Diomita Maurer’s Blog

For my simploring tour on Wednesday, December 16th, I picked “The Isles of Ice” from scoop.it SL Destinations. From what I could find out “The Isles of Ice” exists at least since 2014 and is owned by Linden Lab itself. Annie Brightstar (anniebrightstar) listed on her scoop.it SL Destinations the Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW) Moles Crazy Mole, Sylvan Mole, Squishy Mole, Silent Mole, Naughty Mole as builders and creators ot “The Isles of Ice“.

“The Isles of Ice” consist of 5(!) full regions (Aerodyne, Byrd, Periscope, Crankshaft, Vernier) with 20000 prims each, but the only a few of the total 100,000 are actually used. They are all built in a row and I was not able to make a full overview map for orientation. Hence I splitted the overview.

The Isles of Ice – bird’s eye view on orientation view

The landing in this icy environment is close to the see next to a penguin colony. They are lovely. The lighthouse caught my eye first and I went there. I walked up to the observation deck from where I had a nice view over “The Isles of Ice“.

Impressions of “Isles of Ice” (1) – around the landing point / the lighthouse

The most impressive building is next to the landing point as well. I first thought it was a power plant. But it must be something else. What is it? I have no idea. At the entrance is a huge “Ice Roboter”, inside are a few control screens from surveillance cameras of different spots of “The Isles of Ice“. And the machines inside? I have no idea. Outside of the central plant are some crytals ..is that a stock to be processed in the central plant?

Impressions of “Isles of Ice” (2) – the central plant

The landmark description did not reveal the purpose of the central plant but there’s a hint what “The Isles of Ice” was built for: “The hangout, headquarters, and laboratory for the people working on Magellan’s plan to save the world!“

I looked into all buildings near to the landpoint. One seems to be used for a control center, another is built to park the vehicles of the employees. In the control center I found a blue print “Anti Mind Control Project” – and one building seems to be kind of a laboratory with strange equipment and a cage with an animal? inside.

Impressions of “Isles of Ice” (3) – the control center

I continued my simploring tour walking over the “crystal bridge” to the huge center iglu. Here I found some information and a background story. The iglu is named “The Ice Hub”. In the center is the start point for a scavenger hunt – Magellan’s Grid Scavenger Hunt.

“Hello my brave adventurer. Your help is sorely needed. I received an urgent message from my dear friend Tyra. She was investigating missing crystals from Linden Realms when she discovered Mole people, (Not to be confused with our own beloved LDPW moles, who are quite a different kettle of worms), hauling crystals underground! I too have seen this for myself! So strange as the Mole people are normally so shy and un-aggressive. It seems as if they are being controlled by an evil mole named Dr Talpa. I first saw him in the tunnels under Nova Albion. Do not for any minute, underestimate this mole! He is highly intelligent and highly dangerous! Approach him with caution!

Impressions of “Isles of Ice” (4) – the vehicle garage, the laboratory building

After some preliminary investigations, we discovered that the evil Dr Talpa has been stealing crystals from the Linden Realms, to power a machine which will place Rock Monsters under his control. The machine hasn’t been perfected yet, but when it is, Doctor Talpa’s Boulder Beasts will erupt from below the terrain and take over Second Life!
The Moles seem to be under some sort of spell. We think they are being mind controlled. I have been testing my theory in my laboratory on The Isles of Ice, and I am trying to make an anti Mind Control Machine in the hopes of foiling Dr Talpa’s evil plan. So far I have made two special hats that seem to resist the mind control effects. My first prototype was the Tin Foil Hat, and a more advanced version is the Suckerfish Hat. Wearing one of these hats seems to resist the mind control effects.
We need your help, brave adventurer. We need you to collect the parts we need from around the grid to help construct our Anti Mind Control Machine, free the Mole people, and stop the evil Dr Talpa from his plans of total grid domination and destruction of Second Life as we know it!

Impressions of “Isles of Ice” (5) – inside of the laboratory

For now I have established a base of my own for the creation of this defense, and for the gathering of brave volunteers on the Isles of Ice. I have some theories to where the parts we need are located. To help you in your journey I have created snow globe teleports, located in the server room and I have also made a HUD with some clues to guide you on your travels
Proceed with caution!“

Impressions of “Isles of Ice” (6) – The Ice Hub

On the second floor of the “The Ice Hub” is a detailed instruction for the hunt. I didn’t look into that too but continues simploring. I came across another ice roboter and explored a a builing that is obviously used to meet and socialize.

Impressions of “Isles of Ice” (7) – The Event/Meeting building

“The Isles of Ice” provide a great background for taking pictures and it is it inspiring to see the different builings. A lot of creativity has gone into them. I had fun simploring “The Isles of Ice” although I didn’t understand all. My thanks go to the involved LDPW-Moles and to Linden Lab.

Landmark to “The Isles of Ice”
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Byrd/34/103/30