The mists lift - the Fantasy Faire is here!

The day was finally dawning, after a long year of waiting.

Within the waiting, there had been work, so much work. So much careful attention.

The wait could feel like an exile, of course it was.

The distance was all a part of it. It made the coming together what mattered.

It formed the magic, the magic spreading into being, out there, just beyond the mists.

The mists crept back the whole world over.

In darkness, dawn, the brightness of day to the deepening of twilight to dusk.

The thick fog which obscured all vision had drifted together over the preceding days.

Only this provided a clue as to where the magic would truly come alive.

From all over the world the would come, by ship, by balloon, by any means possible.

In the depths the change in the world was felt.

Where no sun shone, and no season passing wrought change.

They felt it, the magic drawing together, more powerful year on year.

The magic was the people, they came from every sphere, each addition bringing its own flare.

The fire burned brighter, every being working towards one goal, one fight.

The fight for life.

The mists fade, the gates swing open. The world is changed once more. The Fantasy Faire is here.

The Fairelands Junction

Scene 1
Hair and Headdress : Bliensen + MaiTai - Godiva - French Hood with Hair (Reds)
Outfit : c*C*c:::  - Leona + Leo Steam Hatter  L$ 350 Relay for Life item
Boots : Avatar Bizarre - Zaahn Boots Relay for Life item
Wings : Bliensen + MaiTai - Dragonfly Wings - static  Relay for Life item

Scene 2
Mask : .AiShA. Dryad Mask Relay for Life item
Outfit : Jinx : Effy Dress - Bright Summer Relay for Life item
Backpack Balloons : The Dark Fae's - Flying Backpack Relay for Life item
Pose :  [Curvosity] - Winged Pose Set (Pose Winged 3) Relay for Life item

Scene 3
Halo : {Acios} Angelic Halo Relay for Life item
Hair : /Wasabi Pills/ Cleo Mesh Hair - Solar Ombre L$ 250 Relay for Life item
Skin : .:Soul:. Ranitomeya - Gen2 F - [F3] SE - Complete Package L$ 1299  Relay for Life item
Eye makeup :  !Musa! Eyeshadow Fei  Lavender Relay for Life item
Beard : OtherSkin - Prophecy - Relay For Life 2016 - Fantasies - Relay for Life item
Pendant :  !Musa! Seraph Pendant (Dark) Relay for Life item
Outfit :  Syren's Song - Josephine Gown in Grape Relay for Life item
Pose :  [Black Tulip] The Warrior #1Relay for Life item

Santa's Littlest And Latest Helper

She had wound up the alarm clock... and she overslept. She overslept, and she missed Christmas! How could Santa distribute all the surprises without her help...? The littlest and latest elf was flapping her wings as quickly as she could. She didn't want to miss New Year's Eve, too... someone had to deliver those champagne glasses, and the good wishes, after all.

I wouldn't have ever thought that I might become a Petite in SL. Yes, I found them amazing from the very first moment they appeared, and the incredible precision and care of the creators who decided to give these charming critters dresses, hair, houses and even pets, enchanted me even more. Yet... despite all the charm, I've never owned a Petite. Until now.

The person responsible for my Petite-zation is Yuna Yuadl, a "happy bunch of pixels" and an old friend, who merrily frolicked around in SL for years, then - suddenly and to my greatest surprise - she's become a creator, and an excellent creator of Petite outfits and accessories at that. The outfit I'm showing here is her work, and I cannot properly do justice to it. All the detailing... microscopic, elaborate and amazing. My Petite has a shoulder pet, a tiny yet perfect robin, that holds an even tinier gift box in its beak, AND the gift box is decorated with holly leaves and berries! Just imagine!

... and when I realised I needed an avatar for this wee gem, I poked Alia Baroque and asked for his advice as to where to buy one. He answered he didn't have advice for me, only avatars... and promptly dumped a huge box on me, so now I'm a proud Fallen Gods Petite Royale! Yuna, Alia, thank you so very much for this experience. You're wonderful and generous friends.

Belt, bows, wreath, pixie collar with bell, fangs, robin shoulder pet, staff: part of the "Petite Holy Leaf" outfit by Ankle Biters - 750 L$ (the outfit also contains a pair of long ears with white glowdrop, a lace mask, a long skirt, a tail, a pair of wings, a special Ankle Biter HUD cam, and some tiny red and green twinkling lights, so you may combine the various items in dozens of ways).

Armbands, anklets, tail, long ears with red glowdrop, wings and eyelashes: part of the female Christmas group gift by Ankle Biters - 0 L$ and it's free to join the group.

Avatar: "Royale Petite" in Pale by Fallen Gods Inc. - 1500 L$

Hair: "Orion" in Iceberg by Wasabi Pills - 110 L$ for a colour pack of five.

Eyes: "Serial Pierce Eyes" in Beam by The Stringer Mausoleum - an old hunt gift not available any more.

Pose: "Enchanted Moon" by !Musa! - this pose was a Fantasy Faire special in 2013, but if you visit Filomena Quinnell's shop, I'm sure you'll find a similar one among her pretty and reasonably priced (30 L$) poses.

Sailing on... Fantasy Faire 2014

Beila had sailed all seven of the seas in her ship The Golden Pig, searching, searching. Guided by sun and stars, sails unfurled and fell slack with each capricious gust of of wind. One by one the crew had shown their true colours. Some slunk away in the night, more at each port they reached. Some missed home, and she could understand that, though it was a lesser ache for her than that which drove her on. Finally, the Golden Pig had emerged from swirling mists which had engulfed it for what had felt like weeks. The setting sun illuminated the isle, glinting from quartz in the rocks, each reflecting light as she followed the trail. There, in the hollow surrounded by guardians of stone, was what she had sought. The orb resonated in Beila's hand as she raised it, gazing into its swirling depths. The small glowing object was the most precious of all things, Beila knew this to be true. Others valued gold and jewels, they had their charms, for many years she had pursued them herself. Life on and off the high seas had taught her the error of her ways, that there was a deeper truth, a more important goal. What she sought was not just for herself. Treasure to be hoarded was a selfish goal she no longer craved. This small glowing thing, held so easily in her hand was for the world entire. She would bring them hope.  

Once again... I'm blown away by the creators, their creations, and the generosity all swirling in a beautiful maelstrom around the Fairelands! Yesterday we were heading for an epic milestone raised for RFL... Keep it up beautiful people!

Skin : DLS~ Ceredil - Candace - Chameleon  L$ 899 RFL Item
This pack includes light and dark skins, three tattoo tinter layers, MESH ears in three styles, Appliers for SLink, Nails, Lolas and Lush. Four MESH eyes and a Shape! The detailing on the skin is beautiful!
Hair :  /Wasabi Pills/ Darienne Mesh Hair-Crystals Edition  L$ 200 RFL Item
Eyes : Musa Opal Eyes RFL Limited color  Shade 1. L$ 150 RFL Item
Outfit : GW Pirate Anne Brown (Boxed)  L$ 300 RFL Item
Arrrh me hearties! For all pirates out there, this is a fanastic set, a mixture of system clothes, and MESH. The pants and boots in one are a great notion. Gold filigree embroidery on the jacket shows, as a pirate, you are pretty good at what you do!
Pose (Kneeling) : !Musa! RFL Pose 01  L$ 80 RFL Item
Glowing orb of hope included!

Fantasy Faire 2014 - The Wind In Her Hair

Míwil Delimbiyra adored flying. She could never understand her elven brothers and sisters who always opted for a much more traditional way of transportation... walking on the ground. Maybe because they were actually her half-brothers and half-sisters, Míwil's mother being a fairy, a light, fragile, fluttering creature who couldn't stand the dark woods and one day simply disappeared? Míwil mourned her mother for years... then, one day, she discovered the beauty of flying. The wind in her hair... the feeling of freedom. "Thank you, Mother..." - she thought and soared up in the cool night air, towards the full moon and the stars.

Dress: "Evelyn" in Aqua by Les Encantades. Anouk Haiku and her brand, Les Encantades, are another new discovery at the Fantasy Faire. When I first arrived to her shop I couldn't believe my eyes: the gowns and outfits were beautiful, available in lovely gem colours with very pretty detailing, and the prices were more than reasonable... so I started shopping with a certain frenzy, I must say. :) The gown I'm showing you here is available in the main shop only, but "Les Encantades" has some beautiful RLF donation items in one of the cheerful little huts at Wiggenstead Mooring - pay a visit there, and pick up either the "Giulietta" gown in Ruby, or "Edda" in Summer, in order to donate to RLF (200 L$ each).

Necklace and tiara: "Gilgalad" by Bliensen + Mai Tai - available at their shop at The Faery Court (349 L$ each, with a colour change HUD). To me, Bliensen + Mai Tai was "the shop with the cute pug in their logo" ...until now, when I discovered the delicate and beautiful fantasy jewellery offered by Plurabelle Laszlo at the Faire. Plurabelle, thank you for the goodies, you've stunned me!

Skin: The Plastik - Astrali "Io" by The Plastik, blogged here.

Ears: "Young Elven Ears" by 22769 - a goodie from last year's Fantasy Faire.

Tattoo: "Tribalien Tattoo" in Minimal by LaNoirSoleil - available in their shop at Wiggenstead Mooring during the Fantasy Faire (74 L$).

Antlers: "Springtime Antlers" by LaNoirSoleil - these flowery antlers (that come together with a HUD that allows you to adjust the colour of the antlers, the beads and the flowers as well) will be available soon at a new event called "Kensington Gardens", where LaNoirSoleil will be one of the three guest designers. The event opened on May 7th. I know the FF is keeping you busy, but yet... hop over there for a short visit,

Hair: "Roosje" in Light Brown by Mina Hair - this hair fatpack is a special gift from the currently running Enchantment event. In order to get it you have to purchase one item from the participating designers, then visit the other shops to have your special gift card stamped... for the hows and whys, please visit the event homepage where you find the accurate and detailed instructions. Thank you for your understanding. :)

Eyes: Dragon Eyes "Blue Shards" by Sterling Artistry (85 L$).

Pose: Fantasy Pose 44 by Musa, available in The Sanctum at the Fantasy Faire (30 L$ for a single pose, and 200 L$ for a fatpack of 10 poses).

Palace of Tears - Fantasy Faire Quest 2014 (No Spoilers!)

"Ooowh"

The dull ache in my head was what had woken me... or was it the damp? Lying here I was becoming more aware of both with each passing moment. Drinking with the Fairefolk? I should have known better.

"Oh gods..." I moaned, right hand rising to press against my temples, fingers and thumb massaging slow circles as my left explored my surroundings, sliding through sodden grass into a pool of water, emerging with, of all things, a toad. Its skin was slimy and cool beneath my touch. A soft smile curled the corners of my lips, despite the pounding in my head, as I couldn't be too far from home after all. Opening my eyes however, I had no memory of this place.

Bringing the toad closer, the soft scales of of my own skin reflected in its swamp black eyes, I kissed it gently. Long moments we regarded each other, neither of us shifting form to match the other, no fairytale romance this time. Bending to return my latest non-prince to the marshy ground, writing etched on the back on my hand swam in and out of focus. Blinking, I tried hard to clear my head, finally able to read what was scrawled there... It, and other details of the previous night came flooding back.

"The Jolly Crocodile..." A sigh escaped my lips as memory returned in painful swallows. I would have to go back. I had unfinished business with a human there, one who had been propping up the bar all night.

"Aloysius Fimbleby."

Fimbleby had matched me, and others of the crowd drink for drink that night. There was something about him though, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Perhaps it had after all been water in those bottles he drank. As the hours went by, he seemed at least as sober as when I had arrived while I was certainly not. There had been something about a bet, a wager or challenge? I had to head back to the area near the bar to find out what I had let myself in for. Something floated up from the depths of memory just as my bare feet stepped from marsh to sand, Fimbleby's voice echoing in my ears. A clue... A bargain had clearly been struck last night.

Walking through the dunes, feeling eyes upon me, I felt somehow this barfly was able to see my every move. Perhaps he was. Following the clue, I searched the surrounding area for what it could mean. As I came upon what I felt for sure was the answer, snapping my fingers and naming it aloud in triumph, my voice was answered by Fimbleby's as though we had been in conversation all along. There were clues, he said, clues he would give if I journeyed throughout the Fairelands. All riddles had to be answered and only if I succeeded would he give me a golden key. Of what this key would open he gave no hint, other than it would be worth my while. How could I refuse? I had already begun...

The Palace of Tears is this year's immersive hunt at the Fantasy Faire.

You can purchase the HUD at the landing point of any of the Faire SIMS for L$250. The HUD will tell you in local chat exactly what you need to do, and where you should head. There are cut scenes as well as inworld text, which can pop up in your SL viewer, or externally on youtube. Each SIM of the Fantasy Faire has it's own riddle for you to solve - I've made sure not to include any spoilers here! Once you have solved them all, you are ready for Part Two - which should go live today at noon SLT.

My favourite thing about these hunts is that they truly showcase the amazing work of the SIM creators. Shopping can get a bit tunnel vision, even in these surroundings. This quest ensures everyone taking part really sees each location, and can appreciate all the hard work put in to make them so beautiful. The images here were taken at Fairelands Junction Wiggenstead Mooring  Asperatus

All items below are in Relay For Life vendors.

Skin : Niekra's Dreams - Hope Skin Female - Light Violet (three shades in pack) L$ 499
Tattoo :  :[Even~Tide]:  Mer Scales Pastel - Lilac (five colours in pack)  L$ 75 
Hair : /Wasabi Pills/ Darienne Mesh Hair (Boobs) - Crystal Violet  (three shades in pack) L$ 200
Eyes :  !Musa! Opal Eyes RFL3 (three shades in pack)  L$ 150 
Crown : . a i s l i n g . Sumiana Crown -Ice- (crown and collar) L$ 250 
Gown : Evie's Closet - Ceridwen Gown RFL 2014  L$ 375