Bloggers across the grid had their first opportunity to witness the regions of this year’s Fantasy Faire. And the verdict is already in:

Amazing.

No fewer than thirteen regions await the arrival of visitors to the Faire, which runs from Thursday, April 23rd through until Sunday, May 3rd inclusive, all in aid for Relay for Life. And even before the gates have officially opened, this year’s Faire has already raised L$1,559,776 ($6,239) as of 12:00 noon on April 21st.

This year, the Faire brings a host of new activities and opportunities for everyone to get involved in the biggest fantasy event fund-raiser in virtual worlds today, together with the return of popular activities from previous years.

Role-play will once again be a feature of Fantasy Faire in 2015, with three unfolding role-play stories taking place within the Fairelands.

The Rickety Weasels have once more returned to the Faire, and this year have set-up house in the station at Poppetsborough, the wonderful town of paper created from the pages of a book when a mouse accidentally sneezed upon it. Not only that, but the town appeared with its own inhabitants, the kind-hearted and magical Poppets, complete with a magic train capable of carrying passengers to any story, despite only travelling in a circle.

But Poppetsborough and the Poppets are frail, being made only of paper, and now tears and holes are appearing in the pages of Poppetsborough, which are corrupting the stories with wickedness and drawing others into nothingness. Can it be stopped? Can Poppetsborough be restored – the Rickety Weasels are determined to try to mend the Tears of Poppetsborough – will you aid them?

Meanwhile in the Spires of Andolys, the dark role play of The Origins of Sanctuary: Lut’s Story will unfold. Long ago Lut, the Sultan of Sanctuary, made a deal that tore the realm from God’s judgement. This deal Lut has never had to answer for until now. The dark Sultan will be placed before judgement for this deal he made. Will he be found innocent and justified, or guilty and be destroyed because of it?

Finally, and having started on April 15th on the NeoVictoria region,The NeoVictoria Project bring their latest role-play event to the Fairelands and the winter City of Aurora. In The White Wedding, a despairing fae scientist, cursed to bring winter wherever he goes, the Sidhe empire for Aurora. But fate and love are not so easily abandoned. The shade of his human wife seeks the help of the NeoVictorians and they bring her to the Fairelands, to find her spouse and end the curse.

To keep up with the evolving stories of each of these role-play events, Fantasy Faire Radio, available across the regions of the Fairelands (outside of entertainments and special events) will be broadcasting regular news bulletins and updates every hour, via new anchorman, Elrik Merlin. Fantasy Faire Radio is also the source for up-to-the-minute news on the Faire as it unfolds, and for reminders and suggestions on where to go and what to see.

Poseidon’s Abyss, designed by artist Haveit Neox, provides the venue for a wide range of entertainments within the Faire this year, and is also the focus for the arts within the Faire. A magical place both above and below the waves, Poseidon’s Abyss will be the venue for one of the features new to Fantasy Faire this year – the Fantasy Faire May Day Ball, at which the King and Queen of the Faire will be announced, as will their Counsellor. Don’t miss your opportunity to vote!

Another event new to the Faire this year, but fully in keeping with its theme, is the Literary Festival. Running throughout the Faire, and including a special celebration and commemoration of Sir Terry Pratchett on April 28th (which would have been his 67th birthday), the Literary Festival brings a host of its own events, including open microphone opportunities, discussion groups and readings of stories and poems from the world of fantasy. All of this will take place deep in a magical glade within the realm of Sylvan Spells.

Of course, no Fantasy Faire would be complete without a hunt, or the appearance of the Fairelands Junction. The hunt this year promises to be something quite spectacular in the story of The Lost Lands. Will you be the one to save the Princess, save Fairelands – and save us all?

At the heart of the Fairelands, there is a road less taken that leads to a forgotten land, lost in Winter. A bridge reaches across the Sea of Mists to the island beyond. For thousands of years, it has been abandoned, slipping from the memory of mortal and fae. Only a few ruins remain of what once must have been a great and noble dwelling. Who lived there long ago? Even their names are hidden in legend and story.

Be sure to purchase your copy of the HUD – it costs just L$250, or L$350 with a celebratory costume and 100% of all proceeds go to RFL of SL. Seek the Ten Champions scattered across the Faireland regions, hear their memories, learn from them as you seek to return Princess Flora to the Fairelands. And don’t forget to prepare yourself for the hunt by reading The Book of Champions on-line, which may serve you well in your hunt.

Your gateway to Fantasy Faire remains, as always, the Fairelands Junction, which this years has a beautiful aquatic theme. Here you’ll find low-lag avatars you can wear, the portals to the Fairelands regions, the Why I Relay Gallery, the silent Auction… all awaiting your discovery, below and above the waves.

And with all the familiar and loved activities (yes, those Tiny sheriffs are back with Jail’n’bail as well!), Fantasy Faire 2015 is going to be a truly magnificent event – so be sure to visit the Fairelands! There is so much to see and do!

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