Vol. 3 Issue 5
May 2012
the
Carrah effect Role play
Must haves
plus designs from Epic
The
ROLE PLAY Issue
Editor’s Note
Fresh starts can be filled with uncertainties and excitement. The thrill of the unknown motivates us to jump in head first without thinking and often that’s for the best. In these starts, we learn a lot about ourselves and hope for the next big adventure. Journalism was my fresh start once upon a time. I still remember the very first time I walked into a newsroom or the semblance of one. It was at my junior college paper. Somehow I had allowed myself to be dragged into a rundown bungalow in some back alley of the school where people often got lost. I sat there for the hour the newspaper staff met and just absorbed all that was being said. And as I listened, my anxiety dissipated and for the first time I felt something click. That click set forth a series of events that eventually led me here to Maniera, my new home. Here, with each issue, I hope to inspire, learn and grow with all of you. And what better way to start then than with our Role-Play Edition. We explore the more traditional aspects of roleplay in Second Life® with Avatar- and vampirethemed sims. We also take a look at Second Life as a whole and the roles we play in it. We all came to Second Life for one reason or another. While we may not be consciously thinking about it, we take on a persona that is unlike the ones we
use in our first lives. We become models, writers, fashion designers, explorers, musicians and so on. While in our first lives we may be teachers, administrative assistants, office managers, sales people or servers. It’s interesting to see the contrasts in both our lives. We tend to live out things in Second Life that we wouldn’t necessarily do otherwise. But that is the beauty of it all. We get to play the role of a lifetime. It’s up to us to seize that opportunity and run with it. As William Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” So get on that stage, command it the best way you know how and enjoy every minute of it.
Got something you want to ask, say or suggest? All you have to do is send us a letter! Letters to the Editor can be sent to: editor@mymaniera.com
PHOTO BY JAX ASTER
Assistant Editor’s Note
This is our role play issue. Whenever I think about role-play, I remember “Dungeons and Dragons” and sitting around a table with friends tossing 12-sided dice and moving miniature, hand-painted figures of orcs, trolls and wizards. When we translate role-play to Second Life® things become more realistic and somewhat of a psychological challenge. Second Life presents a bit of an existential quandary. Is all of Second Life role-play? I am sure that places where you hunt zombies or go on a quest for Inca treasure are role-plays but am I, as the assistant editor of a SL magazine also role-playing? The article The Art of Role Playing examines RP in Second Life and makes some distinctions between everyday SL and structured environments within SL. To explore the worlds of imagination in SL, we tease you with tours of three RP environments: Venexia, a vampire RP; Pandora, a RP based on the film “Avatar”; and Kingdom of Sand, an Arabian nights RP. The latter tour is included as a special supplement on the Maniera website. Also, on the website is a documentary film about the Pandora sims made by a creative and quick-learning group of college students. We have two pictorials. One illustrates various role-play outfits to make one both fashionable and functional. The second deals with women in corsets; not functional. Our usual but exceptional columns explore various role-play niches — zombies, mesh clothes for role play and an ensemble for role play with a masculine emphasis. I got to write about Carrah Rossini who builds airships for engaging in flights of fantasy. As the assistant editor of this magazine, I imagine that I’m living out parts of the film “The Devil Wears Prada.” I play the new assistant, Andy Barnes, and my editor plays the powerful and worldly, Miranda Priestly, who molds Andy into a real journalist in the hardball world of international fashion. Okay, I deviated from the film but it’s my fantasy! We have a new editor-in-chief at Maniera Magazine, Ji Nirvana. She is talented, experienced and very competent. I’m hoping she will be forgiving of the role I have her playing in my mind. Now, what’s role-play again? With profound joy,
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PHOTO BY NATZUKA MILLIANDROVIC
Read previous editions of Maniera Magazine online at: www.issuu.com/maniera
Editor in Chief Ji Nirvana
Sherrie Shepherd Sita Writer
Assistant Editor Deepthinker Oh
Photographers Berto Firanelli Brie Pinazzo Dahriel Resident Eira Juliesse Estela Parx Falbala Fairey Florence Babenco Honey Bender Jax Aster Kynne Llewellyn Latrelly Flux LovelyMiwako7399 Menna Lybra Rage Manu Reggiane Natzuka Miliandrovic Pam Astonia Rabia Baxton Syra Hyun Valeria Endrizzi Zachary Zufreur
Photo Editor LovelyMiwako7399 Menna Lead Layout Artist Gymmie Katscher Layout Artist Elissiana Caproni Writers Aphrodite Brianna Carey DeCuir Cierra Emor Deepthinker Oh Leah Portland LovelyMiwako7399 Menna Luc Fray Nisa Constantine Nox Deigan Business Publisher and CEO Topaz Joubert
Chief Operations Officer Aphrodite Brianna
Sales Director Mercede Kenin Maniera Magazine is a fashion and lifestyle publication owned, operated and published by Maniera LLC. Any views, opinions or interpretations expressed in columns are solely those of the author and do not represent those of Maniera LLC and its subsidiaries. Maniera LLC will not accept any responsibility for any views, opinions or interpretations expressed in the pages of Maniera Magazine, MyManiera.com or other communications. Editorial Inquiries All editorial inquires including submissions, letters to the editor and ideas are to be sent to editor@mymaniera.com Business and advertising inquires All business inquires are to be sent to our chief operations officer at promotions@mymaniera.com All advertising inquires are to be sent to our sales director at advertising@mymaniera.com. Second Life速 and Linden Lab are registered trademarks of Linden Research Inc and Maniera LLC is in no way affiliated or sponsored by the aforementioned party. Visit Us in Second Life速 and Online In-World: http://slurl.com/secondlife/The Regis/156/172/22 Online: www.mymaniera.com.
Contents
May 2012 Volume 3 Issue 5
Features
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Another look at Role play in SL
How does role play effect you?
Recreating Pandora
Film comes to life
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34
Discover the hidden Secrets of Venexia A look at neat role play sim
Experience living in a whole new way
Creator Carrah Rossini lets her creativity show with her amazing fantasy airships. How high will you let yourself fly?
On the cover Model: Nox Deigan Photograph by Lybra Rage
Regulars Editor’s Note Asst. Editor’s Note The Mani List On MyManiera.com Fashion Passion Mani Style Men’s Corner
8 10 18 21 62 64 66
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Fashions meets Role play
Featuring high-quality designs from Epic
NV Corsetry Contest
Find out who won
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the Mani list Every role player needs the right apparel, accessories and gear to make their persona and lifestyle complete. Check out Maniera’s list of the must have role-play items.
On Point
The right accessory for any arsenal. The Vitige Dagger Necklace by Primus Weapons may just look decorative but it doubles as a usable melee weapon that’s ready when you are. (The Vitige Dagger Necklace, $600L, Primus Weapons: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Primus Weapons/128/128/0)
Get Your Hair On
Long or short Wasabi Pills has it all, offering a variety of unisex hair perfect for all types of role play. (Thalion, $250L for color packs, $1,500L for fatpack, Wasabi Pills: http://maps.secondlife/secondlife/Coraline/206/135/53)
Skin Deep Mystical or not Fallen Gods, Inc. has unique male and female skins for any need. With assorted colors and styles the possibilities are endless. (Draco skin in Moonlight Mithril, $990L for a single skin, $3,000L for all four options, Fallen Gods Inc.: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Selidor/239/133/20)
Tough Stuff
Rugged never looked so good. Whether it’s industrial or gorean, Rude has got you covered. (Shadow -full outfit, $600L, Rude Designs: http://maps. secondlife.com/secondlife/Defleur/127/99/504)
Get on the List! Got a product that you want to share with our readers? Send an email to us with a product photograph and relevant details to editor@mymaniera.com. Who knows you just may make the list. 18 | Maniera | mymaniera.com
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On MyManiera.com What’s on MyManiera.com Kelle Maize The Rooks Machinima Staff Blogs Web Exclusives Maniera Institute of style Info Coming Soon to Mymaniera.com Videos print Issues Photo Galleries and so much More Visit us Today!
Look into the world and culture of Pandora The documentary “Avatar2” was created by an introductory film class at a small college in the Northeast part of the US. Students were tasked with creating a film based in Second Life® on the role players of the Pandora sims by interview participants, describing who they are and how they role play. None of the students had been in Second Life prior to the making of this film. Watch it at: http://mymaniera.com/2012/04/avatar2.
Web Exclusive: Journey to the intriguing and Beautiful realm of Ireem
The majestic city of pillars and towers rises from the desert floor. The city of Ireem’s gates stand open, welcoming all who visit to enjoy its spectacular beauty, a beauty that hides the danger that lurks there. Thus, begins a journey through the long standing, well established and intriguing role-play community, Kingdom of Sand. Read the complete story on http://mymaniera.com/2012/04/kingdom-of-sand/. 20 | Maniera | mymaniera.com
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‘different
Flavors’
Role players make up a large community in Second Life® but role play goes beyond slaves, warriors and vampires. How far does role play extend into your Second Life?
By Sita Writer Photos By Valeria Endrizzi
L
ike life, role playing is intrinsically creative and constantly evolving. People naturally have roles they play each day that show different sides of themselves to their friends, family, co-workers and other residents in Second Life®. With technology being what it is today, people are connected in ways that could not have been imagined before. Possibilities like virtual reality provide a new arena to explore. Second Life’s creative, strong and detailed worlds allow sufficient immersion, yet is still accessible and malleable enough for every avatar to enjoy, one way or another in complete harmony with their comfort level. “Like anything in Second Life - builds, scripts, clothes, attachments - role playing comes in all different flavors; some bad, some good. With the ‘physical’ stuff it’s pretty easy to sort the wheat from the chaff, you simply throw away the bad stuff and resolve to never buy from that vendor again,” said Eressea Karsin. Karsin is a long time and knowledgeable role player as well as a member of the Phoenix and Firestorm viewer support
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team. “Role playing is different,” said Karsin. “In a way, with role playing, the time investment is on the “consumer” side. Quality role players put effort into the background for the character and make it fit into the setting. That takes time and thought.” The most unique aspect of role play in Second Life is each avatar can create a new idea, a new way to represent themselves and devise an infinite number of concepts where no one game but hundreds of scenarios can be imagined and played. “My own experience in role playing in SL varies every day. There are places with fixed rules and descriptions that are incredibly imaginative,” explains Toy Wylie, owner of Toy’s Toys and Zicurity. “Other places promote free-form role playing, that are great for impromptu gatherings and scenes. Each of these has its own perks.” In Second Life, role play can be everything from personalized war games to a dramatic storytelling exercise to an intellectual pursuit or hobby. In grand sweeping terms, there are two kinds of role players in SL — para-posters and thoughtposters. MAY 2012
Model: Julia Brand
Model: Aphrodite Brianna
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“
“
“Para-posters consider themselves writers of some stripe — usually seeing themselves much grander than they really are. In many cases, these are people who have not learned economy of phrase is a good thing,” said Karsin. “Thought-posters on the other hand are people that don’t realize that role-playing is an interactive experience. They fill their lines with thoughts and internal monologue that no other character can possibly react to.” But role playing in Second Life cannot be put into neat little categories as there are a million ways to play and no one form or genre is right or wrong. “There is the ever present Gor and BDSM role play and controversial RP like child and family,” said Vikeejeah Xevion, Second Life model and owner of Loovus Dzevavor. “But recently, I have seen more RP based on movies and of course fashion and modeling RP.” Second Life offers a variety of environments and experience based on their preference including urban-based role play where situations could seem a bit more realistic. “Urban city role play seems to be a big thing all over SL with places like Toxian City and Dead End offering a number of interesting stories to tell and play out,” said Wylie. “Crime and law enforcement, as well as street life and adult situations are very common. Other places like Lismore offer a very in-depth experience for fantasy creatures, while Black Gazza and RR Prison provide the thrill of being at the mercy of the guards.”
“My own experience in role playing in SL varies every day. There are places with fixed rules and descriptions that are incredibly imaginative,”
— Toy Wylie, Toy’s Toys and Zicurity
Role playing is a matter of personal taste and style; and Second Life offers a multitude of platforms to create and play on. “Bondage games are not role playing. There are certainly play acting aspects to it, but for the most part these are people acting out fantasies they can’t do in first life. They are not role playing,” said Karsin. “The same goes for the child and family RP. It’s more make believe than role playing. Role playing involves creating a character separate from oneself and injecting that character into a setting with other characters.” Role play is loosely defined as being someone or something in a simulated experience or engaged in a common story or quest with others — friend or foe. The beauty of this engagement is that there are no real life limitations. People can teleport, fly, swim underwater forever or even fight in space. The possibilities are as endless as our imagination and intellect. “While it’s fun to dress up as a fictitious character, many people come to SL to release their inhibitions and fulfill their taboo sexual desires,” said Xevion. Some groups use a series of novels such as “Harry Pot-
ter,” Marvel comics, “Star Trek,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Game of Thrones,” even Gor and have extended their themes to create new characters. Others create their own settings and stories. This boundless experience provides endless entertainment that has an introspective element in regard to the role we choose and the way we react. Role playing in Second Life is on an international level, making the experience ultimately more interesting because new ideas and concepts are introduced. “Role play is what captures the imagination,” said Kimmera Madison, designer for Tres Beau Designs. “On a personal note, I have always been fascinated with the concept of going back in time. I love the fun of steampunk, my problem is I get so enthralled that I start designing for it … I really need to learn to just play and have fun.” Perhaps, idealistically, the essence of role-play reflects our base need to understand one another. Can role-play be a prelude to worldwide peace? To role play in Second Life is to dream and share. The most important thing to remember is that it’s your avatar and you make the rules.
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Pandora
home of the Na’vi Inspired by James Cameron’s film ‘Avatar,’ role players create a rich and vibrant community. Experience the conflict, culture and aftermath of war. What side will you stand on?
Take a glimspe into Pandora with a short documentary based on the role players who participated in the fought to control a constantly being played out Pandora sims, which was cremountain banshee, enbetween the Na’vi and the huated by an introductory film abling me to bond with mans. Pandora, in Second Life, class and can be found at: http://mymaniera. my own Ikran. Finally, is based on the film “Avatar” by com/2012/04/ our brains were tethered James Cameron and is home to a avatar2. together using my tsahaylu creatdedicated group of role players.
By Carey Decuir Photos by LovelyMiwako7399 Menna
I
ing a direct neural connection between our two minds. Together, we soar over the lush Pandoran forests, through stunning mountain passes while threading through gorgeous waterfalls. Lifting higher, we glide around floating islands with breathtaking views shrouded in mist and rainbows. Suddenly, a huge predatory dragon, the leonopteryx, attacks and my Ikran screams as we race for our lives through the floating islands. Pandora was the first woman created by the Gods of Greek mythology. She was molded from the earth and endowed by the Gods with many unique gifts. Pandora embodies the beauty and fertility of the planet with its capacity to bear grain and fruits for the benefit of humankind. She was also endowed with many virtues for the beguilement of men. Second Life’s® Pandora also embodies the beauty and fertility of the Earth as well as a place where conflict between nature and technology is
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Pandora encompasses six sims owned by Misty Hawksby, who owns Pegase and Telemaque, Kaeli Borgin, who owns nAvitar, and Nissa Rewell, who owns the Official Pandora Hub sims Awve Atxkeh, Awve Atxkxe and Peyfyao Tsray. Each sim is exquisitely crafted by its residents with beautiful scenery containing interactive plants and animals. Taking a journey through the forests, beaches and mountains is truly an inspirational experience. “It is absolutely fascinating to watch a cultural evolution unfold as people from all over the world immerse themselves is such a complex fantasy,” said Borgin, who is also an active member of Pandora role play, where she plays a dreamwalker — a human scientist studying the Na’vi. “They build off of each other and the history of what has gone on before in these sims, all based around the creative seed spawned by James Cameron. It is like watching thousands of years of cultural evolution occur
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Model: LovelyMiwako7399 Menna
in the space of just a handful of years” The Pandora sims are staged through three time periods relative to human occupation. The immediate conflict between humans and Na’vi is played out on the Pegase and Telemaque sims. Here the conflict between humans and Na’vi acts as a stark metaphor for the ravages of technology, which tries to control the flow of nature the Na’vi culture is so intimately tied to it. The Na’vi are at constant war with the humans who wish to exterminate them and rape the land for minerals. But the humans are not the only concern of the Na’vi. Pandora, as beautiful as it is, is fraught with dangerous predators, which requires constant attention or death could come quickly. Woven within this environment, is a beautifully choreographed series of cultural events eliciting complex roleplay scenarios both within and between the many clans of Na’vi inhabiting Pandora. NAvitar represents the period prior to the time of overt conflict with humans. This is a time of fascinating perspectives where much of the Na’vi role play is to negotiate with the humans for peaceful co-existence, while also engaging in acts of civil disobedience as they witness the destruction of the environment. This is also a time when the dreamwalkers explore the biology and culture of the Na’vi. As the Na’vi role players develop ever more sophisticated cultural events and personal historical stories, the human role players make anthropological studies of these activities and record them in a book. Elaborate hunting scenarios
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and ceremonies for dreaming, becoming of age, marriage and Ikran bonding are common events held throughout the week. These events are coordinated through the hierarchical structure of the clan leadership ensuring adherence to the spirit of the Na’vi culture. The roles of the leaders are earned through participation, coursework and apprenticeship. The leader of the clan is the Eyktan while the spiritual leader, or Tsahik, is often nearly as powerful as the leader. Obtaining the role of a healer, or Hawapanyu, is an arduous task requiring a great deal of study and earned respect within the clan. Healers are of great importance as the Na’vi are often injured in battle or by environmental predators and require a recharge for their combat meters. The Tsamsiyu are warriors trained in the various arts of battle and the Taronyu specialize in hunting who often lead complex role play hunting expeditions. Events centered around each of these roles is carefully moderated to maintain the integrity of the Na’vi culture. Willow Zifer, who plays Utral’lor and the leader of the Txampay Pongu clan from Pegase, has spent a great deal of time immersed in the Pandora role play because she has developed friendships with role players who are very dedicated. “The people participating in the role play here take it very seriously, study the culture of the different clans as it has developed over the years and are willing to add to that culture in very creative ways, it is so exciting to be part of that,” explained Zifer. The three OPH sims represent
a period in Pandora’s history after the Na’vi have thrown out the humans, who are now attempting to negotiate a return. These sims provide opportunities for sophisticated cultural development of the Na’vi and role-play scenarios with the humans played out against a constant undercurrent of needing to protect the environment. As found on nAvitar, much of the conflict with the humans as they attempt to regain a footing in Pandora is in the form of inter-
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species negotiations. This creates situations for clever strategies and manipulation between two groups of role players. Each clan seems to specialize in different art forms such as clothing, musical instruments or woven baskets. These art forms are integrated into various cultural enactments and moderated by the leadership of each clan, making the experience for each type of ceremony somewhat different for different clans. As the
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role play events and cultural activities are recorded by the dream walkers, we are being treated to an evolving study of role play in Second Life. Recently, the different Pandora sim owners and leadership have gotten together to provide health and combat meters that function across all Pandora sims. This provides wonderful opportunities to explore and role play through chronological time, explore different clans and ex-
perience events from multiple perspectives. One can even participate as either a Na’vi character or a human character at different times to experience life from either perspective and within three different time strategies. The level of sophistication and dedication to role play at all levels on the Pandora sims is very impressive. The sims themselves are stunning in their attention to detail and accuracy with respect to Cameron’s movie.
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Mystery Awaits...
Will you be drawn in by the allure of Venexia or fall victim to the dangers that lurk around every corner of this beautiful vampire sim?
By Sherrie Shepherd Photos by Natzuka Miliandrovic
“
And so, on the night of the great masquerade, the Carnival of Souls, the veil was allowed to slip, and vampires stepped forth from the shadows into the reality of humanity,” so reads a quote from the background story of one of the newest of Second Life’s® role-play sims, Venexia. Journey through the dark, misty streets and perilous alleyways of the beautiful, yet dangerous city, as it is now after the “Great Revealing.” For a moment imagine you are a visitor, stepping into the gondola to journey to Venexia for the first time. You are clueless as to what awaits as you approach the mist-laden outline of the mysterious, medieval, Venice-like city of Venexia. Climbing out of the gondola on a foggy evening and walking carefully up the stone steps to the cobblestone street, you find yourself in front of the Slaughtered Lamb Inn where you hear the merry sounds of medieval musical instruments drifting out the door. Soon after, you observe the sight of peasant-garbed
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ragtag figures parading outside in front of the inn happily dancing and spreading their joy to passersby, inviting them to dance along. Unable to resist, you join in, never knowing the profound burden these poor souls, known as the Paesani, endure, given their outward façade of joyful, freespiritedness. After twirling around with the Paesani for a bit, you beg your leave and continue on your way with a smile on your face and a spring in your step toward the marketplace. As you cross the masonry bridge over the canal, you notice two dark figures in the shadows. You avert your eyes thinking that you’ve stumbled upon a lovers’ embrace. But as you pass nearby the sound of whimpering and slurping becomes unsettling and you begin to scurry, suddenly not feeling quite so comfortable as before in the hauntingly beautiful city. As you pass by the vendor stalls in the marketplace, you look to your right and see the Dottore’s Office and beyond that colorful lanterns illuminating another
bridge over the canal. Hearing the sounds of loud voices emanating from the direction of the far side of the bridge, you rush to investigate feeling relieved and somewhat safer to find a group of people with whom to congregate. Coming upon the Green Dragon Tavern, you push open the heavy double doors, noticing right away the warm and welcoming environment inside. As you peruse
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>>>Picturesque cityscapes mask a world of vampires who lurk around Venicianinspired sim, Venexia.
the room, you observe several patrons significantly better dressed than the Paesani had been, and engaged in raucous debates, laughing with one another while sipping wine, or lifting mugs of ale while toasting some well appreciated and humorous story told. The proprietor and bartender of the Green Dragon, Juliet, acknowledges you immediately and
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welcomes you, takes your order, and introduces you to the other patrons. It’s here, while engaged in conversation that you find out the bitter truth about Venexia. You’ve stumbled upon the gathering place of the Borghesia, who inform you Venexia is ruled and controlled by covens of vampires, referred to as the ‘chosen’ and you have been fortunate enough to encounter only humans thus
far in your exploration of the city. They further inform you that those carefree Paesani you first encountered actually live in constant fear of being attacked and bitten on the street by the ‘chosen.’ On the other hand, the Borghesia have been given a number of rights by the ‘court’ of the ‘chosen’ and while they are still compelled to nourish the ‘chosen’ with their blood, they do so in a more
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>>>Dark of night: Under the cloak of nightfall dangers await throughout the city.
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civilized manner as arranged by appointment/rental and are paid for that service. As you sit spellbound with what you are hearing, the Borghesia go on to enlighten you about the various sabbats, and within each sabbat, the covens, that encompass this vampire-centric environment. They describe the diverse nature of each and the respective aspect of the Venexian community and culture that each represents. For example, the Lestat Sabat enriches the lives of all Venexians with covens brimful of the most talented Venexians in every art form. Their beautiful venue, the Teatro, is home to breathtaking performances of all types; concerts, plays, dance performances, and art exhibits. One of the most civil and refined of all the sabbats, they’re known for their finesse and charm. A human having an encounter with a Lestat can expect nothing less than to be swept off their feet with an additional art form practiced by the Lestat, that of the sensual seduction. One would hardly know they were bitten, the experience is that mesmerizing. As the evening unfolds, you hear about the highly intelligent Drakul who serve as the stewards of the Venexia Library; the lustful Karnstein who run the Bordello; the elegant Bathory who manage the public bath; the clergy of the Daemonicans who conduct rituals to the darkest of deities; the Vordensian who, though vampires themselves, are bent on the destruction of the vampire covens; the Derais, the young rebels, who are youthful in terms of vampire years and constantly challenging the older, more established sabbats and covens; and finally, the Norferati, the
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most monstrous looking of all the sabbats, who stalk the shadows of Venexia’s prisons where it’s common for inmates to go missing. Armed with this knowledge, you request a Borghesian chaperone to accompany you as you take in the absolutely beautiful and stunning architecture of this mysterious medieval city. Your tour concludes at the brightly lit Piazza where Venexians of all persuasions congregate to converse and relax at the outdoor cafe. The amazingly talented builder, Baal Zobel, has painstakingly recreated a likeness of medieval Venice that will leave you breathless. The equally talented scripter, Kora Zenovka, balances out this incredible team providing Second Life role players with a venue that facilitates the realization of their fantasies. However, the design team has done more than create the venue. They have also developed the framework for the RP and diligently monitor to assure that the RP evolves within the established framework and doesn’t morph into something unrecognizable and unsustainable. The abundant rental apartments in the city are always filled to capacity at this hugely popular RP community with vacancies being snatched up as soon as they are advertised. Venexia is most definitely a must-see destination for anyone who enjoys RP environments or for that matter anyone who appreciates interesting, beautiful, and quality builds. To find out more about Venexia go to http://community. socionex.com/category/venexia/ and visit the in-world venue at http://slurl.com/secondlife/ Venexia/40/246/609
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Up In the clo By Deepthinker Oh Photos By Kynne Llewellyn
A
ll role players need nifty pieces of gear and clothing to help them fulfill their roles. Batman needs his utility belt. Samurai fighters need a katana or two. Vampires need a cape and a nasty overbite. There are bigger items too. Batman Where to visit: also has the batmohttp://slurl.com/secondlife/ bile. Sky Captain reDreamfall/203/117/732 quires his P-40 Warhawk. And pirates, Marketplace: well they need a big https://marketplace.seconold square-rigged dlife.com/stores/15827 sailing ship stuffed with guns, right? So, where might Carrah Rossini and her fantasy airships fit into the large amount of neat stuff for role play? Airships have their own mystique. Floating on air, slipping silently through the clouds, airships were the dream machines of the 1920s and 1930s. Airships represent the romance of Jules Verne, the Graf Zeppelin and the dawn of the modern age of air travel. Rossini has designed and sells a group of delightful airships plus a flyable submarine. The submarine with its warm woods, soft velvet in Asian designs and brass fittings are right out the wonderful fantasy of Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” It even has a clever aquarium behind the bed in the stern. The several airships, large enough to live in,
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ouds
Living in the sky has never been so cool Have you experienced the Carah effect?
>>> The Selene Cloud Hugger Fantasy Airship is a fully functional vehicle and home suitable for many different needs. This ship comes load with features like built in media, security and room to seat 20 people. MAY 2012
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>>>Carrah Rossini is the mastermind behind the fantasy airships. She has been building them for nearly five years.
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are also marvelous combinations of 19th century design and 23rd century dreams. There are even little airships that can be stored inside the bigger ones. How does someone become an airship designer? It seems to happen by chance. “My first airship is called the Lylanna, and it was actually inspired by and named for my friend Lylanna Dibou,” explained Rossini. “We were building a skybox and we were saying things like, wouldn’t it be nice if it had a bed, a table, a TV, if it could fly . . . It evolved over time from a simple skybox to a fully functional vehicle. It is so very dated now, but I still keep it around due to its sentimental value. “Once that first one was done, I’d left it above the ground at my parcel. A store owner happened to be sailing by and suggested I put it up for sale. To my surprise people actually bought it. And that gave me the motivation to keep at it. Back then I felt it was a unique, niche item; a fully furnished skybox that you could also use as a fully functional vehicle and take it along with you.” Rossini has drawn upon a combination of her programming skills and those of several others to create machines that really fly. The basic “engine” for the ships was originally written by Jesrad Seraph while the media center evolved from the Freeview TV. The code for particles used for the engine exhaust are based on scripts by Jopsy Pendragon. The Multi-Love-Pose code used in the hammocks and beds was originally developed by Miffy Fluffy, then Learjeff Innis took over maintaining the code. Dibou helped Rossini modify the poses for the ships while Rossini developed the security system and other scripts as needed. The most striking aspect of the airships are the textures used and the exquisite detail of each feature. “I have no formal graphics, arts [or] 3D training,” said Rossini. “I did, however, grow up with an architect and a fine arts teacher. So I suppose that turned me on to the arts. And for one reason or another, it all came together in here. In short, I did learn to create here by simply using the build tools which came with the Second MAY 2012
Life viewer.” Rossini’s airships can be seen at different locations around Second Life including the popular steampunk sim, New Babbage, where two ships are attached to a tall mooring mast. But these ships don’t look like the ones available in her shop that is because Rossini has made it possible for residents to modify the ships to suit their needs. “From time to time people reach out and IM me and share the snapshots of the redesigns,” she said. “Most are quite amazing; a crashed Steampunk Dreamliner, a two-story tall Selene, a twin-body Nereide. I do enjoy seeing the mods, and am grateful some people like the builds enough to make them a part of their SL.” Great care and consideration have been taken with each airship Rossini designs, down to the very last detail. In the Selene, one of her larger airships, there is a tiny aquarium that is a miniature seascape. While in the Nereide, Rossini used the aquarium in both a functional and decorative way. Having been in Second Life for five years, Rossini has some advice to offer new designers hoping to creating their own brand. “I’ve built things here which I myself enjoyed and liked. Later on I’ve tried to carry this practice over to everything I’ve made available for sale,” said Rossini. “Perhaps my bit of advice would be, when you’re first starting out, create things which are good enough for your own use. The rest will follow . . . if at first you don’t succeed, keep at it. I’ve had plenty of moments when I just wanted to give up. Practice, patience and the support of my friends is what helped me along.” Although Rossini hasn’t created anything new in quite some time, she was inspired by speaking with Maniera Magazine and has plans to start updating some of her older models as well as creating some new ships that will cut down on scripts, memory use and incorporate media options. Currently she is working on a flying galleon, so you pirates be on the look out and check her store for the latest role-play gear. mymaniera.com | Maniera | 43
Once upon
a fantasy
Featuring designs by talented and unique creator Jade Winthorpe of Epic Photos by Lovelymiwako7399 Menna
Markski Glom is wearing the Puck’s Folly Mae Fae Outfit; Janina Scarmon is wearing the Lunar Demon Legs; Gloria Gabe accessorizes with Flapping Fairy Wings Style 6 to complete the look.
Janina Scarmon is wearing Fawn ClassicGarter Socks Black underneath her gorean-inspired dress.
Gloria Gabe is wearing Sparkle Doom Fairy Queen Outfit.
Markski Glom is wearing a unisex Old Technology Baggy Mech Pants with included boots. Gloria Gabe is wearing Black Ribbon Romper with fishnet leggings and Black Demon Legs.
Aphrodite Brianna is wearing Feet & Skully Bow Stockings to complete her look. LovelyMiwako7399 Menna is accessorizing with Classic Skully Bow 2.0 Fawn Stockings.
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mymaniera.com | Maniera | 57
February Face Of
NV
Corsetry Winners
Maniera Magazine is the proud sponsor of the Face of NV Corsetry Contest. These lovely ladies were selected from all the entrants in their categories. Will you be next?
Grunge
Lorelei Mag
Photo by DariusKrag
nge
ggs
gin Resident
Formal
Rusalka Callisto Photo by Rusalka Callisto
Vintage
Xanadu Damiano Photo by Enzo Champagne
Fashion passion
Mesh + Role Play New clothing paves way for a different kind of role-play experience. What can mesh do for your role play?
I
By Leah Portland
n Second Life®, clothing is plentiful and can be found at every turn. There are outfits for every facet of life and designers lead the way with creations that stretch the imagination. Even attire produced for those who desire to live out their fantasies through role play, never ceases to amaze. Space cadets, knights, gang members, child avatars and nekos, among other RP characters, all need clothing to make their world possible. Mesh avatars and clothing, although still in its infancy, has taken the grid by storm and has permeated the world of RP. Product designers and users alike have a keen interest in its uses and performance but many are still baffled as to how exactly it can work for them. Essentially everything in Second Life is mesh including regular avatars, worn prim attachments homes and the furniture in the. When the keys Ctrl + Shift + r are pressed simultaneously while in Second Life, the wire frame view is activated and everything can be seen as mesh wires. But the mesh being referred to here are the 3D objects that are created in an external program and then imported into Second Life while still retaining the same shape in which they were created. Mesh avatars and mesh clothing are such objects. Mesh avatars are not a replacement for regular avatars, they are an option. Mesh is simply another tool to work with in addition to regular prims and sculpties. Although there are still not many mesh avatars around, a new phenomenon is emerging in the form of petite mesh avatars created for the purpose of RP. A team of designers have worked together to produce these petite avatars as well as clothing for them. Everything that these avatars need can be found at http://maps.secondlife.com/
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secondlife/YABU/35/167/30. The designers’ creations reflect their personal mindset and tend to follow a fantasy-like theme, which include fairies, mermaids, nymphs, fallen gods and elves. A cautionary note though, clothing or these petite avatars are currently unavailable anywhere else so a decision to buy them should not be made lightly. The Yabu sim currently is the only place where these tiny creatures can act out their fantasies. So how do these petite mesh avatars work? First, all prim attachments should be removed from your regular avatar. From the petite avatar folder, add the shape and alpha layer, then one by one add the mesh attachments. Regular eyes will not work for petite mesh avatars, so the eyes included in the folder will need to be attached. If the mesh avatar comes with shoes and clothing, you will most likely need to wear the clothing using the “add” feature, especially with sleeves and shoes, as hands and feet are on the same attachment points. There is mesh hair made especially for petite mesh avatars, but some regular prim hair may be adjusted to fit by shrinking it down. Regular shoes and boots will not work in the same manner since they have been made specifically for regular avatar shapes. The shoe shaper for regular avatar feet will deform the feet of mesh avatars. A animation overrider will for the most part work with petite mesh avatars however ground sits will not. It is advisable to buy the desired ground sit to add to a regular AO or buy one of the custom made AOs for petite avatars. For more information on mesh avatars, please see my article entitled Mesh Avatars in Second Life on my blog: http://portland100.wordpress. com/2012/02/17/mesh-avatars-in-second-life. MAY 2012
Yabusaka: Fallen Gods Royale Pale Petite Mesh Avatar; Vanity Hair: Morea in fiery red; Caverna Obscura: Petite Dream Thief
Mani Style
THE ZOMBIE TAKEOVER BY APHORDITE BRIANNA PHOTO BY JAX ASTER
Z
ombies have a long and fascinating background. They are a unique part of the Voodoo religion, which was established in the 17th century by slaves captured primarily from the kingdom of Dahomey, an area which now encompasses parts of the modern states of Togo, Benin and Nigeria in West Africa. Voodoo is a complex fusion of ancient African spiritual practices and the Roman Catholicism of the European colonialists. The Voodoo religion involves belief in a supreme god known as Bon Dieu and a host of spirits often called Loa, which are variously identified with Catholic saints, but bear a close resemblance to traditional African deities. The Creole word ‘’zombi’ is apparently derived from Nzambi, a West African deity but it only came into general use in 1929, after the publication of William B. Seabrook’s “The Magic Island.” Seabrook recounted his travels in Haiti and his first-hand experiences of zombies. Seabrook claimed that zombies were once normal people but that they were poisoned by a “bokor” or Voodoo sorcerer with a spell or potion. The victim then “dies” but continues to exist in an automaton state without consciousness. In the 1980’s, Wade Davis, a Canadian anthropologist, claimed that tetrodotoxin obtained from the puffer fish is used by the Voodoo priest to create a zombie-like state. His argument suggests that it is this poison combined with particu-
MAY 2012
lar cultural beliefs that produce the zombie phenomenon in Haiti. Unable to pass up on such a fascinating horror story, Hollywood brought us its own particular version of the zombie. Trivializing the historic roots of the ancient religion, Hollywood Voodoo becomes a simple series of superstitions and black magic rituals, and the zombie a flesh eating undead creature with an insatiable appetite, infecting all it kills. This process of trivialization becomes increasingly apparent over time. One of the first zombie films, White Zombie” from 1932, which starred the incomparable Bela Lugosi as the evil overseer of a sugar mill did not include the negative depictions of Voodoo, which become commonplace in later films. Perhaps the most famous zombie films are those by George Romeo — “Night of the Living Dead“ and “Dawn of the Dead” — both made in 1968. More recently spoof movies have made the zombie into a source of amusement in particular the 2004 UK made “Shaun of the Dead.” It is not surprising to discover that Second Life® has a number of zombie sims where anyone can become a zombie or professional zombie killer. City of the Dead - Zombie Kill Area provides an urban environment infested by blood soaked zombies with a scary similarity to a Linden noob avatar. You can play here entirely for free with a GSC HUD and basic weapons which are available. For more dedicated zombie killers there are advanced
weapons on sale. http://maps. secondlife.com/secondlife/ Loop/32/176/23 The Maze is a cleverly constructed labyrinth with zombies and evil creatures lurking around every corner. Again there are weapons for sale, but there is a free pistol at the landing area. This sim does not require a specialized HUD but you can only use the weapons supplied. http://maps.secondlife. com/secondlife/Tamarillo%20 Island/238/239/1162 If your zombie killing skills are on a par with my attempts, then you might as well join them. If you want to become a zombie then Fallen Angels have both the looks and the moves. A full range of gruesome looking skins and missing body parts are available at the Sanitarium location. http://maps.secondlife. com/secondlife/Falln%20Sanitarium/127/127/34 A full zombie AO is available at: http://maps.secondlife. com/secondlife/FallnAngel%20 Creations/102/169/124 Death Row Designs also have everything for the potential zombie, including male and female skins, tattoos and suitably ripped, bloodied clothing. http://maps.secondlife. com/secondlife/Death%20 Row/202/117/25 And for those who prefer their zombies with a humorous twist, Dirty Lynx have a fabulous mesh zombie nurse avatar along with a whole range of other fantastic comic characters. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bytegang/131/190/27
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Men’s Corner
A stylish approach to swashbuckling
BY LUC FRAY PHOTO BY JAX ASTER
W
hen faced with something incomprehensible, humans have this reflex reaction to be fascinated, curious or haunted. Perhaps this is the allure of demons, vampires, lycans, elves, shape-shifters and the like. Witness the many role-play sims in Second Life® that contain these supernatural themes. And beyond just the sims having supernatural themes, they also feature clothes, weapons, accessories and game HUDs necessary for play. Such role-play environments endlessly abound in Second Life. So, how does a swashbuckling role player assume a fashionable stance while ducking a sword thrust or wooing a lass at a vampire tavern? Let’s look at some options when dressing up as a vampire hunter, fallen angel or another mysterious character. GothiCatz’s Titan outfit includes a dragon shirt layer and a pair of fingerless gloves, but it was the dark vest with the sculpted collar and chest belt that made me stop and consider buying it. Paired with the leather pants, the clothes’ incredible detailing and impressive textures definitely would catch anyone’s eye. The outfit’s design is so realistic, I can almost smell the scent of leather from the screen. Titan manages to mix the brooding, punk quality that are most often associated with modern vampires — think “Blade” not “Twilight” — and still retain elegance in the mix. For $595L, it’s not a bad fee at all. http://slurl.com/secondlife/ GothiCatz/202/95/23 Delirium Style’s Chained Trash Skully Boots blend just nicely with the clothes too. In the careful details — from the little chains adorning the footwear to the boot shape patterned to that of a fawn’s hind leg — it’s quite obvious that much love has been put into the work. It’s reasonably priced too at only $150L. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Delirium%20
Style/106/55/23 To enhance that mysterious quality, a mask always helps. Illusions is, without a doubt, one of the best mask makers in Second Life. Their Gemini Mask is menu driven and can be customized in 12 different colors with the option of being a half mask (left or right) or whole mask. You also have the choice to hide or show mask lips. Check out Illusions and look through their huge mask collection before grabbing the Gemini Mask for only $175L. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Carnivale/141/60/46 Discord Designs’ Stampede also serves to heighten that wild, deviant badass look. The hair’s long spiky middle and cornrow sides helps to create a look that is confident yet gritty. Visit the store and grab Stampede for just $180L. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Moonsong/203/195/2 R’s Yarl eye tattoo boosts the danger level up too. The tribal nature of it adds that ancient character for the modern warrior. Though the design is not terribly intricate, the simplicity actually makes it project silent strength just waiting to be roused. It’s like the potential of a sleeping dragon. And for only $9L on the Second Life Marketplace, it’s quite a steal. https:// marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Face-TattooYarl/2364194 I have to say, however, that my favorite items from this ensemble are the wings and arm wraps from Lost Haven. The pair of mesh angel wings are available in black and white, and two styles — feathery and seraphim wings. The arm wraps are also available in black and beige but come in three different styles — normal, barbed, and spiked. The attention to detail for both items is completely mind-blowing. They are $500L and $400L respectively but well worth it. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ave%20 Maria/110/37/488