A Friendly Duel

(Year 235, Spring) At a press conference His Royal Majesty King Tarriot announced that he has joined the Noble Swordsmanship Club as a member. The club was founded by Crown Princess Emireza this Winter.

What he did not mention, is the fact that he and his daughter are known to challenge each other for friendly sword duels whenever they get a chance. A busy schedule is not always stopping them from pulling their swords!

Mazaloom NEWS - Year 234

(Year 234, Winter) Finally! Year 234 - most likely the longest lasting year ever - now belongs to the past! It means there is a fresh Mazaloom NEWS video up, covering a lot of what took place in Mazaloom kingdom.

This time the video format is slightly adjusted, but Paulo Caliente is still your host. It also gets easier editing the project on a new editor, after taking some time to learn the basic features. This video is the first to be saved in the format that might be the very best option for the Youtube channel.

Scandal in Evergreen Harbor

(Year 234, Winter) This week Evergreen Harbor woke up to a new local scandal, as a central household seems to break up. Yasemin (Pigulock) Tinker (55) and Tina (Chestnut) Tinker (48) has been residing the old Pigulock Manor for decades, and their daughter Olive Tinker has already turned 16.

The couple has been well known for their ECO lifestyle, and especially Tina has fronted all that the modern Evergreen Harbor is known for. On the other side, Yasemin, is the daughter of long gone industry mogul Henry Pigulock. Now she has announced that she wants to bring the old Pigulock Industries, Inc. back to life!

Yasemin has adapted the ECO friendly look on life, and she plays a big role in bringing this district forward in a greener direction. Both Yasemin and Tina has supported the green MIDDLE party, but when the candidates were released a while ago, only Tina was on that list. Yasemin was found on the RIGHT party's list, indicating she now supports business and profit over ecology.

New TV Series: Churches Tip 2 Toe

(Year 234, Winter) Want to learn about the churches in Mazaloom kingdom? Khloe A. Mervil is back with a new TV series, were she will visit our many churches to learn about their history and secrets. The first season includes 3 episodes, but more might follow later.

The show was uploaded to the Youtube channel:

The 4 Political Parties - What if they Win the Election?

(Year 234, Winter) While Year 234 feels like the longest lasting year ever, Winter will soon be gone and on 1st day of Spring we'll see the five years election for People Chamber, as well as district Mayors and regional Councilors! This election has been long awaited as the routine is slightly adjusted. For the first time four different parties will fight over the Mayor and Councilor positions and 22 seats of the chamber, but how are the parties different? What happens if the monarchy unfriendly party wins? Or if the green environment enthusiasts are to fill the Cabinet? What changes will possibly come our way?

RIGHT party sails up as the favorite to win the upcoming election. Here is the core group debating their strategy. Mr Charloman C. Dougham (PM candidate), C ato Wugger (hidden), Henrik Kraft, Lord Bennet Ross, and Emma R. Golden.

These questions might be even more actual this time, because it feels like everything will be new! This is of course not true. Hood Contacts will no longer be elected, but instead, we'll have the district Mayors as the most local position. People Chamber will have 22 seats instead of 21, and just 1 seat will be reserved Church of Similius, representing our stately religion (used to be 2 seats). None of these are seen as big changes, though.

Winner announced: Mazaloom Achievement Award Year 234

(Year 234, Winter) It was the 4th time that Crown Princess Emireza handed out the annual Mazaloom Achievement Award. This is a way to honor citizens who maxed a 10 level skill, and because it covers all social groups, it has grown rather popular with both the press and people in general. There are no strict rules, but the Crown Princess has previously stated that there is no cance the same skill or same region will be awarded twice - at least not for the first ten rounds.

This year the committee searched high and low anywhere but in Newcest (region Gloom, but region Mazaloom when awarded), Henford (region Rossie) or Brindleton Bay (region Gloom), and found the worthy winner in Oasis Spring (region Advorton): Sissela Morck (83).

Sissela maxed the Fishing skill quite some time ago.

- We live a simple life here at Nookstone, and back when we settled we harvested what we could fom nature to make ends meet. I often walked down to the Nook River, and over the years I maxed my skill.

Many will recognize her for other efforts than fishing, though.

Mazaloom Super Sim

(Year 234, Winter) This weekend the Mazaloom Super Sim was arranged in Oasis Springs. This is a bi-annual contest for Athletes, hosted by Mazaloom Weight Club. This time the club trophy, that it takes two following wins to obtain, switched hands!

Left to right: Paula (Mox) Adrian, Alice (Northdale) de Gould, and Mr John Phlum.

Seven Athletes reached the final rounds of the competition. Elite contestants have good skills in Fitness and Wellness, which is a requirement for participating at the Simlympics, but for the Super Sim contest the Wellness skill is not required. It still builds your score, though, so you would practically have no chance of winning without it.

Monica Lopez honored

(Year 234, Winter) Tonight was a special moment to Monica Lopez (53), manager of Advorton Zoo in Ciudad Enamorada, region Advorton. At the local recreation center she was awarded the Advorton regional honor for her work on the Zoo project for many years.

The medal, for this region with green silk ribbon, was given my the regional Mayor, Elvira E. Honeydew (52). Monica originally ran the Zoo together with her husband, but after she was widowed two years ago, she has been managing the popular attraction of Ciudad Enamorada alone, occasionally assisted by her two children. They also run a Zoo shop, providing souvenirs as well as homemade produce based on eggs, honey and milk harvested in the zoo.

Noble Swordsmanship Club Founded

(Year 234, Winter) Mazaloom kingdom got its very first swordsmanship club - at least it is the only club currently active. Noble Swordsmanship Club was founded by HRH Crown Princess Emireza (23), and she is also the Leader untill she starts University. The Crown Princess and her father, His Majesty the King, are both active swordsmanship enthusiasts.

An agreement was made for the club to use the venue in StrangerVille, recently built by Ted Rossell Mester Acres.

Maz Bank reporting Successful Transfer

(Year 234, Winter) This Winter most Mazaloom citizens chose to move their financial deposits and loans from SimNation's stately bank Sim City First Trust Bank, to the new national bank serving our kingdom, Maz Bank. Now the latter reports that the transfer was successful, but that their full financial capacity was taken.

Mr Robert Sutton is CEO at Maz Babk, Inc.

Banks are basically companies running their profittable business, but when they are stately supported and proven to stay for years to come, they might obtain a touch of institution. SCFTB is such an institution for SimNation, founded nearly a century ago. Maz Bank, on the other hand is brand new, although breaking off from SCFTB's branch in Mazaloom. The total amount of Simoleons going through this sysem is surprisingly big numbers!

The Ondarion Project

(Year 234, Winter) Three very small districts from three different nations, have united in a political project called «the Ondarion Experiment». The districts were selected for the project as they are all having a long story line focusing on both leadership and knowledge, but they also happen to be located in a line along equator. Now their head persons will contribute with local information regarding science as well as politics, in order to see how much variation there might be thanks to location and politics. The idea is to learn from each other.

In the west we find Dambele (Empire of Snorthia), centered is Bellacorde
(Mazaloom kingdom), and in the east is Verdemar (Sea kingdom).

The three contributing districts are: Bellacorde in region Tredony of Mazaloom kingdom. Dambele in Simerinia kingdom of Empire of Snorthia. Verdemar in Thebia of Sea kingdom. 

The Landgraab Dynasty

(Year 234, Winter) This morning a press brief hit news desks nation wide. The Landgraab business imperium is reorganizing. The top company, Landgraab Industries, Inc., is among Mazaloom's biggest companies, but there are numerous smaller companies owned fully or partly by companies within the Landgraab concern, or by members of the super wealthy Landgraab family.

Mr Malcolm Landgraab Mester Cacti posing at Landgraab Industries, Inc.'s head quarters.

Today Mr. Malcolm Landgraab (81) is Head of the family, including House of Landgraab and the low nobility title Mester Cacti. To many's surprise, the Landgraabs never held any real peerage, and the Mester status doesn't really qualify as real nobility. They were never involved with Politics, at least not as electable candidates. There's no doubt they had significant influence on our community, though.

Nobility Reform: Nobility Career

(Year 234, Winter) The second part of the Nobility Reform, is the new Nobility career. It is totally separated from the first part, the Dynasties. Technically a noble person won't need a dynasty, and a Dynasty member don't need the Nobility Career. In Mazaloom these two features do connect, though, as we use the career slightly different. Here, you can't have a peerage without also being member of a House, and all Houses had to register as dynasties in order to obtain their new crest emblem.

By design, the career is like most other careers, where you start on the lowest level and climb your way up through promotions. In Mazaloom and our neighboring nations, the career is used for categorizing nobility. This means you immediately get the nobility career level that suits with your highest ranked peerage. This category is static, and no promotions will be involved.

Swordsmanship to StrangerVille?

(Year 234, Winter) Mr Ted Rossell Mester Acres, residing in StrangerVille, has built another community lot based on his personal uncommon architectural taste and interest. Today he invited for a small show-off at Cliff Side Crest.

Rossell has been taking a central position in the little community. This coming election is their first to elect their own district Mayor, but unfortunately he can not run, as elders are not allowed. Instead he wants to bring Swordsmanship to StrangerVille - in his own way.

New Dynasty emblems for Dukedoms

(Year 234, Winter) Today there was another ceremonial event taking place at the Royal Palace of Mazaloom. It was time to hand the framed new crest emblems to the first nobles, this time all five dukedoms were present.

The event took place in Mazaloom Great Hall, which is the entrance area of the palace, regularly used for smaller exhibitions and concerts etc. The press was there, and a few curious commoners had arrived, to witness the whole thing.

One by one the five dukes stepped forward to get their new framing. The crest will identify their brand new dynasties, as Mazaloom had no such thing in the past. Someone might need to make a few adjustments to get the symbolic deco object up on the wall...

Nobility Reform: Dynasties

(Year 234, Winter) This morning the Royal Palace Office (RPO), on behalf of the Royal Chamber, announced upcoming adjustments to the set of rules for Houses of Aristocracy. Mazaloom kingdom had a well developed system for generations. This will continue, but as the global world adjusts to various expansions, the nations of Snorthia, Sea and Mazaloom have debated to find a common base for their aristocratic structures. This means, in all three nations some fine tuning will take place this coming Spring.

His Royal Majesty King Tarriot of Mazaloom is head of the Royal Chamber.

Before you read on - in all three nations the traditional culture will stand strong. While we will still have our national uniqueness, there are some fields where we can come up with common solutions. This should be possible for both the Dynasty system and Nobility (career). The idea is that if the three nations share bits of their aristocratic structure, it will be easier for all to relate, accross borders.

One reason for the adjustments is the implementation of Dynasties. This old community form with origin in the Empire of Snorthia, never established in the kingdoms of Mazaloom and Sea. However, while the main structure from Snorthia will now be used by all, there might be minor influences going the other way - such as Mazaloom's Houses having a focus skill, which will now be adapted by Snorthian dynasties, too.

So, what is new?

Historical Society introduces new Genealogy Tools

(Year 234, Winter) These days anyone into genealogy will applaud new tools for researching your family tree. As usual, our very own Mazaloom Historical Society was involved making this available to residents of Mazaloom kingdom. With this genealogy as a hobby becomes even more interesting.

Club leader Mila Munch (80) is enthusiastic as always.

Prime Minister House Opened

(Year 234, Winter) Mazaloom kingdom got its own Prime Minister House! It was debated a couple years ago, and now the building is ready, just in time for the upcoming election.

Current Prime Minister, Mr Wilder, is too old for re-election, and he will not move in. But our future PM will stay here for as long as holding the PM position. The building is not exactly a castle, but provides good standard facilities for a Prime Minister's many working tasks, like meetings and receptions, and upstairs there is enough space for a small family to reside. Private needs will vary from period to period, and because most top politicians are quite old, children might have left the nest already.

This week there was a formal opening of Prime Minister House, that is located at Willow Field in Gloomville (Region Gloom).

The Royal Palace Cellar

(Year 234, Winter) It's about 85 years since the royal palace Chateau Peak was built in Del Sol Valley, but this far no footage showing the mostly locked off undergound were leaked to the public. Fact is that there was not that much to boost about, mainly the kitchen, servants' section and a prison cell. Well, that is what we all thought, anyway. The palace holds a full cellar, several sections holding daily activity. Recently a photographer was admitted access to explore some of the underground facilities. 

Let's start on ground floor, more precisely in the so called official quarters. Between the Throne Room and King Tybe's dining room there is a rather small kitchen (above). This room connects to the main kitchen right underneeth it, and is used for preparing food to smaller events. For the big gala events this room is where the servings line up before being brought out to the guests.

Crown Princess Emireza has left Windenburg

(Year 234, Winter) HRH Crown Princess Emireza completed her studies at Summerfield High in Windenburg and this Fall she celebrated her 23rd birthday. In jusrt two years she will celebrate her YA birthday, and the entire Mazaloom nation will follow her steps with even stronger interest.

Crown Princess Emireza (23) posing with Summerfield High's Principal, Mrs Hettie P. Fartingham (54).

The Crown Princess left Windenburg this Summer, as her studies at Summerfield High were completed with honors. The private boarding school offers a 9 years program, but students will normally not graduate until the year after, by following the regular schedule for their final year and exams. Summerfield High focuses on aristocratic values, like manners and other character values. The students are normally from high society, and right now also Emireza's brothers Prince Bazil and Prince Cecil are students there.

The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy - Hoods and geography

Oh my! The elegancy, nobility and scandals of the new EP makes it one of those packs flying straight into my game. It would be pointless to wait for a sale, and it would be wasted to debate with myself whether I want it or not. That I could have survived without it, is another dish - right now this is not so much about survival, but desire :)

Hoods Bellacorde, Dambele, and Verdemar. Each comes with dynasties claiming the vacant royal throne.

The worlds look awesome and different, and content seems promising. My only concern is that my royals already have crowns and most of what they need in their palace. And the throne is definitely not vacant. I play most of my nobility with quite regular lives, just a bit better outfits and more spacious estates. CAS look great on the ball/historical side, but we don't know yet whether there will also be a few more everyday high nobility outfits for a modern kingdom.

My biggest puzzle so far was to place the new world geographically into my existing map. And I found a surprising way!

Their Introduction to Society

(Year 234, Winter) The old term might be outdated, but this year a modernized version of the «debutante ball» made its return! Again, young members of Aristocracy can have their formal introduction to society - if their parents so wish. The format is slightly less formal and some of the traditional accessory were left out. And now, in this genders neutral era, also the young men are included.

This year's Debutantes: Ms Melida Dipperwell (24) and Mr Barros de Froux (24).

Time changes. While Mazaloom kingdom is nearly 250 years old, the recent monarchs focused a lot on gender equality. It started with King Tybe who stated that he would accept the Mazaloom Throne only if his main heir could be a daughter, so we finally got adjustments to the heritage laws, pointing at the oldest child rather than the oldest son. You may think this affected his daughter only, but such changes normally affect the broader community as well. Today it is the norm that oldest child will be anyone's main heir, regardless of class and gender. It was not that way before King Tybe forced the change 85 years ago.

Old Noble Emblem Restored

(Year 234, Winter) This Monday the RPO (Royal Palace Office) had announced a press brief - this time not in the Press Center where the weekly briefings usually take place, but in the Mazaloom Great Hall. This meant that the announcement was of a certain importance, attracting even more journalists.

The event centered around the restoration of an old noble symbol, by historiens connected to Mazaloom's first era, perhaps an early version of the crest emblem now used by the Capp dynasty in Tredony, but where the story is not yet fully unveiled.

Free Download: 12 new flag banner designs

It's been a while since I shared some CC. In my game there are numerous companies and organizations, and quite a few of them have a logo. When they are involved with an event or sell something at a market, it's quite useful to have a flag banner with their print on. It helps creating a good setting for your event.

You probably don't use those very same logos in your game, but as some of these banner prints are rather generic, and text is written in Simlish, anyway, I though maybe others would benefit from these designs as well. Honey produce, diving venue/contest, dancing ore a gym is just a few of the options.

Church of Similius Winter Meeting

(Year 234, Winter) This week the board of Church of Similius gathered for their annual Winter meeting. It traditionally takes place in High Priest's ofice at the Similius Cathedral in Windenburg. On the agenda were topics not yet leaked to the press, but some decissions were announced.

Left to right: Priest Antonius Dipperwell (66), Priest Fartain Booch (73), High Priest Ansgar Profedius (70), Priest Benjamin Rosa (67), Priest Ezais Porportoza (61).

According to Church of Similius' webpage, the bigger topics involved the change to their People Chamber seat, that Nestor of Similius Monastery shall no longe access the Winter meetings, and a few rules affecting female household members.

Gossips #18

(Year 234, Winter) Hello again! Here's my 18th issue with gossips from all over the nation! It's a massive picture post, so I'll try to keep my blabbering to a minimum. Grab your cup and read on!

And this time I've got plenty of royal stuff, too!