To Raise The Devil -- File broken -- Graveyard please

[yruvian]

First of all... This story is the sequel to The Long Way Home.

An explanation for Gabriel's disappearance
The Long Way Home (as well as Building Redemption Isle) will regretfully never come to their full finish (though I have added the short summary of the story to the story thread).

Several months ago, my hard drive went down and didn't want to start up again. Gabriel's story was on a different disk than my Windows (as well as the rest of my data), so I didn't think it would be much of a problem. I just had to install windows to a different partition of that (larger) drive. There were two partitions which were just about empty and both were big enough for windows... but the install didn't recognize either partition as a possible boot-partition. In the end, the only way to get the ** thing working again... was by formatting the entire drive.

Once my computer finally started up,  with no more old partitions, but a working windows, I understood the sheer amount of data that I had lost. It wasn't just my Sims-data, of course, but that part did feel like a severe hit, because this meant I lost everything: the family, the screenshots, the CC/mods I was using, as well as the story I had been readying for posting.

I know I shouldn't just have left without posting, but, as always, my feelings in the matter influenced my health... making me even more reluctant to do anything at all. Sims 3 was extremely low on my list of things that needed to be redone, especially after losing Gabriel's Journey. (I had been starting to put down ideas for the follow-up as well at the time, and that too, had been lost. And my first attempt at the immortal dynasty challenge.)

Needless to say, it took time for me to get up the courage to reinstall Sims 3... though I kept wandering over to the store-site, so it was never completely out of my system. I've bought quite a bit of surprise boxes in November (with only the base game installed, so the contents could download ..) I was trying to win Nano for the fourth time, so I couldn't really risk installing the rest yet, but I was determined to get back into the game (and storytelling) for real in December. Considering I still kept up with preordering the new SP/EP (and even Sims 4), it had always been only a matter of time.

Index
1. A Sim Again
2. Midnight Hollow
3. Starting Out
4. Looking around
5. Gaining money
6. Becoming a Celebrity...
7. The rest of week 1
8. Visiting an old friend
9. The Second Week
10. Snowman building for angels
11. Week 3: Parties at Hyun's!
12. Week 4: More partying...
13. Week 5: If you don't fit the town, make the town fit you.
14. Week 6: Off to University!
15. University: Week 1
16. University: Week 2
17. Returning home
18. Another skill, meteorites and an evil friend
19. A demonic visit
20. France!
21. Week 9: Harvesting the town
22. Lifetime Wish: Achieved!
23. Supermaxed Sculpting...
24. Abduct me already!

[yruvian]

All of the content seen in this story will be SP/EP or EA-store items, except for Gabriel's wings if they should appear. If I 'need' other CC somewhere, I'll be sure to mention it, but... considering I now have just about all of the store content available (except for the Russian set), I will largely stick to EA-items. Possible deviations which I can think of would be horns and/or wings, as there were still no wings in the superhero-SP (well. I'm sure you know the one I mean. I preordered it for the superhero content, hoping for wings more than anything else.)

I will be building a new world as well, though I'm not really that far at the moment. I have re installed CAW as well, but every time I've opened it, I just kept staring at the screen. The new world will not be part of the storyline however. (It may become the world I use for the sequel to this one, but we'll have to see how it goes first.)

Of course, since Gabriel's appearance was lost along with his story, this new version will look a bit different... and will have no skills again. The poor lost angel will need to rebuild all of the knowledge he used to have. (The original Gabriel used quite a bit of custom content even outside of those wings... Let's see if I can go without re downloading his hair again.)

His current traits are a lot like the ones he started with last time: Good. Ambitious. Brave. Charismatic. Proper.


Since I (and Gabriel) left all of you hanging last time, I will let you decide on his lifetime wish... and on the world he will start in. (I own all of the EA-worlds and all SP/EPs up to date.) Of course, he will have a challenge set for him again, but not the same one. (Parts of it will stay the same, though... the MultiTab 6.000 is definitely not allowed. That thing makes skills way too easy... and immensely boring.)

LTW-limits:
No romantic ones. This is Gabriel we're talking about. His earlier stay in sim-world has made him love Sims, but not that way.
No criminal track.
No non-human ones. Gabriel may not be a regular Sim, he's not one of the regular supernatural types either.

World limits:
None. If the LTW needs specific buildings that aren't part of the world, I'll just place them there.


A couple of hints about his challenge...
* Lifetime wishes will be more important in this story...
* Some of Gabriel's old musings will come true.
* Can anyone say nooboo? (now let's just hope the game - and my hardware - agrees with what I'm planning)


And... I'm going to make frequent copies of my entire drive to our document server, just to be sure...

[sunshine_2406]

I'm glad Gabriel is back

As for his LTW, I think Renaissance Sim suits Gabriel and for some reason I feel that Midnight Hollow would be a good setting.

Looking forward to reading more from Gabriel.

[yruvian]

Thank you . I'm glad to have him back too, though so far he looks rather different than the old one.

  Renaissance Sim really suits Gabriel, doesn't it? He's such a 'learnaholic'.

Will be putting votes here for today
LTW:
Renaissance Sim (2)

World:
Midnight Hollow (2)

[Audren]

Welcome back, yruvian! I'm sorry to hear what happened with you and Gabriel, but I'm glad you're back again. I agree with sunshine on Gabriel's LTW and town, though. I think Midnight Hollow would be perfect for this story. 

[yruvian]

Right . Thank you both for the input!

I'm going to try and make Gabriel a little closer to the original than the version I've saved in my bin... and then I'll start the game. I won't have a lot of time today though: my mother will come over in two hours.

I've never really played in Midnight Hollow, so there will be a bit of searching around involved.

For those of you interested, this is the challenge Gabriel has to face this time.
Part 1 of Gabriel's challenge - Before the devil.
* LTW achieved. Done
* Max. one career. Done
* Max. min. one skill. Done
* Have at least one young adult child of his own, WITHOUT ever getting involved romantically. (No LTR allowed. Child needs to be able to breed normally.) This is the only way Gabriel is allowed to add to the household. (After Lucifer moves in, he can have offspring who can't breed normally, but none that need romance.)

After he reaches this point, he has to move to a 64x64 empty lot and build himself (and his household) a mansion WITH a prison for Lucifer. Lucifer will be brought into his care by Mother, who will have turned the devil into a toddler. Lucifer will have forgotten all of his previous skills, but he will gain the following traits: evil, grumpy, hotheaded, inappropriate, insane. Gabriel's real challenge starts here.

Part 2: the three members of the household will need to complete their own challenges for each cycle.
Gabriel
* Max another career.
* Make paintings/sculptures/photographs of Lucifer in all of his life stages. This needs to be done every time the devil is reset to toddler.
* Take care of Lucifer.

Gabriel's child
* LTW achieved
* Max. one career.
* Max. one skill.
* Become immortal.
* Have and raise at least one child of his own. He is allowed to bring in a spouse for this.

Lucifer
* Is not allowed to leave the grounds until he has earned his midlife crisis reward. If he does (for any reason, including school!), Mother will turn him back into a toddler and he has to start over.

Toddler -> Child
Potty training, talking, walking.
One toddler best friend outside of the household.

Child -> Teenager.
One skill maxed.
One extra child best friend outside of the household.

Teen -> Young adult
One skill maxed.
One extra teen best friend out of the household.

Young adult -> move out
* Midlife crisis with points achieved AFTER age up to YA.
* Best friends with Gabriel without using elixirs or other foul play.
* Max career.

Part 3.
Gabriel - for each extra grandchild.
* Max extra career.
* Take care of Lucifer.

Gabriel's child
Each time a child leaves: get and raise another heir.

Gabriel's grandchild
* achieve different LFW.
* move out.

Gabriel's challenge - complete summary
* Max all skills.
* Supermax all skills. A new one for me, especially for some skills.
* Max all careers. He may need to move for this I think.
* Raise Lucifer up to the point he is allowed to leave.

Lucifer's challenge - complete summary
Grow up and move out.



The challenge ends when Lucifer moves out.

[yruvian]

*mutters darkly*

Tried to install all premium items (except for the multitab, because I know I won't use that one) and Midnight Hollow... and a large part gave the 'check whether you have the latest update', including Midnight Hollow.

Come on, my game has the last update. Yesterday in my build-folder you didn't have a problem installing Midnight Hollow. Why do you have one now?

Good, retried installing only Midnight Hollow and it worked.

I think Lucifer is already trying to sabotage Gabriel before my angel appears in Midnight Hollow .

[sunshine_2406]

Wow Gabriel sure has a difficult journey ahead of him. I like the addition of Lucifer, should make things very interesting

[yruvian]

Wow Gabriel sure has a difficult journey ahead of him. I like the addition of Lucifer, should make things very interesting

It wouldn't be much of a challenge for him if it wasn't difficult . I always planned to have Lucifer appear in a sequel and hope their opposite personalities will make it very interesting indeed. I didn't think Gabriel would have to relearn everything though, as I had hoped to have him go on to the next part the way he was at the end.

(Yes, Lucifer will get negative traits each time he grows up. If I don't get to choose, I'll have to install a mod to change them, unless the random trait is negative enough to cause trouble.)

ETA: I added the Toy Store and the Consignment store... and found out that this map actually has room for 'homeless' sims. Ah well. I doubt Gabriel would be much of a squatter.

[yruvian]

I was genuinely ecstatic when I finally was allowed to return home... but not everything went as I had expected. The first days were al right, I suppose. I enjoyed the company of my own brethren... and of Mother, who I had missed dearly.

But as days grew into weeks and weeks grew into months, I started spending more and more time staring down. I was careful not to harm any of the Sims, trying to help instead of mess up their lives in every way I could... but it simply wasn't enough any more. It took me a while to understand the full truth. I longed to be down there, amongst those frail, but so mysterious beings known as Sims. I came to realize my love for them had grown in my time with Mariska... and I truly missed the presence of those mortal beings more than I ever would have guessed.

Mother knew I wasn't happy, of course. I think so did Az, who barely left my side ever since I returned. I suppose I was the reason for his constant worried look. My favorite little brother was afraid for me...

Only yesterday, Mother came to me and asked whether I would like another challenge 'down below', though she warned me it may be even more difficult than the one I had been set for my earlier transgression. "Of course," she told me, "You will be allowed to contact us, as this challenge is in no way meant as a punishment to you, my dear Gabriel." I could do nothing else than nod, more enthusiastically than the matter warranted. Mother smiled at my excitement, but there was a hint of sadness in Her eyes.

"I have been thinking of a way to help your twin brother..." She whispered then, to my utter surprise. For all we knew, She had thrown Lucifer out of our home as well as out of Her heart. I guess I - of all angels - should have known better. Mother is incapable of hatred... and She is the most forgiving person I have ever known. Of course She had not forgotten about my twin. "Your own experiences in the Sim world has taught you a lot, my beloved boy. I'm hoping it can do the same for Lucifer. Maybe the Sims - and you - can show him the way home."

I blink, stunned, but I can feel my heart contract at the thought of having Lucifer back with me. He is my twin... and, as such, he has always been closer to me than any of our younger brethren. "If there is anything I can do to help him back into Your light, Mother, I will not hesitate," I promise. Mother smiles and nods. "I know that, Gabriel. I'm just not sure he isn't too far gone for this to work..." After that, she starts to explain what she has in mind, leaving me to think it over before making my final decision.

I understand her hesitation, but if there is even the slightest chance I can bring Lucifer back into Her graces, I will not fail. So, I return to her only a little later. "I will do this, Mother. And I will do it for as long as it takes, no matter how often he needs to be rejuvenated." She looks at me oddly before nodding. "I want you to know you CAN give up at any time, Gabriel mine. Lucifer may be well beyond saving, though I know you have the most chances at success." "If he still cares..." I whisper, unsure of my twin's feelings towards me. "If not, he will learn to again before his part of the challenge is done," She smiles, before Her fingers gently touch my wings. This time, I immediately manage to balance myself without the common weight at my back. Even though I already miss them, I know they will only get in the way for my mission.

"Goodbye, Gabriel," the wind whispers with Mother's voice, as I find myself in a strange land once again.



So, here I am again... back in the world of Sims, facing another one of Mother's near impossible challenges. My return, however, is not meant as a punishment. I need to prepare for Lucifer's arrival first. Only when I'm ready, the true challenge will begin: to redeem my twin brother, Lucifer by raising him as a Sim child.


For those who do not know me... I am Gabriel, named Shepherd for my tasks as an angel. This time the 'last name' is suitable to the duty I will try to perform. I will be my own twin's shepherd, guardian and... father? That's sure going to feel weird, especially at first... but I have to prepare a home for him first. I'm not really that happy with having to lock him up, but I can understand the reasoning behind it. I know he would cause more than a little mess should he get out before he's completely restored to his angelic personality.

[Audren]

I must say that I like Gabriel's new hairstyle. Very nice. 

[yruvian]

I must say that I like Gabriel's new hairstyle. Very nice. 

Thank you . The moment I tried that one on him, I knew I had found a match made in heaven (lol).

[yruvian]

This town I have been teleported to looks a whole lot darker than Salvation ever did. I think Lucifer will like this place, so I don't mind. His life here, under my guidance, will seem like more than enough punishment for him. Of course, I prefer a lighter home myself, but I'll get by. If the darkness really gets to me, I can always take a trip abroad or to university, at least as long as I'm still alone.

For a moment, I wonder whether the loneliness won't get to me in the time before my twin is brought. I suppose I can always make friends in the neighborhood if I want to. Now I just need to find a starter home, from where I can make the necessary preparations.


After a leisurely stroll through town, looking at all the vacant homes, I go with the cheapest one. It may not look like much, but it will do for as long as it's just me. This will give me the time to gain enough simoleons for the house where I will raise Lucifer. It's nothing more than a shack, really... but with plenty of flowers around, though they seem to be cursed. Well... I don't think anyone will mind if I use my angelic powers to bless them... and I guess I'll do the same for the trees as well. I'll just remove those brambles when I'm at it...


There, much better already. What a huge difference healthy flowers make... I must say, I'm really happy Mother hasn't taken away my powers along with my wings, but I suppose I may need them to take care of Lucifer.


With the information Mother has given me, I know I will have to become the best at one career before I can even think about building the eventual house, but I also will need to max out three skills. Again. Actually, the skills are one of the things I have missed so much since I was gone, which is why... I have asked Her to wipe my memory clear of every skill I acquired during my last stay. I'm certain I will regret this decision, but right now I feel excited. So many things are waiting for me to (re)learn them!

With the other parts of the challenge in mind, I want to go for sculpting, painting and... science, though I will try to get my photography up as well. This means I will need the basics for those three skills... unless... I start with getting a degree at the university. The tools for sculpting aren't available there though, so I decide to tackle both art skills before getting a degree. My first career will be sculptor, meaning I'll have plenty of time for learning the ropes again while earning cash. At least I won't have to keep the sculptures around until I can find a place to sell them.


The house is a wee bit cramped after adding a sculpting station and an easel, so I decide to wait with the science station for now. I do need a place to sleep too... and this time around, I really would love to start with a bed instead of a sleeping bag. For now, I'm not tired yet, so I will wait, just in case there is something else I need.

[yruvian]

After my little bit of gardening and furnishing, I start for real. I remember how much I loved to sculpt last time, so I set to with enthusiasm. The easel is just beckoning for my attention at the other part of the room. I'm so engrossed in my work, I don't even notice the university mascot, who leaves me a welcome set.




However, when some of my neighbours happen to get obsessed with my white hydrangeas, I leave my sculpting station behind to meet them. I also feel an unusual tremor... it's like the earth is shaking underneath! My guests, Kara Carter and Katarina Steward don't seem very surprised by the quake, so I put my worry aside for the moment, as I get to know these two lovely ladies. I'll have to be careful around Kara it seems: the girl is really inappropriate... and we nearly got of on the wrong foot because of it. Thankfully, her career in cooking is a safe enough topic for any further conversations, so I should be able to steer clear of anything too insulting to her.


Once the both of them had left, I go to the - very dark! - City Hall to register myself as one of the town's sculptors. It's quite a ride from my home, so I'm glad I won't have to go there often. I also attend a class in handling people who happen to be opposites to my own personality, which may help me in any further contacts with Kara. I don't know, maybe I will need this knowledge with my own twin brother as well...


When I get home, I notice a very strange contraption in my front yard. It really doesn't suit the hydrangeas, does it? Of course, my curiosity gets the better of me, so I inspect the strange device. "Be careful, Gabriel! Curiosity killed the cat, remember!" Az' voice whispers in my ear. I smile. My younger sibling is obviously planning to keep an eye on my progress this time too. "I'm not a cat, Azaziel." Even so, when the thing lights up suddenly, I don't feel nearly as cocky, though I don't want to admit that to him.



A strange Sim just fell from it! He claims to have come from the future and requests my help. Being who I am, I can hardly refuse, can I? I know how horrible everything can feel when you can't go home, so if he needs a hand, I'm glad to help out. After returning Emit's power cells, so he can safely head home, I'm starting to get really hungry.


Time to prepare some autumn salad! There's nothing for me in the future for now, but if the dreary darkness of this place starts getting to me, I'll be sure to take my new friend up on his invitation and visit his home.


After my diner, I hasten to finish my first sculpture: a Rory's Pedestal! Since I have no need for the thing in any future plans, I decide to sell it at the consignment store later. It will be my first sale in Midnight Hollow... and my first step on the long road to max my career! Tomorrow I hope I can get more done, but this was definitely a busy first day in my new Sim life.


Because I'm now really tired, I prepare for bed by brushing my teeth (ooc: in his formal wear, no less) and by refurnishing my bedroom.

(At the end of day 1, he has sculpting and charisma at level 1. He is also a lv 1 sculptor.)

[Audren]

Glad to hear Gabriel's doing well so far. So Lucifer's not going to show up until Gabriel finishes a skill, career, and LTW, right?