Xzar Gazing

Last Sunday was the official opening of The Land of Xzar on Genesis RP grid, a region built by Star Ravenhurst, and this Wednesday it the Safari took the tour for our second hour of the 2 hour ride around opensim.  As lovely as opensim is at any time, there's nothing quite like visiting a sim with the creator and some friends to truly get the measure of what is meant by the fine pixels on show. You might say that this build (HG Address is at the end of the post, as always) is really several tales in one. 

It's the 3D representation of Star's novel, to be published on Amazon later this year, but it's also a story of a Star's talent and tenacity as a builder, with many original constructions and textures that she has put together over her many years in virtual. And it's also the chronicle of the many grids she has been part of, several of which have come to an untimely end, forcing her to regroup, rebuild, and re-imagine her regions in other worlds. That opportunity to glimpse and gaze into the creative universe of our fellow Opensimmers is one of the most exciting and interesting parts of the life virtual. Unlike most gaming platforms, it offers a unique connection between original imaginations - yours and theirs - and is infinitely fascinating, if on occasion hard work.

Youca Godel: I'm finding it neat that people are building sims based on shows and books.

Star Ravenhurst: This is based on my book Youca

Forest Azure: are there any fairytales sims? for a fairytale rp sim

Doctor Dave: There's a dead angel on the lawn.  Did anyone bring a first aid kit?

Star Ravenhurst: Is everyone here? I think we are missing Tosha... Welcome Tim

humbletim metaverse: hi

Star Ravenhurst: Well I will start pasting into chat what you need to know. This build is based on my upcoming novel by the same name. This is a visual of the land that has lived inside of my head for years. This is an ancient world that has seen war and destruction with many characters seeking power over time. 1000+ years have passed since the end of the world and civilization returned. The antagonist is Hadean the Executioner. He is a narcissistic, power hungry, sexual predator, brutal, and evil as they come. The hero is Michael McCall of Plano Texas who is angry with his father who has taken over as ruler of the whole planet due to advancements that he owns, sells, and controls the population with.

Lavia Lavine: You didn't tell me your novel was about my Ex husband.

Forest Azure: lol

Star Ravenhurst: The rise of robotics and tech has taken over the world and his father is going about things in hazardous ways. People are dying. His father only cares for power and profits. Michael's goal is to find a way to stop him. 

Forest Azure: kind of Darth Vader?

Lavia Lavine: Yeah Michael's father sounds like an evil version of Elon Musk

Star Ravenhurst: Then he gets transported back to The Land of Xzar and all he wants to do is go home to deal with the problems there.. So he has to try to figure out how to do that, while becoming the hero of the people along the way. Their legends have foretold of his coming for a long, long time.

James Atlloud: Oh interesting Star - cool.

Youca Godel: Does he have any special skills in Xzar?

Star Ravenhurst: Who, Youca?

Youca Godel: Michael, the character who travels to Xzar

Inside McCall Technologies

Star Ravenhurst: Well, he works for his father who owns this company, McCall Technologies, a robotics corp. What is interesting, similar things are happening in the world today. I wrote the first draft of this novel in 1986 in two months. It is like I predicted the future all those years ago and now robotics and super high tech is here in 2023 and beyond. The first draft  got put in a box for years as I raised children and went to college for many years and worked and went on with life. I pulled it out a few years ago and had the idea to build Land Of Xzar and have been trying ever since and this is the most complete and best build of them all. I have also been slowly working on the final draft and my goal is to finish and publish by the end of this year. Sooner if I can get it done.

 Star Ravenhurst: The novel is NOT for young audiences. I suggest it not be read by anyone easily offended.  McCall Technologies belongs to my main character's father. The story opens with Michael McCall storming out of his fathers office and jumping into his car and speeding off in anger. You could say the build of this town is a blend of two worlds and past and future. Most of the buildings are mine except 2-3. None of my builds are mesh. If it is mesh, it isn't mine. 

Lavia Lavine: One of the things we promote on this grid is original content, and Star is doing an exemplary job!

James Atlloud: sounds great

True to the thoroughness of the backstory of the region, when you get to the business end of town, you will find that some of the shops have real content for you to browse through - the Magic shop for example is full of free items like spells. Interactive gems like this bring the region to life even if you haven't absorbed the entire premise of the novel.

 Star Ravenhurst: This little hole in the wall is an old build and on of my favs... Very small if you want to pile in there, I am just going to circle around the town to show you. This is a town in the Land Of Xzar, in the future. It is a blend of past and future... at the time taking place in the novel, it is 1000+ years in the future, but the characters do not know that the planet earth is a part of their past -their world is The Land Of Xzar.

Thirza Ember: did building this sim have an effect on your final draft of the book?

Star Ravenhurst: Yes. It expanded it a great deal

James Atlloud: Oh that's interesting

Star Ravenhurst: This shell station I built a few years ago and had to make all the textues

James Atlloud: I can't remember when I paid OMG for a gallon of gas.

Star Ravenhurst: my character visits the town first thing looking for a friend of one of the new ones he has made to help him. He barely sees the town. The rest of the book is about his journey. He is trying to find out how to get back home, but the people of Xzar believe he is the 'man of legend' - The Chosen One will lead them out of servitude from Hadean

The sky seemed to change, and the crows multiply as we stood in the street admiring the build with its atmospheric juxtaposition of more familiar American architecture and elements of a more fantastic and alien age.

Thirza Ember: Star, would you say it is an optimistic novel? or a warning story

Star Ravenhurst: It is both, Michael doesn't believe he is a chosen one or a saviour. He is nobody.  He lacks confidence and his self worth. Along the way with the things that happen he develops confidence, and comes to realize his self worth.

Lavia Lavine: the reluctant hero?

Star Ravenhurst: As everyone should feel about themselves. And Like I told you all earlier, the first draft was written in 1986 and the world today is developing rapidly in tech. SO you could say it was a prediction of things to come

Forest on the dragon in the sky

Forest Azure: is there roleplay in here?

Thirza Ember: James is being very good, he hasn't sat on almost anything

Star Ravenhurst: Well don't tell him he can ride the dragons in the sky

Thirza Ember: ohboy... 

Star Ravenhurst:  I found the industrial part the hardest to build.

James Atlloud: so true - how much of the story takes place in this city? Oh that crane looks amazing, The motion is very evocative of activity.

Star Ravenhurst: That came from Steam, on OS grid, the region of Vbinnia Radic

Lavia Lavine: What is your favorite of all your builds here?

Star Ravenhurst: I think the cathedral we landed near and McCall Technologies. I wanted a modern building for it and found a photo on the Internet

Lavia Lavine: Do you plan to do a "sequel"?

Star Ravenhurst: Oh no. The end of the novel is the end. It has taken me too long and I have other ideas, and more time now

Star Ravenhurst: Smaller, "poorer" homes, One room school house

Forest Azure: Is this a place for Role Play?

Star Ravenhurst: there is RP on this grid, very active. Talk to Lavia about it if you wish, and I will host RP here for anyone that wants to come and play. All are welcome any time.

We continued our walk through the streets, admiring the residences, churches, and public buildings, eventually coming to the Hall of Justice and the rather daunting, cage-like construction - the place of execution.

James Atlloud: james tries to sit on the spinny floaty thing

Star Ravenhurst: Hadesn has regular executions. This is one of the first places Michael sees when he arrives. The novel is not for the faint of heart.  Bad guys are often very evil. 

Forest Azure: oh my

Thirza Ember: I hope they don't hang people who sit where they shouldn't

Lavia Lavine: Look out James

James Atlloud: yikes... I heard dangerous music!

Star Ravenhurst: yes, it has a script to activate when you come near, the only way to stop it is to leave

Lavia Lavine: It's an awesome build for sure.

Star Ravenhurst: Any questions? I was hoping to get us to the Swamp today

James Atlloud:  So many questions, but can't wait to read the novel.

Thirza Ember: Star, is the swamp a central part of the novel? I cammed over there and saw a pyramid, a castle, and some scary looking landscaping

The Swamp

Star Ravenhurst: Yes. It is one of the places he must travel to get the advice of a witch. Some of it won't be in the novel, but it is part of the world. My idea is that as the world changed and came to life, it would include many places in the world

Many civilizations are represented in the Swamp

Thirza Ember: it's awesome, a great build Star, congrats, you can see all the thought you have put into the plot and the backstory

Forest Azure: yes, it looks great

Mal Burns: great place Star

James Atlloud: Truly a spectacle.

Star Ravenhurst: This all has been in my head for far too long

James Atlloud: I can only imagine, I would think it will happen as the spirit moves you

In the Swamp - so much to discover

Lavia Lavine: By all means feel free to explore here, you won't be disappointed.

James Atlloud:  For my part, I plan to be executed to leave.

Youca Godel: Thank yu, Star. I'm loving all the detail you've built here. I will certainly come back to explore more. For now, RL calls.

Ard Rhys: Tc everybody

Mal Burns: has been great safari - tks all

Wizardoz Chrome: Thanks Star Ravenhurst :)

HG Address: grid.genesis-roleplay.org:8002:The Land of Xzar

hop://grid.genesis-roleplay.org:8002/The%20Land%20of%20Xzar/466/332/22