Restrained Love API (RLV)

A viewer setting that unlocks deep consensual roleplay immersion — use with caution!

The RLV (Restrained Love API) in Second Life

1

What is RLV?

RLV stands for Restrained Love API (originally developed by Marine Kelley as the Restrained Love Viewer). It is an extension implemented in various Second Life third-party viewers that allows in-world objects (such as scripts inside attachments, furniture, or collars) to temporarily control or restrict a resident's viewer interface and avatar behavior.

Crucially, RLV operations are entirely consensual and user-driven: the system only functions if the user explicitly enables it within their own viewer settings. Once activated, it automates mechanics for roleplay, puzzle-solving, and immersive environments without requiring manual user intervention for every restriction.

2

How RLV Works

RLV operates via a system of script-to-viewer communication commands using standard Second Life object restrictions (llOwnerSay).

• The Core Mechanism: An object containing an RLV script sends a formatted command to the owner's avatar. If the owner has RLV enabled in their viewer, the viewer interprets this command and applies a specific lock or restriction.

• Owner-Only Command Execution: To prevent random objects in the world from griefing players, RLV commands generally must be spoken directly to the avatar by an object owned by that same avatar. For third-party control (e.g., someone else controlling a collar), the user wears an object (the collar) that accepts commands from external authorized users and passes them to the viewer.

• Types of Restrictions: RLV commands can control a vast array of viewer functions, including:

  • Movement Restrictions: Denying the ability to fly, sit, jump, or move away from a specific point.

  • Interaction Blocks: Preventing the user from opening their inventory, changing outfits, editing objects, or viewing the world map.

  • Communication Rules: Muting public chat, blocking instant messages (IMs), hiding usernames, or garbling text to simulate being gagged.

  • Sensory Deprivation: Blinding the viewer screen, forcing a pitch-black environment, or removing the in-world UI entirely.

3

RLV Inventory Folder Functions

The menu of a RLV Collar

One of the most powerful and heavily utilized aspects of RLV is its interaction with the avatar’s inventory structure. By creating a specially named parent folder—traditionally called .RLV (case-sensitive)—objects can programmatically attach, detach, or lock clothing and body parts.

#RLV Parent Folder Structure

To use these features, you must manually create a folder named #RLV (with a hashtag sign). It must be placed in the top level of your main My Inventory directory. Inside this folder, you organize items into subfolders. Some specific RLV-compatible items (such as OpenCollar Outfits) may also instruct you to create a secondary folder inside #RLV named .outfits (with a period), but the main controlling folder always requires the hashtag.

RLV Folder structure example

Key RLV Inventory Functions & Shared Folder Behaviors

• Forced Attachments: An authorized RLV script can send a command to force the viewer to wear a specific subfolder inside the .RLV folder. For example, a script can call for the Handcuffs subfolder, instantly snapping the mesh cuffs onto your avatar.

• Forced Detachments: Conversely, scripts can force the viewer to strip off items or clear out specific folders.

• Folder Locking (The Lockup Mechanism): Scripts can issue a restriction that prevents you from removing items currently attached from an RLV subfolder. While locked, you cannot right-click and detach the object, nor can you manually delete it from your inventory pane until the script clears the restriction.

• The "Shared Folder" Principle: RLV can only see and interact with items nested inside your designated .RLV parent directory. Anything placed in your standard system folders (like standard Clothing or Objects) is entirely hidden from RLV scripts, serving as an important safety boundary.

4

Viewers Needed to Activate RLV

The official, standard Linden Lab Second Life Viewer does not support RLV natively. To use RLV, you must download and log in using a compliant Third-Party Viewer (TPV).

The most popular and highly recommended viewers supporting RLV include:

1. Firestorm Viewer (Most Popular): Features a variant named RLVa (Restrained Love Alternate by Kitty Barnett). RLVa provides the exact same fundamental functionality as traditional RLV but is re-engineered under the hood for tighter integration, better stability, and advanced filtering options within Firestorm.

   • How to activate: Go to Preferences > Firestorm tab > Features sub-tab > Check "Enable Remote Scripted Viewer Controls (RLVa)" > Restart the viewer.

2. Marine's Restrained Love Viewer (Official Reference Viewer):

   • The original standalone platform created and maintained by Marine Kelley. It serves as the pure reference standard for all RLV updates.

   • How to activate: Enabled natively upon installation.

3. Black Dragon Viewer:

   • Popular among content creators and photographers for its highly advanced visual rendering pipeline, Black Dragon includes native RLV support.

   • How to activate: Toggleable within the viewer's design/machinima preference configurations.

4. Catznip Viewer:

   • Known for high performance and clean UI improvements, Catznip also provides robust implementation of the RLVa API.

Note: For safety and performance, always ensure you download Third-Party Viewers exclusively from the official Directory listed on the Linden Lab wiki.

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What's next? In the next section we'll discuss the economy of SL, how it works and how you can exchange your earned virtual Linden Dollars for real life money.