Three Strands Accord: Calixte Week 1: What's Love Got To Do With It?Kiama: My immediate priority is to get some magical training, so it was off to Glimmerbrook and through the magic portal. I was really surprised that Morgyn Ember was so friendly and happy to teach me some magic.
Kiama: My second aim in going to the Magical Realm was to find a spellcaster spouse. A suitable person to help me found my spellcaster commune. This chap, Darrel seems a possibility. Some might write off that nose but he has violet eyes and is very alluring, if you don't turn the lighting up too high. We did get friendly enough for me to ask him to move in but, honestly, his mother and teenage sisters looks only add to the family oddity. Also, I wasn’t sure who Emilia was. It was all very strange so I put him off.
I didn’t put him off very well. Darrel called and asked me to be his girlfriend. Well, it’s nice to be asked so I repeated my invitation to move in. Darrel said Emilia wouldn’t want to join us but his mother Minerva and sister Gemma were very interested in a Spellcaster commune.
Emilia: Thanks for asking me on a date, Darrel, but I’ve got a few questions.
Darrel: Oh – well, there’s something we need to discuss but you go first.
Emilia: Right, well, dearest fiancé, I was wondering why your family has all moved out leaving me to rattle around in your ancestral home. I was wondering when we were going to set a date for our wedding. Finally, and possibly the thing that I would most like the answer to, who the Plumbob is Kiama and how come she’s your GIRLFRIEND?
Darrel: Ah! Well the answers to those questions are, let me see: to start a commune; never and she’s the love of my life. It’s not you, it’s me. We’re through!
Emilia: That – was – brutal!
Darrel: Come on, Apprentice. I’m an Adept so you have to do what I tell you. Let’s get married right now and get on with starting this dynasty.
Kiama: Yes dear!
Darrel: And after that, you need to do something about the décor. I’m used to much better, you know!
Minerva: I’m very happy that you’re expecting my first grandchild but I am a bit concerned about your relationship with my son.
Kiama: Oh, I know. It was a whirlwind romance but I am totally committed to this family. I’ll do my best to make him happy.
Minerva: Kiama, dear! I love my son but he has his faults. Please keep your own identity. It is you who is founding this dynasty. Darrel is merely your assistant, despite being a higher level Spellcaster. You will become even greater than him and your child even more so. It will cause friction but I can help see you through that.
Kiama: Can you see the future?
Minerva: I can see how the runes may fall but nothing is certain. By the way, how did your first day as a detective go?
Kiama: I went out on patrol. I met that new Dina Calliente. She attacked me and I had to issue a citation. She’s not very nice.
Minerva: I hope you helped her understand that Spellcasters should be treated with respect.
Kiama: I only know Deliriate but yes, I couldn’t resist it.
Minerva: Speaking of delirious stuff, you know we let the Free Love NAP go through?
Watcher: Bother, I forgot all about getting the power and water conservation NAPs reversed and now we’ve got Free Love? Oh dear!
Gemma: Thank you for adopting me as a caregiver. Mum and I don’t really get along so it’s nice to have someone else take an interest in me.
Kiama: I’m sure Darrel cares.
Gemma: He just ignores me. Especially when he’s madly in love with someone. His other squeezes don’t usually notice me either. That’s why I wear crazy outfits. To get attention.
Kiama: Other squeezes? The past can stay in the past. Well, your crazy outfits are fine by me if you like them. But don’t go wearing things for other people. Please yourself.
Gemma: OK.
Minerva: You’re married now, Darrel. And you’re going to be a father. I hope you’ve made up your mind to settle down.
Darrel: You know me, mother. I’ve always been looking for my soulmate.
Minerva: Whilst that is true, sometimes your actions look more like a Serial Romantic.
Darrel: I don’t know what you mean.
Lilith: Thank you for inviting me in. Ooh, being in a Free Love household is so liberating. Just a little bite?
Darrel: Oh, that feels nice.
Watcher: What?
Kiama: Darrel, darling! I’m having our baby. Are you going to come and hold my hand?
Darrel: Sorry dear. Watcher seems to be mad at me for some reason and has got me filling in reports even though I’m almost certain to get a promotion tomorrow already.
Watcher: Keep at it, Boy!
Kiama: Watcher!
Watcher: It’s good for him. Look, he’s become ambitious. Let me call Minerva to support you.
Kiama: Welcome, little Mosi. It means “born first” in Swahili. You are going to be so special.
Watcher: Congratulations, Kiama
Kiama: And Darrel!
Watcher: Hm...
Darrel: You’re welcome. Now, can we forget the earlier incident?
Kiama: Is it OK that I’ve become Family-Oriented? I love little Mosi but there’s so much to do with our community.
Watcher: It suits you, Kiama and it will give Mosi a great advantage.
Darrel: Hey, Mother, I’ve become Family-Oriented too!
Minerva: Have you? Really? It seems like you haven’t done much to show that.
Darrel: The algorithms don’t lie!
Minerva: Hm!
Alan: I’m so glad I found you, Kiama.
Kiama: What’s going on?
Alan: There’s been a lot of trouble in the neighbourhood. Can you get it sorted?
Kiama: It doesn’t sound too serious, tbh Alan.
Alan: We’re trying to run a business, you know. We can’t have hoodlums running around.
Kiama: You know it’s Brawl Day this Saturday?
Alan: Oh no!
Watcher: Go on, kiss him. Right now. Just there
Kiama: OK
Darrel: Oh, that’s nice!
Lilith: Very nice. I know he is only kissing her because of ze Free Love NAP. I could not care less.
Watcher: Lilith? What are you doing? I thought you didn’t care!
Lilith: He’s mine. I cannot have him loving anozzer. Even if she is ze mozzer of his child.
Watcher: But…
Lilith: Look, he has accepted my offer to be my boyfriend. He clearly doesn’t love zat voodoo voman!
Watcher: What?
Lilith: Let us see vat happens ven I lure him right avay!
Watcher: Oh, you can have him. I’m so over his stupid face!
Lilith: Even his violet eyes? I zink you vill miss zem! But you can keep his crone of a mozzer and badly-dressed sister. I haff no need of zem.
Kiama: Thank you for joining our Community Club, Morgyn.
Morgyn: When we heard that Darrel had gone to live with Vampires, Silvester and I wanted to come support you and your little one. What’s his name?
Kiama: We’ve called him Mosi, the first-born of this community and probably the only one…
Morgyn: You’re only just starting out. There’s no telling the future. Well, actually Minerva has some skills in that area. I’m glad she’s helping you.
Kiama: She loves her grandson. She and Gemma are great.
Morgyn: You know, this Free Love thing is…
Kiama: Fun! Yes?
Morgyn: Oh yes! Will you be my girlfriend?
Kiama: Yes!
Morgyn: Actually, let’s get married!
Kiama: This is getting complicated!
Watcher: You’re telling me! I don’t think you can actually be married to 2 people but at least you waited until Darrel had moved out before exploring this Free Love thing fully!
Kiama: Happy Birthday, Sunny Mosi!
Mosi (1st smile – just like that!)
Kiama: I love your violet eyes and black hair. You’re perfect!
Watcher: Isn’t he! Ancient Bloodline in one generation. Thank you Darrel, I suppose.
Minerva: I don’t see why the young folks should have all the fun.
Silvester: You’re a wise woman indeed.
Minerva: You don’t think I’m too old?
Silvester: I’m not far behind you. Will you be my girlfriend?
Minerva: What fun!
Watcher: Oh! You can be married to 2 people! Is that the Free Love NAP?
Kiama: I don’t know but I’m so very happy and Family-Oriented that I really want another child.
Watcher: I’ve been clicking on Morgyn and the tent and the shower but it’s just not an option! You can WooHoo all you want.
Kiama: But another child is what I really want!
Watcher: I’ll do a bit of searching. Maybe it’s Morgyn…
Kiama: Can we invite Darrel round?
Watcher: No!
Kiama: So glad to see you on Brawl Day, Lilith!
Lilith: You are velcome! For zum reason I don’t mind zat you attacked me. I am quite pleased, in fact. I vill tell Darrel zat you are insanely jealous and he vill despise you!
Kiama: Oh, do say “hi” to my second-best husband when you see him next. You might want to ask him about Emilia…
Calixte Progress at end of Week 1Ridgeline Drive, Optimist Outlook
L-to-R: Gemma, Kiama holding Mosi, Minerva.
Founder: KiamaGeneral Requirements: Career – Detective 3/10; +
Spellcaster Requirements: Purveyor of Potions 2/4; 3/13 Perks; ++
Spouse: Darrel Charm (Hot-Headed, Bookworm, Ambitious, Snob, Family-Oriented)
Helpers: Minerva (Elder) & Gemma (Teen) Charm
Gen 2: Mosi – Infant; 5 Milestones (Learned to Coo, 1st Smile/Visitor/Pee on Caregiver)
Watcher NoteFor the Floorplan Fans. I spent the most time building Kiama’s home. Will’s was designed to be efficient, Alan’s was designed cheaply to leave money for the shop. At Kiama’s there’s a cauldron in a circle of silver birches top right. The surrounding trees make things harder from a game-play point of view but our voodoo voman enjoys the atmosphere.
I really was in 2 minds about getting Darrel’s family to move in. They all have such “interesting” features but I wanted to keep Kiama’s dark hair. Darrel being a strong bloodline gave us a shortcut to get Mosi with the Ancient Bloodline plus violet eyes! Will he get the strange features too? Let’s call them characterful, if he does.
I am coming to love Minerva and Gemma has already graduated early and loves Art so she’s an asset too.
I’ve got NPC voting on for the NAPs. Even if it’s off a NAP gets put in each week. I decided that having the voting on gives a bit more game challenge – something else to remember which I clearly forgot for Kiama’s neighbourhood. I’m glad it’s worked that way. I would have liked to get the power conservation and water conservation NAPs reversed – they are really annoying – but I would never have allowed Free Love to go through.
The Free Love Nap, bigamy, instant romances and no jealousy! It’s all new to me and will change the Spellcaster Community into a different vibe than I was planning. It’s definitely affecting Kiama’s narrative.
I am wondering if the no Try For A Baby option is to limit the powers of the Free Love? I’m sure someone out there has had Morgyn father a baby so I doubt it’s that. The next time we roll round to Kiama we should have a plan if Kiama still wants another child.
*Edited* A little googling and apparently Morgyn is unable to get others pregnant. He's unable to pee standing up either but that's another matter. Well, I wonder if Kiama will still want a child when we come back to her...
The title is, of course, in honour of the late, great Tina Turner. An amazing pioneer of women in the music industry, starting and re-starting from scratch.