This challenge is based on Morbid's Ultimate Decades Challenge. It is a very involved challenge, and there are also spreadsheets (a blank one is available in the challenge write up), to track your family's progress, and also to keep track of what "year" it is. For instance, year 1300 lasts a mere 4 sim days. And, there are certain restrictions that come with the time period you are working on, such as what harvestables you can grow, and restrictions on items you can't use during that time period (for instance, in 1300, there was no electricity, so you can't have a tv). This challenge is not for the faint of heart. as it involves "death rolls" to coincide with what could have happened to your sim during a certain time period (disease, etc.). For someone who gets very attached to their sims, this, in itself will be a challenge for me.
Most gamers play this challenge with mods and cc; however, I won't be. This will be played as a vanilla game. I have, however, up-dated all the builds in the world I will be playing in to reflect off-the-grid builds. Some builds have been replaced and new builds have been downloaded from the gallery. For this time period, I have chosen to live in Henford-on-Bagley, and most of the residents' clothing has been updated; however, I can't account for those random townies' clothing, or sims from other worlds popping in. @Snarkysims has actually re-done Henford-on-Bagley as a Medieval World, and I have used some of her builds in my gameplay. Additional medieval builds have been placed in Newcrest. Not quite the same as you can see modern buildings in the background, but I had an overflow of lots that I wanted to use, and that is where I placed them.
Since the weather was good, William had planned a yard sale for today. His parents were coming to the Fletcher Farm to help, and would be bringing some items from Colette and Isabelle, too. A few needlework hoops and bottles of milk were laid out for sale.
After doing the farm chores, Francesca took the first shift.
King Edward: "Ian Fletcher of Old New Henford, it has been a long time since we spoke. I understand from Matchmaker Agatha Crumplebottom that your three sons are now wed."
Ian: "Yes, your Majesty, and with three sisters at that. Their wives are all expecting again."
King Edward: "Such good news. May they be fruitful and prosper..."
Ian: "Thank you, Your majesty. It would be an honor if you would rest and partake in some nourishment at our humble abode. My son, William and his wife, Francesca, now reside here, and would make you and your royal court most welcome."
King Edward: "Thank you, Ian, I will let them know. Now, tell me about this needlework you have for sale. I have never seen such fine stitching."
Ian: "Ah yes, that is Isabelle's work, my son Thaddeus' wife. They now reside at the Thatcher farm next door. She is quite talented, your Majesty..."
King Edward: "Yes, she is. I will send one of my servants to bring her to the castle. Some tapestries are in need of repair, and her needlework skills would be much needed. Of course, she would be compensated for her time..."
Ian bowed slightly, "Thank you, your Majesty. She will be most pleased."
Oh my! And it looks like Queen Marguerite is coming to the yard sale, too. And there is Isabelle following behind her. Ian figured that he should let Gwendolyn and Francesca know that the King and Queen were here and to make some food.
Well, too late for that, as some of the knights and neighbors have already gone inside, and Gwendolyn has her hands full making food for everyone. And it appears that Reginald has stopped by too, probably to chat with his friend, Sir Lancelittle.
Thaddeus joined them as well, after Reginald walked over to the Thatcher Farm and told him that some of the knights were interested in procuring new swords from him. The family was united again, and it was indeed a very profitable day for everyone.
After a rather tiring, but exciting day, everyone headed home. Francesca hadn't been feeling well that afternoon and decided to head to bed for a nap, when suddenly, she felt the first pain...and she knew...she was in labor!
When William came inside, he saw Francesca clutching her stomach in pain.
Francesca: "William...is your mother still here? My...my water broke...the baby is coming...!"
William shook his head. His mother had left awhile ago, and by the looks of things, it would be too late to send a messenger to fetch her. And then William had a panic attack.
Oh my! What happened to that calm, cool William from the first birth? Maybe he was calm because his mother had been there, but now...he was on his own!
William shouted, "Don't worry...I remember...boil water...get clean cloths...it will be fine, Francesca...just...just don't push yet...!" he said as he ran into the kitchen knocking over some pots and stubbing his toe on the kitchen bench. Oh gosh! And Francesca's water wasn't the only thing that broke! The kitchen sink just broke, too!
William looked at her stunned, "You want me to give Amelia a bath while you are in labor?"
Francesca: "Yes, she needs one, and then she needs to be put down to sleep. But I...I can do it myself if...if it's too much for you. I know you have been working hard all day..."
William: "Heavens no! I will do it...but come into the bathroom with us so I can keep an eye on you..."
Francesca decided that she didn't want to be inside, "I...I haven't finished my chores. I...I need to harvest some prairie grass for Buttercup..."
With Amelia still in the bath, William couldn't just run after her, plus it's best not to argue with a woman in labor. Apparently, Francesca felt she just had to do this.
But soon, it was all over. And she gave birth to twin boys, Benedict and Bryan Fletcher. If all goes well, Benedict will be the next heir. Francesca and William held their new bundles of joy, and William was thankful that Francesca, and Benedict and Bryan were all fine. (See Death Rolls below).
@Belalucina - Yes, I have a King and Queen in my game who live at the Knights' Stronghold. I didn't name that knight, that is how he came, but I had a good laugh at the names of those knights.
Glad you are keeping your heir's parents. If you do a separate post, please link me as well. We can encourage each other. :)
And it seems that Francesca wasn't the only one who gave birth today. Over at the Thatcher Farm, Isabelle had gone into labor. And it's another bathroom party.
Oh my gosh! And Isabelle gives birth to another set of twins! This time, twin boys, Godfrey and Richard Fletcher. Isabelle is resting quietly and the twins are just fine. (See Death Rolls below.)(She gave birth when I was on the lot with Francesca, so their names were assigned by the game - Graham and Ricky - As before, I just kept the first initials and found appropriate Medieval names.)
At the De Baskerville Cottage, Gwendolyn felt something that she hadn't felt in many years...labor pains. On no! This couldn't be happening! She had thought that Colette would give birth first, and that Gwendolyn would help her through it. But it was not meant to be. They had to rely on Ian and Reginald to get things ready.
Reginald seemed to take over, as last time when Colette delivered Amelia, he had to get things ready as the midwife never made it in time. He thought back to that night and hoped that there would not be any tragedy following the birth.
Reginald: "Father have you had any pains today? Feeling malaise at all?"
Ian: "Reginald, what are you implying? That I am old? I'll have you know that when I was your age, I won Finchwick's hammer throwing contest, and that record has never been beaten. Pfft....any pains? You should be asking your mother that, she is the one in labor!"
Gwendolyn: "Ian...hush...Reginald was just thinking back to Colette's last birth..."
Ian shook his head understanding what she meant. "My apologies, son, I do understand now. But, no, I am feeling fine...a bit nervous for your mother, though..."
Ian calmly went over to her, "You know, Gwendolyn, you're still the most beautiful woman I know, even when you're giving birth..."
Gwendolyn: "Don't you use that line on me again...that is what got us into this predicament in the first place..." she said breathing in short breaths.
Ian: "Oh my dear Gwendolyn..." he said and was about to head over and massage her shoulders. And then, Colette let out a scream.
Ian suddenly had a panic attack, "Colette...Gwendolyn...oh my....they're going to give birth at the same time!"
Reginald held Constance in his arms, "Welcome to the world Constance, I'm your big brother...and you'll be meeting your other brothers very soon..." He then carefully laid Constance back in the cradle and went over to see his son.
Reginald: "Colette, my dear, I couldn't be happier. We now have the perfect family. Our sweet daughter, Joan, and our precious son, John Fletcher..." he said as he lifted John into his arms and gazed at him.
Ian: "Well, after that, I do believe this calls for a toast, and I just happened to pick up a bottle of nectar at the market today for just this occasion..." he said and started pouring some glasses.
They all held their glasses up high, "To life, love, prosperity and good health. Long life to us all..."
William and Francesca's daughter, Amelia. She rolled Silly.
https://i.postimg.cc/BvCPwSpn/amelia-is-silly.png
https://i.postimg.cc/Vv2JbdfD/amelia-silly.png
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Death Rolls:
1 Birthing moms - If Colette, Isabelle or Gwendolyn get a 1, they die :(
Isabelle 6 Gwendolyn 8 Colette 7
5,7,10,15,20 - Babies - If any of the babies get these numbers, they die :(
Graham (Godfrey) twins 12 Ricky (Richard) 14
Constance 18
John 12
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
4, 8 - Toddler - if any of the infants gets these numbers, they die :(
Joan 17
Katherine 7 Philip 15
Amelia 15
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And they miraculously all survive! I actually close my eyes in real life when I press the roll button. I have been extremely lucky so far, and am a bit nervous that this luck will run out soon, especially since I have to do multiple rolls at once. It is nerve racking.
I couldn't get the "age up" for the Infants without the birthday cake, so had to turn the power on for them to bake a cake, and then put off-the-grid again.
@flauschtrud - Yes, a birthing race for sure. I was lucky to be on that lot when Colette and Gwendolyn actually gave birth. I keep missing Isabelle. The yard sale table is from Jungle Adventures.
@Belalucina - Yeah, I really like Joan's outfit, too. I love all their eye colors, and Philip with the really green eyes. Oh yeah! Can't wait to read the start of your challenge.