Costa Mishmash Legacy 10.8: Putting the "Fun" into Funerals (15 Dec '24)

[oshizu]

Raven's a lovely gallery find. As you say, she's perfect for Hades.

Sowing his wild oats (get busy in a motel) before starting the real search for his true love? It was bound to get messy. I'm glad he managed to let Terry down gently, even if he appears to be a stalker!

Cupid's Corner matches work better than the Blind Dates it throws up. They don't seem to take any notice of the preferences.

6 more funerals - I'm sure you'll ace them by the end. There seems to be a respectful set of activities. Do you just have to do 7 out of the available menu options or do the tasks specific certain ones? And do you specify them beforehand, like at a wedding/date?

I'm currently working through the game scenarios. I've done a couple of the beginner ones and am starting the one with unruly children. What I hadn't realised before was that they start in the game that you've already got up. I'd previously played my Simself and so I keep appearing as a townie in the scenarios. Such fun!

I was shocked how Terry raced over the very next morning to propose marriage. I was hoping Raven would ask Hades to be partners, move in, or get married, but she played it cool.
Like the MWS weddings, there's a number of activities you can choose from for the funeral. 
My first try, I chose only 3 activities and ran out of goals before reaching gold, haha.
I'm not sure if that means we need to choose at least 7 activities. Hades picked 7 but had to repeat a few to make room for new goals/activities to appear.
We also ask guests to give eulogies, but that didn't seem to advance the "performance bar." Also, I had a non-guest household members complete the "Serve Food"and "Play Instrument" tasks.
Imho, the funeral i is much less chaotic and stress-inducting than a MWS wedding, especially now that I'm more familiar with the funeral event.
I'm still figuring them out, though.

As for Cupid's Corner, I don't even bother with Blind Dates anymore. The only times my YA sims tried they were paired up with near-elders or elders.
It was a great idea and would've been entertaining if they took preferences into account.

I'm glad you're enjoying the Scenarios. I've done a few, some where we use our own sims or some where premade sims are provided.
How nice that you've found a way to scratch your challenge4 itch!
task.

[oshizu]

10.5: Moving for the Last Time


Sunday, Week 68, Year 1 (mid-autumn)
Hades: Last week was another extremely busy week!
Great-Grandpa Kian joined our household to be with hi husband Vitor.
Blake, Raven, and I graduated from uni, got jobs, then got engaged.
I threw some parties and my first funeral, then completed my 13th aspiration
From L to R: Me, cousin Blake, GG Vitor & Kian, sister Ravena, and my fiancee Raven.


Blake: I might[/] have invited Jerrica to spend the night.
Early this morning, I propose and she accepts.
You must think it's insanely early to be proposing marriage.
But I wanted to make sure not to be late for work today.
And now that Hades, Raven, and I are engaged, the chapel bells have started ringing!


Vitor: During the Celebration of Life festival, I consult the visiting Inheritance Lawyer.
I'm able to ask her several questions and she helps me draft a preliminary will.
It's frustrating that I can write a more specific will, but it'll have to do.
Anyway, once we move, it will be easier to specify Hades as my heir. Or should it a Sulani descendent?


Hades: Preparing for our triple wedding takes all day!
I baked the wedding cake and GG Vitor made one dish, but sister Ravena just wouldn't finish her dish.
We throw a small family wedding at San Myshuno's Center.
Jerrica: Blarrggh…
Blake: Jerrica, love, aren't you feeling well? Come sit here next to me!


Hades: Every lifetime, I want to fall in love with you again and marry you!
Raven: Yes, the two of us, forever and always.


Jerrica (whispers): You see the state I'm in! When can I move in with you?
Blake: Not yet, I'm afraid. But after I max my career, I'm moving back to Whispering Glen with you.
Ravena (whispers): Well, I guess we know why Jerrica's not feeling well!
Nyon (whispers back): Sshhh, let Blake and Jerrica have their moment, dear.


Nyon: I can't wait to move in with you to the Old Ravenwood Estate.
Shall we both change our family names to Ravenwood? What do you think?
Ravena: Hmmm, wouldn't Ravena Ravenwood be a bit too much?
(to herself): Yes, this side shot is perfect! I want everyone to know that {i]I am not pregnant.


Ravena: Thank you for a beautiful wedding, Hades. Now say, "Ahhhhh!"


In the background
Bianca (Gen8 heir): I can't believe you and Papa Kian moved in with Hades' household!
Vitor (Gen7 heir): It wasn't my idea, dear daughter. Hades invited me to live with them!
Bianca: But you and Kian already lived with me! And Hades' father never invited me for a stayover!
Vitor: If it makes you feel any better, I'll be sure Hades invites you over for a stayover after he moves.
Bianca: Hmmph!



Monday
Hades: Today's my day off so I tend the garden for a change.
At first I'm surprised when Edith appears for a visit.
But then, the Well of Longing & Regret is right next to this estate.
I wish I could feel less angry and more at peace.


Blake: Now that I've maxed my career, I'm going to move out of here!
Jerrica and I will need to wait as homeless sims until everyone else moves, though.
Hades will move somewhere else in Crow's Crossing.
And Uncles Denis and Tim plus their newborn Silas will live here with their daughter Ravena and Nyon.


Hades: I've moved back to Crow's Perch, this time with Raven and my great-grandpas.
It's obviously less spacious than the Old Ravenwood Estate, but quite adequate to our needs.
With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, it'll be a great family home for Raven and me.
I've already converted the indoor greenhouse into a nursery and added another greenhouse out back.


I'd originally planned to invite the family over for a Family Reunion as our housewarming party.
But this house comrd with a pool, so I'm throwing a pool party instead.
Great-Grandpa Kian does a smashing job as bartender and everyone has a great time!



Tuesday
Hades: It's 5 am when Papa Denis returns to give Raven a fertility massage.


Hades: ….
Raven: …


Kian: Do you remember getting it's your last days?
We've been so busy lately that I haven't been checking notifications, but I know my end is near.
Vitor: I agree. That's why it's too dangerous for us to woohoo but we can cuddle.
I really want to meet Hades' kids. What if we drink that Rabies Inoculation Serum?


Raven: Hades darling, I'm eating for two! I want a son who's as handsome and sultry as you!
Hades: But dear Raven, I want a daughter who's as beautiful as you!
Raven: Hopefully, we'll have twins!
Hades: And if we have a daughter, she will hopefully not resemble me!


Hades: Before leaving for work, I remodel the backyard patio space. We don't need a pool anymore.
This evening, I'm throwing a baby shower for Raven so I've tried to make the space more festive.
The four 4-seat café tables are gone, replaced by three 5-seat dining table.
That small building on the right has two rooms, each with a sink and toilet, for our party guests.
We lock our house to everyone but our household keeps everyone focused on enjoying the party actifvities.


Vitor: What are you doing there, Kian?
Kian: I'm drinking this Rabies Inoculation Serum to see if it gives me an extra week like for young adults.
Vitor: Well, did it work?
Kian: Nope. Do you think I'm being too greedy?
Vitor: It doesn't matter, Kian. Hades invited us to live with him, either as living or ghostly sims.


Hades: I arrive home at 5 with my final promotion.
Finally, I can change the colors of my career outfit.
Time to get Raven's baby shower going!


Our first guest is Great-Grandpa Vitor's Great-Great-Grandpa Lou.
He runs to me using his super-speed werewolf dash and hands me a shower gift.
Maybe when our children are older, we can spend a day with him in Moonwood Mills.


Raven: Darn it, this baby shower is a day early!
I"d hoped to go around asking all our guests to Feel the Baby.
Sadly, that's not possible because I'm not in my second trimester yet.


Hades: For me, the baby shower's highlight is finally meeting our founder, the immortal Renato Costa.
You're no doubt wondering how I invited him if I don't know him.
Actually, he started the Costa Family club which has been passed down over the generations
Before I moved from Whispering Glen, Papa Denis turned the club over to me, making me its leader.
Anyway, today I finally introduce myself and get to know our Costa founder!


It's only mid-week but we've been really busy with the triple wedding, a pool party, and a baby shower!
Join us next time to meet our babies!


Gallery Downloads
*Crow's Perch (30x30): "Life and Death Manor" by honeymaysims.
  A lovely 4-bedroom/3-bathroom family home with an indoor greenhouse (that I turned into a nursery).
  This will be a great house for Hades' remaining weeks.

The Gen10 Household
Home: Crow's Perch, Crow's Crossing (Ravenwood)

Vitor Costa (G7 heir) - Elder
Traits: Outgoing, Foodie, Perfectionist (+Family Oriented, Music Lover, Romantic)

Kian Costa (G7 spouse) - Elder
Traits: Active, Family-Oriented, Bro (+Creative, Perfectionist)

Hades Costa (Gen10 heir) - Grimborn YA
Traits: Erratic, Chased by Death, Music Lover (+Lovebug, Loyal)
Spouse: Raven (Knight)

Raven Costa (Gen10 spouse) - YA
Traits: Cheerful, Chased by Death, Family Oriented (+Creative)

No longer in Active Household

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Blake Costa (Gen10 spare) - YA
Traits: Creative, Gloomy, Macabre
Distinguished Degree (with Honors) in Biology
Spouse: Jerrica (Bunma) Costa
Home: Living at his Hay Hill Landing birthplace with  Jerrica and his parents Desiree & Dorian

Ravena Ravenwood (Gen10 spare) - YA
Traits: Loves the Outdoors, Chased by Death, Romantically Reserved
Spouse: Nyon (Specter) Ravenwood
Home: Staying at Old Raven Wood Estate with Nyon and her parents Denis & Tim Costa

Progress: Partway through Week 68

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Gen10 heir: Hades
Completed
🪦Complete 7 childhood aspirations (excl. Mind & Body)
🪦Move to Crow's Crossing as a Teen (then start Fab Wealthy)
🪦Buy Old Ravenwood Estate (and start Manion Baron) then restore it to its glory days
🪦Max friendship with Grim, Waylon Warez, Ghost Mother Alice, and Edith
🪦Complete two collections: Postcards (21/21) and Marbles (15/15)
🪦13 skills: Charisma, Cooking, Fitness, Flower Arranging, Gourmet Cooking, Gardening, Handiness,
       Logic, Pipe Organ, Research & Debate,  Thanatology, Violin, Writing
🪦Graduate with a Distinguished Degree in Psychology
🪦13 aspirations: Academic, Appliance Wiz, Fab Wealthy, F. Botanist, Ghost Historian, Mansion Baron,
      Market Magnate, Musical Genius, Nerd Brain, P. Extraordinaire, Purveyor of Potions, Renaissance Sim 
      Romantic Explorer
🪦Career: Funeral Director 10
 Remaining
    *Host 10/20 gold-medal social events (1/7 funerals + 9/13 other social events)
      Funerals: Layne Coffin
      Other social events: Dinner, Birthday, GtKY Date, Spooky, N. Potluck, Romantic Date, Wedding, Pool,
               Baby Shower, #10
    *Plus one more

Notes
*Moving into two different houses at Crow's Perch:  We'd initially downloaded and moved into a different house that appeared more "Neo-Romanian."
  After taking a closer look at the house's layout, the rooms seemed so narrow, cramped, and excessively cluttered.
  I stopped playing after Hades and gang moved into that house, saved/exited my game and decided to sleep on it.
  The next rl morning, I bulldozed the first house and downloaded Hades' current home: "Life and Death Manor" by honeymaysims.
  I spent a few rl hours editing this house to suit Hades' needs but it's an amazing house! We love it!

[Granny Lawlor]

It really is a lovely house. And how great to see the Costa Founder again.

Twins next update...looking forward to meeting them

[oshizu]

It really is a lovely house. And how great to see the Costa Founder again.

Twins next update...looking forward to meeting them

I wish I had been better about collecting gravestones/urns of all the heirs, but I hadn't anticipated what the Life & Death pack would offer.
Hades has the urns of Gen6 Gisele and her husband Daniel, which a previous heir remembered to go pick up.
So Gisele and Daniel are able to attend Hades' hosted fnnerals.

It was time-consuming to search for two different houses, move into one, then move out, bulldoze, and move into another one.
But the second house has been well worth the time and effort. And the lovely house saved me the effort of trying to build in the Romanialn Revival archiectural style which I know nothing about.

Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I'm even considering adding a third kid as a science baby. LOL!

[oshizu]

10.6:  The Newly Deceased and Newly Born


Wednesday, Week 68, Year 6 (mid-autumn]]
Hades: The first three days of this week flew by like a whirlwind!
Sunday, my cousin Blake, sister Ravena, and I got married to our partners in a triple wedding.
Monday, Blake maxed his career then moved back to Hay Hill Landing with his wife Jerrica.
I moved back to Crow's Perch with my wife Raven and Great-Grandpas Vitor and Kian.
Tuesday, after maxing my career, I threw a Baby Shower for Raven.
From L to R: Me (G10 heir), Great-Grandpa Vitor (G7 heir), Vitor's spouse Kian, and my wife Raven


Kian: Tending the garden this morning has left me more exhausted than usual.
I'll just take a quick nap before going back downstairs for breakfast.


Grim: These Costas are quite a considerate bunch, dying an hour apart.
I was able to reap Kian Costa upstairs, then simply float downstairs for Vitor.
Now, where is that son of mine? I haven't seen Hades in ages!


Hades: Even though my great-grandpas still live with me as ghosts, Papa, I can't help feeling very sad.
Grim: There, there, son. Death and grief are both integral parts of life.
Raven (to herself): Wow, will wonders never ceases? the Grim Reaper autonomously consoled Hades!?


Kian: Have you seen my Bucket List ? These are my goals from before I reached "Dream Fulfilled" as a living sim.
Vitor: No kidding? I also have the "60-mile-high club" and "get weird in park" goals, too!  Hades, can we…?
Hades: Raven, get ready to go out. We're headed for Desert Bloom Park. You and I can cloudgaze.


Hades: Our next stop is Media Naranja Park in Ciudad Enamorada. Nothing's too good for our great-grandpas!
Kian: That "get weird in a park" is oddly specific! I thought bush woohoo at Desert Bloom Park would work!
Vitor: If we hadn't havered over the goal's description, we wouldn't know about the romantic blanket part!
And hey, look! We both earned the Burning Soul trait! That was too easy and lots of fun!
Hades: Seriously? You two woohoo'd twice and completed your Soul's Journey? *rolls eyes


Hades: After a pit stop at home to shower and change, we head for the Eternal Hollow Cemetery.
It's hard to choose which eight guests to invite to Great-Grandpa Vitor's funeral since he has many living relatives.
My final choice? I invite the founder Renato and his wife Phoebe, my household  plus the Gen5, Gen7, Gen8, and Gen9 heirs.
When I complete my eulogy for our Gen7 heir, the beloved Vitor, everyone weeps and wails over his passing.


Hades: Due to numerous complaints from Costa kin who weren't invited to the funeral, I host a larger get-together once the funeral's over.
Our family reunion is widely and eagerly attended.
Raven: I'm so thrilled, Hades! I could finally ask your Grandma Biance to Feel the Baby!


Vitor (blue ghost): You say you're my grand-daughter, young lady?
Cleo (in green): Yes, sir. My name's Cleo and I'm the daughter of your daughter Aimee Costa. My brother Philip came tonight, too!
Kian (green ghost): With Cleo's red hair and violet eyes, she's most definitely a Costa!



Thursday
Kian: Do you have a moment, Hades? I've been thinking about the funeral you plan to host for me today.
Hades: Do we prefer we hold it somewhere other than the Eternal Hollow Cemetery? The Final Draught bar's also an option.
Kian: Actually, no offense to your Funeral Director career, Hades, but I'd like my life to be celebrated with a Keg Party?
Hades: A Keg Party? I went to uni and I never had time to attend, much less host, a Keg Party.
Kian: Well, today's your chance! I'd always wanted to go to uni and see someone do a keg stand!


Kian: Okay! Let's get this party started!
Vitor: Are you kidding? A drinking party from 10 am on a weekday? We need to wait until at least 3 pm!
Kian: Why can't everyone arrive on time? I have to "Call Over" half the guests!
Vitor: I'll take care of that, Kian. You just circulate and enjoy yourself!


Hades: This will become one of my life's greatest moments!
This evening, I do a keg stand with our founder, Renato Costa!
(I encouraged Kian to do a keg stand but he wouldn't go near the juice keg. Can't ghosts do keg stands?J)


Vitor:  After our gold-medal keg party, I try using Dispeller (my new Ghost Mastery power) for the first time.
Dispeller's like the Clean Up action, so I go around dispelling all the empty juice cups and dirty dishes.
They were everywhere!


Before the party, I was a Tier 1 Wispling.
By the time I finish post-party cleanup, I'm a Tier 3 Phantasmal Ascendant!
Hahaha, I can't wait until Hades throws another party!



Friday
Raven: When I go into labor this morning, Hades is right there and ready to go with me to the hospital.


Raven: I give birth to boy/girl twins, so Hades and I name one baby each.
Hades: I named our firstborn, a boy, Renwick which means "a settlement of ravens."
Raven: I chose the name Hazel for our daughter. It's both a color and also means inspiration and wisdom.
Hades: Hey, I just discovered I'm Family Oriented like you and Great-Grandpas Vitor and Kian! Fantastic!


Raven: Aging the twins to infants reveals they're both pointy-eared spellcasters.
Renwick shares my platinum hair and Hades' violet eyes.
Hazel has Hades' red hair but, sadly, she has my dark-brown eyes.

Hades: I'm not giving up! Let's have a science baby, Raven!
Raven: If that's what you wish, I am also of course willing to join you.
But aren't you the last heir? Isn't it enough that you are a violet-eyed redhead?
Hades: It's the principle of the thing, darling!


Hades: Here's our second son, just as he's aging up from a newborn to an infant.
Please help, Watcher! Won't you give our son pointy ears? Then he would be a perfect Costa!
Watcher: Yes, of course, but aren't you going to tell us his name first?

Raven: Oh, Hades named him Usher. He says it's for Edgar Allen Poe's short story The Fall of the House of Usher.
But just between you and me, I think Hades is secretly a big fan of Usher! Did you see him his Super Bowl Halftime Show this year?


Hades: Renwick is Sunny, Hazel is Wiggly, and Usher is Calm.
Because I'm Grimborn, all three infants have the Grim Descendant trait.


Hades: I wanted you to meet the last child of our legacy, Founder Renato. This is Usher.
Renato: Thank you for inviting me over. You are the tenth-generation Costa heir, are you not?
Hades: Yes, that's correct.
Renato: Still, I'm glad we can end this legacy challenge as we started, with a violet-eyed redhead child. Great job!
Hades (blushing): Well, I'm not done with my last two requirements yet, but soon!



Saturday
Vitor: Reaching Ghost Mastery's Tier 4 takes much longer than the last two tiers.
I've come to the Well of Longing & Regret to reset all my Ghost Mastery abilities.
This time, I make sure to get Traverse, which is a kind of teleportation power.


Raven: You only need to learn a second Gross Motor skill to earn your 10 milestones.
Renwick: *gurgles
Raven: Yes, I know. You were initially ahead, then Hazel earned her 9th milestone and caught up.
Just now, she peed on her caregiver and got her 10th milestones but that's hardly legit, right?


Vitor: Let's give our infants some last-minute Affection to make sure they're Top-Notch Infants!
By the way, your grandparents became elders recently.
You need to invite them for a stayover, even a short one, or their feelings will be hurt.
Your father Denis didn't invite them for a stayover, either.
Hades: Okay, I'll try to remember next week.


Hades: Renwick and Hazel waited on you to earn 10 milestones so you could all age up together.
Go ahead, Usher! Blow out your birthday candles!


Join us next time to meet our beautiful toddlers!


The Gen10 Household
Home: Crow's Perch, Crow's Crossing (Ravenwood)

Vitor Costa (G7 heir) - Ghostly elder
Traits: Outgoing, Foodie, Perfectionist (+Family Oriented, Music Lover, Romantic)

Kian Costa (G7 spouse) - Ghostly elder
Traits: Active, Family-Oriented, Bro (+Creative, Perfectionist)

Hades Costa (Gen10 heir) - Grimborn YA
Traits: Erratic, Chased by Death, Music Lover (+Lovebug, Loyal)
Spouse: Raven (Knight)

]b]Raven Costa (Gen10 spouse)[/b] - YA
Traits: Cheerful, Chased by Death, Family Oriented (+Creative)

Renwick Costa (Gen11 child) - Toddler  (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Sunny/Angelic
Infant quirks: Self-Soother, Gassy
Infant milestones (10): Fine Motor (2), Gross Motor (2, Social (2), Firsts (4)

Hazel (Gen11 child) - Toddler (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Wiggly/Independent
Infant quirks: Hates Being Held, Happy Spitter, Hates Wakeup Time
Infant milestones (10): Fine Motor (2), Gross Motor (1), Social (2), Firsts (5)

Usher Costa (Gen11 child) - infant (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Calm/Charmer
Infant quirks: Good Appetite, Gassy
Infant milestones (10): Fine Motor (2), Gross Motor (2), Social (2), Firsts (4)

Progress: End of Week 68

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Gen10 heir: Hades
Completed
🪦Complete 7 childhood aspirations (excl. Mind & Body)
🪦Move to Crow's Crossing as a Teen (then start Fab Wealthy)
🪦Buy Old Ravenwood Estate (and start Manion Baron) then restore it to its glory days
🪦Max friendship with Grim, Waylon Warez, Ghost Mother Alice, and Edith
🪦Complete two collections: Postcards (21/21) and Marbles (15/15)
🪦13 skills: Charisma, Cooking, Fitness, Flower Arranging, Gourmet Cooking, Gardening, Handiness,
       Logic, Pipe Organ, Research & Debate,  Thanatology, Violin, Writing
🪦Graduate with a Distinguished Degree in Psychology
🪦13 aspirations: Academic, Appliance Wiz, Fab Wealthy, F. Botanist, Ghost Historian, Mansion Baron,
      Market Magnate, Musical Genius, Nerd Brain, P. Extraordinaire, Purveyor of Potions, Renaissance Sim 
      Romantic Explorer
🪦Career: Funeral Director 10
 Remaining
    *Host 13/20 gold-medal social events (3/7 funerals + 10/13 other social events)
      --Funerals: Layne Coffin, Vitor Costa, Kian Costa (Keg Party), #4
      --Other social events: Dinner, Birthday, GtKY Date, Spooky, N. Potluck, Romantic Date, Wedding, Pool,
         Baby Shower, Family Reunion, #11
    *Have a household member reach Tier 5 (Transcendental Wraith) of the Ghost Mastery tree: Tier 3/5

Notes
*Kian's urn: I spent considerable time searching for Kian's urn which wasn't in the bedroom.
  I finally found it by moving the bed. It was on the floor, right under the position in the bed where Kian died in his sleep.

[Granny Lawlor]

I've never had a Sim die in their bed while asleep before. Is that a new thing?

Kian & Vitor seem to be loving their afterlife. Just a few more ghostly levels and parties and then the Costas are done? *sniffle*

Congrats on the Infants. Usher is a good name choice. Does his Watcher have future plans for him? I must say that I miss the depth of gameplay that comes with a dynasty/legacy although I am achieving more irl, lol!

[oshizu]

I've never had a Sim die in their bed while asleep before. Is that a new thing?

Kian & Vitor seem to be loving their afterlife. Just a few more ghostly levels and parties and then the Costas are done? *sniffle*

Congrats on the Infants. Usher is a good name choice. Does his Watcher have future plans for him? I must say that I miss the depth of gameplay that comes with a dynasty/legacy although I am achieving more irl, lol!

Yes, the dying in one's sleep is a new animation from the Life & Death pack. Normally, a sleeping elder would get up and wave his arm before collapsing on the graound.

Yes, Vitor and Kian no longer need to worry about Death by Overexertion, lol.
Yes, Hades is seven social events and two more Ghost Mastery tiers away from the finish line.  I will miss the Costas immensely.
Without a story board, I have no plans for a storied legacy founded by Usher, but I will probably eventually start a no-story legacy.

In other news, I've been obsessed with a diferent game lately, My Time at Sandrock. There are a few other games I own that I'd like to start or complete as well.
I do miss your storytelling and your sims, my friend.

[oshizu]

10.7: The Last Costa Toddlers
[

b]Sunday, Week 69, Year 6 late autumn]
Hades: Last week, Great-Grandpas Vitor and Kian passed away but remain with us as ghosts.
Tuesday, Raven gave birth to twins and I had a science baby later the same day.
We raced our babies to 10 milestones each, then aged them up to toddlers Saturday night.
From L to R: Usher, me holding Hazel, Vitor, Raven holding Renwick, and Kian


Raven: Look how cute our toddlers are! Renwick's Angelic, Hazel's Independent, and Usher's a Charmer.
Have you seen our Watcher lately?
Hades (on the phone): Hello, Watcher?  Hades here. Haven't you had enough of Your Time at Sandrock?
Could you get back here to Ravenwood and help me take this legacy home?


At the Old Ravenwood Estate
Denis: It's great of you to visit, son. What do we owe the pleasure?
Hades: I want to age up my brother Silas so I can host a toddler playdate.
Ravena: A toddler playdate?  Please age up my twins, Maci and Dana, to toddlers, too!


Vitor: Cleo Thompson stops by this evening to give me a gift for being "such a good neighbor."
I'd thought she was my grand-daughter but she's actually my niece, the daughter of my youngest brother Caleb .
Most "neighborly gifts" are rubbish, but Cleo gave me a Hydroponic Planter. Nice!



Monday
Watcher: Renwick's so clever! He's the first to "Ask Why"!
Hades: Watcher, why do I get the sense that you favor Renwick over the other two?
Watcher: Who me? You know I never play favorites!


Hades: So you say, but why can't we see Usher's face in this image?
It's a terrible shot!
[/i]Watcher: Hey, that's not my fault! I can't get a front shot when Usher's facing his plushie![/i]
Hades: Yeah, yeah.



Tuesday
Ravena: Hazel, why are you so behind your brothers with your skilling?
Hazel: Babble?
Ravena: You're Independent so you should be the fastest to max your skills.
Renwick and Usher are close to finished but your Movement isn't even L4!


It's around 1 pm when Renwick maxes his last skill.
Usher follows Renwick's lead soon after.


Hazel's Independent so I'm not sure why she takes so long to learn.
She finally maxes all 5 skills at 7:30 pm, which is too late for a Toddler Playdate.
Not too late to host a funeral, though!


Hades: Whenever I have business in Mourningvale, I use the nightclub as my travel hub.
I first met Zuleika Gomes at that nightclub. In fact, I've never been there without seeing her there, too.
Anyway, since Zuleika seems to love the night life, I've chosen the Final Draught bar as her funeral venue.


I've never heard of a bar equipped with funeral facilities.
In fact, I have to add seating and a mini-fridge.
Still, it's a roomier space than the funeral parlor at the Eternal Hollow Cemetery.
Go figure!


Great-Grandpa goes around consoling all the guests using his Solace Embrace power.
Did I tell you that he reached Tier 4 of the Ghost Mastery Tree earlier today?



Wednesday
Hades: I take a day off to host a Toddler Playdate from 9 am today.
Here's our Usher with my half-brother Silas.
Wow, Silas and I look nothing alike, do we?


Remember my half-sister Jerrica asked me to age up her twins yesterday?
Here are Maci and Dana at the toddler playdate.
Dana (right) doesn't at all resemble his father Nyon.
Our Hazel asks Dana several times to build a sand sculpture with her, but he's just not interested.


Happily for Hazel, Renwick is nearby and willing to join her.


Finally! A good frontal view of Usher.
But why is he just standing there, staring out into space?
Our gold-medal toddler playdate ends and we all head home.


As soon as we arrive home, we get ready to age up the toddlers.
As the youngest, Usher is to the last to blow out his birthday candles.


All three kids earn the Top-Notch Toddler trait.
We let them keep the hair they aged up with.
Renwick and Usher are Music Lovers, whereas Hazel is Cheerful.


And now we bid farewell to the last toddlers of the Costa Mishmash Legacy.
We are approaching even closer to the finish line!


The Gen10 Household
Home: Crow's Perch, Crow's Crossing (Ravenwood)

Vitor Costa (G7 heir) - Ghostly elder
Traits: Outgoing, Foodie, Perfectionist (+Family Oriented, Music Lover, Romantic)

Kian Costa (G7 spouse) - Ghostly elder
Traits: Active, Family-Oriented, Bro (+Creative, Perfectionist)

Hades Costa (Gen10 heir) - Grimborn YA
Traits: Erratic, Chased by Death, Music Lover (+Lovebug, Loyal)
Spouse: Raven (Knight)

]b]Raven Costa (Gen10 spouse)[/b] - YA
Traits: Cheerful, Chased by Death, Family Oriented (+Creative)

Renwick Costa (Gen11 child) - Child  (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Sunny/Angelic; Music Lover
Toddler quirks: none

Hazel (Gen11 child) - Child (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Wiggly/Independent; Cheerful
Toddler quirks: none

Usher Costa (Gen11 child) - Child (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Calm/Charmer; Music Lover
Toddler quirks: Good Appetite, Messy Eater

Progress: Partway through Week 69

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Gen10 heir: Hades
Completed
🪦Complete 7 childhood aspirations (excl. Mind & Body)
🪦Move to Crow's Crossing as a Teen (then start Fab Wealthy)
🪦Buy Old Ravenwood Estate (and start Manion Baron) then restore it to its glory days
🪦Max friendship with Grim, Waylon Warez, Ghost Mother Alice, and Edith
🪦Complete two collections: Postcards (21/21) and Marbles (15/15)
🪦13 skills: Charisma, Cooking, Fitness, Flower Arranging, Gourmet Cooking, Gardening, Handiness,
       Logic, Pipe Organ, Research & Debate,  Thanatology, Violin, Writing
🪦Graduate with a Distinguished Degree in Psychology
🪦13 aspirations: Academic, Appliance Wiz, Fab Wealthy, F. Botanist, Ghost Historian, Mansion Baron,
      Market Magnate, Musical Genius, Nerd Brain, P. Extraordinaire, Purveyor of Potions, Renaissance Sim, 
      Romantic Explorer
🪦Career: Funeral Director 10
 Remaining
    *Host 15/20 gold-medal social events (4/7 funerals + 11/13 other social events)
      --Funerals: Layne Coffin, Vitor Costa, Kian Costa/Keg Party, Zuleika Gomes
      --Other social events: Dinner, Birthday, GtKY Date, Spooky, N. Potluck, Romantic Date, Wedding, Pool,
         Baby Shower, Family Reunion, Toddler Playdate
    *Have a household member reach Ghost Mastery Tier 5 (Transcendental Wraith): Vitor/Tier 4

Notes
*Renwick, Hazel, and Usher: I'm not sure why I tortured myself with this last toddler trio.
  They play no part whatsoever in Hades' requirements.
  Hades' Baby Shower, Toddler Playdate and future Slumber Party only requires one child.

[Granny Lawlor]

Welcome back from Sandrock. I'm glad you've been having fun on there. Meanwhile I'm working myself up for another Apocalypse Challenge. I've caved and bought the Life & Death pack as a Funeral Director seems a suitably grim career to include.

We all know why you went for a third child - you couldn't resist trying for an ice-blonde child. And Renwick is cute so it's worth it.

Congrats on the Toddler Playdate. My Sims never seem to know any other Toddlers at the right time.

A funeral in the bar? An excellent idea!

[oshizu]

Welcome back from Sandrock. I'm glad you've been having fun on there. Meanwhile I'm working myself up for another Apocalypse Challenge. I've caved and bought the Life & Death pack as a Funeral Director seems a suitably grim career to include.

We all know why you went for a third child - you couldn't resist trying for an ice-blonde child. And Renwick is cute so it's worth it.

Congrats on the Toddler Playdate. My Sims never seem to know any other Toddlers at the right time.

A funeral in the bar? An excellent idea!

As for the beautiful Gen11 children, Raven original gave birth to twins Renwick and Hazel, with Hades having Usher as a science baby in hopes of a final violet-eyed Costa redhead.
However, my heart has been stolen by Renwick, obviously.
If this storyboard wasn't closing this month, I'd have wanted to add an 11th gen to the Costa Legacy with Renwick as heir. Alas!!!!

As for the Life & Death expansion, I have really been enjoying it!
Both Undertaker branches aren't hard to max and have appealing career uniforms.
I'd never added ghosts to my active household before, but I loved Gen7 Vitor.
The Ghost Mastery skill tree, Bucket List, and Burning Soul trait adds so much to a multi-gen challenge!

The Final Draught bar comes partially set up as a funeral venue. I wonder why it has no chairs, though.
Adding a mini-fridge (the cemetery's funeral salon also needs a counter) also requires a mini-fridge or grill if you choose the "Serve Food" funeral tradition.
I know you will find lots of creative ways to integrate the new pack's features into your gameplay.
HOw sad that I won't be able to read about it! *grabs some tiessues


Not to ruin your holidays, but I'm sure you'd love My Time at Sandrock. I play it on Steam.
It's got CAS and we can equip gear as both equipment (stats) and appearance (cosmetic) sets, there are commerce guild commissions, requests and wishes from townies, endearing townies to befriend and/or woo, a wide variety gameplay, lots of building repairing the town's water tower), crafting, and cooking, a limited amount of farming & ranching, and a very robust story arc.
Recently, I expanded my workshop yard, then had a stable built and bought the horse I'd been renting.
Currently, I'm repairing the town's water towner that had been destroyed by vandals.

[oshizu]

10.8: Putting the "Fun" into Funerals


Thursday, Week 69, Year 6 (late autumn)
Hades: This week started with the newly-aged-up toddlers getting their makeovers on Sunday morning.
With a Toddler Playdate in our future, I visited my father to age up three infants: my brother and my sister's twins.
Our toddlers maxed their skills on Tuesday, after which I threw a funeral at the Final Draught bar.
After a gold-medal Toddler Playdate on Wednesday, our kids came home and aged up to children.
From L to R: Usher, Hazel, me, Great-Grandpas Vitor & Kian, Raven, and Renwick.


Hades: Somehow I'm taking a sick day today so I decide to host a "funeral party" while the kids are at school.
I'm all about, you know, putting the fun back into funerals!
Great-Grandpa Vitor's mother Gisele (the Gen6 heir) woohoo'd in 27 unique spots/'ways in her time.
What better way to honor her memory than to throw a House Party?
(I couldn't assign her portrait to the photo frame, so I assgined her husband Daniel instead.)


Raven: As you'd expect from a House Party, there's a lot of smooching involved.
Hades: I'm a Lovebug, so this is totally my kind of party!


Hades: That's my Auntie Desiree with her husband Dorian.


Hazel: Hey look at all the guests! Let's meet all of our relatives!
Usher: Yes and working on Social Butterfly at the same time!
Renwick: Hate to break it to you two, but we're Gen11.
Doesn't matter if we complete any aspirations or not…


Vitor: As usual, I clean up all the dirty plates and empty glasses after the party.
Look! All my good actions now qualify me to gain the Benevolent Blessing power!
All I need to do is reach the Tier 5 Transcendental Wraith, and I'm practically there!


Renwick: It's true, Papa, right? It doesn't even matter if we become Llamacorn Scouts or not!
So why earn scouting badges at all?
Hades: Listen, just because there won't be any more stories, that doesn't mean there won't be any more legacies.I
In fact, a little bird told me that you'll most likely be the founder of Watcher's next legacy.
So be sure to achieve as much as you can while you're a child, okay?



Friday
Raven: Did you quit your Funeral Director job? You haven't worked all week, have you?
Hades: First, I took a day off, then I took Family Leave, and I think GG Vitor wrote me an excuse note, too.
Since I'm off today, I might as well do a "funeral party" for GG Vitor's father Daniel Costa.
He was GGG Gisele's partner in crime while she was woohoo'ing everywhere. I think a Weenie Roast would be fitting.
Raven: Isn't that a bit too literal?


Hades: Okay, I'm done setting up this area of Desert Bloom Park for a Weenie Roast. Is everyone ready?
Kian: Why are you the only one wearing the Eggplant costume while the rest of us are Sausages?
Hades: Great-Great-Grandpa Daniel loved the Eggplant costume, I hear, so I'm honoring his memory.
The impact is stronger if only one of us wears it.  Kinda like The Highland, you know? There can be only one!


Folks can pay their respects at this outdoor memorial table.
I placed GGGrandma Gisele's gravestone on the right.


Hades: Kids, listen closely! The three of you have THE most important role in this Weenie Roast.
Kids (in unison): We do?
Hades: Yes! Each of you must roast one hot dog over the campfire. That's this party's main goal.
Unless you succeed, we cannot earn a gold medal. I'm counting on you!


Usher (right): Easy peasy! We each roasted one hot dog without even dropping them on the ground!
Renwick (left): And after we finished that, we earned our Keep Fit badge, too!


Hades: Playing my geetar around the campfire!


Vitor: There's only one party goal to "Grill Food," but I'm making a second platter.
It's only proper to serve a vegetarian dish in addition to a meat dish.
Plus, that will result in more dishes for me to clean up.


Hades: We ignored three of the party goals but still earned a gold medal.
None of us even saw the option to "Enthuse About wildlife encounter."
Does that option only appear if we throw a Weenie Roast in Granite Falls?
Anyway, a great time  was had by all!
Vitor: Papa Daniel, you are gone but never forgotten!


Vitor: Soon after, I reach Tier 5 (Transcendental Wraith) of the Ghost Mastery tree!


As you can see, except for the Traverse power (which is Neutral), I've chosen only goodwill powers.
I didn't need to claim the ultimate power--Benevolent Blessing--because I pre-qualified for it. Yay!


Renwick: It was cool being the heavy lifters for the party, but I'm so over this sausage costume!
Usher: You and me both! Hey, maybe Papa will throw an Incognito Costume Party?
Hazel: I'd like that! I could be a fairy princess of something like that!
Watcher: Sorry, kids! For an Incognito Costume Party, your only options are Sausage or Yoda!



Saturday
Renwick: Today, we don't let Papa host another funeral or party.
We three need to get ready for our slumber party.
No offense, guys, but I want to exchange Friendship Bracelets with a new friend!
Hazel: Same here! Let's go to the park later!


Hazel: I call dibs on Hugo Langit from San Sequoia for my Bracelet Buddy!
Usher: Awww, Hugo's the only redheaded kid we know.  But okay, you take him!
Renwick: Don't forget. To exchange Friendship Bracelets outside our household, we need to be good friends.


Renwick: The Xicotencatl siblings from Ciudad Enamorada all have desirable traits!
Taylor (left) is a Perfectionist, Israel (right) is Adventurous.
Their sister Elsie, who isn't in this picture, is Good.
I've rizzed up Israel to so we can become Bracelet Buddies at next week's slumber party.


Usher: I'm a little worried about Lana Ono's actual hair color.  Looks like cc hair to me!
But I'm choosing her as my second choice after Hugo Langit.
Why? Because she Loves the Outdoors, which I can appreciate.


Hazel: All three of us want to exchange Friendship Bracelets with you, Hugo!
Hugo: With me? Why?
Hazel: We Costas are a big fan of redheads, but I beat my brothers back to, um, befriend you.
Hugo: Um, thanks?


Hades: Hello, gentle readers! It looks like this Costa Mishmash Legacy will be finishing up real soon.
I only have one funeral and two more parties left.
Hopefully, I can earn gold medals on all three next week!


The Gen10 Household
Home: Crow's Perch, Crow's Crossing (Ravenwood)

Vitor Costa (G7 heir) - Ghostly elder
Traits: Outgoing, Foodie, Perfectionist (+Family Oriented, Music Lover, Romantic)

Kian Costa (G7 spouse) - Ghostly elder
Traits: Active, Family-Oriented, Bro (+Creative, Perfectionist)

Hades Costa (Gen10 heir) - Grimborn YA
Traits: Erratic, Chased by Death, Music Lover (+Lovebug, Loyal)
Spouse: Raven (Knight)

]b]Raven Costa (Gen10 spouse)[/b] - YA
Traits: Cheerful, Chased by Death, Family Oriented (+Creative)

Renwick Costa (Gen11 child) - Child  (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Sunny/Angelic; Music Lover

Hazel (Gen11 child) - Child (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Wiggly/Independent; Cheerful

Usher Costa (Gen11 child) - Child (Grim Descendant)
Traits: Calm/Charmer; Music Lover

Progress: End of Week 69

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Gen10 heir: Hades
Completed
🪦Complete 7 childhood aspirations (excl. Mind & Body)
🪦Move to Crow's Crossing as a Teen (then start Fab Wealthy)
🪦Buy Old Ravenwood Estate (and start Manion Baron) then restore it to its glory days
🪦Max friendship with Grim, Waylon Warez, Ghost Mother Alice, and Edith
🪦Complete two collections: Postcards (21/21) and Marbles (15/15)
🪦13 skills: Charisma, Cooking, Fitness, Flower Arranging, Gourmet Cooking, Gardening, Handiness,
       Logic, Pipe Organ, Research & Debate,  Thanatology, Violin, Writing
🪦Graduate with a Distinguished Degree in Psychology
🪦13 aspirations: Academic, Appliance Wiz, Fab Wealthy, F. Botanist, Ghost Historian, Mansion Baron,
      Market Magnate, Musical Genius, Nerd Brain, P. Extraordinaire, Purveyor of Potions, Renaissance Sim, 
      Romantic Explorer
🪦Career: Funeral Director 10
🪦Have a household member (Vitor) reach Ghost Mastery Tier 5 (Transcendental Wraith)
 Remaining
    *Host 17/20 gold-medal social events (6/7 funerals + 11/13 other social events)
      --Funerals: Layne Coffin, Vitor Costa, Kian Costa/Keg Party, Zuleika Gomes, Gisele Costa/House Party,
        Daniel Costa/Weiner Roast, #7
      --Other social events: Dinner, Birthday, GtKY Date, Spooky, N. Potluck, Romantic Date, Wedding, Pool,
         Baby Shower, Family Reunion, Toddler Playdate, #12, #13

[size=11pt
Notes
The children: As you know, these three children don't play an essential role in this legacy challenge.
However, they do provide narrative relief and a welcome break to the Watcher.
So many social events this close together requires considerable micro-managing.

[Granny Lawlor]

So close! And those social events are hard work, day after day.

"Weenie Roast" - that pun never gets old! 

I love that you're tailoring the funerals to each Sim. The saddest funerals are the off-the-peg, impersonal ones, the only option when  no-one left really knew the deceased.

Ooh - have you got a next challenge in mind? Or are you taking a break while you play the other game?

I've started working out what I need from my Apocalypse Founder. I really don't need a Wonder Child...hm...maybe I should have a word with Oliver and Viola Makey...

[oshizu]

So close! And those social events are hard work, day after day.

"Weenie Roast" - that pun never gets old! 

I love that you're tailoring the funerals to each Sim. The saddest funerals are the off-the-peg, impersonal ones, the only option when  no-one left really knew the deceased.

Ooh - have you got a next challenge in mind? Or are you taking a break while you play the other game?

I've started working out what I need from my Apocalypse Founder. I really don't need a Wonder Child...hm...maybe I should have a word with Oliver and Viola Makey...

Haha, I'm stretching out the updates because Im so reluctant to leave my Costas.
Also a weeklong update with 4-5 social events would be just a series of gold-medal splash announcements, so I split up the week.
It's fun to look back and remember previous generations.

No, I have no new legacy in mind, but I will definitely play something eventually with Renwork as founder.
I've been playing nearly back-to-back challenges since 2016. I could really use a break though I love sharing screenshots of my silly (yet beloved) sims.
Yesterday, I restarted my My Time at Sandrock game after playing around nine game-weeks.  It is so much fun!
It is great playing through an extremely well-written narrative! And the dialogue is chef's kiss!

DO you mean that insanely difficult Apoclaypse Challenge that you last played with Coral Odrade?
Oh yesk, the founder could be one of Oliver and Violet Makey's children! Such a gorgeous couple and we never got to meet any of their children!!!

[Granny Lawlor]

So close! And those social events are hard work, day after day.

"Weenie Roast" - that pun never gets old! 

I love that you're tailoring the funerals to each Sim. The saddest funerals are the off-the-peg, impersonal ones, the only option when  no-one left really knew the deceased.

Ooh - have you got a next challenge in mind? Or are you taking a break while you play the other game?

I've started working out what I need from my Apocalypse Founder. I really don't need a Wonder Child...hm...maybe I should have a word with Oliver and Viola Makey...

Haha, I'm stretching out the updates because Im so reluctant to leave my Costas.
Also a weeklong update with 4-5 social events would be just a series of gold-medal splash announcements, so I split up the week.
It's fun to look back and remember previous generations.

No, I have no new legacy in mind, but I will definitely play something eventually with Renwork as founder.
I've been playing nearly back-to-back challenges since 2016. I could really use a break though I love sharing screenshots of my silly (yet beloved) sims.
Yesterday, I restarted my My Time at Sandrock game after playing around nine game-weeks.  It is so much fun!
It is great playing through an extremely well-written narrative! And the dialogue is chef's kiss!

DO you mean that insanely difficult Apoclaypse Challenge that you last played with Coral Odrade?
Oh yesk, the founder could be one of Oliver and Violet Makey's children! Such a gorgeous couple and we never got to meet any of their children!!!

Not the same one with all the overlapping restrictions. I'm trying to have some restrictions on most available careers, including the Undertaker(!) but avoiding them overlapping. I think I am going to have a spellcaster founder. Spellcasting won't be allowed in public or travelling to Magical HQ until the Author's cleared. So things will be easier but not all plain-sailing. It will mean that Chef won't have to be the first career cleared (deliciosa) which always seemed unavoidable. With ALL of the Lot Challenges on, it's going to be a bumpy start, even with a Spellcaster!

I'm thinking of writing it up as a story on my website...if I ever get around to it!

[oshizu]

Not the same one with all the overlapping restrictions. I'm trying to have some restrictions on most available careers, including the Undertaker(!) but avoiding them overlapping. I think I am going to have a spellcaster founder. Spellcasting won't be allowed in public or travelling to Magical HQ until the Author's cleared. So things will be easier but not all plain-sailing. It will mean that Chef won't have to be the first career cleared (deliciosa) which always seemed unavoidable. With ALL of the Lot Challenges on, it's going to be a bumpy start, even with a Spellcaster!

I'm thinking of writing it up as a story on my website...if I ever get around to it!

Your new Apocalypse Challenge sounds more reasonable and, hopefully, more enjoyable than your latest ones.
And you have your own website? Was that costly?