Educational Format Adjusted

(Year 230, Spring) The new Science & Education department has already proposed their first big case to The People Chamber, and today it was clear that all three chambers did approve on the Education Act.

The adjustments are minor, but will make it easier for everyone to navigate not only between possible school offers, but also through their own study.

The new Science & Education department visits The Showbiz Academy in Del Sol Valley. Left to right: Knox Greenburg, Evergreen Harbor (MIDDLE), Leader Emma Ratchild, Tartosa (RIGHT), Jurton Summerton, Britechester (LEFT) and Bianca Sterner, Crafthole (LEFT).

Last week the Science & Education dept. traveled to meet all Principals to discuss the new format with them, and also to see the many educational institutions.

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!

Shiningham Barony in Trouble?

(Year 230, Spring) The Royal Chamber has addressed a warning to Bennet Ross, Baron of Shiningham (Henford-on-Bagley). It turns out that Bennet Ross (45) has been using the title Baron of Shiningham including the peerage's apple symbol illegally for several years, actually ever since his older brother, Jarret Ross (60), took over the Rossie dukedom after their late father in Year 212. Up to then Jarret and his family had resided at Shiningham Hall, which is known as the base of the barony.

Gossips #4

(Year 230, Spring) Antoinette Morck is back with more gossip! We're done with the election, so let's focus on the real celebrities!

- I expect some royal gossip coming up shortly, and it really is long overdue as TRH King Tarriot and Queen Venezia have not made any puplic appearance in a while. We learned that a new portrait was revealed at the palace's Gallery, and that's interesting but not really gossip-ish. It's a fact.

House de Cavalier: It's a girl!

(Year 230 Spring) Duke Charlopold (39) and Duchess Luna (39) de Cavalier proudly announces the birth of a daughter. The newborn is with good health, and the happy parents can hardly take their eyes off her.

This is their first born, after they got married last year. The little family resides alone with two servants at the large Chateau Cavalier, Brindleton Bay. A Governess will not be hired at this point, but might be concidered if the litle girl gets any siblings eventually.

The Gallery got a new Portrait

(Year 230, Spring) Prince Royal Blaise is finally on the wall!

At the royal palace Chateau Peak, there is a wide corridor called «The Gallery». It connects Queen Evez Salon with the Mazaloom Grand Hall. In this room hangs numerous portraits of adult members of royal House of Luxe-Hamper. The Monarch is to decide whether a member qualifies or not, and there are in fact a couple members not yet admitted.

Nobody ever doubted that His Royal Majesty King Tarriot would honor his younger brother with a portrait, though. In fact, in his short speech, the King stated this honor was overdue.

Download: CC Buttons

Personality is in the details, and now your sim can show off their personal opinion by wearing a statement button on your favorite outfit! This is a free download, it should work with base game.

I created this for my own game, especially because I focused a lot on my political parties lately, and as you might have noticed on the articles leading up to my Year 230 election, many of them used a button to show off their party. But there are also lots of options with simple symbols to state an interest, environmental concern or perhaps just supporting a hobby like gardening or baseball.

Building a Sim's Personality (2 of 3): Aspiration

I always paid attention to my sims' personality. In addition to additional DNA strings regarding both looks and mindset, I also have a routine for picking Traits, Aspiration and Likes/Dislikes, which I'm sharing in 3 articles.

Finally a teenager! It's time to pick the better Aspiration! 

These details are somehow passed down from parents to child helping me narrowing down the options, but also with a chance of personal uniqueness. This way siblings will often have some personality details in common, but not without a chance to stand out as the family's unique gem - positively or negatively. I love it when siblings resemble their parents in how they behave and react.

Servants and staff at Chateau Peak

(Year 230, Spring) The royal palace, Chateau Peak at The Pinnacles in Del Sol Valley, is quite small-scale compared to the main seat of most kingdoms. Still, with its 3 floors and 81 rooms plus towers, greenhouse and basement facilities like vaults, kitchen, sewing & laundry, storages and servant accommodation quarter - it certainly depends on a huge staff.

At the moment only HRM King Tarriot and HRH Queen Venezia, and their twins, Prince Cecil and Prince Marcuz, reside at Chateau Peak. Crown Princess Emireza and Prince Bazil are both in boarding school at Dresden in Windenburg, and Prince Cecil is said to join them this Fall. With only 3 main household members present the daily tasks won't require as many servants as before, but their official schedule will of course still be as busy.

Yesterday the press was surprised by the palace sharing a photo taken on the first work day of this new year, featuring most of the regular staff:

The core staff at Royal Palace, Chateau Peak. Photo taken in Mazaloom Grand Hall. Left half represents the indoor key functions, while right half represents key functions of Royal Guard and security.

Most of the key servants were educated at the Butler Academy. In addition there are numerous assistants that will step in on request.

Post Election Comments

(Year 230, Spring) The 5 years election surprised everyone with a strong RIGHT wind - or should we say storm? From having 8 of 19 elective seats at The People Chamber including the Vice PM position (meaning LEFT had more power), the RIGHT party will now have 10 seats and the Prime Minister position for the coming 5 years. Even their Prime Minister candidate (and former Vice PM), Rob Wilder (69), was «quite overwhelmed»!

RIGHT party's new core group (L to R): Lord Bennet Ross (Henford-on-Bagley), Emma Ratchild (Tartosa), Rob Wilder (San Myshuno), Charloman C. Dougham (Newcrest) and Ingar Wunderberg (Windenburg).

The video Region 12 NEWS - Year 230 Election TV special was released yesterday.

Region 12 NEWS Special - Year 230 Election

(Year 230, Election Day) 1st day of Spring is the big day in Mazaloom kingdom! Hood Contacts are found through election for hoods where minimum one active political party has a candidate. Even hoods with just one candidate will need the voting, because there is still the alternative of administratively assigned Hood Contact if the one political candidate on offer is not approved by local vote.

While Hood Contacts are very local, filling the 19 available seats of The People Chamber is national. Each of the 8 regions have a number of seats referring to the size of their population, and the number of Hood Contacts won, will decide how many of those seats each party shall fill. Detailed and complicated, but quite logical. Last period the LEFT party held majority including the President. Will Pepperstone get five more years?

Watch  the Region 12 NEWS special to find the results! Hosted by Simmerville Studio's news anchor, Paulo Caliente, assisted by Sabrina Grossing. Tomorrow there will be posted an article with reference to the political results.

Gossips #3

(Year 230, Spring) Antoinette Morck is here again with some gossip! 1st day of Spring is Election Day, but let's take a break from all Politicians and rather focus on the rich and famous - for other reasons than begging for our votes!

- I dressed up a bit, because I promised you a Del Sol Valley special, and here we are in the very heart of our kingdom, and the central stage of the entertaining industry: Del Sol Valley! I've dug up some not yet confirmed rumors, as well as a few fresh press releases that did not yet reach the press!