Among the Steampunks - STEAM XII in Second Life?

Steampunk is...the love child of Hot Topic and a BBC costume drama.

Gail Carriger   

This is a strange time of the year in Real Life (RL).

(I’ll ignore Significant Other’s query about when isn’t it a strange time for me.  Some of us just look for life’s potentials.)

Lent has started for those who observe which means hangovers from Mardi Gras revelries for some.   

Presidents’ Day is past in the US. 

Saint Patrick’s Day beckons from afar.

And, most importantly, slightly further out, spring entices us with her warm imagery.  (As I write this, a horrible cold that I have makes the prospect of waiting for winter seem unbearable.)

Meanwhile, back in Second Life (SL), an old tradition begins anew! 

And, of course, I’m talking about the annual Mieville steampunk hunt, STEAM XII!

For those to whom this may be a new phenomenon in SL, STEAM XII is the twelfth (Hence the “XIi” for those who flunked Roman numerals in second grade arithmetic.) celebration of all that this is steampunk inworld. 

STEAM XII is, as always, hosted by the Mayor of Mieville and impresario extraordinaire, Perryn Peterson. 

The Hunt is a Grid wide event with dozens of merchants, all personally and carefully selected by Perryn himself, offering as gifts to intrepid hunters the very best of their wares.  Several merchants run their own mini-Hunts which adds to the fun.  Two hundred and five spots have been reserved for merchants this year so expect lots of great gifts!

Hunters look for clues and try to find the gifts which are free.  Some hunters gather into hunt parties and go out together.

Let’s take a closer look at STEAM XII.

STEAM is an acronym which stands for “Steampunk Travelers’ Event, Adventure & Megahunt.”  (Rather to the point if I do say so myself!)  STEAM was once a semi-annual event but the effort behind an event of this scale as well as all the other social activities on Mieville’s calendar have necessitated going to an annual schedule.

The theme for this year’s Hunt is Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon and this is the idea behind all the Hunt’s gifts.  (In case anyone is still unaware, I’m a big Jules Verne fan!)

This year’s poster has been done by a new artist, the talented Miss Unalunaqat. 

The Hunt begins at Laughing Gryphon House in the Mieville Victorian Doyle sim. 

From here, hunters launch out across the Grid in pursuit of their treasures.  There are over eighty-five stops to visit in this year’s Hunt.

This year’s contingent of merchants is varied with some back after a long time away, and others brand new, along with the regular, stalwart backbone of merchants. 

Brand new merchants are Johannes1977 Resident  of Mahlberg Tailors, and Loki Alphaville of Steamy Fox Labs.

Back after a long hiatus are Oriolus Oliva of The Golden Oriole, and Sidney Arctor of Arctor Shipyards. 

The gear (pictured) marks participating merchants and also contains their hint to help

find their gift.

Historical Hunts, Ltd., the sponsoring Mieville organization maintains a blog with Hunt details as well as pictures of gifts.  This blog is also a great resource for future Mieville activities.  Another helpful site can be found here.  Be sure to check them out!)

While you’re at it, why not join the Group?  A Historical Hunts, Ltd. group joiner is located at the first stop.  Just click it for instructions.  If you do not join the group, you will miss out on much information including updated notecards giving all of the locations and any current problems plus their solutions.

STEAM XII is a wonderful and fun filled community event in SL. 

It’s an opportunity to sample the wares of the creative merchants inworld and to meet and hang out with other residents. 

I strongly encourage all to participate and, if possible, to purchase some of the other merchandise offered by merchants in their shops.  After all, a strong SL economy is good for everyone. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Great Challenge of every Hunt!

Namely to complete the Hunt in its entirety, including mini-Hunts, in record time!

Who’s up for it?

See you at STEAM XII!

STEAM XII runs from March 1st to 31st so don’t miss out! 

And, don’t forget!  You’ll be voting for your FAVE FIVE merchants at the end of the hunt, so take notes!

I’d like to thank Perryn for his time and assistance in helping me prepare for this story.   Perryn is one of my oldest and closest friends inworld and I’m grateful for the time he takes from his busy schedule to help me.

I’d also like to thank The Companion for supplying the pictures used in this story.  More pictures from her visit to Doyle can be found here. 

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. 

My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

I can be found on Google+ as webspelunker Ghostraven.

My flickr Photostream is located here.

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.

            Open roads and kind fires!