More Jungle by Duchess Mandy

(Year 234, Summer) Social season is here! All over the kingdom members of aristocracy seem to mingle at smaller and bigger events. Some of these happenings drag focus to social charity, while others seem so be little more than another excuse for a glass of bubble nectar. The common thing is that all events, with a couple exceptions, are quite spontanious.

Duchess Mandy von Windenburg's sudden popup exhibition might be an attempt to get rid of the remaining jungle painting from the duchess' period in the Selvadoradian jungle some years back. There was a successful exhibition at the Kasbah Gallery in San Myshuno, but not all works were sold. Now she decided to empty her storage of paintings once and for all, arranging a pop-up sales day at Hotel Lykke in Windenburg.

Estate von Haunt 75 Years Anniversary

(Year 234, Spring) This year it's 75 years since the old Estate von Haunt opened its doors as a museum, after a thorough renovation following the Year 98 fire. The building, worthy of a royal, did serve as the Lord von Haunt's estate for nearly a century, but is today owned by Mazaloom Historical Museum.

The day is packed with local events, and because this place holds a strong position in most Windenburgers' hearts, the large crowds are expected. Before the official opening a few prominant persons gathered for some photos, a private tour and a few last minute adjustments. They are not worried about the weather, come rain or sun!

Baby Expert: Trust Your Neighbors

(Year 234, Spring) - The worst mistake I see in Parenting is taking your children for granted, says baby expert Heidi L. Wooblershield. She claims that babies are a blessing, but not being blessed with them is not the same as being cursed.

- Some of us won't have our own children, but then we might become the greatest resource to someone else's child instead. Raising a new generation is just as much a community matter and that is where we are all equally important!

Royal Teens got Hobbies

(Year 234, Spring) Did you ever wonder what are the main hobbies of the four royal teenagers? Let's check with three of them, all students at the same boarding school in Windenburg.

In the yard in front of Summerfield High, an old herrenhaus in Windenburg's countryside, the three students agreed to meet with us. HRH Crown princess Emireza (23), HRH Prince Bazillimus (21) and HRH Prince Cecil (19) are all students at the same high school, a topic that stirred up some critical reactions few years ago.

Mysterious Clown

(Year 233, Spring) Last night a mysterious figure appeared at Lykke hood in Windenburg. A colorful clown was observed at the harbor, and nobody knows for sure what this was all about!

A local resident who approached the sad that he walked over to ask if everything was fine, but the response surprised him.

Cut Ruby Donation for the Similius Cathedral

(Year 232, Fall) You might know that Church of Similius dedicates most of their belief to the green and red bars. One can not exist without the other, and we don't need to fill the green to stay happy - avoiding the red would be enough. A philosophy that transfers well to the modern ECO lifestyle - avoid consumption beyond what is strictly needed.

But did you also know that each of the 5 churches have a system of crystals, namely a red ruby and green emerald, that serves as a help to a new priest? When a Priest starts his mission, he will most often come directly from the Monastery, with empty pockets except maybe the Nestor of the Monastery offered him a couple eggs and some vegetables for him to eat or grow. When he starts his new life as a Priest, the ruby and emerald will be waiting for him. Selling those two gems makes for a better initial period.

Then - he will make sure to find new gems for those two displays in support of his successor.

It's been nearly 3 decades since Ansgar Profedius entered the top position of the High Priest. He serves the Windenburg parish, which includes the largest church, the Similius Cathedral. For 27 years the gem displays of the cathedral have been empty! But last night, right before the midnight mass, a beautiful plumbob cut red ruby could again be admired!

Duke Merlin von Windenburg turns 80

(Year 232, Spring) The Duke von Windenburg celebrated his 80th birthday last weekend! A grand banquet was hosted at Estate von Windenburg and topping the guest list were HRM King Tarriot and HRH Queen Venezia!

Left to right: HRH Queen Venezia, HRM King Tarriot, His Grace Duke Merlin von Windenburg, and Duchess Mandy. 

After the serving, which included local seafood and more, there was plenty of dancing and fun. The reports say nothing about what parts of the celebration the royals took part in.

Nobility: Orders and their Sashes

(Year 229) How about a closer look on those sashes? With the high number of peerages in Mazaloom kingdom, one should expect lots of pictures from gala events with sashes and tiaras all over the place. But this far there were rather few such reports on this blog. That does not mean that there is not a rigid system of sashes, though. So, in this article I'll try to introduce you to the most essential. Keep in mind that although my system is based on real life stuff, some details are not ;)

The Peerage of Mazaloom, also known as the large peerage consists of 4 noble levels: Royals, Dukes, Counts and Barons. Peerages close to the Monarch are granted with a so called District Order (aka friendship orders), which make them high nobility. Peerages with no such order stated in their Letter of Patent, will be considered low nobility (or actually, just plain nobility). While the unique sash color refers to the District Order, the star brooch worn with the sash comes in 4 version referring to 4 different rankes within the large peerage.

1. King/Queen
Top notch of this system is naturally the Monarch. Also the spouse (Queen/Prince Consort) and heir apparent (Crown Prince/Princess) are seen as of same top rank. They all wear the 1st level of the star brooch, regardless of which sash they may use for the occasion.

Because noble men normally wear a sash inside a tuxedo, rather than over their shoulder, we'll let a female model display the sashes for this article. Some male uniforms come with the star brooch already, and when that is the case I can not replace the brooch with the correct version. But for females these details are followed rigidly as they are separate accessories.

Most Monarchs will at some point in their lives lead a military career. Most reach Officer levels, either through hard work or granted them as they are head of the military organization. For gala events they will often wear the uniform with a red sash.

House von Heimlich: Breaking News

(Year 228) Duke Merlin von Windenburg, Head of House von Heimlich, announces the incredible news that he recently met his unknown daughter! Young adult, Luna Villareal, had been suspicious to who her right father is, as her mother was first married to the Duke, then to Jacques Villareal, and Luna was born less than 9 months after the Duke's disappearance in Year 190. Her official father refused to take a DNA test, and he died 4 years ago (as featured in the As Sims Go By video series).

When Duke Merlin heard about this, he promptly offered a DNA sample, and they had a full match!

Duke Merlin von Windenburg posing with his newfound daughter, Luna.

House von Fyres: New Lord von Haunt

(Year 128) This week Dominic Fyres, Lord of Deadgrass and Lord von Dresden (79), announced that his son-in-law, Dr. Nivert Hump was given the courtesy title Lord von Haunt.

House von Fyres gathered for a dinner at Dresden House to formalize it all. But first a few words about this young man, Mister Kalic Fyres (8).

Kalic is the only person who can  bring on the successes of this House! He has 3 older sisters, Siobhan (45), Morgan (35) and Ailis (12), and they could all be the next Head of House von Fyres - if it was not for the three peerages involved. All of those peerages require a male successor. Traditionally the higher peerage is on the hands of the Head of House - it's simply strategically wiser to gather the power when possible. The challenge will be that current Head, Dominic Fyres will probably be gone long before Kalic can take over 17 years from now.

House von Heimlich: Finally the Heir was born!

(Year 228, Windenburg) The Duke and Duchess von Windenburg are thrilled to announce the birth of their second set of twins, two boys, this Fall. All are healthy and sound, and the dukedom finally got not jut one possible heir, but two! Duke Merlin (76) is not getting any younger and certain not alarming health issues were reported.

Locals could read the news this morning, as the announcement was made public both at the gate of Estate von Windenburg and - as is tradition - in front of the historical Quad Manor in Windenburg's Oldtown (former estate of Duke Merlin's ancestors).

Windenburg Treasures at Historical Museum

(Y227) This weekend was the grand opening of the brand new section at Municipal Muses in Gloomville, one of Region 12's historical museums. The new addition is simply a full floor in the basement where half the area is dedicated a more or less permanent historical exhibition, and the other half will be used for changing themes.

Opening night saw a good crowd, and after a couple short speeches noble guests got a guided tour by the museum's Curator, Nancy D. Roxenfox. This prominent group included Duke Victus of Meadows, who is the Historical Museum's Patron, his teen daughter Lady Corva, and of course Duke Merlin von Windenburg with his wife, Duchess Mandy.

From left: Duke Victus (53) of Meadows with daughter Lady Corva (21). Duchess Mandy (41)
and Duke Merlin (75) von Windenburg. Nany D. Roxenfox, museum's Curator.

The first of many changing exhibitions to come is some of the old items of the dukedom von Windenburg, owned by either the Trust or by House von Heimlich. When their estate was recently renovated, a closed room was discovered in the cellar, hiding numerous long lost items.

House von Heimlich: Twins birth announcement

(Year 227, Windenburg) The Duke and Duchess von Windenburg are thrilled to announce the birth of two lovely baby girls this Winter. All are healthy and sound, and family life at Estate von Windenburg will definitely take a twist.

Girls can not be in line of Successors to the Windenburg dukedom, but we would like to state that right now that is of less importance. Having three daughters is a blessing!

House von Heimlich: Updates

(Year 227, Windenburg) It is with great gratitude that Duke Merlin and Duchess Mandy von Windenburg announce the expecting of a baby to be born this Winter. Our daughter, Mirarda Rosewood Heimlich (4), will not be a legit heir to the dukedom, and therefore neither in front line to become Head of House as a male heir is required for both. We and our supportive community all hope for a baby boy.

Mandy (Rosewood) Heimlich, who married to Merlin Edvard Heimlich this Spring, recently had her investiture as Duchess von Windenburg. We'd like to reach out and say thank you to all supporters. Those stating that a commoner should not become the Duchess von Windenburg were not obeyed, but neither totally ignored. All opinions were listened to.

Monastery of Similius in need of Green Eyes

(Windenburg Year 227) Long ago I posted about the little monastery located in the middle of Windenburg's Isle. The place has a story back to Year 100, when the monastery was moved from The Bluff after war damages. Today the old, still off-the-grid lot is home to 4 monks.

Monastery life is not only about praying, singing and meditation.

Windenburg wedding!

(Windenburg Year 227) It's finally happening! The love story between the rediscovered Duke Merlin von Windenburg and the commoner Mandy Rosewood from Oasis Springs has been going on like forever. This Spring they finally tied the knot, an event that will not be totally without controversies...

They met years ago in Selvadorada when Mandy decided to stay two years in the jungle to paint the wild nature while mending her broken heart.

As Sims Go By - New Episode: Family Portraits

(The Sims 4 Machinima) Here is episode 2 of the 3rd season of my  ongoing video series AS SIMS GO BY! This time Josue Roasewood is in focus, he is set to wok on a project including an online family portraits catalog, in coorporation with the Historical Museum. But also his daughter Mandy is a main character, developing her romantic relation to the old man from Selvadorada that she had a baby with. Meanwhile the secret chartil waits eagerly for someone showing up with a seed from the Windenburg moneytree, to claim leadership. So, while there is still a touch of nobility, this episode is probably the most romantic story of the series this far.

In this 3rd season there are a few changes - like each episode focusing more on just one household. Less info require that you watched previous episodes, as each episode is more like a stand alone video. It's still real sims and locations from my game, and some scenes are even regular gameplay with not so much rigging. So, I also see the series like a documentary on how I play, despite lots of editing, of course.

I hope you will enjoy :).

High Nobility: Duke von Windenburg

(Current Year: 224) I want to present the story of each of my High Nobility houses. Originally my region had ten high nobility peerages, and the Duke of Windenburg was the very first to be introduced by King Baltazar II in Year 2. Windenburg administratively belongs to Region 1.

The Windenburg peerage expired 8 years ago, but they used to be very important and their story is included in the ongoing season of my video series "As Sims Go By" (season 2, 5 episodes).


Coat of arms
This is one of rather few houses where the coat of arms was unchanged over the generations.

House von Heimlich got their coat of arms registered as the peerage was introduced Y2. Their main color is blue, as an reference to their connection to the ocean. The ice blue is a reference to Windenburg's rather cold climate. The centered symbol is a silver flower representing the Christmas Rose, actually set by King Baltazar II when he used districtual flora to find the first districts' high nobility.

Monastery of Similius

(Year 223) In my Region 12 there is both the Church of Similius AND the Monastery of the Peterian faith. Their belief is a bit different, but the cooperates and agree on the belief in our green bars. I had Church of Similius as both a church and monastery in TS3, and now they are also in TS4.

Both institutions follow lots of rules, and it's in fact too much detail for one blog post, but I'll make sure to cover the essentials.

Rab-Saxor, Lord von Lykke

So, I'm still enjoying my massive nobility project where local history is being written. I started with a King and his Royal Chamber in Year 1, then introducing the many peerages until the great revolution that took place in Y120. As the result of political insight and quick maneuvers, the last bunch of low noble titles were introduced in a hurry in Y121 in a last attempt to secure future power to the high nobles now that the King was thrown.

Say hello to Mr Rabaan Rab-Saxor, who was introduced to the title Lord Lykke back in Y121. He was given the Lykke title because Duke Hendrian von Windenburg, who had been head of the Royal Chamber since 4 years, had no relative who could benefit from the new title. Although noble titles were not allowed direct connection to specific land, Lord Lykke was indeed meant to serve the Harbor and Isle hoods of Windenburg.

At this time trades were blooming and the harbor was very busy. Rabaan's coat of arms is described as fourths with primary color green and secondary color cream, and a golden sail ship centered. The green color is also known as the primary color of the house of Saxor.