Forgotten Lands - Laputa

The main street of the Sky City, abounding with merchants and cargos!

{Needless to say, I need to update this overview of Steampunk sites in SL, especially with the dramatic changes that are occuring at the begining of the new year, including the (eventual) emergence of Mieville, Belhaven, Edison (the new home of Radio Riel), and the (possible) demise of New Toulouse - which though not specifically "Steampunk", certainly had an era appropriate atmosphere, and was build by a very talented Caledon Alum, Miss C. Wind.

This review was the last of Laputa, prior to its derezzing. For whatever reasons, it never seemed to have caught on, inspite of what seemed to be a unique and impressive concept. Currently, Steelhead has devised something akin to Laputa, with an airship area, which differs a bit from this sim, but seems to hold potential for similar growth.}

A while ago (back in early April), I had the opportunity to visit Laputa, a new Steampunk sim that focused on the aero aspect of the genre (read skyships). The "Sky City" was impressive then, even though it was still in its nascent stages, so though I wrote a small piece on it, I did my best to wait until it was better developed, and then pay it another visit.



The Balloon tour (just to the right of the tp point in Laputa)

Mr. Crunch Underwood, the sim owner, has done quite an impressive job in putting the final touches on Laputa since my last visit. A Steampunk balloon that allows a visitor a brief narrative tour about the sim, more (and some new and novel) Steampunk merchants, and one unique aspect that frankly, I'm surprised it hasn't done before.



The Sky Docks in Laputa - most of the ships are out adventuring, I assume

Laputa has rental berths for skyships, to be used as domiciles for those who wish. It is located near the sim's library, and is quite easy to navigate. The prim limit seems a bit low for a residential skyship (about 117 prims per berth, I believe), but the berths have been disappearing quite rapidly, from what I've seen.



The 10 Bells Tavern, a growing Steampunk entertainment venue

The 10 Bells Tavern had its "Grand Opening" last Friday, the 27th of June. Unfortunately, I did miss it, but am confident that in the future I'll stop by and enjoy the entertainment.



The Main Library of Laputa (beware of little rodents...!)

The library appears to have been tweaked a bit, rendering it a bit more spacious, and small creatures have taken residence in its grounds (including a determined little rodent who tried to gnaw my lighted cane)!



Overhead shot of the Sky City

Mr. Underwood's planning and execution in developing Laputa has been exceptional and bodes well for its future. It would seem that the Sky City appears to be on the cusp of becoming one of the favored destinations in the SL Steampunk / Neo-Victorian lands.

Introduction to the Steampunk Travelogue

Hello! Welcome to the Steampunk Travelogue! Originally, I was simply going to make a small list of SL Stemapunk locations as a link in the Heliograph, but decided not to be so lazy and attempt something different. In addition to the SLurl link to a location, I have introduced a small photo of each destination, and will annotate each with a better description as time progresses.

My simple key to the locations are as such...
If the photograph is in color, then the sim is an active destination.
If the photograph is sepia-toned, then it has unfortunatly been de-rezzed.

That is it! Also, I will be re-posting older reviews from the Heliograph concerning Steampunk sims as time permits. If you happen to know of a location you would care to see on the Travelogue, please do send an email regarding it to rafael_fabre@yahoo.com ! Thank you!

Forgotten Lands - Solarya

Solarya – Conclave City on the Passion Trade Routes



At the main entrance of Solarya

{This is a reprint from the Heliograph - Solarya was a short-lived Steampunk sim which included amazing archecture and a different, more cultured/urban existance. Passing in late March of 2008, it will be sorely missed...}

A world that "mixes magic, technology, and re-imagined 19th century royal colonial sensibilities and technology (sic). The conclave is a loose alliance of Dream Lords and Ladies. Their cities’ prosperity depend on a steady supply of passion, from artists, builders, soldiers, slaves, and more." – from arrival notecard, Solarya.



Posing by the advert for a trip to Hong Kong

A change from the standard steampunk background (and I am always of the belief that change is [usually] good), I discovered Solarya via search ,and was impressed with its arrival point and layout. Instead of the standard steampunk genre, there are different aspects of fiction at work here (other technologies along with standard steampunk, slaves, and probably a number of other divergences that I’m unaware or do not know about). There appears to be a formal planned rp aspect to Solarya, something that may prove to be popular (and not expressly found in the other Victorian/Steampunk sims).



Side view of the main station - I love the juxtaposition of the lights and the ships in the iron, along with the open space (eventually to be filled with vendors, I assume)

Reminding me of a classical European train station (I have always had fond memories of visits the Atocha train station in Madrid), and with the vendor upon arrival, it seems to lend a further intriguing aspect and atmosphere (imho). I have only posted a couple of pictures about the sim, as the owner is currently in the midst of building when I arrived and didn’t wish to disturb him. I did learn that the Grand Opening is planned on the 15th of January – I shall enquire about further development. The detail used in developing Solarya bodes well if it is the standard the sim owner continues with.

The infamous first post...

Hello! This is the first post of the "Steampunk Travelogue", a quick overview of existing Steampunk sites in Second Life. For more detail on Steampunk in Second Life, please visit:
http://voyagesofdrfabre.blogspot.com/