Hope Terra - se 1 - ch 2: A new home

It's time for Mermaid Hope to grow feet!

The next night, Hope leaves her half sister Myrnah at Mersea South, and swims to the largest rock in this ocean, Terra. Her dear father, Aquator Merez, has yet not returned from following their mother, Shimmere, as she is swimming away to die.

When Hope reaches Terra, the Sailor is there on his tiny beach waiting, just as if he is expecting her this very night. And for the first time in her life, Hope grows legs! And she can walk out of the water!

Walking on the cool sand for the very first time, is a strange thing to do! It's difficult to breath, but she will manage! Because there is the Sailor and she never felt this much in love with anyone, it's just like in a fairytale, for sure! Ahem.

Gloomville Diaries - Gen 1 - Ch 27: Edith and Miranda go about

Ochana figured that Edith and Miranda were old enough to start helping her with the Secret Mission, so she decided to direct them to work!

Secretly, of course! Because according to the Rules and Directions, Ochana could not involve anyone before she were to pick the mission's main heir and secound heir. Even then, the rest of the househould should not know.

Ochana found Edith and Miranda in the living room, and took the opportunity to give each of them a task.

- So, girls, I think it's time you two get about a little more! I have a task for each of you that I want you to handle today.
- Sure mom, school is bugged again anyway. What's up? Sorting more vegetables? Miranda asked.
- I was actually planning to see Tammy Oaksdale at Café Lavender, said Edith. - But perhaps I can do both.

Ochana hoped they would not get too suspicious. Still, by giving them tasks, it might be easier to pick the main heir for the Secret Mission.
- I want each of you to visit either the Crumpleton household at Upperton Hood or the Mugger household at Muggerdale Hood. I want you to ask about the family's history here in Gloomville!

Hope Terra - se 1 - ch 1: The Sailor

This is the first chapter, but there was already posted some intro that you might like to check out before starting your read.

Hope is the youngest daughter of elderly Mermaid Shimmere and Merman Aquator. Myrnah is Hope's elder half sister. Together they are the Merez family, one out of five families forming the Mersea group. The family resides near the huge rock pictured below, which is called Portal of Mersea South.

Hope just became a young adult, and she longs to fall in love like most young women do. At night she travels about from rock to rock, hoping to meet some new Merman. The guys of the Mersea group will choose a bride with a ring, meaning Hope would be far back in line. Tylon Marcon or Victor Tushell are interesting, but she never got to know whether they already own a ring. If so, they will be looking for a bride with no ring, of course. There exists about fifty rings, each with its unique power, and one family should never carry more than one.

How I pick traits for the kids

In all The Sims games, each personality is based on various factors, such as a set of traits. Normally the traits will lead to a matching aspiration, too.

I always wished that the game would pass on a minimum of the parents' traits to the children, not only physical genetics, but also regarding their personality. I'd like to look at a teen sim and think that she got her goodness from her mom, or her grumpiness from her dad. A bit of random surprises would be fine, though.

In TS3 you could click the random traits button, while in TS4 there is no such button - yet. So, when a child grows up you need to pick one more trait, and it might be hard to choose. I like to have a few rules in situations like that - it makes my sims more interesting, too, to me at least :)

It's easy to use cheat codes to adjust those random traits, and of course I made up my own rules.

Chad and Ochana Mox with the youngest twins (from my story "Gloomville Diaries")

So, here we go:

Every grown up sim will technically have 5 traits, in both TS3 and TS4. Unfortunately the game toss them about a bit, so the trait that was on top during one gaming session, might be further down the list on your next session. I hate that! I would prefer them to be permanently ranked, so I pick 3 of them to be primary traits, and the remaining 2 will be secondary traits (not very important, but some times a good corrective).

When a child is born and needs 2 traits, he or she should get 1 primary trait from each parent. A parent who got its traits in CAS, might have adult traits only, and if so the child will have a random trait for that slot. In TS3 I will click the random buttom until one of the parents' primary traits are showing - for boys I will go for one of mom's traits, for girls I will click until I see one of dad's traits. Normally a boy's first trait will come from mom, and a girl's first trait will come from dad.

When a child starts school, the 3rd primary trait will be chosen, and if both parents are already represented, the 3rd Trait can be random. If the child lacks a trait from mom or dad, then the 3rd trait will be from the lacking parent, if possible. Getting older opens up to more traits to choose from, and when picking the 3rd trait it should be easy to complete this task.

So, how about the secondary 2 traits? When they are to be chosen, the child will normally have developed its personality quite a bit, and it might be easier to pick something that feels personal. Besides, in my games, the last 2 traits are less important, so if I pick on random, no big deal.

I love it when kids of a family bring on different traits from their parents. 3 siblings might have one trait in common, or 2 of them might share a trait, making them hang more out together, maybe.

Have you got any rules for picking traits for your growing up sims?

Gloomville Diaries - Gen 1 - Ch 26 - Meeting with Sonia

So, Ochana contacted the neighbour again, Sonia Oaksdale, who was into history. Hopefully she could say something about Gloomville's local history?

This morning they all gathered for breakfast.

It seemed like both Edith and little Paula had a real tough night.

- Oh, I think you both need clean beds, Ochana said.
- It was just a very warm night, mom! said Edith and headed for the only shower in the house.

- So, what are you up to today, girls? Ochana asked them while eating scrambled eggs for breakfast.
- Gooble-yum-yum, said Edith.
- Oh, that's funny, Edith! laughed Miranda, the one who isn't really much outgoing.

- You really think so, Miranda? In fact, I'll hang out at Captain Blue with Tammy Oaksdale and Mandy Rosewood. I plan to pull some jokes, it's better at day, because the place gets too crowded at night, especially Weekends.
- I'll not come to Captain Blue. I have to work in the garden, more tomatoes and sage to plant!

At Captain Blue Nightclub Edith met with Tammy Oaksdale, the teen girl next door (red haired on picture) and Mandy Rosewood (wearijng pink hat), who Edith met when they recently visited Ona Rosewood's family at Oasis Springs.

Of course Tammy and Mandy knew that Edith planned to tell some jokes. So, after some dancing, they pushed her towards the mic.

- Jokes time! they cheered.

- Oh... well, it was the moose and the goose... flying to SimCity, then they fell down and the goose said... "Gooble-yum-yam".
- Yay, haha, cheered Tammy and waved.
- Ehm... said Mandy quietly and checked her phone.

And Edith went on, and little by little other guests flocked to the mic and got seated.

Oh, who was there to listen to Edith's jokes, dressed in a weird black robe? A secret comedy agent in disguise?

Back home at Glee Abode, Miranda was happily digging the hours away, all alone. She planted some tomatoes earlier, harvested at a picnic to Oasis Springs. Today she planted some more.

She was pretty new at gardening and not very skilled yet. And she could not wait to reorganize this plot a little! But could they ever compete with the Willow Farm next door? The Oaksdale family grew perfect spinach, and seemed to love showing it off.

- If I just didn't need to see those perfect rows every day! Miranda sighed. She loved perfect rows, but while Ochana was still the main gardener, Miranda realized that their garden would stay messy.

They shared the duties. Because Ochana was the better skilled, she did the watering and the splicing. Miranda did the sawing and weeding. And they both harvested the crops.

Those old planters had not been in use ever since the Sims by Numbers Show, before Miranda was even born. Now it was time to make use of them again, after all they were perfect for herbs, located just outside the kitchen. Miranda planted some Sage for a start.

When Ochana arrived the Town Library, neighbour Sonia Oaksdale was already there. She worked as a painter, but now she also worked part time at the library.

Being quite into history, Sonia had accepted to help Ochana some more. They discussed Gloomville's past previously, but back then Sonia was pretty new in town and had not read up much on local stuff.

- So, I have many questions, but if I need to start somewhere, and I obviously do, I'd like to learn about a man named Edwin. I think he resided in our hood, Willow Field. And I think he might have been involved with your farm, Willow Farm, and maybe there was also a crime of some kind.

- Oh, Ochana, that's many questions! I did look up some stuff earlier today, and let me tell you what I found before we go on!

- You know I moved in here about the time when you did. Then my husband, Agaton, had just moved in at the farm. Joined by his brother, Mark. Well, they had never been there before, but the late farmer was some distant relative, maybe an uncle or their father's uncle.. I asked Agaton, but he has very little knowledge about those farmers. I left those notes at home.

- Were those notes more than a name? Ochana asked eagerly.

- Well, pretty much just a couple names. But what I founds here in the library today might interest you even more. I'll need to read it more thoroughly, but there were obviously some conflicts back when Willow Field expanded. First there was just the farm, Willow Farm, then more land was sold to settlers. And I think some poor small people, more or less native half gnomes, were pushed out.

- Oh, that's interesting, Sonia! I wish you had a map! Was Glee Abode involved? And how about Edwin Flock?

- I found no mention of Edwin Flock, the Flock name was there, yes. I think the natives with redish hair and pointy noses were called the Glee People.

Ochana nodded. Sonia was on to something! The old Mrs. Raven had told about the Glee people that night at Café Lavender!

After the not so successful jokes, Edith brought Tammy Oaksdale and Mandy Rosewood back home to Glee Abode to hang out.

Edith is actually better acquainted with Mandy while Miranda prefers discussing farm subjects with the farm daughter Tammy. This time they switched.

They ate a little, did some homework, and chatted a lot. None of them had a boyfriend yet, but all except Miranda were looking.

Then Ochana got back home. - Hello girls! How nice!

Then she suddenly noticed the looks of Tammy Oaksdale, only daughter of Sonia and Agaton next door!

- Red hair and pointy nose, Ochana said to herself, silently. - And more or less dressed like a half gnome, if you ask me!

Hope Terra - se 1 - ch 0: Introduction

Welcome to my brand new The Sims 3 story, taking place in my new world, Hope Terra.

This is the Mersea. Water as far as you can see in all directions, only a small cluster of rocks where the locals can escape from their worries and rest their fins.

The small group of the Mer People who reigns these waters, counts only five families and are referred to as the Mersea group. Long ago they lived farther north, but the Mudder group forced them to give up their waters. The Mudder group was stronger and also into the darker powers. Mersea ain't a safe haven, though, something is affecting the sea ground in bad ways, and the Mersea group already had to move once, farther south.

One of the families of the Mersea group is the Merez family. Merman Aquatore and Mermaid Shimmere are both elderly, and the two beautiful young daughters, Myrnah and Hope, grew up to young adults not so long ago.

This family often comes up to the surface. It feels much safer up there, high above the sea ground. Hope is the redhaired, she is probably the best swimmer of the entire group.

The Mer People never counted lives in years, they just live for a time which is often much longer than a human life. Only occasionally one of them might get wounded by a ship, or even killed by a cave monster. Most Mer People die from very old age when their scales start falling off and their fins no longer function well. At this time the old member will simply swim away from the group, as far as they last.

Aquator, Shimmere, Myrnah and Hope also like it at their new home, called Mersea south. The other four families lives in this hood, too, just not on the same spot. They were forced to leave Mersea North when the grounds were infiltered with poisons, and the Mudder group claimed the remaining values of the area.

Shimmere's first husband was killed by a ship long ago, she remarried Aquator Merez. She carries the orange ring that requires some introduction.

There exists many rings owned by the Mer People, maybe as many as fifty. Each ring holds a unique power, leading to one or two benefits - good or bad. Only 3 rings are known to hold damaging powers, those rings are said to be black, very dark green or dark brown.

Shimmere's orange ring gives them power of growth, leading to food and control. Much more useful on land than underwaters, although Aquator used to be quite successful at growing Kelp. There exists a couple more rings within the Mersea group, all with good to neutral powers.

There is a well known rule; that two rings shall never blend on one hand, no matter qualities. That's why each family never owned more than one ring. Separated the rings have clear effects, but combined their powers will cause extreme grades of insanity, depending on what powers are blended!

Tradition says a family ring shall be carried by the bride on her wedding day to bring the family's power onward to the next generation. Then the ring will rest until her elderly life stage when she will carry it until she dies, or until the ring was inherited by the bride of a new generation. Therefore, if you meet any adult mermaid with no ring, you stll can't tell for sure whether she holds a power or not.

Shimmere and Aquator have not yet decided who shall have the orange ring, Myrnah or Hope. Traditionally the oldest and most promising heir would marry first and thereby get the ring. But while Myrnah is Shimmere's oldest, Hope is Aquator's only child. The young mermaids are half sisters being equally skilled and successful.

These days Aquator has bigger worries on his mind than the orange ring. Although the Mersea group moved farther south, the poisons on the sea ground seems to spread! Some thinks the heavy poison is caused by human industrial activity, perhaps a ship dumped some wastes in the ocean? Wastes that magically came to life and started to spread?

Because the Sea People often rests onto or very near sea ground, the poison is a big problem to them. Some were already infected and died before they reached the end of their time, and Aquatore realizes that his group will die shortly. There is no better waters around that is not already occupied by the Mudder group, the carriers of at least one of the darker powers. The Mersea group is trapped - if there was only a way out of this! If they can't stay in the waters, they will need to climb onto Terra, but how?

First real chapter - introducing the stranded Sailor - will be posted January 20!

Below is some more information on each individual of this little family. Note that the latest cards of the current main family is always available on the story's main page.

Note that in order to simplify the traits system, each character has 3 dominant traits and 2 supporting. Their personality will mostly reflect the first 3.

 Also note the number on the circle right above the traits, it's the character's status value. I used this system for all my legacies; a child will have parents' average status, but depending on other matters the number can raise or drop by 1. This way there will normally be a clear difference between families, as the factor affects such as wealth and success. When children within a family might have varying numbers, it's it easier to pick the heir. The number can be as low as 1 and as high as 6.

Shimmere is of slightly higher status than Aquator, and Myrnah and Hope are of equal status, actually higher than Aquator but I'll not bother you with decimal numbers :).

New story coming soon: Hope Terra

I wanted you to hear it from me first; I'm preparing a brand new story for you!

I know I've got a few going already, but Hope Terra  will be quicker, and to avoid details it will be told with no dialogues. Each chapter might span several years.

The concept is simple, yet quite complicated: One Mermaid meets one stranded Sailor, and they start their dynasty on a very small island surrounded by sea. I have some crazy plans that will unfold later!

This world is very small and created by me for this story. Although it's mostly water, there are some detailed diving spots down there - they are important to the regional Mer People's history and traditions.

The first update will be posted very soon, introducing you to the mermaid Hope's background. Later on she will be a part of a bigger game that she isn't really aware of. While the story will focus on plots and characters, there will of course be certain challenges due to lack of land. As always, I'm eager to develop new sims being born, paying attention to their personality and skills, actually trying to understand them, and make their true characters colour if not form the story.

Season 1 opens on January 20th and will give 6-12 chapters, updated every date which ends with a fat orange zero, that is).

Please check back! A menu button will be provided, and the tag is already there! Chapter list is posted on the story's main page.

Detesters - 15 - Seniors!

My testsims, the lovely Pauline and Hector Detester, both turn elderly.

Pauline: Argh, it's worse than I thought!

Hector: No, you look just fine, Pauline!

Pauline: I'm talking about you, Hector. Look at you, you look like an older version of your mom, although she is dead of course.

Gloomville Diaries - Gen 1 - Ch 25 - Tomato hunt

Ochana got her secret computer in her attic office. She spent many nights up there, secretly, but during the day she preferred to be outside, in the garden.

Also Miranda liked gardening, and would often help. She wasn't very skilled yet, but eager to learn.

- So you just took a piece of one plant and added it to another one? Will the new plant produce both fruits, or what?
- I'm not sure, Ochana said. - It didn't produce any crops yet, it's too early to know.

Detesters - 14 - Feathers

Again a stop at my testsims, Pauline and Hector Detester. I got some new stuff for the game, and who should test those news if not the Detesters?



Twins Sally and Sabina are still exploring the surroundings, including the old dog, Sabby. And Sabby is curious about his new play mates. Sally, to the left, is kinda skeptic, while Sabina is thrilled about the furry friend. Parents watching nervously.

Hector: Sabina, careful with your hand...!

Pauline: If he bites you, just bite him in return, Sally!