Gal district

[town is now 100 years old]

Here is the Gal District!

This area is located west of Gal River (to the left on most of my world overviews). This is where craftsmen settled when Galucca was established 100 years earlier.

You will see on the image that the district is split in 3 smaller hoods. Maurice Creek is where the old bridge was build, and therefor closest to Old Town (ignore the modern bridge farther south, it was not built quite yet :) . South of Maurice Creek, we find Crafters Hood, and almost at the coast is Sunny Field.

I'll post one update for each of these 3 hoods, even introducing you briefly to the sims living there - stay tuned :)

The Old Graveyard

[12 years ago, town is 80 years old] The old town got its graveyard long ago, while the founder couple was still around. Count Gustavo and Countess Eleanora are now buried here, and so are lots of other early citizens.

The graveyard with the tiny chapel, is located just west of Old Town. It's not decided yet what to build on the square in between, and this is just one of many conflicts that include the graveyard. Some wants a church there, but the Brugster family protested and claim there can't be more towers between the Brugster Tower and the graveyard chapel.

The noble family is a bit worried they share their eternal resting spot with poor workers. So, the finer families got a small fenced in square, where their family graves will be piled. The regular couples will get regular graves without much extra.

There are just 6 family graves; the Pettonta, the Brottington, the Onioon, the Wooming, the Tackott, and the Brugster families all got their fenced in privacy - even as dead residents.

Bob Humph belongs to the poor group. He works in the largest mine, and so does his old dad. His mom and sister both works in one of the factories. They live in a small house - ironically - pretty close to Galucca Castle.

Some locals hate visiting the graveyard. Too many ghosts, too creepy! Bob seems to love the place, nearly scaring his dad to death.

Others come here to mourn. The red-haired guy is Ludwig Heisserclump, his mother just died. While he is here mourning, his wife is flirting with her father-in-law back home - of course while Ludwig is out of sight. Wish I could bring more nasty details from the many homes, but I better focus on the bigger events... :pardon:

And, oh... the guy sleeping on the cold stone bench is of course - Bob Humph.

The graveyard becomes quite active at night, many ghosts do haunt the place. Occasionally, even the Pettontas haunt, and tonight Count Gustavo Pettonta of Galucca himself is showing! When ever he does, is considered an event, and word spreads! The guy who just appeared at the gate to watch (next picture), is Henry Garton who married the noble founder's grandchild, Ellen Pettonta of Gal district. Painter Cluedo von Hutch, now elderly, tries to paint the scene, but there's probably not enough light for a good result...

The current Count, Jonathan, was just widowed, and only hours after Countess Rosanne was buried, the heated discussion spread in town; the Pettontas wanted to move all their relatives to a separate graveyard! The poor workers couldn't care less, but the richer families who up to now had seen themselves as almost as important as the Pettontas, protested. Probably they felt pushed down a few levels, as if the noble family was that much better?

Alliances started to form, families began to move out from Old Town which was already packed and where more and more builds were used for various businesses. The better families, Brugster, Rivers, van Salamand, Brottington, Onioon, Tackott, Wooming and others, quickly bought land from old Count Jonathan, before it was too late - they suspected that the next head of the Pettonta family would come up with ideas that wouldn't necessarily benefit the aristocracy.

I'm sorry that the progress seems slow these days, but truth is that I still run through marriages and births weekly, to bring the population forward. I just don't find much time to build - this project is rather time consuming. Next post I think should present the Gal district (craftsmen), where most families already got their small houses.

Castle indoors

We're still at year 75 (125 years ago) and here's some pictures from the indoors. The castle is not fully equipped, I'm normally a clutter addict, but know I should go "clutter light" on all builds that I won't play, and rather add as needed.

Main thing to say about 1st floor is that left side is used for the family's administration, plans and skills, while the right side is where servants work. From this floor there are 2 big stairs leading up from the Main Hall, and a spiral staircase from the Main Kitchen, leading up to the servants' section. Also note the servants use the kitchen entrance (when they are not just teleported :lol: ).

The household will have just 2 servants; one cook, and one butler/handyman/horseperson. Both can also work in the garden. The Count's family will normally not cook, but they might work a little with the horses and the garden, and even make nectar, mostly to allow for younger family members to build skills.

The Butterfly Room is where they give parties. Might be renamed Birds Room later, depending on the future Countess, I assume :). Later a doorway and stairs will lead to a patio and lovely garden behind the castle, but not for this first household.

Reception Room is meant for visitors who needs a quick meeting with the Count, or simply as somewhere to sit and wait, while crunching the dry biscuits that the cook can easily bring out from the kitchen. ;-)

In the Blue Room there are 4 blue chairs, intended for the family to make plans, or for the Count and Baron to hold meetings. One chair is deeper blue, and is exclusively reserved the Count. You probably guessed that BLUE is the family's signature colour...

2nd floor is more private, but the Hall can be used for social events. Bedroom 1-2 are for the Count&Countess and Baron&Baroness, while Bedroom 3+4 are for the kids. The Daily section includes living, dining and kitchen for everyday use, the family will hang here and not in the Butterfly Room and Diningroom downstairs, which will be mostly for finer occasions (and perhaps Weekends).

Each of the 4 towers have spiral stairs, but not trough all floors. Towers are 4 stories tall. The Eastern Tower holds 3 mini bedrooms connected to the Servants section. Today a painter lives at the castle, he uses the Southern Tower to paint, his atelier can only be reached from the roof. Might get rid of one of the big stairs here, as they both lead to the roof (not showing because there's not much to see up there) can't really see that much traffic up there...

A little dark, but I guess that is quite adequate for castles 125ya... :lol:

Both Count and Baron bedrooms have a great view to town and ocean.

In the main kitchen there is room for old fashioned cooking, and for bigger events the live-in cook will get assistance. Picture doesn't show all the counters. Fresh food from the garden, now if they could hold hens and pigs there would really be some activity here...

There will probably be some family portraits on the Dining room walls, these few items were mainly placed there to indicate the use of the room.

Same with Daily section, it definitely needs some clutter. Let's see if these rooms will look more busy on a future tour in about 75 years :)

Leaving Count Jonathan and Countess Rosanne in the library. See you later (unless you both die before that!)

Pettonta Castle

Hey, it's so cool that you don't all agree :D Tough choice, but does a young Baron really get the last word? Baron Gustavian is now engaged! Finally, also a few pictures of the castle. In order to limit each post, I'll save interior pics for later.

On the first pic you see how the castle is up on a hill, facing the town and the ocean. You'll need to imagine the latter, though. The stones were replaced (darker), and just two of the Disney towers are still there, while the other towers are flat roofed, and can be accessed from tower stairs. Guess it's nothing fancy pancy, but the idea is that they just built it and moved in, and this is about year 75 (125ya), it was still rather primitive. Neither very old nor modern. More golden shiny stuff and climbing plants to be added by next generation :)

Count Jonathan and Countess Rosanne were already introduced here. They are now elderly. Their daughter Lady Dora moved out, and their fresh daughter in law moved in.

Then it's official; Wooming to da Winning! Some of you stated that she looked evil and bad, and that's pretty accurate. I think Countess Rosanne decided this all, but Baron Gustavian needs to make the best of it. I imagine that real love was less important than social status, not only for picking spouse, but also for measure success in the long run.

Couple more pics from the outdoors. They keep 3 horses, pretty smart as there ain't no taxis around :) The garden is for growing food, including producing nectar in the sheds back there. (Oh my! I totally forgot to build them a nectar cellar!) The servants normally use the kitchen entrance to the right.

Finally, one more pic also showing the farmland in the distance. It's not very far away. The mining takes place back there too, and the industrial area and upper Gal District is just to the left, slowly eating in on the farmland.

Well, all for now! Castle's floor plans and early interiors coming up next :)

Baron Gustavian

[year 75] Ok... one more post on before you get too see the Pettonta Castle! Why?

Baron Gustavian Pettonta just grew up to young adult, and should look for a spouse! Or, maybe it's his parents, Count Jonathan and Countess Rosanne who will find a suitable Baroness for their main heir? Like stated earlier, the Count's first son has the Baron title, and keeps it until the Count dies or steps back. So, Gustavian's future wife will also become a Countess in the long run...

Baron Gustavian is Brave, Over-emotional, Athletic, and Angler (for some reason it seems growing up after Seasons EP won't add a 5th trait). Anyway, he dreams of succeeding in Military, which should be a decent life wish for a future Count of Galucca.

And here are the 4 single women available, all young adults:

Belliann Brugster isn't really a candidate, because she is Gustavian's cousin... I did my poor research after uploading the picture, sorry Belliann, although you are still single!

Shassy Onioon *is* a candidate. Although she is the daughter of the Onions Farmer, she descends from a good and socially respected family. She is shy, loves the outdoors, is clumsy and artistic. She is visionary, and cooking seems like a main interest.

Maria Wooming is daughter of another wealthy family, she is sister of the Hupert Wooming you just got introduced to. She is flirty, clumsy, kleptomaniac and mean spirited. And she also is a loser.

Rudbeckia von Salamand is the final candidate of a certain class. She is meant to run the Salamand Bistro and dreams of becoming a 5 stars chef, but if she marries a Baron, I'm sure those plans can be slightly adjusted. She is neat, charismatic, a party animal, a natural cook, and artistic.

So, will it be Shassy, Maria or Rudbeckia?

There are other single guys in town, Baron Gustavian's rivals might be:

Vincin Tackott, main heir to his parents' fabric business at the harbour. He is flirty, a couch portato, loves the outdoors, and hydrophobic. Chess seems to be a main hobby.

Alphonso Brugster, is son of the marine soldier of the blue tower. He will take over the residence, but will he become a soldier like his father and grandfather, or will he rather work with Medicine? Breaking family tradition was not so respected 125ya. Alphonso is rebellious, loves the outdoors, is friendly and easily impressed.

In addition there are 3 single men of the Gal district, all of them rather poor workers in the mines. Normally they wouldn't be a Baron's rivals, but some times love makes blind, and mine workers get a win over barons;

Alan Dickson and David Dickson are brothers, and share Alan's little house near the Gal River. Alan is loner, hot-headed, vehicle-enthusiast (might be interested in chariots?), mooch and green-thumbed. David is workaholic, neat, virtuoso, party animal and hopeless romantic.

Pete Fogdale lives all alone up north near the mines. His old folks recently died, but his sister lives next door with hubby and 6 kids! Pete is unflirty, technophobe, disciplined, neat and family-oriented.

There are also the two painters, they are both single, some rumours hint they like each other's company, but anyway, these days they are too busy painting and running the new Arts Academy, to look for spouses. Or...

Meet the locals of Old Town #4

Here's the final post introducing some of Galucca's population around 125ya (=years ago). This time, say hello to:

7. Mirelle O. & Nick Brugster

Nick Brugster is a soldier, meaning he leaves town for periods, to fight on the seas. His dad was also a soldier, among the first settlers. Nick also protects Galucca against pirates, together with a few other locals of course. He married Mirelle Onioon, and they have 3 children, Belliann, Alphonso and Dax. Both Bellianne and Alphonso are young adults and ready to mary someone, but who?

They reside Old Town's only blue house, and from the tower Nick has a good view in all directions. The Brugsters' great pride is that Countess Rosanne is actually Nick's sister. No wonder, as their long gone father was among the first Count's most trusted men.


8. Myrianne B. & Ludwig Heisserclump

Ludwig Heisserclump owns the local Bakery, but he leavs it to his old parents (Lewilla & Baldrion) and his lovely wife Myrianne to run it. The senior Heisserclumps made a living from trading foods, before they started the bakery, but they are now 96 years old and won't be around much longer. Ludwig Heisserclump is a Teacher, and yes, there is a little school house not far from Old Town. I thought there was already a baby in this household, but they must have fooled me...

Edit: Squeezing in two more pics, instead of posting a new...

I think Belliann Brugster, leaving the backyard, is quite a good looking sim. She better find a husband soon. Bakery to the right, Brugster tower behind her, and the graveyard can be seen in the background. The right side pic needs no text, I loved being up in the tower, it's not very tall, but still it will become a tourist thing in about 100 years :-)

Meet the locals of Old Town #3

Another couple families of Galucca's Old Town. After this I think there will be just one more, and then I'll give you a tour of the Pettonta Castle :-)

5. Victoria T. & Albert Onioon

Albert Onioon is a farmer, he rents the same piece of land that his dad used to rent - not far from Old Town. They grow onions (surprise!) for the most. Albert married Victoria Tackott, and they got 2 kids, Shassy and Bert. Alberts old dad lives with them, and I think they got Galucca's most interesting backyard :-)

6. Evita B. & Francis H. Heisser-Barksdale

When Francis Heisserclump married Evita Barksdale, they got her parents' house, and it was only good tradition that her family name should be added to his. He got rid of the "clump", and added a "-". Done. Francis works with Medicine, and he's got a secret wish that more locals should be sick more often. Evita's dad was very sick before he died, but Evita's very old mom still lives with them. They got a daughter, Ludmilla.

Meet the locals of Old Town #2

3. Aurora H. & Hupert Wooming

Hupert Wooming is a Scientist, he founded a Soil Facility near the bridge crossing Gal River. His parents are dead, they lived here from the start, and Hupert was born in Galucca. He is married to Aurora Heisserclump, and they have a son, Baldrinand. They reside just behind the Arts Academy. Most of the house groups have a well in their midst, and often there is a little stable or shed in the backyard, too. The crops on the picture are special for this block, and is part of one of Hupert Wooming's many projects. He is more occupied with science than with his family, not even offering his wife the umbrella might be a hint...

4. Monica H. & John Brottington

John Brottington is an Angler, like his dad, Hedric Brottington. John and his 2 siblings were all born in Galucca. John and his dad spend most days fishing, then they sell the fish to the local bistro, to the grocery store, and also to ships anchored in the harbour. John recently married Monica, who has great interest in Medicine and might help establish Galucca's first Hospital. Their only child so far is Dorinne, but another is on its way. This family of 4 lives vis á vis the Arts Academy, but fish is certainly a better obsession than those useless arts...

Meet the locals of Old Town #1

Wanna meet more locals? I'll introduce you to some of the families residing in Old Town. Not because each of them are very important to this project (they will all die before we reach our time), but it's a decent way to show you Old Town.

125ya (years ago) it was 75 years since Count Gustavo of Galucca founded this community, and a nice little town had formed. While most craftsmen and those working in the mines and factories had moved to the Gal district (river), the richer families resided near the harbour, in what is later known as Old Town. From 125ya these families moved farther into the fields, gradually expanding the town.

So, Old Town is located near the harbour, you might recognize the old Market. The other 5 blocks are new! It's not perfect, and maybe not even completed, but it's at least the start of a town.

The honorable family (Count & Countess) built a castle up in the hills, demolished their old home to give room for a future town hall. At this stage it's not really built yet, that's why you won't see it. The little fountain with a statue will be located in front of the future Town hall.

The pretty large build to the right (flat roof) is the Arts Academy, founded by the two painters you read about earlier, but funded and built by the richer families. I'm not sure who raised the more money, whoever it was should deserve a portrait in the academy hallway...

And now to the richer families, anno 125ya...

1. Lisa B. & Bertin Tackott

Bertin Tackott makes a living from trading fabrics, and his wife Lisa B. works at the grocery store. Lisa is sister to Countess Rosanne. They live as near you get to the harbour, and they have six children. Vincin, the oldest son is a young adult, and he will take over the family business. On the picture the family is gathered on their doorstep. Lisa and Bertin to the left, sons Vincin, Dan and Neil, then daughter Louisa (wearing red), and behind her the youngest, Hector and Cornelia playing in the rain (ahem, that umbrella is not typical for the time, but hey-ho...)


2. Alexandra & Abraham von Salamand

Abraham Salamand moved here not so long ago, bringing wife and 3 teen children. He ran a bistro elsewhere, and copied the concept to Galucca. Salamand Bistro is located in Old Town, just behind their residence. On the picture above, elderly Alexandra and Abraham are posing right behind their daughter (now young adult) Rudbeckia, in front of their home. Their first son, Petronius Salamand, married and already have a child. Second son, Hendric, just married Lady Dora Pettonta (Count's daughter) and established a farm up in the farmland. Rudbeckia will take over the Bistro, but who will she marry?

(More to come)