ELF CLAN REBORN! Vendui' Elvenae! And a warm welcome to our loyal orc, dragon, mer, pixie, centaur, human and other friends! We are pleased to announce the "rebirth" of Elf Clan and our island of ELVENMYST. Undoubtedly members new and old will wonder how this came to be. HOW THIS CAME ABOUT Since greatly reducing his SL activity, group Founder Wayfinder Wishbringer had received many comments lamenting the loss of Elf Clan and wishes that the group had some place to meet. While Wayfinder and the entire Elf Clan Counsel had decided to cease financial and event support of Second Life, the members themselves were still important. The idea of an Elf Clan Museum came to mind, based on a single 4096m plot of land. Wayfinder designed and built the museum, then went to an old friend and strong supporter of Elf Clan, Peter Lioncourt, to see if there might be someone who would be willing to host the museum. Peter mentioned he himself was considering renting 1/2 sim and offered to dedicate at least part of that to Elf Clan use. But the more Peter considered it, the more enthusiastic he became about an actual rebirth of the group. He offered to purchase a full sim, retaining ownership of the land but dedicating it entirely to Elf Clan use. Wayfinder agreed to build the sim and grant it official Elf Clan status, so long as it could be designed to be self-moderating and self-supporting (so as to not take up any one individual's time excessively). Wayfinder met with members of the Counsel and asked if they would be willing to support such a project. The answer was very enthusiastic. A new group Charter was designed, based on the foundation of the original, but designed to make Elf Clan self-supporting, without constant oversight and management by the Eldar. An old role, Greeter, has been expanded to include moderator and protectorant abilities, with the Greeters being put in charge of sim operation. Their primary role is that of befriending visitors and making them feel welcome to the land. But in addition, they will have full sim authority that before was exercised only by the Eldar. You can learn more about Elf Clan and our new home at the Welcome area of our island. Welcome to the new Elf Clan! WHY IS ELF CLAN RETURNING AFTER SHUTTING DOWN? The initial decision was to cease investment of funds and time. But our investment in members never ceased. As some will verify, Wayfinder has returned to SL on occasion to assist someone who had a question or to visit old friends. Consideration for Elf Clan members has always been of importance. When Peter offered to host Elf Clan, considering continued requests of our members for someplace to gather, how could we refuse such a generous offer? The comment most often forwarded to us was, "It's just not the same without Elf Clan." We could not turn a deaf ear to such sentiments. Peter had already planned on significant land acquisition; hosting Elf Clan was the best use he could imagine for such a land. In order to help pay tier fees, Peter is allowing very limited residential area for members who would wish to make their home on Elf Clan lands. This will not only help financially, but will enhance the beauty of our lands with the variety so long found in Elf Clan builders. Please contact Peter Lioncourt for land rental guidelines. We are pleased to be able to provide a home once again for our members. That Peter has enabled us to do so is a great act of friendship and loyalty by one of our oldest members. Note from Wayfinder: I am pleased to work with Peter in rebuilding Elf Clan lands. Although I visit SL these days only on occasion, this opportunity to provide a peaceful and harmonious habitat for our members was one I could not pass up. I take enjoyment therefore, in helping to re-create our fabled lands. Peter and I both hope you are equally pleased at the results-- and in the interesting changes in the new Charter. Our best wishes to you all. Vendui' Elvenae! Elf Clan once again has a home.