Valimar Sim FAQs

(This is not set in stone yet! Please share your comments and ideas. I'll gather and incorporate them into a new edition around 2007-10-10. Love, Arth.)

Q. What is this Valimar sim supposed to look like?

A. "A smiling cluster of buildings on a plain, the City of Bells, Valimar." The ground is gentle slopes, running water, fountains and lawns, pleasant in every way. We want every building and items to be original and exceptional in design and construction, and fit in beautifully with the surroundings. JRR Tolkien mentions gold, silver, brass, green grass, fountains, and bells as prominent, over and over. Then he goes on to say ALL the richest substances are used.

Q. So what all goes in Valimar?

A. Second Life policy requires an information center about our non-profit fund-raising purposes promenently. Logic dictates we put a gathering place & information center regarding our sim and role-play. JRR Tolkien requires: city walls of gold, (thanks for them, Rahan, and the textures, Arianwen) domes and floors of silver, doors of brass, gentle paths, ever-green lawns, Orome's place (think master hunters' pub), Tulkas' place (think elvish sports center), Osse & Uniens place (think city home for sea gods) Aule's place (think crazy inventors' campus with Yavanna's magical orchard) and Melkor's place (think house-arrest home), and obviously, enough other buildings so that the sim looks like a cluster of buildings.

Q. What about the other levels in Valimar?

A. We will in all likelihood be renting out sylistically appropriate shops and residential plots, too, to raise money for the sim on all levels. The other two plats are becoming our "neighborhoods" in Valimar: Currently 600 level is work space and some residences. On the 400 level is "the Forge" with class rooms, display rooms, work rooms, libraries, etc., and Valar "town-mansion" district. On the 200 level is a Maia districts, and homes for the Elves (Noldor & Vanyar) not content to live in Tirion-on-Tùna.

Q. Why are we floating levels at all?

A. Sure, is causes design problems all over the place, but it opens the sim up for wide open plains & uncramped content. To preserve an illusion onf connectedness, we will line the edges of the upper platforms with barriers: backs of buildings, garden walls, impassable hedges, sculpty mountains, rockworks, etc. making the upper levels appear to be walled neighborhoods inside the prime level city, and teleport stations (Thanks, Khyathtu!) Sure, an av can fly over, ending all illusion right then.

Q. So we can fly here?

A. Not everyone. Valar and Maia (mostly spiritual beings) and flying types of animals and that might cross the sim would natually take to the air. Non-flying types are, well, non-flying types.

Q. What about teleports and landmarks?

A. We have only one main entry point, so new visitors will get the Sim guides, a change of clothes. and the main data. Landmarks are generally disabled. We will have teleport devices of various types in various places to get around the sim. You can still give someone a teleport to anywhere you are.

Q. Are there other sims nearby?

A. Yes - Valimar is on a large plain. On the sim north-west is the highest mountain in creation, Tanequetil. In the next sim north, the gigantic Two Trees are shining on their hill. West and South, the plains of Aman continue with their own points of interest and Valar places. On the sim to the east is a pass througth the incredibly rugged Pelori Mountians to the next sim of Tirion-on-Tuna.

Q. Tirion-on-Tuna?

A. Through the eastern mountain pass, on the hill called Tùna, overlooking the sea, it the city Tirion, home of the blessed Vanyar and Noldor Elves live. For now, they are in Valimar as welcome long-term visitors, but we may acquire and begin Tirion any time now (thanks, for that news, Phoenix!)

Q, Where do I learn more?

A. There is data being added to our build library on 200 level almost every day. As city design, descriptions and specs are generated (yes, we are backlogged in this currently) builds and projects will come up ready to be finally, permanently made!

Q. How do I help? Who do I talk to?

A. Look in your Builders of Valimar Group listing in SL: each group role has a leader and description. If you have a group role other than "everyone" already, talk to your leader. If you don't have one, choose one that looks fun to you and talk to the role-leader for guidance .

Love, Arth Karas 2007-09-29 for Builders-of Valimar