Fantasy Faire 2014 - Goodbye Fairelands

The Faire is over, again... although the magical lands don't fade away until Tuesday. If you want to visit each of them, slowly quietening down and almost ready to go, it is your chance now. Walk around The Sanctum, Blackwater Glen, Wiggenstead Mooring, Asperatus, Mourningvale Thicket, Heavenslough, The Faery Court, Hope's Horizon and Medhir Woods, say goodbye... and start looking forward to next year's Fantasy Faire! Organisers, designers, entertainers, friends old and new, and you, visitors - thank you for eleven days of true magic in both lives.

Flaming Finale - Fantasy Faire 2014

Here in the birthplace of continents the guardians of fire waited and watched. Though Leyana had held her post for only a few centuries, it was her calling, what she had been born to do. At all times there was change, constant currents in the lava on which the weight of the world floated. This time of year was special. For such a short period of time, normal rules were suspended. It was time for the guardians to don ceremonial robes, to work their will on the power over which they watched.  Many in the worlds above were familiar with tales of the Kraaken, denizen of deep waters, capable of capsizing even the largest of ships with the swipe of a single tentalce. In the depths of fire, a lesser known cousin lurked. For the second time in as many weeks, it was toward the pool of lava in which this creature dwelled that Leyana now walked. Her first visit, and the tumult which followed had set strange currents swirling through the mantle, allowing new lands to form on which those above could congregate. Emotions from those gatherings had filtered down to the guardians, making them a true part of the fleeting events. As the hours passed, so did the lifespan of the Faire high above, it grew near the time for those lands to sink again into the depths. Such a sad time Leyana thought, fingers tracing the intricate workings of her leather bodice; the design itself was a promise of her craft, a commitment to return each year to perform this duty. To create lands for the Faire in the realm above, providing the place for the important works, and all important fun.

The Fantasy Faire is one of my favourite events in SL. Other events may be my favourite while they are running, all the hunts and games, these generally are for personal gain. That's what really makes the Fantasy Faire so special. Amazingly talented designers offer up some of their finest creations entirely for the benefit of Relay for Life. The Faire comes to an end today, and just like every year, I will be very sorry to see it go. So I will finish up, and go and spend some more time, and some more L$ in the incredible Fairelands.  The total raised so far at the Faire in 2014 is L$ 4,976,891 that's
$ 19,908 USD.

Skin + Shape :  DLS~ Ceredil - Candace - Gold L$ 899 RFL Item
Includes: Light & Dark Skins * 3 Tattoo Tinter Layers * Mesh Ears: Elf Nub, Troll, Animale Long * Slink Appliers * Lolas * Lush * Shape * Alphas. Had to show you all this skin in the Gold tone to show off again just how beautiful it is, and to focus on some of the included appliers. The detail is continued all the way onto the nail applies, each a firey inferno with colour options to match the skin!
Here Leyana is also wearing : DLS~MESHear - Troll - Gold
                                                 DLS~ Realism Eyes - FlamingCircuits
All included in the pack!
Hair :  [LNS Designs] CAPRICA L$ 249
Beautiful hair, the blended fire colours are ideal!
Gown :  22769 ~[femme] Chloris Dress - white  L$ 250  RFL Item
This excellent ensemble can be worn with or without the sleeves. The effects on the bodice are lovely, materials glinting under inworld lighting.


Shoes : DLS~ Cthu Shues - Fantasy Faire Special Edition L$ 450 RFL Item
Wow. No, really, Wow. I have found it difficult to find shoes to go with medium height SLink feet, most being for high or flat, but when I found these, my search was over. These are beyond cool. The included HUD has 12 colour options, with choices for the main shoe colour, and the kraaken's eyes. Love these. Love, love love them.

Fantasy Faire 2014 - The Weight Of Gold

Zacharael was a minor angel for a few million years and he was happy with that. His duties were simple... looking after an elder lady, helping a small child, now and then rescuing a particularly faithful and beloved pet dog. In his free time he was bored... until he discovered how much fun self-pampering was. Oh, those soft shoes, the jewellery, the various helmets and belts... Zacharael's outfit became more and more ornate every day.

Then, quite unexpectedly, he received a letter from Above. A promotion to the position of "major angel". He was to report for service at the Pearly Gates. Zacharael grinned and prepared himself for the flight... only that he discovered he couldn't leave Earth. The weight of gold was pulling him down.

***

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw "that" cottage in Blackwater Glen... the Alpha Tribe at the Fantasy Faire?! The Alpha Tribe avatars are among my absolute favourites since my Day One in SL (and that wasn't yesterday), so I'm particularly happy that Alpha Auer decided to be present and show her amazing creations among the fantasy folk.

At the same time I'm cheating a bit because the stunning avatar I'm showing you here isn't available at the Faire, but you must go to "Transit't - Imago Anatopism" to immerse yourself in the story of Volund, told by Alpha Auer and Mimesis Monday, and collect his avatar piece by piece. The build is an absolute "must" for anyone appreciating SL art and - luckily - so many other bloggers have called your attention to it, among others here and here; I'm only repeating their suggestion: Go and be overwhelmed!

The picture was taken at The Sanctum.

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).

Faery Court - Fantasy Faire 2014 - Why I Relay

The Faery Court had emerged from the crystalline waters at the turn of the new moon. It could not last long in the world of mortals, their disbelief wore away at it,scale and wing. It would fade once more before it was in tatters. While it lasted its unearthly beauty would be seen by those daring or unselfish enough to venture there. Not all who came did so with the intention of doing good, some fuelled by greed and the desire only to obtain... but these were the minority. Even a Fae as cynical as Vespyra knew that.

Cynical may after all be too harsh a term to describe her, she had been hurt, deeply, time and again by the losses in the world. Those she saw and felt taken too soon. When her realm slid seamlessly into that of mortal folk, she felt it all the more keenly, yet still she came. She came as here, there was the only hope. Here was the only proof that each void left by a loved one gone would eventually be filled with light, the pain draining as rainfall back to the sea, the remaining space swelling with love and care which never died. For each adventurer visiting the court for personal gain, there were hundreds more walking to a different beat, their hearts filled with longing for something unobtainable, each with a will to fight what seemed impossible. Battles had been lost along the way, and sadly there would be more to come. The fight was what mattered, eventually the war would be won.

Memories would linger on. Though those of pain and loss were freshest, others would endure far longer. Glimpses of lives played out like movie reels, seconds lasting lifetimes in the hearts and minds of those left behind. Mourning the loss would always be part, as for the rest, celebrate and dance.

One of the Blogger challenges this year for those of us covering the Fantasy Faire is 'Why I Relay'. This is not one I thought I would try, but here I am anyway. I had been exceptionally lucky in life, to have never really been affected by cancer. Those in the family who may have had, or even died from the disease were distant, not really people I knew at all. In the past few years this has changed. My Aunt found a lump, faced and fought everything that followed so bravely. Her fight came to an end so suddenly, that even six months on, it's a surprise and a shock that she isn't there. While in Second Life, the Fantasy Faire Relay for Life is associated with the American Cancer Society, Relay is now active in 20 countries, including my patch of earth with Cancer Research UK. No matter where in the world you find yourself, money going to research to beat this disease can only be a good thing. The sooner we stop losing loved ones the better. This has been my first Faire since losing my Aunt, and it has been emotional. I can't thank the creators enough for the amazing items they put up in their Relay for Life vendors - from which all proceeds go to the charity. I've covered the event for three years now, the cause has always been important. Now, it's personal.

Skin : Niekra's Dreams - Hope Skin Female Dark Violet (3 shades in pack) L$ 499 RFL Item
Tattoo : Folly - Tintable Glaze - Filigree - Medium L$ 100
Hair : LNS - AELYKX - FANTASY BOX L$ 247 RFL Item
Unrigged mesh hair created for the Fantasy Faire.The Fantasy HUD for this hair has 9 colour options and is the RFL item, here I've also obtained the 'Blends' HUD - same price, 9 more options one of which is pictured above. 
Horns : [LNS Designs]   TESLA VORTEX HORNS  L$ 147
Animated mesh horns.  Touching them turns on / off the energy. LOVE the colour.
Eyes : LNS MANDALA EYES L$ 54 RFL Item
The RFL item is the 'Sunrise' colour option - here worn is 'Dark Skies'

Pauldrons : Folly - Mother of Dragons - RFL Edition Set (Set contains 28 items) L$ 1000 RFL item
The Mother of Dragons special edition set for RFL has 3 metal and 12 gemstone options with exclusive colours.
Gown : *SSK* RFL Special Edition Moroi Ensemble  L$ 149  RFL Item
Special edition colour for the Fantasy Faire.

We have been so lucky with items donated by creators. I've had the pleasure of meeting several face to face during the course of the Faire, their generosity is a little overwhelming at times. Thank you all so much!!!

Fantasy Faire 2014 - Minoan

The sun was setting and the first torches were already lit. The High Priestess adjusted the last fold of her heavy ceremonial dress. She felt the weight of the ancient crown on her forehead and the weight of duty on her shoulders. The latter was much, much heavier, she thought. She also took the golden sceptre... although it was a mere symbol and not a real source of power, but the ceremonial rules required her to carry it anyway. She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment... then she was ready to enter the Labyrinth. The Minotaur was waiting in the dark.

Those two pointy-eared guys at 22769 did it again! I was already squeaking with glee when I could see their creations at the last Fantasy Faire (I'm still in love with those elven ears...), and now I'm amazed how their mastery in fantasy art has developed in a year. They were already excellent at making modern clothing and furniture; now, in an eyeblink, they conjure up shoulder pet dragons and spectacular crowns from nothing. Paco and Manuel, I soo told you that you must continue with your fantasy line... it's an absolute success, you urban elves. :)

Dress: "Chloris" in Green by 22769, also available in Red and Purple. The RFL donation item is the special purple-and-white version of the Chloris dress, available at Hope's Horizon (250 L$).

Crown: "High Council Crown" in Iron by 22769. This magnificent headgear is also available at the Faire in Gold and Bronze (135 L$).

Necklace: "Apala" by Finesmith, an old Runway Perfect Hunt gift, not available any more.

Skin: The Plastik - Astrali "Io" by The Plastik, another great skin from the Astrali series that has 100 (!) different tones in 3 categories. During the Fantasy Faire you can visit The Plastik at The Faery Court; the full range of the Astrali skins is however available in the main shop (999 L$ for a single colour pack with lots of tattoo layers and appliers).

Eyes: Dragon Eyes "Sage Wisdom" by Sterling Artistry (85 L$).

Staff: Snoodle's Inferno Fire Staff Version 3 - a RFL donation item (149 L$). I confess I didn't know anything about Yap Snoodle until he sent me a polite message - which is very nice, coming from a practising goblin :) -, asking me whether I was interested in blogging about his goodies. When I received the Inferno Fire Staff I was quite happy I had said yes. It is a pretty mixture of moving and fixed parts, and it can be much more than an accessory, as the staff also allows to be scripted for combat. Yap's tent, full of interesting gizmos, is at Mourningvale Thicket - definitely worth a visit!

Pose: "Symmetry" by HelaMiyo, and old and absolute favourite (25 L$ for a single pose, 100 L$ for a pack of five poses).