Sociology and Amethyst

Although I am not a professional sociologist, my time on Second Life has allowed me to view and experience a myriad of social relationships.  The strengths and weaknesses of individuals’ personalities and how they interact with others is nothing short of amazing. 

As I observe and interact, there are certain traits that tend to appear. I don’t like to generalize, but you can’t help but notice the doom and gloom types that are so used to being miserable they make every excuse to stay miserable. Then there are the serial daters/marrying types. They are looking for love, only to end up searching over and over again.  There are the manipulators that call you “hun” or blow smoke up your ass and give you a false sense of security or family while screwing you over. Those players that act as bad-ass mother fuckers and intimidate everyone around them.  Bloodlines tends to pull in plenty of these.

There are also dear, sweet, friends that have your best interest at heart.  I’ve been blessed with so many of them. Over the years I’ve had so many contacts and connections that the feelings overwhelm me. I’d hate to miss anyone so I’ll make a separate blog entry for them another day. 

One of the most interesting, complex, and unusual relationships I have had on SL was with my first queen, Amethyst Warden.  The impact this woman has had on my life is so surprising to me. She’s tough. She certainly holds her own and doesn’t back down. She dealt with a tremendous amount of stress and drama throughout the years she was queen. She balanced it all it seemed so effortlessly. She had a tight group of friends, and many secrets which made her all the more interesting. She had magnetism about her that everyone was just drawn to her. Different than anyone else I had ever known. Quite frankly, she was the shit.  I wasn’t interested in being her friend just to work my way up the royals’ chain like some others in the clan. I never messaged her unless it was for clan business because she was so busy and I never wanted to bother her.  She was just a born leader.  People wanted to follow her because of her integrity and attitude. Fair, but stern, she didn’t like to waste her time with silly crap though she had to most days. She guided me even when she didn’t know she was.  Her encouraging nature allowed me to soar and break free from the limitations in my own mind.  I viewed her as a rock star, a mentor, a teacher, and most definitely a queen. I also blame her for my various indiscretions on SL, but that is another story. ;) 

Thirsty Thursday: Human Blood Dolls (and their role in Bloodlines)

Lore
Traditional vampire lore describes humans who have agreed to feed a vampire or lycan regularly as a pomme de sang or "apple of blood".  In Bloodlines, we call them Blood Dolls.  The usual process is for the blood doll to liege to the vampire or lycan and to feed them exclusively.  There is no limit as to how many blood dolls any given player can have. Blood dolls normally get permission from their liege before allowing anyone else to bite, claw or feed off of them.

Image Credit: Magickal Graphics

Choosing Your HUD

Although most Bloodlines players choose to embrace the dark side and turn into a vampire or lycan, some want to remain human. The Human HUD would be ideal for those players. However, if at any point in your game play you would like to turn, save yourself the money and buy the Thirst HUD for vamps or the Rage HUD for lycans. 

Human HUD

Image Credit: Merlin Swordthain

Things a Blood Doll CAN do:

• Use Invisibility on the Thirst HUD. 
• Hunt for their liege. (Make sure to notify your liege of your intention first!) 
• Hold souls though they don't count toward overall clan count. Thirst or Rage HUD required for this. 
• Feed vampire, lycan or hybrid Bloodlines players.  

Things a Blood Doll CANNOT do:

• Bite or claw, use howl, superhuman jump, or smoke screen (these require wearing fangs or claws). 

Humanity

Blood dolls need to keep track of their humanity.  For each bite or claw they receive, 5% of their humanity is taken.  To replace the humanity, they can either eat a Bloodlines apple or drink Bloodlines cider. Normally the liege or whomever has bitten them is the one that supplies this. The Blood Doll is doing them a favor, they shouldn't have to pay for restoring their own humanity as well. 

While Kumani's Away...

Laini often warns us that she will be left up to her own devices without supervision. A discussion ensued between the three of us; Laini proclaiming she needed to fuck black goats. While Kumani was away, I was left in charge of keeping Laini out of trouble and away from the goats. Avoiding the sex sims, we went shopping for new clan land decorations. Within seconds of landing, this is what we found:

Sorry Kumani!!! I tried!  Come back soon! We miss you!!!

Thirsty Thursday: How to Join Bloodlines

 Within the many role playing genres of the virtual world of Second Life, Bloodlines (BL) is one of the most popular. Now in its fourth year, over 46,000 characters have joined this macabre game system.

1. Create a Second Life Avatar
So, let's get started. First you will need to create your character on Second Life.  Don't worry about which avatar you choose, you will be editing and changing it later. After going through the steps of creating a username, and the other aspects of setting up your account, you can then go through the process of joining Bloodlines.

Useful Vocabulary To Know:

• HUD- Heads Up Display. This item must be purchased in order to play the game of Bloodlines.
• Human/Blood doll- Beginning status for all Bloodlines players. Essential for the game overall. 
• Liege- Mentor, helper, teacher, friend you choose to help guide you in your Bloodlines adventures. 
• Lycan- A werewolf Bloodlines player. 
• Lumens- The lycan equivalent of blood; moonlight.
• Vampire- A Bloodlines player with blood sucking sexiness. 
• Hybrid- A Bloodlines player who is both vampire and lycan. 

2. Choose a Liege and Clan

Not every Bloodlines player is nice. Many deceptive vampires and lycans prowl the new (noob) areas hoping for an easy target. Don't fall for the first one to talk to you.  Be selective. You will be dealing with this person for the duration of your Second Life. Becoming one's liege is an honor.  I also advise choosing a liege that speaks your language and plays Second Life about the same time you do.

Some players like to be given a tour of the vampire/lycan clan lands by the possible lieges before agreeing. These individuals will also be a major part of your Second Life experience. Not every clan is the same either. Some require heavy role playing, bowing to the royals, strict clothing rules, and regulating your activities outside of the clan. Be sure you are well-informed before you join! 

3. HUD

After you choose a liege, the next process is buying the HUD.  Which role (vampire, lycan or human) you choose determines which HUD is purchased.  Each one is L$599 or about $2.85 US.  I advise against the Human HUD in case you want to become a vampire or lycan later. Save yourself the money! Either you or your liege can purchase the HUD. Make sure this is determined beforehand. No need in starting out on the wrong foot. If you are still very young in the game, you might have to click the key grabber so the system can access your information.  These are pyramid looking items near the Bloodlines vendors. 

*Human, Lycan or Vampire* 

4. Joining! Finally! 

After dragging the HUD box to the ground, open it, copy the contents to your inventory. Access your inventory, and wear the HUD.  Your liege will ask to bite you. It doesn't hurt I promise! You must agree to the animation in order to join.  The first person to bite/claw you will then reap your virtual soul and become it's holder. It doesn't hurt you in any way. Remember, this is for role playing purposes. It's virtual (not real). The soul holder should be someone you trust (see #2). You will then set liege and clan using your HUD. 

5. Setting Liege and Clan

On your HUD there is a small button that looks like a wheel. Click that and a drop down menu will appear.  Depending on the HUD you are wearing, you will click clan (Thirst HUD), pack (Rage HUD) or group (Human HUD).  Then click Set Liege. Your choice for liege should still be nearby. Pledge your allegiance to them and TADA! Your adventures can begin! 

Next week: The role of a Blood Doll in Bloodlines