phylliscyst

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Weeks 13 and 14

For week 13 of the Newcrest Fresh Start Scheme we're catching up with Avery, Kit and Baron. When we last saw the family Avery had started to establish their vet practice and had built a small clinic, though they were all still bunking up in what will be the staff room.

During the weeks we've been away Kit has aged from a child to a teenager, but he still loves animals, especially dogs.

If Avery can officially register their practice with the Sims Municipal Committee during the next two weeks then other Newcrest residents can keep their own pets and animals, which will help the Green Family register their farm.

Avery makes a quick decision to invest in a second second hand vet podium and hire Zoe Patel as an extra vet at the practice. Zoe is great with the client and Avery soon gives her a promotion. Avery also spends some of their spare time crafting treats, as they are a good earner, but it's a struggle to keep up with customer demand.

Now that Kit is a teenager he has a bit more in common with his neighbour Tristram Green. The pair both enjoy being outside and fishing, so they become friends pretty quickly. Avery and Kit drop by the farm to celebrate Spring Festival.

Spring also brings Love Day and Avery thinks this is a their chance to get closer to Xochitl. Unfortunetely despite Avery being as charming and flirty as possible, their crush has cooled off her affections. Maybe they'd be better off as friends. Kit, on the other hand, manages to score his first kiss with his classmate.

At the start of Summer kit gets an invite to take part in the Hunger Trials. He excitedly accepts and spends a couple of days away fighting for this life.

Whilst he is away Avery finds that running their growing vet clinic is not always smooth sailing. The place is regularly covered in more puke than they can handle, clients become too comfortable using the amenities and Zoe gets easily distracted playing with Baron on her break.

Things get so stressful Avery even has a couple of terrifying episodes of body horror.

Avert hires a second extra vet, Kasum Bun Ma, to ease the pressure a bit. This means there is always someone free to keep the floors vomit free, everyone gets some free time during their shift and Avery can keep the merchandise fridge stocked with treats.

This means that Avery makes enough daily profit to really start expanding their vert practice. They can invest in some newer equipment, update the furniture in the clinic and buy a full dog training course.

They still have to update their surgery and crafting station, but by Thursday they have enough amenities to officially register with the Sims Municipal Council, meaning their community will be able to keep their own pets and animals.

A busy Friday and Saturday also means they finish the week with a fully built clinic, with the frame of the two bedroom flat upstairs. Their home still needs furnishing and the outdoor space needs landscaping but Avery has made some amazing progress.

Next week we'll be rejoining Grace Anansi as she expands her Magic and Crystal Shop

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Weeks 11 and 12

With five households settling into their fresh start in Newcrest it's time to check back in with Kristoff, the resident writer and future librarian.

When we last saw Kristoff he had managed to publish enough books to bring in some steady income and started building his underground crypt home, as well as beginning a steamy affair with Victor Feng. Whilst the other new residents have been moving in he has struck up a friendship with Kerri Pool and went of a date with Paka'a Uha.

Player's note: In this update the fact that I am using Lumpinou's excellent RPO and LQBTQIA+ mods becomes relevant.

Kristoff continues writing novels and taking on more lucrative freelance gigs into Autumn and is soon able to build an expansive home, even if he cannot yet afford furniture. He also spends some time with his new friends the pools and finds there are benefits to being part of a human community as even Kerri's husband Ali is happy to help a bro out when he is in need to Plasma. Kerri and Kristoff soon become best friends.

During the first few days of Autumn Kristoff also follows up after his date with Paka'a. Kristoff just adores Paka's and is completely smitten but might have come on a bit too strong. He decides it'll be worth it to take things a little slower.

Meanwhile, a vampire sim has needs and Kristoff continues his affair with Victor who is more than happy to fulfil both his romance and plasma requirements.

Despite these distraction Kristoff hits some career highs, reaching the top level of writing skill and publishing his autobiography, 'Love and Life, Before and After' in the Readers Digest. He also gains a small amount of fame.

He picks up some furniture here and there, which means has a much nicer environment to entertain in. His next goal is to build the library building before the end of Winter.

As things with Paka'a look to be becoming more serious Kristoff thinks he should break it off with Victor. He is just practicing his break up speech on Winterfest Eve when he gets distracted by some strange lights outside and gets abducted by aliens.

In the early hours of Winterfest morning he receives a call to let him know that his 'good friend' Victor Feng has passed away. What a night!

Though he is feeling uncomfortable and sad, Kristoff decides to brave the sunshine and spend Winterfest getting to know his new community and spreading some cheer. It helps that his best friend is around to let him vent and offer some sage advice.

Before the day ends Kristoff realises he is pregnant!

Kristoff is trans but technically undead so didn't think he could actually get pregnant. He hadn't been too careful with Victor. He also was not planning on becoming a parent any time soon so this is an upsetting situation.

He thinks it's possible the weird prodding he was subjected to by the aliens might have something to do with it but it seems unlikely. The father must be Victor, right?

Paka'a is shocked when Kristoff tells him the news but to his surprise, is very suppportive and reassures him that it won't affect their relationship.

With Paka's support Kristoff builds a nursery and puts some time into parenting classes and therapy and soon finds some acceptance of his situation. Even learning he is expecting twins doesn't dampen his spirits and he finds he's actually looking forward to starting a family in Newcrest.

On Friday Paka'a arrives to stay for a couple of nights to help Kristin through his upcoming labour. He's a welcome presence whilst Kristoff finishing off one last biography freelance commission before the babies are born. This means her can finish the exterior walls of what will be Newcrest's library.

Late Sunday morning Kristoff welcomes his surprisingly blue twin girls Natalia and Mikhaila. Maybe the aliens had something to do with it after all?

We leave him to settle into a parenthood and start planning the next stages of the library.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Week 9 and 10

On week 9 of the Newcrest Fresh Start scheme the Sims Municipal Committee welcomed the last of their first batch of residents: newlyweds Kerri and Ali Pool.

The couple share a passion for leading active lives; Ali is an adventurous bro and Kerri is a self-absorbed child of the ocean who NEEDS to stay hydrated.

Ali is embarking on an athletic career, hoping to make the big leagues and bring in a hefty salary to fund their dream luxury gym. Meanwhile Kerri is an aspiring wellness influencer and hoped building her social medias will bring in prospective members.

Moving into their new lot on a Saturday, with nothing but a tent, barbecue, cooler and handy bush, Kerri and Ali have a couple of days to work until their next work day and pay check. They use the time to build up their fitness and wellness skills to give them a career booth.

Knowing that Kerri's delicate scales skin will suffer without regular bathing, they both take on some odd jobs to pay for a rustic tub.

The first week is dedicated to going to work, working out and cultivating foraged mushrooms so they have a healthy food source.

They also find time to meet most of their neighbours. David Green is obviously a healthy dude and gives of energetic vibes so Ali hopes they might one day be gym buddies. Sadly he does not seem to be a fellow bro though.

When they first meet Kristoff the couple think he seems a bit bookish and indoors and aren't sure they'll have much in common. To their surprise though Kristoff starts to pop round to share an interest in wellness with Kerri and over the next week the pair bond and become good friends.

After their first week in Newcrest Ali and Kerri realise they are going to have to start hustling harder if they want to make any progress on building their fitness centre and home.

They invest in equipment to help build their skills and help thiner careers, including some cutting edge video and streaming equipment for Kerri. When they are not on shift at their day job Ali continues to take odd jobs that make use of his growing physical prowess and charisma, whilst Kerri starts leading classes and giving massages at the Willow Creek Spa.

By the end of the week they have build a large room for sleeping, work and errr toileting. It's not much but it's a solid start and with Kerri's new streaming station she sure she's about to blow up!

Now that the first five households have moved in the Sims Municipal Committee are going to give everyone a few weeks to establish themselves more so we'll be catching up with Kristoff, Avery, Grace the Greens and Ali and Kerri again soon.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Week 8

Last week the Newcrest welcomed the Green family and they began to establish their community farm.

Whilst Emily continued her salary job as a gardener David put his effort into fermenting fizzy juice, kombucha and seltzer so they can profit from their stored produce throughout winter. After a good first day selling their wares on the market stall they invest in a cooker so that Maria can turn more of their produce into sauces and preserves to sell.

Tristram, however, is starting to struggle living in such close quarters with his family whilst dealing with tonnage hormones and mood swings. Though they were close when he was a child, he starts to find his Grandma to strict and overbearing. He goes for a lot of jogs to cool down.

One day David is harvesting prairie grass and finds a bottle of Energy Wine. He pops it on the market stall on a whim and is surprised when it sells for a couple of thousand simoleons!

The windfall allows the family to start building their home properly. They may still be sharing one room for now but at least they have real beds and Tristram has somewhere to hide when things get a bit too much.

Inspired by the profits on the found wine, David invests some kit to brew his own wine, and is able to produce a few bottles before grape supplies run too low. He also invests in a woodwork bench to try his hand at making furniture for their new home.

The family are also able to buy a stand mixer, which allows Maria to make a Tofurkey grand meal for Winterfest. They even afford a stack of presents and find some time to enjoy the new chessboard Emily received.

The family continue their work farming, fizzing, canning and wine making and manage to bring in enough cash by the end of the week to build up the outer walls of what will soon be their new home.

There is a lot left to do, the house needs inner walls and furniture and the whole outside needs organising. Emily and David have plans to plant more produce, build barns and a patio and start keeping animals..

For now though we leave them in a very positive place, enjoying the fresh snow as a family and celebrating New Years Eve around a fire.

The Sims Municipal Council has decided to move five households in at first, before allowing the new residents some extra time to settle in.

After spinning the randomiser wheel they invite the last of this rounds new residents to Newcrest: Kerry and Ali Pool who will be building and running a fitness centre for the residents to enjoy.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Week 7

Newcrest's fourth new household to move in are the Green's. Animal loving freegan David has always dreamed of escaping the daily grind and starting a smallholding with his wife Emily, a clumsy green fiend who inherited her love of gardening from her outdoorsy mother, Maria. Their teenage son Tristram is an active recycle disciple and fully on board with the ambition to live a greener life.

The Municipal Committee provided them with a some basic kit for staying alive and a few bags of seeds, so they can get straight to planting.

There's not much to occupy their time until the first fruits (and veggies) of their labour can be enjoyed, so the family relax and enjoy each other company. Emily explores the neighbourhood and find some wild plants she can cultivate back on the farm. Meanwhile David makes an early introduction to their next door neighbour Avery.

Once Avery has officially registered their vet clinic Newcrest residents will be able to own animals. David is looking forward to keeping chickens, goats and maybe even some sheep or a cow so it doesn't hurt to make friends with the local vet.

It'll still be a few days before they make much profit from produce, so Emily and David decide to take jobs as gardeners, leaving Maria to leek after the farm. David hates being back in the corporate world, even if he gets to work outside, to votes to quit as soon as he can. He lasts two shifts.

Left to her own devices Maria accidentally sets the gill on fire when trying to grill some mushroom steaks. The insurance isn't enough to replace it so the Greens decide it would be a better investment to get some giant veg seeds and build an outhouse. A handy bush might do in a pinch if you're on your own, but gets disgusting fast when there are four of you.

By the middle of the week things are going really well. The produce and income from Emily's gardening job isn't enough to make them rich yet, but they can soon replace the grill and save up for a fridge and counter to create an outside kitchen. They even have a fun family fishing afternoon to stock their new fridge with some protein.

With three adults and a teenager living in the same tent it's not easy for Emily and David to find any alone time. Even the outhouse gets crowded. They do manage to grab a few minutes here and there whilst Tristram is at school and Maria out for a walk.

Tristram might soon have the same problems, as he's developed a bit of a crush on his new friend Molly Preston.

With winter, snow and harder ground approaching David knows it won't be long until they won't be able to rely on selling produce for income. He invests in a fizzing station and market table and hopes to get skilled enough to turn a profit by fermenting some of the fruit they've grown and foraged over the coming week.

After receiving a mysterious call that mistakes him for someone else, David finds 5000 simoleans deposited in his bank account. He's just thinking over whether he dares spend any of it to start building their new house, when the original owner comes round and violently takes the money back.

Oh well, it's a good job David bought that fizzing machine.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - weeks 5 and 6

You may recognise Newcrest's newest resident; Spellcaster Grace Anansi. A non-committal romantic and a bit of a goofball, Grace signed up to the repopulation programme on a whim. She liked the idea of forging her own path and hoped that establishing a magic and crystal shop for her community might finally be her calling.

She wasn't expecting to arrive in town on a snowy spring morning with only the bare essentials, but at least she has a fire pit for warmth and some very basic cooking. She quickly sets about exploring her neighbourhood, digging for crystals and potential potion ingredients.

Saturday's hunt isn't very fruitful, mostly Grace just finds fossils which she is unable to sell until the town's museum is established. She decided to take a quick gig judging a sandcastle competition to provide a bit of a buffer.

By Sunday she has scoped out the best local sites for digging and even manages to find a rare metal to craft her first bit of jewellery with.

It's peaceful in her corner of Newcrest, but things could get a little lonely so she sets about to meet her neighbours, Kristof and Avery.

Avery is very welcoming and even lets Grace use the shower at her vet clinic, but Grace isn't sure if her and Kristof are going to hit it off. Before she starts to regret her decisions, her old roommate and friend Tomas pops by for some encouragement, and keeps her company whilst she enjoys a roasted fish.

The week passes by with a steady routine of crystal hunting, jewellery crafting and selling and fishing for her dinner. By the end of the week Grace is able to plant some magical herbs which she can use to make potions and some green beans and mushrooms.

She also manages to by a cheap counter and till, meaning she can finally sell her wares in person to a diverse customer base.

Before she knows it Summer has arrived and Grace finds a low value crystal she can craft into a seed gem. In a week she'll have her own crystal tree and a free source of materials for her crystal crafting.

She also stocks her first sim-brewed potions. They are not very profitable, but she is still able to sell her Jewellery to collectors if they don't sell during the day.

This is fortunate as a summer storm is predicted and Grace needs to build a small, bare room so she can stay dry and continue work.

Despite these efforts the storm wreaks havoc; Grace is struck by lightweight, slips in the mud whilst dazed and when the storm clears she is left with a heavy fear of the dark. This is not useful when you are still living in a tent.

Grace is working hard but as a romantic sim she needs a little spice in her life to keep going. Finding herself feeling a little lovelorn she decides to put herself out there - especially after noticing Knox Greenburg regularly running through the neighbourhood.

Sadly Knox politely declined her advances, as did Akira Kino. Grace's confidence is starting to wane a bit before she hits it off with a handsome customer. Keith sticks around for some flirtatious banter around the firepit, giving Grace a much needed motivational boost.

By midweek sales are pretty consistent and Grace is becoming more skilled at gemology. She find enough profit to expand her building to finally enjoy some indoor plumbing and a real bed.

The Sims Municipal Council will allow Grace to officially register and open her business once she has a till, counter, toilet facilities and 10 crafted objects for sale. Once she is open Grace and other occult sims will be allowed full use of their powers and perk tree.

Grace is so close to meeting that target!

On Thursday evening Grace receives a call to let her know she has inherited a small sum from a distant relative. It's enough to cover the crafting costs of several new crystal and jewellery items.

Grace decided to push herself, working all Friday and Saturday morning to make sure she has ten products in stock before opening her store on Saturday afternoon.

After selling a restocking some items Grace is can proudly say her shop is open for business, the first officially registered community lot in Newcrest!

She still has a lot of work to do, she needs a proper indoor shop space and a more comfortable living area but she ends her first two weeks feeling great.

Satisfied the experiment is going well the Sims Musical Committee decides they should let two more households move in before giving all residents some time to earn more cash and continue their building plans.

The official government randomiser lands on the Green Family; Emily and David, their teenage some Tritram and Emily's mother Maria.

The Greens will establish Newcrest's community farm, making fresh produce available to residents and removing all Simple Living lot challenges for their neighbours.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Week 4

Last week Avery, Kit and Baron moved into Newcrest and started to establish their vet clinic.

At the start of winter Avery had already built a small building to keep her patients warm during treatment; including a comfier waiting area. Whilst Avery and Kit are still braving the tent overnight, Baron is grateful to have somewhere warm and soft to snooze in comfort overnight.

With another couple of days hard work Avery is able to expand her practice to include a separate consultation room and build a generous area that will eventually be a staff room. In the meantime it gives them a place to cook proper food (though they are limited to Halo Halo until they can get a food processor).

Living on your business site has its ups and downs, and Avery is struggling to create healthy live/ work balance. One morning Michael Bell walks in on them in the shower (how embarrassing) and Ian Moody gets fed up with the wait and kicks down Kit's snowpal.

You are really living up to the surname there, Ian.

Some of the customers are charmed by Kit and Baron, and one older client even gifts Kit with a dollhouse for Winter Festival!

Though they are both working hard at the vets practice and school Avery and Kit do manage to find the time to socialise.

No other children have moved into Newcrest yet but Kit has been able to meet some new friends though school and the winter snow is a great place for him to frolic with his new pals.

One day Avery get's the desire to flirt with one of her clients, Xochitl Luna. It's an unprofessional move but they tentatively test the water. The two single parents are able to bond over parental milestones and spent a some time stargazing. Sadly Newcrest travel restrictions mean that Avery was unable to accept Xochitl's offer of a date, but they have hope that a romance may still be able to blossom.

In an effort to afford some more home comforts Avery makes the hard decision to take in some patients during Winterfest, leaving Will to entertain himself for the morning.

It's well worth it though as by the end of day Avery is able to install some bunk beds in the staff room and even a stack of presents to open.

By the end of the week Avery has a steady client base and has been able to expand the consultation room and fit out the waiting room with some custom seating.

They have even been able to afford some more second hand equipment; a medicine station and a product fridge.

Avery still has some time to go before they can officially open and allow other Newcrest residents to own pets and animals, but they're proud of the progress they've made in just two weeks. This gives them the confidence to close the clinic on New Years Eve, taking some time to stock their new fridge with treats.

With some extra free time Avery is even able to meet their elusive neighbour Kristof for a celebratory toast, and introduce themselves to future resident Geeta Rasoya.

With Avery settled it's now time for another Newcrest resident to move in, and the Sims Municipal wheel of fate has selected a familiar face: Grace Anansi!

Grace will be establishing the town's magic and crystal shop. Welcome Grace!

[phylliscyst]

don't ever look up what your childhood friends are up to now!!!!!!!!!! like girl you're a nuclear safety engineer. i put on matching socks today. we played tag a thousand years ago.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Week 3

With the first Newcrest resident settling in nicely, the Sims Municipal Council spins the randomiser to invite its second set of residents, who will establish the town's vet practice. Avery Lambert is cheerful, genius animal lover looking for a fresh start with their equally animal mad son Kit and their lazy, cuddly dog Baron.

The municipal has kindly provided them with some basic living requirements and some second hand vat equipment, so they can hit the ground running serving the local pet owners.

Players note: In order to make this work I moved the Lambert's into an empty lot in Willow Creek and purchased the Highland Hillside lot in Newcrast as a Vet Clinic. I also discovered that vets need £30 in order to cure their first patient, so had to cheat that!

Using an apocalyptic field hospital type set up, Avery was able to start treating local cats and dogs straight away., whilst Kit concentrated on playing with Baron, teaching him some tricks and schoolwork.

They had a steady stream of patients over the first few days with relative ease, although they did need to employ Kit at one point when they got inundated with vomit. Ewww.

With their first profits they bought a cheap wooden tub to keep themselves and Baron clean, and some books to keep them entertained. Avery's next ambition was to find a food source as both them and Kit were fed up of granola and cereal three times a day. Sadly fishing was not fruitful, though it was a good bonding experience.

Avery did not meet their mysterious neighbour Kristof, who must be working to a different schedule. However one evening a nice old man called Vlad came and cleaned their bath, which was sweet of him.

As the week went on Avery was able to afford some seeds with the hope of growing some vegetables. Appeasing the Harvestfest Gnome provided also provided them with enough ingredients to grill some Three Sisters Chilli, providing some much needed fibre and vitamins.

As soon as the cash was available Avery build a small building at the front of the lot. Happy enough in their tent this was used to house the vet equipment, so their patients could enjoy a slightly nicer environment.

However the space was very cramped and chaotic, especially when some very sick pets left Avery mopping up sick well into the evening.

The next few days went better and Avery was able to expand the building to include a separate treatment room and some much needed plumbing. No more filthy bush wees for Avert and Kit!

Ending their first week on a high Avery is slightly worried that coming, with snow forecast in just a couple days. Their ambition for week 2 is to have room inside for a couple of beds and expand their vet practice even more.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start - Week 2

Last week Newcrest's aspiring writer, future librarian and reformed (or trying to be) vampire Kristoff moved into the first empty lot in the town.

After surviving the first week, Kristof welcomed summer with three published manuscripts and a bit of steady income as a blogger. Although he was feeling confident, it turned out a summer thunderstorm on Monday would quickly ruin both his mood and few useful worldly possessions.

With his tent and outdoor shower both hit by lightning strikes, Kristoff was left scared with nothing to distract him but reading in the rain. Even more troubling a heatwave was predicted for the following few days, so he needed to find shelter fast.

Even when the rain let up and he was able to fix his computer, his mood was so low he could only dejectedly type with one finger and soon started to feel the effects of upcoming burnout. Luckily he'd managed to same up some cash from royalties to start his underground lair home. What with being unencumbered the human needs of eating and peeing he was also able to sell off his barbecue, cooler and bush.

His starter home was not more than a small stone walled room with a rickety desk, a pallet sofa and a cheap shower that was, frankly, a water damage risk to his precious books. Regardless, his first indoor private shower felt like luxury.

Just when things were looking up Darling Walsh, one of his steady plasma sources, got in touch to let Kristof know they were not cool with non-consensual plasma drinking, actually.

Proving politicians are often secret freaks, Victor Feng was surprisingly excited by the prospect of letting Kristof drink from him. The two began a flirtatious affair with bonus plasma perks for Kristof.

The affair provides some distraction and quenches Kristof's thirst for plasma, but he is under no allusions it will become anything serious. Not only does he suspect Victor is married, but he keeps phoning Kristof up to talk about various women he is dating.

It does help him stay motivated for writing and during the rest of the week he completes and publishes more manuscripts, including another book of poetry and his first screenplay. His latest book is even nominated for an award and he gains and loses some minor fame.

He also finds some extra cash and time to indulge in some hobbies to help with writers block and creative burn out.

With the royalties rolling in he feels confident enough to quit his blogging gig and become a freelance writer.

By the end of the week he is receiving royalties for 7 books and has completed his first commission. He has also managed to build a temporary above ground entrance to his crypt home and added some extra rooms.

Kristof hasn't yet begun to build his community library but at the end of week two he is feeling confident and enthusiastic about the future. This new town project might just work.

This leaves us in the perfect place to welcome the next residents to Newcrest; veterinarian Avery Lambert, their son Kit and their St Bernard, Baron.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start Week 1:

After spinning a randomiser wheel the Sims Municipal Committee has selected their first resident: Kristof Burkhart, an aspiring writer who is going to build the Newcrest Library.

Kristof is a Perfectionist, Good (or he wants to be) and a Scribe (which is from Kuttoe’s additional Hobbies Traits). He is also a vampire, which is great for spending long hours writing but not great for moving into an empty lot on a beautiful sunny day at the start of spring.

Armed with nothing but the bare essentials, an antiquated computer and a suitcase of musty books Kristoff is ready for his challenge.

The first two days are too hot sunny to be outside so Kristoff has to write at night, but soon gets writers block. He makes the mistake of taking a jog to kill some time and soon just finds himself stinking and fed up, reading books in the dark.

By Tuesday the weather has darkened up and cloud cover allows Kristof some more time to write, and he soon publishes his first childen's book: Good Morning Moon.

Being awake also allows him to meet some fellow sims to make friends and drink, just a little bit. Darling Walsh is apparently super into this and keeps inviting themselves over, which is lucky for Kristoff as he is not yet allowed to order in food.

Wednesday bring rain, so Kristoff is finally able to wash the grime off by standing stock still, staring into the distance and showering in the rain.

As life brings us ups and downs, Kristof quickly finds that the rain that blessed him with being so fresh and so clean has completely banjaxed his computer. He is also starting to burn out from all that writing. He has made just shy of 20 sim dollars from self publishing royalties.

He decides it might just be time to take a job as a writers assistant, which earns him enough extra cash to by a camping shower. The rest of the week is a cycle of writing, feeling a bit guilty about drinking plasma from other sims and an alarming amount of writers block.

By the end of the week Kristoff has a new shower, 214 sim dollars and has published three books, including his first poetry anthology through a publisher.

At some point along the way he also developed the self-assured trait, because he is a trooper. It maybe kept his head above water a bit when he was having a really terrible time.

[phylliscyst]

Newcrest Fresh Start Challenge Rules

The Sims Municipality Planning Committee offers a new solution to revitalise the previously empty and soulless Newcrest: motivated Sims will be offered ownership a free pitch of land on the condition they build a mixed use community together.

in this challenge each Newcrest lot has a designated business or community lot assigned to it. Sims move in with no money but some equipment to help them get started, and must work hard to earn enough to build their dream home and business.

I'm going to playtest this challenge over the coming months and post updates here. Rules may be adjusted as I play test it!

General Rules

Any of the rules can be adapted if needed to accommodate not having necessary packs.

You may use existing sims or make new ones. (I'll work on uploading the ones I make to the gallery)

2. You may complete each lot at a time or play rotationally

3. Long or custom life spans are recommended, unless you want to play each lot generationally.

4. You may choose in what order to place sims or randomise the order (or a bit of both)

5. Each lot starts with a tent (or tents), a convenient toilet bush, a sun umbrella or gazebo or similar for shade, something to sit on, a cooler and a barbecue to meet basic needs. Each lot also starts with specific lot items to help the business start up (outlined below).

6. Once a sim has moved into their lot and has their starting kit their funds must be reduced down to zero using cheats.

7. As this is a new community with limited existing facilities, there will be some restrictions in place until community lots meet enough criteria to fulfil the needs of the local community. The list of restrictions is below. Each will be lifted once the relevant lot is able to open to the public.

8. Sims may make money in any way they want within the restrictions of the rules, until they are lifted.

9. Sims may not leave Newcrest in order to fulfil needs.

Additional note: This challenge was created BEFORE the jobs and hobbies EP is released (because I got excited). It's hoped that with that EP all these live in community spaces will be possible but until then, as needed, players may 'fake' it but moving a sim onto an empty lot and buying the Newcrest lot as a business is allowed. The sim just needs to stay and build on that lot.

Restrictions

As Newcrest lacks necessary facilities at first, there are restrictions in place until community lots start to open to the public.

All lots have Simple Living lot challenge in place until the Community Farm in open.

Sims may not get married, host weddings, funerals or other events until the Chapel and Cemetery is open to the public.

Sims may not add decorations to their homes or create crafts or artworks until the Arts Centre is open (does not apply to the Sims occupying the Art centre).

Sims may not play, listen to or dance to music until the Nightclub in open (does not apply to the Sims on the Nightclub or Theatre lots).

Sims may not bake or use cakes for aging up or drink coffee or energy drinks and potions until the bakery and cafe is open.

Sims cannot alter their appearance until the Tattoo/ Thrift Shop is open (with the exception that children that age up can have one CAS edit using base game items only).

Sims cannot use their occult skills, drink potions or serums or similar or upgrade their skill trees until the Magic Shop is open (with the exception that Vampires may compel sims in order to drink Plasma, and magic Shop owner may create and sell potions).

Sims may not own a pet or any livestock until the Vets is open (does not apply to the vet sim who may start with a dog).

Sims may not order new books or tomes or use skill books to level up skills until the Library is open.

Sims may not order food for delivery or order food from bars and kiosks until the Restaurant is open.

Sims may not purchase a television until the Theatre is open.

Sims may not buy gaming equipment or use computers and phones for fun until the Arcade is open.

Sims cannot use gym equipment or swim until the Fitness Centre is open.

Sims cannot travel to other worlds for vacations or to gather supplies until the Hotel is open.

Sims cannot sell collectibles for money until the Museum is open (This rule does not apply to the Sims on the museum lot or to the plant collection for Community Farm or Chapel and Cemetery sims).

Lots and Sims Guide

Each lot has a designated community lot type, a recommendation for Sims to move in, some additional starting equipment and a set of requirements that must be fulfilled to open to the public.

Note that these requirement don't necessarily include walls.

Chapel and Cemetery

large lot type

Suggested Sims: A small family with a mortician and a love guru sim.

Additional Equipment: Florist table, Computer

Needed to open: A wedding Arch, a bar, toilet and sink, 2 benches, trashcan, headstone or urn and a gravesite.

Arts Centre

Medium size lot

Suggested Sims: A collective to artists and makers.

Additional Equipment: Easel, Woodworking table, Camera, Knitting Basket, Cross-stitch basket and powers wheel.

Needed to open: All the standard requirements for an Arts Centre community lot and 8 sim-crafted works to display.

Museum

Medium size lot

Suggested Sims: An alien archeologist and their scientist partner.

Additional Equipment: Telescope, archeology table

Needed to open: All the standard requirements for a Museum community lot and 8 collection items to display.

Hotel

Medium Sized Lot

Suggested Sims: A family with young children

Additional Equipment: A bar, fridge, cooker and counter.

Needed to open: A better bar and seating and two guest bedrooms with ensuite toilets and showers (which do include walls and doors!).

Community Farm

Medium sized lot

Suggested Sims: A family of ranchers and gardeners

Additional Equipment: Vegetable, fruit and herb seed packets and two patches of prairie grass

Needed to open: A market table to sell produce, 10 sim-grown plants, one farm animal, toilet, sink and trash can.

Fitness Centre

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: A fitness and wellness couple (which could include a mermaid)

Additional Equipment: A yoga mat and the cheapest boxing bag available

Needed to open: The standard requirements for a Gym or Spa lot.

Arcade

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: A single gamer/ techie sim

Additional Equipment: A computer

Needed to open: Bowling lane, two gaming items, bar, 2 benches, toilet, sink and trashcan

Theatre

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: Two sims that are aspiring comedians, musicians or actors

Additional Equipment: Microphone and guitar

Needed to open: Standard Lounge community lot requirements

Restaurant

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: An aspiring chef and their elder parent.

Additional Equipment: Fridge, Cooker, counter, dine out stall

Needed to open: 4 tables with chairs, chef station, host station, dishwasher (OR upgraded kitchen and dine out stall with appliances), toilet, sink, trashcan

Library

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: A single vampire with a writing aspiration.

Additional Equipment: Computer and cheap bookcase.

Needed to open: The standard lot requirements for a library community lot.

Vet Practice

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: Single parent sim and their child, with an optional dog.

Additional Equipment: Used vet podium and vet platform and dog bowl (if they have a dog).

Needed to open: Complete set of vet equipment and pet training course, toilet, sink and trash can.

Nightclub

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: An aspiring DJ and/ or mixologist

Additional Equipment: basic DJ booth

Needed to open: The standard requirements for a nightclub community lot.

Cafe and Bakery

Small sized lot

Suggested Sims: A single parent and child

Additional Equipment: Fridge, Cooker and Counter and bakery display

Needed to open: Standard cafe community lot requirements

Tattoo/ thrift shop

Tiny sized lot

Suggested Sims: A single werewolf

Additional Equipment: Tattoo station (TBC once the pack comes out!)

Needed to open: TBC when Hobbies and Business pack comes out or standard requirements for a thrift shop.

Magic shop

Tiny sized lot

Suggested Sims: A single spell caster sim

Additional Equipment: Crystal crafting station and/ or a cauldron

Needed to open: Retail till, 10 crafted products to sell, toilet, sink and trashcan.