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Opening of the Ar’s Station sim

A new Gorean sim opens. And one more! Now, you might say there are too many of them, but when you add up all the urban Gorean sims, there aren’t that many… but above all, what interests me about this sim is that it’s Ar’s Station, so it’s a setting I like in the world of Gor, and it’s created by people I like.

So, I’m not going to do a big presentation article, because, to do that, I’d need a bit of immersion, and that’s difficult for a sim that WILL open (the soft opening took place yesterday), but isn’t yet officially open and therefore, doesn’t yet have any established inhabitants. So my opinion is limited to what I know.

And what I know is that the main admins are Thaddeus Himura Dexing (dlmiksch), Saffiyah (reaganjordan), Amaris Hamilton Valencia (margueritestjust1977) and Liam Valencia. And while I can blame them for mistakes in the past, I know and appreciate Thaddeus and Saffiyha. Why do I like them? Because they have demonstrated, close to me, the qualities of patience, arbitration and understanding that I expect from people who manage a sim and are leaders of a community of players and… well, they’re just nice, open-minded and friendly! Ah yes, my past criticisms: a certain lack of responsiveness to dramas and a bit of nepotism, i.e. flaws common to many sim owners. I’m not going to blame them, but I like to be honest… if I state qualities, I also state faults.

So, the sim is Ar’s Station, a former Ar colony that has become independent, in the vast Vosk valley, about 400 pasangs from Ar (280 miles or 450 km). Roughly speaking, it’s a 12-day journey by road, or 8 days by navigable canal to Ar. Ar’s Station is a port town. In terms of size and commercial importance, the Vosk is the Mississippi, or even the Rhine, and Ar’s Station is one of the river’s three major ports, the others being Turmus and Port-Olni (and not Port-Kar, which although very important for trade, is a pirate city-state!). The climate is mild temperate, but continental: hot in spring, very dry in summer, but rainy in autumn and cold and snowy in winter, the seasons being very marked. Storms and torrential rain are not uncommon in early autumn, and sometimes, in the harshest winters, devastating blizzards. But it’s still a temperate climate, ideal for farming.

The sim’s set has something of the European néo-classic about it, i.e. both Roman classicism and post-Renaissance modernity. When I saw the sim, I had the distinct impression of seeing some of the Haussmann-inspired buildings you see in Paris. I must say, it’s an original choice, but one that works very well and pleases me!

Ar’s Station’s rules are classic, the game system is based on ZsC, and combat is preferentially based on ZcS too. There’s a little paradox concerning dramas, but this will surely be clarified in the rules later on. They clearly state that any form of roleplay conflict between characters based on OOC reasons will be sanctioned, but the moderation team doesn’t deal with problems of roleplay conflict between characters. To do the former, you have to assume you’ll do the latter, but if I’m to translate it correctly, it’s that any abuse of a complaint following a roleplay action will be ignored, if this abuse doesn’t concern underlying OOC problems. Just normal.

Oh yes, and I love this point in the rules: THOUGHT EMOTES: Thought emotes are the worst form of emote. We do not tolerate any form of negative thought emote here at Ar’s Station. Either say it, or keep it to yourself. Roleplayers automatically have the right to magically know what is being thought, in the case of negative thought emotes, and respond to it as if it were a spoken word.
Yes, I totally agree with that! Assume what you say, or keep it to yourself, people!

  • Ha, while I’m at it, here’s what’s allowed, forbidden and outlawed on the sim:
  • Alts are allowed, but with conditions, and it’s advisable to let the admins know if you’re coming to play with an alt who’s going to take an active part in the life of the sim.
  • Outlaws are hunted on sight. Female outlaws are forbidden on the sim.
  • Characters under 18 and less than 1m80 tall (according to SL measurements, which you can find by modifying your avatar’s silhouette) are forbidden.
  • Accounts less than a month old must request permission from the admins to play on the sim.
  • You can play a Gorean animal on the sim, but there are rules about this, so go and read them!
  • Finally, slaves can help defend the city in the event of a raid. No, don’t judge me, I’m not shocked that some slaves know how to fight and are willing to protect their masters!

Of course, there’s a system for renting houses (and I get the impression there are lots of different houses) so you can have your own place to decorate. I couldn’t find a notecard or any rules about renting, but I’m sure it’s something that’ll happen soon.

That’s it, I’ve done the tour… and I’m going back for treatment, it seems I’ve just caught a nasty cold… or flu, I’ll see. I’ll leave you the landmark here, and also the group’s address on SL and Discord, so you can come and visit!

Discord : https://discord.com/invite/EjzqN7AY

SL group : secondlife:///app/group/90724990-2442-a491-3306-9482c571a8ab/about

Landmark : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Valyria%20Isle/140/134/3096

And incidentally, my Mistress and playmate on Gor (hugs, Lyra, I love you!) has crushed on the sim, even booked her house, and of course, I’m following her!

 

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