RLV

Introduction

This page doesn't aim to document RLV in any great detail, it just aims to provide a simple introduction and, all being well, point people in the direction of useful resources.

What is RLV?

RLV is a term you'll see used to mean a number of different things. Primarily it's the short form of the name for a Second Life viewer known as the Restrained Love Viewer (more on viewers in a moment). It also often refers to the API that is used by developers and builders to make BDSM toys. Generally, if you see a restraint or device advertised as "RLV-enabled", or something similar, it means that it is designed to make use of the features provided by a viewer that incorporates the RLV API.

Why would I want to use RLV?

An RLV viewer helps to enhance some aspects of BDSM roleplay in Second Life. It does this by making restraints (either worn restraints or traps, cages, etc...) more realistic. For example, if a submissive is locked in a cage, use of RLV will generally mean that they're unable to teleport away. Another example would be that if you lock a gag on them it can be made so that they can't detach it and, in many cases, it will inhibit their ability to speak in public chat (often turning their attempts at speech into "gaglish").

From the point of view of Z&A, it's useful with our products because the capture and hold aspects of them require it to work properly (as do the stripping options -- you do want to strip your victims now and again, right?).

Okay, that sounds fun, so what do I need to get so I can lock people up?

If you're the top, if you're the one who'll be doing the locking up, locking on, capture, etc.... nothing. You can just carry on using your viewer of choice -- at least, not when it comes to using Z&A products.

Okay, that sounds fun, so what do I need to get locked up?

First off you need a viewer that implements RLV. The most obvious choice is, of course, the original: the Restrained Love Viewer. Other options include Firestorm, Imprudence, Singularity, Catznip and Nirans (Antony and Zardia use Firestorm). When looking at third party viewers for Second Life, don't forget to keep the Linden Labs third party viewer policies in mind.

Having got and installed an RLV viewer, make sure that you're running it and that you have the RLV API turned on (with some viewers it's an option that is off by default -- consult your viewer's documentation) and you're pretty much good to go in the simplest case. That simplest case is restraints you wear. So, for example, at that point, RLV-enabled cuffs, gags, blindfolds, etc, should all work fine.

However, at some point (probably right away, right?), you'll probably want to get yourself locked in a cell, or locked on some sort of device (there's plenty of devices to try out at the Z&A main store, obviously), or caught by some sort of trap. To do this you'll need a thing called a relay. An RLV relay is normally either built into something you wear (a collar being a very popular choice) or is worn as a HUD. It's a device that allows items that you're not wearing to control you via RLV.

Documenting how to use a relay is beyond the scope of this document, and each one will work a little different and will come with its own documentation. We would strongly recommend having a good look at different relays, asking trusted friends about their experiences of them, and having a good read of the documentation when you pick one.

So where do I find one of them relay things?

Z&A don't recommend (or provide) a particular relay, and our equipment should work with all recent versions of all relays. We will, however, list (in no particular order) some of the options here:

• Cerdita
  • Dari (most collars built with Dari's scripts contain a relay).
• Dominatech
• *GEL*
  • iControl (includes a relay)
• MoDesign
  • OpenCollar (includes a relay, this is what Antony generally uses)
• Satomi's
• Susan's
  • tkPBA (also found on many Think Kink vendor boards in-world)

That list is in no way a comprehensive list. Where possible we'll be adding to it.

The stability of relays can vary over time. In an effort to try and be sure what does and doesn't work well with Z&A products Antony is maintaining a list based on some simple tests. You might like to use that to inform your choice.

Wait! Hang on! I still have questions!

As we said at the start of the document, the aim isn't to answer all possible questions about RLV and related issues. However, that said, if you still have questions and you're stuck finding answers -- especially if it relates to your enjoyment of Z&A products -- please do feel free to contact us in-world and we'll do our best to help out.