RFL: Colossus at Rhodes

Colossus at Rhodes (Teleport Point) is sponsored by EMO-tions.

The Titans are told of in the Greek Myths, and predated - even fomented - the beings we know as the Greek Gods. They were believed to be enormous, much larger than any human could ever be, and as such the Colossus at Rhodes representing Helios, aptly represented them on the earth. It was erected around the end of the 200s B.C.E. to celebrate successfully defending against Cyprus. It stood over thirty meters high (98.4 ft), about the size of a ten floor high building. While now we regularly have skyscrapers in the hundreds of meters in height, for the ancient world the Colossus was an impressive - even terrifying - sight. Much of the metal for it was taken from the abandoned weapons of the enemies who had left with their siege unrealized, which is a vivid example of turning swords into plowshares! It was destroyed in an earthquake in the 200s C.E.m having survived a little over four centuries.

The Colossus in Second Life managed to combine all the impressiveness of the original statue, with a single path of stores curving up around the body of Helios. It is a little difficult to navigate at times, since we can't see our feet, but the design is so novel and yet so easy that I was totally charmed. You can actually walk over the shoulders of Colossus and down one of his arms to perch on the tip of his finger, and having discovered I could do this I could not resist. I saw other people jumping off, or flying around, his enormous form as I took photographs, and you might see a few of them - small as flies around his massive form. I had been dubious when I began, but I ended up really loving the Colossus, even if it was a major pain to photograph with my outfit! A number of the storefronts here were empty, though, which was a shame; EMO-tions was spread across three storefronts, and I also saw a second incarnation of Tres Beau here - apparently an outlet from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

I also had great luck with the stores, managing to set myself up with hair, jewelry, a dress, and shoes all within the Colossus - which is a first for this project! Beginning at the top, my hair is a gorgeous design from EMO-tions, which combines a colored hair tattoo with a prim updo complete with decorative coins. I had to edit it slightly to fit it around my ears, but I really loved the effect and it moves beautifully.It is flexy layers of semi-transparent hair, which means there might be alpha occlusion errors, depending on your angle. EMO-tions is having a sale for the duration of the Faire as well, all hair tones for only 99$L while fatpacks are slightly more expensive at 500$L. The jewelry is a wonderful find from Pure Poison, and is one of the first things I've seen for sale which really conforms to the theme of the ancient world, being rather thick and geometrically styled cuffs, collar, and earrings. I really fell in love with these when I put them on; they are simple, iconic, and well made - definite keepers. The Silk Dreams dress is a gorgeous sheath with embroidery on it which I really adore, and which I believe is exclusive to the Faire. I'm wearing the largest size, as it didn't otherwise fit my bust, but unlike a lot of large dresses it still nips in at the waist. Finally, my first purchase was these gorgeous peep-toe shoes from AHN-JI with a pretty flower design on it in shades of pink and green. I was surprised to find when I put them on that they included ankles as well as peep-toes, and as you can see I had some difficulty matching the skin. The HUD has a variety of ways to tint, which made it easier than it might have been, but I'm afraid my patience wasn't what it should have been.

( More pictures here. )

Credits: 

Skin: De La Soul, Aestali - Cream Rose
Eyes: De La Soul, RooMee Eyes - Rainbow
Eyelashes 1: SLink, Mesh Lashes
Eyelashes 2: Flugeln Brise, 04-A
Eyeshadow: Pin Me Down, Nacre 6 (RFL Donation)
Lipstick: Mock, Bella Vetro Gloss - Cabaret
Hair: EMO-tions, Semiramis (RFL Donation)
Wings: Fancy Fairy, Azarelle
Jewelry: Pure Poison, Gold Greek Accessories (RFL Donation)
Dress: Silk Dreams, Milano Mesh Dress (RFL Donation)
Bird: silentsparrow, Chymri Plush Bird (50 Linden Fridays)
Shoes: AHN-JI, "Shaori" Spring II (RFL Donation)

Poses: Glitterati

Location: RFL: Colossus of Rhodes
Light Settings: Places Duskwood
Water Settings: Phototools Ship Light

Photographed by Deoridhe Quandry
Post processing: Cropping, only