Ghanima Atreides

Grunge and post-apocalyptic custom content used to be quite popular back in the day, be it made from scratch or converted from other games, like Fallout or Silent Hill. Since its appeal waned, much of that cc has become lost or forgotten about, buried under dead links or long-defunct blogs.

Recently, I tracked down as much as I could for my Apocalypse Challenge, and I thought it might be useful to put together a working master list for those who might be interested in recapturing the vibe of 2008-era GoS or just setting up a run-down hood of their own. A few people seemed to agree, so here it is!

☢️The Grunge Masterlist☣️

(Google Docs link)

It goes without saying that this is NOT a complete list of all grungy cc ever made; I will update it as I find/remember other things. The list also focuses more on build/buy cc and less on CAS content.

If you know of cc I've missed, feel free to send me the link(s) (this includes CAS content - in fact, it's encouraged!)

"I'll have...a couple of salmon fillets, please."

"Nice! I was thinking of getting some shrimp and cooking up a batch of jambalaya for dinner."

"Mmmm, now I wish I could come over."

"Your butler not up to much in the kitchen?"

"Wilkes is a perfectly adequate cook, but he doesn't hold a candle to you."

"Aw, shucks! Tell you what, I'll save some just for you."

"So, Louis got a job. As a firefighter, no less!"

"...Yes."

"And I can tell you're less than thrilled about it."

"I'm -" *sigh* "I'm glad that he's finally doing something with his life. I'm just worried about his safety, and that he's doing it for the wrong reasons."

"So you don't think he actually wants to be a firefighter, he just took the first available job because you made him do it."

"Something like that. Louis has always been...impulsive, and quick to lose interest in things. That is why I wanted him to hold down a job before I even considered his club idea."

"But you are considering it."

"It's not a bad idea. It just needs the right approach."

Abby didn't take much time off, but when she did, she tried to make the most of it. That meant getting out of the house and catching up with friends, or simply visiting Walden's landmarks. She feared becoming isolated and out of touch with her community, like so many politicians eventually did.

For some time now, Abby had been taking part in the weekly Myshuno games hosted by the Fisherman's Shack, a relatively new place built on the riverbank which, as the name suggested, served fresh seafood.

The games were open to all ages, but they did tend to attract a more mature crowd.

Julius Merridew was an especially avid player, who never missed a chance to join in.

He was good at it, too.

"MYSHUNO!"

"Oh for - that's the third time in a row! Are you sure you're not using magic? Nobody's that lucky!"

"Don't be a sore loser, my sweet."

Much later, long after Jake had left and Abby and Louis had turned in for the night, a shifty-looking individual was spotted lurking on the property.

Louis was the first to hear the warbling of the burglar alarm, and staggered groggily out of bed. He was bone-tired after work, his muscles aching with exertion after his first training session (he thought he was fit; he was wrong!) yet his first thought was of his mother. He had to make sure she was safe!

It wasn't until later that Louis questioned the wisdom of confronting a potentially dangerous burglar on his own, but to his relief the intruder seemed to have run away when they heard the alarms. Good thing the house had been fully secured!

The following morning, Abby reported the break-in attempt. Even though no damage had been done, Walden's Chief of Police ought to know there was a burglar at large.

"No, I don't believe they took anything. The alarm must've spooked them. Thank you for looking into it, AIOS. Yes, I'll make sure all doors are locked."

"You and the family should come over this weekend; it's been too long since we all got together. Sunday at 7:00 PM sounds good! Thanks again, and I hope you catch this person soon."

Since her son was out having fun with his new coworkers, Abby had the house all to herself that evening. She had been pondering inviting Jake over ever since their little moment at the party, but each time her better judgement put a stop to it. He was too young, the power dynamics between them were too imbalanced, etcetera.

On the other hand, they were both adults, and they liked each other, so why not enjoy themselves a little? As long as they both remained firmly on the same page, there was no harm in it.

"I have to admit, your call took me by surprise. Pleasant surprise, I should add."

"I may have surprised myself a little too, Jake. But I'm glad you took me up on my offer."

Leaning in closer, Jake spoke softly in her ear, his breath raising goosebumps on her arms:

"Did you really think I'd turn you down?"

No, Abby supposed she did not.

But it was still nice to have it confirmed.

Louis found that it wasn't as easy to maintain the same level of enthusiasm for his new job when his alarm went off at 5:00 AM, and he had to get dressed and be out of the house by 6:00.

Bleary eyed and yawning at every other step, Louis found himself debating whether this had been such a good idea after all.

No! No, he could do this. Sure, he hated early mornings and loved to stay up late, but he'd get used to the new routine. It would just take time.

Abby spent the day wondering how Louis was getting along at his new job, only to get a text from him letting her know that he wouldn't be home for dinner because he and the rest of the team were going bowling in Mistvale.

"At least he's fitting in. That is a good thing."

As soon as he got that final confirmation from his future boss (no, his current boss - officially he was already a member of Walden's fire department!) Louis couldn't wait to share the news with his mother. Show her what a proactive, responsible person he was.

Abby was taking advantage of what was likely one of the last warm days before the first cold snap descended over Walden, by having a nice relaxing swim. She loved the feeling of weightlessness, the sound of the water gently lapping against the pool walls - if she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine herself miles away on a tropical island, not a care in the world.

"Mom! Mom, you won't believe this!"

With a yelp of surprise and a splutter, Abby was rudely pulled out of her reverie.

She was up the ladder and out of the pool much quicker than one would have expected of a woman her age. The urgency in her son's voice spurred her on.

"Louis! What's the matter?"

"I got a joo-ob! Yep, that's right, your son is now a gainfully employed member of society! Pretty cool, huh?"

Abby took a few moments to process this news. Louis had only started job hunting the previous day, and she had expected him to spend weeks mired by indecision.

"That...was quick. What's this job, then?"

"Firefighter."

"Firefighter?! Louis, when I said you should get a job, I had in mind something which did not involve the risk of injury or death!"

"Hey, you didn't say anything about that! And I think I could actually be good at it!"

"You could also get smoke inhalation, seriously burned, or have a building collapse on you!"

Louis was beginning to feel annoyed. This had been her idea! She wanted him to start behaving like an adult, but wouldn't do him the courtesy of treating him like one!

"Look, mom, I love you and all, but I'm doing this. Don't worry, I'll get fully trained before they send me into any burning buildings, and I won't be alone. I'll have my team watching my back."

Abby sighed. She supposed that sooner or later, she had to let him make his own decisions, take risks. That was life. It had felt easier with Eleanor. Then again, Ellie and her brother were very different people.

"All right, all right. Don't mind me, I'm just being an annoying, overprotective mother."

"Aw mom, you're not annoying-"

"Congratulations, by the way. This is a huge first step, and I'm very proud of you for taking it."

All right, fine. He could do this. If his mother wanted reassurance that he was committed and responsible, Louis would provide just that.

If job-hunting didn't destroy his soul first...

"Firefighters wanted, huh? Training and equipment provided...sounds good! I'm fit, I can do this, and I bet I'd look good in the uniform. Everyone thinks firefighters are hot, right?"

The following evening, Louis had no guests over, no outings planned either. Instead, he summoned up the nerve to approach his mother with a proposal he'd been mulling over for a while now. Something that would finally change his life around, and improve the town too if all went well.

"Mom, I've been thinking. I want to do something with my life, and I think I finally figured out what."

"You know how there's no proper nightlife in Walden, and if you want to go to a club that isn't just a room above the pizzeria you have to travel to Mistvale? Well, I want to change that. Build Walden's first actual club."

"You want to build...a club. Just like that. And how do you intend to finance this venture, hmm?"

Abby could see where this was going. She could practically hear the wheels turning inside her son's head.

"Well, about that...I'm going to need some help, like, say, from an investor who might see that my project would greatly benefit Walden in the long run?"

"Look, I know I haven't exactly been covering myself in glory here. I've been sitting on my ass, not taking anything seriously. But I want this, and I think it could work!"

"Hmm. Well you see, investors need assurances that they'll get a return on their investment. They need to feel confident that 1) the project is viable and 2) their partner is trustworthy and won't flake out at the first hurdle. Frankly, right now, I am not convinced."

"Mom -"

"Here's my counter-offer: you find a job, and keep that job for...say, a year, then we'll talk again."

"Mom, there's no way I could afford to do this on whatever wages I'd earn in a year!"

"It's not about the money, it's about you proving to me that you can be responsible. And that this isn't just another one of your whims."

"But -"

"Take it or leave it, dear."

Damn. Louis remembered watching his mother debating her rivals during campaigning season, and pitying the poor bastards. Now he knew how they felt.

Louis was feeling a bit deflated after Fiona's criticism of his life choices, like the party had already been spoiled by the very gloomy thoughts and recriminations he was trying to keep at bay.

So, when Achilles sidled up to him and all the memories of their college fling came flooding back, it proved hard to resist.

Maybe hooking up with your ex who was clearly trying to spark the old flame despite a messy breakup wasn't the most sensible choice, but nobody had ever accused Louis Calhoun of being sensible.

"Ah, youth! I remember how I was at their age..."

"You're still young though, Jake. Unlike some of us."

"You're hardly old, ma'am."

"Hah! Flatterer! I wish. And it's Abby, please."

"I'm just telling the truth, m- Abby. You're a very attractive woman, if you don't mind me saying so."

"I don't mind it at all."

Jo wasn't sure of the ethical implications of what they'd just witnessed, but hey, it was none of their business.

"Get it, Mrs C!"

"I'm acting like an old fool," Abby thought ruefully.

But she wasn't dead yet, and it had been so long since she'd had a man in her bed.

"Looking good, cuz."

"Naturally, but good of you to notice."

Louis rolled his eyes; he was used to Fiona's antics. He wished he had her confidence, truth be told.

"How's life these days?"

"Life is fantastic, which I suspect is more than you can say. Have you decided what you're going to do about it yet?"

"Huh?"

"Come on, Louis. I know you're not as dumb as most of our family think you are. I'm talking about you being on the wrong side of 25 and still acting like a teen."

"Oh, hey, there's Hannah! 'Scuse me, Fi!"

"You know I'm right!"

"...So I walk in, and they're on the pool table, absolutely going at it, and -"

"I don't care about pool table fucking, where's the rest of that pie?"

Tired from another day of shouldering her endless responsibilities as Mayor of Walden, Abby had rather hoped to have a quiet evening enjoying a relaxing talk and a drink with a couple of her closest associates.

Alas, she thought as she walked in to find that her living room had once again been taken over by Louis's friends, it was not meant to be.

Louis did enjoy throwing parties often. That big old house felt empty and much too quiet when he was rattling around in it by himself.

It was much better with a nice group of people to fill the silence.

"Mmm that smells divine, Lou!"

"Oh, uh, thanks, but Wilkes made it."

"I can't wait to grab a slice or four. I'm so hungry, you're starting to look tasty right about now."

"Please don't wolf out on us!"

"Relax, I was joking. Mostly."

"Oh shit, is Lee wearing his old llama suit?!"

On reflection, maybe inviting his ex from college who once drunkenly proposed to him wasn't the best idea...

I know it's not my place to judge, but...

All he ever does is lounge about, eating and partying on his mother's dime.

That said, he's also quite laid-back, as employers go.

"Feel free to grab yourself a drink, Wilkes."

"Thank you, sir."

"So...soon we'll have a bio dad and a step-dad. Wild, right?"

"Yeah..."

Even without her psychic powers, Nova could tell something was bothering her brother.

"What's up?"

"I dunno, it's just that...part of me kind of hoped mom and dad would get together at some point. I think dad likes mom, if you know what I mean."

Nova did know. It was obvious. Sepal didn't hide it nearly as well as he thought he did.

"Yeah but, mom and AIOS have been together a long time. And he's always been here for her, for us."

"I know, and I love AIOS and all, but it's not the same, y'know? Imagine if we could all get off this rock and go out there, as a family, see where we came from! There's sooo much to see, and now we never will!"

"Well, not necessarily. And remember, dad's an exile. He can't exactly go back on his spaceship."

"I bet there are ways. Dad can't be the only one who's left all that pollination stuff behind."

"Maybe..."

One day she could make her own way into space, thought Nova. Sim Earth had a robust space program of its own, and maybe they wouldn't be catching up to Sixam anytime soon, but advancements were being made all the time. She pictured herself up there in orbit, an astronaut on her space walk....

Ugh, why was math so hard?! Aster had a different plan of reaching the stars, and he only needed a good ship and a crew to do it.

Being a space pirate sounded like the best thing ever! Maybe his dad could come along, they could be, like, a father-son team.

----------------------------------------------------

That's it for the Murrays this round! Will Sepal make good on his promise to move out? What trouble will he cause for Kate and AIOS? Will AIOS find out about him messing around inside Kate's mind? And where do the twins' loyalties really lie?

Hopefully it won't take another year to find out, lol.