I’m not standing anywhere remotely photogenic while I’m writing so, no banner for this post.
The next region on the list is Opera.
SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FF%20Opera/111/160/128
Sponsor: Fallen Gods Inc.
Designer: Alia Baroque
The region’s description on the Fantasy Faire website, “Baroque decadence, whispering curtains, bucholic debauchery.” Hmmm. That leaves a lot to interpretation.
My first impression is that I’ve wandered on to a pre-renaissance Tuscan estate. Or perhaps I’ve just strayed on the backlot of a production of Much Ado About Nothing. (Either is fine with my by the way.)
Well managed lawns surround carefully tended vineyards and tall narrow trees dot the landscape. All of this leading up to a fairytale castle/estate on top of the hill. Portions of the rocky promontory on which the castle is perched have been carved with Rushmore scale statues. No presidents here though. Instead, vaguely mournful figures support the foundations of the palace.
On the technical building side, the textures are very good. Everything looks properly aged and the surfaces have a warm, rich look to them. The overall style does not clash at all with the neighbours.
Similar to Nysaris, secluded corners offer shaded benches where you can lay down your parcels and rest for a bit.
It’s often worth turning aside from the main path. At one point, there’s a narrow sward of grass by the side of the castle that leads to a precarious overlook toward the north. Further along, after traversing a long arcade facing east and taking a quick turn to the right I find myself at the top of a castellated turret. There’s quite a few from here.
At the top is a beautiful plaza dominated by a striking statue. All of the statues appear somewhat mournful I notice. A cantilevered walkway leads to a truly vertiginous viewpoint. (Oh by the way, step carefully near the statue.)
Like most Fantasy Faire regions, this is a shopping location. Shops I found while gawking at the architecture:
- Thus Magic
- Moonley Inc.
- Polenth’s Mushporium
- Astalianda
- Golden Unicorn Fireworks
- God Mod
- Arkona
- Tentacio
- Love Fashions
- EXiA
- Find the Fish
- Poet’s Heart
- Attitude is an Artform
- deviousMind
- meadowWorks
- Dandelion Daydreams Factory
- Fallen Gods
- Aleutia
- Show Society
- Faida
- Lacrime dell’anima
- Velvet Whip
- Artisan Fantasy
- On A Lark
- ZCCentuaury
- Between The Stars
- Balderdash
- House of Rfyre
Now, on to Glimmering Meadows!
Thinking Outside the Plywood Box 