Gossips #10

(Year 231, Fall) Welcome to the TENTH edition of my gossiping column! Yay! Ten editions is quite cool if you ask me! Despite social season just closing with the annual grand ball, this time I had to skip the bigger names in both nobility and royalty terms. But there is so much gossips anyway, and Mrs Ward did not manage to stay out of sight this time either...!

I'm Antoinette Morck, milk farmer from Henford-on-Bagley, but many years as a city resident thought me to keep an eye on celebrities of Mazaloom kingdom, and this is where I share!

I did travel a bit, including Chestnut Ridge, but first let's start in Windenburg!

Pepperstones become Tenants

(Year 231 Fall) Former Prime Minister and wife, Laurent & Aronica Pepperstone have moved from Tredony to San Sequoia. They are now tenants of royal property, Sunneva House, located as Gilbert Gardens, a very old estate, but renovated a couple decades ago.

Laurent Pepperstone (60) was Mazaloom's Prime Minister representing the LEFT party until last year. Pepperstone withdrew from his party's core group, but he is currently the Mayor of Region 3 Tredony. This is not changing as he moves addresses from Region 3 Tredony to Region 6 Aarbyville.

- Mayors that are elected for 5 years are found locally, but they are allowed to move elsewhere after the election if they can still tend to their obligations. Even in a different region, he explains. - If the party requests it, I will reconsider my position. And I can of course not be re-elected for Region 3 unless I move back before the Year 235 election. So far I decided to make this work.

The Pepperstones recently moved to Sunneva House, a nice property owned by the Mazaloom Royal Trust (which is the Crown).

The Apple Nectar Lord

(Year 223, Fall) If you ever visited the Armed Gnome Pub located at Finchwick in Henford-on-Bagley, you probably saw the painting of a man wearing a white wig, raising his glass of nectar. You might have thought that he is proposing a toast, but in fact he is inspecting a new batch of locally produced Apple Nectar. The man is no other than the first Lord Rossie, or to use his full name: Duke Schubret of Rossie.

Did you know that this nectar loving man lived in Henford-on-Bagley 200 years ago?

The duke died before the «Great Apple War», which took place around Year 50. Still, many locals often refer to that war victory when describing this painting. Apples was a local tradition already back then, and the Apple Nectar was an established local product, although not yet very well known outside the Rossie dukedom. The war was not about apples at all, but it's said the victory was possible thanks to locals throwing apples at the foreign soldiers. It tells us that the Henford locals were protecting their area, but also that they must have had a huge storage of this red fruit, most likely intended for nectar production.

Horse Ranch: The Training Grounds - 4 of 5

Here comes the 4th chapter of my unscripted mini series «The Training Grounds», where features of the The Sims 4 Horse Ranch EP are explored. The Training Grounds is a residential lot owned by the M.E.A., rented by Stian. There he lives alone with his 3 rescued horses, and he just started entering competitions.

The horses Tornado, King and Saffron all seemed to like their new home. Stian Pratt-Anderson (56) recently entered with King for the Show Jumping competition, and they won Silver in the Beginner class.

Horses - Breeds, Traits, Skills and Competitions

Ever wondered what horse breed to get or what traits would be best for a certain skill or competition discipline?

Mazaloom kingdom has a well established Equestrian Association, based in Chestnut Ridge (Region 7), but with 3 clubs that can be joined by residents from any region. There is a clear rank between these clubs, and even within the clubs. Especially members of the Equestrian Contenders club are ranked according to their Master competition merits. The Community Section now provides a new section with detailed information that Horse lovers should find useful. There you can find what traits will make it easier (or harder) to build a horse's skills, and also what skills will help you winning competitions.

The Queen's Stables

It's always fun implementing the features of a new pack with my existing universe. Finally the large lot by the pond in Newcrest, in my kingdom the hood is named Rivercrest. The perfect spot for a royal stables!

This establishment was founded by Queen Evez, who died 33 years ago. She was an eager, if not so talented, Equestrian, and she wanted to have access to a royal stable on her travels away from Del Sol Valley. Military horses were trained in Chestnut Ridge and Oasis Springs, so The Queen's Stables were not involved with military strategies, although she was an extremely military focused Monarch.

Today the stables provide lodging for Royal Guard Majors, but the lot is rigged for many purposes.

Regional Reform Year 233

(Year 231, Summer) A regional reform is overdue and everyone agree that the Year 235 election shall be the first election based on the new region structure, where the number of People Chamber seats per region will better reflect each regions' population. Today Region 12's 3,264,300 residents represent 78,4 % of the kingdom's population, but are represented by 9 seats (=votes), which is less than 43% of the People Chamber. At the same time Region 8's 4,000 residents has 1 seat (nearly 5%). It means that if you live in Region 12 your vote has way less impact compared to residents of the smaller regions.

With a total of 4,163,688 residents, the ideal share would be 1 seat per 200,000 residents (this is without considering the 2 seats currently reserved Church of Similius).

Horse Ranch: The Training Grounds - 3 of 5

Here is the 3rd part of my unscripted mini series «The Training Grounds», where I explore parts of the The Sims 4 Horse Ranch EP. Stian Pratt-Anderson was forced to allow the Equestrian Club use his horses free of charge. The entire M.E.A. seems to work against him. Is it time to focus more on his equestrian dream?

Stian Pratt-Anderson (56) rents the old Chestnut Training Grounds, that's why he must obey the M.E.A.'s rules, even rules that were not mentioned in the rent agreement. He rescued two horses that visitors can borrow/rent for a ride. Stian is single, and his plan is to earn big money from winning competitions at the Equestrian Center. When he can afford it he will buy a small ranch for him and his rescued horses.

Sulani: Royal Wedding

(Year 231, Summer) This week several members of our royal family are visiting Sulani (Sea kingdom), as guests to the wedding of HRH Crown Prince Longjav.

Mazaloom always had a good relation to Sea kingdom, but recently also Sea was criticized by HRM King Tarriot for their old fashioned look at women. However, opinions are not enough to stir up the balance between the two nations, and King Tarriot and Queen Venezia have been steadily topping the Mazaloom guest delegation for this wedding. And they did not go alone - both Crown Princess Emireza and Prince Cecil joined them.

HRH Crown Prince Longjav (34) and Princess Lia (35) of Sea.

The Sea's royal family resides in Sulani, and while the ceremony would have certain modern elements, like the bride wearing a bright dress with a veil, the many old traditions of the area are essential. They still believe strongly in having the spirits' bless, definitely not less important for a royal wedding.

The wedding started at 3 AM - yes you got that right! Formal weddings take place at night, in order to have the newly wed couple meeting their first sunrise as part of the ceremony. The elements are important, such as nature, the spirits, the fire and of course the water. The bride normally carries no bouquet, as stealing from nature could be offending to the spirits. The floral decorations were massive, though.

Judith Ward reacts to Horse Ball

(Year 231, Summer) In a press release global movie star Judith Ward (67) reacts negatively to the currently marketed Horse Training Ball printed with her face. It is the Sim City based company Horse-of-Course, that has released the questioned design.

The film star claims: «Using my beautiful face commercially on this horrible product is not acceptable without my permission. Such a permission can only be given at a very high cost, as I'm not the slightest interested in horses. I claim Horse-of-Course, Inc. to remove the design from all stores immediately!»

Horse Ranch: The Training Grounds - 2 of 5

Here is the 2nd part of the mini series «Chestnut Training Grounds», where I explore parts of the The Sims 4 Horse Ranch EP). Can Stian Pratt-Anderson fulfill his dream of equestrian championship? What about his business idea of charging strangers for borrowing his rescued horse? And - can he keep the Equestrian Club out of sight? Most pictures are taken during gaming sessions, unscripted.

Stian Pratt-Anderson (56) is no hero, he just rents the old Chestnut Training Grounds and he rescued one horse. He protested when the Equestrian Foals club Leader, Lady Aili, suggested to use the Training Grounds for club meetings. Stian prefers peace and quiet, with plenty of time to tend to his mental wellness while getting ready to train the mare Tornado for future competitions.

At the same time he could tell something was wrong with the horse. Tornado had no horsey friends, and although their relation was building, Stian felt sorry for his new Needy mate. He knew Mini-goats were perfect company to a lonely horse, but having them jumping around would totally step on his nerves. Could he take Tornado for a ride to meet other horses?

Horse Ranch: The Training Grounds - 1 of 5

Here is the brief story of Chestnut Training Grounds, located at New Appaloosa (The Sims 4 Horse Ranch EP). It will feature several known sims of my Mazaloom kingdom, as they come to borrow a horse to practice their Horse Riding skill, as well as Stian Pratt-Anderson, a Military guy who just wants silence and suddenly finds himself surrounded by numerous horses and an eager Equestrian club! Along the way there will also be some of my findings and comments, because most pictures are taken during gaming sessions, me exploring, normally not following a planned script.

So, this is Stian Pratt-Anderson (56), born and raised locally. Being a Horse Lover he did try Horse riding back in his youth, but he never owned his own horse. With the Championship Rider aspiration, he always wanted to spend more time with these fascinating creatures, but he also is blessed with the High Maintenance trait. How do you combine a well rested soul and perfect toe nails with the hard work of cleaning a stable?