#I cheated a little with the colour palettes...just a little!

[chthonianblast]

Hot Shot requests @breeeezybrioche and @millidew !

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Three for One 2

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as dubcon/noncon, cheating, customer service abuse, and other possible triggers. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: As a customer service associate, you’re used to work with a wide variety of characters. Your efforts to go above and beyond draw the attention of a certain set of customers who want more than what’s on the shelf.

Character: Andy Barber, Lloyd Hansen, Ransom Drysdale

Note: The ho-lidays are the daddies and the baddies.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me <3

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!)

Love you all. Take care. 💖

You bob around to the tinkling of carols as they waft over the store. Unlike your coworkers, you enjoy the repetitive tunes. They are so fun and bright and help the time pass between customers and stocking. Not that there isn't more than enough to keep you busy.

In the rare moment where you aren't distracted, you let yourself browse the colourful lipsticks and shining perfume bottles all around. You don't have anyone to shop for, not even yourself. You have your dollar store glosses and discount nail polishes. You don't see the need to spend too much on those things. Or maybe you just prefer what you know. Simple and cheap.

Around lunchtime, traffic really picks up. Several customers ignore your approach and brush by you before you can entice them into buying some Chanel. You've already hit your sales targets but you never really think of numbers.

A woman stops you and asks for a very specific palette. You know just the one. You think it's cute, it looks like a cupcake, and while you adore the aesthetic, it isn't worth the price tag. It's just powder!

You show her where it is and Luanne comes over to take the reins. She's the makeup genius, her flawless contour is proof enough. You turn to float back to your zone and see a man watching you. You recognise him! Vaguely. You see a lot of people in a day.

"Good afternoon," you sing as you near him, "anything I can help you with?"

His throat bobs as he cheek ticks, "uh, yeah, er..." he pushes back his gray jacket, tucking his hands in his pants pockets, "you remember me?"

You smile as you try not to show your cluelessness, "I think..."

"I came in last week," he says.

You think, scrunching up your face as you tap your chin, "yes! You bought Liz Taylor for you mother."

"Mother-in-law," he corrects you, not unkindly.

"Yes, that's it," you jab your finger upwards, "you complimented my sweater."

"Yeah, that was me," He finally smiles, "anyway, I was thinking of getting a gift for my wife. Just a little stocking stuffer."

"Oh, that sounds so cute," you nearly squee. You get so excited to help people shop for a loved one. At the same time, you feel that void. Maybe one day you'll have a husband thinking of you. "We have some great gift sets, actually. They come with different scents so you're wife can figure out which one she likes best." You direct him over to a shelf, "oh, and if she has a favourite, you can get her a full bottle for Valentine's!"

He gives you a look. His eyes narrow just a bit and his cheeks round, "that's a good idea."

He glances over the shelf and you wait patiently. He turns back to you, his eyes flitting over your name tag as he reads it out, "do you have a suggestion?"

"Me?" You perk up, "well, I actually like the Coach. It's not too expensive and it's nice and subtle."

"Is that what you wear?" He asks.

"I don't... I use some cherry blossom body spray but I usually smell like the whole store by the end of the day," you shrug.

"Cherry blossom," he nods, "oh, by the way, I'm Andy."

He offers his hand in an overly formal way. You giggle but take it nonetheless. You don't really get that often.

"Sorry," he squeezes your hand firmly before letting go, "lawyer, habit."

"No, it's fine," you assure him, "I'm just a perfume salesman, is all."

"Well, you're really good at your job," he praises.

"How do you know?" You say.

"You're friendly and helpful. I have no complaints," he reaches past you and claims the Coach pack, "she's going to love this. I owe you."

"No problem. Do you need me to ring you up?"

"Actually," he sighs, "she has this idea. Christmas card. I'm supposed to find a sweater. So, I need to look around some more."

"Oh, that's so cool. A Christmas card? The sweaters are just over in the men's, right near the east entrance," you point, "they have some really cute Charlie Brown ones."

"Charlie Brown," he repeats.

"Anyway, I'll let you go," you clutch your hands together, "I hope your wife likes the perfume."

"I'm sure she will," he agrees, hesitantly clapping the kit between his hands, "uh, thanks. Again." He leans back on his heel, "oh and, that's a really nice colour on you."

"Uh," you look down at your gem green blouse, "thank you, sir."

"Andy," he insists, walking backwards, "again, you're a life saver."

You grin proudly and he spins on his heel, nearly knocking into Luanne as she comes over. He apologises as he side steps her and continues on. She gives you a strange look.

"Geez," she grumbles, "people. This time of year makes everyone so crazy."

"Well, he was nice," you say.

"Kinda cute, too," she intones.

"He was shopping for his wife."

"Lucky lady," she scoffs, "so, you wanna go on lunch first? I'm dying for a latte."

"You can go, I don't mind," you say, "I'm not very hungry."

"Deal," she winks, "I'll get you a hot chocolate for your trouble."

"You don't have to do that."

"I don't have to, I want to, sweetie," she preens.

"Fine, fine, I accept your coerced hot chocolate.”

🎀

Another day close to complete. It's like checking off items on a list. Each evening seems to darken sooner than the last, every morning rising too soon.

You yawn at the empty fragrance section as it’s only you left for the last hour. There isn't much to do except balance the till. Your headset keeps you entertained as electronics calls out possible shrink and home goods argue about their numbers.

“We need a body at returns,” Lucille cuts through the chatter. “Now.”

No answer comes and you slowly slide your hand up the wire. Before you can hit the button, your name is snarled from the other end. You're ordered up to cash to assist with the hordes.

You leave the ghost town that is beauty and as good as skip up to the front. You calm your step as you see Lucille sneering at you from behind a machine. You give a tiny smile and claim the extra screen behind returns. 

“I can help the next person,” you call and wave your hand in the air.

You stand back and wait for your first customer. A man comes up and throws a torn open package on the counter, the item bouncing out of the plastic. You flinch and barely catch it before it can slide off the other edge.

“Hello, sir,” you bat your lashes, “how are you today?”

“Not fucking well,” the man snarls. His mustache tickles your memory; do you know him? “It’s a piece of shit.”

“Oh, okay,” you look down at the trimmer and examine it, “you’d like to do a return?”

“Yes, I’d like to do a return,” he snaps, “are you dim?”

“Of course, sir,” you punch in your ID and passcode, “I’ll just get you going. Do you have your receipt?”

“A receipt? I bought the damn thing here, look it up.”

“Ah, alright, when did you buy it?”

“You don’t remember, little trigger finger,” he sneers.

“What do you mean?”

“Pfft, right, you think spraying people with skunk spray is fun?”

“Um, no?” Your cheeks tremor as you withhold a frown; you think you know him now as you’re hit by a sudden wave of Gucci cologne, the scent of a memory. “Did you have the card you purchased this with?”

“You don’t think I have money?”

Everything he says is aggressive. Your questions bounce off him like accusations. You don’t know what to say that won’t agitate him further, He huffs and kicks a foot out, leaning on his back heel as he reaches in his back pocket.

He flicks a black card onto the counter, “put it back on this.”

You nod and take the card, examining the nameless front. You turn it over and swipe it in the machine instead to search the number. He scoffs, “bet you never seen one of those up close.”

“Sir,” you smile bigger, letting the insult ping off of you. All the money in the world and he has no manners.

You find the purchase with the same sku and put his card back on the counter. He snatches it up as you start the return. You scan the barcode and continue on to the next screen, “what’s your name, sir?”

“Lloyd,” he answers curtly. You type, waiting, then look up at him, “Hansen.” He finishes sharply, “with an E, got it?”

“Yes, sir, and the reason for return?”

He rolls his eyes, “it doesn’t fucking work.”

“Alright. So it doesn’t cut the hair or–”

“It won’t turn on,” he growls.

“Right,” you take the trimmer and turn it over. It looks fine enough, even after he threw it. You slip the door of the battery compartment off. It’s empty, “and you had double As in it?”

“Double As?” He repeats.

“It needs batteries, sir.”

He pauses, eyes flaring, nostrils flaring.

“You think I’m stupid? That I don’t fucking know that? You’re not getting free fucking batteries from me.”

“Of course, sir, of course,” you rarely feel this addled, even this time of year, “I’ll get you your money back on a gift card–”

“Gift card? I want my money,” he holds up his card between two fingers.

“Yes, sir, I understand. As per our return policy, personal care items, once opened, are only eligible for a store credit return. Or you can exchange for another item. Would you like to look at our other trimmers? I can put this aside while–”

“What? How would I know that?” He hisses.

“It says on the receipt, sir.”

“I don’t have the goddamn receipt,” he barks.

“I know, sir, sorry. I can only refund this amount on a gift card. I can’t override the option.”

“I want a manager. NOW!” He demands as you jump in your shoes.

“I… I’ll see if she’s avail–”

Lucille has you jumping even more as she appears beside you, no doubt drawn by the raging man in front of you. She elbows you out of the way, not even acknowledging you as she puts on her mask. She leans on the counter just slightly.

“Sir, is there something I can help with? I’m the manager,” she says.

“I want my money,” he echoes once more. “I bought a defective product and I don’t want store credit. I drove out here twice for this bullshit.”

“Oh, certainly sir,” she brushes you with her hip, further edging you out, “right back on that black card, right?”

She scans her keycard, overriding the safeguard, and proceeds to the refund screen.

“Yes, exactly,” he snorts, “not like I don’t have even more money to spend here. Even if the customer service is lacking.”

You back away, unsure what to do. Do you just stand there for the transaction or do you go back to your department? You twiddle your fingers and bob on your heels.

Your eyes meet that man’s and he smirks smugly, wiggly his credit card at you. It’s fine, you won’t let him ruin your day. He’s already ruined his own getting so worked up.

🎀

It’s another busy shift. Your hot chocolate has gone cold from your neglect and you long to sneak away and shove it in the break room microwave. You can’t mourn the lukewarm drink as the line before you stretches on. You’re only a week from Christmas.

You finish wrapping the Prada bottle and hand it over the iron-haired woman with her cute curls. You wish her a good day as she waddles off. The next customer comes up, slamming down a cup so hard, the foam of the drink spits through the slot in the lid.

“Hello, sir,” you croon, “how are you today?”

“Here for a pickup,” he ignores your question.

“Right, can I get a name?”

“Why?” He challenges.

“For… for the package,” you sputter.

“Oh, uh, Drysdale,” he sniffs.

“I saw that earlier. I’m the one who called,” you brighten up.

“So you’re the annoying songbird,” he grabs his drink again, “took you fucking long enough. Line’s a mile long.”

“It’s very busy, yes. Everyone’s catching up on their Christmas shopping,” you bounce, “are you almost done yours?”

“Yeah, I bought myself cologne. So, chop chop, sweetheart.”

You nod and quickly spin. People get so impatient. You go into the small back room housed behind the shelves of lockup and you search the shelves. Drysdale. You pluck up the box and hurry back out.

“Right here,” you announce, “I have good news, too.”

“Tell me you’re gonna stop yammering,” he snickers.

“Um, no, the uh… the cologne is currently on markdown so I can do a price match and give you your money back.”

“Why would you do that?” He asks.

“Er, because… it’s policy?”

“You think I can’t afford it?”

“N-no, I didn’t say–”

“Look, I don’t need some department store busy bee to judge me, got it? This scarf costs more than your whole wardrobe,” he touches the patterned scarf around his neck.

“It’s a very nice scarf,” you agree.

He narrows his eyes, “you’re mocking me.”

You shake your head, “no, sir, I like the colours–”

“Give my goddamn package," he reaches and rips the box out of your hands, “and a tip, shut up and do your job. Maybe then you won’t have half the city waiting to get their shit.”

“Thanks,” you swallow down his anger. “Have a great day, sir.”

He doesn’t reply as he takes his cologne and storms away. You watch him and notice his cup still beside your till. It’s too late to call him back. You’ll just put it aside, you’re sure he’ll come back for it.

You move it to the other end of the counter and face the next customer, “hello, how are you?”

“Good,” the blonde woman answers with a gentle smile, “some people…” she tuts, “don’t let the grinches get to you, honey.”

“Thanks,” you feel the ice melt away, “I won’t.”

“Adorable cardigan,” she adds, “I really love the collar.”

“Oh, thank you,” you trill, “is this everything for today?” You gesture to the bottle of Calvin Klein on the counter.

“That will be it. And I’d love to have it gift-wrapped, thank you, hon.”

[callsignhood]

Would König be with a overweight/chubby girl?

TW: Anxiety on body and appearance

Also I didn’t proofread anything lol

Of course, why not? He’s just grateful of you to be here with him. He doesn’t really care about how your body looks like. Doesn’t matter if you have scars or body hair or a lil’ tummy. He’ll be fucking pissed if someone ever said something mean about your face or body.

But he’d be worried if you are worrying about yourself.

💕Gender neutral Y/N stressed out with weight

He will support you if you’re dieting or exercising. As long as you seem happy and enjoying it, he will cheer you up and help you achieving your goal. But if you’re stressing out about overtaking or missing calories, or if you’re exercising beyond your usual sets, he will stop you and have a time-out cuddling session together.

“Hey, look at me.” König holds you on his lap with a firm hug, trying to make eye contact with an ordering tone, then regrets of letting his military habits slip through — “please?” He adds. You lift your head a little, just to meet with his worrying blue eyes. He hates to see you hurting yourself like this. He’s afraid to lose you.

His hands slides on your back, slowly down to your waist to feel your body, and letting you feel him. He kisses your temple once then twice, holding you just a little tighter. “I can take you on a date and we can have a cheat day. Just slow down for a while. Ja? Because you’re not calories or numbers, you are you.”

He closes his eyes while you both feel the warmth of each other. Comforting and familiar. “It’s gonna be okay.”

💕F Y/N struggling with makeup

You’re trying to look good for him, but you’re struggling with makeup today. Those perfect faces on your Instagram and TikTok are slowly dragging you down to insecurity. You find your eyeliner looks not symmetrical, eyebrows are not sharp enough, even the lipgloss colour is kinda weird. König notices your silent frustration, and he sits beside you.

You look back at him, trying to conceal your sadness, but he always knows what you’re thinking about. He doesn’t quite understand anything about makeup, but he focuses on your face for a short moment, staring at your eyeshadow and your lashes, then gives you a smile. “You look pretty, Süße.”

He sucks at giving compliments on makeup. They might be bland and boring, but he really wants you to find the confidence in yourself. “Your — uh… your lashes are cute. They are very long today.” He struggles to tame his tongue, trying very hard to find some fancy words to cheer you up — and it makes you laugh. “They are long because they are fake lashes, König.”

“Ah.” He nods, stares at your eyes for a little longer before looking down at your palettes. He picks up one of them, opening the lid and speaking softly. “I know you put them on for a reason. But you know that I’m not canceling the date even if you fell in the shower and looked like a wet cat.” He turns his gaze back on you with a grin, hoping his joke will lighten your stress. And it sure did.

You roll your eyes at him and snatch back the palette from his hand. “I’m too pretty to be a wet cat, excuse you.” He chuckles and gives a kiss on your hair. “Ja, Schatz. Always pretty.”

💕M Y/N feeling down about body size

You sigh at the mirror. You find yourself not muscular enough, and sometimes you want to let König feel he’s protected, just like what he does to you. He’s massive and built like a brick wall, you sure find that attractive as hell, but it made you worry a little bit too much.

König sneakily walks up from behind and wraps his arms around you, giving you a kiss on the cheek. “You’re staring at yourself again.” He gently sways you away from the mirror, then falls on the bed, with his body being your mattress. He smiles, putting a hand on the back of your head, trying to keep you laying on him. “I gotta say, you have the perfect huggable size.” You let out a slight chuckle. You can hear his voice vibrating through his chest. “You don’t have to change, you’re more than okay to me.”

If you shake your head to disagree, he will use his hand to massage the back of your neck, staying silent for a bit before suggesting something. “Well… you can join me during my morning jogs. Only if you could wake up at 6.” He laughs. He’s not being sarcastic or mean by saying that, he’s just trying to drag you out from anxiety. “You can be however you want to be. I’m here with you.”

[inlocusmads]

countdown to 2024 - artists edition

Okay but like four is too few of a number to shout out but I'll still try my best! @choicesfandomappreciation

@cassie-thorne: Max's art is literally the best and I love her work so much! She puts out bangers after bangers and I absolutely loved watching her style evolve and grow this year and I'm looking forward to seeing it next year too! I especially absolutely love how Max tackles lighting and backgrounds in her work, like it's so unique and each piece tells its own story too. Some of my favourites: The Barbie Premier, Aislinn!, be gay solve crimes, themm and Cameron x Astrid

@fairymatchmaker : Joy's art is actually a masterpiece, like this is not just your everyday artist sorcery-shenaniganing, this is like the chad version. I absolutely love love love how they draw outfits and poses, like their attention to the small things is just insane. Thank you for sharing your wonderful art and being around in the fandom! Here are some of my favs: Waiting for Trystan , the Crimes MCs and F!Trystan's fits

@mydemonsdrivealimo: MJ's stuff exhuberates this 'cool' energy, like my guy, you could actually design those energy drink logos or comic book covers because each piece is just SO FUN, okay? I'm def looking forward to how it'll be in 2024. (tattoo-shop au when??) Some of my favs: Jensen in weird lil tees, THE PIRATE AU, jenseeennnnn and virtually everything (I'm especially a fan of MJ's little doodles like this and the cutest thing ever)

@hydn-jpg: I love Hayden's work partially because each piece of art has its own fanbase (as it should). Last year I got a giveaway piece from them and it is still something I look back frequently because it's just so goddamn beautiful. Some of my favourites from them: just follow my lead, this adorable pick-up line, literally everything they'd created for the expression-memes this year, long time no see partner and okay, technically this is cheating but this is a piece from 2022, but this portrait of artura is just i'mma cry okay?

@oh-so-youre-a-nerd: Thia's work is nothing short of frightening (affectionate) witchcraft and I mean this in the most sincere way possible lmaoo. I still have a lot of their stuff to explore, stalk and fan over, but their Raine artwork is just S-tier for me, like look at THESE THINGS: The villain arc, head empty still thinking about this, Trystan in a flowy lil dress and ofc their entire Raine x Aerin stuff because that's either the most depressing, poetic thing ever or a massive serotonin boost. I hope to see more of your stuff on my dash next year <33

@erixafleur: I came across Erica's work after lurking in the Blades side of the fandom and I loved their MC Raya's redesign so much! Plus I loved the art style too because it gives me Disney animation vibes. I hope to explore your work even more next year! Some of my favs include: This vanity fair-themed art and oh my god their eyes, it def gives 'i'm so judging you' and I'm here for it XD , the cutest owlbear sketch EVER and this piece of Raya & Tyril

@rosefuckinggenius: Rose's been a consistent force in the Choices fandom and I absolutely live for their work, okay? And I'm not just saying because I received this UNIT of an art piece from them for Trys and Nora - like I'm still in just awe. I'm also such a fan of the fact that their work is just really soft (if I can describe it that way) to look at - like I'm a sucker for soft colour palettes, okay? My favs include: this Beelzebub piece (not Choices but yknow what how about i put it in here anyway?) and this piece for @jerzwriter featuring Eli's family .

***

And like a huge shoutout to basically all artists in the fandom! You guys have actually inspired me to like not go down several rabbit-holes trying to find faceclaims and moodboards and instead, try to make some of my own art and see where it goes! It is so fun! Thank you for being super inspirational, kind, understanding and just pure awesome and I hope 2024 is just as kind and gentle to you guys <33 Much love and cheers!

[arctic-shard]

I like the idea of there being different shades of the three/four colours, it makes it much nicer than just four harsh colours and nothing else adds some ✨variety✨

Someone with better skill at colour blocking than me could make a harsh-coloured yet beautiful Alagadda out of just four colours. Me, I need to cheat a little and use shades. If I was really clever or, like, getting paid, I'd try to come up with a palette with no blue whatsoever. But I will continue to cheat because this isn't my job. ;)

You'll never find something you would call a proper orange or pink or gray in Alagadda, but there are many shades of red, yellow, black, and white.

[kingsbride-a]

Here's some info about Nerine 🫶🏾 super simplified because I'm lazybones right now 😭

Like I mentioned she's Also 3000~ years old due to the effects of the Ultimate Weapon 💔 her height didn't increase like how AZ's did but it did affect her hair and eye colour 😱

Currently thinking of her as like an early chemist, like ah... I forgot her name 😭 that ancient Assyrian perfumer girl.

AZ had an interest in building machines, and Nerine had an interest in science and humanities. This is how they initially connected...

Because I'm a big fan of cheesy tropes I do like the idea of a "forbidden love" between a noble and a lower class woman 😭💔 not sure if I'll go that route tho

Also considered the idea of AZ taking notes from Nerine's research in order to construct the Ultimate Weapon... something she absolutely did not give him permission to do 🙊

Her Magearna is a prototype of the "official" Magearna, which is based on old concepts and diagrams by AZ. Nerine's Magearna has a deeper colour palette as well as a keyhole in her chest protecting her soul-heart. Its eyes also appear to be constantly closed... AZ had created it as a gift for Nerine 3000 years ago, so there is no other exactly like it in the world.

Nerine's doublade is straight up just the soul of a famous knight who died during the war 3000 years ago.

Nerine's name comes from a type of spider lily... Her spider lily theming as well as palette are meant to tie her to yvetal. She looks a little suspicious; there's certain things about her that could easily tie her to team flare, and the fact that she's not particularly emotive doesn't help........ (The reality is that she's just autistic)

AZ's floette sometimes comes to visit her, tho she's never made herself a permanent companion. Floette is waiting for AZ to let go of the anger and grief he's held onto for centuries now...

Floette isn't quite sure if she can forgive AZ. Neither is Nerine... but 3000 years is a very long time. The world has changed and so have the people within it...

AZ only finds Nerine again after Floette returns to him. They've led two very different lives in their time apart. While AZ was once a king he seems to be nothing more than a vagabond to most people. And Nerine is now a deeply respected academic and fashion historian (is it cheating if she's lived through it all?)!

[warabola]

top 5 favourite ssea locations? 👀

OH NO. Do you know how hard that is going to be to narrow down??

Alright, disclaimer: I haven't actually played the zubmarine DLC. I own it. I could by every means play it. It is hand crafted to appeal to me. I just keep getting lost at sea instead (starting a new file and dissociating as I travel the boundless depths of the zee and sink into the impeccable atmosphere). So I'll take that into account, and also consider most of these from primarily a Sseas perspective.

5. Visage

Why is this port not mentioned more in Fallen London. Did something happen to it? Are the zailors collectively in agreement not to ever mention it? Visage has a fascinating culture and I am weak to everything mask related, as well as it's a good port on the Iron Republic - Port Carnelian - Polythreme cycle for reducing terror.

4. Venderbight

I'm a simple man, okay. I really like Tomb Colonists. Unlike Fallen London's exile, I find Venderbight rather serene, and the First Curator's storyline both fascinating lore and a comfortable ritual? I do it in every playthrough like clockwork, partly for the reward and partly for the ritual of gathering the Neathbow again.

3. The Gant Pole

Alright this one I'm cheating a bit on. I know it primarily from the ES Leviathan. But how can you not be compelled by the place where The Zee Goes To Die? Of the passage of the Midnight Whales? Of haruspicy and monstrous change and the colour left behind when there is nothing else left?

2. Kingeater's Castle

1. The Avid Horizon

So many stories come back to this location and it stands like a monolith in a lot of my characters' stories as a result. But it's also incredibly peaceful in Sunless Seas. A place to repent your crimes and seek forgiveness from an empire-- does Fallen London ever even mention that? That unspeakable traitors and criminals make the pilgrimage to write down what they've done, and that the Admiralty takes note?

My impression of the Avid Horizon was largely formed before understanding what it actually is, and before any knowledge of Seeking. I admit I'm a bit biased as a Finn/Canadian because the mention of the stars reflected in the waves and the biting winds and the design itself feel somewhat nostalgic. Its colour palette reminds me of the northern lights.

That said.

This is so hard to do. The lore in Sunless Seas is amazing. Mt Palmerston is fleshed out in Sseas in a way you don't see in Fallen London, but that is so interesting with the context of Hell's history and politics. Frostfound contains so much deep lore that it takes multiple reads to really take all of it in. Aigul and Nuncio are fascinating, and also criminally underused in Fallen London. Diving off the Salt Lions and harvesting it for the Bazaar. Knowing the backstory to Port Cecil and the implications for the Great Chain. I can genuinely talk for hours about any little bit of Sunless Seas, anyone and everyone has permission to yell about it at me. Favourite game of all time.

[thevagabondexpress]

One might say it's cheating if I participate in this. But I would direct their attention to the additions on the post that also ask for a description even if I have seen their face. And you added a challenge. How was I supposed to not do it?

You're short. My height, in fact, or thereabouts. 5'1 give or take the inches and centimetres and millimetres and what-have-you, because technically I round up mathematically to measure up to that one inch and I doubt everyone has to. I think you may also have a habit of slouching, which makes you look smaller still at times.

Your skin is so pale and clear that you kind of glow if the lighting isn't right. It's giving vampirism. But I do believe you still have tan lines. I do know factually you have a few freckles and spots on your person though. Very few, but they're there.

I don't think you grow your nails out very long, but neither do you keep them as strictly short as musicians and others might do. When you paint them, it's probably in metallic shades and you do everything you can to avoid getting it on your skin because of irritation issues.

Short hair. Closer to a bronze colour. In fact, if I were describing you like I was any other character I write, I'd associate a lot of your appearance with metals and rock. Alabaster skin, shiny bronze hair, nails painted the colour of purple cordierite, eyes the steely grey-blue of a cliff-face against a stormy sea. Then again, I've never been good with eyes. I've probably forgotten the exact colour by now. I just know that from a distance, they look dark, but not so dark as colours like brown. It's a muted, soft dark that comes, usually, from grey or deep blue eyes. Anyway, back to your hair: somewhat thin, slippery, but there's a lot of it, and it always hangs straight.

Goofy smile. Rather broad shoulders. Would believe you were a swimmer if you ever said such a thing.

Fashion? Primary school art teacher. The long, peculiar novelty earrings, the interesting necklaces, cardigans, glasses (technically not fashion but a necessity, but hush), and generally loose clothes of varying colours that don't clash but are rather strange to behold in a world of aesthetically pleasing mild palettes. When not dressed as such, it's black clothes and hoodies to rival the emo kids in high school. Beanies in winter? Possibly? Caps otherwise. A weird obsession with caps.

Anyway, that's all I've got. I could be wrong on a few things.

this is. stunning. very accurate but also very beautifully poetic. the kind of description i wish i could steal but we've got enough worrying about that going on in the world already so i won't. you're wrong and right on the fashion sense: i tend not to wear clothes that are too loose, except for maybe one layer in an outfit, but i'm also not wearing entirely tight-fitting things either—it's a matter of weather and practicality. it's odd that you mention primary school art teachers b/c the first real fashion inspiration i remember was my elementary school music teacher, who came in every day dressed like she'd walked off a runway in new york city. i can't remember ever seeing her wear the same coat twice. expensive, but one can dream.

the one thing i don't do is slouch. i was a dancer when i was little and i'm paranoid about getting a back hunch (if you met my grandfather you would understand). in fact, i've had people be surprised i'm only 5'1, because of the way i stand.

also, if this were two hundred years ago when they only made one style of glasses, it would be different, but with all of the different styles of glasses we have, they can definitely be a fashion statement.

[inspector-montoya-fox]

let’s rank the boss fight locations

this isn’t a ranking of the boss fights themselves, but, let’s be real, the location they take place in plays a major role in their quality and overall vibe. i’ll be looking at the locations of boss fights with the main baddies, and i’m gonna make a separate list for Sly 3′s secondary boss fights (like Tsao’s dragon, which might take place at the end of that episode but is still secondary because we have a boss fight with Tsao himself). let’s take a look:

15. Dimitri’s... Basement ?

this was a mess from start to finish. so, from what i gather, we never got to see this boss fight’s full potential because of cut content? the area has 3 floors and you can explore the entirety of it during the boss fight (idk why SP neglected to put some invisible walls or something to block Sly from going upstairs), so it seems kinda lazy to just have the boss fight take place on the ground floor. it matches the fact that Dimitri’s “superpower” is never explained (which, as some of y’all explained to me a while back, is just him shooting lasers from his ring ???). overall, even if we disregard the “cut content”, it’s very underwhelming: a basement with jars of green goo? it’s giving tiktok star making slime during quarantine 2020

14. Cooper Vault Sanctum

you’re telling me you had us explore the entire Cooper Vault, filled with traps, gadgets and puzzles, just to have the final boss fight take place at... what is it exactly? the wasted potential here is so annoying because imagine Dr Michael chasing Sly throughout the Vault as a prelude to the final fight, which could take place after ConnEr’s section. the awkward cut to Bentley and Murray’s mini boss fight feels misplaced and then we have Sly hiding under his ancestors’ vehicles ??? like for what? why??? it’s just a dull arena with a duller colour palette

13. Jennifer’s Body, dir. by Karyn Kusama (2009)

this one’s weird. i doubt SP had any kinky intentions behind it but crawling up on Carmelita made me uncomfortable. Carmelarga is just one (bizarre) component, though: looking past the unintentional macrophilia, this area was used in the scorpion mission, which was really exhausting, so i don’t know why they chose to use it again. it’s really bland and i feel like it’d be much more interesting to have this take place at the fracking site where Sly and Murray’s mission took place. in terms of location, meh

12. Prague Rooftop

the Contessa’s boss fight is pretty decent, especially once she starts using her hypnosis. the main issue with the location is how dark it is. i had to brighten up the screenshot above because of how little i could see. and i guess it could be argued that the darkness adds to her evasiveness during the fight, but even if that’s true, it takes place on a simple rooftop. it’s not by any means bad, but it’s a bit underwhelming considering she’s been such a threat for two episodes and then treated to no grandeur. both her levels are gothic masterpieces filled with secret rooms so i wish that was incorporated into her boss fight somehow

11. Raleigh’s Blimp/ Panda King’s Pagoda

i’ve grouped these two together because i couldn’t decide which is better. i don’t have much to say here other than the locations reflect aspects of the characters but in the end they’re just boss fight arenas. they’re pretty, used in accordance with the bosses’ gimmicks but yeah, that’s it. average

10. ClockLa Sky Battle

it’s not really serving final boss fight energy (especially because of the turret), but it’s very dramatic. this entry makes it into the top 10 because of the section where Sly has to save Bentley and Murray and everything is falling. that was pretty cool and matches the intensity of the scenario and ClockLa as a final boss. Sly 2′s boss fights benefit a lot from each country’s culture, nature and architecture adding some flavour, so i feel like this was cheated of that, but it’s also nice to have the game end where it begun

9. Plane Wing

i’m not really fond of this boss fight because it’s (a) nonsensical, (b) anticlimactic, and (c) doesn’t fit in with the themes of the level which are otherwise greatly realised. but if we ignore all that and focus solely on its location, it’s great ! straight out of an action movie, truly. guards efficiently come out of the actual plane, as if they’re passengers, and it’s overall really dramatic

8. Jean Bison’s Sawmill

now... normally this would land lower on the list because it’s just come crusty, dusty sawmill with a huge square arena reminiscent of a level from Sonic: The Fighters. and idk it’s bleak, kinda boring. b u t ... the excellent use of the location within the boss fight itself is cool. Bentley using his surroundings to destroy Jean Bison was pretty neat and fit in with the ‘brain v brawn’ theme (even though i fail to see how “brains” have anything to do with learning that pressing square drops logs and pressing circle lights a fire)

7. The Entire Fucking Hub

just like with the Baron boss fight, i don’t particularly like this one. but the fact that you can mess around with Octavio because the boss fight takes place in the entire hub? A+ !!! girl every time i play this godforsaken section, i’m scaling the buildings, taking rides on the gondolas, trying to see if Octavio can keep up, it’s hilarious

6. Ship Mast

a true feminist moment. there’s just something so ultra-masculine about pirates, which is a result of the modern world trying to capitalise on historical figures and moments through gender-based marketing. princesses for the girls and pirates for the boys. charming stuff honestly. anyway having “the boys” fight it out over Penelope and then in the end she herself does a Carmelita leap onto the mast, taking down the patriarchy one yard at a time? being restricted to just side movements was very refreshing, albeit a bit hard to get the hang of at the beginning, but they made it work. i’d love for SP to make more use of the severely underused main hub instead of having the entire boss fight take place on the ship, but as it is, it’s good

5. A Hole

we all love a good hole. both The Black Chateau and A Starry Eyed Encounter have their climactic moments take place in a separate area to their hub, so this was such an interesting surprise. the boss fight location was literally in the hub’s centre the entire time, right under our noses. the walls are too high for Murray to climb and we’re trapped down there with Rajan who growls every opportunity he gets, like papi chill ok? it really gives the sense that there’s no escape, which matches the fact that after this fights, the overall plot transitions to its second act, its most dark. also, the circular shape of the location makes it similar to an arena, which goes nicely with Rajan taunting Murray over his strength. it’s reminiscent of Fight Club, especially once the guards start to jump in from above

4. Muggshot’s Hideout

i’ll admit, this one ranked high because of personal bias brought on by extreme nostalgia, but the atmosphere is so good i couldn’t put put it lower. i’m aware of how bizarre some of its aspects are, like the huge glass shards (?) that literally emerge through the floor never being explained. maybe Muggshot collects fancy glassware, who knows. i’m choosing to give a pass to the fight’s first two sections because the final one more than makes up for it: we face off on a fucking chandelier. i mean, come on. if you really want me to defend this controversial choice, i’ll put my literature hat on and say that the interior here is so kitsch and try-hard fancy, with its purple carpet and crown-decorated mirrors, that it really shows how Muggshot might have tried to escape his upbringing by becoming some sort of... pimp ? but in the end wasn’t able to

3. A Literal Volcano

a volcano lair feels synonymous with villainy, it’s just so dramatic, very Dr Evil. Clockwerk is truly the HBIC, dethroned by no one, and everything drowning in the lava in the background really makes this three-act boss fight one of the most iconic in the series. i love how in the final segment we have to traverse all the machinery and broken pieces to make it to Clockwerk, really forcing Sly to come into close contact with the lava

2. A Croc’s Head

no boss fight encapsulates its level’s aesthetic as well as this. i don’t even know where to start with this one, it’s just so legendary: firstly, we start in a literal crocodile head, which tries to chew us. work. then, the three rooms we move through are decorated in the most demonic, voodoo way, with the side characters bopping around to the beat of the fight amidst the bones, chicken shit and ritualistic candles. like... what more do you want honestly

1. Tsao’s Sanctuary

it’s giving ultimate boss fight. this was iconic from start to finish. we’re thrust into an extremely aggressive atmosphere, an ethereal but spiritually-charged hub with no surfaces to step onto, and given Contessa-level dialogue courtesy of Tsao’s conservatism and good ol’ delusion. this new type of gameplay isn’t hinted at beforehand and the player is stripped of any sense of security due to the fact that we can’t ride away or hide. we duel it out mid-air, before the second segment, which takes place in a seemingly endless bamboo forest, giving Tsao the perfect opportunity to showcase his set of magic attacks. 10/10

[dastardd]

FIRST MEETINGS MEME A meme for first meetings and introduction threads, aka a ‘What you will notice about my muse first’ cheat sheet. Repost, don’t reblog. Bold what applies. Fill in details.  (Please do not remove the credit + blank meme link)

tagged by: @sasinim tagging: @batoushoujo​ @rejsesende @mortul @gokiburikko @sealone

blank meme: x

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Sex: Masculine. Feminine. Non-Binary.

Complexion: Paler than one would expect from someone who spends most of his time outdoors.

Height: 181 cm (5’11”).

Body Type: Endomorph. Mesomorph. Ectomorph.

Body Build: Small. Medium. Athletic. Muscular. Soft. Curvy. Voluptuous. Other / More Details: A lot tougher than one might expect from someone so thin.

Body Hair: None. Shaves/Waxes. Trims/Grooms. Untamed.

Head Hair: None. Buzzed. Short. Medium. Long. Very Long. Asymmetrical Cut. Color: Black.

Eye color: Amber.

Scars: Large burn scars on the right side of the upper body. He’s pretty self-concious about them - they’re private.

FASHION

Fashion Style: Vintage. Traditional. Casual. Artsy. Vibrant. Geeky/Nerdy. Tomboy. Sporty. Trendy. Preppy. Girly. Bohemian. Elegant. Formal. Grunge. Punk. Rocker. Gothic. Other: He wears whatever he has, which isn’t much. He has a shirt that says “baby slut” on the front that he’s very proud of; it was a gift from a friend.

Color Palette: Washed out, faded colours.

Typical Clothing: Dark trousers with a shirt or tank top and a big baggy jacket over it.

Piercings: One in each ear.

Tattoos: None.

EXPRESSION

General Facial Expression: Intense. Either confused, suspicious, or blank, but always intensely focused on the other person.

Default Body Language: Tense, closed-off, on guard. Like a cornered animal.

General Movements:  Fidgety and awkward. Movements get really big when he’s excited, really slow and languid when he’s sleepy.

NOTABLE FOR RP

Presence: Intimidating by intensity.

Appearance: A little dirty and sloppy looking. Interestingly he’s often a lot cleaner than his clothes.

Scent: Cigarette smoke, old sweat, dog, and sometimes gasoline.

Voice Description: ???

Accent: yes / no More information: Some type of American accent, I just have no idea what. ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

Speech Mannerisms: Hella informal. Speaks haltingly or stutters when he feels insecure or uncomfortable. Tends to either mumble or yell. He’s not afraid to use foul language but it doesn’t happen very often.

Anything else to add? Dog.

[b-else-writes]

The Great CLAMP Re-Read Part 5: CLAMP School Detectives

Part 1 (RG Veda) | Part 2 (Man of Many Faces) | Part 3 (Tokyo Babylon)| Part 4 (Duklyon)

I don't know about all of you, but one of my first fond fanfic-adjacent writing experiences was painstakingly creating a magical school rip-off story where mine and all my friends self-insert OCs could go on adventures. And we wrote all this by hand in a notebook! I bring this up because CLAMP School Detectives says so much about CLAMP's doujinshi roots and how that thinking, of a vast playground for their characters to mess around in, was going to shape the road to Tsubasa. I also bring it up because this is self-indulgence to its core, in the way the best and frankly, worst of fanfiction is. Despite having an expanded anime adaptation, CLAMP School Detectives did not have the lasting cultural memory that their other adaptations did.

CLAMP School Detectives ran from 1992 to 1993, concurrent with all of their early series, and is in many ways the glue that bridges all of them. It provides the backstory for Duklyon, features Akira from Man of Many Faces, is in the same world as Tokyo Babylon and X, includes RG Veda characters as AU cameos (reflecting their admiration for Tezuka's Star System), and dozens of other references to their doujinshi and uncollected early abandoned works. It is out of print and only had a 2000s Tokyopop English release, of 3 volumes comprising 13 chapters. Again, I read this entirely online and wouldn't pick up a copy unless I wanted to be a completionist. "Spoilers", I guess?

Synopsis: Imonoyama Nokoru, Takamura Suoh, and Ijuin Akira are members of the Elementary School Student Board at CLAMP School. Nokoru has the incredible ability to detect when a woman needs help, and the three precocious children decide to form a detective team that solves the problems of fair maidens everywhere - if only Nokoru could get his paperwork done, to Suoh's despair!

The Story: If Dukylon and Man of Many Faces had barely a story, this is even less than that - it's a bunch of barely mysteries that the trio solve every chapter, with the finale being a flashback to explore Suoh and Nokoru's past and bond. It's a gag manga that relies on whether you think the gimmick of Nokoru being able to sense a woman in danger is funny, and find the little adventures cute, and it just did not land for me. It feels like an overly saccharine attempt at Enid Blyton type school boys solving mysteries (but in Japan), and it was just plain boring. Mostly because they're barely even mysteries - I felt cheated as a huge mystery lover! This is either going to read as really cute, or really boring to you, and it was the latter for me.

The Themes: Uhh.....help out fair maidens. It's a gag manga, if you're doing analysis on this, good for you, but I have a very packed life and I don't think CLAMP wants me to learn anything but "Nokoru cutie".

The Characters: As always, the characters are largely enjoyable but quite plain. Nokoru is basically perfect, the little boy of an elementary school dream, but it's done in a sweet enough way that he reads as funny rather than irritating. Suoh is textbook tsundere who devotes his life to Nokoru (Ashura & Yama you will always be famous), and Akira is the ditzy one. There's not much here beyond Nokoru secretly feeling a bit distanced from people because he doesn't want to hurt others and Suoh being a ninja (interestingly he had his own series that never got finished or compiled into tankoban). If you like cutesy wacky elementary school stories, you'll like them. I found them fine.

The Art: I find this some of CLAMP's weakest character design - Nokoru and Suoh look too similar to me beyond the colour palette, and the different women featured feel unimaginative. It's overall decent art, but nothing special or groundbreaking. As someone who devoured RG Veda, Tokyo Babylon and even Man of Many Faces for just how damn pretty and creative they could get, it's lacklustre.

Questionable Elements: I don't know if this is just a translation issue, but Nokoru's behaviour is referred to as "feminist", and it is not. This is Victorian era paternalism that women need taking care of and can't be held responsible for our actions because we're the emotional and fairer sex. It's mostly played for satire, but it can get irritating. Also there's another "older person x literal minor bad, but only because older person is a woman". Are CLAMP ageist? One wonders.

Also. There is overt fascist imagery in CLAMP School Detectives:

CLAMP draws them in Nazi uniforms on another cover, and there are MULTIPLE images of the Rising Sun Flag (which is a symbol of fascist WW2 imperial Japan). It's abhorrent and there is much to discuss frankly about how fascist imagery is so ubiquitous in manga.

Overall: Putting aside the REALLY bad elements, CLAMP School Detectives is probably the weakest so far of CLAMP's oeuvre. The characters are charming and the premise itself is not bad, but it never quite lands. It's a very cutesy, almost slice of life manga, which is just really not my thing, which is way it took me so long to read through it. Not something I'd recommend to anyone beyond devoted CLAMP fans.

[miloscat]

[Review] Annalynn (NS)

A little arcade treat.

A few months before Antonball Deluxe released, Summitsphere published this little gem. Made primarily by one person, Cruise Elroy, Annalynn fits well with Summitsphere's mission statement of revitalising classic concepts. Annalynn is essentially "Pac-Man but a sidescroller", and styles itself very faithfully as an early 80s arcade game. This means strong primary colours on mostly black backgrounds in a vertically oriented screen (tate mode is also available in the Switch port). It means an easily graspable loop that gets more complex via level design and the enemies speeding up. It also means credit feeding (virtually) to make it to the end, until you get better and go for the 1cc... if that's what you're into.

The concept is simple enough: Annalynn is an adorable little miner looking for gems underground, but she stumbles into a snake's lair. Four colour-coded snakes (with optional hats) pursue her much like the ghosts in Pac-Man, each with slightly different behaviours. You have to get all the coins in a level—since it's a side-on view, this reminded me of Jaleco's City Connection—and rubies are the power pellet equivalent that lets you kick the snakes away temporarily. There's 16 levels which add new mechanics like slippy ice, conveyor belts, and vines complete with climbing mechanics lifted directly from DK Jr, ending with a real nipple-twister of a final boss.

It does a good job capturing the "easy to learn, difficult to master" feel of these arcade classics. There were however too many moments where I died from circumstances that I perceived as not my fault. You see, the snakes can transfer between platform levels by passing through background doors. If you're passing by one of those doors, the snakes can appear almost without warning (especially if they were offscreen), or they can rapidly drop out of the overhead tunnels after being kicked. Worse, this can happen while you're in midair after committing to a jump. Getting chased by the snakes and using movement tricks to evade them is fun and gets more frantic and exciting as you progress, but these moments felt unfair.

The game does have modern concessions to make it more enjoyable. There's achievements, unlockable palettes, and new modes (plus a playable appearance by Anton, also exclusive to this port). Random mode is a much more fleshed out way to play that adds new levels, bonus rounds in a minecart, and powerups like a double jump or pickaxe for attacking. Practice mode lets you master individual stages, and even counts towards certain achievements. There's also cheats and modifiers, which can make the game easier, harder, or just different (a voice clip option gives Annalynn and Anton little barks that sound much crisper than an 80s arcade machine would ever have been able to produce!).

Annalynn is such a labour of love, a pitch-perfect homage to those early character-driven arcade action games. But more than that, it knows when to juice things a bit with some extra colours or background details while still feeling authentic, and the extra modes and options go beyond even the ideal features of a contemporary home conversion. I wish they hadn't committed quite so hard to the authentically narrow screen shape: having a broader view of the scrolling stages and your snake foes would've helped a lot with playability. But that's the price you pay to make a throwback like this. Still, lovely stuff.

[hectormcfilm]

NAPOLEON

Ridley Scott's newest historical drama has hit the big screen to a very mixed critical reception. On the lead up to this film I was very excited, loving both the director and lead actor. I was expecting some strong Oscar contenders in this film until the early reviews came out and it was mostly along the lines of mediocre to good nothing amazing but I still went in with relatively high expectations. Personally I think this film is good... but not great.

I'm going to start with the positive aspects which for me mainly shine within two sequences, the battle on the ice and the invasion of Russia. The battle on the ice is a perfectly tense battle scene, it is slow and methodical and really gives a great sense of Napoleon's systematic nature and his pure tactical genius. The way the music builds up with an ominous ticking clock (as a side note the music throughout this whole film might be the best part, the use of classical and traditional French music is beautiful and so atmospheric). The strategic ways Napoleon's army give messages to each other and ready an ambush, forcing their attackers to retreat and then striking them with their most dangerous and intelligent move of destroying the hidden ice, completely outsmarting and Annihilating the combined forces of Russia and Austria. This sequence is visually gorgeous, tense and satisfying, proving how well Ridley Scott constructs and frames battle scenes, the most spectacular shot being one of a horse charging across the ice dodging cannon balls. The other best sequence is the Invasion of Russia, I adore the way the film becomes desaturated and gains acold colour palette to reflect the harsh winter that defeats his army. The scene of Moscow burning and Napoleon's realisation of complete defeat is riveting.

Disappointingly, I am not as positive about most of the film as these two sequences. I believe Joaquin Phoenix's performance is good but nothing amazing, it feels like he doesn't actually get much to do and his character never felt like he was changing too much both mentally and physically. One major problem I have links to this as despite the story spanning around 40 years Joaquin looks the same age throughout, the only change being a slightly receding hairline. I didn't need him to be recast when younger but some slight makeup or hair change like how Nolan made Cillian seem younger in Oppenheimer flashbacks would've been appreciated. Vanessa Kirby has a very strong performance but her character really let it down for me. Within two short scenes of Napoleon and her meeting where they had little chemistry or dialogue exchanged they are married, then instantly she cheats on him and they argue, it felt like their entire relationship was side-lined and rushed, focusing more on strange and kinky sex scenes between the two that just made me uncomfortable and laugh. I also wish we got to see her final moments instead of her dying off-screen.

Now to get onto my biggest problem with the film... the pacing. The first act of this film was a huge shock to me as it felt like it was trying to speed run through Napoleon's history as if it was a slideshow or a YouTube video explaining his history instead of a deep historical character study. The rapid pacing gave me no time to take in the location or really comprehend what year we were in, similarly character would have no introduction and just appear, being given nothing and most of them becoming forgettable or just disappearing. I definitely believe a longer maybe 3 and a half- 4 hour cut of this film would benefit it greatly as it felt simply like important scenes were cut out.

One smaller issue I have is the lack of accents or foreign languages, there is only one use of subtitles for two lines of German dialogue but no French spoken. Most of the actors even keep their American accents and it feels so jarring and unnatural. Something that tackles this issue well is the Vinland Saga manga where if a character is speaking French they write in French what they say then translate it to English underneath, giving an authentic experience whilst allowing the audience to understand them.

[reineydraws]

hellooooo @turtleconstellation did a really cute character + colour palette game a while back and i asked for yaku and ive been thinking of drawing him w it ever since! finally got around to it :') check out the other colour palettes, they're super great!!!

[misslollypopsims]

What to expect

Welcome to the OFFICIAL PAGE for the Legacy Stories Challenge made by: MissLollypop — The Storyteller and erinthesimmer — The Elaborator :)

Do you ever find yourself repeating the same steps as me? Create A Sim > Build a house > Have kids > Get bored. Yes? That's why I created this challenge! I have written realistic stories us to play out in the Sims. I also incorporated rules and aspirations that I feel the characters would want to achieve in relation to their story.

This challenge focuses on gameplay goals as well as skill based and career based goals, so a little bit for everyone!

NOTE: I WILL BE MAKING A SECOND VERSION THAT IS UNMODDED ONCE I HAVE 5 GENERATIONS WRITTEN

PSA

Want to change something? Go ahead! I didn't create this challenge in mind to restrict you, if you feel something else would suit a specific generation better, change it! I just hope you enjoy playing and get some ideas from the stories! Bare in mind some of these stories could be triggering for some people with sensitivity around Death, Trauma and Drugs. Everything that could potentially happen IRL, could also occur within these stories as personally I love to play as realistically as possible.

Checklist

Click here to get a link to a checklist, which you can make a copy of for yourself, to keep track of all the goals for each generation.

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Rules

No money cheats (unless stated otherwise in the rules for story telling purposes)

No mods that make the game easier, we love a struggle here.

You may do anything outside the rules unless stated otherwise eg. If the generation requires to max a specific skill, you may still max other nonrelated skills.

You must complete the goals in each generation to fully complete it, however, if you would like the move onto the next generation as a toddler and come back to the previous generation after, that is also fine as long as you still complete everything.

Complete the goals in order for the story to make the most sense.

Any other children's traits can be selected, it's only the heir's traits that must be according to the rules.

There is a colour palette for each generation, this will be your sims favourite colours. Try to pick clothes/hair and decorate their home with this colour to correlate with each generation.

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The Game Requirements

Many of the generations include multiple packs, therefore, it is recommended that you have all of them installed. If you don't have them you can always tweak the generations rules to change depending on which packs you own.

You must play with lifespan on Normal.

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Mod Requirements For All Gens

These are the mods that will be required for ALL of the generations. There are also requirements per generation that you will need (these are shown in the generation breakdown) but aren't required for all generations.

Career Overhaul Suite

SNBank Bills

MC Command Centre (optional but highly recommended).

More Traits in CAS

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The Generations

Generation 1 - "Criminal has mid-life crisis and becomes a super parent"

Story: Growing up you were unloved and uncared for, consistently abandoned by parents that never gave you a second thought. As a result, you have found yourself with unpredictable emotions and a complete disinterest in maintaining a relationship with your family. When you become a teenager you decide enough is enough and run away without a second thought, comforted to know as an only-child there aren’t any siblings being left behind. With no consistent parental figure in your life instilling the importance and the impact of having a well-rounded education in your later life, you never attend a single lesson again. Having always struggled to fit in and find your crowd in school, there was nobody to miss you and question your complete disappearance. Instead, you spend your time taking advantage of kind strangers who welcome you into their home by stealing their valuable possessions to later sell. Your next meal relies on what’s been thrown into the dumpster that day, and with any luck, what collectables you happen to come across with value to sell.

During this time in your life you happen to meet the local drug dealer that is happy to take you on and train you in the business, thus beginning your criminal career. You begin your young adult life as a new yet reputable dealer with your lack of morals helping you go far in your career. Over time you work your way up in your career, gaining the respect of your peers and your superiors. And yet you’re left feeling unsatisfied. Unhappy. Here you are making a reputable name for yourself, morally or immorally, and it doesn’t feel like enough. You’re now older, wiser… and ready for more for your life. More than the life of crime. As an adult you meet somebody that has you reconsidering everything. They encourage the best version of yourself and lead you to re-evaluate all your choices until this moment. For the first time in your life, you see the joy and love to be found within a family through somebody else’s eyes. Dreaming for the one thing you swore you never needed… a family of your own with the right partner by your side. With the full support of your partner, you walk away from the criminal career and settle into your newfound life. A life filled with the white picket fence and 2 and ½ kids fantasy come true. Parenthood brings forward the anxiety and fear of not being good enough to provide a stable environment for your children. And yet despite your terrible upbringing you dedicate the rest of your days being the best parent and role-model that you can be. Helping your children with their homework, reading them stories, toddler playdates. If they want it, you give it. In the end the life of crime wasn’t your true calling… It was to be an incredible parent. And within that role you have finally found your self-worth.

To get started:

Move into a small empty plot in any town as a teenager with $0.

Add the simple living lot trait.

Have the kleptomaniac and hot-headed traits.

Have the Public Enemy Aspiration.

Mod Requirements: Basemental Drugs

Traits: Kleptomaniac, Hot-Headed, Evil // Hot Headed, Family Oriented, Romantic. Aspiration: Public Enemy // Super Parent Career: Criminal Career

Colour Palette:

Goals:

As a teenager -

Trait - Kleptomaniac, Hot-Headed

Earn money dumpster diving and stealing from people.

Create a shack using the items and furniture you collect from dumpster diving.

Don't go to school.

Have the Public Enemy Aspiration

As a young adult -

Trait - Evil

Sell drugs using Basemental Drugs mod.

Reach level 8 mischief skill.

Reach level 5 fitness skill.

Complete the Public Enemy Aspiration

As a adult/elder -

Meet family-oriented partner.

Use re-traiting potion and swap to Hot-Headed, Family Oriented and Romantic traits.

Change your aspiration to Super Parent.

Quit your job and become a stay at home parent.

Have children.

Take your toddlers and children to the park at least once per week.

Help complete every school project your children get.

Have all teenagers finish school with A grades and at least 1 positive character value each.

Knit clothes for your children/grandchildren as a hobby 

Reach level (10) parenting skill.

Reach level (8) wellness skill.

Reach level (3) of the Super Parent Aspiration

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Generation 2 - E-Sports Geek makes a life changing decision

Story: You grew up a very happy child, your parents loved you and supported you with everything wanted to do. However, you were always a little different to your sibling/siblings, you were the shy and reserved one, you would much rather have spent time reading or doing your homework, than outside and never really had many friends growing up. But when you were a toddler, your parents introduced you to one of your next door neighbours' toddler and you fell in love, well as much as you can do at 3 years old... You continued to spend your childhood growing up with your best friend, keeping your crush on them a secret. You spent a lot of time gaming at home with your crush, who was very much like you, a little nerdy. Your mum/dad had lived a rough life and always warned you of the dangers going on outside when they were a criminal, so you chose to spend your free time, safe at home. However, they would still drag you to the park sometimes to try to encourage you to be 'normal'. Some might call you a little paranoid, but you would rather be paranoid and safe at home, than up to mischief like the rest of your siblings. You found this put a slight bump in your relationship with your parents though, as they were much more outgoing and thought you were a little strange to want to spend all your time inside. When you become a teenager, you finally open up to your crush about your feelings, well great thing is, they feel the same way back! You get your first girlfriend/boyfriend and end up making some friends at your local arcade, that you start up a club with. You finally come out of your shell a little and begin going to the geek convention, which you go to with your friends every time it's on in the City. When you were a little older, you set your goals on University to study Computer Science whilst also becoming an e-sports competitor, luckily your girlfriend/boyfriend is also coming to the same University as you. You go on to work as an e-sports gamer and excel at it. However, you're not very money driven and you do it for the passion. Everything was looking up in your life you get engaged to your girlfriend/boyfriend, when straight after they confess that they cheated on your with your friend. It is your choice from there, where your story goes. Will you stay with your partner and make it work? Or will you call it quits and continue your life without them?

Traits: Toddler - Inquisitive Child - Socially Anxious (Use the loner trait if you don't want to download the mod) Teenager - Geek Young Adult - Goofball

Aspirations: Child - Whiz Kid (Complete) Teenager/Elder - Computer Whiz (Complete)

Skills: Toddler: Thinking & Movement, Child: Motor & Mental, Teenager/Young Adult: Video Game, Logic & Media Production Toddler - Thinking (5) & Movement (3) Child - Mental (10) & Motor (5) Teenager/Elder - Video Game (10), Logic (8), Programming (6) & Media Production (5).

Career: Tech Guru - E-Sports Gamer Branch / Champion Gamer (10) (Note: After getting your degree you will start off at level 7 of this career).

Colour Palette:

Goals:

As a toddler -

Meet best friend.

As a child -

Do your homework every night.

Do any school project given to you, with your parents help.

Don't have any friends other than your crush.

Finish elementary school with an A.

Argue with your parents about your differences.

As a teenager -

Become girlfriend/boyfriend with your crush.

Make friends at an arcade.

Start a video gaming club and meet at the arcade, at least once per week.

Attend Geekcon every time it is on.

Finish high school with an A.

As a young adult/elder -

Go to University and study Computer Science taking 3 classes per term.

Move out of your parents house to a dorm/student housing.

Become a captain in the E-Sports Competitor afterschool activity before leaving University.

Reach 1 Star Fame Level.

Get engaged to your childhood sweetheart.

Decide weather to stay with your partner or leave them.

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Generation 3 - Woohooing your way to the top

Story: Growing up, you’re the complete opposite of your parents, sociable, outgoing and arrogant but your parents try to provide everything they can for you, that isn’t enough.

When you’re younger a friend invites you round to their home, you turn up to their mansion, shocked. This is it, this is what you want. You’re ambitious and super popular in school and you spend a large majority of your teenage life partying, you learnt your way around love very early and realized it’s incredibly easy to get what you want, when you are in someone’s bed…

After you finish school you get hired by this BIG SHOT Business, it’s your first day. This is it; you will be fabulously wealthy and everyone will know your name! Reality: You’re the runt. How can you run this joint? Get in the boss's bed, that’s how. There are 9 bosses above you and you woohoo with everyone of them to get promoted. Until that is, just before you reach the top of your career you get pregnant with the CEO’s baby! You’re certainly not going to tell them and risk losing the CEO position, a baby with the boss could ruin that. So you lie and tell them it’s not theirs, but you keep it, who else will continue your famous dynasty when you die?

You’re a terrible mother with no motherly instinct but you do love your child. You do not have time to take care of them, so you get the butler to take care of that.

Traits: Toddler - Fussy Child - Outgoing Teenager - Lavish (Use the high maintenance trait if you don't want to download the mod) Young Adult - Materialistic

Aspirations: Child - Social Butterfly (Complete) Teenager/Elder - Fabulously Wealthy (Complete)

Skills: Toddler - Communication (5) & Mental (3) Child - Social (10) Teenager/Elder - Charisma (10), Logic (8) & Research and Debate (8).

Career: Business - Management Branch / Business Tycoon (10)

Colour Palette:

Goals:

As a toddler -

Meet at least 4 toddlers.

As a child -

Meet another 4 kids & begin to make friends with them.

Meet rich friend and go to their mansion.

As a teenager -

Get a part-time job as a retail employee

Date "the popular teen".

Cheat on "the popular teen" with another teen.

Attend/throw a party at least every weekend.

As a young adult/elder -

Woohoo with your boss at every level of your career (you may need to make a boss in CAS and put them into the job above you using cheats).

Get pregnant with your boss when you're the CEO (level 9).

Only have 1 child.

Lie to the father and tell him the child isn't his using the Woohoo Wellness mod.

Reach level at least level 2 fame level.

Have had at least 4 failed relationships.

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Generation 4 - "Gay is the way"

Story: You grew up feeling very lonely with the family butler as your primary carer, with a workaholic parent who prioritized their career over everything and not knowing your other parent. However, after your acceptance into a prestigious private school you find yourself meeting like-minded individuals that you bond with and form a close-knit friend group. One night you find yourself sharing an unexpected kiss with a friend of the same-sex. That one kiss ruins a friendship that you truly valued, leading you to believe that it had all been a mistake. 

You graduate high school and move onto university to study Biology in the hopes of getting away from your parent and becoming a marine biologist. As a young child the family butler would always read you bedtime stories about the sea and the animals that lived within. This ignited your love and passion for marine life.

After graduating you move to Sulani to pursue your life-long dream. One day at work, you unexpectedly meet a perfect stranger, also a conservationist, and bond over your love for the ocean. You fall in love with this perfect stranger, get married and have children. A family. This should be the dream… right? Except it isn’t. Something seems to be missing, a part of yourself long buried. Eventually you are hit with the realization that whilst you love your partner… you aren’t in love with them. Fear and guilt over what could be ruined but no longer willing to deny yourself the chance of true happiness, you come out to your spouse as gay. As terrifying as it is you cannot force yourself to stay in a marriage, happy or not. You and your spouse deserve more. You file for divorce.

Is the divorce mutual with understanding and love? Will you remain friends committed to your family unit? 

No matter the outcome you go on and fall in love once more, for the first time in your life being completely honest with yourself in what you seek with a partner. You and your same-sex partner go on to adopt a child into your family and finally… your family is complete.

Traits: Child of the ocean, good, faithful Aspiration: Soulmate Career: Conservation

Colour Palette:

Goals:

As a toddler -

Trait - Clingy Skills - (5) imagination, (3) thinking

Be read to by the butler every night.

As a child -

Trait - Child of the ocean Aspiration - Whiz Kid (completion not required) Skills - (5) mental, (5) creativity

Join a Beach Clean-up volunteer group and clean up the beach once per week.

Apply and join Wintercrest Preparatory School.

Start a journal.

As a teenager -

Trait - Good Aspiration - Soulmate (completion not required) Career - Life guard (no level requirement)

Get a part-time job as a life guard.

Meet a small group of "like-minded" teens.

Have first kiss with a friend of the same sex.

Volunteer once per week (Interaction on phone).

As a young adult/elder -

Trait - Loyal Aspiration - Soulmate (complete) Skills - (8) logic, (4) handiness Career - (7) Conservation - Marine Biologist Branch/Ocean Observer

Study Biology at University.

Meet a co-worker (opposite sex) and marry them.

Have at least 2 children.

Divorce your partner.

Marry someone of the same sex.

Adopt at least 1 child.

Complete the Seashells Collection.

Finish Sulani Clean-up (You will recieve a Mua Pel'Am Is Thriving Notification, when you complete this.)

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Generation 5 - "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Story: From the very beginning of your life, you valued the importance of having a family. You believe that biological and found family are one and the same. You’re a true romantic at heart and an all-round cheerful person, it’s no surprise that you are often found curled up enjoying the latest romance novel that you could get your hands on. The romantic interests in the novels set the tone for what you expect from your own romantic prospects. No gesture is too great, and you often spend your time daydreaming about what romance high school could bring. The time comes for you to attend high school, it is within those very school walls you happen upon your person that you wish to spend the rest of your life with. The books had it right. The sappy, passionate and emotional turmoil that is teenage relationships. You fully invest yourself into that person and the relationship, and they in turn return the sentiment. Despite the warnings from your parents to not set your hopes up too high, you know that this is your soulmate.

With the end of high school comes adult life, and not wanting to waste any time your partner gets down on one knee and asks you to marry them. With a delighted “yes!” you know the rest of your life is about to begin. Not long after moving into your new home you and your partner discover that you are expecting a baby. What should’ve been the happiest and most joyful experience of your life turns into your worst nightmare. Just before the arrival of the baby, your partner unexpectedly dies. The fairy tales in your favourite romance novels never covered this soul-destroying experience. Feeling utterly alone and heartbroken with an infant to care for. Your dream family has been shattered. With a child utterly dependent on you for survival, you decide to pursue writing to support your family. Becoming a freelance author is all you could have ever dreamed of, and yet you find yourself struggling to put words onto paper without your partner by your side. How will you adapt to being a single parent and overcome the struggles that come with it? Will your novels become best sellers or utter failures? Will you ever move on from your lost love and marry again?

Mod Requirements: Unlimited Jobs+

Traits: Bookworm, Cheerful, Romantic // Bookworm, Gloomy and Unflirty. Aspiration: Author Career: Freelance Author

Colour Palette:

Goals:

As a child -

Trait - Bookworm

Read at least 3 books.

Write in your journal once per day.

Reach level (5) creativity skill.

Have the artistic prodigy aspiration.

As a teenager -

Trait - Cheerful

Go steady with your high school lover.

Have the Author aspiration.

As a young adult/elder -

Trait - Romantic

Get married to your high school lover.

Get pregnant.

Your partner dies.

Change traits using retraiting potion to bookworm, gloomy and unflirty.

Work as a freelance author and get a part-time job.

Move into a TLC apartment.

Do not self publish any books until they're an adult.

Raise your child as a single parent until they're at least a child.

Reach level (10) writing skill.

Decide whether you will move on from your lost partner and love again.

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Generation 6 - "It’s a beautiful day to save lives."

Story: “Where there is love there is life.” All you have ever been told is that the very root of life is love itself. Without love, life will never hold any fulfilment or joy or peace. Being raised by a romance author should have you believing in these very desires. And yet the biggest lesson you have learned is that where there is love there is great sorrow. The loss of your independent sense of self. Love should be the greatest challenge that brings the greatest rewards and yet when you think of love, you picture your single parent. Their anguish over their lost love. To never again feel entirely whole. You couldn’t think of a worse fate than to fall in love. Growing up in the shadow of a deceased parent you never truly knew haunts your every step. To feel the absence of a person who never got to help you with your homework or give you dating advice, and to feel like you must step up for your parent and replace that empty space in their heart. You vow to yourself that you will never find yourself in that position. You will never fall in love. Having known just how short life can be, you intend to live your life in fulfilment of everything except love. After graduating university, you go on to become a successful doctor. Your career is very important to you, and you enjoy being able to care for the most vulnerable. However, a time consuming and high-ranking career cannot dampen your adventurous streak. One of your lifelong goals is to climb the highest mountain in Mt. Komorebi. As a non-committal sim you like to date around without exclusivity, generally with multiple sims at one time. One night you are attending yet another party and find yourself having unprotected woohoo with three different sims in one night, two of which are co-workers and another whom you met outside of your working environment.

Outside of work you’ve never truly cared about responsibilities and expectations, and the consequence of this lifestyle eventually catches up with you when you find yourself pregnant, with no knowledge to which of those three sims is the other parent to your child. You suddenly find yourself with a greater responsibility than you could have ever anticipated. After doing a paternity test to determine the parent to your child, you both must proceed on how to go forward. Does the other parent even want to become a parent themselves? Do they wish to be a part of their child’s life? And if so, what is the best route to take? Do you co-parent separately, or do you decide to give this family unit a chance and raise the child together? Is it worth it for your child to take a chance on love, despite having first-hand knowledge of what sadness it could bring? Or is the non-committal life what’s right for you through to the end?

Mod Requirements: Shorter University Degree (4 Credits), Relationship & Pregnancy Overhaul Mod & Custom Traits

Traits: Adventurous, Determined, Outgoing, Party Animal & Non-Committal Aspiration: Academic // Extreme Sports Enthusiast Career: Doctor

Colour Palette:

Goals:

As a child -

Trait - Adventurous, Determined & Outgoing

Reach level 5 motor.

Have the rambunctious scamp aspiration.

As a teenager -

Trait - Party Animal

Go on 5 dates with 5 different sims.

Have 5 friends.

Have the Live Fast aspiration.

As a young adult/elder -

Trait - Non-Committal

Have the academic aspiration.

Always have an unnatural hair colour.

Go out and party at least once per week.

Get a Biology and Psychology degree, whilst living in a dorm and pay using student finance.

Take a vacation to Mount Komorebi.

Join the doctors career.

Meet 2 co-workers and have romantic encounters with them.

Meet 1 sim outside of work and have romantic encounters with them.

Have unprotected woohoo with all 3 sims in one night.

Find out you’re pregnant.

Ask sims to take paternity tests.

Decide whether you will co-parent the child or go it alone like your own parent.

Complete level 2 of the Extreme Sports Aspiration.

Reach level 10 Doctors career.

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More generations are coming as I play through the challenge myself and so are subject to change. Feel free to leave any suggestions or feedback!

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[pictureamoebae]

Sims 4 Studio Batch Export/Import Cheats

I’m minded not everyone may know about the batch export and import cheats in Sims 4 Studio. They make it a lot, lot easier to get your files in and out of the program (which is especially welcome when making walls and/or anything with a lot of swatches).

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Open S4S and ready your package by creating your swatches (the easiest way to do this is to load a colour palette you’ve already prepared using Tools > Color Palette but you can do it manually if you need to)

Step 2: Once you have your swatches in place, press CTRL+SHIFT+C (the same command to open the cheats window in TS4) and type studio.exportall

S4S will create a folder in the same location as your package that has all the various texture files associated with your package in PNG format. 

Go into that folder and delete everything that isn’t a main diffuse texture (all the files highlighted in the picture below are the ones you want to delete). You’ll be left with the same amount of identical diffuse textures as there are swatches in your package.

Step 3: Create your recolours/textures and save them with the file names of the corresponding diffuse textures/swatches you have in the folder S4S made. (You have to save them as PNG.)

Step 4: This is why it’s important to save the files in the same folder and with the names S4S created. Go back to S4S and in the cheats window (CTRL+SHIFT+C) type studio.importall and watch as it imports all of those nice new textures for you. It will likely throw an error at the end, but you can safely ignore it and close the error window (close it with the little red x in the top right corner).

(At first you won’t see any change. You have to click on a new swatch to see it’s imported them all.)

You’re done! You now have 48 (or a far more sensible number of) nice new textures and can save your package and check it in game.

This works for all objects and walls and floors. I haven’t tried it on cas objects because I don’t make them. 

Sometimes when importing wall textures if you’ve been using S4S for a while its memory can get a little overloaded and it won’t import them all. If this happens you can either close the program and start again, which will clear the memory, or you can just keep typing the batch import cheat and eventually it will import them all. It just needs a little coaxing. 

And for walls and floors S4S will automatically create the thumbnails for you. You still have to generate them yourself for all other objects by viewing them in game (or add your own in S4S).

This makes creating recolours in particular quick and easy. The most time consuming part is doing the recolouring itself. Gone are the days of individually importing hundreds of textures.