Belmondo BACC: 2.4 Flora (Port Promise) (23 June update)

[sdhoey]

OMG!! That last post had me dying. Well the cats out of the bag on who Shannon is. Lol I love what you did with her. I want that version of her. LOL.

[oshizu]

OMG!! That last post had me dying. Well the cats out of the bag on who Shannon is. Lol I love what you did with her. I want that version of her. LOL.

Oops, sorry about that!  But you know how pushy "he" can be. He insisted that he needed to make an appearance to give you his blessings! 
Send me a message on the forum or Origin chat if you want me to upload her to the Gallery.

[sdhoey]

BWAH!! "Even if the dude wears guyliner" That was gold. Yes, I will take one couple for the win, please. 

[oshizu]

BWAH!! "Even if the dude wears guyliner" That was gold. Yes, I will take one couple for the win, please. 

I can't re-upload Khal since that sim was created by Rhisk, but you can easily find him in the Gallery.
On the Gallery, set the setting to Most Popular, then do an Item Name search for Khal Drogo. 
Rhisk's version is the 2nd most popular in the Gallery but, imo, her Khal is the best looking.

[sdhoey]

BWAH!! "Even if the dude wears guyliner" That was gold. Yes, I will take one couple for the win, please. 

I can't re-upload Khal since that sim was created by Rhisk, but you can easily find him in the Gallery.
On the Gallery, set the setting to Most Popular, then do an Item Name search for Khal Drogo. 
Rhisk's version is the 2nd most popular in the Gallery but, imo, her Khal is the best looking.

Oh, I already found him and downloaded him. Thank you so much

[oshizu]

Round 1.14.  Dreamer


We return to the Chieftain's Villa which overlooks Ohan'ali Town

Sunday (Spring)

Billy: Dirk and I are the new residents of the Chieftain's Villa lot.
We both come from mixed-heritage backgrounds, but we're not 100% Polynesian.
So, we wanted to replace the traditional house of Kai Mana (who's the Sulani Chieftain) with something more modern.
There's a photo of a house we liked on the web, so we asked for a house in the same style.


And here's the house we got.


But I'm getting ahead of myself. My name's Billy Dreamer, née Nyquil.
I owe my birth to the forum's Billy Nye Science Invitational, in which I took part.
Didn't perform half bad, either. Anyway…


While working as a scientist, I fell in love with a homeless guy named Dirk Dreamer.
He's so famous that he can't even go fishing after dark without attracting papaparazzi.

We got married, but he wasn't allowed to move in with me.
So I gave him a key to my house and he dropped by whenever he was off work.


After the challenge ended, Dirk and I went to Sulani to celebrate.
Watcher found us at The Sand Bar and asked us if we'd like to move to Belmondo.

We didn't need to be asked twice!
Rushing home to pack our belongings, we took the first space shuttle here to Belmondo.


I'm exactly the same as I started out, except that I have different traits.
For sure, I want to become a Food Critic.
As for my aspiration, I'm not sure Party Animal would be the best choice for me.
Maybe I should just aim for Grilled Cheese or Super Parent?  There's still time to decide.


Dirk's choice of the World-Famous Celebrity aspiration poses one major problemo.
Though he's already a Rank 4 celebrity, lot traits aren't allowed yet.
That means Belmondo has no "hotspots."
Maybe someone will complete Mansion Baron before our turn comes around again in Round 2?


Monday

We're so excited about living together and having children in Belmondo!


Wow, Dirk starts out as a Level 6 Tech Guru!
He didn't have time to start on his Promotion and Daily tasks for today.
On the plus side, I'm eating for two!


After work, Dirk completes the Decorative Egg collection.
He had to stop and react with disgust between each "Hunt for Egg" action.
Disgust with what? The plants? The eggs? Not with me, surely! *sighs


Tuesday

I thought we'd be the last household of Round 1.
Watcher couldn't stand the skipped household no. due to the Berra/Costa merger.
So Marlon's welcomed a new household to Belmondo: Kendall and Laila Elder.
You'll learn more about them next time.


Dirk maxed Video Gaming last night, so he's hyped to join the eSport Gamer branch!
Now he can start livestreaming his gaming sessions.
The time has come to buy Dirk a streaming drone, too!


It's not hard to understand why Marlon is the Navigator of Belmondo.
Look at him autonomously mentoring Laila while she plays chess!
What a great leader!


I've been waddling around Ohan'ali Town this evening, introducing myself to folks for my Party Animal aspiration.
Though I'm a Snob, I rather appreciate these local nobodies with no Fame rank.
They're a breeze to meet, unlike those aloof celebrities. (I'm only a Notable Newcomer.)


As much as Dirk and I are enjoying this new life in Sulani, it's so remote!
I couldn't even meet 10 new sims in our neighborhood.
We'll need to make a visit to Desert Bloom Park! Off we go!


Wednesday

In the wee hours, I throw my first party in hope of  ending it before Dirk's work shift.
What I forget to consider is my pregnancy!
My party successfully concludes soon after I go into labor.
We're the proud parents of twins!


Thursday

I've given up on the Party Animal aspiration to focus on my future career.
And now I can join the Food Critic branch whenever I reach the appropriate level.


Friday

First, let me say that Dirk insisted on naming our son "Denzel."
He's hoping that Denzel will become an actor. (ssshhh, I'm secretly a Denzel fan myself).

Denzel has my skin tone but resembles Dirk.
And Manami is slightly darker like Dirk, but resembles me.
Aren't they adorable?!


To celebrate Dirk's promotion to L8 Pro Gamer tonight, we head to the new Sand Bar.
It's been moved to the island of Lani St. Taz.
Can you see Sand Simoleon Beach in the distance?


Saturday

Today, we learn that Laila Elder is a Cat Lover who owns a cat.
She and Kendall are the first Belmondo settlers with a pet.

Dirk offers to learn the Veterinarian skill to unlock the Vet Clinic.
Sadly, there are no books available for studying that skill, so he buys the crafting machine.


Laila and Kendall are thrilled at the thought of immediate access to a Vet Clinic.
In exchange for Dirk's generosity, they've been helping our toddlers with their skills.
Our Manami seems to have a bit of a crush on Kendall.


Later I host a Toddler Play Date where Denzel gets his airplane ride.
Tonight, I learn that the Party Animal aspiration counts a Play Date as a social event, but not as a party.
Maybe I'll just put Party Animal on hold until the kids are older.
Or maybe Manami could do Party Animal instead of me? Hah!


Sunday

Talk about perfect timing!
Dirk maxes the Veterinarian skill just 59 minutes before The Big Switch.
We have just enough time to prepare ourselves for the end of our week.


I've only worked from home once so far, but Dirk's already earned two promotions!
We've had a fantastic week!
And we're looking forward to watching our children grow.




HH #14 (Dreamer) Stats

Misc. Unlocks: None.             

Lot Unlocks
Vet Clinic: Veterinarian 10 (Dirk)

Career Unlocks
*Critic (3rd opening): Writing 10 (Billy)
*Critic/Food Critic: Gourmet Cooking 10 (Billy)
*Painter (3rd opening): Painting 10 (Billy)
*Tech Guru/eSport Gamer: Video Gaming 10 (Dirk)

New Settlers
*Minus 2 settlers: added the Elder household to Belmondo
*Plus 1 settler: unlocked Vet Clinic
(Total settlers in reserve: 2 settlers)

Watcher's Remarks

Community Lots: I changed my mind about renovating Maxis builds, haha.
*Ohan'ali Beach lot: The delightful "Island Living Beach" by RaresWithR (Gallery)
*Sand Simoleon Beach lot: My renovated version of the default Maxis lot.
*The Sand Bar: I relocated the default Maxis build to the Pier Perfection lot then remodeled it.
*Restaurant Panthésillée: So perfect for Starlight Boulevard. By Louloukile. (Gallery)

New Settlers]:
*Billy (Nyquil) Dreamer: a library clone of a sim I created for one of this forum's recent tournament challenges.
*Dirk Dreamer: a premade, homeless townie from Get Famous.
  I kept everything about him the the same, but changed his hair and wardrobe.

[PeregrineTook]

So many lovely updates I've missed!!
Pania looked quite lovely post-makeover, so excellent choice from your elemental options!
Oh man, Shannon ended up with Jason Momoa's younger twin brother!!  Fantastic stuff!
I would not have recognized Dirk Dreamer with the makeover.  He went from older career guy who's trying to look hip to college kid who actually is hip!  Nice job!
Belmundo is rounding out into a lovely and vibrant world!

[oshizu]

So many lovely updates I've missed!!
Pania looked quite lovely post-makeover, so excellent choice from your elemental options!
Oh man, Shannon ended up with Jason Momoa's younger twin brother!!  Fantastic stuff!
I would not have recognized Dirk Dreamer with the makeover.  He went from older career guy who's trying to look hip to college kid who actually is hip!  Nice job!
Belmundo is rounding out into a lovely and vibrant world!

Haha, I'd initially paired Kai Mana & Shannon, but feel that they are now each with who they should be.
Perceptions are curious--I'd never seen Dirk as an "older career guy" since he starts out as a young adult. Is it because of his one-piece suspender outfit?
Billy & Dirk were a great match in my two sim-week challenge, so I wanted to play them as a family. I kinda want to add your Nessa to  Belmondo, too....

[oshizu]

Round 1.7  Elder


In the Parched Propects neighborhoold of Oasis Springs, a new household has moved in.

Sunday (Spring)

Kendall: Billy had a lot of nerve, sharing that house photo in their Dreamer update!
Our house is the original Micro House based on that photo.
Their home is simply a larger renovation! of ours  Hmmph!

Anyway, I'm a migrant from Watcher's Teen Hobos to Heroes challenge.
One of the teen challengers became obsessed with me and invited me everywhere, despite our age gap.
In that other simverse, I'd been a film director.
In Belmondo, I'm apparently becoming a denizen of the Underworld.


My lovely wife, Laila, was created from scratch just for me.
We're not sure yet whether it's such a great idea to do two rabbithole careers.
What other work could she do?  Computer Engineer or Freelance Programmer?


And since Laila's a Cat Lover, she insisted that we get a cat.
Laila worried about living without a vet clinic, but that's been solved.
Thanks to Dirk Dreamer, a new vet clinic recently opened.
Suchi is a mixed-breed Bengali. I hope she'll be an easy housemate.


Monday

Laila: I appreciate your giving me the easier aspiration and career, doll.
Joining a Criminal career requires maxing Mischief first.
But unlike Public Enemy, Chief of Mischief doesn't need me to join the Criminal career.
So I'll focus on maxing Mischief and, when I do, you can join the Criminal career first.


Chief of Mischief is definitely quicker than Public Enemy!
I'm still working on my second milestone: Be disliked by 4 sims and join the Criminal career.
Obviously, I can't join the Criminal career yet.


Meanwhile, Laila has already reached her fourth and final milestone.
All she needs to do now is clog 3 drains and max her Mischief skill.


Tuesday

Yes, the drains!  First, we hit up Desert Bloom Park followed by Galeria de Oasis.
Lastly, we visit Agave Adobe in Oasis Springs.


That little house in Bedrock Straits has been renovated into a little bar.
In fact, it's practically across the street from our place in Parched Prospects.




Marlon: Laila! How could you? I'm so disappointed to find you clogging the drain.
Laila: No, no, it's not how it looks, Marlon!
When I entered, the sink was broken, so I'm actually trying to fix it.
Marlon: Truly?


Wednesday

We are the proud parents of twins, who you'll meet properly on Friday!


I might have to block Khal Drogo's text messages.
He's been texting me all morning about how he's reconsidering our friendship. *rolls eyes
Not every Belmondo settler gets an aspiration that only involves tanning and beachcombing.
Gimme a break, dude!


As soon as Laila maxed Mischief this afternoon, I joined the Criminal career.
Then, just before midnight, she maxes Charisma as well.
With the Joker she's earned, she rolls six new settlers.
That's right. We're saving them for Round 2.


Thursday

All my despicable behavior and fighting are doing my reputation no favors!
Seems like my rep slid from Good to Awful in a flash!


Kendall: C'mon, follow me!  Don't you want to ride my rocket ship? *crooks finger invitingly
Elderly lady: Erm, aren't you a married man?
Kendall: Hardly! My wife's married but I'm still a bachelor.


Kendall (whispers to self): Thank you so much for your trust and understanding, Laila.
This task would have taken forever otherwise!


Grim: It could be worse, I guess. This could be one of those legacy challenges!


Friday

Our bassinet burritos age up this morning.
Both Lori and Keith have very plump cheeks.
Will they look more like Laila and me when they're older?


That evening, I finally max my Mischief skill.
So now Laila can join me in the Criminal career.



Sunday

At 2 am, I return home with my Level 6 promotion and the option to branch.
How I'm da Boss.


Thug Life, amirite?


Sunday evening, Laila and I start wrapping things up to end our week.
My career path and aspiration are both pretty rough.
But every settler here has their role to play in Belmondo, I believe.

My plan is to max the Boss career as quickly as possible, then quit to become a playwright.
Who knows? Maybe we'll eventually move to Del Sol Valley!


Who? That lady with the braids?  You'll be meeting her next month.



HH #7 (Elder) Stats

Misc. Unlocks & Lot Unlocks
None.             

Career Unlocks
*Criminal: Mischief 10 x2 (Laila, Kendall)

New Settlers
(Starting reserve: 2 settlers)
*Plus 6 settlers: Joker/Chief of Mischif + Charisma 10: both Laila
*Minus 4 settlers: Household #15 (Flora) and #16 (James) for Round 2
(Total settlers in reserve: 4 settlers)

Watcher's Remarks

Kendall & Laila Elder: Kendall Elder appeared as a townie in a recent tournament challenge.
I kept his traits, forgot what his original aspiration had been, and changed his wardrobe.
Laila was created in CAS, specially with Kendall and Belmondo in mind.

Criminal Careers: What a pain it was to max Mischief on both sims, but now it's done!

Round 1: The Elder household marks the end of Round 1, finally!.
I'll be posting a short Round 1 Summary in a few days.

[reggikko]

So. Many. Sims. LOL.

You are on super light speed! I really like Kendall and Laila and I'm looking forward to their further adventures. Does Rocket Woohoo work faster than regular bed woohoo? Asking for a friend. ;-)

[oshizu]

So. Many. Sims. LOL.

You are on super light speed! I really like Kendall and Laila and I'm looking forward to their further adventures. Does Rocket Woohoo work faster than regular bed woohoo? Asking for a friend. ;-)

Sorry it took so long to respond to your question about rocket woohoo. I don't know about working speed, but rocket woohoo seems to lead to elderly demise most consistently while requiring least effort.
And, yes, way too many sims. I have so many sims in MyLibrary who I've been wanting to play that I got a bit carried away....

[oshizu]

Round 1 Summary


Hello there! Do you remember me?
I'm Marlon Mahalo, the current Navigator of Belmondo.

Three real-life weeks have passed since our world has seen any action.
During that time, we've been busy planning and preparing for Round 2.

One of the biggest changes is the availability of a new town, Evergreen Harbor.
I've had to ask several households to relocate to make room for the new Community Spaces.


What? You want to know about these fancy degrees hung on the wall behind me?
They're just for show.
Until a Belmondo settler completes the Professor career, nobody can attend university.


Here's a map of Oasis Springs, the town where Belmondo started out.
It now features two new Community Spaces.
The one in Skyward Palms is 40x30, while the one in Parched Prospects is 30x20.

The settlers have moved around at the end of Round 1.
The new Flora and James households have temporarily moved into the Community Space hoods.
They hope to speed the unlocking of Evergreen Harbor by completing Eco Innovator.


We actually have 3 new households for Round 2, expressly chosen to live in Evergreen Harbor.
But Evergreen Harbor probably won't be available until Round 3, at the earliest.

In the meantime, the Vargas household has moved to Sulani.
They'll be living in Mua Pel'am which they hope to help restore.

I know this must all seem like a lot of information, but nobody is expected to remember it all.
(Well, our Watcher probably should...)
We're just sharing these maps and figures to give you a general idea of Belmondo's current status.


For personal reasons, the Ernst and Elder households have opted to move to Del Sol Valley.
Laurent and Dolores Ernst believe the move will benefit their careers.
Kendall Elder was a film director originally, so he's happy to return to Tinsel Town.

In other news, the Hauer household of spellcasters now live in Glimmerbrook.
The Hauers' choice of Glimmerbrook surprised no one!.


As you can see, Belmondo's population has grown exponentially during Round 1.
What can I say?
Our Watcher seems to have gone a little mad, adding one new household after another.

Then, she added three new households to Belmondo: households #15, 16, and 17.
That's when I put my foot down about wrapping up Round 1.

And that's why we have 3 new unplayed households already living in Belmondo.
You'll meet them all in Round 2.


Here's what's going on in each of Belmondo's towns.
(Please ignore the mispelling of "Valley" as "Vallye"; I am NOT redoing that image a third time!)
Obviously, not much is happening in Belmondo outside of Oasis Springs and Sulani.
We are hoping that will change, but with a more gradual increase in population.

We've unlocked two other towns that don't appear here: San Myshuno and Strangerville.


Well, we hope you're as excited as we are to jump into Round 2 and continue growing Belmondo!
Please note that Round 2 will unfold quite differently than before.
In Round 1, households were played in the order they moved to Belmondo.
But in Round 2, our focus will be more on neighborhoods.

Leilani and I as well as our triplets can't wait to become an active household again!

[reggikko]

Great summary! You’ve made so much progress. I’m going to have to steal some of your ideas and do a map update soon.

I want to jump ahead and play my Sim who will be unlocking Evergreen Harbor. I am also very impatient to play there. I have a few days in my current household and then one more until it’s his turn.

[oshizu]

Round 2.1. Mahalo (Skyward Palms)


Marlon: You probably were beginning to wonder if Round 1 would last forever.
But we Mahalos are officially kicking off Round 2, at last!
My wife Leilani, our triplets (Marcos, Maile, and Makoa), and me.


Monday (Spring, Week 2)

The first thing we do is tear down our cramped container house.
We run out of funds for the interior, because we buy solar panels instead.
Still, how do walls and doors cost so much?


Belmondo doesn't really need two Scientists, so one will switch to the Botanist career.
Leilani's a Music Lover so she's quite happy to become a Musician instead of a Botanist.


Before going into Politics, I need to max my Charisma. Only 2 more levels.
(Look at our sad house with its bare walls and floors…)

Maxing the Charity Organizer career automatically unlocks three lot types of our choice.
That's some serious incentive there!


My primary aspiration is Friend of the World, which I begin in earnest today.


I'm uncertain what I should pursue as a secondary aspiration.
Perhaps I should combine efforts with Leilani to complete the Mansion Baron aspiration.

After about 10 camping mascots, I abandon that idea.
Selling them does allow us, however, to kit out our home a bit.


Tuesday

Nerd Brain is no longer a unique aspiration, but its Insta-Upgrade reward appeals to me.
After all, I'm the one who first maxed Handiness to unlock Electricity in Round 1.


Lately, Leilani and I have been helpless to resist the urge to brew De-Stressing Concoctions.
We run with our pans back and forth, from stove to grill, to brew them.
The remedy requires ingredients we don't have: Chamomile, Muckleberry, and Walking Sticks.

Looks like we'll both involuntarily max Herbalism by the end of the week.


Wednesday

Today after work, we visit the new Community Space across the street.
I want to meet someone new in a third, different location for my Friend of the World aspiration.
And what do you know?  It's done!

No, I'm not running that sales table. But I'll buy some dyes as soon as the vendor returns.


Here's an overhead shot of our Community Space.
We copied the fencing of the Sprucewood Community Garden, while enlarging the usable space.

There's also an additional, smaller room to separate the skilling objects.
The larger room holds objects requiring Focused mode like Fabricators and Candle Makers.
The smaller room has Fizzing machines, a flower arrangement table, and such.


Leilani has been learning the Fabrication skill, so she immediately heads for the dumpster.
There's a lot of competition for the dumpster and trash bins here.
We'll need to have our own dumpster at home, I guess.


Other settlers show up to plant questionably useful plants of normal quality. WHY?!
I rush home to grab some high-quality plants to replace them.
What happens to these plants if the neighborhood votes to switch to a Community Garden?


Thursday

I love all the new upgrades that reduce power or water usage!
Oddly, some of the former upgrades (like Self Cleaning) are greyed out now.

We don't raise bugs, so I pass on the composting upgrade on toilets.
Plus, I've been hearing complaints about toilets catching on fire lately.
We don't need to do everything at once, right?


Late that evening, Leilani maxes the Fabrication skill.
The new Civil Designer opening is perfect for our neighbor, Gaila Flora!


Friday

Leilani's been on such a roll these days.
It helps that our triplets maxed their toddler skills Wednesday night.
Since we can't use lot traits yet, however, a tiny house trumps an Art Center for now.


Our triplet toddlers become triplet children today.
Together with Sunny and Care Berra, Belmondo now has five children.
Belmondo now has grade schools and high schools!


Saturday

So, I tried doing an Insta-Upgrade on our Recycler this afternoon.
I manage to complete all its upgrades in one fell swoop.
Even the ones that required Eco-Parts.  So handy!

Now, if only I understood what those upgrades actually "do"…



Sunday

Once the kids leave for their Scout Meeting, Leilani and I visit the Flea Market.
She tries, unsuccessfully, to sell some paintings in her inventory.

We gave Mansion Baron our best shot this week, but we just don't earn enough.
Regardless, I hope you'll agree that Round 2 is off to a great start!




The Mahalo Household's Stats

Misc. Unlocks:
*Schools: 5 children plus Marlon Mahalo has L6+ Fitness/Gardening/Handiness

Lot Unlocks
*Art Center: Violin 10, Piano 10, Mixology 10 (Leilani Mahalo)         

Career Unlocks
*Civil Designer: Fabrication 10 (Leilani Mahalo)
*Entertainer/Musician: Guitar 10 Leiliani)
*Politician: Charisma 10 (Marlon Mahalo
*Babysitter: Parenting 10 (Marlon)

Unique Aspirations Completed (Joker Fodder):
*Friend of the World (Marlon)
*Social Butterfly (Marco Mahalo)
*Artistic Prodigy (Maile Mahalo)

New Settlers
(Starting reserve: 4 settlers)
*Minus 2 settlers: added Vargas household (#17) at end of Round 1
*Plus 1 settler: unlocked Art Center lot
(Total settlers in reserve: 3 settlers)

[oshizu]

Great summary! You’ve made so much progress. I’m going to have to steal some of your ideas and do a map update soon.

I want to jump ahead and play my Sim who will be unlocking Evergreen Harbor. I am also very impatient to play there. I have a few days in my current household and then one more until it’s his turn.

I'm looking forward to your map update. It will be fascinating to see how you envision each town.
I'm so glad I decided to join you in doing a BACC challenge. Your idea of letting the sims/households move around adds so much flexibility to gameplay.

I'm also impatient to unlock Evergreen Harbor!
Like I did with the Mahalos, I'll have a second household also max Fabrication. That way, my two sims in their EH-bound households can start out immediately in the Civil Designer career.
Or, would it be lame to use a Joker to replace completing Eco Innovator?
I would still need to max Fabrication a second time for my other sim....

I'm having such a blast exploring the Eco Lifestyle mechanics!!!