The original Fairport Faire and Square was a place for refugees, comrades in arms who experienced the end of the world together, to gain their bearings and show Second Life what they were capable of.
Now, with the "danger" past and some years under our belts, the tiny community has expanded to become the realm of Fairport, a place where fun is the objective and the only rule is to simply respect the other avatars.
The realm of Fairport is set up as a rustic county that resembles a feudal Anglo Celtic Isle.
Fantasy (Role play stuff):
For decades the coasts of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, and other territories accessible by the North Sea had been attacked and plundered by raiders. Perhaps it was the remoteness of their stronghold in the North Sea and the distance from other countries (countries that could not agree on anything, let along do something that would benefit their neighbor) that allowed the pirates to operate as freely as they did with impunity...
It is certain that the distance from civilization is why the Mary Jane, damaged as she was from running a blockade to smuggle refugees from their former home, set aground on a nearby island never to sail again. The survivors (a pirate turned gentleman, his wife, the captain of the Mary Jane, a leather worker, a seamstress, a scholar who dabbled in magic, an artist, a nurse, and a builder who dabbled in tatoo art) were able to watch the comings and goings of the raiders in secret.
The survivors observed that the raiders, with the exception of the leader and his personal bodyguards, were treated like forced labor and lived in squallor, bullied, and battered while the leader and his guards enjoyed the spoils of all of their raids. After much debate, a raider was chosen and the gentleman made tentative contact. He outlined a plan to the raider, a plan that would free all the raiders with minimal loss - a plan that guaranteed the shipwreck survivors a place in the future of the community. The raider met with the gentleman the next day to hear the welcome news that the raiders agreed to the plan.
The sun, barely peeking over the horizon, was the backdrop for nine armed figures hustling through the encampment only eight days after being shipwrecked on a nearby island. Stealing from shadow to shadow, the small group grew as they were joined by downtrodden raiders intent on their goal. The guards' skill and training was no match for a well laid plan and the element of surprise. No amount of experience and battle toughness can match the fury of a desperate man fighting for his freedom. The conflict was over quickly and with no losses to the rebels - triumphant cheers echoed from every corner of the island along with many shouts for the former leader to die.
After shouting loud enough to make him hoarse, the gentleman was able to calm the crowd by reminding them that out of hand killing and punishment without explanation was exactly what they rebelled against. Then and there, a charter was drafted that ensured the right of all to live and work in peace without fear of unjust punishment. The charter was ratified by unanimous, verbal assent. The former leader was judged guilty by all present and, until they could figure out what was to ultimately be done with him, he was put into the stocks. Soon rotten cabbage was being thrown at him and none objected.
Having some experience with logistics and labor organization, the gentleman divided up tasks to see to the immediate needs of all until more formal, detailed arrangements could be put in place. He also called for all loot and plunder to be cataloged at the warehouse. In the morning they would all meet to account for all that was gathered and see to it that everyone received a fair share.
Even with all of the immediate organization seen to, the gentleman could not sleep, not because of the thrill of victory or the excitement in the air, but because his mind was too busy working out what to do next. Sleep finally did overtake him and he woke alone in the late morning. Stumbling out of the tent he and his wife had taken as temporary shelter, he asked a former raider where he might find his wife. The former raider pointed toward the warehouse by the docks and said, "There is a party over there at the gathered pirate's plunder as you directed, try over there." From then on the warehouse bore the name "Pirate's Plunder", but that is a minor sidenote to the story.
The gentleman joined the party, and after finding his wife, he danced with her while informing her there was a lot of work he had yet to do - work that would require him to be away for a month at least. He kissed her, saying that he would explain later , but to trust him for now. When the community was exhausted from their morning of revelry and dancing, they ate lunch then gathered at the biggest building in town, the former barracks, to line up to receive their share of the loot as it was divided. The line eventually looped around the the entire community - one observer from the roof of the barracks commented that it looked like a giant square. Another lookout quipped, "Aye, the square to be paid fair and square!"
The gentleman had to struggle to get the attention of all, having gone hoarse the night before, but eventually they were listening to him again. He pointed out that soon the neighboring kingdoms would notice the raids had stopped and send ships to investigate and claim the land in the name of one kingdom or another - all they had worked for might be lost, but he had a plan to deal with that if they would trust him with a ship and a crew. Eventually they agreed, since he had gotten them this far and his wife would remain - proof that he intended to return. Of course she protested, but eventually his wife agreed and she was soon too busy carrying out his detailed instructions and ensuring his plans were followed in his absence to think about it too much.
He returned almost exactly one month later, impressed with how much had been accomplished in his absence and taking mental count of how many had stayed with the community and how many left after receiving their share of the spoils - more stayed than he had anticipated, a good thing.
The ringing bells summoned the entire community to the middle of town and the gentleman explained what had been accomplished, "We travelled to England, Denmark, Norway, France, Spain, and even to meet with a representative of the Roman Emperor. Not knowing this island was already free, they agreed to grant me control of this island, in their name. What that means is all of these countries will not be sending ships, thinking that they own this island. In reality, we go on as we planned a month ago. This land is rich in stone, lumber, and other materials. After I inform all their majesties of the new addition to their kingdoms I will return with stone masons and carpenters and craftsmen. As outlined the day we won our place here, it will be a haven for all. All will be welcome. None shall be treated with a regard to their appearance, or beliefs, or anything else except for their own behavior.
Hours later, having arranged as much as possible for the day, the gentleman took his wife in his arms in the cottage that had been built for them and kissed her over and over again. "You will accompany me on the next trip." He placed several scrolls and pieces of parchment in her arms. She looked at him quizzically and he explained, "Oh, those are documents proclaiming your husband to be an Earl, a Count, a Compte, Comde, Jarl, Greve, Graf, and several other equivalent titles I cannot remember at the moment. It seems there is a minimum rank required to run an island for a king and it makes our family a noble one...."
