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!

This whole endeavor is a team effort with photography, branding and public relations made possible by Ring of Fire Productions. 

Says Helios Eusebio, who creates all the custom posters and graphics: “We need new posters every week and new graphics whenever there's the possibility of a title change or new contender. And when you average 100+ photos of all the matches, that adds up to quite a bit!” 

The wrestling choreography is directed by a sophisticated HUD system, made by Team Wildfire with Kenia la Gatita Escarlata at the helm. And the colorful merch (nail extension for special furry paws, hats, shirts, banners and posters, ringside gestures, ice cream bars) is made by, among others, Lyra Phoenix, Revel McLochlan and Paradox H. Fade, and can be purchased on location. 

See a lot more of the action on their YouTube channel and Twitter and grab that teleport on Wednesday at 6pm SLT to be present at their next show!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Valiant Wrestling

Valiant is a wrestling federation with a world-class roster of diverse male and female furry wrestlers giving you a new wrestling experience in Second Life! Attend their events every Wednesday at 6pm PT.

Visit in Second Life

We continue our Made in Second Life series with a focus on BeSpoke Caravan, a collective of artists and designers creating some of the finest fantasy mesh heads and avatars in Second Life.

“Second Life is a huge untapped reservoir of untapped creative power”, says Mud, head of the artist collective Bespoke Caravan. 

Together with Harry and Xain (who hail from Pakistan) Mud and Genamalfi create fantasy mesh heads out of their Southern California home. They distribute their wares worldwide, by providing ways for deep self-expression for thousands of Residents in our virtual world.

The power of immersing via digital embodiment in Second Life should be obvious, says Mud: “ When you identify as something that's not even your natural body, the physical body can have a rest behind the computer screen while you engage with other folks in a transcendental way. There is magic in that!” 

Bespoke Caravan is a perfect example of the unique possibilities of Second Life, especially when it comes to forming small business entities without geographic or other limitations. Genamalfi, a former jewelry designer with many Hollywood celebrities being her customers, learned 3D modeling from Mud at an age when most people retire. 

The strenuous work with chemicals and sharp objects, required in her former profession, has now been replaced with a handful of software applications and access to a universe of imagination - and many adoring fans of her work - always within reach, inside the computer.

The three young men by her side agree that becoming one with the conception of oneself, within the context of playfulness in the metaverse, is a wonderful way to express creativity and stay feeling connected in a complex world that is often dominated by anxiety and isolation.

Genamalfi loves her crew and she loves creating tools for self-expression. She distills the importance of playing with avatars in Second Life in one sentence: “At heart, we're all children sometimes, and sometimes we're all ancient beings.”

Tap into your creative side and teleport over to BeSpoke to try a fantasy avatar.

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

BeSpoke Caravan

Visit the BeSpoke Caravan, Second Life's premier resource for fantasy mesh heads. They aim to enable people from all walks of life to fully live out their authentic selves. Meet their community, find fellow fantasy enthusiasts, and begin a new adventure. BeSpoke, be brave, be You!

Visit in Second Life

Home to the Transylvania family for 18 years, the Transylvania destination is a safe haven for those with an interest in a vampiric lifestyle in Second Life. 

Established in 2004, Transylvania is not solely focused on role-playing, and is instead a darkly gothic environment built for mood and atmosphere with a strict no-combat policy. Walking the streets of Transylvania you’re sure to find the Vampires and Lycans who call it home, but be prepared for other unusual visitors too.

There are four Transylvania Royals who own and run the day-to-day operations of Transylvania. Three of those royals are Transylvania Vampires: Willow Raven Paine (who is also the mother of Transylvania,) Noirran Marx, and Sabbian Paine. The 4th Royal is Joytou Timeless who is a Transylvania Lycan and their pack leader.  

Sabbian shares more of the inner workings and upcoming events:

“Transylvania has always been about the family as a whole working together as equals or as the family refers to as "One Blood."

To join the Transylvania family as either a Vampire or a Lycan, there is an application process and you need family sponsorship. You can find a notecard dispenser for either Vampire or Lycan in the grand hallway in the castle as you first walk in. After careful consideration, the final decision is made by the Royals.

The Transylvania community is not just made up of family members but its visitors and residents as well. We host DJ parties in the evening, and monthly themed events especially around the birthday in August and Halloween where the Transylvania family will host 5 days of events starting on October 28th with a Zombie Sock Hop, Scary Monsters, and Super Freaks, Evil Clown event, Halloween Party and a Dia De Los Muertos celebration.”

If you have a penchant for the dark, attend some of the upcoming Halloween events at Transylvania and consider sending in your application to join the family.

Family members featured in the video:
Vampyres: Kloe Kidd, Hollow, Meka Indigo, Ados Oldrich, Tomaso Franizzi, Wyndiva Magic, and Zarabella Ming Pockets
Lycans: Sheena Oldrich, Raeyn Sirnah, Petra Paderborn, Chopper Gurbux 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Transylvania

Established in 2004, Transylvania is Second Life’s oldest gothic, vampire, and lycan lifestyle community. With nightly DJs, art exhibits, discussions, shopping, and residences, it continues to thrive as Second Life's oldest community for those with a penchant for the dark.

Visit in Second Life

This Halloween, explore the creepy 13th Cloud Hotel, a destitute and broken-down asylum in Second Life.

The mysterious 13th Cloud Hotel is a collaboration between friends Lil Brat and Roxksie on the RoxkStudios region. 

Lil shares her inspiration for this haunted exhibit, “I wanted to try a floating asylum idea I had a few years ago, and we went for it. I love reading about all the spooky aspects of world history, in this case, asylums. 

Roxksie found the project to be a perfect addition to her art region, “Lil approached me knowing that I make art installations in Second Life while owning and managing an art region so I offered her some space. Once the first part had been installed, I mentioned the idea of creating a maze with the hope of making something interactive to explore. This installation is a vehicle for telling the story of times gone past. The older medieval practices that doctors would perform on patients thinking that it could or would cure them of illnesses. Instead of understanding the science of what causes illnesses, they would use things like electric shock to “cure” the ailment or leeches.”

When asked what Second Life means to them, Roxksie shared that since joining SL at age 18 back in 2006 “... the world has become an addition to my real life, where I can do the things that I cannot afford to do offline such as take a weekend to sit on a tropical beach (I live in the UK so there isn’t a lot of tropical beaches to go to). In recent years I have learned to use Second Life as a medium for expressionism which is an addition to my offline real-world artwork. I enjoy creating fantastical immersive art displays and creations that others can interact with and explore.” You can see more of Roxksie’s interactive art on the Roxkstudios region.

Lil Brat also shares her feelings towards this virtual world, “Second Life means a lot to me. It’s a place where you can play with and show your creativity, hang out with friends and explore. There is so much to do and see and it really is an amazing place. Some of my best friends I met in Second Life.” Lil Brat’s other work can be seen at her Dollhouse Forest.

After completing work on the 13th Cloud Hotel, Lil and Roxksie invited friends Squizzle, Echo, and Monki to assist in the 2nd installment of the asylum, called The 700's Labyrinth. This is the horror maze where inmates from the asylum were released into a final realm. Explore if you dare! 

Halloween is the perfect season to do all of the above in our virtual universe: create, express yourself, hang with friends, supplement RL with tropical surroundings and, if you dare, creep people out by visiting an old spooky asylum, in the clouds!

Additional help for 13th Cloud Hotel was provided by Ramisaa Gothly (Scripting Assistance with the Asylum), Solace Tigerpaw (maker of the famous TeaCup Carousel), and Finn Zeddmore (Narrative ideas)

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

The 13th Cloud Hotel

Welcome to the Asylum! Explore the tale of the destitute remains of a broken-down madhouse. Once a place for care with doctors, the patients broke loose from their medication and ruined this establishment. You are invited to explore these ghastly terrors. Produced by the Doll's House & SLRandom ArtCrew on the RoxkStudios region.

Visit in Second Life

Discover a hauntingly beautiful region of lost dreams and surreal landscapes at What’s Lost Spirits in Second Life.

Long time Second Life resident, Stabitha aka Sam, has created a nightmarish place, a place of surreal art to explore, and a space where one can maybe confront one’s own anxieties?

Sam explains: 

“What's Lost Spirits is a mix of RL experiences, such as the entry point and the mansion, and the recurring nightmares that followed those experiences. I have and have had, very lucid and vivid dreams all my life. I visit the same variety of places over and over again in those dreams, the feel of the places never changes but the buildings do over time, as well as the people. It is because of them that I decided to build What's Lost Spirits. 

I have a whole world in my head and Second Life gives me the perfect canvas to get that out. Eventually I will have stories that will go with the areas and characters and I plan on hopefully making them into a graphic novel of some sort. That will take years though. So for right now it's an ongoing work in progress.”

Sam has indeed already written two short stories, although she is not sure they are quite finished yet: “The first one is called ’Sam's Story’. The main character has the same name as me. Coincidence? Maybe. It is about how the nightmares started, it is a real life experience. The second is called ‘Terror’. It is a short story that has to do with one of the nightmare characters.”

If you like Sam’s style of visualizing her dark thoughts in the virtual world, we recommend a visit to her store which features some hand-picked (and hand-crafted) imaginative items, perfect for the season. Happy Halloween!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

What's Lost Spirits

Explore a region of lost dreams, an ongoing project based on a series of vivid nightmares.

Visit in Second Life

Immerse yourself in the magic and beauty of the underwater worlds at Dwarka, a Medieval Fantasy Aquatic Role-play destination.

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.

Kei Kawanishi, who runs the place together with colleagues Drakos and Alice Roseroot, explains: 

“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. To my knowledge, there has never been an RP sim that offers so many aquatic amenities in SL - EVER. lol ..”

Are you a “landlubber” like an elf, a tiefling, a gnome, or a dragon or do you prefer to embody as a siren, mermaid, aquatic kobold or possibly as kakresha (a hybrid being, composed of the upper body of a human and the lower body of a centipede.) Dwarka has a fully integrated D&D style role-play functionality via a HUD.

As their manifesto states: “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.”

After extensive visits to Dwarka, our team has to agree. 

Kei Kawanishi adds a personal note about the significance of creating Dwarka in SL: “Second Life means so much to me: freedom, creativity, business, projects, family, and friends. SL is NOT a game. It's a metaverse (no, not the Facebook kind). We've been calling SL a metaverse for almost 2 decades because that's what it is!”

And if you are stopping by, don’t miss the many Mom and Pop shops scattered around the sea and land. Hot tip? The “Sea Tangles Spa” where the offer is straight-forward as it is enticing: “Our committed and competent team is here to help keep your hair, nails, claws, scales, skin, and body healthy and beautiful.”

Now don’t delay and submit an application via their Discord or inworld and start roleplaying. Rumor has it that each approved new member gets a spa ticket on the house!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Dwarka - Medieval Aquatic Roleplay

Dwarka is a Medieval Fantasy Aquatic Role-play destination inspired by some of the greatest role-play regions in SL history. Dedicated to combining two of the biggest SL communities together and bringing the best elements of both: the realism, adventure, and fun from the role-playing community and the magic, beauty, and aesthetics of the aquatic worlds.

Visit in Second Life

Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Big Sky Over Florence and you may discover pathways to your inner self.

Designed by Ines Shelby and Elvira Kytori, Big Sky Over Florence is peaceful, imaginative, and serene in its simplicity.

Owner of the destination, Gnaaah Xeltentat, tells us what his inspiration for Big Sky is:

“I love traveling and more so being near water. I love that feeling you get when your entire view is filled with sky and water. Just being in awe of the magnitude of something so simple as a vast expanse of sky and the movement of the sea. I wanted that feel at Big Sky and I hoped that would be the primary sense you felt when you teleported in. I wanted to keep it “simple” with places to sit and enjoy the views, so people would feel they are “beside the ocean” and remember the times spent by it. 

I’m Canadian RL so I think the destination is a combination of the Muskoka Lakes in Ontario and the east coast of New Brunswick/Nova Scotia. Less defined by a specific place and more so by the feel those places evoke.”

He enjoys hearing about what visitors think of Big Sky and loves seeing the images that are submitted to the Big Sky Flickr group.
 
Gnaaah also shares how Second Life is the perfect escape for him and why he’s still here 14 years later:

“One of my favorite things about Second Life is the sharing of ideas and the imagination that goes into building someplace special. I look at other creators/builders and I am constantly amazed at the creativity involved in all the work they do. In some regards, it’s almost magical. 
 
I logged onto SL 14 years ago for the first time (after seeing a news item about it on television). I thought I’d only be in the game for a day or so and so I picked the goofiest name I could think of at that particular moment. Little did I suspect that over a decade later “Gnaaah” would still be flying into walls and getting stuck in trees.
 
And 14 years later, SL still provides a welcome respite from a sometimes crazy and definitely busy RL. Especially these past two years. After being in “lockdown” the ability to delve into a “second life” and escape the restraints of being stuck at home with limited social connections has been a godsend. 

Friends in game made the “real” world a much less scary place. I’m thankful for being able to log on and escape for a little bit.“

The first day of Autumn is on September 22nd, so take some time to enjoy the last days of summer at white sandy beaches in Big Sky Over Florence.

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Big Sky Over Florence

Enjoy the last days of summer at Big Sky Over Florence. Listen to the calming ocean sounds and relax on the white sand beaches. Hang with friends in any of the island houses or try your hand at some photography. There are plenty of pretty views. Simply enjoy the peace and tranquility of this lovely spot and unwind. Everyone is welcome! Add your images to their Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/florenceatlowtide

Visit in Second Life

Fearless Nation is a nonprofit that provides education and peer-to-peer support for Residents navigating through the challenges of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Founder and Executive Director of Fearless Nation, Anya Ibor (also known as Colleen M. Crary in the physical world) holds a PhD in Psychology and has been using Second Life as a means to educate people about PTSD for over 12 years. Equally important to Anya is her advocacy for PTSD victims by sharing her extensive research.

The Fearless Nation destination has an extensive interactive library on the subject matter, including literary works and informational slideshows. There are also little areas where Residents can reflect on their feelings including an area to cope with grief and a remembrance place. An eucomenical temple on a hill, set within a secluded garden lets followers of any religion (or none for that matter) reflect on loss, gather strength, and meet others in quiet contemplation.

Relaxation can be acquired in the Yoga area on the beach, with informational panels to educate on the use of aromatherapy, and a mud bath with a nice cold shower to round off that section of the island.

Want to conquer your anxiety through non-verbal making of art? Pottery and sewing stations are available in the arts center.

An art exhibit about trauma, recovery, and resilience brings together prominent Second Life artists like Bryn Oh, along with the collective who participated in the award-winning “The Freedom Project” as well as artists from the physical realm, past and present, like Käthe Kollwitz and Joe Coleman.

At the end of a long day, you can watch your avatar fall asleep in the cozy sleep room, while your analog alter ego turns off the light as well.

Group meetings and other events surrounding PTSD support are starting soon, so join their inworld group and chime in by sharing your ideas for topics to discuss. 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres
Parts of this video were shot at Bryn Oh’s Lobbycam

Fearless Nation PTSD Support

Fearless Nation PTSD Support is an RL 501c3 Nonprofit Organization for people with PTSD, their families, partners, children, and communities. They provide education, support, and advocacy. Since 2009 they've had a virtual online community that spans distance, with a small carbon footprint bringing people together for peer support, education, and advocacy for people with PTSD.

Visit in Second Life

Take a stroll through Le Jardin Des Tuileries, a virtual garden inspired by the Tuileries Garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde in Paris. While there, you may want to grab a selfie with the Eiffel Tower for our Famous Landmarks Challenge.

Owner of the Made in Paris region, Morganeparis Parx, is influenced by Paris architecture when creating his place and would love it if Residents found it beautiful enough to make them want to take pictures there. 

A Resident since 2008, Morgane shares what Second Life means to him:
“What does Second Life mean to me? A lot! I was born in SL in June, 2008 so I've been on Second Life for 14 years now. If it were boring here, believe me, I wouldn't have stayed.

When I discovered SL, I was playing  “The Sims” game all day, and I didn’t go outside my home a lot. My therapist told me that he heard about Second Life. He didn’t test it, but told me that maybe I could build a house like in The Sims, and create characters, but I’ll be able to have interactions with other people. 

I decided to test Second Life and after learning about moving my avatar and camera, and watching Torley Linden’s videos, I quickly found an area where I was allowed to build. After a while, people in the sandboxes started to talk to me. 

Month after month, I  improved my skills in Photoshop, started to learn Blender, I improved my English, and now I have relationships with people again.

Second Life helped me in so many ways. Being immersed in the world keeps me healthy and allows me to have social interaction with a lot less stress than IRL.

SL changed me a lot, for the better, it helped me to interact with people again, and allowed me to regain my self-confidence, and to develop relationships.

Second Life is what you want it to be: SL will be just a game, if you want it this way. But if you want SL to be a real second life, it will be that too.”

While exploring the region, you may want to grab a bear and take an image similar to those in the "Bears Around The World" contest, which encourages Residents to travel more. Creator Gabryel Lamplight, who held this contest this past summer, shares more about it, “This is a collection of cute bears combined with a photo contest. The bear is for many a symbol of childhood, a period during which everything seems possible. On SL, it seems to me that we come to find a part of this magic or carelessness. That's why through this contest we invite people to travel on SL and bring back beautiful photos with their favorite bears. Although the  contest is now closed, an exhibition will be organized at the Puerto Banana destination during the fall of 2022. The bear collection will still be available after the contest in the B.GAB store.”

Make memorable moments with teddy bear selfies in a virtual Parisian garden!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Le Jardin des Tuileries

Welcome to "Le Jardin des Tuileriess" a realistic French garden located on the "Made in Paris" region. It is inspired by an authentic French garden you can find in Paris. Enjoy the lush greenery and the romantic atmosphere with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Don't forget to capture your memories with snapshots and add them to the Made in paris Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/made-in-paris

Visit in Second Life

Premier Wrestling is a pro wrestling federation in Second Life, where wrestling fans can be just as much a part of the crowd as the superstars themselves!

Premier Wrestling is shaping a new era of wrestling, by developing compelling characters and weaving them into dynamic storylines that combine physical and emotional sentiments. This is as real as it gets in the virtual world of Second Life! 

According to Premier Wrestling Co Owner Vince Aftermath: 

"Second Life Wrestling is magic, the virtual action element is not supposed to happen but we are doing it. Our athletes are a mixture of veteran wrestlers and rookies both male and female all who want to see Premier Wrestling succeed every week by giving our fans a great experience.

Premier Wrestling in particular has something for everyone. You have the fighting, you have the dancing, you have the voice action, you have the tables, you have the ladders, I could go on! Premier Wrestling is a buffet of entertainment. We hit every mark for you and send you home happy!

Want to see someone lay the smackdown in your own backyard? Well you're in luck! Premier Wrestling travels around the grid to different locations. Going sim to sim with our wrestling crews is a favorite among our sponsors and partners. And we stream our shows on YouTube as well.”

Let's say you don’t want to be a fan and are tired of watching from the sidelines. Let's say you want to jump into the action today. Do you get paid? Is it hard to do? What does getting into the wrestling business look like?

Senior Executive Director at Premiere Wrestling, LG, explains how easy it is to go from fan to pro: 

“Contact us in-world, on Discord or Twitter, fill out the application and someone will contact you almost immediately. We are always hiring. We are the only wrestling federation to this day that pays the staff for their hard work. You can even get a free home to live in. The benefits of being a professional Second Life wrestler in Premier Wrestling is unbelievable.”

Premier Wrestling has over 70 active staff members on the team from all over the world from Brazil, to Canada, to even Egypt. A diverse community of global wrestling fans, who embrace their cultural uniqueness as they only can in a virtual world without borders.

And what does Second Life mean to the folks who run this vibrant wrestling operation?
"Second Life is a gateway to a world with no restrictions. You're not held down by anyone and the opportunities of being a creator or being a performer are endless. Being a Second Life performer has given me a purpose to want to log in every day. I love performing for our fans who may not want to leave their home due to COVID concerns or those who have a SL family and need a different type of entertainment." says Vince Aftermath.

"A chance to be creative, Make the unbelievable happen and help people escape reality even if just for a brief moment. Second Life has no limitations." says LG.

Now’s your chance to get behind the ropes with Premier Wrestling's hard-hitting action!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Premier Wrestling Studios

Premier Wrestling is an organization based in Second Life. Premier Wrestling has hard-hitting action to voice drama, featuring some of the best virtual wrestlers in the world! Premier Wrestling is a one-stop-shop for all your entertainment needs! They are filmed on location, then later the show is placed on their YouTube page.

Visit in Second Life

Experience a vibrant metropolis at Urban City, where you can enjoy exciting clubs, endless shopping, apartments for rent, and more!

An urban neighborhood in the Humboldt County region, Urban City has residential areas where you can enjoy real city living by renting apartments or a whole parcel. With a town square, pubs, and many shopping areas you will always feel you are at the heart of downtown. 

Adjacent to Urban City is the Urban Neighborhood, in the Laurel Canyon region (see a California theme here? We do!), where the expansive Fantasy Pixels store is facing the waterfront. For the more spacious rentals, Urban Neighborhood has you covered with - ironically? - suburban size plots.

If you want to roam the streets, engage in moderate roleplay, hang out with your friends and witness how the various construction sites quickly transform into exciting new parts of the neighborhood, hop on over to Urban City now.

And if you like the effort Ѳѕzч Ͼʰᵘ Ͼѳййаllч and crew put into this place, you can donate to the parking meter. Find the hungry little object right next to the food truck, the one that sells “Little Monster Skull Ice Cream” as you look out over the water and contemplate if a downtown penthouse or a white-picket fence enclosed Victorian is the right crib for you.

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Urban City

Welcome to Urban City. They have Resident homes, stores, clubs, motel, train station, cafes, pubs, events, games, and so much more with lots of photogenic areas. Come have fun at Urban City!

Visit in Second Life

Roleplay at New Frontiers, a SciFi community set in the year 2822 CC on the world of Onia!

Whether you are a roleplayer or just a casual explorer, New Frontiers invites everyone to join their community, create a character, engage in combat, or just wander around and explore a foreign and exciting world. 

Via their Discord, community members keep in close contact and share ideas, lore, as well as resolve conflict the old-fashioned way, should armed combat fail to achieve the desired results: through diplomacy. The vast world of New Frontiers, with its myriad of different races and classes, is governed by clear rules and a comprehensive HUD system.  

According to New Frontiers management: 

"New Frontiers is a passion project. An attempt to deliver the science fiction roleplay experience we've always wanted to partake in. To give our players a place to tell their own stories. To signal boost and show off our amazing content creators. To provide the community of a giant bunch of nerds with material to argue the differences in faster than light technology until the early hours of the morning.

New Frontiers is not the work of any one person. Nor any single team. It is the blood, sweat and tears of dozens, if not hundreds of players, staff, artists, and photographers who all have come together to tell stories in a random, eclectic world where on one day you can be raiding some ancient tomb, the next you are going for a walk in the park."

Explore today and be fascinated by the level of work, detail, and community that has gone into creating this world! 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

New Frontiers

New Frontiers is a sci-fi roleplaying region set on the final frontier, a hostile planet in distant and unfamiliar space. Start a new life in the White Belt! Discover the mysteries of precursor civilisation out in the frontier, fight in a sprawling shadow war or enjoy your free time in a seedy undercity bar. Learn more at newfrontiers.co

Visit in Second Life

Hamster avatars take center stage at Hamster Bar, home of a fun summer Hamster Festival every August.

If you’re looking for some wacky fun, you'd be hard-pressed to find a virtual world that offers more of that than Second Life! 

Azuran, owner of the Hamster Bar and creator of the incredibly adorable Hamster Festival, also runs a Hamster blog all about the wheel turning activities taking place at the bar. The blog may be in Japanese and most avatars may be of the furry kind, but human avatars are more than welcome and many of the participants also speak English. 

This two week festival runs until August 20th and includes a live DJ event and a shopping mall where you can pick up all your hamster accessories. Follow Hamster Fest on Twitter for updates.

One of the Hamsters featured in the video is Sanny Yoshikawa, who can usually be found in a squirrel or cat avatar but also enjoys being a hamster. The Hamster Festival is one of Sanny’s favorite events in Second Life.

Sanny has been a Second Life Resident for many years and tells us, “I am Japanese and have lived in Australia for 20 years. I joined SL when I saw the news about Japanese towns being created in SL. Now I live in a Sakura Linden Home. 

My main project in SL is translating and making a summary of Wagner James AU's New World Notes monthly. I believe that it helps Japanese users to get information about SL and other virtual worlds. We can use DeepL to read foreign blogs nowadays, but I think the real problem for someone who doesn't use English is "how to reach information". If you don't know English you can't use google search, then you can't reach articles that you should read.”

Don't have a Hamster avatar and want to pick one up? Find them at Sue's Mall, home of the Beetlebones store in Second Life by Suetabulous Yootz.

Take a moment to connect with an adorable new community and teleport over to Hamster Festival today!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Hamster Bar

Hamster Bar is where hamster lovers gather. Once a year in August, they hold a festival called "Hamster Festival" focusing on hamsters. This festival is enjoyed not only by hamsters but also by many other people. It is crowded with many hamster fans and shopping malls with fun items. A very casual DJ event is held every year on August 6 at 6 AM (SLT). Visit for a fun-filled summer!

Visit in Second Life

Creator Jenaia Morane describes Braided Lives as “a multimedia, multiplatform initiative designed to bring people from around the planet together to create, collaborate, and build community.” It currently features a music installation called Songs for Ukraine.

Jenaia has been a Resident for over 14 years, telling us, “the most important lesson I’ve learned is that people are people wherever and however they choose to appear, and virtual reality has a lot to teach us about what it means to be human.”

As a response to the overwhelming emotions that many of us feel these days as a result of chaotic global events and uncertainty about the future, Jenaia applied those values to Braided Lives. As one of countless people who saw the devastation of the Ukrainian invasion and felt a frustrating sense of powerlessness, Jenaia realized “What I am, however, is a storyteller who has learned that sharing our stories through song is one of the best ways to open hearts and keep hope and courage alive in the world.”

Jenaia goes into great detail on the various goals of the Songs for Ukraine project:

• Entertain, Educate, and Inspire: “Bring people from around the world together to enjoy live music that supports and celebrates Ukraine. The concerts are held in recreations of places in Ukraine - e.g., the subways where people are living to escape the Russian bombs. These spaces are meant to give attendees a sense of what the Ukrainians are experiencing, including the hope and courage they’re displaying through their music. (Each live concert is broadcast in both SL and on the web so that anyone, anywhere with an internet connection can enjoy them. They are also recorded and archived so those unable to attend the live shows can listen later.)”
• Support and Educate: “Though we do not collect money, the “Songs for Ukraine” concerts provide information on more than 14 organizations that are offering aid to Ukraine. We also share poetry by Ukrainian poets and are starting to interview and post the work of Ukrainian artists and musicians.”
• Build Bridges: “To be effective, the work being done in virtual spaces needs to become readily available, easily accessible, and seen as relevant to the rest of the world. This is where music has a vital role to play: it crosses any and all boundaries, opens hearts, and reminds us that what we have in common far outweighs our differences.”

Walking through the region feels like an episodic journey through space and time, as each section has a unique aesthetic and feels insulated in a comforting manner. The air of serenity makes it easy to relax, and art pieces are perfectly balanced with the natural beauty of the outdoors. Eventually Residents happen upon a seating area on an enclosed square of sand, reminiscent of a zen garden. Just past that, a literal approach to the concept of a word tree that provokes visitors to think about familiar concepts in a new light.

Jenaia’s endeavor to foster resilience, hope, and connection features banners with inspiring quotes at the entrance and multiple stages for speaking and/or performing. There is also ample room for quiet contemplation, as one can see at a memorial for Ebbe Altberg, who many Residents remember as the CEO of Linden Lab until his passing last year. The poem “Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep” encourages the reader to live in the present moment and not be focused on the past or weighed down by grief for those lost.

All are welcome to visit Braided Lives. In a world that teaches us to be constantly moving, allow yourself to rest. You deserve it, maybe more than you know.

Video Production Credits: Draxtor Despres
Musicians in order of appearance: Cylindrian Rutabaga, Frogg Marlowe, and Raspbury Rearwin.

Braided Lives

Braided Lives is a multi-platform initiative designed to bring people from all walks of life together to tell their stories and collaborate on the creation of a more equitable and sustainable future. The concept was born in response to the isolation, stress, anger, and frustration that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial tensions. For more info, visit braidedlives.com

Visit in Second Life

Explore Puerto Banana, an eclectic little fishing harbor, inspired by the wonderful creativity of Second Life Residents.

After being involved with other artistic venues and ventures in Second Life, Louna Perl and Boro decided they wanted to create their own space based around fun, creativity, and nice chance encounters with other Second Life residents. Louna shares, “We do think SL is a wonderful way to unleash creativity, whether you're extremely talented or simply a normal human being with ideas that have not been realized yet.” 

With no technical skills and an immense admiration for other Creators in Second Life, they dove right into creating Puerto Banana. Louna explains their process: “I'm a collector and I love pictures and paintings, but I also have a passion for objects. And in SL, there are absolutely fantastic creators of objects. From sculptures to simple tea cups, I'm often amazed by the details, the technical skills, beauty and inventiveness.”  

“We do try to mix the atmospheres in what remains a small place, with the harbor full of surprises, a small gallery and a warehouse where we can gather with a few people to listen to music streamed by music lovers, without dancing, just to lie on a couch or a comfy chair and chat about music.”

This quaint little fishing harbor is not the only thing keeping them busy this summer together, and in collaboration with Gabryel Lamplight, they have started a new project called “Bears around the World” project. You can grab a bear and go on a photography adventure for a chance to win some prizes, but also have a lot of fun!

Take a stroll through this eclectic fishing harbor, participate in the bears around the world project and get your creative juices flowing!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Puerto Banana

Puerto Banana is a little fishing harbour with a core business based around fun, creativity, and nice encounters. An eclectic place inspired by the wonderful creativity of Second Life Residents. Sometimes there are featured art exhibits.

Visit in Second Life

For fans of virtual pets and breedables in Second Life, meet Daemon Blackflag, co-owner of Kreatures, a game that's fun, social, and open-ended in which players can design and trade their own pets.

Known as a “Jack of all trades” Daemon is a long-time Resident of Second Life and has been involved with breedables for over a decade. Starting his journey as an average breeder of other creator’s brands, he has now co-founded several breedable ventures of his own and created many breedable HUDs and services. 

With a lot of fanfare and assistance from his team, Daemon launched Fennux in 2012. The Fawns was their next launch into the breedables market in 2017, and now in 2022 they have added Kreatures to their collection of breedable pet games. The small team around Daemon will continue to release content for Fennux, Fawns and Kreatures, with big plans for Kreatures in the near future, including a Battle System which they expect even non-breeders to be interested in.

When asked what he’s learned from his journey into the breedable world, Daemon shares “I learned that the breedable games we create are points of interest on the SL grid. Users will be making new social connections. Each breedable creates a sizable community that users take with them even years after a breedable has died down in popularity.”

What has he learned from the Residents that enjoy breedable games? “The breeders have taught me many things as well, like what kind of quality of life improvements would help them in their day to day breedings. We take in that feedback and push out a more refined product because of it. We still take risks with new feature ideas - but we usually know what will and won't work in this space.”

If you’re a breeder that likes variety in their breedables, Kreatures offers three different animals to breed, and options for you to intermix between the different species. Who wouldn’t want a Tiger Bear or Polar Lion? 

What does Second Life mean to Daemon? “To me Second Life is a platform for creativity in the entrepreneur space. I can come up with an idea, build it with my associates and then test it out live in front of thousands of users. Within hours I can usually tell if it's going to be a hit or if it's back to the drawing board.

SL has enabled me to have tens of thousands of different people using my products. There are not many platforms that I can show up to, use real-world marketing strategies, and start learning if I'm failing or succeeding. SL also has a reliable way to turn virtual currency into USD, and they aren't taking 30-50% like some other platforms. 

Overall, SL is a great way for me to be a successful business entrepreneur without all of the real world headaches.”

Take your plunge into this creative breedable game and create your own unique species today!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Kreatures

Brought to you by the creators of The Fennux and Fawns Breedables, Kreatures is a breedable pet game like no other. You'll find lion cubs, wolf pups, and bear cubs in this brand new breedable. Come check them out at the official Kreatures region today! More info at kreatures.net

Visit in Second Life

Step into the distant future and find yourself amidst a dystopian fueled world at Club Hexnetic, an LGBTQ owned and operated music venue in Second Life.

Hexnetic is a combination of futuristic hi-tech and underground hideaway - a truly unique club for music lovers. Owner Ulysses Hexem, also known as DJ Cursed, has gathered creative contributions from all over Second Life to imagine a uniquely themed music venue making the atmosphere at Hexnetic truly electric. With experience in building roleplay destinations and other venues, Ulysses says, “Hexnetic is all about the music. Many of our DJ's are very talented, have been in Second Life for a very long time, and some work as DJs in Real Life as well. But we all share the same vision: we want to keep music alive in Second Life, through sharing many different genres of music from around the world.”

When asked what Second Life means to him, Ulysses shares, “Second Life to me is the people. The community. I have met so many amazing people here. I have made many friends and consider those family. We are very tight knit. We are there for each other, online and offline. Connections are very important to people. Even more so during trying times. Being of the LGBTQ community, I bring that with me. Open arms, everyone is welcome and accepted. There are no barriers. I have found here what often I have failed to find in Real Life. That may sound like a bad thing, but the truth is that it is often hard to find those with shared interests. Whereas Second Life gives people the opportunity to meet and converse with a vast array of people from all walks of life. It truly opens you up to new knowledge and experiences.”

If you're looking for a place to cut loose without anyone judging you for being yourself, this is definitely the destination for you!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Club Hexnetic

Hexnetic is a unique underground music venue with an unparalleled theme. Step somewhere into the distant future and find yourself amongst a dystopian fueled world. LGBTQ owned and operated, it is a safe space with a chill atmosphere and awesome tunes of various genres played by live DJs!

Visit in Second Life

Seraphim will be holding its annual SeraPride event on June 18th, starting at 11:30am PT in support of the LGBTQI+ community.

Founded in 2011, Seraphim is the biggest Second Life shopping destination aggregator reporting over 2 million page views per month. They are the experts in helping SL shopping addicts find their fix! Covering all the biggest shopping events and sales running on the grid, the co-owners Kess Crystal and Delicate Flower have also added livestreaming and podcasting to their repertoire. Check out their weekly Outlet Live and Seracast videos on the Seraphim YouTube channel. 

Serasim is the home of Seraphim HQ inworld where all kinds of events are held throughout the year, including Blogger Panels, Holiday Events, and SeraPride! 

SeraPride is their annual one day fundraising event. Last year the event raised well over $3000 USD. Hoping to raise even more this year, the festivities will start on June 18th at 11:30am PT and throughout the day there will be DJs, a Drag Race, SeraPride Idol, Raffles, Giveaways, and more! All proceeds will benefit Rainbow Railroad, a small Canadian based organization that helps LGBTQI+ people threatened for their lives to relocate to a safe place. 

Both Del and Kess share a passion for raising awareness for this cause. Del says, “This event is a fun way to raise awareness, bring in some donations and help some people survive. At the end of the day we as humans are driven to help one another.”

Kess shares her sentiments, “The situation for LGBTQ folks is dire at the moment. Be it in Afghanistan or many states in the United States. We are trying to provide a colorful environment, that we are custom building, for a really vibrant event that will be a lot of fun! Second Life has always been a place that attracts people who are curious to explore their identity to the fullest and it has become for many a place that feels safe to be who you are.”

So grab your rainbow gear and head on down to SeraPride on June 18th for some fun community engagement while contributing to an important cause. 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

SeraSim // Seraphimsl.com

Home of Seraphim HQ, 70L SeraSim Sundays, The Outlet, and a robust shopping district featuring over 20 of the most loved brands. Find out more by visiting: www.seraphimsl.com

Visit in Second Life

Christopher Street in Second Life is a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community to come together, connect, and be themselves.

In June of 1969, in a part of NYC known as the West Village, police officers raided one of the most popular gay bars on Christopher Street named the Stonewall Inn. They began beating members of the transgender community, which led to a backlash from those who were present and fed up with what had been happening for years. That was the beginning of the Stonewall Riots that started on Christopher Street and continued all over the Village area of NYC for the next few days. They are the reason you can call yourself Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Pansexual, Trangender, Non-Binary, Queer and anything else you prefer to identify with, without being arrested for doing so. 

The virtual Christopher Street in Second Life is inspired by these events. It is a place of love where Residents can feel safe and learn about each other and explore their sexuality and gender with people like themselves, who care and understand. 

Tabitha Littlepaws, the owner of Christopher Street, gave the streets similar names as those from the neighborhood in Greenwich Village. She tells us why she chose this place, “not just because this was where the LGBT movement was said to have begun, but because we want to show the people of Second Life that we too can rise above the hate and start a community of individuals that believe in similar ideals.

Like the people that were involved in the peaceful protests that occurred after the uprising, we too can bring together a movement in our virtual world that will show everyone we can be strong and overcome our differences to live together in peace. We are creators, we are builders, we are dancers, we are artists, we are poets, we are philosophers, we are gamers, we are doctors, we are whatever we choose to be. We are gay, we are lesbian, we are bisexual, we are asexual, we are transgender, we are straight but not narrow, we are whatever we choose to be. We are feelings behind the pixels, we are love!”

What Tabitha offers the community is a place to call home. She says, “There are very few if any communities in SL that provide basic housing for free. There are very few if any communities that will provide a new creator the chance to have a storefront to display their talents for free. We want to give everyone a chance to be part of a community no matter what their financial status might be. We only ask our residents and shop owners for a donation that they can afford, whether this is $1L or many more, we do not log or let other residents know how much anyone gives to our community.”

Tabitha’s partner, Penny Cobalt, lives in a part of the world where the LGBTQ community faces a lot of hate and she can only be safe as long as she keeps a low profile. Penny owns a LGBTQ dating site in Second Life, Love Me Tender, that is located in Christopher Street.

Find your home at Christopher Street where diversity is welcomed with open arms and no judgment exists!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Christopher Street

Christopher Street is a friendly place to meet like-minded people. A great place to call home, it has free apartments and free storefronts, inquire within! It is a safe place for the LGBTQ+ Community to come together, connect, and be themselves.

Visit in Second Life

Ready for adventure? The Citadel in Second Life offers roleplay and SciFi enthusiasts a place to call home.

Citadel, the Legion Chronicles, has gone through many transformations since 2009, but at the heart has always been a role-play destination for lovers of science fiction. 

Aywin Dragonblood started off her metaverse journey on the teen grid in Second Life, learning how to dabble in the art of roleplay. Moving on to the adult grid, she taught herself how to build with prims, mesh, script, texture, and also design websites, all by getting tips from friends in Second Life and tinkering with things on her own. 

Adding writing to her many talents, Aywin shares “The Citadel that exists today uses lore I spent 9 years writing. It started on a piece of paper, then a notebook, then a computer. Creating the story of a vast galaxy that had fallen into chaos, then rebuilt itself into this scattered and vastly different galaxy in which each world had to adapt on its own, was a lot of fun.”

As to why Aywin created the Citadel, she says “I wanted a place that is a fun, inviting place to roleplay. A place where we all worked together for our passion of SciFi. I wanted The Citadel to operate like a small mom and pop business. I or my admins greet each person when we can and work with newcomers one on one if needed.” 

Encouraging participants to use the destination to host events, shows, concerts, parties, businesses, and more, Aywin has created an engaging community worth joining. 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Citadel - The Legion Chronicles

The Citadel is a Sci-Fi / Fantasy roleplay destination with a unique and vivid storyline that gives so much possibility for players to really explore and create their own unique characters. They have deep and lasting events that can take place over several days. Each event with its own story fills in part of the bigger story of the Citadel. The RP at the Citadel is meant to be easy for players to jump right in. For more information, visit citadellegionchron.wixsite.com/citadel

Visit in Second Life

Wander into Lost Lagoon, home to whimsical waterfalls and just the place for you to relax and get away from it all.

Ever walked around Second Life and found yourself lost in contemplation? The Lost Lagoon is one of those spots where you can indulge in some solitude while exploring all the hidden gems it has to offer. Make sure to turn up your sounds to hear the relaxing waves. 

Alternatively, it can also be a place to meet or rather randomly bump into fellow explorers and strike up a conversation with someone who may come from a very different corner of the physical world than you.

The island is what you make it, just as you do with your avatar. The video proves that humans, furries, and the occasional teddy bear, can all hang out and play together. 

As you explore, find a big hall with an astrology map serving as its roof on top of one of the hills on the island. Imagine the soft sounds of the old piano, slightly out of tune perhaps. Travel downhill to the beach, where strange artifacts from the distant past are overgrown with flowers and weeds alike. Walk the connected wooden walkways that safeguard the visitor from falling into the swampy water - but beware of possible alligators!

Built by Mark Knight and administered by Jana Guyot, Lost Lagoon is a quintessential Second Life destination that brings beauty and a sense of calm. Lose yourself in the serenity of this little island.

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Lost Lagoon

Lost Lagoon is an isolated paradise in the South Seas. This beautiful jewel of a destination is a great place to explore, get in touch with nature, relax and cuddle. Everyone is welcome to find their piece of paradise at the Lost Lagoon.

Visit in Second Life

Our “Made in Second Life” series continues with artist JudiLynn India, an abstract painter in the physical world who has combined her love of art with Second Life. The latter has helped her be more productive as she has fully embraced the identity of digital artist and virtual gallery owner in the Metaverse to her resume.

Trained in graphic design and drawing at the Tyler School of Art, JudiLynn puts her creativity to work on paintings that are both created in ways traditional as well as digital; using brush and paint in the physical world, combining vivid colors with earthy tones, she imports high quality images into SL. JudiLynn does not seem to be afraid - as some in the art world are - to use digital technology to manipulate some images that nonetheless originate in the “brick and mortar” realm to create visceral art that feels both alive and serene.

She tells us, “Though school assignments focused on realism, I later found myself drawn to intuitive painting as I find it more interesting to create what my spirit dictates than try to reproduce the real world.” Her interest in abstract painting peaked when she saw a senior art student throwing paint at a canvas and found it to be empowering. 

In 2009, when she discovered Second Life through a magazine article, her exploration of digital art began. Since then, she has been sharing her digital illustrations and traditional paintings while building relationships within the Second Life art community. “I was set up in a small storefront where I was discovered by 3D sculptor Binary Quandry and introduced to the Life Stream Gallery. I soon met many other painters and visual artists from around the globe,” she shares. “I was offered land, by Luchenpur Darwin, to build a gallery at Center Ground region and have been there since 2012.” 

Creativity runs in the family as JudiLynn’s father, John Staples, was a prolific oil painter and graphic artist himself. And JudiLynn reveals this about her mother: “After viewing the theater debut of TRON in 1982, she called me to say that she could see me combining artwork with computers some day. Mom was clairvoyant.” 

At the Center Ground Gallery of Art you can see digital copies of JudiLynn’s abstract art on the walls, and socialize with other art aficionados at the Alpha Jazz Cafe. Prints of some of her physical world abstract art can be found at judilynnart.com.

Jump into creating your own virtual abstract art with “The Splasher” available for free on the SL marketplace, created by veteran Second Life content creator Arduen Schwartzman who helped envision JudiLynn’s story about her art school days - as seen in the video - with his generous creation. 

Art by others seen in the video inside JudiLynn’s Second Life home:

"EASTBOUND" and "PAISLEY HAZE II" by Erin Ashley 
 "Ashanti" by Karen Dupre 
"2309" by Edith Konrad 
"Swans and Toucan" by Amanda Tomasoa
"Numachi" and "Sundown Serenade" by LuAnn Ostergaard

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Center Ground Gallery of Art

The Center Ground Gallery of Art presents the artwork of Real Life artist Judilynn India. Owned and curated by JudiLynn India, they occasionally host the work of other great RL painters. Feel free to browse the gallery and relax in the gallery gardens where you'll also find space to dance or bike ride through the Center Ground region.

Visit in Second Life

Visit the Lupus Awareness Fair at Blue Orchid District throughout the month of May to see the bright spirit of SL that connects people through troubling times.

The Blue Orchid is run by the sorority Sigma Upsilon Nu, and they have had a presence in SL since 2010. The main contributors to this event are Big Sister Cleopatra Kellman and Shanina Chenaux.

This virtual event raises awareness and makes a real impact with donations. Cleopatra and Shanina tell us, “Since 2010, Lupus Awareness has been Sigma Upsilon Nu's charity of choice. We have unselfishly dedicated our time in raising funds and awareness throughout the full month of May. With the help of our SL sponsors, designers, and supporters we raised $1,766.00 last year. As promised, all proceeds were donated to Lupus of America and Lupus of UK.”

For those unfamiliar with lupus, it is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face. There are often periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which symptoms are less severe or absent.

Research shows that Black women are disproportionately affected by lupus and that they also experience more rapid progression and worse outcomes compared with other groups.

This month-long event is an opportunity for people to learn something new and show support for a warm and inviting community. Enjoy a stroll through manicured courtyards while taking breaks to read posters with information on lupus, as knowledge is the power we need to dismantle stigmas and bring about equitable care for all.
 
One street is emblazoned with letters that spell out BLACK LIVES MATTER, with each letter bearing a colorful mural that supports the theme of civil rights. It is reminiscent of Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. and is powerful to behold.

With a fully staffed restaurant, monthly lupus support group meetings, live poetry night, and many more special events taking place this month, we hope that you check it out.

Video Production Credits: 
Draxtor Despres

Lupus Awareness Fair at Blue Orchid District

The Blue Orchid District is home of Sigma Upsilon Nu Sorority, a RL non-profit organization dedicated to sisterhood and education. The beautifully landscaped region has a fully staffed restaurant, monthly group Lupus Meetings, Live Poetry Night, and much more! Their Annual Lupus Awareness Fair runs from May 1st to 31st for Lupus Awareness Month. The event begins on Sunday, May 1st at 11am PT with an opening ceremony and a Start/Finish Walk. For more info, visit sigmaupsilonnusl.wixsite.com/slsorority

Visit in Second Life

Come experience a perfect spring day at Whimberly, a photogenic oasis where visitors can hang out while admiring the beauty of nature.

Creator Staubi Reilig tells us, “Whimberly was created as a photogenic spot to give SL {Residents} the opportunity to use a {region} for their photos free of charge and without group membership fees.” One lap around Whimberly makes it clear that this place was definitely built with photography in mind; the landscape is absolutely stunning but in an unimposing manner that serves to complement a photo’s subject without distraction. Staubi adds, “The {region} quickly became a popular destination for spending time with my friends too… At regular intervals we switch the design from spring to autumn and vice versa.” So take advantage of the vast field of tall yellow flowers while you can, and be sure to come back later this year!

Whimberly’s layout has a sense of openness, which adds a sense of safety and tranquility. Explorers can find hidden nooks like a set of wooden chairs with a small campfire ablaze, or a comfy swing hanging from a tree. Staubi would like to give credit to Ethan Reilig, who "takes care of the terraforming and the details," as building in SL can be a team effort.

Something extra special about Whimberly is that it was built with user-friendliness in mind at the technical level. Staubi explains that, “When designing, it is important to me that everybody, regardless of the technical requirements, can admire the {region} and feel comfortable. For example, I always build with the windlight at "noon" and without the advanced lighting model switched on, so that I know how everything looks for someone who wanders through SL with low-graphic settings or for new users who don't even know how to adjust their settings.” We appreciate that! (For those interested, check out this video on Viewer Basics.)

Featured in the video is blogger Charlotte Chisolm, who tells us “Second Life is my creative outlet and enables me to explore and learn about photography and photo editing, which I use daily to relax from the grind of real life. SL is a wonderfully social and creative world in which one can become anything they want to be… Some of my closest friends were once random avatars I met while out exploring.”

Visit Whimberly today, whether alone or with friends, as this serene location is truly welcome to everybody. Who knows what you’ll discover?

Video Productions Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Whimberly

Come and explore the "forest" themed location called "Whimberly". Enjoy your stay, take lots of pictures, meet friends and above all have fun! To all the amazing Vloggers out there, you are allowed to take videos.

Visit in Second Life

Inspired by works like The Great Gatsby, One More Light is a portal to the New York glitz and glamor of the 1920s.

Owner Abigail Lemongrass has been a Resident for years, finding that the virtual world provided accessible relaxation and fulfillment: “I worked long hours as a nurse and getting out of the house wasn't always a feasible option for me. Through pictures and building, SL offered that bit of solace that a weary soul needs. What I have found is a world of people who very much like myself just needed a spot to land and escape the real world for a while.”

Upon landing, visitors are given instructions to rez a stylish classic car, enter the estate, and immerse themselves in the posh atmosphere. There’s nothing like a grand staircase to make you feel like you’re on a luxurious getaway!

Mark your calendars, as there will be an event series at the big Gatsby Mansion from May 5th through May 15th. The One More Light team is hosting this “to raise money and awareness for Relay for Life in Second Life. There will be musicians, theater performances, a gallery exhibit, a kind of Kentucky Derby, {a screening of} The Great Gatsby, and a big fireworks finale.”

Abigail tells us, “We really loved the DRD Hotel when we saw it and knew right away that we'd use it for an event. The whole idea of going back to the 1920's was one we all jumped on because it's so much fun to dress up in Second Life.”

You don’t want to miss this, as Abigail has mentioned “The hotel will be here until May 15th and then we'll be off to a new build. We already have plans on making it an annual event though.” So grab your formal wear and head over for a cocktail at the swanky bar and restaurant before it’s too late!

Abigail wants us to know that this labor of love took a village of brilliant creatives, sharing, “SL offered an opportunity that would not have been afforded to me otherwise… Building {One More Light} was a collaboration of ideas among us all. I had the vision and our designer was able to create it like she could see into my mind.”

Team Members:
https://my.secondlife.com/Lily.Cloud
https://my.secondlife.com/Baylinerbob73
https://my.secondlife.com/haggis.firehawk
https://my.secondlife.com/Moira.Macarthur
https://my.secondlife.com/kasslinamoonglow
https://my.secondlife.com/moira.tristan
https://my.secondlife.com/montanaskies
https://my.secondlife.com/zarah.coronet
https://my.secondlife.com/braxtonryker
https://my.secondlife.com/photodoll77
https://my.secondlife.com/lene.float
https://my.secondlife.com/moniquenl
https://my.secondlife.com/sly.dawg
https://my.secondlife.com/saradawn2018
https://my.secondlife.com/river041

Music Credit: Freesound Music

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

One More Light

The One More Light destination provides immediate immersion back to the roaring 1920s to a romantic and historical era of the U.S. with a region themed around The Great Gatsby. You will immediately be immersed from your car ride to the Gatsby estate with period architecture, rolling gardens, and stone paths. With indoor and outdoor pools, theater, art gallery, bar/restaurant, and an incredible hotel, you will be swept back in time to old New York glitz and glamor.

Visit in Second Life