#historical challenge

[jenplayssims]

Sims 4 “Oregon Trail” Challenge (BACC)

Inspired by playing Oregon Trail on the Switch recently with my family as well as the Homestead Challenge for Sims 2 by child_of_air, I wanted to create a historical build a community challenge (BACC) with references to the Oregon Trail game (ie, river crossings, death by illness, new pioneers arriving by wagon train, etc). The below are guidelines for play, many adapted from the Sims 2 challenge for use in Sims 4. Please consider these guidelines flexible and tweak them as you wish to fit your gameplay. This challenge was written with all packs in mind but can be played without them.

HUGE thanks to @antiquatedplumbobs for providing me valuable feedback and helping my idea really come to life! Also thanks to @cowplant-snacks​ for being a sounding board and providing feedback. This challenge wouldn’t be the same without either of their input and I am so grateful!

The Basic Rules 

1. There is no electricity, no running water, and no access to technology that wasn’t invented prior to the 1850s. You may wish to utilize the lot trait “off the grid” to aid with this, but this is not essential. As long as the home, decor, and most behaviors of the sims matches the time period, how restrictive you choose to be in your gameplay is up to you. “Close enough” is ok for this challenge.

2. Each member of your wagon party has a backstory to their lives, and many of them are trying to escape from the confines of the restrictive social order or begin a new life. However, the items they take with them will be restricted to what their social rank was when they left. Space on the wagon is limited, and only the most precious items would be taken along. (More on items below)

3. At the start you will play your aspiring pioneer household as they journey by wagon to their destination, facing obstacles along the way. Once your pioneers arrive at their destination, they will all move into a boarding house with a host sim. Only the host household (which includes your first set of pioneers) will be played at this point. Once sims move out and begin their own homesteads, the neighborhood will be played in rotation. Each house will be played for 1 week (length of rotation of your choosing. 1 week is my recommendation).

4. Only the host or hostess at your destination will be able to have a job at first, which will be in politics. Everyone else will have to focus on developing their skills, adding to their hope chests, and preparing for their own homesteads. Sims cannot marry or move out of the boarding house until they have produced enough goods to begin their own homesteads.

5. Please note that your end destination does not have to resemble Oregon. The Oregon Trail game was simply an inspiration for this challenge.

Time 

The concept of time passing is up to you. You may want to let the seasons dictate the years, or you may want to base your year around a biological marker, such as the sim age spans. Some may want to make their own metric for years (ie, 4 days = 1 year). You may choose to not bother with the passage of time at all. If you choose to advance the passage of time, you will need to keep track of advancing technology (I recommend Decades Challenge for inspiration). This challenge could be played as a prequel to the Decades Challenge.

Getting Started

1. Create your wagon train lot for your pioneers to live on as they travel to their new home. You can build this yourself or pull a lot from the gallery (my recommendation is Oregon Trail Camp by HistoricalSim). If building your own, this functional tent looks like a covered wagon - http://simfileshare.net/folder/183978/ kindly hosted by @cowplant-snacks, amazingly made functional by @superflare, original by inabadromance.

2. Host Sims and House - Before the pioneers’ journey is complete, you will need to create a host house and a host/hostess sim. (Note: This step can be done right at the start or can wait till their journey is almost over.) Create a host sim of your choosing. This will be the only sim in the initial household able to hold a job, which should be in politics. The host will be the one to hand out homestead deeds (though not literally). The wagon load of pioneers will begin their new life here as they gather supplies and build up their skills to qualify for a homestead of their own. Consider it a boarding house of sorts and build accordingly. You’ll want space for many sims as well as skilling/crafting items available for use. 

3. Townies - Your game should have as few townies as possible to begin with as your first pioneers should be part of the town’s founding. You may use mods to prevent the game from spawning townies or you may create your own and use mods to make them fill the roles the game would normally spawn new sims for (mailperson, bartender, etc). You can also allow the game to spawn as it needs to and either ignore those sims or make them over to fit the historical context. (Note: The Sims 2 Homestead Challenge mentions creating Native people to serve as existing townies. This is up to the player)

4. Create your first wagon of settlers

a. Roll a dice to see how many are on the wagon (1-7, unless you use mods to increase the household sim limit). They can be teens-adults. If you want to roll for gender, age, traits, etc you may. You can start with a married couple or single sim if you wish, but keep in mind that not all sims are guaranteed to survive the journey so more sims may be better for this challenge.

b. For each sim, roll their socioeconomic background: This determines the quality and quantity of items each sim may have brought with them to begin their new life/homestead. Note: Sims 4 furniture is stored in the shared household inventory, so may want to roll and make note of this somewhere but not actually choose the items until the sim has moved to their own homestead. 

1-2: Indentured Servant or Former Slave (2 Items, poor quality) 

3-4: Lower Class (5 Items, poor quality)  

5: Lower Middle Class (6 Items of poor quality and 3 items of medium quality)  

6: Middle Class (10 items medium quality)

c. Likewise with animals - it stands to reason that some would have brought livestock or perhaps a pet with them, but as these won’t really come into play until the sim moves to their own land, you can decide what they have now and then add them later.

5. Move them into your wagon train lot and begin their journey!

Optional: You can use my save file as a starting point for this challenge. It contains a wagon camp (Oregon Trail Camp by HistoricalSim) placed in Willow Creek. It also has the calendar already set up to include events on the journey and holidays (more on the journey and calendar below). Host house and sims are not included. http://www.simfileshare.net/download/4024989/

The Journey:

Your wagon of pioneer sims will begin their journey in spring. Their goal is to reach their end destination before winter begins. The length of this stage is up to the player - you may want to drag out the survival struggle or you may want to zip through it quickly. The average time of travel was 150 days. I’ve included a sample calendar below from my save file. The Oregon Trail begins in Missouri and ends in Oregon, and typically took months to complete with many hardships along the way. Any sim who becomes sick while on the journey will need to have a dice rolled for their survival odds (even - they live, odd - they succumb to their illness and die along the trail unless they are within a day of a Fort where they can purchase medicine). Also along the way are 4 river crossings (Kansas, Big Blue, Green, Snake) as well as passage through the Blue Mountains near the end. There are also 4 random events in the spirit of the original Oregon Trail game. For each of the 5 major events (spaced however the player chooses), roll a dice for their odds of success. 

1-3 unsuccessful attempt at crossing - roll to see which sim doesn’t make it

4-6 successful crossing - continue on

For the 4 random events on the calendar, roll a dice to determine which sim will be affected by the event. Roll the dice again for survival odds - if a 3 is rolled, your sim dies. 

Once the events are completed, the wagon arrives at the boarding house and moves in temporarily until their own homestead can be secured.

The sample calendar below from my save file includes all 5 events spaced out as well as a couple of stops at Forts where supplies can be purchased (medicine, food if you’re playing using the Simple Living lot challenge). I also included 4 random events and a few holiday celebrations.

Optional: If you’d like to further simulate pioneers journeying across the country, you can move your pioneer sim household to wagon camps in different worlds with each river/mountain crossing. If you’re using my save file, use the numbered wagon train lots as listed below.

Recommended worlds to use:

Kansas/Big Blue River Crossings - #1 stay on original lot in Willow Creek

Green River Crossing - #2 Henford

Snake River Crossing - #3 Oasis Springs

Blue Mountains Crossing - #4 Copperdale

Homesteads:

In order to qualify for a homestead, sims must gain 4 skill points in 3 different skills (Baking, Cooking, Cross Stitch, Fishing, Fitness, Flower Arranging, Gardening, Gourmet Cooking, Guitar, Handiness, Herbalism, Horse Riding, Juice Fizzing, Knitting, Nectar Making, Painting, Piano, Pipe Organ, Violin, Writing) as well as meet the qualifications for homesteads below:

Basic Homestead: all skills obtained, $100 starting fund, 10 household wares

2 Bedroom Homestead: all skills obtained, $200 starting fund, 12 household wares

3 Bedroom Homestead: all skills obtained, $300 starting fund, 20 household wares

Middle Class Homestead: all skills obtained, $400 starting fund, 30 household wares

If sims decide to marry, they must each obtain the skills individually but can pool household wares and money to qualify for a homestead. 

Since work is not allowed for the pioneers until they move out, they will need to grow and sell produce or create and sell crafted items to earn money. Items can be sold through their inventory for ease if desired. If using Chestnut Ridge as their town, items can also be sold at the General Store.

Household wares include what they rolled from earlier based on their socioeconomic backgrounds as well as anything they create while in the host house.

Note: if you choose to play with the Simple Living lot challenge turned on, you will also want your sims to bring some produce, canned goods, and possibly seeds with them to their homestead.

Once in their own homesteads, they can expand as they have funds and need or can move to a new lot.

Optional: When two homesteads have been established, you can build a Trading Post. This is where your sims can sell their wares through the sales tables available in Sims 4. A grocery stall from Cottage Living may also be placed. They can also sell items at the General Store in Chestnut Ridge.

If you prefer a lot from the Gallery, I highly recommend Old Western Township built by antiqueplumbobs (antiquated plumbobs : Western Township - Simblreen Gift #1 A CC-Free... (tumblr.com) It is perfect as a community lot for this challenge.

When all pioneer sims from the initial wagon have moved into their own homesteads, a second wagon of pioneers can be created and start their journey. As your initial sims have families of their own, you may choose to create families to journey to your town rather than individual sims. The second (and any future) wagon train households created will be played in rotation with the homestead households established by your original pioneers.

Careers:

Once on their own established homesteads, your sims can begin careers. 

At home careers: farmer, orchard owner, florist, woodworker, dairy farm, llama farm, chicken farm, horse breeder, goat herder, sheep farmer, nectar maker, juice fizzer, herbalist

Careers in game: fisherman, manual laborer, gardener, painter, politician, writer, lawyer, doctor, teacher, criminal, entertainer (Note: I would suggest creating a specific sim to be the doctor to unlock medicine, creating a teacher to be part of a wagon train once your town begins to have infants/toddlers, etc - add the careers as it makes sense for your town, as most making this journey initially would have been farmers).

Optional careers:

Create a clergyman to perform marriage ceremonies among the settlers. Can add a fee to their household funds for each marriage performed, etc.

Add in custom careers, such as Fur Trader ( Peebs : Fur Trade Career | Original Career This career... (tumblr.com) )

That’s it! See how far your town can grow and advance as new settlers arrive but most importantly, have fun!

PDF link to rules

[kyriat-stories]

This is the forth and last map I've made for The First Ones story: The Komorebi continent.

The story hasn't arrived in these lands yet, but they will in the future, so I thought it would be nice to have it ready.

Since I get better by doing, this map is probably the one I'm most proud of, even if it's not perfect. Please have a closer look here.

The story will continue on Sunday in just two days! 😊

[mamomare]

Ultimate Decades Challenge: 1390 - 1400

* TW: This post contains mention of characters who died during pregnancy/childbirth.

The decade began with Terric, our main heir, passing the torch to his son Alfred in 1391 as he succumbed to disease. Luckily, the silk business had already been established and the decade saw prosperity for many of our main households. As the families grew, they began to carve out their own spaces in the world of Windenburg. However, a new century has now dawns and the new heirs wonder if this is really the right place for them?

Marriages [5] 1392 - Theobald and Lucy Brooker 1393 - Fray and Malota Bennet 1393 - Galwin and Runild Bigod 1397 - Alfred and Anne Brooker 1398 - Norman and Mirabel Shaw

Births [10] 1390 - Eva Clifford 1393 - Raymond Brooker 1384 - Arnold Bigod 1395 - Fulke Brooker, Marion Brooker 1396 - Hawis Bennet, Solomon Bigod 1398 - Anika Shaw 1399 - Genevieve and Philomena Bigod

Deaths [5] 1391 - Terric Brooker (Diphtheria) 1395 - Osanna Shaw (Stone to death) 1397 - Maurice Clifford (Plague), Rose Brooker (Anaphylaxis) 1398 - Winifred Fletcher (Drowned) * Babies that never were [5]: Laurence Clifford, Sybil Brooker, Constance Brooker, Aline Brooker, Regina Bennet

Family Tree at 1400

Gameplay Screenshots

The Brooker family gathers for a meal in Winter.

Alfred witnessing the death of his father, Terric, in 1391.

Not going to lie... I love this couple so much. They are very poor and currently live in a single bedroom barn with their two children.

This version of the Decades Challenge was created by Morbid Gamer

[antiquatedsimmer]

Lucile's astonishment was evident as she responded, " There's no need to apologize. I was so young and bothersome- " Lucile paused, catching herself before delving into awkward self-deprecation. "And, besides, you were away on your travels for quite some time, were you not?"

Lucile gracefully settled onto one of the benches beneath the overgrown pavilion. Josephine, on the other hand, took a moment to gaze up at the ancient ruins crowning the hill. She elegantly retrieved her fan and began a gentle fluttering in her direction.

Josephine took a seat beside her, "The girls I grew up around were more or so... strict, like our families. We didn't have much in common, but the women I met during my time away were quite lovely! You remind me of them. "

"Oh…" Lucile leaned back slightly in surprise, her eyes briefly tracing the knit pattern on her sweater. "I wish I could've met them. I don't really think there are other girls like me here in Henford."

Josephine cocked her head ever so slightly, "I find that hard to believe. You blend in so well! I'm sure you've encountered many lovely ladies in my absence. "

Lucile's voice remained soft and slightly timid as she continued, "Well, you see, our farm is the farthest from others, and as a result, we don't receive many visitors. The rare occasions we venture into town are primarily to sell our produce, a task usually undertaken by Silas and Pa. I tend to stay here, assisting Ma with the house. "

Lucile paused gently fidgeting with her delicate fingers in her lap. "I do have friends, you see," she began hesitantly, " Wilford has his hands full working on his family's farm these days, and Charlotte, well, she got married not too long ago. She doesn't visit as often as she used to since starting her own family." She sighed softly, "It's just me now, and I sometimes find it difficult to keep up. I suppose… I struggle to stand out."

[historicalsimslife]

As winter arrived, work in the garden went on as it was now time to harvest all the winter plants such as Christmas roses and chrysanthemums. Abigail continued to stay home from school to assist her mother who was not anymore as agile since her belly had begun growing.

[simerringmerle]

Time flies: I guess a week or so after their last encounter. Time for Mortimer to cross the street and visit the Bachelors.

Mortimer: I received my acceptance letter in university this morning, so I came to thanks you again for your kind words the other day.. Bella: That's sweet but I can assure you, it was really so little...

[plumbob-pudding]

Cosmo’s senior year was quickly coming to an end but there was still time for one big celebration!

[slytherintomysims]

The Beckett Children - 1301

Beatrice Beckett & Alaric Beckett

They both survived their dr to toddlerhood thank god

[lilis-palace]

🔑🚪 INTARSIA - ENFILADE Set

⚪ 18 Different door variations & 5 parquette designs

All the doors & parquettes you've ever dreamed about for your lovely mansions, vintage café or fancy apartment.

⚪ Recommended sets

Renaissance Revival Library Renaissance Revival Treats Renaissance Revival Salon Renaissance Revival Ceramic Stove Revival Gifts

DOWNLOAD IT UNDER THE CUT!

DOWNLOAD: PATREON (Early Access until 2024/febr/05 20:00 CET)

[thesimline]

Following on from the simple modesty of the 1300s, female hair in the 1400s became a lot more elaborate thanks to the addition of hair pieces, ribbon and other decorations. Braided styles evolved into very detailed and decorative concoctions. Styles also became more flowy and romantic, often with curls framing the face. CC links under the cut.

You can find more of my historical content here: 1300s ✺ 1400s ✺ 1500s ✺ 1600s

1 - Larsa by Daylife Sims

2 - Beatrice by Simstrouble

3 - Shiro by Sim Lotus

4 - Camellia by Clumsy Alien

5 - Daenerys by Puderosims

6 - Hoppie by Simstrouble

7 - Emma by Buzzard's Bits and Bobs

8 - Ye Medieval Dragon Queen by Nilyn (TSR)

9 - Leonarda by Melancholy Maiden

10 - Cecilia by Buzzard's Bits and Bobs

11 - Braid Snood by Melancholy Maiden

12 - Ye Medieval Braided Updo by Daisy Sims (TSR)

13 - Masquerade by Tekri

14 - Pai Chan Braids by FYSims

15 - Hekate by Naunakht

16 - Zelda by Simandy

17 - Ye Medieval Margot by Shimydim (TSR)

18 - Sophia by G

19 - Serea Hair V1 by Redhead Sims

20 - Mari by Wasteland Whisperer

21 - Daenerys by Birksches

22 - Lucia by Melancholy Maiden

23 - TSM Hair for TS4 by S3 Sage

24 - Aspen by Oydis

25 - Braid Dream by Redhead Sims

26 - Double Braid by Wasteland Whisperer

27 - Pearls Set by Daylife Sims

28 - Mhysa by Quirky Introvert

29 - Ye Medieval Nezetta by Leah Lillith (TSR)

30 - Rapunzel by Tekri

With thanks to some amazing creators: @daylifesims @simstrouble @simlotus @clumsyalienn @puderosasims @buzzardly28 @tekri @simandy @redheadsims-cc @wastelandwhisperer @oydis @qicc

[aheathen-conceivably]

✨ Download (SFS, no ads) ✨

Inspired by the fashion of teens and young women in the 1930s, this set of recolors includes three tops and three skirts in a variety of complimenting patterns and solids for easy mixing and matching. Details and reference images under the cut but first a huge thank you to the people who helped make this possible…

First foremost @gilded-ghosts @trillyke @waekey @magnolianfarewell and @sentate for their meshes, and also @moon-simmers and @chere-indolente for the patterns. Last but not least @twentiethcenturysims for your guidance and my dearest @surely-sims for your never ending set of skills. And of course an unspeakably huge thank you to over two-thousand of you who now follow this blog! This one is for y’all 💕

Please follow the original creators’ T.O.U. and feel free to tag me if you use any of these items, I would love to see them in your game!

Almost Sweater Weather -High School Years EP Required -23 swatches (9 patterned vests, 7 plain vest and shirt, 7 patterned shirts) It's Vintage Sentate, Darling! -Mesh Required here (plus another great recolor here) -21 swatches (14 plain, 7 patterned) Cupid's Bow -Mesh required here -21 swatches (14 plain, 7 patterned) Streetwear Scholar -Mesh included but the wonderful original set can be downloaded here -17 swatches (12 plain, 5 patterned) Young Love -Mesh included but the original (with cute polka dots and plaids) can be downloaded here. -27 swatches (13 patterned, 14 solid) Life Through Gilded Glasses -Mesh included but the full 1930s set is here and highly recommended. -22 swatches (10 patterned, 12 solid)

And may these inspo pics inspire you as much as they did me...

[jenplayssims]

Travel continues daily and the pioneers look forward to breaking at camp each evening and getting to know each other a bit better.

Pete tells Annie all about the farm he hopes to start when settled. She listens politely but isn't sure that farming is all THAT interesting. Lottie quietly listens, enjoying the fresh air and companionship.

Both Jesse and Charles brought a few books along and reading by the fire or lantern light becomes one of the few options available to build fun.

Prev / Next

Rules

[kyriat-stories]

“Nia learned that our self-identity and connection to our roots is so powerful it can impact not only the course of our lives but also that of generations to come.” - Jenny Delacruz (Fridays With Ms. Mélange: Haiti)

Did you ever wonder what happened to Nashuja and Pamesijos? Did you wonder if they arrived at the land of their ancestors, Oasis Springs? They did. Actually, the first place they decided to camp was the very spot where Oyw and 'kny (the boys' great grandparents) founded their family a long, long time ago. 💗🏡🌳

[artist-ellen]

Fooduary Day 3: Strawberry Shortcake

Apparently strawberry shortcakes got their whipped cream variation in France, 1910. As the quintessential unemployed artist I’ve worked in a few kitchens and I’ve made dozens of Strawberry shortcakes. Though technically they were strawberry shortcakes in name only because they were technically strawberry angel food cakes. Either way they are delicious, and deeply nostalgic. Eating strawberry shortcakes in the peak of their summer season? Local? You wouldn’t believe how sweet they get.

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram, tiktok or check out my coloring book available now \ („• ֊ •„) /

https://linktr.ee/ellen.artistic

[antiquatedsimmer]

The girl's boots clicked and clacked as they traversed the old log, using it as a makeshift bridge to cross the gently flowing river.

"I had no idea weddings were so complicated," Lucile sighed, her voice reflecting her bewilderment. "They don't have to be, but my family is just very particular, I suppose," Josephine replied.

"I think I would never be able to memorize all the correct vows and positions and hand motions in such short notice," Lucile continued, her tone filled with trepidation. "I would surely mess up and be forced to fling myself into the river out of embarrassment. Imagine messing up in front of everyone," she added with a nervous chuckle.

Josephine couldn't help but laugh softly. "Oh, don't say that! You'll make me nervous!"

Lucile stumbled slightly and lowered her head in bashfulness. "S-sorry, I should've thought-," she stammered.

Josephine gently placed a hand on Lucile's shoulder, "I'm simply joking, dear. Don't stress. I am not offended in the least."

"In fact, I wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude for making me feel so remarkably welcome."

"You've been an absolute joy to be around, and it was simply wonderful to discover our shared interests! It leaves me feeling rather remorseful that I didn't exert more effort to engage with you when we were younger. For that, I offer my sincerest apologies."

[historicalsimslife]

Life was not all dull work for Caroline and Abigail...