Are You Going to Silk Road Hunt VIII in Second Life?

Writing for children is as easy as describing the history of the Byzantium in three words.

Mo Willems

Another year has flown by!

Yes, my misadventures in Real Life (RL) have contributed to this.  (Significant Other nods for emphasis here.)  But, I didn’t really appreciate this until my old and good friend in Second Life (SL), Perryn Peterson, dropped me a line reminding that it was time for Silk Road VIII inworld!   

True to form, Perryn and his Merry Band in Mieville have come up with another

marvelous theme well suited for SL.

This year’s theme is Byzantium!

Yes, the ancient and long-lived successor to Rome is next in Perryn’s homages to long, lost empires and forgotten treasures! 

Past Hunts have had Xanadu, the Roman Empire, and Ali Baba as their themes. 

(I suspect that when Perryn runs out of known ancient empires for his themes, he’s going to start looking for some lost even to the history books.)

In a way, Mieville reminds me of Byzantium.  A corner of creativity, commerce, and orderly life surrounded by the chaos of an encroaching anarchy.  (Significant Other’s eyes roll at the analogy.  But, hey, have you wandered around SL lately?)

As usual, Mountain Rose is a major contributor and participant in the Silk Road Hunt.  Its Imperial, Byzantine palace alone is worth making the journey inworld to see.  The

grandeur and attention to detail here remind me of earlier, long lost builds in SL.  The sim is a major stop along the Hunt’s way!

Mountain Rose can be located here. 

Dozens of other merchants are participating this year and there gifts for intrepid hunters can be found here.  Look for their mini-hunts as well! 

Silk Road Hunt VII runs from June 1^st to 30^th.

            Inworld, the Silk Road Hunt begins as it did in previous years at the Asian Victorian Garden in Mieville.   (Before going into the pavilion and starting the Hunt, take some time to stroll the beautiful gardens created by Mike Olbracht, Mieville’s floral wunderkind.  His garden layouts have to be seen to be believed!)

            Perryn’s purpose with hunts like the Silk Road Hunt is to showcase the merchants of SL and their wares, to help residents (hunters) meet merchants, and to get out onto the Grid

and have fun!               

            Hunter information is available here. 

            I heartily recommend all dropping by and having some fun!

            Who knows?

            You might set the record for completing the Hunt!  (Or, ever run into me!)

            I’d like to thank Perryn for his time and assistance in helping me to prepare this story, not to mention, his choreographing another spectacular event inworld! 

            Additional pictures of the Hunt 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!

Back on the Silk Road in Second Life

 

We had the kind of conversations that only great friends can ever share. They were touched with magic.

Tahir Shah

 

 

          Time has crept up on me for it’s time again for one of the great annual events in Second Life (SL)!

          And, that would be Silk Road Hunt VI: The Roman Empire! 

          Once again, this is being brought to us by Perryn Peterson, the Mayor Mieville, and his merry band! 

          As the title implies, this year’s theme is the Roman Empire.  (Significant Other says that I’ve always been quick on the uptake!)    

          Many forget that while the Real Life (RL) Silk Road in ancient times started in China and went through to the Middle East that its ultimate destination was Rome, capital of the Roman Empire. 

          Given how the theme of last year’s Silk Road Hunt had been “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” Ancient Rome seems to be a fitting follow on for this year. 

          As usual, the Hunt has dozens of merchants on hand with fabulous gifts based on the Hunt’s theme for the bold and daring hunters who pursue these across the Grid.

          A list of the participating merchants can be found here and the gifts can be viewed here.

          As they did last year, the merchant Mountain Rose will have their own mini-hunt

which starts here. 

          However, (There’s always a catch isn’t there?) you have to find the entrance to the mini-hunt because it’s hidden!

          No, I can’t tell you where it is because that wouldn’t be fair and besides if I can find it anyone can! (Significant Other, while disagreeing in what is regarded as anti-social behavior on my part, does agree with me that if I can do it then anything past a vegetative state should be able to as well.)

          But, I’ll say this much, looking for the Mountain Rose mini-hunt is well worth the trouble especially for those who want a glimpse of Cleopatra’s world at the time of the Roman Empire. 

          (The floor mosaics alone are worth the trip!  Just watch out for the crocodile please.) 

          Inworld, the Silk Road Hunt begins as it did last year at the Asian Victorian Garden in Mieville.   (Before going into the pavilion and starting the Hunt, take some time to stroll the beautiful gardens created by Mike Olbracht, Mieville’s floral wunderkind.  His garden layouts have to be seen to be believed!)

          Perryn’s purpose with hunts like the Silk Road Hunt is to showcase the merchants of SL and their wares, to help residents (hunters) meet merchants, and to get out onto the Grid and have fun! 

          Silk Road Hunt VI: The Roman Empire runs from June 1^st to 30^th and the start can be found here. 

          Hunter information is available here. 

          I heartily recommend all dropping by and having some fun!

          Who knows?

         

You might set the record for completing the Hunt!

          I’d like to thank Perryn for his time and assistance in helping me to prepare this story, not to mention, his choreographing another spectacular event inworld!

          Additional pictures of the Hunt 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!

Along the Silk Road in Second Life

A loss that can be repaired by money is not of such very great importance.

The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

 

          Recently, my good friend in Second Life (SL), Perryn Peterson, reached out to me and invited me over to see the preparations for Silk Road Hunt 5 which kicks off on June 1^st. 

          Being once again taken unawares by the passage of time (Significant Other claims that I’m getting old.), I quickly accepted his invitation and scheduled a meeting.  As an additional lure, Perry promised me a sneak peek at his Halloween project.  (Yes, I know that Halloween is several months away and it’s still spring!)

          The Silk Road Hunt is inspired by the legendary Real Life (RL) trade route between China and the West in times long past. Given how SL is a collection of cultures and peoples from all times and place, both real and imagined, the Silk Road Hunt is an imaginative way to set people exploring across the Grid in search of all these.  The participation of over one hundred merchants harkens back to the original mercantile roots. 

          Inworld, the Silk Road Hunt begins at the Asian Victorian Garden in Mieville.   (Before going into the pavilion and starting the Hunt, take some time to stroll the beautiful gardens created by Mike Olbracht, Mieville’s floral wunderkind.  He has outdone himself this time!)

          Once inside the pavilion, hunters can begin their tales of adventure and attempt to acquire as much loot (gifts) as they can from the participating merchants. 

          This year’s theme for the Hunt is “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”  Which I happen to think is a very fitting one! (Just a small hint, make sure you read this story again before you start the Hunt.  That’s all I’m saying.) 

          In addition to the main hunt, various merchants are having mini-hunts.  While visiting with Perryn, he shows me around the one being arranged by the merchants of Mountain Rose.  The gifts are phenomenal!  Let’s just say that anyone who succeeds here will be able to set up their own small village and clothe everyone.

          The Mountain Rose mini-hunt starting point can be found here.  Tell ‘em web sent you!

          Perryn has been quite busy since we last met to discuss his Lord of the Rings event.  As I mentioned earlier, he’s also planning ahead for Halloween.  I got a chance to see the Pumpkin Patch and where the Witches’ Woods will be.  Perryn promises the creepiest, crawliest, well, you get the picture.  Watch my blog for more details on this upcoming event!

          A little closer, time wise, the sixth anniversary of the establishment of Mieville will be celebrated in July.  Perryn’s already working on those events which will include a charity yard sale.  I plan on several stories around this including one where my Research Assistant, Tera Trenchcoat, and I go exploring by boat around the twelve sims of Mieville.  (Don’t worry, Tera’s an established sailor and can read a compass which is more than can be said for me.  Significant Other wishes her luck.  I’m not sure why.)

          So, remember!  Silk Road Hunt 5 starts on June 1^st and runs through June 30^th.  Start early and try to go all the way through!  Maybe you’ll run into me!  (Please don’t use that as an excuse to stay away or Perryn will never ask me back.)

          But, most importantly, have fun and appreciate the diverse worlds of SL and all the hard of those who make it all possible for the rest of us!

          I’d like to thank Perryn for taking the time to meet with me and giving me the tour.  Perryn’s a wonderful person who represents all that is right with SL and the communities that make it up.  (And, no, I’m not biased because he laughs at my jokes.)

          Below, I’ve included links to a few pictures of my host, Hunt sites, and a few of the gift.  These are only meant to whet your appetite, go and see for yourselves!  I promise that you won’t be disappointed.

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 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.

 

Photo No. 1 Perryn Peterson

Photo No. 2 Entrance to Starting Point

Photo No. 3 Silk Road Hunt 5 Poster

Photo No. 4 The Starting Point

Photo No. 5 Mountain Rose Mini-Hunt Starting Point

Photo No. 6 Aladdin’s Lamp!

Photo No. 7 Mountain Rose Mini-Hunt Arrival Area

Photo No. 8 Mountain Rose Gift I

Photo No. 9 Mountain Rose Gift II

Photo No. 10 Mountain Rose Gift III