Tombstone Arizona in Second Life

On October 5th, I was asked this question:
"I really don't get this thing with the animals. How big a problem have they been of late?"

I answered in this fashion:
Adrian Wise: In all honesty, the "Animal Avatar" problems are equal to the "Child Avatar" problems that are equal to the "Adult Avatar" problems.

We have always had animal avatars in Tombstone, mainly keeping to
themselves. However as the refining of avatar animal shapes & skins become more popular, folks purchase them and not all have the wonderful acting ability to "put RP a good show"- if you will. "Act Naturally" enhancing a scene, adding a dash of comic relief, The "Ravens" portrayed by Zekey, Mina, and Corax - are an utter Scream and a delight to behold when they make their rare appearences, We had a wolf couple that would appear in the evenings and trot around keeping there distance and never saying a word.  Emmiting an ominous howl just after sunset. Some horses even...simply milling in the back ground. Most recently, we have "secret" den of puppies,and on occassion, the mom appears to protect them.  The Singular presence of a vulture on main street. simply sitting there on a hitching post...starting...glaring...waiting.  (I have recieved plenty of comments on the vulture all positive, well- that is to say -except from the folks most recently shot- wounded -and laying helplessly on the ground with no firend in sight save this...vulture)
As Housing and Apartments are readily offered to Human/Furry Avatars, Animal Avatars are offered Caves, dens, perches and stables throughout the SIM where they may freely roam. Animal Avatars do not have a special RIGHT to go and dwell in the Natives section simply as a whim- but may find access to the area a bit easier then say a cowboy with a sixgun roaming on Native land. In both cases, when crossing property lines, its always good to IM for permission, if for nothing else- to avoid an unwelcomed and time consuming incident and explanation. (Lets keep it in character folks - or use the OOC areas clearly marked. "Out of Character")

However - ANIMAL - CHILD - and HUMAN AVATAR alike have all  equally shared a common thread from time to time.  That is to say- picking and choosing which RULES OF TOMBSTONE apply to themselves.  The issue of no HUD worn - some kids have tried to refuse one - Some kids try to carry weapons/some adults refuse to wear one - or reset it- or wear two HUDS, or two weapons.
Adults Avatars have informed me rather matter-of-factly- if I do not carry a gun why should I wear a HUD- All the time I get this!!
A few Animal Avatars have had the compulsion to "talk" rather then "emote" their actions or reactions which is incredibly unacceptable.
Finally there are the Child Avatars that have the vocabulary of 20th century rocket scientists. Adult Avatars have a compulsion to shoot Child Avatars and nearly everyone needs to shoot at an Animal Avatar, the latter may not seem quite so aburd, unless of course you look at it this way: Throughout the SIM floor there are 1 PRIM animal representations of near every size and nature local to Arizona,
a hawk lazily circling above. I have yet to see those shot at. (And yes, by my pointing that fact out I anticipate the following question submitted to me: "If I shoot at the 1 Prim animals representations THEN can I shoot at the Animal Avatars and not get in trouble?")
 
 Thinking back to other problems I have  been told often, "Because I can" - and that answer is simply no answer at all. That answer has appeared at the scenes of "Random shootings" to teleportation across the SIM to Flying around to leaping and springing into to air what would be the equivalent of 10 meters or higher.  "Excuse me" I would inquire - "Why are you doing this?" " ...Because I can!"  (hmm, I think we'll take this quote to an entire new topic!)

No one is above reproach- I was once told that I had supposedly given a certain race Cart Blanche to do what they wish, without fear of repercussion.  Folks - if you ever hear anything that may sound so off color or unfair like that- kindly IM me for clarification- no matter who you may have heard that from. Has there been serious actions taken on players of Animal Avatars breaking rules of Tombstone? There sure has been! If nothing else, Animal Avatars are studied extremely closely upon arrival and the days to follow.  Some can tell you how thouroughly they were under a microscope.
"Avatars"
 and "Problems" here in Tombstone seem to arise with what I think I will refer to, for now, as an EXTREME multiple personality disorder. To clarify: 1 Account with 5-6 shapes/skins changing faster then you can change your socks. I have no explaination as to what would lead a person to act in this way.  I was told once by a "helpful" avatar that by their changing skins and personalities that they were assisting the SIM and furthering storylines. NOTHING could be FURTHER from the truth.  What was being accomplished by this action was confusion- and nothing more.  Disguises, et al, have been employed in storylines, with each case, the player wore a "FLIP TITLE" (color words that float abover the Avatars head normally used to indicate a Native name or the current health status) plainly stating - "DISGUISED AS OLD WOMAN" or most recently "BLACK STORM DISGUISED AS LT. CAVENDISH" a cunning plot on the part of an Apache Warroir.

Imagine in the decision and challange of portraying an ANIMAL AVATAR in real world circumstances, you have already given up your right to Freedom of Speech. Bare in mind that TOMBSTONE  is a REAL WORLD SIMUALTION complicated by the fact that we are also a PERIOD piece - 1897- an era on the cusp of the industrial revolution, World War, medical milestones and to my knowledge , until the invention of LASSIE, Flipper, SKIPPY the Bush Kangaroo or KOKO the GORILLA, Mr Ed or Francis the MULE,  talking animals were at a premium.

My thanks to the creators for such wonderful skins and shapes and to those folks that dare to wear them here in Tombstone. I happened to be setting something down on the SIM floor just the other day when a COYOTE (Tombstone's first) lets out one of those haunting howls! - I nearly jumped out of my Skin!!!