I have served as a warrior and fought in the wars of both higher beings and those of man. What do I care for humans and their kind--the felines, the vampires, the lycans? They have all moved away from their natural state and their connection with us and their gift. They rejected us, so why should I care? Simply: The Lord of Darkness' armies and realm should not increase and as we have our warriors, so they have theirs. They are my concern, and they recruit well.

I found my way to the church. It is but a building--a testament to man's corruption of the Light, but it seemed the perfect refuge. A kitsune demon stepped through the door. I was wary at first given my past interactions with his kin, but upon hearing my sigh, he asked what was wrong. "This should be a place of hope, " I said, wincing from having been burned by the tainted holy water. "Perhaps it still is, I do not know yet. Perhaps it may be once more." His green eyes brightened as he smiled softly and said, "Even a single candle can create light." From the mouth of a demon. There may be hope yet...I sat on the grimy front steps and thought about the next time we met, it could be at the points of our swords. It is so much easier not to be good...but someone has to believe. Even if that "someone" is me.