Power of 10 - What Pries Glory? [Completed 16 Feb 2020]

[oshizu]

2.12: Night Moves

Thursday, Week 12

Brise: Explain again why we need to max a second part-time job?
Fynn: So I can finish Renaissance Sim before you move out.
Brise: Oh yeah, then you'll be a supersim with all kinds of reward traits!

Fynn: Right. I just hope Watcher remembers that I have to quit this job before you move.
Brise: Let's quit as soon as we max it!


Wynn: A friend tells me she saw Vicente dancing the rumbasim this morning.
He's so good about looking after everything while the rest of us are out.
He must get bored here in San Myshuno. It's so different from his hometown of Selvadorada.

Anyway, I'm glad he's found a constructive way of having fun.


My parents visit quite often these days.
It's hard to watch them grow older, yet we can't wait for our twins' next birthday.


We celebrate the boys' maxing their Fast Food jobs this evening with a late dinner at Shimuzu.
Look at Papa and my brother Mark! They're like two peas in a pod!


After dinner, Vicente asks us travel with him to the Willow Creek Art Museum.
He recently created a few Angry and Sad paintings, which he wants to display there.



Sunday, Week 13

Vicente's summoned the elementals again.
Brise is trying to have a private conversation with his BFF, Arihi.
The male elemental (his name's Nuihaur), however, sticks close by her side.

Calvary to the rescue!


Vicente's a little embarrassed to use a romantic social on Nuihaur.
But Brise insists that Vicente must ask Nuihaur, not Arihi.
Biting the bullet for our son's sake, Vicente asks Nuihaur if he's single.

Yup, he is! So why did Arihi burst out in tears?


On Monday, while Fynn and I hold down the fort, Vicente takes Brise to Selvadorada.
Brise has already picked out his future bride.
He just doesn't know how he wants to start out his generation.


Brise: If I want to ask Arihi to move in after I move out, my third trait has to be Child of the Oceans so I can summon her.
To have a different third trait, Papa needs to summon her then I can move her in with us.
But if she moves into the San Myshuno house, then no bridal dowry.

Aargh, my head hurts just thinking about it!


Brise: Why are you learning Wellness so much faster than me?
Fynn: Erm, because you have a few bonus traits but no store-bought reward traits.


Wynn: On Wednesday, I quit my job and begin preparing to craft my collection.
By Thursday afternoon, I'm all done.


Voila, my collection of vampire cures! It's worth $135,000.


We take two short trips to Selvadorada.
Brise needs to defend against two natural disasters, but has only encountered one.


We rush home early Friday, but the boys decide to skip their last day of school.
Fine with us.


Wynn: No, Mama. It's not happening. I have no wish to reconcile with my twin Zoe!
She flirts with my husband, sabotages my parties…why would I want to see her?


Mia: But Wynn, Zoe is right across the street this very moment. She's dying to see you!
Wynn: Hah! Dying to see Vicente, more like it!


Wynn: I can't believe Watcher didn't get us a gaming console until the day before Brise moves out!
Vicente: To be fair, you hadn't finished your collection yet, dear.
Erwin: Whatever, you two! Mia and I never got one of these!


I hope we have a little girl this time.


I really thought I'd be able to complete the City Posters collection in time.
Still missing one poster, dagnabbit!


The entire extended family (except Zoe) travels to Ohan'Ali Beach in Sulani to kill time until evening.
Oh, look! There's that infamous bait kiosk!


After night falls, we head to Desert Bloom Park to kill yet more time.
Papa, Brise, and I build the rocket ship, while Vicente and Fynn upgrade other stuff.



Sunday, Week 14

Happy birthday, boys!
Brise gains Perfectionist as his third trait.
(Angling Ace is just a placeholder aspiration until he moves out.)


Arihi and Brise are BFFs with a full 100% friendship bar.
Still, Brise can't ask her to move in for a few hours.


All of us gasp when we see Arihi's bridal dowry. $45,000!?
Don't worry, Brise! You two will earn that and more in no time!


Arihi: Wow, this place is so beautiful! This is all so exciting!
Brise (whispers): Watcher, Arihi has super traits but could you give her a makeover? Like, soon?

[Meg]

Wow, when you see them all together in the moving picture it really shows how much Brise looks like his dad. I winced for you when I saw how much money Arihi had, but it can be fun to start with nothing as well. Congratulations to Wynn on finishing, and good luck to Brise! Here’s to hoping he won’t have to shun his sibling as well!

[oshizu]

Wow, when you see them all together in the moving picture it really shows how much Brise looks like his dad. I winced for you when I saw how much money Arihi had, but it can be fun to start with nothing as well. Congratulations to Wynn on finishing, and good luck to Brise! Here’s to hoping he won’t have to shun his sibling as well!

Yes, I was also surprised by their close resemblance as well. Fynn looks alot like his father, too, except for his mouth.
Thank you for the well wishes. Brise's brother Fynn has been on his best behavior!

[oshizu]

3.13: Wind in the Willow(s)

Sunday, Week 14

Brise: You've probably already guessed that we are living in Willow Creek.
With a name like Brise, I was supposed to move to Windenburg. *sighs

We start out modestly; our future home costs $6,000 for an unfurnished shell.
The first thing we need to do, however, is get Arihi to a dresser and a mirror!


When Arihi gets a new wardrobe, I also change my hot-weather outfit.
Don't I make a good match now for my elemental partner?
Now I'm off to the flea market while Watchette continues with Arihi's makeover.


We're on our way to our second date at Perfect Balance Spa.
Apparently, Watchette only changed Arihi's skintone, hair color, and hair style.
She also did Arihi's makeup.
From pasty elemental to va-va-va-voom in a blink of the eye!


We have no bed to call our own, so we improvise.
We might have tried for baby in the sauna.


Arihi suddenly becomes consumed with the desire to put a ring on it.
Naturally, I accept her proposal.


Next stop, Central Park in Myshuno Meadows.
While I bake a white cake, Arihi prepares the Banquetia Plateau (buffet table) and Fountain of Mirth.
The Banquetia Plateau's a life-saver when one lacks a kitchen or one's caterer flakes out.


Til death do us part.
I initially considered our relationship a mere marriage of convenience.
But I've gradually fallen under Arihi's spell.


Our wedding party earns a gold medal! Yay!
Once the reception ends, Arihi runs off to take her pregnancy test.
(Nobody understands why the nanny showed up in his bathrobe.)


I was quite confused when Arihi emerged from the bathroom to head straight for the bar.
Doesn't she have big news to share with me?
Does that mean she isn't pregnant after all?
Strangely, she waits to throw her "Eating for Two" confetti after seating herself at the bar.


Despite the darkness, I build the shell of our future home.
First, I decide on the floor plans then add the roofing.
Next, I knock out two of the second-floor walls to lower the cost to $6,000.


Brise: Don't you think it's kinda cheesy to buy Connections then join and quit most of the careers?
I can join the Politician career at Level 3, so I don't need Connections.
Arihi: We have no floor or wall coverings, while the nursery doesn't have walls yet.
And don't even get me started on the many furnishings we still need to buy!

Brise: Okay, I get it. I'm phoning, I'm phoning!


You're probably thinking, gentle readers, that this is just another screenshot!
But no! This captures the monumental instant when I choose my political platform.
My cause shall be "World United"!


Since Arihi is a perfectionist, too, she becomes a Writer to help with income.
Mama comes over to mentor Arihi in writing and she looks huuuuuge!

Meanwhile, I buy and open various types of seed packets.
The rest of the family, who'd arrived with Mama, help me plant and water my seeds.


I'm surprised that Paka'a Uha is still alive.
Everyone else who was a young adult during the first generation passed away long ago.
Well, except for my grandparents, who were drinking age-away serums at the time.
Anyway, this mermaid is my second non-human good friend.


Brise: C'mon, Arihi! Give me your vote! I just need one more for my next promotion!
Arihi: Are you sure that's legit? I'm your wife, after all.
Brise: It's absolutely fine. I got my first vote from my father. Tell her, Papa.


Yep, that's right. You see three bassinets.
Arihi doesn't even have the Fertility trait, but she did get a fertility massage this evening.
From your left, our next heir Beatrix is named after Beatrix Potter.
Helen (center) was born next, followed by Bunny (your right).


Two days later, we receive the girls' birthday notices while we're at the Spice Festival.
Our heir Beatrix (center) and Bunny (left) both have Arihi's copper-colored locks.
My darker red hair has only passed on to Helen. I wonder what these colors are actually called.

Anyway, all three girls are adorable.
I'll be in big trouble if they all grow up looking like their mother.


Initially, I was shocked to hear Watchette's news about her plans for me in Willow Creek.
I'd be living in a Queen Anne style house, she said, befitting my career and the neighborhood.

Afraid that I'd get stuck in one of those frilly, pastel Victorian homes, I started researching.
Here's the photo I used as inspiration for my house. I especially like the somber colors.


Publishing books and selling garden crops have greatly helped with our home-improvement efforts.
We're basically done with our home's façade, though the sides and back still need windows.

On the second floor, the only furnished room is our bedroom. We're getting there!


While our house looks like a Queen Anne on the outside, we do whatever we want indoors.
Neither Arihi nor I appreciate the stuffy, ornate look of Victorian décor.
In the kitchen, for example, we simply matched all the décor to our favorite wallpaper (on the right).
Looks weird, we know, but we like it.


Pretty much non-stop action all week!
To be honest, I'd been worried about moving to an unfamiliar place with a woman I barely know.
But Arihi and I get along really well (not to mention she's gorgeous), I love my new job, and...triplets!

Brother Fynn tells me that Mama gave birth this week, too.
I'm looking forward to meeting my new sibling(s?).


Coming next: A toddler party no doubt plus other toddler spam...

- - - -

Move-out requirements:  2/10
    1. Career: Politician 6 (Public Official)
    2. Unique skill: Guitar 5/10
✔️3. Earned 10,000 satisfaction points: 10,000/10,000 sp
✔️4. Earned $10,000: $10,000/$10,000
    5. 10 good friends: 6/10 (including 2/2 non-human)
    6. 10 odd jobs: 4/10
    7. 10 parties: 1/10 (Wedding party)
    8. 10 whims for 10 different emotions: 8/10 whims
    9. 10 different community lots for min. 2 hrs each: 6/10
   10. 10-item collection: 0/10

[Shewolf13]

Your game loves to give you triplets! But they are gorgeous little girls. Can't wait to see them as they get older. That house looks amazing ^^ I really like the kitchen.

[reggikko]

Wow, I love the house! It's really stunning. And triplets, too? I need to get back to my game before you pass me!

[oshizu]

Your game loves to give you triplets! But they are gorgeous little girls. Can't wait to see them as they get older. That house looks amazing ^^ I really like the kitchen.

In my Sharebears legacy, I did everything possible to have triplets because an heir vote involving three kids is more unpredictable than one between two kids.
In a P10 (Power of 10) dynasty, though, I find twins the right number while triplets will be unnecessarily time-consuming.
I foresee the two younger siblings spending lots of time on their tablets, hehe.
Haha, how kind of you to compliment that kitchen! I love that leafy, tropical wallpaper; and the vampire wallpaper, well, it was the only one in a color matching the chairs. :/

Wow, I love the house! It's really stunning. And triplets, too? I need to get back to my game before you pass me!

The house is much bigger than it needs to be, but all the other houses in that neighborhood have two stories, so....
I dread the coming sim-week with triplet toddlers, hahaha.  I deliberately had them try for baby off the lot.

By the way, there's a weird pink-and-blue crossfire pattern that emerges at the feet of the sim during delivery--I can't figure out if it's from the fertility massage or the On Ley Line lot trait.
Do you know? Here's a screenshot from my Sharebears. I need to test that, I guess.


As for my passing you, you are such a quick and efficient player that I seriously doubt that.
However, I do hope that a certain someone will be updating soon. I'm dying to know what's happening in your game! 

[Joria]

Finally caught up and all I can say is wow, wow, wow!  Love the Victorian house, but like you, refuse the dark, dank Victorian interiors.  I'm sure they were not all that way!  Adorable triplet girls!!  I can hardly wait for the toddler spam.  Hate to see how old some folks have become but at least they are still around.  Can you somehow go back and get them to drink youth potions?  I'm still relearning all the ins and outs of the game.  Latin is easier!  At least it's logical which Sims isn't always.  You used the same basic floor plan for your latest house and garden?  You are so clever.  Ah well, I take consolation in my tea cup.

[oshizu]

Finally caught up and all I can say is wow, wow, wow!  Love the Victorian house, but like you, refuse the dark, dank Victorian interiors.  I'm sure they were not all that way!  Adorable triplet girls!!  I can hardly wait for the toddler spam.  Hate to see how old some folks have become but at least they are still around.  Can you somehow go back and get them to drink youth potions?  I'm still relearning all the ins and outs of the game.  Latin is easier!  At least it's logical which Sims isn't always.  You used the same basic floor plan for your latest house and garden?  You are so clever.  Ah well, I take consolation in my tea cup.

About keeping family members young, I briefly considered always having the heir's spouse join the Scientist career to have access to Age-Away serums, but I decided against it. The vampire route doesn't appeal to me, either. So the parents drink one last Potion of Youth before the heir moves out (now they're all Day 1 young adults!), then the non-active households gradually age.

For the most recent house, I did start with the same rectangular foundation.
But due to the wraparound front porch, hexagonal tower, and central staircase, this house is 3 tiles wider than my earlier two houses and has a different interior layout.
I do plan to recycle this house plan 2-3 more times. My main problem is that there's currently too much unused space upstairs, haha.
Maybe I need to move one of the 1st-floor bathrooms so there's more of a backyard...

[Joria]

oshizu is the heir the only one allowed to marry and have children?  What do you do with the "extras", in your case, triplets.  Seems a shame to not find a spouse for them unless it's not allowed.

[oshizu]

oshizu is the heir the only one allowed to marry and have children?  What do you do with the "extras", in your case, triplets.  Seems a shame to not find a spouse for them unless it's not allowed.

@Joria  There is no rule prohibiting spares from getting married and having children, I guess.
In my case, the heir moves out immediately after their young adult birthday.
The first two weeks after an heir moves out feel the most difficult for me, so I would never spend extra days in their parents' home to play matchmaker for the spares.
It would just lengthen my dynasty challenge without any tangible benefits. A lot of work for each sister to move in a spouse and have one nooboo each.
However, I do keep a save of every household before moving out the heir.
Beatrix's sisters will probably learn skills to support Beatrix's household after she moves out. Thank you for asking!

- - - - - -

3.14: Surviving Triplet Toddlers

Sunday, Week 15

Brise: I could be spending today doing more odd jobs, I guess.
Instead, I choose to spend the day with my girls.
That's our heir Beatrix at the far end, with the turquoise bow.


The Powers That Be have granted us permission to hire a butler.
Our butler, Loario Kalawai'a, loves art and the outdoors.
We'll see how helpful he'll be during the girls' toddlerhood.


Meet my younger sisters Lizette (left) and Shea (right).
As you've probably guessed, I've come to meet them to prepare for a you-know-what.


Toddler play date!


Grandpa Erwin and Grandma Mia are elders now.
Gramps is as paranoid as ever!


Mama Wynn and Papa Vincente are still young adults like my brother and me.
On the other hand, Auntie Zoe (who still lives with Gramps) is already an elder.
And, no, I didn't invite Auntie Zoe to the play date. You remember why...


Awww, I catch Beatrix spontaneously hugging her youngest sister, Bunny.


Meanwhile, Helen has a heart-to-heart with Darth Vader.


Everyone has a great time and we earn a gold medal!
The play date leaves us feeling playful, so I tell a joke for my 9th whim.


That Caleb Vatore visited a few nights ago and now another vampire!
We didn't have any vampire visitors in San Myshuno, or did we just not notice?
Luckily, Arihi has just learned to make garlic objects!
Since he's here, I make him my good friend then ask him to leave.
A mean Criminal? Nope, we can't be having him around our daughters!


The butler acts very oddly.
Either he's yawning or he's sitting in his room, reading his steamy butler romance novel.
Maybe hiring him wasn't such a great idea after all.


It's a busy week for the girls.
For some reason, Helen is able to interact with her Grandpa Vicente.
Not just "Talk to stranger," either. She can ask him to play and everything else.
I wonder how she finagled that?


Brise: Thanks for helping me max guitar tonight, Papa.
Vicente: Of course. It's my pleasure. But why don't you ever invite your mother over?
Brise: Remember how you accidentally caused Grandpa Erwin to max Rocket Science?
Vicente: Oh, right! You don't want Wynn maxing the wrong skill!


I just need a 10th vote for my level 9 promotion!
But it's almost midnight and our neighborhood's deserted.
Oh wait, that vendor who's my good friend is still open for business.
Thanks for the vote, my friend!


Until the girls max Imagination, we read to them whenever they're eating.


Bunny has the butler wrapped around her little finger!
He still naps in the afternoon, but he's generally more helpful now.


Tomorrow's Saturday, the last day of our girls' toddlerhood.
Arihi's going to take the day off so we can spend the day at the beach.
That means she's doing most of the preparations for their birthday party tonight.


It's Saturday and I invite the extended family to Ohan'ali Beach.
My immediate family needs to take occasional trips to The Sand Bar.
That's the only place on this island with a toddler potty.


While we're here, I take my last odd job.
It's a repeat but I figure I should take one located in Sulani, y'know?
I'll need to be home before 8 pm to mail off the seashells I find.


I chose the Municipal Muses art museum as the venue for our girls' birthday party.
Yes, it comes with a bar but it's on the museum's back porch.

Also, I try for the first time to have our toddlers complete the "Tell Jokes 0/2" goal.
Nope, toddler jokes don't count, even when told by the birthday toddlers.


It's quite late by the time I convince Arihi to help me age up the girls.
My wife keeps wanting to order a bar drink or view art. *sighs


We earn a silver medal for the party, but that's fine.
Everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves. Mama didn't even mind that I'd invited Auntie Zoe.
(That's the elderly Auntie Zoe seated on my right.)


Our girls in their party finery.
(Yes, the museum now has a dresser somewhere on its premises.)


Back home, here they are again in their hot-weather outfits.
They've already joined scouts and are excited about starting school on Monday.


- - - - -
Move-out requirements:  5/10
    1. Career: Politician 8 (Representative)
✔️2. Unique skill: Guitar 10/10
✔️3. Earned 10,000 satisfaction points: 10,000/10,000 sp
✔️4. Earned $10,000: $10,000/$10,000
    5. 10 good friends: 7/10 (including 3/2 non-human)
✔️6. 10 odd jobs: 10/10
    7. 10 parties: 3/10 (Toddler play date, child birthday)
    8. 10 whims for 10 different emotions: 9/10 whims
✔️9. 10 different community lots for min. 2 hrs each: 10/10
  10. 10-item collection: 0/10
   
Watcher's Remarks
*After City Living, all the newly spawned sims had either Indian-ish or Japanese-like names. Now, after Island Living, all the townies have Hawaiian names. It is weird and unnatural, lol.
*We dismissed the butler before the family's day trip to Sulani. He was moderately useful, since the toddlers could ask him for help with flash cards, blocks, and books.
For some reason, Helen could also fully interact with her grandpa Vicente, but Beatrix and Bunny couldn't.
*If I wish to use Municipal Muses for a party venue in the future, I should probably move the bar into the garden, nearer the food and seating, when the next heir moves out.

[Joria]

I really don't know how you did it.  I was tearing my hair out with twins, with one of them being a royal pain and the other, not the heir of course, an angel.  I loved the play date.  I get so confused I'm not sure I could do one and have it look so much fun and so cute.  Favorite shot was Beatrix in the pool with her ducky.  Soooo cute!  As for Butler's, more frustrating than they are worth!, ditto on Nannies.  Mine got fired very quickly, although one was almost tolerable.  I spent more time directing them to do stuff with the kids, (or directing the kids, really), then I would have if I just did it myself.  I really dislike inefficiency!  You know that funny symbol on the floor when giving birth?  I think it is for multiples.  I've never seen it for single births but did on the twins birth.  Be interesting to find out.  Loving your story as always!.

[oshizu]

Regarding the toddlers, there was usually an adult around for each toddler to manipulate: the parents, the nanny, the butler, or Vicente (Helen only).
When a toddler didn't have adult help available, they could interact with a big plushie, play in the ball pit, use the tablet, and so forth.

Like you, I found nannies frustrating at first. But they're a great help with toddlers and can also mentor some musical instruments.
The usefulness of a butler varies from sim to sim. I had a fantastic one once who cleaned and tended garden all on his own.
In my P10, we only hired a butler for the toddlerhood period. He cleaned the potties and helped Bunny gain her last two Thinking levels. Totally worth it.

Joria, if you've placed the Maxis Park & Play lot (and added a stereo & toddler bookshelf), the toddler play date is not difficult.
We're not required to do gold-medal parties anyway, so just have fun with it.
The tricky part: your hosting toddler needs to invite at least one non-household toddler as a guest, but the game never spawns toddlers.

I'm dying to know if Dar & Paka's child will be a merfolk. With a vampire, for example, we know from the toddler stage.
How soon does one know if a child is a mergirl/merboy or not?

[Joria]

Don't know yet.  I'm way behind in posting so no toddler spam yet, but the boys have just reached childhood.  Puzzling over whether to focus on one skill pretty much exclusively or just go where the flow takes me and get parts of all of them.  Both are at level 5 mental.  They've been swimming and no signs of fins but their "needs" button shows a divided tail/human thing so I'm hoping they will be merfolk.

[reggikko]

Ooh, so smart to put dressers on community lots! I'll be stealing that idea on my next move out. I'm trying to use community lots more for parties. I've also never hired a butler. Nannies are great, as you said, for mentoring musical instruments and creativity skill. It's also really easy to become good friends with them and they never die!

The girls are all so pretty. Were you able to complete the seashell odd job? I got hit with the bug that causes those types of odd jobs to not complete. It's annoying.

What do you have your photo ratio set at? I prefer the more rectangular look in your shots to my more square-ish ones.