I thought I'd seen it all in SL

It'll be a year in SL for me next month. Granted, I spent a couple months on hiatus doing other things but in that time I have seen some breathtaking creativity and spectacular builds. I'm still impressed on a regular basis by items or builds or scripts that are technically excellent or stretch the envelope a little more.

Last night, though, I found myself gasping audibly for the first time since I was a newbie. I was in the Victorian theme sim (Caledon?) and a Dragon walked up behind me. Not just any Dragon, but a genuinely 4-legged, wing-flapping, exquisitely detailed Red Dragon. With rings of smoke particles drifting out of his nose!

I was so astounded that I only remembered to get one screenshot (which sadly isn't on this PC). Chatted with him a while and he demonstrated how he could breathe fire. Then flapped his wings. And blew smoke. While I zoomed in and marvelled at the incredible textures.

After the encounter, I was struck again with how in Second Life, you've never actually "seen it all". Since my return, I've found scripted picnic blankets and watches that will temporarily rez a fully equipped skybox - the blanket coming with any of 6 modules including graveyard, Paris, sunroom or camp site and all the sit/cuddle/etc poseballs you and yours may want. (Don't have land? Rez in a sandbox?) I've found the demon avatars complete with fire particles. I've found dozens of other amazingly creative ideas put to the test, and it's impressed me all over again with Second Life and the people who inhabit it.

I would have posted it in the thread of most amazing things last week (the one that got Starax instant famedom for his wands) but I hadn't seen this Dragon yet. Wow. Just wow.

For all the stuff I complain about, or get sick of -- you're absolutely right. This is why I stay in SL. There are times when I'm genuinely blown away by what people make here.

Its really what makes SL an experience that I'm glad to be part of. I clearly need to explore more

Shadow Weaver made a really cool dragon... in Beta!
*ducks rotten tomatoes*

How about making another mountain, you old beta bastard I miss the one from Blue.

Really, its one of my best memories as a newbie.

I can't say for sure where you were, but for some odd reason, I've noticed the Caledon Highlands *do* seem to be attracting the creatures.

The first dragon I saw was a gunmetal blue-grey, investigating one of the lochs. Then just a day or two ago, a red-bronzed one much as you describe, circling overhead.

It soared over the rooftops, touched down briefly, then left.


I'm not sure why there have been so many dragons lately.

Many residents of Caledon *are* becoming quite prosperous - the scent of treasure could be attracting dragons.

Or maybe it is our burgeoning furry population. Perhaps they consider themselves a part of that community.

Or perhaps they are just hungry?


It is certainly not because we have a lot of virgins to sacrifice, that's all I know for sure.

There's a little dragon in all of us.

//goes back to camping Caledon for more land to spawn

Heheh I know the creator of the dragons. The stewardess of Caledon is rather obsessed with them.

Which would explain why I wasn't eaten

Great thread, Cindy.

I still remember the tiny invasion. That was awesome too. In SL, the sky ISN'T the limit.

I resemble that remark

Indeed! I still have my little black kitten avie shape. I never got around to buying a penguin though, which was what I really wanted. Then after seeing March of the Penguins I got the urge again!

/me adds to shopping list... again

I was in the Dark Desires area the other night shopping (great build, btw) and encountered 3 female child avatars walking around with teddy bears on their backs. It was another of those "there is no sky" moments for me. I can't see myself owning a child avie, but it is another example of the creativity here.

We need to send an av to the SL moon.

No, really.

I think Bub should build a moon base first, though.

Speaking of STUNNING Second Life content, I simply HAVE to echo this here.

I don't think I've ever seen anything even close to this, in 3 years of Second Life.



"A Better Life" by Robbie Dingo (whom I do not know, but I'm pimping it anyway).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6D9K9xTmt0

Yes, it's posted in the machanima forums.

But damn it all, Everyone. Must. See. This.

Not me. I passed that this morning.

Um...don't go in there for another 35-40 minutes

Wow, that is a very touching film. It brought a tear to my jaded eye.

Wow.

What got me was that the guy in the wheelchair, following a script and without any way of covering up the lack of hand animations, appeared to be moving more naturally in response to the world around him than any avatar in Second Life actually does.

*sigh*

Very touching Desmond, thanks for the link.

Sounds like the dragon avatar Jim Levy made, and I agree, it's WOW!!

Jim Levy? Where do I find his store!

*hugs katy*

Sounds more like one of Daryths.

Just search for Isle of Wyrms to see those.

Almost every day is day one for me here...and I've been here about 6 months.

I agree about those dragons....there aren't enough virgins here...in fact...I don't think there's anyone that's virgin here.... :/

Given the number of times my balloons have been knocked out of the world somehow, I suspect they may be trying to mate with them.

... and this is never more evident than when some of you open your mouths

I was fortunate enough to be introduced by a friend to someone (wish I remembered his name) who makes such detailed dragon avatars. My jaw promptly hit the floor and I forgot to take more than 1 shot (http://www.gasperazzo.net/images/sl/dragon_001.jpg).

But I totally agree with Cindy. It's the kind of experienve that makes you sit in wonder at the creativity of SL players.

Wendel