Do you descend from King Baltazar II? (Part 2 of 5 - Tredony and Crafthole)

(Year 234, Summer) Mazaloom kingdom's most important king back in the Medieval era was King Baltazar II, who reigned for 46 years. He has plenty of descendants all over the nation, and abroad, and in this series of 5 articles we'll reveal what residents that carry the DNA from this monarch.

In the first article the focus was regions Windenburg (Windenburg and Nordhaven) and Rossie (Britechester and Henford-on-Bagley). This time we'll take a look at regions Tredony (Del Sol Valley, Tredony and Tartosa) and Crafthole (Ravenwood, Copperdale, Glimmerbrook and Moonwood). So, this 2nd article covers today's royal House of Luxe-Hamper: Do they connect to King Baltazar II?

Count and Countess of Ticktop on Cruise

(Year 234, Summer) It's still work in progress, but I enjoyed testing my new cruising ship, so why not share some pictures?

Count Helfert (50) and Countess Elisabeth (55) of Ticktop, on a normal day located in Glimmerbrook of my Crafthole region, went on a cruise! It was the countess' gift for her husband's 50th birthday. And perhaps also meant to get his thoughts off the fact that he is no longer seen as of high nobility, now that the Ticktop county's District Order was paused. It means a huge downgrade within Aristocracy, but not much they can do about. Or should I say - do a boat?

«The Admiral» is obviously not completed yet, I've added more windowes along the side, and some of the rooms need way more attention, too. The ship is operated by a company owning several ships, but this one offers the most popular cruises. They decided to join the cruise in Sulani, quite the trip, but let's just say other options did not fit well with the count's schedule.

Do you descend from King Baltazar II? (Part 1 of 5 - Windenburg and Rossie)

(Year 234, Summer) Mazaloom kingdom is nearly 235 years old. There were numerous monarchs during all those years, but historians agree that the most important of them all - to this date - was King Baltazar II. With 46 years on the Throne, he is still the nation's longest reigning monarch. Current King Tarriot has already reigned for 36 years, but is atm only 3rd.

Baltazar II was our monarch Years 2-48, replaced by his son Rupert, and later by grandson Wizar (who reigned for 37 years). During his reign, King Baltazar established the foundation of many community structures that we still benefit from today. After the Great Revolution (Year 118) the monarchy was ditched, but later reestablished with House de Luxe-Hamper in Year 150.

Today there still live many descendants of King Baltazar II. With a few exceptions, they are all found within aristocracy. We'll track them all in this mini series of 3 articles.

New graves index

(Year 234, Summer) Church of Similius cordinates all of Mazaloom's graveyards, and today they made their grave index public to all. Wonder what funerals you missed recently? Or did you forget what graveyard to visit to tend your greatgranduncles grave?

A funeral service for Eleanor Elderberry, Britechester, took place this week.

The public index is still in beta, but except from a few images not showing and some text details that might be moved or adjusted in other ways, the index is fully operational. It is used by the five Undertakes to keep track on new graves and what temporary grave deco that needs attention.

Gossips #17

(Year 234, Summer) Hello again! I'm ready with the 17th issue of my gossips column! Upcoming social season must wait until next issue, because there is so much in the line-up. Are you ready, too? Let's go!

As usual, we'll start with the royals.

Baron Auphor of Verde is dead

(Year 234, Summer) What baron would deserve a long necrolog, if not Lord Verde? His history is quite unique, even for aristocratic standards. And his life was pretty long, passing at 93. Although he struggled after the death of his first wife, often referred to as «the love of my life», he had a pretty high life satisfaction in his later years.

Auphor Juan Humphor (Saxor) Sax-Donnersmalt, Year 141-234.

Auphor Juan Humphor did not only have a complex firstname, he also changed his lastname ten years ago. Aged 83 he started a new life, founding a brand new House of the aristocracy, involving remarrying and moving to Oasis Springs. So, this little article written to honor this private man with such a pristine reputation, will actually cover both the House of Saxor and the House ofSax-Donnersmalt.

Political Parties had their Spring Meetings

(Year 234, Summer) On 1st day of Fall the four political parties will release lists of candidates and political program for the upcoming Year 235 election (1st day of Spring). Spring this year they all had their annual Spring meetings, extra important this year because of the 5 years cycle. We can't wait to learn who their top candidates for the Prime Minister job will be. Everything seems open.

Prime Minister Rob Wilder at Hotel Roadstead, Magnolia Promenade.

We know that RIGHT party and LEFT party normally have a close race, and MIDDLE party might be expected to still be a rather small party. But this upcoming election wuill be different, not the least because the new WORLD party will join the mix. A new party is not likely to get the PM, though, but they can get some impact on the final result - like will they steal votes mainly from RIGHT? We are definitely facing an interesting election!

Queen's Brother and Princess Splitting Up?

(Year 234, Summer) Are the rumors true? Is a divorce upcoming for Baron Sacariaz of Tartosa? Will he divorce from Princess Aleccandra? Any baron's divorce would go public with speculations, but in this case it's not just a regular baron, Sacariaz happens to be the brother of Queen Venezia.

We know nothing regarding what takes place behind closed doors, but there are numerous indicstors feeding such a rumor. Baron Sacariaz and Princess Aleccandra can not reproduce, at least not together. If it is the Baron himself to blame, a divorce would not help, but if it is Princess Aleccandra who is inferile, he might see finding another spouse as the only way to bring his peerage forward. This peerage was held by House de Mandrake for nearly 200 years, requiring a male heir, even. His sister, Queen Venezia, gave birth to no less than four children, so it makes it less likely that Sacariaz is the infertile part.

Baron Sacariaz and Princess Aleccandra used to be the ultimate celebrity couple, he being the Head of a House with the need for a son, and she being the jetzet princess, who, together with her scandal sister Princess Hortenzia, were stripped from their Highness style by the previous monarch, Queen Evez. The couple was often seen out and about, they were often photographed, and they were also a press favorite thanks to their relaxed, tad eccentric style.

Estate von Haunt 75 Years Anniversary

(Year 234, Spring) This year it's 75 years since the old Estate von Haunt opened its doors as a museum, after a thorough renovation following the Year 98 fire. The building, worthy of a royal, did serve as the Lord von Haunt's estate for nearly a century, but is today owned by Mazaloom Historical Museum.

The day is packed with local events, and because this place holds a strong position in most Windenburgers' hearts, the large crowds are expected. Before the official opening a few prominant persons gathered for some photos, a private tour and a few last minute adjustments. They are not worried about the weather, come rain or sun!

National Top 10 Bestselling Books Year 233

(Year 234, Spring) It's that time of year again, and this time we are more excited than ever: What books sold best last year? Publisher and Author Octavia Moon (53) met the press in San Sequoia this week, as the brand new Top 10 was released.

Octavia did not only get last year's release on the list, and she did not only get 3 titles squeezed into the Top 10, but she also reached the top: Her bestselling biography «Olivia», covering jazz legend Olivia Clump's life, did reach the very top as #1.

Judith Ward celebrates 70!

(Year 234, Spring) Global Actress Judith Ward turns 70! Although she would have preferred staying at 69 for a few more years, she went for the big announcement, that a huge party is. In the formal invitation she made it clear that she wanted to check how it is to not limit your friends to the fame level right under your own! Perhaps it was a hint that she has passed the peak of her career, but there were certainly some suggesting that she is still afraid that all the guests would believe she wants their friendship after he party... This was obviously meant as a one night only.

Well, the guest list was long, but they all had some connection to either Judith personally, or to her long film career. The party can begin!

Free download: 5 Framed Fairy Pictures

It's been a while since I added anything to my downloads page. Now I plan creating something for the many secret locations in my game, to cause discussions in my sims' homes about what that place on the old picture could be, and who in our family did bring this framed picture - have we seen it before?

If you don't plan to play any fairy related discovery story in the near future, some of these framed pictures might still be good as plain decoratives in a cottage, or even in a young girl's bedroom? Or in that chaotic room in the attic or basement. All 5 motives come with two frame alternatives - green or brown - to praise the Nature theme :).