The Alphaville Herald

Sex and the Second Life City: Toxian City

by Alphaville Herald on 06/08/09 at 7:24 am

Horror, murder, suspense, drama and sex – urban roleplay sim coverage continues

by Millennium Sands

Emerging somewhat less valiant and daring from her adventure at Deadend City, our reporter decides to observe events rather than getting involved as she prepares the trip to the last destination of her tour.

Toxian City's dense atmosphere and imaginative scenery impressed even Torley Linden, according to a poster at the OOC area with sampled comments from visitors. The same poster promises "Horror, Murder, Suspense, Drama and Sex", and our reporter enjoys a first glimpse on those promises while she watches the 5:29 long action packed video she triggered by clicking the Toxian Movie Trailer sign nearby. There's also a map of this two-sim city, with a legend rating places as more or less dangerous.

Exploring the city with an observer tag, the reporter becomes soon aware of a major difference between this place and the ones she's visited so far. In contrast to Deadend City and the Crack Den, Toxian City is not just populated by humans.

Some rezidents look human at first glance, but turn out to be vampires at a closer look. Others are easily recognized from a far distance as gross monstrositys. All in all, 8 different races roam the streets, and each one calls a special district of the city its home.

It's hard to overdress in Toxian. Almost every avatar is a spectacular sight of it's own. While you might get along with a simple and budget friendly noob apparel at other places, typical toxians have a refined sense for style, and try their very best to make a considerable personal contribution to the collective effort of all proper citizens to lag the sim down with tons of fancy attachments. Usually with amazing success: Crossing a street in Toxian City can take more time than writing an acceptable emote at the Crack Den.

a toxian crowd – dressed to kill

Not all these attachments are only fashionable decorations, though. As a matter of fact, some are almost indispensable. While wearing an unconcealed weapon might get you arrested by local police forces at the other two citys, most toxians would feel naked without a weapon, because contrary to Deadend City and the Crack Den, Toxian City is a fighting sim. It could even be called home of the popular DCS2 combat and role playing system.

A volley of stray bullets hits a wall behind her while our reporter makes her stand against the ever present lag on her way to the DCS shop. Weapons prices range from 600 for a simple broadsword to 2300 for an ice sword, but since she doesn't intend to get involved in a fight anyway, she can save the expenses.

DCS weapons shop

A lot of people have gathered at a nearby crossroad, and the journalist joins the crowd to see what's going on there. Some fighters stand in the middle of the road, threatening and challenging each other with short emotes. The rest of the crowd looks on, and they don't have to wait long before a fight is started.

From a local fighter who hit on her in IM, the reporter knows that the various toxian races don't get along with each other. As it turns out, they don't get along with their own kind as well.

a deadly duel

The first battle at this improvised arena puts two vampires against each other, a woman and a guy, and their fight is fast, furious, and loaded with special effects as well as AO-stunts. Art usually excels reality, so this fight is not as fast and fluent like the one that is shown in the trailer. It's still amazing to see how these warriors get along, despite the lag handycap.

After some vicious cuts with a blade and a finishing round of lead for the kill, the victorious vampire girl captures her opponent and not only releases him at once, but also heals him. Immediately, she prepares herself for the next challenge. This time, it's a mutant, and his fate is no better or worse than the one of his predecessor.

vampires

More gladiators beam in. Each of them looking for a quick fight, without bothering about roleplay or emotes too much. All they want is a fast paced fight, and experience teached them it can be found here, at Toxian City.

Our reporter leaves the scene and continues to explore the city. At the hospital, she spots a lonely girl who looks like a sort of angel.

The girl is unarmed, and it seems like she's here to care for fighters who were injured in battle. In the trailer, all hospital beds were occupied by sick or wounded citizens. Right now, all beds are vacant and the place is empty. But looking at this girl, who seems to be waiting, defenseless and vulnerable, expecting the moment when her selfless services will be of dire need to the public, tells our reporter that there might be another side to Toxian City.

A side, secret and hidden to the innocent and unprepared eye of the casual observer.

A side, different from the noisy spectacle provided by proud gladiators who clash arms and engage in quick battle for a meaningless advance in level.

A side, dedicated to yet another unique approach to RPGs.

a toxian lady

EPILOGUE

"Wow! What a trip! If all assignments will be like that, this reporter job is the most exciting thing I ever did inSL!!!"

Sitting down at her desk, the pretty blonde starts to type her reports, while the somehow limited capacities of her little brain try to sort, categorize, and comprehend the colorful and puzzling flood of impressions she gathered during her voyage.

"Uhm… Crack Den? Quite funny for folks with an IQ above 2000, 107 years of experience in english, and determined to win the next pulitzer award in literature….. felt like home to me! "

"Hmmm…. Deadend City? It was easy to get along with those folks. Playing their game might prove to become a considerable contribution to multinational relationships. Peace and mutual understanding for the price of… uhmm… well…"

"Toxian City… let's see…. Damn! I wish I'd remember the name of that handsome guy in that stunning outfit. I bet he crashed the sim single handed. And I still have to find out what sex has to do with that place….."

And the blonde types on, oblivious to the consequences her reports might inflict on the worlds she visited.