Second Life Detourist

Article By Pet Handsohn

[ all photos | slideshow ]

More like a funky steampunk styled space station than a circus, the 109 Prims Circus [slurl] emanates its own cerulean galactic field. Around it protrude quaint mechanical odds and ends, and below it, where the galactic field ripples outwards from the circus’ core like the wake of a water droplet piercing a calm surface, is a dance floor that’s sure to give you that lighter-than-air feel.

There is a refreshing combination of oddness and tranquility here; then again, I may be confusing oddness with genius. I’m a big fan of steampunk, and the 109 Prims Circus holds its own in providing an unstressed, natural steampunkish look worthy of the genre. The circus and everything in it are the creations of Onakagoo Epin; I have to imagine that it all took quite a while to create, what with the great compatibility between the intricate detail and overall vision.

While it is mainly a shop, the circus has several notable attractions. You might guess from the cover shot (of Pixel and me dancing) that they’re mostly couples-oriented :) There is a big merry-go-round with a whole stable of celestial horses ready for the riding on the main floor (which I call the core, because it reminds me of a warp core. You know, from Star Trek? Bill Shatner? ANYway…) On the roof, you’ll find a carriage ride through the stars. The course is pretty restricted – it basically just goes in a small circle – but very cool visuals nonetheless. And it’s always more fun to take the ride with a special someone :)

Also on the roof is a smaller merry-go-round that can potentially fit in a small room. You can buy varieties of it for under L$1000; I think I prefer the Pegasus version over the regular horsies. Going over to the other end of the roof you’ll find that notorious crescent moon dozing off as if it’s the king of the place… and it probably is >:O

Now if you go back downstairs to the main floor and find the teleporter to go to the dance floor, you’ll find yourself on a platform in the middle of open space! No worries though, as there is an invisible floor that runs over that whole ripple effect :) Regardless of how safe it is, I couldn’t help but feel as if I were going to somehow start free-falling. Keep in mind, this whole build is pretty high up in the sky. But whatever dizziness you suffer, it’s well worth the atmosphere, not to mention the spectacular snapshots you can catch.

Up on the main floor again, going off onto one of the walkways, you’ll find the shop which, despite all the great attractions, was the reason for my coming here in the first place. I was looking for a particular present that would wow Pixel on her birthday, and my search brought me to Onakagoo Epin’s hoverific steampunk ridable hovercrafts! (I don’t know what else to call ’em!)

These great little wonders attach to your spine and are scripted and animated to float around on an industrial sized hover-fan. There are separate movement animations when walking, running and jumping, but you don’t move any faster or slower than if you were moving around without the attachment. Furthermore, it doesn’t aid you in flying above the normal SL altitude allowance, which is a minor Awww… of disappointment. You probably want to stay low to the ground to show one of these things off anyway :) Shown below are different models you can buy.

 
 
(Click on each picture for prices and descriptions)

I eventually got the Flying Crescent Moon for Pixel because it just looked too awesome to pass up, but I have to add that I had a little bit of trouble when transferring it to her. Most of these hovercrafts come in two versions: Transfer (GIFT) and No Transfer. The GIFT item itself is transferable, but I found out that the script inside it (which I think is written by someone other than Onakagoo) is not.

We sent a few notecards back and forth despite the language barrier, and both Pix and I received copies of the Flying Crescent, and then some! Ona is extremely kind and generous, and seems to be a very stand-up chap. I think the whole non-transferable script thing was just a mishap – maybe I was the first buyer to find and report it. In any case, I’m more than pleased with the experience :) Hehe, and just to note, Onakagoo’s English is pretty solid after all.

Some of the hover riders might seem pricey, but you have to give it up to them. They’re totally worth the cost! And I am so getting the Jack O’ Lantern one for this year’s Halloween.

Well, there you are, the 109 Prims Circus at a glance. But why is it called the 109 Prims Circus? Drat, should’ve asked while we were still in dialogue :) But maybe you can find out for yourself. So go on, I know you want to visit ;) Here’s that [slurl] one more time.

Have fun, and happy detouring!

follow-up: They make very cool bumper cars :D