Gossips #11

(Year 232, Spring) I hope you had a nice Winterfest! Here is my latest bunch of gossips to entertain you while you cuddle in front of your fireplace and stuff yourself with those final Winterfest cookies! It's my 11th edition, and I really can't believe I am still doing this thing! *shrug*. Winter is less busy than Summer, but I've searched high and low to please each of you!

So, let's go! We will start in the celebrity ghetto, also known as Del Sol Valley! Super popular singer-songwriter Suzi Sushi (42), has grown up and is now married a Prince! Last year they had a son, and Suzi has complained about her own fame! She has considered giving up the limelight.

People Chamber - Culture & Entertainment Department

(Year 231, Winter) This is the third part of a brief introductions to the 5 departments of People Chamber. They are Law & Justice, Trades & Taxes, Culture & Entertainment, Health & Welfare, and finally Science & Education. Here is the current 4 seats of Culture & Entertainment dept.!

Left to right: Anaya Jang (Minister), Stella (Kraft) Tocker, Henrik Kraft, and Priest Antonius Dipperwell.

This department deals with all cultural aspects of our community, including museums, holidays, stages for performances, film and photo/painting industry and much more. They also oversees the History Book, and the Artists Guild. The 4 members include the secondary representative from Church of Similius. That is not a random assignment, because this is the department that handles anything regarding the stately religion which is - Church of Similius.

New Bowling Hall Opened by Judith

(Year 232 Spring) Last night Mazaloom got its very first bowling hall! It is located in the basement under the Gym at Commercial Area of Gloomville, and although the location is not perfect as visitors might switch between the gym and the bowling, it is a perfect location to train your bowling skill!

And, to throw the very first bowling ball on the opening night, no other than global star Judith Ward had volunteered to show off her bowling skills!

- I played bowling when I lived in Sim City, and also my 2nd husband, film director Simerin Ward, was into this nice sport. I would normally beat him, though! We actually discussed founding the first bowling alley in Del Sol Valley back in the days... My Simerin sure had the funds needed, *shrug*

A new political party announced

(Year 232, Spring) Today, on Community Day (1st day of Spring), a brand new political party was announced! How exciting is that? Mazaloom kingdom already has 3 parties, all currently represented at People Chamber with 2 to 10 seats. Now a new group of politicians seems to aim for a bit of the national community cake; the SIM WORLD party.

The new party was officially founded Winter Year 231, and their first annual gathering will take place later in Spring, like all parties do. Then they will decide their political focus and their Core group for the coming 5 years. Their founder, and assumingly first Leader-to-be, is Roger Mistfield (67) from Chestnut Ridge. He wants a party focusing more on international relations, as well as more benefits regarding custom content. They also ask for a clearer difference between political parties: Today each party covers so many focuses that it gets hard for the voter to spot the obvious difference.

Mazaloom Skating Championship

(Year 231, Winter) Last night Valeria Phlum (28) from San Myshuno came 3rd in the bi-annual «Mazaloom Skating Championship». She was a favorite, as she won the gold medal 2 years ago, but now her performance was slightly underwhelming. She is currently a University student. This year another favorite won the championship, namely the long timer Sarah Woh (48) from Tredony.

Valeria Phlum won bronze.

The contest is individual, based on both talents/skills and impression/judges. There is a limit of 3 contenders from each region, meaning maximum 24 participants and a full night event as they all go two rounds. Last night only the hosting Region 12 had a full delegation, though.

More than 90 Videos from my Screenshots Folder

Did you know that my Simmerville Screenshots videos on youtube has reached episode #91? It's a nifty way to clean up my huge screenshots folder. Each video is only 23 pictures lasting about 2 minutes, with some random world or build shots, but also including scenes from my played households. They are normally mixed, but these days there will be a few episodes devoted to screenshots from Tomarang!

Perfect for your next break?

Tomarang: Ravenot Palace

So, we are all busy in Tomarang? This time I had more planning to do than usually, because Tomarang was a perfect fit for my Mazaloom's neighboring nation, Empire of Snorthia. The story was there already, and many of the local family names were in previous notes, too! So, I "only" had to add all those details while integrating those old tidbits. History is that the Sloth Family conquered three old kingdoms back in Year 41, they were Simerinia, Yacothia and Komorebia. Tomarang is in southern part of Yacothia. They lost their power, but today they are the three regions of the empire. Back then the fresh Emperor gave 7 families of each region status as protected families, and now it was time for me to dive into the old dynasties of the Yacothia region. The 1st family resides in Yacothia city, but the 2nd protected family is the very top of Tomarang - the Ravenot Family.

They reside their Ravenot Palace, located at Morensong to be close to the Temple. This family is the protector of the Temple, protected by the Death flower, and Air is their element.

Priest Rolab Ravenot (39) is the 6th head of this family, and the 5th generation of temple priests. He is actually serving the old Jacobian Faith, that was huge back in the Medieval era - it actually used to be Mazaloom kingdom's official state religion back then. But first head of the Ravenot family was also serving a temple, so therefore Rolab does, too.

Download: Tiger Sanctuary Photo Studio

In celebration of the day (release of Sims 4 For Rent expansion pack), here comes a small attempt to make your visit to the tiger sanctuary rabbithole a bit more exciting! If your sims are in Tomarang on vacation, they obviously want to bring back a picture like this!

So, missing the real tiger is no excuse for not impressing your neighbors back home! I will place this version of the Photo Studio (Get To Work EP required) in the basement of «The Screaming Gecko», maybe along with some imaginary souvenirs shop. These items can be placed on  the lot regardless of lot category, they will only be used by your active sims, anyway.

First official Landlords

(Year 231, Winter) At a brief but full packed event taking place at People Chamber last night, the new Residential Rental routine was officially announced, and the Merchants Guild core group leader, Corinne Dougham, introduced the brand new deed that all major Landlords must purchase. And why was HRM King Tarriot there? He was the first to receive this new deed!   

Left to right: HRM King Tarriot, Claudine Tangerin Mester Shine, Corinne Dougham Mester
Crestville, Malcolm Landgraab Mester Cacti, Nina Caliente, and Eleanor Elderberry.

These days we see a lot of buzz regarding the residential rental business. We had plenty of rentable homes in the past, but the new system makes it more interesting to run this as a business, and - the restrictions might actually bring some exclusivity to the Landlord title. Mazaloom kingdom can only provide 56 units (7 per 8 regions) and because we now require the bigger Landlords to hold a limited deed, the business will not be an option  to just anyone.

Residential Rental: Landlord Rules

(Year 231, Winter) The residential rental market seems to explode these days, and it is now easier than ever to find affordable rental units in most regions. All kinds of standards are covered, from the glamorous apartments in Del Sol Valley to the hardly-enough-space-to-move units in Newcrest - well suited for singles or elders. We've also seen some farmers setting up a small rental cottage intended for renting farm workers - most of their rent is traditionally paid by tending crops or animals, while the Landlord is to harvest crops. This model also existed for generations with the vicarages of Church of Similius.

Leader of Trades & Taxes dept. Fanny Silverbone (LEFT party)

With all these sudden changes, which of course also might result in a significant population boost, the Trades & Taxes dept. has been busy deciding on a new set of rules - the Landlord Rules. There is also a new public webpage listing all rentable units and their landslords.

Olivia Clump Retires Once Again

(Year 231, Winter) The popular jazz singer, Olivia Clump (78) has taken a final sep out from the stage light. Years ago she did retire, but felt the urge to sing anyway, and had a successful comeback at the local club in her home district, Newcrest. This time it is serious, though. As she stated in a press release, there will be no return.

The elderly star recently got everyone's attention as she was awarded the first ever Mazaloom Achievement Diploma for being perhaps our best skilled resident. That is, being an expert in fields like Singing, Cooking, Painting and more. She was handed the diploma by no other than HRH Crown Princess Emireza.