Since Dot is busy in Devokan I'll add a post.

Sunday the Channelwood inspired area of Devokan opened. They have yet to complete it. But I guess 90% of it is done. This is their first from scratch build. They had to come up with their trees, walks, furniture, textures... everything. There are a couple of gotcha's here and there. I suspect those will get handled. However, the place is just nice. There is something calm and peaceful about this team's building style. I love the entire Devokan region.

I snapped some pictures while I was there. They are clickable.


If you just visit and do not change your environment settings this is what you see. Part of what is still in progress is deciding on a default environment setting for the area. That is still in progress according to Dot.


One can change their personal environment settings. Talking with Dot I got the idea that something along this line is what they are looking for... Set advanced water to Murky (a standard setting) and tweak up atmosphere to use Haze at 0.24 and Haze Density around 2 or 3. They are spending more time deciding on how they want it to look so the final result will probably look better than my quick tweak.


That is a little frog someone made. Just too cute to pass up taking her picture.


This is Dot and me talking about the Windlight settings, the team, the spiral stairs that were giving me a problem (but I can FLY! So not much of a problem) and just stuff.


I did not ask if these tree houses in Channelwood-like area are going to be for rent. But what a neat place it would be to live.

The Devokan-Channelwood Album on Photobucket
Older images of Devokan on KOINUP
Older images of Devokan on Flickr

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Nalates - GoC - 418 - MOULagain: Nal KI#00 083 543, Nalates 111451 - Second Life: Nalates Urriah
Guild of Cartographers

I visited here the other night. Oh, what a lovely area! There are even ambient noises all around you. Several of us sat in a seating area up in the trees soaking up the enviornment. Thanks Devokan team for giving us such a lovely wonder to come and enjoy.

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Moula:
DMom2K KI 74181
GameBoomer KI 83122

SL:
DMom2K Darwin

Citizen of the Metaverse and oh, yeah, The Dude abides....

Thank you for your kind words -- and to everyone for visiting. It's great to see people wandering through the trees, and chilling out in the upper branches. 'Inspired by Channelwood' will remain in place for the next few weeks. If you'd like to hold an event there, do feel free! It's there to be enjoyed -- alone, or in a group.

Please excuse the mess next door in Devokan. We're currently trying to stabilise the land masses and make sure the buildings are structurally sound. (OOC: We're doing a major redevelopment in the light of what we have learned over the past few months. After this, the main features should remain the same, but little details will change...)

Another new person has joined the village: we welcome Yabot, a long-standing Myst fan who sadly was unable to visit the Cavern when it was open. He has taken the room above the flour mill -- a little noisy and dusty, but can be made comfortable.

Quin is flitting in and out of the village, but seems to be spending most of his time in New Babbage at the moment. He reported overhearing a snatch of conversation between Dr Obolensky and another person -- the doctor is looking for parts for a large airship he is building. Quin sensibly kept his head down while this discussion was going on.

In the meantime, Paislee and Wendall continue to experience the joys and frustrations of building and scripting, while Nyn spends time dressmaking. Perhaps it's time I learnt a trade!

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Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

As Dot mentioned above, I have been mainly around and about in Port Babbage over the last few days, checking in to Devokan on occasion -- then linking out as quickly as possible when mountains suddenly appeared on the horizon.

When I linked in yesterday, it looked as though the major renovations and upheavals have mostly been completed. Paislee has been in charge of those, and has a keen eye for detail.

It is looking very, very good.

JimQ's, Lightkeeper's and Nynaveve's cottages have been moved to a new island on the south east, slightly higher than the old village in an attempt to prevent flooding and land subsidence. Paislee has decided to settle down in a cottage herself, with views over the neighbouring island. One cottage remains empty, ready for others to move into should they wish to join the community.

The village inn is in place, as are the stables with Ametist's horse. Close by is the chapel and the fish house.

My own house, I am pleased to say, will definitely not flood (which means I will have to remember to mop the kitchen floor again <sigh>). It has been placed high on the western cliffs above the mill pool. The sound of flowing water and the rumble of the water mill gears is oddly relaxing -- I have placed my favourite chair outside so it looks over the village below.

Wendall has built an aquaduct to feed water from the mill pond onto the mill water wheel. It works well.

I'll leave it to Dot to describe what she has been doing. Hopefully it will meet the concerns for security that developed earlier with the burning of her books, and Lightkeeper's reported unease.

Good news!

I've found a place where we can set up a guild HQ. It is a bit barren -- but then, so is Camp Bravo.

The light is odd. Ambient light seems to cycle through various shades, yet the sky is perpetually star-lit.

I would warn against drinking the water(?) -- but then, we're used to that with the problems we got with the Cavern lake water.

For the time being, I've asked Quinquifid not to link the area to the portal system. Security is still an issue. There is a way to get there (of course), but we don't want to make it too easy for intruders.

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Edit: I've just come across a photo blog entry that features views of the renovated Devokan. Quinquifid met the chap when he was sorting things out -- all quite by chance. It is rather lovely to see how the area looks through others' eyes. Here's the link: http://dorkacaminante.blogspot.com/2009/08/devokan.html

Shorah b'shemtee!

Besides looking after the portal system for the Devokan community, another role I have is acting as an estate manager. When one's family is rooted in such a remote island chain, one has a deep interest in its well being.

The tasks are not too onerous, leaving plenty of time for expeditions and experiments. However, a line in Nalates' report above of her explorations of the next door island reminded me of one duty I might have been remiss in explaining to others:

Nalates wrote:

I did not ask if these tree houses in Channelwood-like area are going to be for rent. But what a neat place it would be to live.

While the tree houses themselves might not be available, in the village itself there are several buildings. The community also welcomes those who make their home in airships, and those pining for their sky island Relto.

I have set out the details here. If you are interested, do get in touch.

Another group visit by The Meeting Place is being planned for this Sunday, 23 August, from 8 pm UK time.

Here's a suggested itinerary:

Start at Devokan village square (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Devokan/123/188/25) -- explore the renovated island in general; see the Inn, with Paislee's apartment; visit Quin's house, now relocated high on the cliffs, away from floods; see Dot's new home in the Keep (use the village elevator to get there without paddling).

Take to the seas in one of the little sailboats and sail across to Inspired by Channelwood (alternatively, use the Devokan portal system to link directly to Windmill Island -- http://slurl.com/secondlife/Discover%20Devokan/155/223/32 -- from the village square). Explore the walkways; climb (or take the lift) into the trees; rest awhile in one of the huts, soaking in the ambience.

Photographers: If your graphics card can cope, edit the graphics settings to be as high quality as possible (including draw distance) and tweak the Windlight settings as follows. Use menu item World > Environment Settings > Environment Editor; click Advanced Sky, then choose Sky Preset 'Foggy' from the drop-down menu at the top; click Advanced Water, and select Water Preset 'Murky'. It will be VERY laggy, but see what you can get away with. The view will be worth it!

After that, following Conductor's suggestion, teleport across to Mont Saint Michel (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mont%20Saint%20Michel/255/109/31) to explore a remarkable place in SL.

Landmarks and teleports will be provided.

The past couple of weeks, besides exploring (including visiting Anarta's and Colorado's lovely tribute to Myst island), I've been working on my new home in the rather imposing Keep in the southwest of Devokan.

It is a sound building, but was originally lacking in basic amenities such as power and plumbing.

I've installed a couple of solar panels to the south-facing roof of the topmost room so that I can at least keep my MacBook Pro and coffee pot powered up. I'll try to get a microwave and fridge working there too (I hate cooking).

It was possible to salvage some dressed stone so I've added a couple of interior walls on the first floor to partition off some smaller rooms. One I am turning into a study bedroom. Before I got the wall built the chilly downdraft from the roof was appalling, enough to keep me awake at night, even when I snuggled under a thick quilt. The bed reminds me of my childhood when I stayed at my Great Grandma's house -- her bed had a feather mattress, just like this one does.

I've turned the room next door to a private sitting room, just nice to relax in with a friend or two and a glass of wine or whatever. Off this room, behind one of the new partition walls, is a bathroom (yay!).

Downstairs is the main hall, with a grand fireplace, comfortable seating (some with useful draft-excluding curtains, essential with the wind whistling through the grand entrance), some lovely mechanisms on loan from one of the villagers, an elevator, and a small library (but reading by torchlight is NOT good for the eyesight).

And, yes, the Keep has a dungeon, which looks frighteningly like the office Andy Legate wrote for me to use in Uru. Hmm, that gives me an idea ...

The past weekend proved to be most interesting -- and busy.

It started with one of Dot's friends, Miss SkydiverColorado, offering her a linking book to the Myst island recently discovered in this strangely fluid world. Dot leapt at the chance, but then started fretting about security and the fragility and vulnerability of these books. The book was to be placed in one of the Channelwood huts (there is a corresponding linking book on the Myst island, apparently).

Since my business in New Babbage has nearly come to an end, I had just given notice to Miss Bergamasco, my landlady there, of my intention to vacate the rooms in three weeks' time, at the end of the rental period. 'Ah,' said Dot. 'That means you could move into the Channelwood hut and watch over the linking book.'

Resignedly, I bundled together a change of clothes, some food, and set forth for Channelwood. Unfortunately, the most comfortable hut (and the one where the linking book is) happens to be the one accessed via the spiral staircase rather than the lift, so it took much effort to move my effects from the boat to my new temporary home. ('But, Mr Oddenfen,' I hear my reader say, 'Your own bedroom in Devokan is up a flight of steep spiral stairs and two ladders.' 'Yes,' I reply, 'but I have a private portal system that works there. The stairs and ladders are to deter would-be intruders.')

Arms, legs and back aching, I finally settled down to sleep when...

A note came in from JeffeJ5005 Lewis, a person of importance in Eder d'Uru, who organises the area where we were permitted to place a portal linking Devokan with that strange underground city. He was wanting to set up a linking book to Devokan in a new area -- the city library, he said. Could I provide the information needed? Well, knowing the importance placed on these linking books, I thought I had better comply.

He graciously offered me a teleport so we could discuss matters face to face. I had never met him before -- all our previous contacts had been via written note. His appearance was most entertaining. His hat, goggles and waistcoat would not be out of place on the thoroughfares of New Babbage. But his trousers were of the strange baggy variety that Miss Nynaveve is currently tailoring (I trust she will not be offended if I turn down any free sample she might be contemplating), and his feet were shod in enormous yellow fluffy-duck ... slippers? (I am not sure what they were.)

Still... my explorations have taught me to take people as they are. And he certainly proved friendly and most generous -- just a trifle eccentric.

In the library itself, there were several stone podiums, including one with a rotating gear in the base. There were just two books on the podiums. A library without books?!

Mr Lewis explained what he needed from me, and placed a pristine book upon one of the empty podiums. He then worked on the book, added a linking panel, and (in true maintainer fashion) checked it out.

'Teleport please,' came the terse message over the ether. The link had sent him to the wrong place. I obliged.

After further tinkering and checking, the book was finally pronounced satisfactory and safe to use.

This isn't the end of the story. I am still digesting the implications of what Mr Lewis went on to show me. But it might be best to hand the narrative back to Dot at this point.

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Edit: I thought you might like to see the image on the linking panel. It gives a good overview of the landscape of the renovated island.

Quinquifid wrote:

This isn't the end of the story. I am still digesting the implications of what Mr Lewis went on to show me. But it might be best to hand the narrative back to Dot at this point.

Typical male. Never finishes a job properly.

Now, Quinquifid might sound like a cold fish when he writes, and he may be from an earlier era to our own, but show him a new piece of technology and... Well, as DeAnn said to me the other day, we're all geeks around here. Gadget-freakery techno-lust takes hold all too easily.

When I first saw Quin after the events he reported above, he was hunched over something strapped over the back of his left hand, and poking and prodding at it with his right.

'Is that a KI? Show me!'

It was indeed. A working KI! OK, it doesn't have all the functions that we had in the cavern, but somehow the explorers based in Eder d'Uru have managed to get a recognisable KI system to work in this very different world.

Quinquifid explained how Jeffe took him to a particular machine in the city where he had to put his hand in a slot, and how the machine then gave him the KI. 'And Mr Lewis said we could have one of these machines in Devokan. I could have it in my kitchen,' he said in a little-boy-hopeful voice.

No, I didn't think that would be a good idea. Like many country people of the past, Quin has the habit of leaving his doors unlocked. We wouldn't want any KI dispenser loaned to us to be vandalised or sabotaged. So I suggested a better place for the machine might be the ex-dungeon basement in the keep.

Over this week, I have installed a security system so that the basement entrance can only be opened using a remote switch, and so that it automatically closes after a set time. Those who have taken the Journey should have no difficulty in finding the switch; strangers might have more problems. If necessary, for extra security, I can also set a password.

So it was agreed. I contacted Jeffe, who came over and installed the machine. Of course, I had to check it out, so I'm now in the process of calibrating a brand new KI! The explorers at Eder Gira have managed to build a machine similar to the Great Zero using the technology in this world; the calibration process starts there, using markers. I still miss the sweeping blue beam sweeping across the Cavern, though.

In the rest of the Keep's basement, I have built some stone tables similar to those in Andy's Nexus, ready for any linking books we might find. Which reminds me, I must move the Myst book here from its current place in Channelwood. I'm sure Quin would like to move back into his house before the end of the month...

Quick update on events over the weekend, which included bumping into several old friends I've not seen for a while.

First was Leonardo, who turned up while I was nosing around the Cavern at Eder d'Uru, seeing what was new. While I was pleased to see him, I was rather miffed when he said my new outfit made me look like an assassin. It's actually very comfortable and practical, made from supple but hard-wearing material -- ideal for the projects I'll be undertaking over the next month or so.

Then, back at Devokan, I saw EthanEver wandering around the village! I quickly gave him an aerial tour of the island by airship before I had to attend to some other duties.

Some news of Wendall: About a month ago he applied for a job with a Hogwarts institution. He was successful, and is now Head of Department of the Ministry for Magical Transportation (I think I got the name right). This includes teaching duties (his job title is 'Professor'), and he held his first class over the weekend. Seventeen students attended, and it seems it was a great success.

Over the Sunday, it was lovely to meet up with Lightkeeper, back from his vacation. We chatted about this and that, catching up with each other's gossip and discussing personal portal systems.

Later that day, when we were trying out various functions of the portal system, I accidentally broke the village nexus. Quinquifid was not pleased to be called out to fix it -- he came straight from the Channelwood hut, and was dressed in a rather fetching jade green and black kimono -- not the best outfit for repairing broken technology. However, it was soon fixed.

I took the opportunity to say that the Myst linking book could be moved to its new, secure home in the Keep basement, so guarding it would no longer be needed. Quin left straight away to gather up his things from the hut, planning to move back into his house that evening.

And I took the Myst book and placed it in its new home, on a long stone table beside the KI dispenser in the Keep basement.

This last week, since my return home, has been taken up with essential domestic tasks, reminding Miss Dot that she owes me a favour after I suffered a week of discomfort on her behalf guarding that Myst book, and looking for a suitable vehicle to explore the upper reaches of this world.

I believe I have found one. Its method of propulsion is most inventive. To quote from the manufacturer's literature:

Quote:

The Selene was one of the first attempts to produce a commercial version of the "Cloud Drive"; an engine which acquired power from static electricity in the atmosphere and converted the cloud moisture to oxygen and hydrogen through electrolysis. The gases were then stored inside the hull, providing breathable air at high altitudes, lift from hydrogen, and propulsion through burning of the hydrogen in the engine furnaces, exhausting pure steam, producing clouds. And thus the name "Cloud Hugger" was born.

When enough fuel was stored, the ships were capable of short bursts of power, and able to reach stratosphere for brief amounts of time. Of course the nature of the propulsion system made the whole process risky at best...

I have managed to acquire a second-hand one (mostly through prevailing on Miss Dot). The outside may be a little battered and scratched, but the interior looks virtually pristine.

It seats several passengers in comfort, and even includes an automatic tea dispenser to refresh them during flight. In the cockpit slung under the main cabin there are seats for two further passengers each side of the pilot's chair.

Given the potential risk involved, I felt it vital to train others in flying this vehicle. Accordingly, over this weekend I have trained Mr Lightkeeper Jameson, Miss Dot and Miss Nynaveve in how to handle the ship, which I have renamed 'The Devokan Flyer'. I thought better of training Miss Paislee -- I have seen how she drives her Teakettle horseless carriage around the island.

We're parking the Selene/Devokan Flyer on the cove near the Keep, so that it is out of the way of the main village and so that I can keep an eye on it from my office balcony.

Lightkeeper left a note for me:

Quote:

Dot, I took Selene for a short shakedown flight. I just circled around the island and tried to get her back to where I found her. I probably don't have her exactly where you or Quin left her last but I think it is close. Very nice handling. Bye for now

We'll all need to get some practice in flying her before tackling the expedition planned for the coming weeks. I'm looking forward to this...

Today is the official opening celebration of Myst -- a dream of Ages. Anarta and Colorado have invited us all to the party.

There will be several of us going from Devokan. Perhaps we will meet up with you there!


Edit (12 Sept 2009): It was an amazing event. DeAnn described it later in the note she sent to the D'ni Refugees:

Quote:

The grand opening celebration of the newest creation of Anarta and Colorado, Myst - A Dream of Ages - was held yesterday in Eder Gira with a teleport to Myst Island to explore! The Myst Dancers put on their usual fabulous show followed by our very own Zeddy B with the golden voice and terrific music! Finally, Watashi took over the DJ booth to continue the festivities! All in all, it was a great party.

While I had to leave just after the dancers' bravura performance, it was a great show.

DeAnn also sent photos of the event to the participants. If you are wondering who the stranger she called 'GoM' is, it is I!

A snippet of conversation from Devokan today:

Quote:

[4:55] Dot Macchi: Hi Quin!
[4:55] Quinquifid Oddenfen: Umm Shorah Miss Dot
[4:55] Quinquifid Oddenfen: Don't look up!
[4:55] Dot Macchi: Don't look?
[4:55] Dot Macchi: Oh Quin, Your house!
[4:55] Dot Macchi: What happened?
[4:56] Quinquifid Oddenfen: I was doing an experiment and my hand slipped
[4:56] Quinquifid Oddenfen: The house suffered...

I should explain: Quin's house normally appears to have settled comfortably into the rock over the decades -- floors, walls and windows at funny angles, you know the kind of thing. However, what I saw was a total wreck. The inner walls, floors, windows -- all gone.

(OOC: This is what really happened. Quinquifid was trying to build something close to his house. While he was using Edit mode to position something, he accidentally picked up part of the house and moved that instead. The house's organic shape makes it tricky to realign the parts. In frustration he deleted it. What remains is an interesting looking ruin.

This is why we have some community building areas in skyboxes -- to try to prevent accidents like these in the village itself. Quin's experiments will be taking place up there in the future.

Unfortunately, the main skyboxes are in my name, so on more than one occasion I've deleted a prim that wouldn't be tortured into submission and found myself falling through space, having accidentally switched selection to the skybox base without noticing. So I sympathise with Quin. It's embarrassing when things like that happen.)