The Harmony Hills Community

 

By Netera Landar

 

“Harmony Hills is a place where happiness and serene nature exist in harmony, where the promise of a bright future beckons from beyond. It will be our pleasure to welcome you home.”  ---Harmony Hills organizers

Harmony Hills was founded in July 2024 with a single region. It recently introduced its fifth. All photos courtesy of the Harmony Hills' owner.

A city bus stops in downtown Harmony Hills and then drives down the road. It’s quiet on a Saturday morning. I glance at the Second Life clock and see it’s only 8 a.m. Walking down the sidewalk in this roleplay community, I gaze at the store signs to see which businesses are here. Bloomberry Dolls is the first store on the street. A blue neon light flashes, drawing my attention to the local Video Games hot spot. 

 

Harmony Hills Hospital, where the doctors and nurses are prepared for any emergency.

 

Harmony Hills Hospital is conveniently located in the center of town. Down the street, I see a familiar pancake house. There’s a coffee shop, welcome center, town hall, bowling alley, yoga studio, and fast-food restaurants. That’s only a sample of what’s there.

Riverwalk Coffee House is just one of the many businesses in Harmony Hills.

 

This place feels like home. 

 

Angeliana Claro, the owner of Harmony Hills, founded the community in July 2024 with a single region that included both a residential neighborhood and a commercial district to support local businesses and encourage social interaction. She was responsible for its layout and vision, and a close-knit group of founding residents helped shape the town’s early identity. Town gatherings and seasonal events were hosted, and roleplay moments brought residents together.

Businesses and a new outdoor cafe area in the new region.

The most recent expansion is the addition of a fifth region. Included are horse stables, more town entertainment, commercial buildings, and a suburban living neighborhood.

“My goal was to create a town that felt alive, not just as a collection of rentals, but a place where stories unfold naturally, connections form easily, and residents feel like they belong. We don’t discriminate against anyone, and all are welcome,” Angeliana explained.

She recalled that in the beginning, the team was small. Four months after its development, the first general manager was hired. As Harmony Hills grew, departments and leadership roles were added to support the expanding community.

“Now we proudly have over 30 staff members, several department heads, and managers. All being rockstars to keep operations in Harmony Hills running smoothly,” said Angeliana.

Formal dining is offered at Chateau Noir.

Asked how the community has evolved, she replied that it’s grown significantly in size, structure, and depth. More regions have been added, more homes and businesses, and a wider range of roleplay opportunities, while still keeping the small-town feel. A number of residents play specific roles, such as police, fire, business owners, or town staff. They can participate whenever they want. New residents introduce fresh narratives.

She stated that interaction and connection are the core goals. Friendships grow naturally from shared experiences, but the focus is on meaningful engagement, storytelling, and community involvement.

“Today, Harmony Hills is home to a thriving and active population. We have roughly 200 residents. Many residents have stayed long-term, while others have moved on, often leaving lasting stories and memories behind,” she said.

A recent Paint & Sip Event.

Regular events are hosted 4 to 5 times a week, including town gatherings, department-based roleplay, seasonal celebrations, and natural story-driven events. Past events have included a classic car show, town hall meetings, a bowling tournament, trick or trivia, Oktoberfest, Fall Fair, Fall Masquerade Ball, Harvest Fest, Paint & Sip Event, Valentine’s Day Prom, Mother’s Day Brunch, and the grand opening of Old Dublin Pub.

Harmony Hills even has a newspaper. Jewels Munro and Tay O’Malley-Munro both report on what’s happening so residents can keep informed. 

Harmony Hills Town Hall.

In terms of real estate, Harmony Hills offers a variety of homes, from modest residences to larger family properties. Angeliana said that prices are fair and the town offers something for everyone. 

 

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/London%20Square/106/146/24 

 

Netera Landar 

 

More on the Mos Espa "Star Wars" Sim Closing

Last week on Nov 26, it was reported that the Mos Espa sim, a location for roleplaying by several "Star Wars" groups, would be closing down in two days. Daniel Voyager wrote that the sim owner stated the reasons were "due to real life and Second Life issues."

Mos Espa in the "Star Wars" movies was a small city on the desert world of Tatooine, where the young Anakan Skywalker lived in "The Phantom Menace" (In "A New Hope," Luke Skywalker and  Obi-Wan Kenobi get off the planet through Mos Eisley). A notecard from the sim described the town in it's RP with the following: "Mos Espa is only one town on Tatooine, it is known to be a dangerous place under control of multiple Hutt Clans. With one of the most harsh environments for a planet, the sun is burning hot. Temperatures are high and storms blow up with winds of sand ripping through the town slowly eroding all in is way. Residents of the town are often seen in basic style robes and hoods to protect themselves from the sand storms and sun."

The role-play is described as taking place long after the events in the movies. Under the rules, the Nasiri Clan was the only one open to players, the rest being represented by NPCs in plots. Among the groups in the sim were the Nasirii Hutt Clan, the Nasirii Enforcers (guards and security), Nasirii Entertainment (dancers and staff), and Nasirii Hutt Clan Contracts (smugglers and freelance traders).

Going through the sim, there were a number of buildings around the place, some more detailed than others. In one corner was a Jawa sand trawler with a few banthas (beast of burden and meat source). One building I came across was a bar, the "Last Shot Cantina." The Star Wars Roleplay Wiki describes the place as having had different people employed as managers, but all having failed to make enough money to please its Hutt owners. Looking around the place, there was a working music player. Two special events the notecard described the role-play as having time to time were Pod Races, and "Miss Galaxy" beauty contests. As for how to end the RP, Daniel Voyager wrote that the last act had, "The role-play will be about a Sith betrayal in the city and the destruction of Mos Espa."


One resident whom built much of the place was Glitch Tennant. Second Life Newser contacted him about the closing, and he responded, "I helped to build the sim. I got to play a bit, and be part of some good fun races. I was lucky to be asked to help build Mos Espa, and jumped at the chance. Really thanks goes to Wittsofwanda Zapatero, it was her sim she paid the bills and gave us all place to play."

"It's a shame to see the sim go, although thats part of Star Wars Roleplay. Players will continue on in story, and find other places to make home. I wish 'em all well, and it was a joy to see some of the stories made on Mos Espa. The players bring the life to any sim, and that's just magic. Happy RP to all."


Sources: Daniel Voyager, SWRP Wiki

Bixyl Shuftan