Walking the wilderness

The dried up stream bed passed beneath Nahuel's feet without the slightest sound. Blades of grass folded, succumbing to his weight; twigs bent and stone ground against stone under him, muffled to muteness by the movement of his body, never erring, lithe on shoeless feet. He had come this way without thinking, no particular quarry in mind. The kills the previous day would feed the camp for at least another. Walking alone through the dawn was his intention, silently wandering through new territory to see what could be seen.

Not everything could hope to be so silent. In the stillness, the glow of golden early morning light seemed to dance on every surface it touched. Vibrations of light, such as a finely tuned ear could almost hear. Something caught his attention, the feeling and sensation of movement, though none could be seen when he turned his head to look. Out here, for the most part he was predator, not prey, that was the better part of the balance, the way it had been for most of his life. Times when strangers came were few, they had never left, but become part of their group, or had chosen a different path, taking nothing of themselves with them but spirit. Spirits seemed to move from fading to lingering shadows, something was walking with him in the glade.

Welcome to The Arena!

Finding a lack of events for the men of the fantasy realm, the creatives behind the Fantasy Gacha Carnival have organised The Arena to cater to this need! A shiny new event, which will run quarterly, offers patrons an array designers with fantasy and RP items both directly for sale, and in gachas. The event opened on 5th April - get along and have a look!

The Arena

Face Tattoo and Piercing : .ARISE. Gota Piercing + Facepaint Addon / Black  L$ 109
The tattoo is modifiable, so you can tint it to any colour of your choosing! 
Pauldrons : .Keystone. Tarnsman's Pauldrons.  L$ 200
Three options are included with the pauldrons - Steel, Worn, and Worn Steel - shown here.
Pants : !gO! Navajo  pants - black  L$ 212

Part of a range of clothing and skins available from !gO! at The Arena, look good all on their own!
Wrist Daggers : 7mad;Ravens Knife Fight Bloody    L$ 199
Who wouldn't need a bloody knife strapped to their arm? Not me!

Not from The Arena
Skin : :[P]:- Immortalia Skin-Male:// Silvano
Hair : *Dura-Boys&Girls*20 (Black) resize

Last Days of Fantasy Gacha Carnival - Lotus Dawn

The delicate pink buds were slumbering in peace… but one, especially if „one” was a Lotus Nymph, could perceive a soft, it-is-just-there stirring among the silky petals and gently arching stems. Nymph and flowers sensed in unison that something was going to happen, and soon… Dawn, the sunrise, the first warm rays of light, the beginning of a new day, growth and flourishing. The Nymph caressed the nearest lotus bud, and the bud caressed her back… then they both turned, in happy anticipation, towards the golden orb slowly rising in the East.

The soft pearly white skin by Fallen Gods is one of the rare gacha prizes at the Fantasy Gatcha Carnival. What makes it even more precious is the fact that Alia Baroque and Charlie of Soul have recently started collaborating on making their lovely creations compatible, so from now on the amazing Fallen Gods skins are going to have an applier for Uni ears! And, as we all know, Uni ears are the absolute dream of fantasy creatures in SL, be it Elf, Drow, or Mer... proudly strutting an FGI skin. :)

The final shopping day at the FGC is the 15th of March, so you still have a few days to visit the machines and tempt your fortune… maybe they’re going to be gracious with you as a farewell gesture.

Skin and eyes: Fables Lumina „Firefly” by Fallen Gods (rare) – Fantasy Gacha Carnival, 50 L$ per play.

Ears: Uni Ears „Blix” by .:Soul:. – 399 L$; each package includes a lot of goodies in addition to the pair of ears you've picked.

Hair: „Sheena” by LeLutka – free group gift (the group is free to join).

Gown: Inanna „Flower Antique” by !Aphorism! (common) – Fantasy Gacha Carnival, 75 L$ per play.

Tiara: Ivory Flower Head Dress „Milk” by Zenith – Fantasy Gacha Carnival, 75 L$ per play.

Collar: High Elf Lace Collar by Zenith – group gift (the group is free to join).

Nails: Basic Nails „Autumn Pink” by Candy Nail – group Lucky Board prize (the group is free to join).

Pose: "Wrist Action" No. 4 by HelaMiyo - 25 L$ for a single pose, and 200 L$ for a package of 10 poses.
The picture was taken at Japan Tempura Island.

Afternoon Of A Dragon

It was late afternoon and Uriella was quite ready for her proverbial 5 o'clock tea. Dragons had their habits, too, after all. She decided to assume her human form... those tiny wee teacups were not designed for claws, and she didn't want to break the last pieces from her mum's tea set. Uriella wrapped her long human fingers around the transparent bone china cup, and she sighed with relief. Winter was coming. She knew that... but she was fiery, ready and prepared.

The items shown here are literally last minute steals and deals - so read quickly, pick up your purse and run, otherwise you're going to lose the chance to own any of these beauties soon!

The delicate skin is a special item for  A Tattered Page event by Fallen Gods Inc. ... I know, I know, you might not be a fan of macabre items, but even if you don't want to wear a skin called "Cadaver" you should go to Selidor all the same, as Alia Baroque has decided to throw many of his creations at you for a reduced price this weekend. Read more about the Black Days at Selidor here.

The current round of the Fantasy Gacha Carnival ends on November 30th, so you still have two (short) days to try your luck on those funny tinkling machines!

Skin: "Cadaver Creature" for A Tattered Page by Fallen Gods Inc. - 990 L$.

Hair: "Mystic" V2 in Monotone (Common) by Ploom - The Fantasy Gacha Carnival, 75 L$ per play.

Headpiece (1): "Muse Deco" (Scripted Ultra Rare with HUD) by The Plastik - The Fantasy Gacha Carnival, 70 L$ per play.

Headpiece (2): "Fly Away With Me" in Blood by Yasum (Common) - The Fantasy Gacha Carnival, 50 L$ per play.

Necklace: "Crushed Roses" in Silver and Ruby by Frippery Artistic Jewellery - 400 L$. Have I mentioned how much I admire Elizabeth and her apparently endless patience in creating delicate and unique pieces of jewellery for you, gentle dwellers of Second Life? ... and Ode, her home sim, is such an amazing, poetic land where a new stunning view opens up around each and every corner ... shoo, why are you still here? Go and explore, be amazed and return to Ode very, very soon!

The return of a Queen

When the Red Queen was vanquished by the jumped up pipsqueak in her blue dress and fluffy white ruffles it wasn't the end for the House of Hearts. Of course since that day, when the intruder's logic had brought down the palace like a pack of cards; rumours had circulated about her bragging across the lands. Empty words to go with her empty head. For all she thought she knew, coming from some mystical world filled with ow toe mobils and eric trickity, she had said they had a Queen of their own. Strange then, never to expect that when one Queen was removed, there would not be a successor waiting in the wings. Hidden for now of course, slowly building up her own house of cards, but there would be a time to meet the usurper, to put a stop to her lies, and her attempts to change Wonderland. That time was at hand...

More from the Fantasy Gacha Carnival. This round runs until November 30th.

Fantasy Gacha Carnival
Hair : .ploom. Mystic - Dipped  L$ 75
Headpiece : FDD GS *Cheeky Ranger* HeadPiece Black  L$ 75
Top : *MUKA* Aura Top - Blue -  L$ 50
Necklace : *{Junbug}* Grecian Goddess Necklace [Rose]  L$ 50
Bracers : *MUKA* Aura Bracer - Red  L$ 50
Skirt : *MUKA* Aura Skirt - Red -  L$ 50
Staff : .{yumyums}. S. Wonderland - Spade Spear {Queen of <3} L$ 70
Light Staff : Apple Fall /AL Light Staff  L$ 50

Battles in Wonderland

Alice had long been told she was mad. "After all, we are all Mad here..." The Hatter's saying may as well have been the National Anthem of Wonderland, if people there could put aside their contrariness and concentrate for long enough to make such a decision. That, of course, was about as likely as the caterpillar putting aside his pipe, or the dormouse staying dry. This was not to say that nothing ever changed there, no. Alice's reputation as 'Mad' had been confirmed for many by her rebellion against the Queen of hearts. Was it mad to stand up against tyranny? Alice couldn't think so. It could feel like a never ending task, visiting friends and strangers; letting them know the reign of the Queen was at an end, along with all of her inexplicable rules. There would always be those not accepting of change, and then further battles would follow. If they called her mad for making a change, or mad for expecting them to change along with her she didn't mind. With her Cheshire she would walk the new Wonderland, setting minds and hearts free.

 First post of items from The Fantasy Gacha Carnival in November. The theme this month is MMORPG Battlefield, and there are, as ever, items from the wonderful designers to suit all tastes and RP styles. I've tried hard this month to stick to advice of others who play the gachas, try three times, if you didn't get the item or the colour you were after, c'est la vie. Move on. I say I tried. I didn't always succeed... Still, gachas being gachas, that just means I had some very lucky friends who got my duplicates!

Hair : .ploom. Mystic (small) - Blondes  L$ 75
Hair accessory :  :[P]:-Muse Deco:// Mortal RARE  L$ 70
Mouthie :  .{yumyums}. S. Wonderland - Queen of <3 Bomb {Ash}  L$ 70
Necklace : *{Junbug}* Grecian Goddess Collar [Vert]  L$ 50
Top :  Yasum*MESH*Steampunk Gown* Top  L$ 75
Dagger : .{yumyums}. Snicker-Snack Dagger RARE Drawn  L$ 70
Pants : Yasum*MESH*Drop Down Pants*FEMALE*   L$ 75


Fantasy Gacha Carnival

O Shepherdess Where Are Thyne Pastures?

The last lamb was exhausted and weak. It looked up to the centre of its tiny world, the shepherdess, the benevolent caretaker and the source of all goodness, and it silently begged for water. "Oh my dear... I am so very, very sorry..." - whispered the young girl, and hugged the little woolly body closer. "There has been no rain for ages, the pastures are fenced, and we are not permitted into town. But I shall not leave you alone, my dear." The thirsty, exhausted girl kept the thirsty, exhausted lamb in her arms, and she was waiting for whatever fate was mapped out for them.

As far as gacha machines are concerned, I made a vow some time ago. "I shall play one gacha machine three times, and I shall be happy with whatever I receive" ... and, oddly enough, the spirits guiding those machine handles reward me with rare or ultra rare pieces amazingly often.

Many of the items I'm showing you here are from the current round of The Fantasy Gacha Carnival, already duly introduced by my swifter-than-the-wind fellow blogger Vyl here. You can tempt your luck at Acerbus Silva until August 31st (or, according to the notice you receive when landing, until September 8th), so you still have a few days to walk around, pick and play.

Dress: "Mei Mei" by May's Soul in Green (common) - 75 L$ per play.

Headpiece and collar: "Lifa" by Zibska, full set with colour HUD (rare) - 50 L$ per play.

Face jewellery: "Miradi'el" by Keystone in Onyx (rare) - 50 L$ per play.

Necklace: "Eloise Chain Collar" by The Forge in Black (common) - 75 L$ per play.

Hand jewellery: "Aaliya Hawk" by Luas in Metal (common) - gacha machine available in the shop, 50 L$ per play.

Sheep: "Sheepie" by Adore & Abhor in Licorice - a previous Zodiac Event gacha prize now available in the main shop, 50 L$ per play. I'm a RL Aries so I'm quite taken with this sweet cutie, you know...

Skin: "Fairy" by Mudskin, blogged here.

Nails: "Basic Prim Nails" by Candy Nail in Monotone 10 - 70 L$.

Hairbase: "Curls" by EMO-tions in Black - a previous group gift.

Eyes: "Immortal Eyes" by IKON in Sage - group gift June 2014, now available for sale in the main shop (150 L$).

Pose: Gesticulate - an old gift from the FabFree Headquarters, not available any more.

The picture was taken at El Laberinto Perdido, the latest build by Romy Nayar - quirky and bizarrely cute, as her creations usually are.

A Pirate's Life

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot,

Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We kindle and char, inflame and ignite,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We burn up the city, we're really a fright,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Aye, but we're loved by our mothers and dads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. More from the fabulous Fantasy Gacha Carnival.

There are so many designers here, most with at two different gacha machines - so very dangerous! I've come the hard way to learn that if there is one item you really really want from a gacha - you are likely to spend far too much trying to get it! That said - all of the items I've ended up with are amazing!

First set :
Headdress : [Tia] Empress Headdress - RARE  L$ 75
Hair : little bones. Pirate Wench DipDye&Fades L$ 99
Top : -Pixicat- Crew.Vest - White   L$ 75
Fans : [BlackPearls] War Fans v08 common  L$ 50
Skirt : *{JuneBug}* Flowing Skirt [Crimson] M  L$ 50
(Anyone looking for any swaps from Junebug - let me know! I have the skirts and bows in all colours, and two of the Ultra Rare sets - I'm looking for the Rare set in Crimson or Black!)


Second Set :
Headdress : ! !Sax Shepherd Designs ~ Gatcha ~ Buccaneer Beads ~ Barataria Headpiece  L$ 50
Hair : little bones. Pirate Wench DipDye&Fades  L$ 99
Dress : =Kio= Oriental Desire - Purple  L$ 75

Third Set :
Hair : .ploom. YAR!- Candy RARE   L$ 99
Necklace :  .Enfant Terrible. Moonchild necklace black   L$ 75
Top and Skirt : Luas - Valkiria - Red   L$ 50
Gauntlets : *sweet Kajira* Awildr   L$ 75
Stockings : .Things. - Viking Stockings Red   L$ 75
Pose :  Infiniti . - Paper Birds - 12  L$ 50

Taxi :Acerbus Silva

Riding the rails

 

It was the era of speed. The twenties roared with shining engines and sparkled with modernity. The horrors of the Great War were not forgotten, they were just that bit harder to see when eyes were dazzled by movement, chrome and sequins. Spitfire welcomed this change, along with all others of her age. The nights were long, free to be enjoyed. Beerhalls stayed open until the dawn, jazz spilled from windows and doorways. She rode the rails between nightclubs, a buccaneer in each carriage, one eye ever open for thrills to come. In the darkest hours of night, she sailed her landbound ship alone, wheels trundling along tracks, wearing to a brilliant shine in the moonlight. Her cabin aglow, sliding through the shadows of the city, the cobbled hills her own high seas. The Fantasy Gacha Carnival is something of a treasure trove. Ok ok I'll stop with the pirate references 

- just such the vibe I get from this dress! 

YumYums have these beautiful items in the Carnival in this round which begins on August 8th. 

Dress, shoes, eye-patch and hat are available in a range of colours, red, green, purple blue, from commons to ULTRA RARE pink. All for just L$ 50!

Spitfire wears:
Hair : Analog Dog - PopScotch - Blacks L$ 275
Analog Dog
Skin : Deetalez Skin Shanice No.4 eyeliner (Skin retirement sale)
Deetalez
Eyes :  Chus! Poppet Lens in Spawn L$ FREE
Chus! Marketplace
Dress, Eyepatch, Hat and Shoes :  .{yumyums}. Miss Captain Heart
Amazing texture on the dress, the shading is perfect. The shoes are for SLink High Mesh feet. Love this!
Available at the Fantasy Gacha Carnival here from 08/08/2014:

Acerbus Silva

The sim where the pictures were taken is a current favourite of mine. A beautiful rendering of Stuttgart.

Marienplatz