The Firefly Companion's Guild is a role-playing community within Second Life based on the fictional Companions from the television show Firefly. Members take on roles as Companions, who provide emotional and spiritual services. Over time, the community has integrated interests in philosophy, religion, etiquette training, and relationship building. It aims to provide an empowering space for feminist-oriented adult role-play that bridges different role-playing games and communities.

1. The Companion's Guild:
Role-play, education and spirituality in a
Second Life community
Jean-Paul DuQuette
University of Macau
5/2016

2. A little bit about myself
 Background in language
education
 Focus on online learning in
virtual world communities
 Volunteering and
researching the Cypris Chat
language learning
community within SL since
2008

3. Research methodology and theoretical
perspectives
Since the beginning of 2016
A longitudinal ethnographic case study in the vein of
Celia Pearce (2008) and Bonnie Nardi (2010).
Participant observation, interviews and discussion with
group members
Deschooling paradigms of Illich (1972) and Holt (1976)
(independent learning)
Digital Habitats of Wenger, White & Smith, (2009)
(technology stewards)

4. 11/05/16
 T'AO T'E CH'ING 63 at 5 PM
 In Memoriam: Stosh Quartz – Poetry Open Mic @ Blue Angel 5 PM
 Creative writing group @ Seeking Wisdom 6 PM
 Spirit Mini Disco (clothing optional) @ The Spirit Bath House 8 PM
 JPX Winkler and Telima Live @ Spirit Park 2 PM
 Iqisray Khai House is in mourning (Prince tribute) 11 PM

5. The Firefly Companion’s Guild
in Second Life

6. Linden Lab’s Second Life
 Since 2003
 A platform for graphical chat and
collaborative design
 User-created content
 Open-ended platform for avatar chat,
education, design and business
 Ex. : Cypris Chat
 Role-playing: Epic fantasy, horror,
historical recreation, science fiction
and sexual RP.
 IMAGE: haiiroman

7. Firefly / Serenity
 Firefly broadcast by Fox 2002-
2003
 Joss Whedon’s “space-
western”
 Serenity 2005
 Browncoats fan base
 (Debatably) representative of
libertarian ideals (Sanchez,
2005)
 IMAGE: http://pop-break.com/2015/10/13/nycc-panel-recap-firefly-reunion/

8. Inara Serra
 Played by Morena Baccarin
 A Companion (courtesan)
 Socially elite
 Skills above and beyond sex
including nurturing psychological
and emotional wellbeing, training in
etiquette and social graces and
performing arts. (Wikipedia, n.d.)
 (IMAGE: http://firefly.wikia.com/wiki/Inara_Serra)

9. The Firefly Companion’s Guild in Second
Life
Based on the character
of Inara Serra
Since (before) 2008
Firefly role-play within
SL, integrated with
other sci-fi RP
communities

10. Ranking
 Patron
 Acolyte
 Peacock Acolyte
 Flamingo/Hummingbird Acolyte
 Phoenix Acolyte
 Registered Companion (9)
 Priestess (3)
 High Priestess

11. Keeping in touch through groups
 The Firefly Companion’s Guild (155)
 The Companion’s Guild Social Network
(222)
 Facebook -
Companion's Guild, Bó'ài Hónglián Ho
use
 Website -
http://thefireflycompanionsguild.webs.c
om
 Ning -
http://fireflycompanions.ning.com/

12. Mixing education and entertainment
Official Guild Events
 Chafang salon
 Xiaojie haiku club
 Greedy gaming
 Tai Chi / meditation
 Appropriate dress / image
management
 Spirit House Bath Night
 Open houses
 High priestess led events

13. Affiliated / member advertised events
Examples from 2016
 Ritual Enjoyment’s monthly
orgia
 Poetry open mics
 Sci-fi convention
 Dance/DJ events
 Events focused on Taoism,
Christianity, Buddhism, etc.

14. Fire Ceremony
IMAGE: Beeflin Grut

15. Grading Ceremonies

16. Wo Men Dakai (Graduation)

17. And since you were probably
wondering…encounters
 Booked by an in-world mailbox
 Individual companions or specific
role-plays can be requested
 Companions are not obligated to
accept
 Encounters are technically free
(though donations to the Guild are
recommended)
 Combination of text and avatar
animations
 Gazing at the companion
 Smiling at the companion (30
minutes minimum)
 Holding Hands with the Companion
(30 minutes minimum)
 Union with the Companion (sexual
role-play) (60 minutes minimum)

18. What’s special about the Companion’s
Guild?
Takes the best of both worlds from
immersionist and augmentationist
paradigms
Bridges different role-play communities
Integrates member interests (neo-
paganism, BDSM, philosophy) with more
canonical fare (Asian studies, etiquette)
An explicitly feminist take on an Adult RP
community (vs. Gor, The Chamber
Society, etc.)

19. Possible Questions
 What motivates members to remain
active participants for so long?
Commonalities?
 In what sense is this a role-play
community and in what sense is it a
polyamorous dating group?
 The opening in Eisa Colony
(http://eisa.rhetori.ca/)
 Challenges to Firefly fandom
legitimacy
 A Samsar diaspora?

20. Testimonials
http://fireflycompanions.ning.com/forum/topics/catalyst-for-change?xg_source=activity
 I came to finally realize more deeply than ever that I am
lovable and deserve that love.
 The people in the guild are family to me and have such a
profoundly good effect on me.
 I'm steadier, warmer, more relaxed and confident - and have a
stronger ability to believe that life is no problem.
 To say it has had profound impacts upon my life is an
understatement.

21. References
 Illich, I. (1970). Deschooling Society. London: Marion Boyers.
 Nardi, B. (2010). My Life as a Night Elf Priest. Michigan: University of Michigan
Press.
 Pearce, C. (2009). Communities of Play. Massachusetts : MIT Press.
 Sanchez, J. (2005, September 30). Out to The Black. Reason.Com. Retrieved from
http://reason.com/archives/2005/09/30/out-to-the-black
 Wenger, White & Smith (2009). Digital Habitats: Stewarding Technology for
Communities. Portland: CPsquare
 Wikipedia, (n.d.). List of Firefly Characters: Inara Serra. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Firefly_characters#Inara_Serra