Being a free player, owning land isn’t an option for me. Not that I felt the need for a home here for most of my time in SL. Some months ago, two friends of mine invited me to use a house of theirs rent free for a while. But for reasons beyond their control, the deal had to be called off. So it was back to calling my office my home. But as it turned out, not for long.By a happy coincidence, I came across the Woodlin community. The scenery itself is impressive, with it’s tall trees with treehouse apartments and walkways. It’s possible to get around without flying in most places with the use of elevators and climbable ropes. There’s a shopping area for those looking for clothes or a new avatar, a community platform in the main apartment tree for dance parties or a soak in the hot tub, a couple steampunkish balloon & propellor craft for flying around in, a temple to meditate in, two clubs, 6th Circle and Star Tails, to party in, a theater to watch movies, and other things to do.
But what makes the place what it is, it would be the people there. I called it the Woodlin community, not just a sim, for a reason.Woodlin was created by Dax Loon about eight months ago. A resident of SL who has had quite a colorful history over time, she created the place at Dreamers Cove as her image of an ideal place to live, later expanding it to Hopeful Shores, and kept rentals fairly low. A master builder whom a friend described as “oozing talent,” she is often working on new projects. But she will drop what she’s doing to show someone around.
But the sim is more than just one person. Megatherion Zenovka, a neko with a small arsenal of big weapons, is described by Dax as her “right hand” in the sim. There is Staticminded Waco, a self-proclaimed “dirty old dog” whom isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself in order to get a chuckle from his friends and once got the Star Tails club on a real-life club’s TV screen while doing DJ duty. There is Foxyfurman Kumaki, another DJ whom has put up some interesting variety of songs. There is Aiko, a fun-loving prankster. There is her “sister” Marai, a friendly sweet-voiced kitten whom is often her “partner in crime.” There is Galvenized Hammerer, a good friend of Dax and another notable DJ with a “dramatic commercial voice.” There is Evo Imako, Star Tails’ main DJ. There are Bubbles, Leon, Danika, Scratch, Rory, Jessica, and many others whom have helped make the place what it is. A place that finally got me to part with a bit of cash to help contribute to it’s going.
The majority of Woodlin’s residents are furred avatars. But Woodlin is not and will never be a “furry” community. Dax has stated over and over again the place is open to all, and it irritates her how some furs, nekos, and normal humans strictly stay within a “cliche.”So if you’re in SL looking for a club to dance, a place to shop, or just want to look around some scenic views, come on over. And if you’re looking for a place for a home here in the metaverse, I doubt you’ll find a friendlier group of neighbors.
Bixyl Shuftan
