A
mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.
George
R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
Recently, an
old friend from my
Gorean days in Second Life (SL), Hina Tarly,
reached out to me and asked
if I had any interest in blogging about role playing inworld.
In
particular, Hina wanted to know if I’d blog about her current role play project
in SL, Casterly
Rock.
Having not
really gone too deep into role playing inworld yet and always interested in
delving into a new SL community, I agreed and scheduled an interview with Hina
and her fellow role players.
Casterly
Rock is a medieval role playing community in SL based on A Game of
Thrones books written by George R. R. Martin
and the HBO series
of the same name. The sim is based three
hundred years before the time period in the books so there is plenty of room
for creative license in the role play.
So, donning
my old scribe’s costume from my Gor days (Significant Other says I look like an
overstuffed chair in it. I prefer to
describe the look as authentic.) I head off to meet the role playing community
of Casterly Rock.
I rezz into Casterly
arriving at the docks where I’m greeted by Hina, whose title is
Hand of the
Queen. (Which begs the question, which hand?)
I must admit
to having been a little overwhelmed by my reception.
Not only was
Hina there to welcome me but upwards of a dozen other residents as well!
(As you can
tell, I don’t normally get the full welcoming committee. Significant Other suggests it may have just
been idle curiosity about my costume.)
Space
precludes me from listing everyone who was there.
However,
several notables such as Her
Grace Queen Morgane and Commander
Adele, Commander of the City Watch came
out to greet me.
(Significant
Other feels the Top Cop for Casterly being there was a cautionary move on their
part.)
Assorted
princesses and ladies also crowd around.
The
greetings are effusive and genuine.
The clothing
worn by everyone is more elaborate and better tailored than any I’ve seen
before inworld.
Interestingly,
with one exception all my greeters are women.
Queen
Morgane suggests we all retire to a nearby tavern to sample the wine and
talk.
Never
needing a second invitation in such matters, I wander over with my newfound
friends and sit at an outside table to hear about Casterly Rock.
The ale and
wine flow and people begin to talk!
I ask Her
Grace why was A Game of Thrones
chosen as the sim’s theme and she replies that they’re all addicts of the books
and the TV series.
Hina tells
me that a number of the residents were role playing on a sim called Highgarden
when the sim closed and Queen Moragne bought the Homestead sim, where Casterly
Rock is located, and they moved here to continue the game of Thrones Role play.
Her Grace
informs me that Casterly Rock is part of a three realm sim with Highgarden and Dorne being the other
two.
Hina adds that some came from
Gor where they were upset with how the environment had changed and wanted a roleplay
that was something they all loved.
Gor has been centered around
sex over the last couple of years according to Hina and this is why some of them
left as they are looking for quality role play.
There are no slaves here.
Casterly Rock has an excellent
group of experienced role players according to Hina and new role players have
wonderful people to learn from and they are encouraged to jump in with both
feet.
The group tells me that they
really try to encourage role play and that sex is not an I
mportant part of their
role play up to this time. If it does
take place, it would take place away from prying eyes in private houses and that
sort of thing.
Her Grace says that it is
possible they will have a brothel one day and she is hoping to host a weekly
bath night. Thus, no sex but possibly nudity which is why Casterly Rock has an
adult rating.
Queen Morgane continues that not
finding many sims in SL offering decent role play this became an opportunity live
the medieval fantasy.
Hina explains
that as some of them have role played for quite a while together before it gave
them an excellent base to start a new sim on.
She says they have been blessed by the Old Gods that many fine people
have found their way to Casterly Rock.
I ask about their rules for role
play in Casterly Rock.
Hina chuckles saying they don't
have a long list of written rules, respect for each other’s characters, role
play that represents A Game of Thrones,
and NO DRAMA. (Hina’s emphasis not mine!)
During my visit, I notice that
emphasis is placed on being in character (IC) versus out of character (OOC)
with the former preferred.
(I probably didn’t do as well
here as would have been liked. I promise
to do better next time!)
I ask whether role play is scripted
or is it spontaneous. Hina responds that
it is the latter.
Hina explains further that a
role play may start but whoever initiates the story will never know quite where
it will go and usually it is not the direction intended.
(Sounds a lot like Real Life (RL)
doesn’t it?)
Game flow is a combination of many
individual stories tying into one story arc and everyone for themselves.
(Yep, definitely like
RL!)
Hina adds that for herself it
is the joy of being with these people she has become close to and never knowing
what each day may bring that makes her happy.
I next ask about combat and am
told that combat is done with a meter.
Role play must lead to all
combat and there is no attacking without sufficient role playing reason to do
so.
The evening draws on and I
wish to be mindful of everyone’s time and still get to take a quick tour of
Casterly Rock but I have one unanswered question.
Why so few men?
There is no one definite
answer.
Some admit they don’t know,
others say men prefer to role play fighting as opposed to community role
playing, some that men don’t like being commanded by women, and Hina adds that some
of the women are decent with weapons.
(I’m learning to stay on the
good side of Hina!)
All are welcome and especially
men!
(Remember guys, it’s about
role play not sex! I’m probably going to lose one of my three loyal readers with
that last comment.)
We step away from the table
and my tour begins.
Hina leads and we are
accompanied by a small group.
(I don’t anyone could ever get
lonely in Casterly Rock!)
We stroll by the docks where I
see the ship commandeered by Her Grace’s privateer.
A warehouse stands ready to
receive merchandise.
(I tactfully avoided asking
about the provenance of such merchandise.
Even Significant Other admits I only look stupid.)
We then turn into the town of
Lannisport which is dominated by a castle sitting high
on a promontory looking
down on all below.
(Where do you think they got
the Casterly Rock from? There will be
story of this impressive build in my Great
Castles series at a future date.)
The town is comprised of
shops, residences, and government offices.
The attention to detail in their correction is impressive.
Unlike some SL sims claiming
to have shops but in reality are nothing more than empty storefronts with signs
outfront, these shops are full of merchandise supplied by their shopkeepers.
The greengrocers has to be
seen to be believed and the dressmaker has beautiful dresses and fabrics on
display.
(I’m told she is equally
talented with men’s fashions.)
Oh, and BTW, if you’re
thinking of visiting and acting out, think again.
There is a
jail and the Commander of the City Watch is a no nonsense, law and order
type.
Beyond the
town are forests and there has been mention of bear so be careful if you
venture that far in your visit!
Hina has
been the chief architect and artist builder in Casterly Rock and her skills are
of the highest order!
Unfortunately,
I must take my leave of Casterly Rock at this time.
RL calls!
(In other words,
I have to get some sleep as I’m sure some of my hosts must do as well.)
This will be
first of several stories about Casterly Rock.
I plan to
visit among the nobles and small folk who comprise its residents.
Jousts,
archery, bear hunts, and social functions seem to be but a small part of their
social calendar.
But, more to
the point, this is group of people who are genuinely happy with one another and
enjoy their role play together.
This is a
very successful example of the type of community building in SL which makes it
such a special place.
Casterly
Rock is a friendly and welcoming community.
Their role
play is highly evolved and interactive.
The large
number of experienced role players from other sims definitely helps here.
Casterly
Rock seeks new members especially men.
Four legged
creatures are welcome as well!
I strongly
encourage all to visit and if you’re interested to join.
Casterly
Rock can be found here.
The group is
called Hear Me Roar.
If you do
visit please be respectful of their role play and dress in medieval type
clothing.
Oh, one more
thing…
I was so
impressed that I joined too!
Apparently,
they didn’t have too many guys who wanted to be scribes!
Plus, I just
learned that I get paid too!
I’d like to
thank Hina for arranging my visit and taking the time from her busy inworld
schedule to meet with me.
I’d also
like to thank Her Grace Queen Morgane and Her Court for coming to welcome me,
taking the time to meet with me anwswering my questions, and welcoming me into
the family!
More to come
about Casterly Rock!
Additional
pictures from my visit can be found on this flickr page.
As always, I’m grateful to all
inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was
passing through their lives
I can be found on Google+ as
webspelunker Ghostraven.
On Skype I’m webspelunker
Ghostraven.
I welcome feedback from
readers, please either comment on my blog or
e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com
.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
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