Chronomancy, Part 0: Poledra's Prelude

And so it is time to close the loop.

It will become clear, my children. It is so strange to call you that. Oh, I am sorry - do I seem mysterious? You will understand in time - or perhaps not. Perhaps it will be your descendants. Nonetheless, clarity will come.

I am Poledra Sorcerous. I was born to save the world.

The circumstances of how I got here are not important. You wouldn't believe me if I told you; your world is one devoid of magic. Suffice it for me to summarise what you already perceive - the world is broken.

It was not always thus. We are not even entirely certain what caused it. A world of high technology and powerful magic, now with an atmosphere barely breathable, and devoid of both science and sorcery. Some say the two were never meant to be bedfellows, others question our own involvement - but we cannot listen to them, my children. What is, is - it cannot be otherwise. As well tell the tides to turn back, or the sun not to shine.

I knew more than I should, but I had to carefully conceal my knowledge. But I could not stand to pretend complete ignorance. I knew the military had a secretive university, and I knew how to get there. Its very secretive nature helped - since nobody could have known where it was unless they were supposed to be there, nobody ever even questioned me.

And here we are at the third (and last) of my blogs for the February 2016 Sims 3 Apocalypse Challenge tournament. If this is your first time reading one of my S3AC blogs, welcome! But really, I'm using a lot of the same set up from my other two; you should probably start at either the Extraterrestrial blog or (preferably) the Ectoplasmic blog.

There are two changes. Firstly, I'm using a different expansion set (base game + Generations + Supernatural + World Adventures + University Life). Secondly, I'm playing with the handicaps Prestige occult (witch), Get off my lawn!, and What experience do you have? for a total of 100 handicap points. No advantages have been selected.

Since my founder is an adult, she'll have to really book it to lift a career and also have kids. However, she will be doing it with the benefits of a University education. Poledra is Ambitious, Athletic, Genius, Schmoozer, Slob. As soon as the mascot arrives, she takes the aptitude test and gets a $1000 scholarship. It's off to University!

I'm using Founder Option 1; I roll a 4 for the major, so I take Physical Education. Since I already have 6 credits for this, I take a single 6 credit term.

First thing I did was use the brain enhancer to get a point of Charisma, take an Athletics class, and head to the meet and greet (no point talking to people if you don't have Charisma - might as well skill build and socialise at the same time).

I made use of their remaining technomagical devices. The cerebral enhancer caught me up on the local jargon; I was very popular very quickly. I worked out frequently to preserve my body as best as I could against the atmospheric toxins. And because I had done my research, I was the teacher's pet immediately.

As you can see, I nicked all the good stuff and stuck it in my (locked) room. Dormies don't need a toilet, am I right? By Wednesday I had 3 points of Charisma from the brain enhancer. Using Suck Up To Professor built my performance rapidly without the Fun drain of Work Hard.

Ah, yes, Homo Necrophagus, vulgarly known as "zombies". A temporary condition, usually, that is synchronised with lunar cycles. I was immune, of course, as are all of my lineage - at least, as long as we continue to take booster shots. It was fascinating really - I'd read all the literature of course, but it's another thing actually seeing them. Friends. Lovers. It seemed to strike randomly, or at least I was never able to work out the pattern. Was there a patient zero? Well, sort of - but that's a story you're not ready for yet.

Friday rolled around. I had 5 points of Charisma now from the machine (the maximum - for a total of Charisma 8), and I'd also gotten to Athletics 4. So unsurprisingly:

It's not difficult to get a perfect exam result when you have known what the questions will be for years. But I did occasionally forget that their remaining magitech had been poorly maintained.

Flying colours. I spent Saturday making friends and meeting the rest of the roommates, before trying for a point of Handiness from the Brain Enhancer:

My other terms proceeded much as the first. There was a slightly higher course load, but nothing my research hadn't prepared me for. My continuing refinements of the local customs made me well liked, and the magitech taught me some basic maintenance tips and even a few recipes to produce potable food from the toxic sludge.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed chess. Can you believe people still play that? It's a shame I must remain inconspicuous; I'm used to chess being regarded the same way as - what is the game they play here? Xs and Os - no, that's not it - ah. Tic-Tac-Toe. Should I tell you the secrets my children? Or would you rather I let the mystery remain?

With my degree in Physical Education, I was offered a job as athlete, with directions to see if I could figure out a training regimen to offset muscular degeneration. I wasn't given much of a budget, but I was told that if I produced promising results, I'd get the extra funding I needed.

Exactly as planned, of course.

Well, just in time for a free singe clear, so that could certainly have been worse. By the end of that first term, she has Athletics 5, Charisma 8 (5 from the brain enhancer), Science 1, Logic 4.

Same basic deal for the other three terms, except that I took 12 credits each time. She ended with Athletics 10, Charisma 10 (5 from brain enhancer), Cooking 5 (5 from brain enhancer), Science 2, Handiness 5 (5 from brain enhancer), Logic 5. I only got singed the one time, so that was lucky.

It was only the last term that I got a full scholarship though, so (after subtracting the mob payments) I ended with $7608, and of course her lifetime wish (Perfect Student) was obtained. Her random trait (for graduating) is Can't Stand Art. I bring home her bed and a car along with the degree.

I am able to afford all the gardening books and all the toddler books, with about $63 left over, though I'll need to get an easel, boom box, and computer later.

I wonder if you know what it is like to take the leap of faith. I knew what was to come - that my triumph would necessarily also come at a huge price, for me and all my children, for many generations. I wish I could tell you it all works out in the end, but...

Well. That would be telling. Till next time my children.

I have 23 days to lift Professional Sports, get hitched, and produce a witch heir. Actually, I have less than that, because as soon as I lift Professional Sports, I will have an adjusted lifespan, so what I need to do is time a pregnancy on the day before she gets the lift. Challenging, but hopefully doable - let's find out next time.