Lately I’ve dived into the community of devoted fantasy roleplayers. Fantasy is huge in almost all parts of the world – also in Second Life.

Yesterday I stumbled across a place called ‘Elven Forest‘. A extremely well designed place obviously made by people knowing what they’re doing.

Elven Forest is primary for elves – hence the name. Although the place is full of creatures from the luscious wood- and grasslands and plenty of ballet-like fairy-dance poses. Buzzing insects and most of all harmony and tranquility. A tranquility that lasts throughout the night as well.

Elven Forest owner Voy Sands in the middle of her virtual paradise. (from flickr)

It dates back to 2007 where a young german woman named Voy Sands got a piece of SL-land as a gift from a friend. Fascinated by the forest surrounding her local neighbourhood in RL, she started up this green paradise.

I met her in her ‘homeground’ where I asked her a bit about the fantasy forest.

“There weren’t that much forests at that time [in SL]. That was when the idea came up to create a forest here in sl as well …//… a place to chill out, meet with friends and enjoy the beauty of nature.”

However the connected RP, that almost always follows in fantasy’s footprints, Voy Sands tried to avoid.

“I do have a love for fantasy as well since I read many novels in my youth. But I didnt want to create a RP-place … just a place where all those fantasy creatures could gather together, meet, chill or just be. The RP-places were all so scrict… too many rules for me”

Although Elven Forest still works mainly as a resting place or retreat for elves and fairies, some RP [RolePlay] has found its way into to Elven Forest. And that is perfectly alright with Voy, as long as other avatars isn’t bothered or unwillingly involved in it. There is as such no written rules and most RP is done spontaneously and with no interference from Voy or any of the managers.

One of those RP’ing in Elven Forest is Serafina Draconia. A more than usual beautifully made figure catched in the shadows of some moonlit ruins. A woman with fairy wings, glowing eyes and … twinkling fangs?!… was floating near the wall.

Fae Vampire Serafina Draconia in Elven Forest. (from flickr)

Serafina is a Fae Vampyress! I’ve never heard of fairies ‘gone bad’ before. But as always Second Life offers the visitor to interact and learn new stuff. Serafina Draconia is a member of a 60-70 member clan of vampiric fairies, lycans and other creatures of fantasy origin. She uses Elven Forest for resting and some RP – and only at night (no wonder). She’s mainly in it to socialize and have fun. As such her clan doesn’t have any fixed goals – they make it up as they go.

Another (more ‘usual’) fantasy-being in Elven Forest is Wistful Mactavish. She’s is as fae’s are – vivacious, vivid and uncatchable. You can’t help but to like her. She knows the forest inside out, and I really recommend her as tour guide round the premises. You can tell by her lines and lingo she makes stories up on-the-fly. An amazing and playful little butterfly who also mainly uses the forest for socializing and entertainment.

Fairy Wistful Mactavish trying to pull the sword in the stone in Elven Forest. (from flickr)

Wistful – like Serafina, myself and most others – enjoys SL with no strings attached and obligations to fullfil. The prerequisition for our fun has already been paid for by Voy Sands. And forests like Elven Forest, doesn’t come cheap. Besides the US$500 a month fee for the land endless amount of hours going into building and keeping the forest. Many users tribute with donations. But according to Voy it only takes care of less than 2% of the monthly cost. But then the Elven Forest group counts more than 1500 members shows a blatant succes, that is the entire workload worth.

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NB: Check out the Elven Forest blog @ www.elvenforest.com