Interview with a Vampire: An Inside Look into the Crimson Shadow Family

We all know that Crimson Shadow has gorgeous clothing and accessories by some of SL's top designers with a very cool club full of talented DJs. What isn't widely known is the existence of the family of vampires that calls Crimson Shadow home. I sat down with the very enchanting Voshie Paine, the manager of Crimson Shadow and an Elder Vampire of the Crimson Shadow Family, to learn more about the culture of the sim.

And culture there is! I was surprised to learn (although in hindsight, I'm not entirely sure why) that Voshie was a "full-time" vampire. Let me briefly explain what I mean by this. I personally enjoy visiting role play ("rp" for short) sims, usually with a post-apocolyptic theme. Only in SL is prowling around slum-looking sims a good time! When I teleport into an rp sim, I am Adaire the Vampire. When I teleport out, I'm just Adaire (sans bloodsucking!).

Voshie, on the other hand, is always a vampire and has quite an intriguing background. She revealed that she was born in Russia in the late 1700s. Around the age of 16 or 17, as she blossomed into a young village woman, she began to be followed by a pack of vampires. Unaware of it, she carried on her daily life, full of hard work and hard times. One evening, after she had successfully stolen some bread to feed her family and was hurrying home, she was stopped and surrounded by several dark shapes. She doesn't remember much of what happened, but she was unable to be rescued before what vampires call "the change" happened.

What she does remember quite clearly is the pain as her human body died and her vampire self was born. Right afterwards, a Dragon Justicar took her under his wing (for several hundred years, she added) and amongst other things, taught her the value of human life. I was surprised to learn that she, as well as the other Crimson Shadow vampires, have a code to not take blood from a human being without asking and to never kill simply to quench one's thirst.

I couldn't help but notice the attractive Neko boy sitting next to Voshie, and it seemed like a good time to ask about him. Said Neko is Thoren Dagger, a model and her personal blood doll. Blood dolls are the property of vampires and are used for...well, I bet you can deduce why! She's quick to add that he is not part of the family. What I take this to mean is, "Don't touch my Neko!!!" Thoren assures me that he enjoys his role and takes pleasure in giving of himself to his mistress.

But what of the other vampires? The family calls Crimson Shadow home (but they are a separate group from Crimson Shadow staff, so they're not like the Klingons at the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas and get paid to take pictures with you, lol!) and spend lots of time there socializing and dancing to the DJs that spin every night. Almost a year old, Crimson Shadow is a haven for not only vampires, but other supernaturals, those interested in the alternative/gothic lifestyle, and anyone looking for some fun.

Voshie stated, "We are a VERY close family, and no matter what we are doing or where we are at, we are there for each other. But we enjoy meeting new people and welcoming new additions to our family. There is a sign in the club that can be clicked for more information, but spending time at Crimson Shadow and getting to know us is the best way to join us."

And there you have it. Wander around Crimson Shadow to hear some great music, shop for beautiful clothing, and make some new friends. Check out the events calendar on rezzable.com to find out what is going on when. And say hello to the family if you see them, and perhaps even become a "Beloved." I know that I personally have been seduced by the gothic atmosphere of it and will be a regular on the dance floor. See you there!