Siren's Song...

The island was right to be called the Siren's Grotto, for it's song was so sweet as to tempt a pilgrim such as myself to stay.

The island was host to a myriad of people, each seeking the delights of this lovers paradise.

As I explored the idyllic landscape, as I wandered I realised that this was a private place for lovers. So it occurred to me to add another rule to what would become 'The Rules of SecondQuest'

Rule 5-Always ask permission to mention people in your journal.

I found much of the island to my liking, ID designs had created a perfect environment for me.





Winter had come to the centre of the island, like Alderia before it and the centre of the island, adorned with shops was covered in white snow.

From elsewhere on the island I had learned that the leader of this community was a person named 'Nymphetamine'. The name hung above the door of a Gothic mansion. Seeking the boon of this Nymphetamine to continue my journey, and earn my keep in this society (For I was quite taken with the place).

Inside the mansion, many dresses were for sale, for Ladies who had an eye for the Gothic. Also inside were many creatures of the night, who, despite their fragile existence did not seem to be wearing much. After trying to pluck up the courage to speak to them I left the seductive-looking nosferatu ladies to their shopping.

Breathing the crisp air outside I caught my breath and saw the Harley Davidson shop I had also seen advertised upon the island at the top of a nearby hill. I climbed the steps and looking inside, perhaps with a view to purchasing a vehicle for my journey. The choppers were expensive, but inside I met another traveller, named



Nataru Yoshiyuku

I exclaimed my admiration for the choppers, but Yoshiyuku-san merely shrugged.

"Heh," he said, "My bike is better."

He ran out of the store, keen to back up his claim. He drove up on this:



The bike was powerful, capable of stunts, flight and when I tried to ride it, it told me I was not cool enough to ride it. Yoshiyuku-san said he bought it at the Need4speed. I resolved to go there sometime.

Yoshiyuku-san was generous to me, giving me new clothes so that I would fit in more. I certainly looked more Gothic (but in the new sense of the word, I certainly wouldn't be an incubus among the succubi of Nymphetamine's mansion). Not all of the gifts were for me, Yoshiyuku-san gave me some for Profaniti as well, which was very kind.

I looked around the island more, and eventually found Nymphetamine's abode, a flying castle above the island, but no one was home sadly.

Despondent I walked the shore, but my depression was eased by the sight of a suitable place upon which to ponder my journey.



The place was dedicated to Neptune, a fitting King for the Siren's. Crossing the bride I climbed to the summit and meditated. I reckommend you all do the same and who knows what secrets might be revealed to you?

Spotting a boat, moored in the harbour, I knew my way was clear to visit my next destination on my quest. But I hesitated, the island was beautiful, and in my new clothes perhaps I could fit in here. There were certainly friendly, like minded people who came to the Grotto. I could fall in love here, as romance clinged to every rock and tree like the blanketing snow. Have I found my place so early in my quest?

But my quest called, I was married to the road, the sea and the horizon. There was so much more out there to see.

I payed my respects to Neptune to grant me safe passage upon the seas and left the Siren's Grotto for the horizon.

I've slept too long...

I awoke to find that I had slept in a chair for so long, autumn had turned to winter.




I began to explore more of Bronzetown. Being a Pilgrim I wanted to meet people and aid them. I examined some of the buildings, then I found a bar. I looked around but the place was empty. Sitting at the bar I waited for a drink. Looking around there were many images of muscular men on the walls. It seems I had stumbled into a Gaybar.

I heard a noise that was troubling, like a crackling coming from outside. I ran outside to find a fire atop a high building!



I rushed around trying to find a way in, even resorting to jumping on a floating broomstick nearby. But to no avail. I looked closer and could see no one inside, and the fire seemed to die out. I left the area and entered the shopping district of Alderia.



It sure is a Winter Wonderland.



The D&D Lab2 at the end of the street seemed very interesting. But again I found no one to serve me. There was free things on offer so I took my share and left the rest.

I then entered the insanity mall (see two pictures above, the building on the left). It is a strange place, home to many pursuits. I was not interested in the more coarse elements of it, but there was some intreging artwork...



(artwork remains the property of the owner and no copyright attempt is made by this image)

But also tattoo designs and other things for the alternative consumer.

Then, between the two buildings I found my first obstacle.



Here I tried to swim across the sea. But the Gods would not allow it, fearing for my safety. It was then I realised there must be some rules for this quest if I was ever going to succeed.

Here are some of them:
1. Walk wherever possible, only fly or teleport when there is no other option to travel on.
2. Be couteous in all that you do.
3. Document the journey, to share experiences, not to threaten property.
4. Travel only on the open landscapes, as I am unable to travel on private ones (perhaps if there is a sequel to ths quest this can be amended).

I arrived, coughing a spluttering upon an island paradise...



This was the Siren's Grotto.

It begins...

I climbed out of the water, dripping with the pixilated dropplets I looked back at the horizon...



I knew my Journey would begin from this point. I found myself in the Bronze City of Alderia, on the most southwestern point of Secondlife.



I looked about and saw a building covered in money, with many small pyramids of money lying on the floor. The building contained many boothes for recieving money for taking a survey, but I was not interested in money.

Suddenly a beeping and squeaking noise flew over my shoulder and I met my first companion on my journey:



I call him 'Squeak' and he followed me around the courtyard for a while before I sat down, weary from the sea journey and contemplated my new journey.

A jounrey across Secondlife.

It's a dangerous thing, stepping out your door...

You step into a road and if you don't keep your feet there is no telling where you might be swept off to. Bilbo Baggins.

Emaho!

If we haven't met yet, my name is Ramalam Ra. I now live a Secondlife. I own no money and no land. But I own something far more valuable. A sense of adventure. It is my quest to journey on land across Secondlife, meet and help people and get in adventures (you know, like Cain in Kung Fu). I hope we meet somewhere along the way.

I am seeking a mountain. I call it Escape, but one could easily call it 'Contentment' or 'The Promised Land'. In this sense my Secondlife is exactly the same as my real life. But with less chance of enlightenment.

Why am I making such a journey? Like I said, the sense of adventure and to meet people, help them, make friends and give them a postcard or something. I don't know if such a thing as been done before, if it has, awesome, but I've got to do it.

Why keep a blog?
To document the journey and so I can look back at my adventures. I can also show you some exciting places that people have made in Secondlife and cool people. But also I hope that if you read this we can meet and journey together, at least so long as our paths co-incide.

So when I next post I will have begun my journey.

Be seeing you.

Ram Ra