Niche Nerds in Newcrest: Failed (Graveyard, Please!)

[oshizu]

Chapter Index

Just a Teaser (Introduction)
Meet the Contenders/Stats <-- Check each lineage's progress here

*Blue text indicates the latest update.

The Founders
Day 1 with All Lineages (01/30)
Week 1 
   Benjaminz  Part I
   Mori           Part I - Part II
   Sciarri        Part I - Part II.
Week 2
   Benjaminz  Part I - Part II
   Mori           Part I - Part II
   Sciarri        Part I - Part II - Part III.
Week 3
   Benjaminz  Part I - Part II
   Mori           Part I - Part II - Part III
   Sciarri        Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV.

Week 4
   Benjaminz  Part I/Gen2 - Part II - Part III.
   Mori           Part I - Part II/Gen 2 - Part III - Part IV.
   Sciarri        Part I.

The Final "Update" (March 2, 2017)

[oshizu]

Just a Teaser - An Introduction

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Bartender: Good evening, sir. What will you order?


Stranger: I’ll have a Plasma Juice, thanks.


Bartender: There you go. I’ve never seen you around here. You live in Windenburg?


Stranger: This drink looks really good! About your question, nah, I’m just passing through. Name’s Ken. What about you?


Eva:  My name’s Eva Capricciosa. I’ve been living in downtown Windenburg for the past few months.
Obviously, I’m a bartender here at Discotheque Pan Europa.
Ken: So, what’s new? Meet any weird people here lately? Bars seem to attract strange people, don’t they?

Eva: You’re telling me! I had some especially odd sims come in earlier this morning. You have a little free time? You wanna hear about them?
Ken: Sure, Eva. I’m all ears.


Eva: So first thing this morning, these two girls arrive here. They don’t know each other but they start chatting, see?
And guess what? They both just moved to this simverse today and are thinking of putting down roots in Newcrest.

One of them, her name’s Selene Sciarri, really rocks that goth look, like, seriously!


The other girl’s skintone is, get this, light green! Her name’s Jade Benjaminz.


Eva: Then, in struts this dude who thinks he’s all that.
He’s wearing this brocade vest with a watch chain and destroyed jeans, shorts! And he’s wearing a smirk to end all smirks.
Ken: Sounds like you thought he was kinda cute.



Eva: And surprise, surprise! Like Selene and Jade, Mr. McSmug also just moved here this morning. Hey, would you like another Plasma Juice?
Ken: Yeah, thanks.
Eva: Dude, you’re really knocking those back! Aren’t you still in high school?


Eva: The brunette, Selene, was so secretive about why she’s moved to Newcrest, though. Very mysterious.
Ken: Oh come on, Eva. One look at her and you know she’s going for the Vampire option!
*cues the song The Sanctuary (Darling Violetta)


Ken: So, what about your Mr. McSmug?
Eva: He said his name's Shota Mori and he was born and raised on the island off Windenburg proper. He wants to found a dynasty of restauranteurs who manage five-star restaurants.
Ken: What? No song for him?
Eva: Well, if you insist…
*cues You’re So Vain by Carly Simon


Eva: At first, Jade was sitting by the window, but she quickly moved over a seat as soon as Shota arrived. Apparently, she’s aiming to found a mansion baron dynasty.
Her skintone and family name both scream that she’s all about living in the biggest, baddest crib!
*cues the song For the Love of Money by the O’Jays



Eva: Really, I can’t say I blame Jade for changing seats. That Shota's a real charmer!
Ken:I must have just missed them. Where did they go?
Eva: Well, they all walked out together. Something about going house-hunting today.


Ken: So, is your shift over, Eva?
Eva: Yep, I worked a double-shift from last night so I’m dead tired. I'm going straight home. You?
Ken: Time for me to leave here, too.



Eva: Where are you headed, Ken?
Ken: I’m not really sure. I’m waiting for a phone call.



Phone: “Unravel” theme song ringtone
Ken: Is that you, Boss?
Boss: Where are you now, Ken? I have some important news to share.
Ken: I’m standing in front of Discotheque Pan Europa. Just a sec. Lemme run around to the back of the club for some privacy.



Ken: Sorry to have to phone you back, Boss, but I can’t really talk.
Now that I’m at the back of the club, everyone thinks this is the new entrance.
Boss: Well, the news is important but not urgent. I’m starting a Rival Dynasties Challenge today. Wheeee!

Ken: Wait, what? I thought you were going to send me to slay anti-ghoul investigators.
Why else would I change into my eyepatch mask and my I-was-so-traumatized white hair?
Am I just some side character in your teaser? Are you kidding me?
Boss: Sorry, Ken. Nobody knows who you are, unless they’re familiar with the Tokyo Ghoul manga/anime.


Boss: But you’re one of my fave sims! I’ll find a real place for you in a story soon, promise!
Ken: You better! My spot in your 7 Toddlers Challenge was hardly a starring role!
Boss: By the way, I haven’t told you the name of my new Rival Dynasties Challenge yet. It’s...(drumroll)...The Niche Nerds in Newcrest!
Ken: Whatever…

[oshizu]

Meet the Contenders

Note: Completed requirements display in brown.

The Benjaminz: The Mansion Barons
Benjaminz Family Tree <-- Click to link to the family tree
Museum value: $43,517

Founder: Jade Benjaminz

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Traits: Creative, Cheerful, Materialistic    Museum contributions: $3,657    Career: Painter/Master of the Real (Level 10)    Mansion Baron aspiration: completed    Museum Portrait: Yes ($3,657)    Gold-medal Parties (3): Wedding, Dinner Party, House Party    Rewards: Pro Slacker, Carefree, Frugal, Connections    Spouse: Salim Benali    Children: Moss Benjaminz and Fern Benjaminz

Gen2 Heir: Moss Benjaminz

Traits: (Inquisitive,) Cheerful, Creative, Art Lover    Museum contributions: $39,860    Toddler Skills: Maxed all 5 skills (Top-Notch Toddler)    Childhood Aspiration: Artistic Prodigy    Museum Portrait: Yes ($2,778)    A in High School: Yes    Unique Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire    Teen Job: Retail Employee (Level 3)    Skills: Writing (Level 10), Violin (Level 10)    Good Friends:       Jade Benjaminz, Anvi Kumar, Yuki Behr, and Clara Bjergsen    Enemies: Massimo Sciarri and Tamari Mori    Collection:  Paintings x7 = $37,082        ($13,121-$6,690-$6,629-$3,906-$2,359-$2,344-$2,033)    Rewards: Connections, Carefree, Pro Slacker, Frugal    Gold-medal Parties (3): House Party, Dinner Party, Wedding    Mansion Baron Aspiration: done    Career: Critic/Art Critic (Level 5)    Spouse: Sofia Bjergsen    Children: Pippa Benjaminz

Gen3 Heir: Pippa Benjaminz

Traits:    Toddler Skills:    Childhood Aspiration:    Museum Portrait:    A in High School:    Unique Aspiration:    Teen Job:    Skills:    Good Friends:    Enemies:    Collection:     Mansion Baron Aspiration:    Career:    Gold-medal Parties (3):    Rewards: Connections, Carefree, Pro Slacker, Frugal    Spouse:    Children:

The Moris: The Restauranteurs
The Mori Family Tree
Museum value: $6,041

Founder: Shota Mori

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Traits: Creative, Foodie, Cheerful    Career: Culinary/Master Chef (Level 10)    Restaurant: Dem Butlers Cafe, resale value = $109,406/$100,000    Star Rating: 5.0 stars (3 days)    Museum Portrait: Yes ($2,196)    Spouse: Candy Behr    Children: Murasaki Mori and Tamari Mori

Gen2 Heir: Murasaki Mori

Traits: Creative, Cheerful, Family-Oriented    Museum contribution: $3,845    Toddler Skills: Maxed all skills (Top-Notch Toddler)    Childhood Aspiration: Artistic Prodigy    Museum Portrait: yes ($2,970)    A in High School: yes    Teen Job: Retail (Level 3)    Aspiration: Bestselling Author    Good Friends:      Shota Mori; Anvi Kumar, Yumiko Murakami, and Sergio Romeo    Enemies: Jade Benjaminz and Selene Sciarri    Skills: Writing (Level 10), Guitar (Level 10)    Collection: Sunsurfer Frogs ($125) x 7 = $875    Restaurant: Pau Hana, resale value: $109,228/$100,000    Star Rating: 2.0 stars for 1 day    Career: Writer/Author (L6)    Spouse: Sergio Romeo    Children: Hiroshi and Akira

Gen3 Heir: Hiroshi Mori

Traits:     Toddler Skills:    Childhood Aspiration:    Museum Portrait:    A in High School:    Teen Job:    Aspiration:    Skills:    Collection: xx    Good Friends:    Enemies:    Career:    Restaurant:    Star Rating:    Spouse: …    Children: …

[oshizu]

The Sciarris: The Vampires
The Sciarri Family Tree
Total Museum Value: $13,865

Founder: Selene Sciarri

Traits: Genius, Loves the Outdoors, Family-Oriented    Museum contributions: $722    Career: Scientist (Level 9)    Museum Portraits (2): yes ($176 and $546)    Garden: all six plants    Vampire Aspiration: Vampire Family    Two Tier-5 Vampire Powers: Influence Emotion, Ranks 1 and 2    Spouse: Caleb Vatore    Children: Massimo Sciarri    Offspring: Diego Lobo, Reiko Fujita, Yumiko Watanabe, Yasmin Al Majbouri,                   and Aya Mandir

Gen2 Heir: Massimo Sciarri

Traits: Inquisitive; Genius, Active    Museum contributions: $13,143    Toddler Skills: Top-Notch Toddler (maxed all 5 skills)    Childhood Aspiration: Rambunctious Scamp    Museum Portraits (2): yes ($1,019 and $1,624)    A in High School: yes    Unique Aspiration: Nerd Brain    Good Friends: Selene Sciarri; Morgan Fyres, Wolfgang Munch, and Anika Trivedi    Skills: Logic (Level 10), Fitness (Level 10)    Collection (7): Camping mascot sculptures x 7 = $10,500    Teen Job: Manual Labor (Level 3)    Enemies: Moss Benjaminz and Shota Mori    Vampire Aspiration: Master Vampire    Garden:    Two Tier-5 Vampire Powers:    Career:    Spouse:    Children: …

Gen3 Heir: xx Sciarri

Traits:    Toddler Skills:    Childhood Aspiration:    A in High School:    Teen Job:    Museum Portraits (2):     Unique Aspiration:    Skills:    Collection (7):    Good Friends: Selene Sciarri;     Enemies: xx and xx    Vampire Aspiration:    Garden:    Two Tier-5 Vampire Powers:    Career:    Spouse:    Children: …

[FrancescaFiori]

Yaaaaaaaay! And she wastes no time at all in starting up! I am ecstatic!
I am obviously rooting for my boy Shota, but the other two are very intriguing as well. And Ken! Glorious Ken! Tell me he'll get a cameo now and then. You can lie if you have to.  Oh, I couldn't possibly be happier. More! More! More!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HelenP]

And my fix of Mori's continues, thank you. (No I'm really not addicted, I could give up at any time! Honest.)

[wfgodot]

Oh Ken!  You grew up so handsome! 

All three of your contenders are gorgeous. 

[LenaLJ]

Great start, i will be following for sure.
And Jade reminds me of my Gwendoline, i need to start playing again myself

[MarianT]

They are all quite handsome. I don't know which to root for!

[NexttoNormal]

All three characters look really intriguing! I'm going to have to say that Selene is my favorite as of right now, I don't have the vampire pack yet so it'll be really cool to see this challenge with vampires!

[sdhoey]

Cool. Now I'm getting Ideas.. I might have to try a Rival Dynasty when I'm done with Kian..

[Ricalynn]

Hey.. it's that vampire bat picture!   

Good luck on the RDC, my friend.  Great teaser and as you know I will be in the shadows!

[cyclonenic]

I love the colour green, i have to throw my support to Jade on this one. All the sims look wonderful though. Looking forward to seeing how their rivalry progresses

[oshizu]

@FrancescaFiori
Your enthusiasm and support are always deeply appreciated.
Poor little Ken—always the bridesmaid, never the bride!

@HelenP
Maybe we could open a halfway house together, but then we’d only be a bad influence on each other.

@wfgodot
Thank you for watching over Ken! I tried to give the girls really distinct looks so that I wouldn’t confuse what they should be doing…

@LenaLJ
I read your Rival Dynasties story very recently, because I’m still feeling very anxious about rotational play. It would be great if you would continue your story, or start a new one with vampires or vampire hunters!

@MarianT
Thank you for dropping by! Hopefully, I can make all three somehow support-worthy characters! I feel quite insecure about how to play rotationally but I’m too excited about the Vampires Game Pack and the latest changes in the Rival Dynasties Challenge to spend weeks practicing first.

@NexttoNormal
I’m really happy that you already doing this challenge. I also have a favorite and am struggling to remain impartial.

@sdhoey
Yes, please do the Rival Dynasties Challenge next! By the way, I love your builds on the Gallery!

@Ricalynn
Thank you for your vote of confidence and moral support! I certainly need it.
More importantly, thank you for appreciating the comedic significance of the vampire bats.

@cyclonenic
I made Jade green because it’s the color of money (bills). I want to use green-related names for her entire lineage, if I can come up with enough names. Shamrock?


Greetings! I’m the sorry soul who will be monitoring and guiding the goings-on of the three lineages of this Rival Dynasties Challenge.
Since the dynasty of the Nishijimas, it’s become an odd tradition for my sims to refer to me as “Watchette.” And so it continues.

Anyway, allow me to confess my utter lack of practical experience with rotational play. If you notice my sims doing anything blatantly unproductive or just plain wrong, therefore, I would really appreciate a holler in the comments.

On the very first Sunday, the three founders begin settling in, from 8 am until  midnight, with more hours allotted to the first founder.


The Benjaminz: Day 1

My, my! It’s so green around here, you can hardly tell where it ends and I start!
Oh, excuse me, I haven’t introduced myself. My name’s Jade Benjaminz.
No, no, I’m no relation to Walter.


On my real estate agent’s recommendation, I buy this Rippling Flats lot in the southwest corner of Newcrest.
It’s the perfect starting point for my lineage of Mansion Barons!
Of course, my family will eventually occupy this entire neighborhood and go on to take over Newcrest.


Luckily, I met Selene Sciarri and Shota Mori at Discotheque Pan Europa as soon as I arrived in town.
Now I know what I’m up against. They both seem like such go-getters!
But those two don’t stand a chance. I’ve done my research. I know what I want.

Jade: Knock, knock.
From inside: Who’s there?
Jade: Someone who wasted an hour looking for a good knock-knock joke that starts with “Jade.” Would you please just invite me in?
From inside: Please come in.


Jade: How rude! He doesn’t stop playing after inviting me in?! *turns off gaming console from afar


Man: How dare you turn off my gaming console! I was about to beat my high…..my high….
Well, hi there, young lady. (Wow, she’s really pretty!)
Jade: You must be Salim Benali. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.


Salim: I can’t believe how much we have in common, Jade!
Jade: Well, yes, we’re both Creative and appreciate the finer things in life.
Salim: Are you referring to my piggy bank with the bandaid?
Jade: *bites her tongue


Jade: Oh, you have a computer! Are you a novelist?
Salim: Why, yes, I am. Could you tell just by looking at me?
Jade: *bats eyelashes and feigns ignorance of Salim’s highly-coveted Level 8 Writing skill


Salim: Wow, it’s 10 am already! How the time flies?
Jade: Well, now that we’re friends, Salim, how would you like to live with me in my waterfront property?
Salim: And leave my bandaged little piggy behind?
Jade: Most definitely.
Salim: Well, okay….


Jade: Salim! We travel here to the Stargazer Lounge in San Myshuno because it has the Romantic Aura lot trait.
But when I invite you on a date, you reply, “Nuh uh uh!”
Salim: I’m not sure what came over me, but I’m getting my flirt on now! Wanna go on a date?


Salim: She still seems a little angry with me for rejecting her earlier.
So I ask her to be my girlfriend and do my little cutesy squee move…. Is it working?


Salim: I realize we’ve only known each other on two dates over four hours, but I have a really good feeling about us.
Would you marry me?
Jade: Oh I can’t believe you’re proposing to me already! Yes, Salim, yes!


Jade: It’s a little past 1 pm and I just joined the Painter career, Salim, but I need to have some fun.
Salim: Yeah, my fun has also tanked, but how can we have fun on this empty lot?

Jade: Salim, darling, we are sooooo going to win this challenge!






The Mori’s: Day 1


Shota: Hey, I just read that teaser so it seems I don’t need to introduce myself. I have only a few hours to accomplish two main tasks.
First, I hope to find a spouse prospect. Next, I need roommates to help with the restaurant.


First stop is Windenburg. Initially, I was torn between Candy Behr and Miko Ojo.
But since I’ll be opening a restaurant soon, I choose Candy Behr because she’s outgoing.
Um, even though she’s ignoring me at the moment for some video game. Hello!?


She finally notices me and it doesn’t take long for us to become friends.
Candy and her teen sister Yuki now live with me at…uh, on the grass.


Next stop is Willow Creek to visit the BFFs.
Travis Scott and Summer Holiday are also outgoing, so they’ll be great help at my future restaurant!
There's a role for Liberty Lee to play as well.

C’mon, Travis! You know you want to be my friend!


Candy: Um, Shota, you had $92,000 after moving in both households and this is what you build for us?
Shota: Hey, I told you Watchette’s still new to this. We have everything we need to survive for a week!
Toilets, tarp showers, tents, coolers, meditation stools, easels, chess tables…

Summer: Maybe throw in some violins so we can help mentor the next generation?
Shota: That’s an excellent idea, Summer!
Summer: I was being sarcastic…

Shota: If you haven’t guessed, we’re saving our money for a restaurant and will initially be living over there.
Don’t worry, people, our crib will be sweet! Just wait and see!


Liberty: So…Niche Nerds of Newcrest, huh? What’s each lineage’s obsession?
Shota: Well, the Benjaminz are into cosplay, we the Mori’s do anime, and the Sciarri vampires have video gaming!
Liberty: Awww nooo, why can’t we do video gaming?
Shota: Because the Sciarris are Italian vampires, Liberty dear—they’ll never love anime like we do.
Travis: True dat.

Shota: I’m somewhat disappointed that I had no time to romance Candy or earn satisfaction points toward Connections, but we’ll be back soon!

And so we leave our unhappy campers until the week after next.
Oh yes, I mustn’t forget the violins! And what about a rocket ship?



The Sciarris: Day 1

Selene here. I’ve chosen the Optimist’s Outlook lot on the eastern part of Newcrest.
I’m glad that my Sunday hours have come in the evening, but I don’t have much time. After persuading Caleb to move in, we go on a date to Stargazer Lounge.

Caleb: I’m so very glad that we live together now, cara Selene.
Selene: I feel like I’ve known you from a previous lifetime, darling Caleb.


Caleb: I have no doubt that I was born to love you.


Will you be mine, forever and always, Selene?
Another romantically immersive moment, photobombed by the toilet door…


Selene: My sweet Caleb, you and your sister Lilith have agreed to live with me in Newcrest.
You are my lover, my fiancé, and my best friend. Will you turn me and make me yours?
Caleb: First, I mesmerize my beloved. (I’m not sure why, since she asked me to turn her, but the green swirling sparkles are pretty cool, don’t you think?)


I partake of Selene’s sweet life nectar which has a rich, luscious flavor.


Finally, I puncture the inside of my wrist with my fangs, so that she may savor her first taste and seal our bond as master and progeny.
Selene, I’m so glad you came to me. If you’d have met Vladislaus first, he would have never let you go.


Sadly, we will miss witnessing her transformation into a vampire.
On the bright side, when we return to this family, Selene and Caleb can try for baby as a vampiric couple.
I must say this couple looks fantastic together—they even ended up being unintentionally color-coordinated.

[FrancescaFiori]

Jade is really stunning, and I love how well she coordinates with her background. Excellent choice on Salim. Bring in those royalties, baby! And those babies! Very happy to see Jade sporting a bump already.

Shota and Candy are perfect for each other. I know he's not related in any sense in this particular simverse, but with Miko being his ancestor in the Legacy challenge things might have felt a bit awkward. Anyway, delighted he's surrounded himself with an outgoing and easy-going crowd. The restaurant is going to be wonderful. Itadakimasu! (Yes, that's my second Japanese word I've attempted to use in context. Hope it worked okay!)

Caleb and Selene are an instant classic. The beginning of a truly epic love story. Oh, I am so looking forward to their pale, brooding nooboos!