Clan Douglas Dynasty (Finished)

[Asleep]

Man, I'd like flame fruit IRL too. Or better yet, Life Fruit.

[Lilygirl]

Yes, it's cold alright. Although not as windy as initially informed of by the internet before running errands. And yes, some flame fruit in inventory would feel good right now.

Everyone's Dynasty stories are so interesting that I actually spend more time reading and catching up on them than playing and updating my own.

Congrats on Molly achieving her lifetime wish! Update is great. Waiting to see more.

[Joria]

thirty degrees fahrenheit here without wind chill which puts it down into the teens.  Today they found a young man, 22 yrs. old, have naked and dead in one of the cities fountains from hypothermia.  He wasn't homeless but apparently stayed out in the cold long enough to have delusions from the hypothermia, stripped and climbed in the fountain.  That's all speculation, no one knows for certain.  Homeless shelters are pretty full.  My cat is outside and we can't find him so I'm pretty worried about him despite his long, double fur coat.

All the above has nothing to do with your wonderful update and Moth's watchful eyes.  He is turning into quite the young man.  Wonder why they wouldn't play at their gig? 

[Pam]

Great update, Schipperke.  I noticed that Moth's red hair grew out a little at a time.  Good job on that. 

[Schipperke]

“Moth Returns to the Locked Room”

Moth has been working hard on his Handiness SuperMax skill.  This screenshot was taken before his last birthday, but it gives you an idea:



He had maximized the skill and completed two of the skill challenges by the time he became a young adult.  Recently he’s been focusing on his upgrades:





The teleporter was his tenth unique upgrade, making him a recognized Tinkerer.  James has been waiting for this moment.  He and Moth enter the locked room.



Moth:  Wow!  This is amazing.  How long have you had this?
James:  Oh, quite a while.  Take a good close look, now.

The heavy door closes, effectively preventing us from hearing any more of their discussion.



After some time, they emerge.



James:  So the question is, now that you’re the recognized expert on upgrades and all manner of mechanical contrivances, do you think you’re ready for an upgrade that isn’t in the books? 
Moth:  Well, I’ll have to think about it.  But it should be do-able.  Yeah, I’m sure I can figure it out.



James:  Good lad.
Moth:  But why?  What’s it for?
James:  Oh, probably just an old man’s silly fancies.  Maybe nothing.  But, look, don’t tell the others, ok?  Let’s keep it between you and me for now.  If anyone asks what you’re doing, just tell them you’re fixing some stuff for me.

[Asleep]

Aaaaaaah! What went on in there?! MUST KNOOOOWW!

[Beddy_Boop]

EEEK! Must... know... what happened! You are too good a writer, making my stress levels go up like that!

[AriaGirl77]

Oh the suspense! 

Love it, Schipperke!  I can't wait to see how your Dynasty comes to an end.  So sad!     But exciting too.

[Lilygirl]

Aarrgggg! You didn't let us follow them! Humph!

Well guess I'll just have to wait "patiently" like everyone else. 

I'm going to get up and have another Christmas orange then, because I'm allowed to see inside them. And they're so good! 

[Schipperke]

“Molly Comes of Age”

In most cultures, coming of age refers to a child growing up.  But in this Immortal Dynasty, the term has quite a different meaning.  Here it refers to a sim’s having completed all the Dynasty tasks and becoming eligible to eat ambrosia.  Molly has her birthday on Sunday evening.



After a quick trip to the hairdresser and clothing store, she looks like this:



I didn’t try to replicate her greenish hair exactly and I think the new colour is a big improvement.

She stays home from work the next morning so Sleuth can paint her new portrait and Wimsey can start on the ice sculpture.  Then it’s time for her to go before the Elders‘ Council.  All the Immortals change into their formal wear and make their way over to the Founder’s Room.



They take their seats around the table.  After noticing that the high-backed chairs got in the way of screenshots, we gradually replaced them with stone chairs sculpted by Wimsey.  The only remaining high-backed chair is James’s, at the head of the table.

[Schipperke]

Millie raves about the new portrait.



Christie enthuses about the new ice sculpture.



James:  Congratulations, Molly.  You’ve done very well, and we’re proud to welcome you as our seventh Immortal.  Here’s your death flower.
Mojo:  Yes, well done!  Now let’s open the nectar - my car pool will be here soon.
James:  Not so fast.  I have new assignments for each of you.  Molly, as you know, the family coffers are full to overflowing.  Our only investments are here in Sunset Valley.  We need to diversify our holdings.  I want you to investigate off-shore investment possibilities.  You need to find ways that money can be transferred quickly and safely.  Can you do this?
Molly:  I’ll start on it at work tomorrow.
James:  Good.  Millie, how close are you to completing your history of the Clan?
Millie:  I’m almost finished Volume II.  I think there will be four or five volumes altogether.
James:  Excellent.  Carry on.  Sleuth, Wimsey - I want you to start cataloguing the gallery items.
(Sleuth and Wimsey nod)
James continues:  Mojo, you be sure to keep up with your strength workouts.  It’s important for you to stay fit.
Mojo wonders why it’s important but agrees, wanting to move things along so he can get a taste of nectar before he has to leave for work.
James:  Christie, now that we have seven Immortals, we need a lot of ambrosia.  Please make sure the food replicators are kept well stocked.  I’ll talk to Moth about upgrading the other one so there’ll be more storage.
Millie:  Would you mind telling us what this is all about?
James:  Child, I’m an old man, and old men sometimes get notions.  Just humour me, eh?  Now, before Mojo has to leave, let’s sample that perfect nectar Molly brought for us.





As she sips her nectar, Molly gazes curiously around the room.  She’s never been here before.  She feels a great sense of history and destiny in this place.  She wonders what the future holds for her and her clan.

[Pam]

Beautiful, as always. 

[AriaGirl77]

Beautiful work!  I can't believe you're almost done!!!

[Schipperke]

“Moth and James discuss Dimension H*”

Moth is a busy boy these days.  Up early every morning for his job at the Science Centre:



On Moth’s day off he goes fishing with James.  Finally they are away from the rest of the family and can have a private discussion.  James tells Moth the old legends about Dimension H. 
James:  I think Dimension H is real.  Sometimes strange sounds come through.  Millie and Jerry once heard dogs barking.  One day when I was right here, fishing, I heard a Voice telling me about Recipe Man.
Moth:  That must be what I saw!  When I had my last birthday!  It was like looking through a window, or maybe a one-way mirror.  I actually saw somebody looking back at me.  I winked at her but I don’t think she saw it.



Moth:  Hmm, nice fish.



James:  I want you to see if you can learn more about Dimension H.  Find out if there are intelligent life forms there.  Do they have the ability to communicate?  Maybe try to set up some kind of monitoring system. 
Moth:  I’ll work on it.  You know, my boss is always asking why I spend all my time doing independent experiments instead of helping him with his research.



James:  Oh, don’t let him intimidate you.  Just remind him who owns the Science Centre and pays his salary.  Be sure to let me know if you need any new equipment.  Now, I’d like to hear the results of your latest study.

James continues fishing while Moth reads from his research notes.



*Dimension H?  See page 41.

[ratchie]

I love the way you are weaving the threads of this story together.

Rachel