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.

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.

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!

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.

The missing Pegasus Music Box found!

(Year 234, Winter) When the testament reading of late Mrs Paula (Ching) Altham took place this week, a big surprise was revealed. Not that the deceased woman was good for hundreds of thousads of simoleons, and not that the recently changed testament favored her widower with as much as legally possible according to heritage laws - 50%. No, the surprise was a very old music box!

Paula C. Altham possessed the Pegasus Music Box, which has been missing for more than 225 years! In fact, it was written off as forever lost a couple centuries ago. It was a dear item to Queen Coldine, who was the consort to King Baltazar II. It's been said she enjoyed its music every night before going to bed, and daily for the princes and princesses while they were infants and toddlers. Then, one day it was gone.

The former King Courtis was accused for having stolen the queen's music box, but he was never arrested as the box or other evidences were lacking. By then the former monarch had been degraded to a village Bard, and he now wrote a verse praising the missing Pegasus Music Box, still known as the «Queen's Mourn of the Pegasus».

Do You Descend from King Baltazar II? (Part 5 of 5 - Abroad)

Mazaloom kingdom is the oldest nation in our part of the SimGlobe. 234 years of documented history show that we were a functional civilized community decades before our neighbors, Empire of Snorthia and Sea kingdom. Naturally, the leading houses swapped daughters, during one period in particular, meaning we can  trace King Baltazar II's descendants in both those nations.

Today the Empire of Snorthia is ruled by the Sloth Family, while House of Oceanus rules Sea kingdom. So, here is the 5th and final part of this series, the bonus chapter focusing on descandents abroad.

Let's start with a nation familar to all; SimNation!

Historical Society with new Project

(Year 234, Summer) One of our oldest organizations, the Historical Society, never seems to rest. Their members are idealists digging into our past to make all those old events accessible to more residents. This time they have made a deal with The Royal Chamber to create a database of the chamber's early history.

Historical Society's board of 3 includes Quatore Virton and Mila Munch (leader).

Previously the Historical Society has given us the online family trees, just to mention one of their completed projects. The organization has one big challenge, though, the age of their most eager members!

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 5 articles.

Raven's Feathers

(Year 233, Spring) Just when we thought we had a good grip on Ravenwood's history, it turns out that locals know a lot more. There are many secrets in this spiritual district, but did you ever hear about the secret society called "Raven's Feathers"? Neither did we.

A young Writer named Shadius Tapper (26) is ready to sign with Moon Books this Summer, and his first book project is about that secret society!

Old photo said to show 7 members of the secret society "Raven's Feathers".

We got a word with Shadius, as he prepares going to Del Sol Valley to spend a few days with the publisher.

Historical Guide to (my) Ravenwood

(Year 233, Spring) Up through Mazaloom's history we often find references to Ravenwood. And that is not so strange, because Ravenwood is probably the oldest civilization within the kingdom. When Mazaloom's year count started 233 years ago, the Heighwood family claimed they already occupied Crow Farm (now Crow's Crossing hood), while the Mux-Raisser family claimed their rights to Whisp Farm (now Whispering Glen hood). This is quite extraordinary, as all other areas of the nation seem to have been rather unoccupied land from the very beginning.

The Ravenwood administration was early, too, but we can't say for sure if it was a community like we define a community today, or just a few organizations with the particular interest in Thanatology, that Ravenwood is still famous for.

Anyway, the place quickly grew into a small town, and Crow's Crossing became the administrative center. From early years there was a town board, unlike most other districts. Here in Ravenwood the board originally had 7 members, but gradually 4 of them were replaced with crows. Today the board includes Ravenwood Mayor, the Priest and the Undertaker, but they still consult the 4 crows when important issues are handled. The Mayor will be elected, but there is a tradition of this position being held by either House of Heighwood or House of Mux-Raisser.

Rewind: Queen Evez Coronation

(Year 232, Fall) It's time for another rewind! This is a photo taken in Year 179 at Queen Evez' coronation. That is 53 years ago and mainly the children are still alive. The photo is currently on the wall in the Throne Room at the Royal Palace.

Let's see who were present, and also look for fun facts regarding their lives and connections, like two of the children are actually married today.

From the Throne Room at the Royal Palace Chateau Peak. Click image for a bigger version.

When Queen Evez got crowned, she had already married Lord Clempus Ross of House of Ross, son of the Duke of Rossie. They had two sons, Tarriot and Blaise. All four are centered on this photo. Crown Prince Tarriot got the Crown when Queen Evez died suddenly in Year 198.

Flock People - Sensational Discovery

(Year 232, Fall) It's late evening and the lab facilities at Dusty Turf in Oasis Springs are pretty quiet. Scientists left their working space - all except Mr. Alexander Goth. He welcomes a few selected journalists to share exciting news.

For some time, scientists have worked hard on capturing as much history as possible involving the long gone Flock People. The green skinned forest people disappeared exactly 100 years ago when their willow forest at Willow Field of Gloomville was cut down by timber industry. This Fall there will be some presentations at the Flock Memorial Day, and Goth and his staff was optimistically gathering information to be presented, thinking their project was nearly completed. Then the totally unexpected happened!

Mr. Alexander Goth works at Landgraab Science Lab, Inc.

- Old myths suggested that the last Flock escaped to hide in a secluded area called Glade. So, we placed wild cameras there. They were known as good at hiding, so nobody knew for sure if he was still around. He would be perhaps 150 years old, which is another myth we wanted to explore - could those forest beings actually live for 200 years, like we hear in the well known children's song? Or was that just a fantasy?

«Flee, flee, from the Glee.

Home to the wood, willow hood.

Was that a Flock, behind a rock?

Was that a knee, up in a tree?

Two hundred candles on a cake,

Flee flee, for Glee's sake!» 

History Lesson

(Year 232, Spring) The ever enthusiastic leader of Mazaloom Historical Society since many years, Mila Munch (78), expresses one sincere wish: That more residents would build knowledge of the history of their family as well as of our community. There is a waiting list to join the popular Historical Society club, but Munch can recommend additional ways to get enlightened.

Mila Munch in Historical Society's genealogy library.

If she had to list just one field where Mazaloom kingdom did well, it would be to make the common history available to anyone interested. Did you know that the online registry provides family trees all the way back to Year 1? Or that the National Museum frequently display portraits and other old heirlooms showing the history of some of our early heroes? Or that there exists a packed History Book online, helping you to trace historical events and persons based on geographical region or department?

The Moon Lisa painting coming to Mazaloom!

(Year 230, Spring) It's a masterpiece, it's a legend, and it has never before been exhibited in Mazaloom. No wonder National Museum curator Nancy D. Roxenfox (63) is super enthusiastic when announcing the arrival of famous Snorthia painting, «Moon Lisa»!

Famous painting «Moon Lisa» is coming to Mazaloom!

Today she invited a few journalists to her Gloomville office, to share the great news.

This Blog, this Winter

I have tons of plans for both my game and content for this blog. The planned stuff is mostly for my own notes, but also because some of you might like to see how I play and perhaps get inspired to develop your own universe.

Don't hesitate leaving a comment on what you might like to read about! Here's some of those plans:

New Feature: Mazaloom History Book

(Year 229) With a geeky focus on my sims community ever since real life year 2014, and a more or less steady eye on the historical aspects including a growing population, a History Book was needed! So, here it is!

It's funny to look back. In the beginning I decided to focus only on Gloomville (aka Willow Creek), then politics became more important and there had to be a region - give Region 12. So, then I realized there had to be Nobility, and lastly - what is nobility without Royalty? With the State of Mazaloom came The People Chamber which finally made more sense to the existing 5 years elections, but it also requires a little bit of knowledge regarding 7 more regions...

Rerun: Mazaloom Medieval (full season 1)

Past December I made the video series Mazaloom Medieval with 5 episodes. I've still not decided whether there will be a 2nd season this Spring, real life has been quite busy. But - in case you missed it all, or like to consume a full season rather than single episodes over time, below are links to all 5 episodes.

Building a Royal Estate - Part 4

Here's part 4 of my series of 6-8 weekly blog posts, sharing the progress as I build a huge home for my royal family, the House of Luxe-Hamper. Here you can follow my progress as well as getting a first introduction to this family and some of their traditions.

In case you missed the previous articles; I have too much CC to provide links as we go. If you see something of interest, just drop me a comment and I'll look up credits and link.

The entrance was adjusted a bit but is not yet final. The reason I put the oval sign there is that the royal family was in fact the reason why Plumbob Pictures established their studio in Del Sol Valley. I imagine the coronation of King Tybe back in Year 150 was their very first TV production and broadcasting. I imagine someone from the royal family being their patron.

We'll check out the left side of the 2nd floor, but first I need to address the death of Queen Evez. She died suddenly at 69, and at the time her oldest son, Prince Tarriot was 31, and thankfully old enough to step right in as an active Monarch. I played his new household for a few years, but it took him 10 years until he married, so for this update just let us pretend he is still unmarried. His father, previous Prince Consort Clempus, remarried their Royal Estate Chief Attendant (Chamberlain), Mira Hoffstar. They had a daughter, and they reside at Chateau Peak, located at The Pinnacles in Del Sol Valley, where there is plenty of room for more than a single King.

Now, let's start this tour:

Rewind: King Tarriot's Coronation

Along my rapid royal journey there are a few major events that deserve attention. In year 198 Queen Evez unexpectedly died, and time had come for eldest son Tarriot Baritom Ruphus Luxe-Hamper to become Monarch. Following protocol the coronation can take place 6 months later, the earliest, and always at Royal Court on Investiture Day (1st day of Winter). The 6 months wait is to allow for any relative to protest, which was more needed in the medieval era when a family tree often involved a surprise or two. These days the line of successors will rarely be subject of debate at all. Anyway - 6 months is also giving time for the palace staff to prepare the big event that the coronation is.

This is also a good occasion for a family portrait. Some attendees naturally longed for the celebrations to follow - a grand banquet followed by mingling in the Chateau Peak salons.

My 20 Years Anniversary

I just realized it's been 20 - TWENTY! - years since my first The Sims web site was released in February 2002*! So to celebrate this amazing anniversary I invite you to dive into the past to explore bits of this journey.

My first site was for The Sims 1, and already back then I had a community focus with a council, experts on food and babies and much more. It was perhaps the first sims site out there that was "for sims, by sims". SUN, anyone? The site had guest writers from other games, and it turned out as a nice role playing universe.