The Shepherds

Agnes is loving the latest addition to the family, baby Martinus.

And Cynedritha is being an absolute nuisance wherever she can. Poor Milo is covered in bite marks...

Eathun Shepherd, my gen 5 heir, with his wife and two eldest children. The family is excited to say goodbye to Winter and welcome Spring.

Spring days on the Shepherd farm.

He knows that this pregnancy was very rough on his wife who is petrified of losing another child. Eathun prays to the Watcher in every spare moment for their children's health.

Agnes: Now that the little ones are down for a sleep - What brings you all the way to Windenburg? I'm thrilled that you're here - but thats not an easy journey for a young woman alone...

Sarah: Although I am overjoyed to see you again.. I come due to troubles back home...

Agnes: Is it our dear brother Tristan?

Sarah: I am afraid so... He continues to lead his growing group of bandits... And although I love him dearly, especially for all that he has done for us, I am afraid I must leave... I have heard him making plans to marry me to one of his fellow bandits - and the life of a bandit's wife is not what I would like.

Agnes: Nor is it a life I would want for you, my dear Sarah. Let me plead with my husband. Perhaps we can take you in, and eventually help you find a reputable man to settle with since you are of marrying age.

Sarah: Oh thank you, Agnes. I knew that I could count on you.

Agnes: Of course! I would like to see it that neither of us must ever beg again, or rely on Tristan's Henford Hill Bandits...

Sarah: Wow! I can't believe that all of this is yours! Land and livestock to boot!

Agnes: I know... I thank the Watcher everyday for the gifts that I've been given.

Sarah: From a beggar child living on the streets and splitting scraps with me to a shepherd's wife with plenty of crops and livestock... I almost can't believe your fortune, sister.

Sarah: Who'd have thought that you'd end up with so much after the childhood that we had...

Sarah: It has been far too long, dear Agnes!

Agnes: Sarah! Words cannot describe how excited I am to see you!

Sarah: ... And you are expecting! Am I to become an aunt?

Agnes: You are already an aunt... Would you like to meet your niece and nephew?

The heavier Milo gets, the more aware Agnes is of him growing up into a little man.

Agnes: ...Really? I know how much your family values a large family when it comes to the farm though...

Eathun: I'm not my family though. I am Eathun, the husband of Agnes... And if this is many children as she wants, then I will pray that this is all that she'll have, so that she can continue to be happy.

Agnes: ... You were born to be a poet, my love, not a shepherd.

Agnes: How did I get so lucky to marry a man like this...

Until he is ready to talk things through with Agnes.

Births & Deaths to Date

The famine of 1369 had a large death toll, but no where near as bad as the Black Plague of 1348. Overall, it appears that births and deaths have both decreased as of 1370.

There was a total of 14 births this year, which is significantly low! Births haven't been under 20 since 1360.

Overall, there were a total of 16 deaths for 1370, which seems to be about average for 1360s+ (with the exception of 1369's year of famine).

Surname Stats

Currently the most common surnames in my save are:

Holloway

Shelley

Mandus

Shepherd

Whitmore

Lifespan Stats

As of the end of 1370, I have 343 living sims in the save file!

I honestly I think I need to start introducing new families to keep genetic diversity, but man does one day take me forever to complete with so many sims to account for!

Main Events from 1370

Family Tree

She cannot help it and is unable to hide her dismay.

Eathun: My love... Is something wrong? You don't seem overjoyed about this news...

Agnes: I don't want to lose another. My heart cannot have another join our little Abraham...

Eathun: And so we shall pray day and night to the Watcher for mercy. But whatever the will of the Watcher is, we must follow.

Agnes: ... As much as I would love for us to have a full flock of little ones, I would rather we had no more so that we do not tempt the fates...

Eathun: Oh, Dearest wife... It pains me to hear you say that...

Agnes can no longer ignore the signs from her body. She admits that she is with child once again... And although she still mourns from her last pregnancy, she also finds that she is excited.

The first person she tells is her mother-in-law, Elena.

Elena: What wonderful news, girl! The Watcher is blessing up with another little Shepherd!

Agnes: Y-yeah...

Elena: Have you told your husband? I'm sure Eathun will be esctatic with the news.

Agnes: not just yet... I was waiting to see if my suspicions were true... and so it seems to be.

Elena: Be sure to tell him soon. He'll want to know the joyous news as soon as possible.

The people of Windenburg rejoice for the birth of the Honourable Hanusch Swindlehurst - who is currently the official 14th in line the the Windenburg throne. The people praise the Watcher for many plentiful sons within the royal family.

Both Hanusch and his mother, the beautiful Princess Osterhild Swindlehurst are doing well. High King Tristram Von Windenburg will be holding a grand feast to celebrate the birth of his 13th grandson!

Agnes loves caring for her little ones, despite her heavy heart.

She relishes the nights that they have onion and potato soup, so she can blame her tears on the onions rather than her sad mood... Eathun isn't buying it though...

Cynedritha is the self-proclaimed Queen of Goats... Which considering her long line of goat herding individuals, is fairly accurate.

Eathun enjoys the precious moments with his children, however, he doesn't get much time with them due to being kept busy with the many chores of their humble farm.

That said, he never misses telling his daughter a bed time story.

Nicholas has also taken on many larger responsibilities since coming into double digits, however, is consistently found in a sour mood. He would much rather be in the village where he can see all the young ladies at the market, or napping by the stream...