Is it strange to document one's time as an infant? It does not seem so to me, but then there has never been - can never be - another quite like me.
I was a precocious child, it is true, but I was still an infant. I threw up, I made a mess of my nappies, I screamed for no reason. As did my siblings. As do we all.
What we have is called "the spark". It is the power to see and manipulate ambient magic. But I do not have the spark - I have a roaring bonfire. One such as me could crack the world - indeed, in a very real sense, that is my purpose. But I not merely destroyer - I am Shiva. In the evening I dance the dance of destruction; in the morning, my dance is one of rebirth.
I was a precocious child, it is true, but I was still an infant. I threw up, I made a mess of my nappies, I screamed for no reason. As did my siblings. As do we all.
What we have is called "the spark". It is the power to see and manipulate ambient magic. But I do not have the spark - I have a roaring bonfire. One such as me could crack the world - indeed, in a very real sense, that is my purpose. But I not merely destroyer - I am Shiva. In the evening I dance the dance of destruction; in the morning, my dance is one of rebirth.
It's been a while, so let's start with a recap.
I have 6 restrictions remaining (Alien Technology, Education - being worked on by Jeromy, Gamer, Journalist, Naturalist, Science). I have 3 toddlers that are 2 days away from being children, and 3 infants that are 2 days away from being toddlers. Hermione has over 200k in LTR points, more than enough to platinum tombstone, and the only thing that delayed her transition to elder was her pregnancy.
One of the toddlers should lift Science, and an infant can lift Naturalist. I'll get the other two toddlers to grab Journalist and Gamer. And Hermione will lift Alien Technology via the World Adventures method. It is week 23, day 6. Let's go.
After feeding all the toddlers and infants, I sent Hermione to China for 3 days. The tricky part of Alien Technology is going to be the nectars, so I want Pangu's Axe to get as many things from chests as possible. I can't actually use it until Naturalist is lifted, though, which means I need it to be the case that Naturalist is lifted before something else. Hmm. I rearrange my plans - toddlers will lift Science, Naturalist, and Moodlet Manager. Infants will lift Motive Mobile, Gamer, and Journalist. That's going to be rough.
I have 6 restrictions remaining (Alien Technology, Education - being worked on by Jeromy, Gamer, Journalist, Naturalist, Science). I have 3 toddlers that are 2 days away from being children, and 3 infants that are 2 days away from being toddlers. Hermione has over 200k in LTR points, more than enough to platinum tombstone, and the only thing that delayed her transition to elder was her pregnancy.
One of the toddlers should lift Science, and an infant can lift Naturalist. I'll get the other two toddlers to grab Journalist and Gamer. And Hermione will lift Alien Technology via the World Adventures method. It is week 23, day 6. Let's go.
After feeding all the toddlers and infants, I sent Hermione to China for 3 days. The tricky part of Alien Technology is going to be the nectars, so I want Pangu's Axe to get as many things from chests as possible. I can't actually use it until Naturalist is lifted, though, which means I need it to be the case that Naturalist is lifted before something else. Hmm. I rearrange my plans - toddlers will lift Science, Naturalist, and Moodlet Manager. Infants will lift Motive Mobile, Gamer, and Journalist. That's going to be rough.
As I left infancy and started school, Mother/Granddaughter began to spend more and more time abroad, seeking the secret magic I'd need for later. And even if you know that you are destined to succeed, I imagine encounters with the undead are no less disturbing.
Two trips to China got me the Axe; the first trip to Egypt nailed the mummy requirement.
My powers began to manifest in small ways as I grew older. Coincidences of timing became more common. Perhaps the most fortunate example was father finally convincing the community to open a high school, on the day before Sam, Saru, and I turned 13. He and Mum hadn't been getting on too well for a while, and when he was informed he'd need to be a live-in headmaster at the new school, they effectively separated. Mother/granddaughter wore her wedding ring until her dying day, but it was far more a marriage of convenience than love. I felt for Jeromy my father - he was swept up by forces he never understood.
Sam and I spent our time at boarding school; we had no particular desire to continue our education under Dad's watchful eyes, although Saru didn't seem to mind.
Sam and I spent our time at boarding school; we had no particular desire to continue our education under Dad's watchful eyes, although Saru didn't seem to mind.
Week 25, Day 4 (plus 27 days travel time), Education is finally lifted. The last 3 points of Writing seemed to take an age.
Hermione (at 73 days old) has been feverishly training for Adonis points, but I suspect she's going to have to train a few in China to finish off the points.
I'm on track for Comforting Children for Saruman. Debating a bit, I decide to send the other two teens (they age up on the same day Education is cleared) to boarding school (school of Peace and Love).
Hermione (at 73 days old) has been feverishly training for Adonis points, but I suspect she's going to have to train a few in China to finish off the points.
I'm on track for Comforting Children for Saruman. Debating a bit, I decide to send the other two teens (they age up on the same day Education is cleared) to boarding school (school of Peace and Love).
Mother/Granddaughter Hermione returned from many trips to other lands, and presented me with the secrets of their magic. The bandages from a mummy taught me how to stop time; a diving well that had been constructed from internationally obtained parts showed me that time was like the ocean; ancient wines from France contained ingredients from before the Apocalypse - or after, depending on how you count these things - and were the final key I needed.
I now knew the spells. There were just a few things that still had to be accomplished, and I wouldn't be able to do it as a teenager.
I now knew the spells. There were just a few things that still had to be accomplished, and I wouldn't be able to do it as a teenager.
Week 26, Day 2 (plus 51 days travel time), Alien Technology lifted. This is a reasonably fun way to make the lift, but it's terribly inefficient in terms of days required. Hermione is 78 days old and may die at any moment, but she has achieved everything it was necessary for her to do.
It is a shame I was still away at school when Mother/Granddaughter died, but she was quite old. My brothers managed to muddle through their teen years without an adult present - the town council didn't dare move against us.
Week 26, Day 6 (plus 51 days travel time), Hermione bites it - old age tombstone achieved.
After graduation, we returned home. Both Samantha and I wanted jobs at the local Science lab; Saruman had pursued a different path. There was a magic to be extracted from joy and art - and he was well on the way to unlocking it. I would take this power back with me, so that he could discover it again - or for the first time, as you like.
Perhaps fearing what would happen, the local laboratory consistently informed us there were no vacancies. I wasn't getting any younger; eventually I took a job at the hospital, hoping that I could transfer. Samantha hung on, and eventually got a job - her idea was that she could recommend me. A successful idea, if a somewhat convoluted plan.
Perhaps fearing what would happen, the local laboratory consistently informed us there were no vacancies. I wasn't getting any younger; eventually I took a job at the hospital, hoping that I could transfer. Samantha hung on, and eventually got a job - her idea was that she could recommend me. A successful idea, if a somewhat convoluted plan.
Week 27, Day 4 (plus 51 days travel time) - the day of the elder triplets birthday, so just in time, but still on track for the Moodlet Manager lift (aka Comforting Children). The portrait (of Hermione, before she died) was done ages ago, but I had to keep Saruman home from school on this day in order to make it (or at least, I thought it was too risky not to).
With the graduation and return of Poledra and Samantha, I had Poledra check the paper, but no Science option was there. Poledra rolls 2, so no dice there either. Note that Poledra cannot actually start Naturalist until Science is lifted - but that doesn't really constitute a restriction, as long as Samantha lifts it simultaneously.
By week 28, day 5, I still hadn't managed to score Science (for either); when the die roll for Poledra came up Medical, I took it figuring she might get a chance to switch. It was week 29 day 1 before Samantha managed to roll a 3 and enter Science. Of course, that was also the day that the newspaper had Science when Poledra checked it.
With the graduation and return of Poledra and Samantha, I had Poledra check the paper, but no Science option was there. Poledra rolls 2, so no dice there either. Note that Poledra cannot actually start Naturalist until Science is lifted - but that doesn't really constitute a restriction, as long as Samantha lifts it simultaneously.
By week 28, day 5, I still hadn't managed to score Science (for either); when the die roll for Poledra came up Medical, I took it figuring she might get a chance to switch. It was week 29 day 1 before Samantha managed to roll a 3 and enter Science. Of course, that was also the day that the newspaper had Science when Poledra checked it.
Nobody can know our plans. There is no way to keep these secrets without controlling the media - hence Tabitha's quest. She was very diligent, managing to achieve total media control before our work in the laboratory was complete.
Week 30, day 4 (plus 51 days travel), Journalism (!) lifted. Yes, the youngest triplet lifted before any of the others. Opening up the library is handy here. I had her go to the bookstore, and then head to the library to study Cooking - I need to finish some skill challenges.
Of course, "old media" is one thing - we needed to control "new media" too. Our experiments were restoring a nascent Internet; Belgarion was already in full control of everything we would later develop.
Gamer lifted (same day). I am now in the curious position of having lifted Gamer before Science. I assume there's some sort of board game version of The Sims. :)
Saruman had been left alone to study his own particular branch of magitek. The device he created is very useful; it is too bad that I cannot take it back with me.
Week 31, day 1 (plus 51 days travel time), Moodlet Manager lifted (via Comforting Children). It took forever to get the last best seller. But the good news is he got to 150k in the process.
There must never be another. His device could destabilise things. It is unfortunate, but the beauty is that I'll see him again.
Well it's not good news for him. Obviously. And the fun part is I can (and did) use the Moodlet Manager to clear away the mourning moodlets.
With Samantha's experiments complete, I began to gather various flora and fauna samples. I'll need to take that all back with me - otherwise, we may face a biodiversity problem in the present/future.
Week 31, day 2 (plus 51 days travel time), Science is lifted. This is quicker than I thought; she got the "breakthrough" event. Now Poledra is officially on the Naturalist track.
Belgarath extracted the power of children's joy, to create a powerful spell that cleansed body, mind, and soul. It took a lot of power, but he even figured a way to hook it up to a car engine to supply that power. Another trick I'll have to take back with me.
It took me some time to gather the necessary flora samples. But when you have a diary that tells you exactly what fertiliser to use, exactly when to plant, and so forth - it is only a matter of time.
Time it is. And time is my mastery. Though well into old age when I was ready to make the leap, I knew the rejuvenating effects would kick in immediately.
The Song of Time, a dirge for the world that is, a catastrophe for the world that was, and a beacon for the world that will be. I am in a devastated world. I hide the things that I will need later, I carefully preserve this, my diary.
And so my children, the end is the beginning. We will prevail - we have, endless numbers of times already.
It took me some time to gather the necessary flora samples. But when you have a diary that tells you exactly what fertiliser to use, exactly when to plant, and so forth - it is only a matter of time.
Time it is. And time is my mastery. Though well into old age when I was ready to make the leap, I knew the rejuvenating effects would kick in immediately.
The Song of Time, a dirge for the world that is, a catastrophe for the world that was, and a beacon for the world that will be. I am in a devastated world. I hide the things that I will need later, I carefully preserve this, my diary.
And so my children, the end is the beginning. We will prevail - we have, endless numbers of times already.
Week 31, day 7 (plus 51 days travel time), Motive Mobile is unlocked. Man, Day Care takes ages.
I have all the fish that I need, it's just a case now of getting to level 3 in the graveyard job and cycling the plants through to Perfect status.
This takes an age and a half. But finally, on week 33 day 8 (plus 51 days travel time), I grow the last perfect plant.
My score is 300:
- All restrictions and Alien Technology (25)
- 22 books for Copious Librarian (2)
- 60 points worth of collectibles for Amazing Naturalist - actually, way more than that, but I stopped bothering to count once I hit 60 (60)
- Trained 10 Sims for 10 hours each, 19 household Sims got to Athletics 10, for Admirable Adonis (49)
- 29 unique skill challenges (29)
- 12 unique LTWs achieved (12)
- 5 different platinum ghosts (15)
- 2 gnomes - mysterious and Manchu (2)
- About $18 million for money, most of it from a carefully nurtured $16 million bar of Compendium (10)
- 1 point from Time in a Bottle, as I had to use 9 of them (1)
- Prestige Occult Witch (50)
- Get Off My Lawn (35)
- What Experience Do You Have (15)
That concludes the third and last of my April/May 2016 tournament blogs. If you've been reading this far, thank you for your attention, good luck in your own games, and I'll see you all next time!
I really wanted to try one of the World adventure methods to lift something, but I knew it would be more time consuming and I wanted to make sure I put up time score that would be competitive. Maybe next tourney I will try some of them and relax my competitiveness some.
ReplyDeleteYeah, definitely not time efficient. I'm not suggesting 51 days is any sort of minimum - once it was clear my time was going to suck regardless, I took time out to get the axe and do some Adonis training. If I'd already cleared Naturalist I think there's a decent chance you could do it in a single trip, assuming you go to France and buy all the artefacts you need (plus a nectar making machine). But that would take some significant preparation that I couldn't do, what with Science being my second last lift.
Deleteas always great blog. I love reading your challenge entries. You are a great writer. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers!
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