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.

Priest Benjaminus had his Investiture

(Year 233, Spring) Church of Similius is Mazaloom kingdom's stately religion, organized into 5 parishes. Last year was the last for Mr Christoph de Buttercups to serve the Tredony parish, as his request to retire due to high age was accepted by the church's board. His successor was announced this Winter, and yesterday it was time for his investiture. 

The new priest is Benjamin Rosa (66). He has served at the Windenburg Monastery for 35 years, probably dreaming of this day. Priests are recruited from the Monks, but not all will ever get a chance to serve a parish.

Left to right: Mr Christoph de Buttercups, High Priest Ansgar Profedius, and new Priest, Mr Benjamin Rosa.

The investiture of a Priest is mostly a local event involving the parish. It's not like when the High Priest has his investiture with a lot more fuzz and propaganda. There were a few empty seat at the little chapel of Tartosa yesterday, but several guests had found time to attend. It is no doubt important for making a new Priest feel welcome.

Updates on the Amalia Hoffstar situation

(Year 233, Spring) We heard that she is rather unfriendly towards the little nectar making family staying in a shed outside Villa Vigna. We also know that she was observed meeting with her cousin Elsa Gobelin (69) in San Myshuno not long ago. And today there are news regarding Amalia Hoffstar (32), who is actually the half sister of HRM King Tarriot.

King Tarriot was involved previously, traveling to Tartosa to check on the rumours of Amalia treatening the in-house nectar making family badly. The Laurent family used to live alone as caretakers of the actual villa, but when Amalia moved in, they were told to move to a caravan sized shed instead. The same shed that was used for the nectar making. Not only was the King raising Amalia as part of the royal family (her father was late Prince Consort Clempus and his second wife), but Villa Vigna is owned by the Crown, used by Amalia's family until one of the royal children moves in.

Mystery Clown was observed again!

(Year 233, Spring) Only two nights after the mysterious clown was observed in Windenburg, he has been seen again! This time in Tartosa in region Tredony! That is pretty much the other end of our nation! What is the point?

Once again the blue and yellow clown appeared in the harbor area. And like last time, he was seen after midnight.

House de Froux leaving Tartosa?

(Year 2023, Spring) Princess Hortenzia and Chalbert de Froux Mester Sangiovese announce their household might leave Tartosa shortly! House de Froux is today of low nobility, but was founded by kings 230 years ago.

There is no real explanation for this quite surprising decision, making the gossip tabloids serving one suspection more creative than the other. And who can blame them, it actually comes as a surprise to everyone.

Nectars and Rumors

(Year 231 Fall) Months ago these photos were taken to show off a regular day in a Nectar maker's life. Since then a situation has ocurred in this very household of Tartosa, and you probably already realize it's all about Baroness Amalia de Vert - once again...

Her civic name is Amalia Ellice Luxe-Hamper Hoffstar (30), and last winter she was granted a new barony by her half-brother, King Tarriot. Amalia is not a member of the royal family and she was not born into the royal House. She was often causing trouble, as she grew up with the 4 royal children at the royal palace, Chateau Peak.

Gossips #9

(Year 231, Spring) Welcome to another gossips edition! This time some fresh Spring gossips, right before we get to this year's Social Season! I'm Antoinette Morck, milk farmer from Henford-on-Bagley, but many years as a city resident brought me pretty close to the celebrities cauldron, *shrug*. This is my 9th edition - hey, someone must have gotten those numbers wrong? It feels like I just got started!

I'm so glad that Region 8 Advorton, including Chestnut Ridge, seems to get more into publicity. I'll be looking out for regional gossips, hopefully there will be some in my next edition. Today I must warn  you there will be very little nobility gossips. I simply had to mash together news from so many other instances, there was no room for nobility!

La Coppia Serena - a Mixed Lot

Community lots can have multy functionality. You simply need to decide what shall be the main category lot tag, and can add from there. And the features won't even need to be related, theme wise.

I often add functionality just to a smal corner or in the basent. It's worth mentioning that NPCs might ignore those extra features completely, but when my played household visits the lot they can use any feature they like. And in most cases that is the most important.  

One example of a multi purpose lot in my universe, is the La Coppia Serena in Tartosa. I have posted pictures from the lot before, but below I'll list all the features that are added to this lot alone.

What happened at Villa Vigna?

(Year 230, Spring) Not so long ago we learned that His Royal Majesty King Tarriot and Queen Venezia appeared in Tartosa as an off the agenda visit. There were rumors that Amalia Ellice Luxe-Hamper Hoffstar had thrown out the little working family!

Amalia Ellice had been given the temporary right to reside Villa Vigna, that is property of the Mazaloom Royal Trust, but she had no intention of sharing it wih the Laurent family, who produce Vino on behalf of the King. Had the family of four been directed to live in their nectar producing shed? Finally one of the workers, Hilary (Gallauppe) Laurent, spoke up and told us what happened!

The Royals spotted in Tartosa!

(Year 229) Out of the blue, locals of the small town Tartosa got themselves a big surprise this morning running into His Royal Majesty King Tarriot and HRH Queen Venezia! They pay Tartosa an unannounced visit, meaning they are here in personal affairs and only with a minor staff team.

Winter is a bit more chilly than the rest of the year, but in this region it's more like a hot day in Spring than a freezing experience. The royals looked rather casual despite dressing up a bit more than the average tartosian. Rumors have it they are not here on a vacation.

Amailia Luxe-Hamper Hoffstar moves to Tartosa

(Year 229) Chateau Peak announced that His Majesty King Tarriot's half sister, Amalia Ellice Luxe-Hamper Hoffstar has celebrated her young adult birthday and moved to Tartosa. There she will stay until further notice at Villa Vigna, which is owned by the Mazaloom Royal Trust.

Amalia Ellice Luxe-Hamper Hoffstar posing in front of the portrait of her mother's parents.

The press release said nothing regarding Amalia's graduation at Summerfield High i Windenburg. Rumors had it that she did rather poorly building character values and only got a B grade, which would not even qualify for the school's diploma.

Y230 Election: The Toughest Battles

(Year 229) With only the Winter until the big Year 230 election is coming up, it's time to highlight a few of the more interesting local battles! Each hood will have its Hood Contact, and normally only in a few hoods there are candidates from all three political parties, RIGHT party, LEFT party and MIDDLE party. Now that the N.A.P. votes are in and the parties have publicized their ranked list of candidates, we finally know who will be running. In 32 hoods there will be minimum one Hood Contact candidate, but only 6 of those hoods will have a full 3 parties battle: Arts Quarter in San Myshuno (Region 12), Sable Square in Brindleton Bay (Region 12), Upperton in Gloomville (Region 12), Oldtown in Windenburg (Region 1), Crafthole Town (Region 4) and Tartosa (Region 3). Let's check out some of them!

In San Myshuno's Arts Quarter LEFT's Anaya Jang is the most merited Politician as she is currently leading the Culture & Entertainment Dept. of The People Chamber.

Abhrin Wusha (58, RIGHT), Anaya Jang (63, LEFT) and Chaos Kessler (35, MIDDLE).

Jang is likely to keep her position as Hood Contact, but also RIGHT party's Abhrin Wusha is a long timer, he might be a serious contender as he was 5 years ago only 4 votes behind Jang.

History: Tartosa in Tredony

(Year 229) Region 3 was created as early as in Year 2 and is commonly named Tredony, after the old Porto Tredony. The old town was an important cargo harbor ever since the Medieval era, benefiting from its deep waters perfect for large ships. They had one of the earliest institutes, and early on students realized that commerce earned more than industry. Tredony county was created in Year 4, but in the early period also the Merchant Prince was powerful. Tredony disapproved on King Baltazar II assigning them with a regional signature crop and flower, they argued they already did very well with their trades.

This region also covers Tartosa and a few small and less populated islands. Tredony town is still the administrative center of Region 3, but Tartosa near by is about to win the tourists over. Tartosa not only provides picturesque wedding venues. The royal family hails from Tartosa and the kingdom's current President, Laurent Pepperstone (LEFT), is from Tredony town. But also the fact that the region's highest nobility, the Count de Tredony, actually a title held by the royal house for 225 years, was always seated in Tartosa and their Castello Tredony has become a tourist attraction. The old building is located just a short walk from the village.

History of Tartosa is not without community highlights (Mazaloom History Book), besides most of the lots have their own story up to the current owners. So, let's take a quick tour!

Porto Luminoso

In the old days Tartosa was even smaller, and all land was owned by the Mazaloom Royal Trust. The villagers made a living from fishing, and typically sold most of their harvest at the old town market in Tredony. Tartosians shortly discovered the beautiful art of nectar making, and for more than a century Tartosa has been widely known for its good nectars. They say grapes build a unique flavor in this area, and nobody can explain why. So why not just enjoy the lovely result - the nectar?

Mid picture (1) is Castello Tredony, Tartosa's oldest building.

The oldest build of them all is Castello Tredony (1), home of the Count de Tredony.

Tartosa Promenade - a Multi Content Lot

(Year 229) The popular Tartosa Popular is owned by the Tredony Trust, now owned by House de Luminosa. The beach lot has been offering tourists as well as locals many services over the years, mainly focused at eating and drinking, but also shopping of souvenirs, art and clothes.

I built the beach building recently. It's not yet quite completed, I think I'll play with alternaive wall textures, and also a few features like beach showers are missing. But because I took some pictures - and am away from my game for a few more days, I'll just share as things are currently. Perhaps you will fiind some inspiration for your own beach lot.

Tartosa Promenade (aka Baia dell'Amore) is quite spacious, but without coming across as too massive. The lot is categorized as Restaurant, but I guess that can alter over time. It means the beach supplies like sun beds, will probably not be used by anyone but the active household. I prefer the 2nd floor shop/dining areas to be busy.

Chateau Peak: Prince Jerome splits from House of Luxe-Hamper

(Year 229) At today's press conference at royal estate Chateau Peak, His Royal Majesty King Tarriot announced that House of Luxe Hamper is formally splitting. The Tartosa branch will now be known as House de Luminosa.

Castello Tredony was built 200 years ago by House de Luxe-Hamper.

The old and top notch House of Luxe-Hamper originates from Tartosa in Tredony (Region 3), and held the Tredony County ever since its creation back in Year 3. When King Tarriot's grandfather, King Tybe, accepted the Mazaloom kingdom, he had to give up on his Count title. Tredony county has a District Order, making it high nobility, and rule one of the large peerage is that each house can only hold one high nobility peerage (but unlimited low nobility peerages). Traditionally the Monarch will never hold any Peerage aside of being the head of it all. Although King Tybe was forced to give up the title Count de Tredony, the peerage was still held by close relatives, making House of Luxe-Hamper actually not going by the rules. This did upset some, and it was said that it was possible only because the Monarch was involved. After all he is head of the large peerage.

Party Princesses: Trouble in Paradise?

(Year 229) Ever since they started socializing on their own. the Mazaloom community has loved the two eccentric Luxe-Hamper sisters. And when the public loves anything royal, the gossip magazines will never be far away. They would not miss a detail when reporting from the party princesses' café meetings or night club events.

Party princesses: Aleccandra and Hortenzia. Photo from their late teens.

Their full names are Princess Aleccandra Peladine and Princess Hortenzia Ann. Their father was HRH Prince Barris, son of the 1st reinstated Monarch of Mazaloom after the long break following the Year 118 revolution. Being King Tybe's granddaughters, they often attended events at the Chateau Peak in Del Sol Valley. And here is their family tree.