Chapter Three | Island Spirits Welcome page | Chapter Five

Utel’s garden was thriving, and her belly grew with every day, it seemed. Nork was able to spend plenty of time with his new friends, the Fishermen, and, slowly, Utel was starting to meet the other village women. Everyone seemed busy with preparations for the upcoming celebration, though, and she didn’t want to intrude. She had things to get ready, as well, because she was planning on cooking a vegetable feast for the ceremony, as a thank-you to the tribe. With everything going on, it wasn’t surprising that some mornings she accidentally slept in.

Nork, however, was not impressed with Utel’s lazy mornings. He had gotten used to her herbs on his fish, and eating them plain simply wasn’t the same. The least she could do was get up in time to help him with breakfast!

This morning, shortly after Nork finished cooking his fish and Utel finally got up, Chief Guar showed up with the anticipated news. The Ceremony was set for this evening, at the temple. Neither Utel had nor Nork had had reason to visit the temple yet, and, individually, both had felt they would be intruding to go there before the ceremony to induct them into the tribe. In other words, being finally officially invited to the temple was a thrill.

Utel spent the rest of the morning harvesting the necessary vegetables, fruit, and herbs for her feast, and packing it in baskets. The butterflies of nervousness flew madly in her stomach, and she tried in vain to convince herself that it was just the young one inside her. The trek up the volcano to the temple was undertaken with reverence, and Nork was even magnanimous enough to help carry her vegetables.

The temple was already teeming with activity when they arrived, and the cooking pit was prepared for Utel’s feast. She hurriedly packed the vegetables and herbs in the pit and started them cooking. She then arranged the fruit on the table, and villagers quickly began testing them, remarking with pleasure at the quality of her produce. Utel flushed with pride, and went about meeting the other ladies she hadn’t seen before.

Nork helped ready and light the bonfire with his fellow fishermen, and they looked on happily as the village all started crowding around the flames.

The party continued as the sun slowly set, and the bonfire was enjoyed by all for it’s warmth and light. Having two new members of the village was a huge moment for the tribe, and extremely unusual, so the opportunity for a day off of work was gladly received by each and every member.

Utel called everyone to partake in her vegetable feast, and she nearly quaked with nerves as the entire village lined up to try her offerings.

The feast was well-received by everyone, much to Utel’s surprise, and several women asked for sprouts from her garden to enhance their own plantings.

After the feast, the Chief called everyone to the bonfire, and the men, including Nork, all did their traditional fire dances in celebration of the new village members. Nork told the story of their long Journey, and of Utel’s vision. He even managed to sound less sarcastic about the visions this time.

By the time the Ceremonies were over, Utel was exhausted… and had fallen asleep on one of the stone benches. Nork helped the women with cleanup for the feast, even though it was considered women’s work, to make up for her not being able to help.

By the time everything was cleaned up, most of the village had headed home, and Nork made one more round around the temple, making sure it was pristine. Much to his surprise, some spirits showed up, giving their blessing to the new villager. He started in fright, but then shrugged. Perhaps Utel’s visions were correct. This WAS where they belonged.

On the way home from the volcanic temple, both Utel and Nork availed themselves of the waterfall for a cleansing ritual, then trudged the rest of the way back to their homestead.

That night’s sleep was by far the best they had slept since arriving, and, to Nork’s chagrin, both slept in the next morning.

In the days following the ceremony, Nork and Utel became very popular members of the village.

Nork did small things around the village for the ladies, and one of them, Utas, seemed very thankful.

Nork and Utas spent the afternoon flirting and checking the fishing traps around the village.

Later, they played in the sand together, and she introduced him to some other villagers.

Nork felt completely welcomed, and an idea started forming in the back of his mind.

Every night for the next week, he labored late into the darkness, building and building.

The hut, however, was finally complete. Since they were official village members, Nork knew it was time to solidify their place in the village by no longer living in a flimsy travel-tent.

The hut was just in time, too, since that night, her labor pains began. In a panic, Nork ran for Saelua and quickly vacated the hut to allow for the midwifery. To Utel’s relief, the process was over by the morning light, and she named her daughter Saazul.

After caring for the new baby, Utel fell into an exhausted sleep in the new hut, completely spent.

Despite the fact that infant care was women’s work, Nork showed a sensitive side and helped care for the baby while letting Utel rest and recover. Just holding the young one made his chest fill with pride, and he made a resolution to himself to try for more young ones as soon as possible.

Bonus Out-Take

Poor Utel is tired of being stinky…. (or maybe it was the fish Nork was cooking??)

Chapter Three | Island Spirits Welcome page | Chapter Five

House 010 Chapter 4 < | > House 010 Chapter 6

First, we need to see what our new goals are:

House 010 Building Goals:
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom home worth at least $50k Simoleons (at about 30k)
*Include a pool and a designated personal workout area
House 010 Generational Goals:
Max Wellness Skill
Max Gourmet Cooking Skill
Eat "healthy" for the whole generation
Raise the heir to Young Adult age (child now)

Welcome to part two of that week of Ramblers play. There were too many pictures for one post. So I have an extra post. And it’s Monday, so that means it’s time to post this!

Cassidy seems to be chained to this mirror lately. And Keon found the workout equipment again.

I know you’re dead, Dad, but what’s with the face?? You look miserable!

And we all know what miserable ghosts lead to.

Flying ghosts?!

Good thing he didn’t land on Keon!

Floating shower.. that means I have something else to fix in the morning. Sigh.

Want another spar? I mean, I know I kicked your rear last time, but no hard feelings, right?

Keon looks so proud of himself after breaking the sink trying to do dishes.

He then nonchalantly takes a nap, like nothing happened.

Finally. The whole family sits down to dinner. I love how “eating healthy” has kept this family skinny.

Nope, not try for baby. Cassidy needed fun in a bad way, so we chose the fastest route there.

Flying Baby!

Clingy? .. Great.

He’s adorable, though. Which almost makes up for the trait.

Cassidy’s adult birthday.. while Keon plays with clay, and Cayden pouts.

Another spar. Keon – again – loses.

And then I decide the house needs some updating. With what little funds we have.

Front of house/pool/sunroom

Back of house/deck/second sunroom

House layout

I even painted the outside, and some of the inside until I ran out of funds. I think it looks nice!

Playtime! (Keon, why are you impaling yourself on the dollhouse??)

Squeeee… so cute. Cayden finds the new toy his mom got in the mail.

Blaze takes a big splash into the pool. I love the butterfly effects in the game.

Zara decides to do something useful.

Cassidy .. you shouldn’t look so happy when your son face plants in the other room. I start counting my lucky stars that this isn’t an ISBI.

Spending some time on Cayden’s skills.

And then back to the mirror. And yes, I did rearrange the workout room.

Blaze and Zara chatting. Over a spoiled meal nobody has bothered to clean up.

More chatting. These two are so cute. And I love Zara’s bunny shirt.

Breakfast time. And slowly this house is coming together. There’s now a rug under the table.

Zara finds the pool, too.

And lastly, Cassidy is stuck at the mirror again – and Keon is trying to get better at sparring. Perhaps consistently losing will do that to you. That’s the end of the week, see you Friday!

House 010 Chapter 4 < | > House 010 Chapter 6

“The Letter” (Prologue) | Chapter 1.2

Caizey stared in disbelief at the letter she held. Was this guy serious? She gets kicked out of her foster home on her 18th birthday, and the last thing they give her is a letter that her foster care agent had apparently forwarded to her from her “family”. She didn’t have a family, so where did this come from? And that wasn’t even taking into consideration the contents of the letter. In a heartbeat, she had gone from wondering what she was going to do with the 100 bucks she had to her name, to furious at whoever this person mailing her was. How DARE they make fun of what she didn’t have by offering her a “way out of her situation”. I mean, sure, she felt completely suffocated by her job at the Gallery, but at least it gave some sort of income. How could she even consider quitting and moving at the drop of a .. letter .. when this job was the only stability left in her life. Frustrated, she stared at the diploma she’d just been awarded in one hand, and then glanced at the letter in the other hand. The bulk of her last paycheck had gone towards the cap and gown she now wore, and – while she had enough money to go out to dinner to celebrate with her high school friends – she certainly didn’t think that was the best use of her last hundred dollars.

Near tears, Caizey plopped down on the bench near the Oasis Springs community center’s doors, put the papers she held down, and dropped her head into her hands. People – mostly happy families headed out to celebrations or overly excited teenagers chatting loudly in groups – streamed past her, heedless of her emotional distress. The last week had been a whirlwind of final exams, and her friends all making college and career plans. Meanwhile, at the last minute, her foster family informed her she would have to find someplace else to be, because they had another new “kid” coming in. So now she was utterly homeless, and pretty much penniless, too. She had thought that, at least, she would have time to find a new place to live after her birthday and graduation. That was obviously not to be the case.

After a good cry, Caizey picked up the letter again, and this time, a paper fluttered out of the envelope that she hadn’t noticed before. She picked it up, and stared at it through her red-rimmed eyes. A ticket? On a train. To this Glimmerbrook place. … Was this guy actually serious? Was there any chance she could actually own her own place and have a new start waiting for her?

Caizey cursed, then looked around her. The place was practically empty now, and there certainly wasn’t anyone who was going to help her with her current predicament. The sun was not going to be up for much longer, and time was running out. She was going to have to spend a cold desert night completely alone and homeless. However, the train station wasn’t far away. Maybe she could just check when the next train to this Glimmerbrook was.

Mind made up for the moment, Caizey picked up her bags, stuffed her diploma and the letter inside a pocket, and began the walk to the train station.

A couple hours later, as the sun was setting, she drug herself and her bags into the train station, only to find the place completely deserted. She set down her bags near a bench, and tiptoed into the train office. Finding the scheduling book open on the desk, she sat down to look through it. There it was – Glimmerbrook. The next train didn’t leave until morning. Nearing complete exhaustion, Caizey set herself down on a bench inside the station, and re-read the letter. Then she read it again. A small bubble of hope started forming inside her. What if…??

No, this couldn’t be real. Could it?? How was she to know if it was real or not? At least the town on the ticket that came with the letter was real, and the ticket seemed completely valid. That was a start. A house all of her own – and a life of freedom. It was almost too good to be true. But, then, beggars can’t really be choosers, as the saying goes. She wasn’t particularly fond of the idea of ever having kids, but the letter did say she didn’t have to have them anytime soon. She read the letter a few more times… and finally, at a complete loss of what else to do, she laid down to take a nap on the bench.

Morning came, and with it, a sense of clarity. How could she refuse to take this .. quest – as the letter called it – seriously. She really didn’t have a whole lot of options at this point in her life. If it was just a cruel joke, she could cross that bridge when it came time. For now, she had a train to catch. Provided the ticket was real.

“The Letter” (Prologue) | Chapter 1.2

Back to Heir Poll #2 | On to 2.8

So the results are in!

Branden got 2 votes on here, 1 vote on boolprop, for a total of 3 votes.

Brittney also got 2 and 1, and tied with Branden.

Becca, on the other hand, got a total of 6 votes, three from both sites. So, Becca wins!

And here’s the info on our winner (again)

.. Which means two things. One, that’s an aspiration I’ve never tried… and Two, There will be another chapter of generation 2 before Becca can take over. Her traits should make for a very interesting play! I really didn’t expect her to win, so this was a complete surprise. She will be getting a bit of a makeover on her birthday, as well.

Back to Heir Poll #2 | On to 2.8

StrangerVille Index |

Starting Family Members:

Founders: Coeus Leto and Bill Wu. Again, these two are both from the “Sul Sul” family from Get to Work. EA’s description of this family: “Download the Sims featured in “Sul Sul”, one of The Sims 4 Get to Work video shorts. #GetToWork #SulSul.”

Coeus Leto

Age: Adult (22 days)
Traits: Geek, Genius, Creative
Aspiration: Nerd Brain
Career: Currently unemployed

Bill Wu

Age: Adult (21 days)
Traits: Geek, Genius, Goofball
Aspiration: Computer Whiz
Career: Currently unemployed

Coeus will be an astronaut, Cole will go into the tech guru career.

StrangerVille Index |

StrangerVille Index |

Starting Family Members:

Founders: Brett Stubbs and Cole Henson. These two are both from the “Sul Sul” family from Get to Work. EA’s description of this family: “Download the Sims featured in “Sul Sul”, one of The Sims 4 Get to Work video shorts. #GetToWork #SulSul.”

Brett Stubbs

Age: Young Adult (23 days)
Traits: Lazy, Outgoing, Materialistic
Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy
Career: Currently unemployed

Cole Henson

Age: Young Adult (21 days)
Traits: Ambitious, Active, Evil
Aspiration: Bodybuilder
Career: Currently unemployed

Brett will be a criminal, Cole will go into athletics.

StrangerVille Index |

StrangerVille Index |

Starting Family Members:

Founders: George L’Ernitage and Aileen Rauvu. These two are both from the “Sul Sul” family from Get to Work. EA’s description of this family: “Download the Sims featured in “Sul Sul”, one of The Sims 4 Get to Work video shorts. #GetToWork #SulSul.”

George L’Ernitage

Age: Elder (85 days)
Traits: Erratic, Perfectionist, Genius
Aspiration: Nerd Brain
Career: Currently unemployed

Aileen Rauvu

Age: Young Adult (21 days)
Occult: Alien
Traits: Hot-Headed, Goofball, Childish
Aspiration: Public Enemy
Career: Currently unemployed

George is going to pick up a scientist job, while Aileen will go into the criminal world.

StrangerVille Index |

StrangerVille Index |

Starting Family Members:

Founders: Matteo Hamilton and Helen Sparrow. This family is a mish-mash of several families, and is no relation to the above Hamilton family. Matteo is a single elder from Get Together: “As seen in The Sims 4 Get Together: Come To Windenburg Official Trailer – download this into your game and play today! #GetTogether #ComeToWindenburg #Windenburg #ExpansionPack”. Helen is a single elder from Backyard Stuff called the “Bird Lady”: “As seen in The Sims 4 Backyard Stuff official screenshots and trailer. Download now and invite a few feathered friends into your backyard. #backyard #backyardstuff #backyardstuffpack #stuffpack.” Millie is a single teen released with the “Positivity Challenge”: “Download the Sim of Millie Bobby Brown, actress and trailblazer, in The Sims 4! #TheSims #MillieBobbyBrown”. The five toddlers were the “Toddler Goals” household released with Toddler Stuff: “As seen in The Sims 4 Toddlers Stuff Pack official screenshots and trailers. Download now and set up a playdate! #toddler #toddlerstuff #stuffpack.”

Matteo Hamilton

Age: Elder (85 days)
Traits: Romantic, Cheerful, Music Lover
Aspiration: Musical Genius
Career: Currently unemployed

Helen Sparrow

Age: Elder (85 days)
Traits: Active, Cheerful, Outgoing
Aspiration: Friend of the World
Career: Currently unemployed

Millie Bobby Brown

Age: Teen (13 days)
Traits: Creative, Cheerful
Aspiration: Friend of the World
Career: High School C Student

Cara Su

Age: Toddler (6 days)
Traits: Angelic

Annie Welsh

Age: Toddler (6 days)
Traits: Charmer

Beatrice McDowell

Age: Toddler (6 days)
Traits: Silly

Max O’Connell

Age: Toddler (7 days)
Traits: Wild

Diego Cazares

Age: Toddler (6 days)
Traits: Inquisitive

I don’t know that I’ll get them jobs. The five toddlers may be enough work!

StrangerVille Index |

StrangerVille Index |

Starting Family Members:

Founders: Paul Guevara and Kaitlyn Hamilton. This family is as they were created by EA – they were released with Jungle Adventures, and were called the “Adventure Buddies”. EA’s description of this family: “As seen in The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure Game Pack official screenshots and trailers. Download now and gather friends for new jungle adventures. #ts4jungleadventure #jungle #jungleadventure #gamepack #jungleadventuregamepack.”

Paul Guevara

Age: Young Adult (22 days)
Traits: Geek, Bookworm, Genius
Aspiration: Nerd Brain
Career: Currently unemployed

Kaitlyn Hamilton

Age: Young Adult (22 days)
Traits: Romantic, Goofball, Creative
Aspiration: Freelance Botanist
Career: Currently unemployed

Being that they came from Jungle adventures, I will probably have both become archaeologists.

StrangerVille Index |

Welcome/Contents/Links | Chapter 1.1

My Dearest Caizey,

You do not know me, but I know you. You are a talented painter, and a strong young woman. I have watched you grow through the years, and I have waited. Now, as you become a young adult, it is time. I will not tell you who I am… but that is not something you need to know. Just call me your benefactor. For I have an.. inheritance.. of a sort – for you. It does not come without strings, however, so you are free to choose whether you will accept. 

First, the good news. I have found you a house. At least, it is four walls, a roof, a door or two. You know, the normal house things. It is on a beautiful lot in a small hamlet known as Glimmerbrook. The house was under construction for many years before the company building it went under bankruptcy and I acquired it. For you, it will become home. Should you accept, that is.

For your part, you must do several things. There is a portal near the waterfall behind your new home. Make use of it, and search out a woman named L Faba. She will train you in the ways of Spellcasting. Learn all you can from her. Become a master of Mischief Magic. Learn to duel other Spellcasters, and win. Her colleagues may also be of use to you, but that is your choice. You must also have at least one child, someone to raise in the way of a Spellcaster, someone to carry on your legacy. I would not presume as to tell you who you should pick out as a father for this child, nor will I tell you that you must marry them or even continue a relationship with them. You should avail yourself of the Transcendent Charmer potion to court this father at the Elixir’s and Brews Bar in Glimmerbrook. Timing on this is completely at your discretion.

I also ask that you grow a garden that your heir can harvest from to give them a grounded start to their new life as they set out on their own. For they will. You will remain behind, but they must set out on their own when they are old enough. When they are ready, I will offer them a quest much as I offer this one to you. This garden must contain at least two plants – a Mandrake that you originally took from the wilds, and a Money Tree. Anything else is, again, your decision.

My only other request is that you do not seek out employment. You are talented enough to make money through your paintings and garden. I believe that employment would chain you down far too much. You should be wild, and free to move about as you wish in your own time, not on someone else’s.

I do not believe these things are too much to ask, considering the dire straits you find yourself in, and the opportunity I am presenting you. However, should you choose to refuse, I will not contact you again. This must also be a timely decision, as I only will hold the home for you for the next week. I am enclosing directions to get to said home with this missive. I am not, however, enclosing any information as to who I am and how to contact me. There is no need, as if I need to contact you, I will know where you are, and I prefer to remain anonymous. This must also be your final decision. Once you have accepted this quest, there will be no backing out. The deed for your new home will be transferred and delivered to you in a timely manner. Fulfilling your side of the bargain will be your responsibility.

Choose Wisely. It is only the rest of your life.

Welcome/Contents/Links | Chapter 1.1