Haven of Words - Fantasy Faire 2018

The Halls of Story were a dream, a dream within a dream, or simply such stuff as dreams are made on. This was a land conjured up firstly by words. In the years that followed, by paint daubed on walls and gradually, over time, by ink until eventually its existence was woven anew by tiny squares of light grouped and shaped into characters which breathed life into the Halls.

In this incarnation, the world outside was certainly dreamlike, the view from the upper balconies was truly something to behold, out as far as the horizon where the lilac sky kissed the lavender sea. Each year the library which made up the main chamber of the Halls grew bigger, the shelves had more depth to hold the increase in volumes, large and small. Some stories were short, only a page, in crayon or spidery ink, while others ran to folios, their words and illustrations bound in the finest silk. Like all libraries, the serenity of this peaceful refuge belied the world ending battles contained within its pages.

At times, the weight of words was too much. No matter the beauty cocooned within, there were terrors too. When the world leaned in that direction, for a time, so did their tales. This was when she was glad she was the author of her own story, tied to the tales of others no doubt, but master of her fate, captain of her soul. This was when she would leave the words of others behind, to walk in the wonders of the world. Lofty silence but for the low resonance of crystals left far behind her now, strains of music from the distant Fairechilde carried to her. As she walked, she wove the narrative of her own story, fresh pages washed clean by the salt of the sea.

These pictures taken in the Fantasy Faire sim Halls of Story So far, we have raised L$ 10828782! The Fairelands are here until the 7th, please, go RELAY FOR LIFE! All items shown are 100% donation to Relay for Life.

Horns: :[P]:- Gilded Fae Tangle Horns   FREE
Beautiful strand strewn horns, free as part of the low lag avatar from Plastik, available at the TP point of each Fairelands sim, and at the store in
Pools of Ethuil

Skin: :[P]:- Vyrian :// Nineve   L$ 1349
As you may know, not only are skins from Vae at Plastik beautiful, but they come with seventy four thousand bits to add and tweak the look making it fit anything and everything you own. 8 Eyebrow shapers, 3 system eye options, 3 mesh eye options, Body and head appliers for the range of mesh bodies, additional applier options for Femboy and Added Muscles, 3 system makeup tattoos, appliers for nails and EARS (which is a new one on me!) and of course, two system skins, with and without brows. Amazing as ever.
Pools of Ethuil

Top : =Kio= Half Top- Delight  Mermaid L$ 199
This top is super cute. Look at the gold. LOOK AT IT SHINE! Love it. The pack includes tops fitted for Freya, Isis, Venus, TMP, Maitreya, Hourglass and Physique mesh bods.
Aetherea

Skirt : Infinity - Broken Style_Ninfa Skirt Green L$ 300
This light and breezy, semi transparent skirt is fastened with a bright daisy. Fitted to Maitreya body, this pack also includes a matching bandeau top.
Falls of Hope

Aetherean Opposites - Fantasy Faire 2018

Eos brought the dawn to Aetherea, in a place this beautiful, her work wasn't work at all. Sunlight glinted on golden memories of yesterday, illuminating the shining possibilities of today. The dawn was calm and quiet, a peaceful time in what could be an almost impossibly busy place. Marble held the stillness, the pools untroubled by ripples from passers by. The world warmed with the breath of day.

Sunset, in this place, paradoxically existed at the same time as the dawn. Aetherea was just that special kind of place, where opposites not only attracted, but collided. Perhaps that was the truth of its conception, the nexus of being resided here. As the dawn blossomed above, so the dusk bloomed below. The moments of twilight held their own kind of magic, strong enough to make anything possible. In the ever shifting light, in this upside down world, you could dance on air.

Aetherea had a difficult birth, but its beauty is well worth the struggle the world builders and Lindens had! Come and enjoy it! All items are 100% donation for Relay for Life. So far we have raised over TEN MILLION LINDENS!!!

Eos:
Hair: Raven Bell - Chronos Hair 2 [Mystic]  L$ 200
This pack contains, Chronos Hair, Chronos Hair 2, Mirrored versions of both of these, and an Undercut version (and its mirror). HUD driven colours offer 16 different options for pastel to more vivid rainbow tones. Erstwhile
Mask : (*<*) 1313 Cthaeh Mask - Lower LOD  L$ 99
Well damn, this is what happens when your attention slips when blogging! This mask is available in three RFL colours, Pink, Purple and Blue. I had these on a HUD which I forgot to add... Options for the mask include Lower and Higher LOD
The Bazaar Dungeon
Skin : [NM] - Mortal - Fairy - Female - N1 - (Add HUD)  L$ 300
System skins , 6 options (3 different cleavage each with and without brow) 21 different appliers for mesh bodies and heads Severina
Tattoo: :[ET]: FF Magical - Ocean  L$ 50
Pretty shaded tattoo, comes with a system layer, and a HUD, Omega Advanced for your mesh needs.
Severina
Earrings: SoG Goddess Eos
Secrets of Gaia. Ok, hold on to your hats. These lovely earrings, an ode to the goddess of the dawn, are available along with a matching choker as a pack which is not RFL. They are part of a MUCH bigger set, with literally everything you need from your shoes to your hair, all themed to Eos. There are three goddesses however, Dawn, Day and Night, and these are, as a threesome, what is available (heavily discounted from their individual prices) to a RFL 100% donation of L$ 2500 Just don't shout at me when your inventory groans under the sheer number of items included!
The Bazaar Dungeon
Locket: *OAL* Memorial Locket ~ Eternal Circle L$ 300
On A Lark locket to which you can add photos you want to carry with you. HUD options allow selection of three different metals, Copper, Silver and Gold, each with eleven different gems to choose from.
Aetherea
Dress: *LE* Petal Pearl   L$ 175
Pretty mesh dress, five standard SL Mesh Sizes from XXS to L, and a Fitmesh version too.
Willows of Nienna

Dusk Hair, Skin and Tattoo as Eos


Mask: ~ThatChick~ (P) High Queen Masque  L$ 75
You better have an idea in mind for what you want this mask to look like before you put on the HUD, or you too will be in there for hours playing with the seven textures, their full RGB spectrum options, brightness, shine, glow, two sets of gems (each with 30 colour options) and five different gem settings. Not that its a bad way to spend the day!
The Bazaar Dungeon
Necklace: Bliensen + MaiTai - Aziza - necklace - silver  L$  240
Beautiful necklace, reminiscent of seaglass, each set of beads is carved in a different shape.
Erstwhile
Dress: [EvelineIntheBox] Cherena Flower Green L$ 189
Lovely not too florally floral dress, reminds me of beautiful ivy and light foliage. Comes with options for Freya, Isis, Venus, Hourglass, Physique and Maitreya. Also in 5 standard mesh sizes from XXS to L.
Willows of Nienna

Dungeon Escape - Fantasy Faire 2018

Waking up in the darkness was disconcerting. Eyes open or closed, at first it didn't matter. At first, it was hard to tell if there was any difference at all. It took a little time, then gradually, the edges began to appear. The texture of cold stone, warm stone, dank corners and humid halls opened into an expanse of darkness, thin violet light glinting from the foxed surface of a giant mirror. This had been the way into the dungeon realm; now the reflections betrayed no door nor even whomever stood before it, only the shifting forms of the guards.

It was dangerous to walk the dungeon halls alone, as, so often, it turned out you were not alone at all. Walking with others trapped in the deep was rarely any better, chit chat carried through the darkness and the slightest misstep could shift a pebble, and call down more than spiders...

The longer you remained in the dark, the more you could see. Over time, through exploration, tunnels became familiar. Navigating well worn rat runs with some semblance of safety gave the courage to press on, ranging further into the unknown. The dungeon was bizzare, it seemed to reward bravery. Tunnels blank and dark bloomed with trails of light giving life, however poisonous looking the toadstools might be, it was these she followed now.

The dungeon was bazaar... literally. Strange paths led here eventually, darkness banished by flaming torches, the monotony of stone lifted by banners hanging the colours of the rainbow. It was here she met The Mokki. Even in these heights of the dungeons depths, to find a being so full of light was unusual. Butterflies danced around the essence of sunlight this creature seemed to exude, wise words on lilting melodies keeping them aloft. It was easy and pleasant to pull up a cushion, rest for a while, and listen. The Mokki offered comfort and conversation, and on her third visit, a gift. "The dungeon has no hold on you past the grip you have on it in return..." The Mokki mused, reaching up and wafting one of the iridescent menelaus in her direction. "There is good to be done here in the dark, you bring the light... See?"

The butterflies multiplied as she walked. 'Follow the light' The Mokki said, and so she did, the delicate and ever growing swarm flying ahead, leading the way. Past corridors and alleyways she knew, to those she barely recognised, and through caverns she had never seen in all the long years in the dungeon, yet which had existed all along, intersecting paths she could, and apparently had, walked with her eyes closed.

Were her eyes decieving her? She paused, even as wings fluttered past, moving ever on. Was the lamp at her belt burning brighter? Were those wings reflecting more light? The toadstools at her feet, glowing with more intensity toward the end of the tunnel? Then it was gone, the darkness left behind , no trace of an exit, no shard of mirror to mark the spot. Toadstools here had a benign appearance, no poisonous miasma swirled at her feet. And sunlight. Finally, true sunlight lit her face.


Some excellent news following the Linden Jail and Bail the Fantasy Faire has another week to run!
If you've not yet been - now's an ideal time! Raise those L$, Raise Hope. These pictures taken in Faireland Sims The Bazaar Dungeon and Ardessa

Hair, Horns and Skin: :[P]:- Fantasy Faire RFL Low Lag Avatar 2018  FREE
This beautiful creation includes a system skin, 3 eyebrow shapers, appliers for Belleza, Maitreya (worn) Omega, Slink, Mesh eyes, System eyes in addition to the lovely Gilded Fae Hair and Gilded Fae Tangle Horns
Pools of Ethuil
Butterflies: Wasabi // Butterflies swarm (for photos) - Fantasy Faire 2018 
This is a prize from the Fantasy Faire Quest - more info on that to follow! The HUD for the quest is available at the TP point of all Fantasy Faire Sims for L$ 250
Chestpiece, [The Forge] Plaid Vest (Gold) L$ 250
Beautiful woven top, gives an impression of luxe strength, while delicate straps keep it super feminine.
Sanoria
Belt: [The Forge] Gatekeeper's Belt, V2, Brown (Female) L$ 250
Stylish belt with copper accessories including a handy dandy lamp if you find yourself in dark places! Resizable too!
Sanoria
Skirt: Dreaming Thicket - Verbena Skirt & Scarf - Hellebore  L$ 169
Skirts include Alpha, Standard Mesh Sizes XL - XS, Belleza Venus, Maitreya, Slink Physique. So amazing, I was hanging around during set up hoping this would be a RFL item, and yeay it was!
Sanoria

The Hunt for Purple Broccolini

In Severina it rained all the time. Dark clouds were a constant presence, scudding across the sky with the briefest glimpses of moonlight piercing their depths to illuminate the ground below. In this unique ecosystem, in the dark and the dank, strange beings flourished. It was one of these strange beings that Calle was hunting now...

There were rules to the hunt of course, rules were more imporant than even in the dark. You had to close your eyes, turn on the spot three times before counting to ten. Recite Pi to eight places, then spin back the other way again. With all the rain, surfaces were slippery, even with guardians of stone watching overhead, it was a dangerous game to play...

"Ready or not..." she murmured softly, spinning to a halt, her eyes flying open as her voice rose, loud enough to carry through the lands. "HERE I COME!"

Down by the docks in Severina there was always a bounty on the table. Ships brought goods from all over the world, maintaining the feast was part payment for use of the port. A necessity, as in the darklands, under the stormy skies, only one thing grew. The purple broccolino was a contrary beastie, which flourished, watered constantly as it was with crystalline violet drops from on high. More often than not, the mature broccolino could be found at the feast, until the hunting cry was heard...

Little feet, run run running, scampering across the planks of the docks. Through the rain the sound carried, and directed her gaze. The Broccolino's squeak and scurry directed her gaze. The chase was on.

The Broccolino could do more than scamper of course, where would the sport be in that? Under the eye of the guardians the giggling Broccolino could run so fast that the falling drops of rain became an ever moving treadmill, tiny purple feet pressing on each drop for a fleeting moment, giving the beastie the run of the sky. But the sky wasn't always a good place to hide from Calle, sometimes it was better to head to the hidey holes underground...

"Gotcha!" Calle, laughing herself, scooped up the giggling Broccolino, wriggling as she tickled its florets."I win today. Let's get back to the feast."

Pictures taken in Severina. All items are 100% donation to Relay for Life

Crown: Belle Epoque { FF18 Crown }    L$ 199
Super pretty, super regal crown - live your royal life!
Pools of Ethuil
Hair: Wasabi // Mayra Windblown Mesh Hair  L$ 250
Two versions included Mayra, and Mayra Windblown as shown here (Included are also options A for small heads and B for large heads of both). 20 HUD driven regular colours and 15 colours with emphasis on the roots.
Aetherea
Skin: Sinful Needs - Reverie F Amethyst - Waxed - Jet Brows L$ 1875
This skinpack includes a system skin, ideal for those like me who keep their system head! 3 brow colours and a no brow option. Omega Applier for the skin for all manner of mesh bodies. Other tones of this fantastic skin are also available at the Faire, with 25% of their purchase price going to RFL. Severina
Necklace: *~*Illusions*~* Niobium Silumira Necklace  L$ 250  
Pretty colours reminiscent of swirls in petrol. 12 colour options for centre stone on click.
Pools of Ethuil
Wings: []Trap[]&Asphalt  Concrete Riven Wings FF  L$ 150 
Gorgeous galaxy textured wings are animated, flapping gently.
Erstwhile
Dress: .Arcadia. Severina RFL Special Ombre   L$ 297
Options for Freya, Hourglass, Isis, Maitreya, Physique, Venus, this lovely dark teal shade is exclusively available for RFL at the Fantasy Faire.
Severina
Nails: Dark Passions - Koffin Nails -  Mal-Fire  L$ 150
HUD driven for Maitreya, Omega and Slink, six colour options for fingers and toes on one HUD. Reminds me of Malificent!
Severina
Boots: The Dark Fae's - DraciChic Boots Leather  L$ 199
Options included to fit Freya, Hourglass, Isis, Maitreya and Slink mesh. Three HUD driven metal colours, and six leather colours included.
Sanoria
Broccoli: Belle Epoque { RFL Broccoli } L$ 199
Be your own Broccolini! This set includes the the Broccoli mesh avatar, and a broccoli wearable. Beware - this vegetable is known to run in circles gigglefarting.
Pools of Ethuil

Why I Relay : Fantasy Faire 2018

Sometimes, it feels like this.

Walking alone on a narrow path,

Through unknown woods with no end in sight.

Surrounded on all sides by predators,

Perfectly designed to rend flesh from bone, spirit from body.

The only lights to guide the way are those you carry with you.

This view is truth, and illusion.

Under the sun, the lion holds sway.

Claws, teeth and mane all strong, ready for the fight.

Scars of battle no source of shame.

Along the path this pride of predators stalk.

Never ahead, nor behind;

This is your strength, by your side at each step.

As night falls, the wolves come.

Through the darkness the pack move as one,

Near silent shadows amongst the trees.

Howls of belonging, not of pain.

Along the path oft untouched by moonlight,

Ever circling, never leaving,

Their piercing eyes guide the way.

This view is truth - at times it may feel as though you walk the path alone,

Fear and pain your only companions, in all hours of the day and night.

This view is illusion - the strength of lions is within you,

The power and will of the pack are working around you, for you, in the darkest of hours. 

In this fight you have us all, even when you feel alone.

This fight we are winning, one day we will have won.

For those we have loved, and lost,

Light a candle.

Illuminate the path.

Together, we fight on. 

This is why I Relay. Money raised to research ways to fight cancer. Money raised to support those facing cancer, to make sure they are not fighting alone. In this, the tenth year of the Fantasy Faire, the money raised is for the first time allocated to a specific project. The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi holds the only public comprehensive cancer treatment center in Kenya. People travel from all over the country to access care, however without somewhere close by to stay, this may mean sleeping rough following treatment, which could put people off seeking treatment at all. The KNH Hope Hostel will provide free temporary housing and integrated hospital services for the cancer patients and their caregivers, house an on-site resource centre with cancer information, offer a place to rest during the day, and serve more than 1,000 cancer patients annually. This is our project this year, we want to raise as much money as we can to make the Hope Hostel a reality as soon as possible. Cancer doesn't care where someone lives, help us fight it wherever we can!

Come and Relay with us! Fairelands Junction

The last image was taken in the Fairelands SIM Astrids Nemeton Here, for L$ 100 you are able to purchase a floating candle, edit to add a memorial message or name to the description field, and have it float with the others in the beautiful SIM for the duration of the Faire. A beautiful tribute, shared love and loss burning bright. All candles will be returned before the Fairelands return to the mists.

All items are 100% Relay For Life donation

Antlers: ::Static:: Andouiller - Vintage Key {Forest} L$ 395
Four different options included, Beaded, Bone, Feather and Vintage Key. HUD controlled colours 9 options for beads, 7 options for feathers, three options for keys and three options for bones.
Sanoria


Hair: !!Firelight!! FH2 - Busty Rigged Mesh Hair - Rainbow - Karya Gen2 L$ 300  
Includes a colourwheel hair tinter HUD and a Rainbow HUD giving options for 24 rich, full effect colour styles, and 24 wispy colour styles.
Erstwhile

Skin: [NM] - Mortal - Fairy - Female - N1 -  L$ 300 
Excellent system skins , 6 options (3 different cleavage each with and without brow) 21 different appliers for mesh bodies and heads. Shown here with Maitreya body, and System head.
Severina


Necklace : [HarshLands] FF X Necklace - ULTRA RARE - Her High Faireness  L$ 49
This is a GACHA item, one of three Ultra Rares available. Super pretty, this one has a gentle glow.
Willows of Nienna

Dress: Partners in Crime - Clementine Dress {Coral} L$ 249 
Pretty, subtly shaded gown with options for Ebody, Freya, Hourglass, Isis, Maitreya, Physique and Venus mesh bodies. 
Willows of Nienna

Nails: DP - Koffin Nails - FatPack - Sleek & Somber  L$ 290
As shown previously - but a better picture! Ten fantastic colour options - appliers for nails - HUD driven for both finger and toenails.
Severina

Wearable Candles: .~DN~. Candle Invocation  L$ 200 
Three options included, a typer, a no script always on version, and a scripted version. The three candles slowly rotate around you at different heights.
Sanoria 

Wolves: *UI* 3 Wolves - L$ 199
Includes three howling growling wolves, Black, Grey and White. Scripted sounds, click on and off.
Falls of Hope

Lions: Blue's Honey Do List Shop - Unity Empire Lions Updated L$ 200
Includes Male and Female Lions. Admittedly, this was an impulse purchase - but look! Who could pass up these beautiful lions?
Severina

Fantasy Faire's Arrival

Early one spring morning, the mists began to lift. Ethana rose with them. Through the long year her world had slept, or so it was thought. Each year it returned, changed, whether by its travels through the mists, or the other realms it graced. She was glad to be back...

Each evolution was a surprise, the form the earth beneath her feet would take, the colour of the sky, it was all new. Emerging from the mists was a revelation in every sense, the Fairelanders could be altered along with their surroundings, viewing their new world with new eyes. Such had been Ethana's choice this time. Opening her eyes to see a soft shimmering haze replacing the mists, gentle strains of music resolving into the calming lap of cool water against stone.

Walking around the calm and quiet of her new world, she stumbled upon evidence of its heart and purpose, and the name her new surroundings had taken. "Compassion..." she murmured, her voice melding with the whispering from the willows all around. The air around her echoed with it, seeming to come from all sides, a comforting embrace.

"Compassion..." she murmured again, "That feels right." She span on the spot, seeing more and more, taking in the domed buildings, the towering statue, the multitude of lilipads. Spinning and dancing,  her new body delighting with each movement, each sight, each feeling. This was the beauty of the Fairelands. As much as they transformed in their appearance, and the Fairelanders along with them, they were forever unchanged in spirit, heart and purpose. Come and join them. They are waiting to welcome you home. 

Itttssss thhhhheeeee MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. The Fantasy Faire is back!

Celebrating its tenth year, Fantasy Faire 2018 is the largest gathering of fantasy designers, enthusiasts, roleplayers and performers in the virtual world. From Thursday, April 19 to Sunday April 29, treat yourself to eleven days of shopping, dance and theater performances, DJ parties, auctions, questing, Literary Festival, fantasy art, events and roleplaying as thousands of Second Life residents and creators bring their own visions together to support the American Cancer Society’s vision of a world without cancer.

In addition to ten shopping regions, there’s also five whole Fairelands dedicated to various Faire events from Memorial Garden to the Fairelands Quest, from Literary Festival to Performance Stages, from Art Galleries to the Worldling Collection. This brings the Fairelands count of 2018 into fifteen sims, just waiting for you to come and explore them.

All items are 100% donation to Relay for Life unless otherwise stated. 

Hair:  :[P]:- Gilded Fae Hair [Female]  - FREE -
Part of the amazing Female low lag avatar (Male also available) available near each SIMs TP point, and at the Plastik store in Pools of Ethuil
Skin: Carrie's Lingerie - CB~The Lavender Fairy Skin  L$ 299
Beautiful skin, with subtle delicate glittery adornments. Comes in a system skin (Huzzah - as I don't have a mesh head) and Omega appliers for all your mesh parts. (Shown here on Maitreya Lara body).
Sanoria
Headchain: !TLB - Ryu Headchain  L$ 150
Lovely headchain - chain on both sides, one's just obscured by hair. Comes with a HUD so you can choose from 8 different jewel colours and three different metals. Severina
Lingerie: Carrie's Lingerie - CB~Camille Lavender  L$ 299
Delicate lacy lingerie in system clothing layers and an Omega applier for the mesh bodied.
Sanoria
Harness:  +Psycho Barbie+ [Fallen Angel Harness - RFL]  L$ 150
Super pretty while offering an edgy look this harness comes complete with leather feathered wings. Pack comes with options for Freya, Isis, Lara, SLink Hourglass and Physique and Venus. Three colours of metal adornments controlled via HUD. The Bazaar Dungeon
Leg Harness: +Psycho Barbie+ [Rogue Leg Harness - RFL]  L$ 150
More mesh goodness - these are so pretty and the RFL colour is amazing with a delicate pattern. Pack comes with options for each of the mesh bodies as above, and again, you can choose from three different metals for the grommets. The Bazaar Dungeon
Ring: EF: Lovecraft Ring  L$ 99
Pretty little sucker. Gettit? Lovely little tentacle ring. Athenaeum Arcana
Nails: Dark Passions - FatPack - Sleek & Somber L$ 290
Ten fantastic colour options - appliers for nails - HUD driven for both finger and toenails!
Severina

Images taken in Willows of Nienna one of the sims of the Fantasy Faire

Blogger Challenge : I remember

 

One of the blogger challenges from the Fantasy Faire is "I remember". Thinking back across Faires past. Back in 2014 I started making little videos - didnt manage to get all of the sims that year, as like an idiot I saved the files on top of each other, and then they were gone. 

Each year I walk the sims and capture what I can of their beauty before they fade into the mists. Capture them so we can look back on them and remember. 

The mists will recede again on the 19th, and we can all help make a difference, enjoying the beauty while raising money for Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

Music :
Nocturne in B flat minor, Op. 9 no. 1 - Copyright Free Public Domain from https://musopen.org/music/108-nocturnes-op-9/
Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 no. 1 - Copyright Free Public Domain from https://musopen.org/music/111-nocturnes-op-48/
Nocturnes, Op. 32 - No. 1. Nocturne in B major - Copyright Free Public Domain from https://musopen.org/music/109-nocturnes-op-32/