Platonic Friends Creative Guild

My World Tour, Pt. III - China

2010-05-19T05:22:00.001-07:00

Welcome to China! I'm not quite sure what year we landed in, my fingers got sore from all the time turning. However, the Great Wall still looks great. The wall is historically reported to be 10.000 Li in length, which might mean almost 6000 Kilometers, but more likely it means that it is just a damn long wall.

Originally the Great Wall was build to shield the country from babarous hordes from the north...

...nowadays the wall is regularly being stormed by barbarous tourists from the west, they are armed mostly with cameras and mobile phones.

Here I think Becca is reaching for her mobile in her back pocket.

Climbing the Wall can be very exhausting. I totally need a break.

It is said that first building endevours started about 2500 years ago. Like with so many historical buildings the work on it never really stopped, as soon as it was done, preservation started and today parts of the Wall are being restaurated. Though in some areas, civilians use the stones of the Wall to build their private homes!

When enemies were in sight a fire signal was lit on top of these guard post to warn the other towers.

A lot of parts of the Wall are interrupted by natural barriers like rivers and mountains. Here we have an awesome view on large ships in a harbour.

Now we meet with one of the most important people in all China.

Of course we pay him our respects and stay for a chat.

As we move on we find a house on a lake.

And a stranded fishing boat.

Finally we came to a place that looked a bit more inhabited.

And accidentally sneaked into a casern. We got lucky, there was no one around. So we tried our luck with the bows and arrows and then ran off.

You can tell my feet are aching after walking the 10.000 (neverending) Li.

So we enter the city and check out the movie theater... or was it a school?

Afterwards we had a cup of tea...

...but didn't account for the bill. Not so lucky we got ordered to work it off, with a cab...

...all around the plaza, baby...

...around and around.

It will be a while until I return to this place, at least until my feet have returned to their normal size. Still, this is one amazing place to visit.

When we were leaving the country we discover this strange place...or was I just dreaming? China in Ink!

So long!

Lysis

My World Tour, Pt. II - Ancient Egypt

2010-05-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

Egypt (watch out the sim is now high RP area, you have to dress ancient or you'll be banned)

As I said before, we went up the Nile and landed in Egypt! In case you wonder, where Rebecca went again... I didn't see her after we came out of the pyramid.

So I started wandering around on my own.

This Sphinx looks kinda different from what I've seen in books. Maybe it is because we did a time travel this time. Honest, why look at ruins if you can see the real thing? :P

In the Temple the catlike goddess Bastet is being worshipped.

Here in anthropomorphic form.

In the temple names of great ekings and queens have been carved into stone. Is that a white rabbit over there?

The buildings are still in very good shape! And those have been old already 2000 years ago.

Another temple, where Anubis is the guardian. The Horus eye means protection.

He really is that tall!

Idyllic view across the Nile.

At the foot of the Obelisk I find the Horus eye again and a scarab "Cheper" which symbolises a new beginning.

I truely wish I had brought my glasses...or a ladder.

Later on I climed the Pyramid... and while I was looking across Ancient Egypt some faded memory was nagging in the back of my head. What was it I forgot?

Oh yes! I let Rebecca out of the tomb and she was so grateful she forgot to beat me up. However, if you go to Egypt and find the golden tip of the pyramid is missing... well, I'm a wizard and I have a really big suitcase!

So long!

Lysis

My World Tour, Pt. I - Africa

2010-05-16T04:04:00.000-07:00

Since I "dropped out" of school, I've been wandering about SL a lot with my suitcase and my camera and my funny hat. The journey isn't over yet, but I will start to share some impressions with you.

First stop: Africa

Africa from Bird's .... or rather Balloon's Perspective.

Finding a spot to land.

Not that easy with all these trees and giraffes...

Oh, look a Slyther....... a snake! *screams like a girl and runs off*

The biological diversity in Africa is amazing. Look at those elephants, ducks, lions, goats with big horns, crocs?...oh my, where did Rebecca go?!

After I find Rebecca I do something really stupid. I go for a ride in an old tire to look at the hippos...and forgot my umbrella. ALWAYS, I say ALWAYS bring an umbrella when you're about to piss off a hippo!

But oh well, I think I can top the hippo incident. Crocs really like floating tires with humans in them. Just as much as we like creme filled donuts.

Thank God I got away. Did I? Or am I looking into his eyes right now?

Whatever, I rather play some music.

Then we hang out for a while....

....play some more music...

And finally it is time to leave.

We stop at a tourist oasis for a lemo...

...and enjoy the sight, before our ship goes down the Nile and that's where we will start off next time.

Oh, and since some of you misunderstood the death of my character in HU and thought I REALLY died, I sent a postcard:

Greetings!

Lysis

Templum ex Obscurum

2009-09-16T03:51:00.000-07:00

A wonderful mysterious world (click the pictures to enlarge them):

As soon as you enter this sim you're standing at the entrance of a mysterious old temple,

which was built in the inner of a mountain. Old, forgotten relicts surrounded by water

and some poseballs are waiting for you. Lay down into the water and just...forget.

Drown in surreal blue light - the heart of the temple.

Discover the stunning setting out of light, water and plants.
(Hint: set the envoirment to midnight).

And don't forget to take a look at the outside of the cave - its totally worth a look!

Also here, amazing light settings can be found. Sometimes it was hard for me to walk further - I had the desire just to stay and watch the lights and the waves.

Up on the top of the hill you'll find the last, almost romantic scenario. I tried to capture the beauty of this place at a few pictures but they are nothing when you visited this little spot on your own.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Templum%20ex%20Obscurum/136/150/21

RL Lookalikes?

2009-08-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

It definetly is the hair...

Forbidden forest ride-out

2009-08-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

A few pics of my ride-out in the forbidden forest.

I found a muggle car! Or did it find me? =[

Don't got there!

And so...

2009-08-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

...I found my way to the bloggs.

I am Doran, one year and 3 month old, if SL would count. Artist, chaot, listener, dreamer and sometimes completly lost. Most of my time I am spending at the sims of Hogwarts United, or at 'home' in Greece. But from time to time the desire to explore wakes up in me and I start to travel around the world of Secondlife, always searching the most inspiring, mysterious and fantastic places which let you forget RL for some time. This time I will pack my travelbag again, ready to tell you about the places which let me stare at my screen in awe, no matter if its another galaxy, ancient places, tropical beaches or a lost world underwater.

Soon you will recieve the first 'Postcard from Doran'.

See ya

D.

HU - An Opinion

2009-08-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Diogenes Kuhr for this amazing account of her first days in HU. It is very informative and still great fun to read!

http://ephemeralfrontier.blogspot.com/2009/08/hogwarts-united-well-organized.html

Lysis

Here lies a great man

2009-08-17T18:31:00.001-07:00

Dumbledore's Tomb. Finally we found it. He lies at the edge of the Forbidden Forest looking up at the Castle forever, just like that.

He was a great man and wizards from all over the world travel far distances to pay him their respects. RIP Albus!

Lysis

The place I work at...

2009-08-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, so today I'll show you what I do most of the time: Hogwarts United, a Harry Potter inspired Sim/s and if you look at this nice snapshot of the castle you'll have to admit - isn't it lovely?

The castle belongs to the Roleplay Sims of Hogwarts United, owned by Stormcloud Criss and Lily Lewellen. It is the centerpiece a bundle of sims all associated with "HU". I will talk about the other sims in a different post.

Facts about the Castle

It was build by Jessica Kanahoe, Harry Prefect and Rebecca Asano in 2008 and since then has been edited by Stormcloud Criss, myself and other members to fit the requirements of the roleplay. A few parts of the building, for example the great hall is the original build from the former RPG Hogwarts Reborn.

It is mighty huge, I mean you must imagine, when you look at this picture you are looking at a whole sim.

The eastwing (on the right) is the place were all the administrative areas are, there is the Headmaster's and Deputy Headmistress' offices, teachers lounge, PWBN Radio Station, Prefect's and Teacher's Lounges, Hospital Wing, Counselors office, Library, entrance to the Greenhouse Area, Astronomy Tower as well as the Ravenclaw's and Slytherin's Common Rooms in the East Wing. In addition to that there are about 25 classrooms and Professor's Offices, the Moving Staircase Room and the Ballroom in this building.

The westwing (here in the center of the pic) has about 30 classrooms and offices, a courtyard, the student's gamesroom and Gryffindor Common room.

The Great Hall is a seperate building (on the left) with scripted housetables, pointsglasses and administration informations. Underneath the Great Hall are the kitchen and the Hufflepuff Commons.

The exact number of students attending Hogwarts changes everyday, so I can not give you an exact number. At the moment the Roleplay Group has around 530 members, most of those (around 400) are students. Gryffindor, Slytherin and Ravenclaw all have about 120 members each, Hufflepuff "a bit" behind that with about 60.

At the moment we have about 40 staffmembers, most of them Professors, but also Nurses, Librarians, Groundkeepers, Caretakers and a couple of ghosts.

The current schedule for this term includes more or less 30 classes, attended by an avarage number of 20 students. The best time for roleplay is between 8am and 8pm PDT (SL time), the most vivid time is about 12pm-3pm, high peek of an avarage of 30 roleplayers on the Castle Sim (not counted members on the other HU sims).

About the RP

To join the roleplay you have to apply at the New Admissions Department located at the Train Station in Lil Hogsmead or at Dumbledore Circle in the mugglish Londonish on Sunset Harbor. The requirements are high standard, you need an approved Character Sheet, an interview with a New Member Assistant and attendance of the Orientation Class before you can join. Sounds tiring, but it is worth it! If you are a serious roleplayer and fond of Hogwarts that is.

If you are approved as a student you can enter the castle as soon as you got your uniform. Because uniforms are required in the castle during term, unless you are in certain areas like your common room or the hospital.

With adult characters it is different. You can be approved as an adult for the roleply, yet you may not enter the castle. That is only for school staff members and those who got an invitation from the Headmaster or Deputy Headmistress. If you want a job in the castle you have to apply with the Headmaster. Being approved as an adult character does not make you a teacher rightaway. You can also apply with the Ministry of Magic as an adult. New adult members can find application forms and mailboxes in the public owlery in Lil Hogsmead's city center, only about 50m from the station.

Houses and appartments can be rented in Lil Hogsmead, Londonish and Godric's Hollow. The latter two are still partially under construction but should be available soon.

Shop renters can get a spot in Lil Hogsmead, Wizard Alley and Londonish.

So far for this post, I'll tell you about the other sims and more details about the RP soon.

See you :)

Lysis

If only Real Life and Second Life were exchangable... I'd know exactly what to do!

2009-08-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

For 3 years now I am a resident of Second Life.

I was and am an explorer, a creator, an artist, a businessman and entertainer, a roleplayer, a husband, brother, a wife and sister, a father and a friend. I have met with people from all over the real world - in world. I have learned many stories, I have seen amazing things and there is nothing in the second world I have not done yet... or wouldn't do!

You will need the fingers of both hands to count my appearances, and probably a month to look supervifially into all the projects I am involved in.

And this is probably the reason why it took me 3 years to get this blog started.

This blog goes under the name of the Platonic Friends Creative Guild, which is the creative arm (obviously) of The Circle of Platonic Friends, a group I founded when I started out in Second Life and which already has a very long and colourful history.

In this blog I will report different events and happenings in Second Life, I will tell about what my friends and I are doing and about the projects we run. And I might even find some time to reflect on how living inworld has changed over the past 3 years.

You can sort this blog into Second Life Misc, because I really don't have any system for how to talk about whatever seems to be interesting for those who live inworld. You may expect chaos yay!

So long!

Lysis