Once Upon a Time …

That’s the way all the best stories begin, isn’t it? And Fantasy Faire is no different.

So we could say that once upon a time, there were lands of many enchantments … the Fairelands. And in the Fairelands were regions of great and fascinating beauty, and many stores with wonderful wares to sell. There was music and laughter and a police that was small in stature but ferocious at upholding the law and at inflicting fines for infringements.

But there it all just begins, for Fantasy Faire has always been a place for stories … for taking the “Once Upon a Time” and then creating the story to follow … a story that every individual visitor to the Faire could write for themselves.

This year the Faire will be celebrating those stories in a variety of ways!

MACHINIMA
First of all, if you are a machinima artist and want to tell a story created at Fantasy Faire, there will be special access for FIVE machinima artists in the days leading up to the event when the sims will be quieter. We will be sharing more details of this soon.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Then there will be a PHOTO COMPETITION with very special prizes. We are looking for the photographs that best capture the spirit of each of the eleven sims – and the winners will be included in a calendar (with credits for the photographers) that will be created in real life using Cafe Presse and sold to raise money for Relay for Life. So this year, people really will be able to take the Faire home with them – and share it with their friends and family too!

But … eleven sims … eleven months. What of the twelfth? That one will be the photograph that – in the opinions of the judges – best encapsulates the spirit of the Faire. Not only will it be the image for the twelfth month – it will also appear on the cover of the calendar.

SHORT STORIES AND POETRY
As we had last year, there will be a short story competition – and this year there will be a poetry competition. Let the Faire inspire you to tell tales or compose ballads … the winners will appear in edition of Prim Perfect magazine, with a wealth of illustrations.

BALLET
In advance of the opening of the Faire, a special ballet will be staged and recorded. You’ll be able to see this on the blog and elsewhere in the days leading up to the Faire.

ROLE PLAY
Perhaps the most exciting development is that a series of tales will be unfolding directly at the Faire itself, with three established roleplaying groups bringing their stories to the Faire. Each will tell a story over part of the Faire; there’ll be opportunities for Faire visitors to become involved, to watch key events in the stories, and to follow the progression of these tales through news bulletins on Fantasy Faire Radio, and through special pages in the Events section of the Fantasy Faire blog.

NeoVictoria in Asperatus
The NeoVictoria Roleplay Group presents “The Revenge of Professor Timmons”. A renegade aristocrat and an evil scientist with revenge on their minds are using illicit Strand-world technology to create a murderous clockwerk automaton. After damaging the power-center of the NeoLondon Cathedral, they decamp to Planet Asperatus and the NeoVictorians follow to bring them to justice! Beginning on 1 May in NeoVictoria SIM, they will be bringing the story to the Fairelands on Monday, 5 May when their intrepid band of roleplayers land in the sky-city of the Fairelands: Asperatus!

The Rickety Weasels
In Wiggenstead Mooring, between the lagoon and the tavern, live a group of feral kids who call themselves “The Rickety Weasels”. They ferociously protect the four Guardians of the Elemental Stones, which keep the balance of the Fairelands.

Little do they know that, no far from there, the Shadows are growing stronger and greedier, and that their leader, The Dark Shadow, covets the Guardians of the Elemental Stones. For the Stones could give him Power, and into Darkness plunge the Fairelands forever.

Trade Winds Pirates
A group of desperate pirates have found themselves stranded in Blackwater Glenn, desperately seeking funds to repair their ship. What lengths will they go to to accomplish their goal? You’ll certainly find a warm welcome in their impromptu tavern – but will you also find your pocket lightened?

So come and join us at the Faire … we can’t promise that you’ll live happily ever after … but we will do our best to make sure that you find the most amazing stories to see, to join, to tell and to take home.