VellahVee Sim God

Wa has suffered a great tragedy. 

The Babies have aged to Toddlerhood, but not all made it. At first One of the twins went missing just poof and disappeared from their lives. Not longer after this disappearance the other twin died after aging up. Assessing their fears surrounding the death and disappearance of their 2nd set of children by a person Wa can’t remember meeting, Wa and G’Ra decide they need greater shelter for them and each of their toddlers. 

The bush covered cradles weren’t enough. There were too many openings in the valley. Those terrain gaps were perfect for curious wandering toddlers to slip in and out of unnoticed. With some skill in gardening and land manipulation, Wa and G’Ra build a stone wall barrier to close blind spots in the valley. 

Surprisingly there is a side effect from their land manipulation efforts. As they built the wall moving earth and stone, a ditch was formed on the side of the natural hills near where the toddlers rested their bodies throughout the day.  

New Land Mound protecting the Toddlers

Over time this ditch began to fill with water that fell from the sky.  This reservoir then provided the added benefit of water they did not have to travel far to gather any longer. 

New life forms sprang up in the water as well. This unintended pond offered Wa, G’Ra and the toddlers a source of clean water for bathing and drinking along with Fun activities they desperately needed, like playing in the water, seeking frogs and sticky clay they could mold into useful objects and imaginative toys.

The pond also helped to build G’Ra’s Angling Skills. They no longer needed to leave the valley all day to go fishing and water gathering. They were able to help look after the toddlers and seek needed materials to help the crops grow and make body coverings for them all.

[G’Ra’s Day in the Valley Video]

As if waking from a long dream for a third time, Wa came to at the edge of the valley at what they had thought was not long after the birth of G’Ra’s child. But something was off. Wa wasn’t where they remembered last standing holding their child for a feeding. Rather they were off between the bushes as if tucked away. 

Alarmed by yet another loss of time and memory, Wa collected themself and attempted to retrace their steps. Wa remembered giving birth to So then helping G’Ra to give birth to Kellan. Wa remembered the ease they were able to offer G’Ra from the knowledge gained after their birthing experience. 

As Wa was regaining consciousness for the third time they recognized the sensations of discomfort, illness and heaviness that had stricken them before giving birth. Looking down Wa saw their belly was large again. Was it all a dream? Did they not give birth already? They were disoriented and struggled to find their way out of the bushes back to the camp site. 

On arrival and to Wa’s surprise and dismay they found G’Ra struggling with the first set of babies. It wasn’t a dream birth did happen! Yet Wa was 3rd trimester pregnant again and without knowledge of the experience. 

Questions filled Wa’s mind. Where were they in the time that seemed to have passed? How much time had passed? Was G’Ra aware of this new pregnancy? Was G’Ra aware of this time lapse and Wa’s disorientation. 

Arriving to their privacy tree, Wa saw G’Ra had been struggling with the infants. Wa chose to put their worrisome thoughts aside and help G’Ra manage with the screaming babies. There was little time to ponder what was happening and much to do to keep bellies full, crops alive and ward off the illness that kept them running to the bushes. 

Getting lost in the routines of life Wa soon gave birth to the mysterious babies. Twins this time. They didn’t resemble G’Ra at all. Wa worried about this. But at the sound of the infants’ cries Wa again forgot their worrisome thoughts and did what needed to be done to ensure theirs and the children’s survival with G’Ra’s help. 

Fearful of the unknown circumstances of their memory loss, Wa asking G’Ra to shroud the babies in leaves and branches so they would not be visible to any threats. 

As if it wan’t already difficult waking up the first time confused and without memory of how they arrived at Water Landing. The mysterious phenomena happened again. They knew time had slipped away from them because while Wa was slowly getting larger before the incident G’Ra had grown to nearly the same size as Wa upon their re-awakening.  

Thinking deeply about the matter, Wa began to study G’Ra’s condition and compare both their symptoms. They cross referenced their findings with other animals in nature. All though there were many differences there were many similarities as well.  

                                     [Flashback Video G’Ra’s Symptoms]

The answer was clear to Wa. The both of them were with child!

Noting the signs in nature that tell timing of arrival Wa had G’Ra get to work immediately preparing coverings and nesting areas for the coming additions to the valley at Water Landing. 

Groggy and disoriented, Wa and G’Ra awoke to find a hand full of mysteries on their hand. G’Ra realized Wa’s mid section had been getting larger, they’d chalked it up to Wa over eating wild berries while out gathering food for them both. G’Ra hadn’t made a fuss about it know their fishing wasn’t producing much for them to eat let alone share. G’Ra was grateful for what ever Wa shared including their warmth at night. Thus, G’Ra  figured their share of food was equal to their pull around the valley not an equal split of what Wa found while foraging. 

Not bringing food into the group, G’Ra focused their free time on researching the crops learning from Wa’s mysterious wisdom. They also made coverings with found objects and built useful items in order to earn a share of Wa’s food haul each day. 

G’Ra’s efforts were slow yet steady as the two were gaining each other’s trust. Their connection grew just as the crops were taking root, sprouting leaves and just beginning to bear fruit.

I have to say, getting started with The Sims 4 Historical Challenge has been very challenging. To start I was focused on simple immersion with visuals to help create the feel of the time period. I began with the lot design and coverings in place of clothing. 

The lot design was fairly straight forward especially with live edit objects debugged and useable thanks to @twistedmexi. That is until my characters started walking through rocks and boulders! I spent so much time level building a valley for Wa and G’Ra to start their journey only to find I needed to go back to the drawing board to brainstorm a playable level that honored game mechanics in a creative yet invisible way without building modern walls.    I chose to use terrain modifications instead of natural fencing. I added mounds too tall to walk up forcing a reroute around to the paths I carved out. It’s not perfect as it stands but it is working.

Livable space was limited from the start as I started on the small “Oasis Springs, Water Landing” lot because it goes along with the storyline I am developing - look out for some interesting timeline benders and flashbacks -  having to add mounds only further reduced the space as controlling land manipulation with Maxis tools carries a great learning curve be it on Console or Computer. 

 I don’t want to spend too much time reworking a finished design though. After all, I already spent my 5,000 simoleons and placed all needs based items as best I could with zero privacy due to lack of walls because my starting character’s lack of handiness knowledge to build anything. I still have some areas to close up if my Sims are ever going get their hygiene up and not release their bladder on themselves. 

The Finished Valley Lot

I am not worrying with starting over because, it feels authentic to have blunders. I bet prehistoric civilizations had to work through many challenges that required creative problem solving, observing nature and trail and era.  Plus, there will be more other lots to do a better build on and showcase my development as a game level designer as I progress. For now I have my very first V1 pre-historical level build. 

Coverings... Not Clothing

My other focus was the coverings, without power, skills and memory of how they arrived where they are, it goes without saying that clothing shouldn’t be jeans and sneakers in this pre-historic era. I wanted something loose and thrown together. I used Naked and Afraid survivor as inspiration since finding pre-made cc hasn’t been easy. Also me spending hours window shopping the internet for coverings is a real simulation immersion breaker.   

I got to work putting together some re-colors with leaves and vines. The process started as terrible as the first human civilizations must have had it. Items didn’t fit correctly, none of what I tried looked good either, it was perfect. After painstaking trial and era, I finally landed on something I feel the characters can move forward with until their skills (and mine) level for more complexity. 

I know most people doing the Sims 4 Historical Challenge go for animal hides but Wa and G’Ra don’t have the skills or tools yet to go after animals. All they have are the trees bushes and problem solving skills. Trust me it even bugs me that they have a bed. I feel they should be resting on the ground on leaves until they have the Handiness Skill to build from trees. But I ask for your suspension of disbelief for now, please. 

I will end with this note, the Stone Age level is very difficult, especially on the Bladder. Players beware! While this challenge isn’t new, I will not be the last player to attempt it. I am giving fair warning. My sims spend most of their time trying to eat 20 pieces of fruit to fill up then, embarrassing themselves on the ground part way through their meal. I have them eat next to the bladder bush now.

There is barely time to level skills let alone their aspiration. Survival is finding food, feeding themselves one fruit at a time and getting sick from Living off the Land negative Buffs. I have the “Living Off The Grid” lot challenge turned on because why not? I don’t need my sims checking their phone or video playing games when they can’t even autonomously feed themselves.  

Picture Day! Memory Wipe. 

Chapter 1 - First Things First

Still unsure about how they arrived at this “Water Landing”, to survive Wu Lo and G’Ra Sul discuss their situation while examining their surroundings. There is much to take in! They are overwhelmed by this strange new place filled with many kinds of trees, bushes, tall slick boulders and strange shinny rocks. They agree to take things slow as they test out what could help or harm them. 

Gathering supplies for their survival is their main concern as bellies rumble and fatigue sets in. Some items will require time, while others only some elbow grease. Wu Lo runs off to gather edibles and G’Ra Sul checks out the coast line. Instinctively each seem to know what to do. Like a vague dream Wu Lo is able to distinguish fruits and vegetables from other plants. Not all they pick is safe to eat which they soon learn while running to the nearest bush but not quite making it in time. Embarrassed from soiling themselves, Wu Lo becomes desperately uncomfortable ending all gathering activities for the day.  

Meanwhile G’Ra Sul finds a thin vine and a long branch to rig together a “fishing line” they call it. They stand quietly at the shore line seemingly doing nothing compared to the running back and forth Wu Lo did to find food for them both. G’Ra Sul catches rocks that shimmer and names them crystals, seaweeds they don’t recognize and junk they throw back in. This experience isn’t fun and produces very little reward. 

Just as G’Ra Sul is about to give up, gather water and return to the meeting spot between the large boulders at the fallen tree stump G’Ra catches something. “A minnow” G’Ra yells out! Filled with tears, their memory begins to defog and G’Ra’s skill in the art of Angling Ace slowly return to them. G’Ra can tell there is more that isn’t clear but now they aren’t as scared as they were at the beginning of the day when the idea of being lost without an inkling of who you are loomed over them. 

The next day with greater hope Wu Lo and G’Ra Sul start the day with conversation, grumbling stomachs and a few embarrassing moments as they figure out solving their Bladder and Hygiene needs. 

The Week:

Wu Lo:  - Gathers blackberries, onions, tulips, lemons and finds cherry trees that need time to bear their fruits.  - Spreading out feedings over the week, eventually a surplus builds up. Wu is now able to begin cultivating their own crops.  - Without a dedicated place for trash that accumulates, overtime trash fruits sprout and are added to the daily harvest duties.

Historical Challenge Day 1: Generation 1 - Stone Age

Water Landing, Oasis Springs: Lot set to Off-the-Grid, Bracing Breezes, Natural Light and Private Dwelling so NPCs in Modern Era do not disturb these out of time early era hoo-mans.

(I am saving Convivial and Homey for the 2nd or 3rd Generation when the family is a bit more settled in.  Introducing: Wu Lo & G’Ra Sul, lot mates. 

Wu Lo: female build androgynous  Stats: Self Assured, Good, Loves Outdoors, Nature Collector Traits Aspiration: Botanist

G’Ra Sul: male build androgynous Stats: Bro, Romantic, Loves Outdoors, Nature Collector Traits Aspiration: Angling Ace

(I would have preferred to have them meet on a community lot and generate a history, but rules are rules!) 

For now, “The Rigmarole Saga of VellahVee” Long ago the baby god VellahVee was playing in the dirt and wind of dust devils when it began to rain. The god Hurricane’s season to be had come around. As Hurricane got to work they saw the baby god VellahVee having fun enjoying the fruits of all the other SimGuruGods. The god Hurricane grew jealous instantly. In their anger Hurricane decided to punish VellahVee for the unimpeded life they were able to live without seasons to rest or work, without limits or preordered duties. Hurricane’s punishment was to wash out the dirt, electrify the air and suck the life force out of VellahVee with their terrible cyclone force. 

Continue Reading Backstory >>

VellahVee blessed Wu Lo with fruit and flower seeds while G’Ra Sul was blessed with an instinct for handiness. Not knowing what the seeds were for or where the instinct to craft a bed, a tub or body coverings from items found in nature, the two discussed ideas and shared their strange rabbit-hole experiences that landed them in this cavern at this time with each other. 

Will they figure out what seeds do? Can they stomach testing out wild foliage for meals or die of starvation or worse? Will G’Ra be able to stop the bleeding from injuries sustained while builds basic living items from zero skills or tools outside their bare hands. 

I’ll be making content of all kinds to help enhance the gaming experiences from my own world view. With millions of players and thousands of content creators, surly most ideas have been ideated and most challenges have been accepted. Thus the only way to carve a place for myself in this world is to carve a place for myself based on my 1 out of 7 billion unique world view. 

I have help to start. For one I will be creating content my kids both young and grown can enjoy as well as content the community can enjoy from a familiar perspective. 

Thus, my first content will be based on packs, a group of mods geared toward a fully immersed experience following a specific story line, challenge or gameplay feature. 

To Begin, I am starting at the very beginning, The Historical Challenge.  Little did I know I began my reintroduction to The SIMS universe by making up a challenge very similar but I didn’t think to write it down as I was only trying to heal from severe depression during Covid Times. Now knowing there are established challenges and that i can create my own the community might enjoy, my wheels are turning and I am writing it all down to share with you. 

Historical Challenge can be found HERE if you haven’t heard about it (yeah right, who do I think I am talking to). 

Until I have my content ready to share, I will be using the mods of other community members to help me navigate this new limited game play experience without breaking the rules. Play through will help me understand what’s needed and how my world view differs from those who came before me. Diversity and representation is the name of the game folks! Thank You 2020 for helping to bring that concern to life. 

It’s Been 22 Years and The SIMS are still around from when I was a child. And, like myself, The SIMS have grown up into a nearly all digital world. 22 Years later, like The Sims, I have children too. While we are on The SIMS 4, I am on child 4 with 2 fairy god children and 2 biological children of my own. 

Modding was a thing for those of my peers who weren’t nerds in school like I was. Having been left behind in the pursuit of my education that got me no where further than growing student debt and a zeroed out bank account ( thanks to COVID mandates shutting down my business without PPP or grants to supplement paying the business bills while we spent 2 years in a so called temporary state of emergency), I am picking back up on an old passion I abandoned, gaming and digital content creation.

I’m back! 

To get re-started with my game and digital content creation journey I’ll be updating my programming and 3D design and rendering skills. I’ll be using those skills to crate and publish modded game content in the hopes of earning a place on a game design and development team.  My skills do bridge the gap between design and development simply because I am an artistically inclined polymath with a strong need to bring my creations to life which require either programming in digital spaces or production in organic spaces.