At the start of 2023, I dropped into Aurelias, a Full region designed by Sparkle (Sparkely Sugar) – see A Winter’s Aurelias in Second Life. So with the end of the year now peeking over the horizon at us, I decided to hop back a short while ago and have another look and see what the end of the year has brought. Certainly, the updated description for the region piqued my curiosity nicely.
Welcome to Aurelias, a captivating town that echoes the spirit of Charles Dickens and transports you to a bygone era. As you stroll through our cobblestone streets, you’ll feel the enchantment inspired by classic fables and fairytales.
– Aurelias About Land description
Now, for those who might read that description and have images of scenes from A Christmas Carol or one of Dickens’ other (lesser known to many?) Christmas works such as The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life, The Haunted Man and/or the New Year leaning The Chimes; it might come as a disappointment or relief (depending on one’s perspective at this time of year) that this is not the case; the key within the description is spirit of Charles Dickens.
This can be taken to mean that within the region there are elements which might be seen as being inspired by the ideas of a Dickensian / Victorian era – and some which might possibly have certain echoes from some of Dickens’ stories – but there is not anything here that one can point to an definitively state it has been drawn from any particular story or novel.
For example: the cobbled streets of the little town square and its surrounds, lit as they are by what might be taken as gas lamps, might have something of a Dickensian air to them, but you’re not going to find a door with Scrooge and Marley above it; and while one of the business premises might well have a slightly Scroogian chap standing inside, would the focal character of A Christmas Carol (as seen at the start of the novella) allow a gramophone player in his place of business? Or a board game?
Instead, the region casts a wider net, presenting a location caught under a ghostly sky where many tales – folk and fairy, novel and short story – might be found to offer little touches and hints.
The little township sits on the raised north side of the region as a quiet gathering of mixed businesses, some of which appear perfectly natural – the tea-shop, the pubs and antiques shop – others of which hint at darker, more mysterious things. A large, well-appointed house sits to one side of the square proper, the delivery truck sitting outside it casting a more Georgian lean to the setting (along with the style of some of the other buildings). All are in turn watched over from the west and east by headlands which cup between them a small bay and upon which sit, respectively a gaunt house wrapped in mist and where strange robed figures look outward and a poem that is somewhat mindful of words by Oscar Wilde (within A Woman of No Importance) might be found; and on the other by a tall-roofed church presided over by a severe-looking minister and another large house complete with paths and steps giving access to the coast below its gardens.
Snow hugs the shoulders of the gaunt house, and alongside it sits a skating rink. They form an odd couple; on the one hand they are drawn together in presenting the only indications that winter has reached this land; on the other, the gaiety of the rink contrasts strongly with the brooding presence of the house, pushing them apart.
To the south the land falls away to wetlands in might be found more mystery and sense of haunting or suchlike, together with a decrepit graveyard, potentially long abandoned given its general state. However, and despite it sitting within a swampy landscape, it can still (for those who think in that direction) perhaps conjure thoughts of young “Pip” Pirrip’s encounter with the criminal Magwitch at the start of Great Expectations, thus allowing the setting to carry another spiritual link to Dickens.
Also within the wetlands, shaded by tall trees, braziers burn, lights gleams from branches and mists float over the waters and old ruins and a cave await discovery – all of which makes for plenty of opportunity to dream up stories of ghosts and goblins or fae folk and elves or – given the presence of glowing cauldrons, a spell-bound house and the town’s magic shop – perhaps witches and wardrobes; just let your imagination range free.
Once again an engaging setting, one neatly linked to Sparkle’s Homestead region and store to the south.
SLurl Details
- Aurelias (rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 