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Try Everything - A Going Solo Challenge (Sims 3)

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Hello and welcome!

Thanks for coming to check out my challenge/story. I'll be trying to complete the Going Solo challenge, but with a couple extra twists. The rules are simple. Complete all lifetime wishes and careers, without repeats, one LTW and career per generation, with each generation having only a single heir and not moving in partners, roommates or anyone else. For more information, this is where you can find the full rules and discussion.

The challenge rules cover all LTWs and careers, but I wanted to add a couple extra rules for myself that felt in keeping with the "try everything" goal of the challenge. First, I will also play all the traits. Each generation must have at least one unique trait not possessed by any previous heir. Repeats are allowed so long as each generation has at least one new trait, until all traits have been played. Second, I will play with the main family living in all the different worlds I own (which is all of them except Roaring Heights, at the moment) by the time I end the challenge.

Finally, the first generation (or two) will also be trying to overcome the 4x4 challenge, the rules for which can be found here. I've been meaning to try this one for a while and I think I can get away with combining the two. If there are conflicts, the going solo challenge will take precedence. I will be calling the 4x4 challenge successful after the tenth expansion, so I don't see it lasting more than a generation or two anyway.

Have I made an already long and difficult challenge hard enough yet? Time to get started and find out!

Comments

  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    Post edited by KaytayRoall on
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    LTW Checklist

    Become a Creature-Robot Cross Breeder
    Become a Master Thief
    Become an Astronaut
    Become a Superstar Athlete
    Celebrated Five-Star Chef
    CEO of a Mega-Corporation
    Chess Legend
    Emperor of Evil
    Forensics Specialist - Dynamic DNA Profiler
    Gold Digger
    Golden Tongue, Golden Fingers
    Heartbreaker
    Hit Movie Composer
    Illustrious Author
    International Super Spy
    Jack of All Trades
    Leader of the Free World
    Living in the Lap of Luxury
    Master of the Arts
    Perfect Mind, Perfect Body
    Presenting the Perfect Private Aquarium
    Professional Author
    Renaissance Sim
    Rock Star
    Star News Anchor
    Super Popular
    Surrounded by Family
    Swimming in Cash
    The Culinary Librarian
    The Perfect Garden
    The Tinkerer
    World-Renowned Surgeon
    Bottomless Nectar Cellar
    Great Explorer
    Martial Arts Master
    Physical Perfection
    Private Museum
    Seasoned Traveler
    Visionary
    World Class Gallery - 1 - Cyprus Griffith
    Descendant of Da Vinci
    Fashion Phenomenon
    Firefighter Super Hero
    Home Design Hotshot
    Monster Maker
    Paranormal Profiteer
    Pervasive Private Eye
    Possession is Nine-Tenths of the Law
    Distinguished Director
    Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous
    Master Mixologist
    Master Romancer
    One Sim Band
    Superstar Actor
    The Animal Rescuer
    The Ark Builder
    The Canine Companion
    The Cat Herder
    The Fairy Tale Finder
    The Jockey
    The Zoologist
    Master Acrobat
    Master Magician
    Vocal Legend
    Alchemy Artisan
    Celebrity Psychic
    Greener Gardens
    Leader of the Pack
    Magic Makeover
    Master of Mysticism
    Mystic Healer
    Turn the Town
    Zombie Master
    Blog Artist
    Major Master
    Perfect Student
    Reach Max Influence with all Social Groups
    Scientific Specialist
    Street Credible
    Deep Sea Diver
    Grand Explorer
    Resort Empire
    Seaside Savior
    High Tech Collector
    Made the Most of my Time
    More than a Machine

    Career Checklist
    Business
    Criminal (Evil/Thief)
    Culinary
    Journalism
    Law Enforcement (Forensics/Special Agent)
    Medical
    Music (Rock/Symphonic)
    Military
    Politics
    Professional Sports
    Science
    Angler
    Gardener
    Painter
    Author
    Nectar Maker
    Photographer - Cyprus Griffith
    Architect
    Firefighter
    Ghost Hunter
    Inventor
    Private Investigator
    Sculptor
    Stylist
    Education
    Film (Acting/Directing)
    Band
    Daycare
    Horse(wo)man
    Acrobat
    Magician
    Singer
    Fortune Teller
    Alchemist
    Art Appraiser
    Sports Agent
    Video Game Developer
    Lifeguard
    Astronomer
    Bot Arena
    Bookstore Clerk
    Grocery Clerk
    Cemetery Worker
    Spa Receptionist
    Spa Specialist
    Post edited by KaytayRoall on
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    Trait Checklist
    Absent-minded
    Ambitious
    Angler
    Artistic
    Athletic
    Bookworm
    Brave - 1 - Cyprus Griffith
    Can't Stand Art
    Charismatic
    Childish
    Clumsy
    Commitment Issues
    Computer Whiz
    Couch Potato
    Coward
    Daredevil
    Dislikes Children
    Easily Impressed
    Evil
    Excitable
    Family Oriented
    Flirty
    Friendly
    Frugal
    Genius
    Good
    Good Sense of Humor
    Great Kisser
    Green Thumb
    Grumpy
    Handy
    Hates the Outdoors
    Heavy Sleeper
    Hopeless Romantic
    Hot Headed
    Hydrophobic
    Inappropriate
    Insane
    Kleptomaniac
    Light Sleeper
    Loner - 1 - Cyprus Griffith
    Loser
    Loves the Outdoors - 1 - Cyprus Griffith
    Lucky
    Mean Spirited
    Mooch
    Natural Cook
    Neat
    Neurotic
    Never Nude
    No Sense of Humor
    Over-Emotional
    Party Animal
    Perfectionist
    Schmoozer
    Slob
    Snob
    Technophobe
    Unflirty
    Unlucky
    Vegetarian
    Vehicle Enthusiast
    Virtuoso
    Workaholic
    Adventurous - 1 - Cyprus Griffith
    Disciplined
    Photographer's Eye - 1 - Cyprus Griffith
    Born Sales(wo)man
    Dramatic
    Eccentric
    Eco-Friendly
    Perceptive
    Savvy Sculptor
    Shy
    Star Quality
    Nurturing
    Rebellious
    Animal Lover
    Cat Person
    Dog Person
    Equestrian
    Diva
    Natural Born Performer
    Social Butterfly
    Brooding
    Gatherer
    Night Owl
    Proper
    Supernatural Fan
    Supernatural Skeptic
    Loves the Cold
    Loves the Heat
    Avant Garde
    Irresistible
    Socially Awkward
    Loves to Swim
    Sailor
    Bot Fan
    Unstable

    World Checklist
    Sunset Valley - 1 - Cyprus Griffith
    Riverview
    Barnacle Bay
    Hidden Springs
    Lunar Lakes
    Lucky Palms
    Sunlit Tides
    Monte Vista
    Aurora Skies
    Dragon Valley
    Midnight Hollow
    Roaring Heights
    Twinbrook
    Bridgeport
    Appaloosa Plains
    Starlight Shores
    Moonlight Falls
    Isla Paradiso
    Post edited by KaytayRoall on
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    4x4 Challenge

    Start
    *The rules require having a bookshelf, but I decided to go with a dresser instead. They have the same cost and footprint and a dresser made more sense in the story context.*
    4x4front.jpg
    4x4layout.jpg
    1.jpg

    Expansion 1
    Exp1Front.jpg
    Exp1Layout.jpg
    Exp1Interior.jpg
    Post edited by KaytayRoall on
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    Prologue

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    What? Where am I?

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    What am I doing here?

    Screenshot-769.jpg

    I looked around, searching for answers to any of the questions buzzing around in my head. I was in a small clearing, surrounded by trees. Nothing looked familiar.

    Screenshot-770.jpg

    Well, there's only one way to go.

    Screenshot-771.jpg

    The path twisted and turned, but never split. That didn't stop me from feeling like I was lost in a maze of towering cypress trees. As I walked, I tried to remember. Where is this? How did I get here? But I couldn't remember. I tried to think farther back. Tried to remember... anything. Who am I?

    That thought brought me up short for a moment. I didn't even remember my own name. I force my feet to keep walking. There were no answers here, in the shadows of the tree-lined path, but maybe ahead.

    Screenshot-773.jpg

    Just as I started to wonder if the path was going to keep going on forever, I saw the exit. I heard the roar of the waterfall and marveled at it's beauty. For a moment, I stood in awe of this natural wonder, all questions washed from my mind by the rushing water.

    Screenshot-775.jpg

    Looking around, there wasn't anything but bushes and flowers and a lone bench. I sat and watched the waterfall.

    Screenshot-776.jpg

    I found it relaxing and peaceful. I could think about my lack of memories--my lack of self-identity--without panicking. I don't know how long I sat there, my thoughts flowing in and out like the little wavelets that lapped the shore in front of me.

    Screenshot-777.jpg

    Eventually I was overcome by the calm, the warmth, the soothing constancy of the sound of rushing water and fell asleep. I awoke to the setting sun and a shadow being cast over me.

    Screenshot-778.jpg

    "Oh my, are you alright, dearie?" asked a kind, delicate voice.

    I blinked up at the elderly faerie woman, then sat up. "Um, yeah, I think so," I answered uncertainly. "I was just... lost, I guess."

    "Lost? Oh dear, oh dear. Maybe I can help you get home. What's your name?"

    "I... uh, I don't remember."

    "Oh dear, oh dear," she fretted. "Do you remember anything? Anything at all?"

    "No. Nothing. I walked through that long path and came out here. That's it."

    "Path? What path, dearie?"

    "The one over..." I pointed, only to find that it was gone. I was surrounded by bushes and flowers, without a sign of the path I had taken to get here.

    Screenshot-780.jpg

    I looked all around, confused. The waterfall was just where it had been, the bench, all of it except the tree-lined path "Where did it go? There was a dirt path, with cypress trees all along it. I walked along it for a while, a long time, I think, and came out here." I was about ready to cry. I couldn't remember anything and the one thing I did remember had disappeared as if it never existed.

    "Don't worry, I believe you," the faerie soothed. "That's it, nothing else?"

    For just a second, I remembered something else. Something so small and fragmented, it didn't make sense. A word--a name?--carved on glossy stone, sleek with rain. "Griffith?" I said softly, so uncertain, for the memory had fled as quickly as it had come.

    "Well, we'll just call you that for now, why don't we? Cyprus Griffith. I'm Dorie Sprigg."

    Screenshot-782.jpg

    "I suppose you don't have anywhere to go, do you, dearie?" she asked me gently. I shook my head. "Well then, you just come with me. We'll get you taken care of, you'll see!"

    I followed and she led me to the road. It actually wasn't far away, just hidden by the shrubs.

    Screenshot-783.jpg

    She climbed into the driver's seat of a car parked there. I hesitated for a moment. Some part of me knew getting into a car with a stranger was dangerous. But what choice did I have? And surely she was harmless. She was just a sweet old lady. I got in and she drove off, heading into town.

    I tried to ask her where she was taking me or how she intended to take care of me, but I couldn't get a straight answer out of her. Instead she chatted as we drove, telling me about the town, this landmark and that family who lived over there. I tried to pay attention, but it was all getting very overwhelming. Soon we arrived at a towering business building and she ushered me out of the car.

    Screenshot-784.jpg

    "My son works here," she told me over her shoulder as she walked up to the front door. "Don't worry, he's always working late, such a hard worker my boy is. He'll be here and we'll get you a place to stay."

    Inside, she left me sitting in a waiting room for a while, then ushered me into an office and introduced me to her son, Marvin. He shook my hand, sat me down in a chair and proceeded to talk at me so fast that I only caught one out of every five words he said. Then he pushed a stack of papers across the desk at me. I stared at them blankly.

    "You're... giving me a house?" I asked disbelievingly.

    "Yes. You could say it that way," he said with a smile. "I just need to you sign here. And here. Initials here. One last signature."

    The whole thing was hard to believe and I definitely hadn't caught all the legal jargon he had spouted, but I needed a place to sleep. How could I say no? I signed my new name, Cyprus Griffith, feeling awkward.

    "That's everything. You're now the proud owner of a new home. How about I walk you out?" he asked, holding the door for me politely. Dorie had watched over the whole proceeding, beaming proudly.

    Screenshot-786.jpg

    Outside, he handed me keys and a slip of paper. "Here are your keys and address. A cab is on the way to take you to your new home."

    Screenshot-788.jpg

    Dorie chimed in, "Now I know what you're going to think when you see it. 'It's so small!' But rather than thinking of it as lacking size, think of it as being full of potential!"

    I nodded, still dumbfounded by the entire day. As the cab pulled up, I finally found the words to thank them both before climbing in.

    Screenshot-790.jpg

    When I got dropped off at my new home, I was too tired and overwhelmed to even take a proper look around. I just climbed into bed and fell asleep.

    Screenshot-791.jpg
    Post edited by KaytayRoall on
  • MischiefTheKittenMischiefTheKitten Posts: 3,635 Member
    I don't trust that old lady or her son. How did she know Cyprus was going to be at that clearing? Who just gives away a house? It's too fishy that he just had those papers laying around! GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN, GIRL!!

    That clearing was lovely, though, definitely not the worst place to wake up in from god knows what! :)

    ~MischiefTheKitten

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  • Blackrain95Blackrain95 Posts: 178 Member
    Really liking the mystery here so far! Really curious as to what Cyprus' history is and how she developed a bad case of amnesia, the poor girl! Though, I get this feeling her last name might belong to someone else or at least be pretty important here in the future! I'll be bookmarking and watching for further updates!
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  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    @MischiefTheKitten But she's just a sweet, harmless old lady! *grins* And thank you! The clearing and path were something I whipped up quickly, trying to match the image I had in my head.

    @Blackrain95 I had hoped a bit of mystery would be a good hook to start my story off with. I'm so glad it worked!

    Thank you both for reading and taking the time to comment!
  • MischiefTheKittenMischiefTheKitten Posts: 3,635 Member
    @KaytayRoall A bit of mystery to kick things off can't go wrong ^^ And I'm not buying that, there's no such thing as a harmless old lady! :P

    Welcome again to the challenge! The thread has been quiet recently, but usually it's busy :) Do pop in every now and again! Groups like ours are even more fun with the chatter ;)

    ~MischiefTheKitten

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  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    Chapter 1.1 - Day One
    **Apologies for the walls-down pictures. That house is just too small to get pictures with the walls up.**

    1.jpg

    When I woke up the next morning, I took a proper look around.

    4x4layout.jpg

    Calling my new home small was an understatement. I'm pretty sure there are closets bigger than my house. I didn't mind, though. I didn't have a bunch of stuff I need a place for and somehow the lack of space felt right with the lack of anything meaningful in my memory.

    When I went outside, I saw the little fenced in area in the front yard and some of Marvin's words from the night before came back to me. Something about encouraging residents to keep a garden to have a source of fresh, healthy food. Residents plural? I really looked around and suddenly realized that my house was only one of several tiny, identical houses along the road.

    4x4neighbors.jpg

    It's not like I have anything better to do, I thought and headed off to the grocery store to buy some seeds and basics to stock my fridge.

    grocery.jpg

    I didn't know the first thing about gardening, but I did my best, digging around and planting my seeds.

    garden_1.jpg

    Afterward, I went inside to wash my hands and noticed something sitting on the table. That wasn't there before, was it? It was a camera and under it was a little scrap of paper with two words written on it: "DON'T FORGET"

    camera.jpg

    What's that supposed to mean? And isn't it a bit late to tell me that?! The note and camera yeilded up no further hints as to where they had come from or what the message was supposed to mean. As I held on to the camera, though, I admitted to myself that there was some appeal to it. If I took pictures, I'd have a record. I wouldn't forget. Never again.

    It was a good thought and I felt more sure of this choice than any I had made since waking up in that clearing. But I had no more idea how to use a camera than I had known how to garden and unlike gardening, photography was expensive to screw up.

    library.jpg

    So I headed to the library to do some reading up before I started snapping pictures. When I saw how many other people seemed to be spending the day there, I almost turned back around to go home. Crowds make me nervous. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because of uncertainty about myself, maybe it's some sort of subconscious memory. I just knew that as soon as I saw that many people gathered together, I got anxious.

    reading.jpg

    Fortunately, there was plenty of room inside the library and the crowd dispersed. I had no trouble finding a quiet spot to settled down with the book I found on photography.

    I was fascinated. Everything from technical discussions of camera specs and development techniques to the art of composition and color theory had my complete attention, I couldn't get enough. Finally, I closed the book with a satisfied snap and looked around.

    book.jpg

    The library had emptied and it had gotten dark outside without me taking any notice. I was also starving, I realized abruptly. I hadn't eaten since breakfast.

    diner.jpg

    I went to the diner and took my first picture of the light spilling out though the diner's doors before going inside to get some food. When I got home, I hung that picture on the wall. I wouldn't forget.
  • jazenjazen Posts: 5,612 Member
    Okay. As promised, catching up on my reading.

    I like the name she sorta picked for herself. Cyprus. I'm a fan of unusual names (at times). So some random fairy happens upon her, takes her somewhere and just gives her a house??? Ever hear if it's too good to be true then it isn't. Just saying, I know she's had a rough day, but wow. She doesn't know who she is or where she is. Has no job and no memory. What's going on in that town??? The fairy didn't even seem bother by her lack of memory or the fact the path she talked about was no longer there. Too many questions!!!!

    Next part.
    Wow, so it's a whole neighborhood of tiny houses. Interesting. Although it's kinda creepy that she gets back to find a camera and a note in her house. Someone had been in her house!!! WTH is going on???
    15845932053_27f57f3980.jpg

  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    lol I'm glad I got the next chapter posted in time for you to reading it while catching up, @jazen. Thanks for stopping by. :)

    Yes, it is all rather strange, isn't it? I'm afraid you'll have to bear with me a little longer to start getting some answers. And some might take longer than others...
  • Nancy01905Nancy01905 Posts: 3,929 Member
    I am loving how you are doing the story and the backstory as well :smiley:
  • MischiefTheKittenMischiefTheKitten Posts: 3,635 Member
    The people who gave her the house couldn't be more suspicious. The hell are they doing? Are they building a community indebted to them? Why do they leave weird notes she doesn't understand and a camera when she's not home? Why not do it when she's there?
    I don't think they're doing this for her wellfare. I think it's their fault she lost her memory to begin with, and now they're using her to their own ends.
    This is creepy. Cyprus had better watch her back!!

    I'm excited that she's getting into gardening and photography!! I studied photography at uni and am excited to see her progress :) I also hope she makes a friend of her own soon, not someone that old lady and her son planted. I have a feeling she'll need someone to help her very soon :/

    This is really exciting, well done! :)

    ~MischiefTheKitten

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  • Piazzagirl1015Piazzagirl1015 Posts: 2,500 Member
    Just read the prologue and the first chapter and I have to say I'm a little suspicious of that old woman and her son too. It doesn't make sense that they would just give her a house and an identity out of the blue. Something isn't right with that.

    It is a great beginning and I look forward to reading more of it.
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    @Nancy01905 Thanks! :)

    @MischiefTheKitten Those are some very interesting suspicions! :) I tried photography for the first time in the game a couple months ago and was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I wanted to give it another go and see how far I could get with it, so I picked it to be her career. As for making a friend... you might be right, she probably will end up needing help. But Cyprus is a loner to start with and her loss of her memories has made her feel even more isolated. I'm not sure she'll have an easy time finding or making friends.
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    @Piazzagirl1015 Thank you for stopping by to read and comment. :) The situation is a rather unusual one and Cyprus is still trying to figure everything out.
  • MischiefTheKittenMischiefTheKitten Posts: 3,635 Member
    @KaytayRoall Sounds like she'll have her work cut out for her! Being a loner living in isolation without any memories can't be easy. I do love the photography skill but it will take a lot of money. Especially in the beginning, when her photos don't sell for that much. I suppose it's more realistic that way :P

    ~MischiefTheKitten

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  • BlackSandBlackSand Posts: 2,074 Member
    @KaytayRoall ... The story almost has a Wayward Pines feel to it.

    I eat pickles on my hamburgers ... MWWAHAHAHAHA
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    @BlackSand I had to look up Wayward Pines, but I can see how some similarities could be drawn. Fortunately I think I'll be going in a different sort of direction with it, so I don't have to worry I'm copying something else without even knowing it! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. :)
    Post edited by KaytayRoall on
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    edited April 2016
    Chapter 1.2 - Everyday Life

    NewGarden.jpg

    I wanted to pursue my lost memories, to find where I had come from, who I had been, but I didn't even know where to start and there was always something more immediate to take care of. I spent the mornings taking care of my little garden. I savored my time outside in the fresh air, with the sun shining down on me.

    BeachPhoto.jpg

    I also enjoyed my photography. I often wandered the town, looking for new subjects to take pictures of.

    Cemetery.jpg

    That's how I found myself at the cemetery one day. I had a strange, niggling feel while I was there. It creeped me out and I left quickly after snapping a couple photos.

    CityHall.jpg

    I decided to sell some of the photos that I took and even registered at City Hall as a freelance photographer.

    Bills.jpg

    After all, there were bills to pay. I spent some of the money I earned on a bike, too, so that I wouldn't have to take a taxi everywhere.

    Harvest.jpg

    Before I knew it, my garden was fully grown and I collected my first harvest. I supposed this was what it felt like to be settled-down, but the mundane routine quickly began to grate on me.

    Mausoleum.jpg

    I found myself drawn to the cemetery even as that nagging sensation drove me away from it. I snuck in one night to explore the catacombs, but whatever I was searching for in the eerie depths, I didn't find.

    Phone.jpg

    It teased my growing dissatisfaction, though, and I realized I wanted more adventure in my life. I wanted new places to see and explore. Checking my phone, I discovered that there was a special deal on tickets, making a trip quite affordable. I booked a flight for the next day without hesitation.

    Departure.jpg

    It was as I was walking out to the cab that I was suddenly struck by a memory.

    UniDeparture.jpg

    I had been leaving... for Uni?

    WavingGoodbye.jpg

    While my parents waved goodbye.

    My parents?! I clung to the memory, focusing, trying desperately to remember their faces, their names, anything. But instead there was a sudden flash of light and pain, followed by darkness. The memory was gone and instead I saw only a pair of eyes that seemed to glow out of the surrounding dark.

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    "Oh no you don't. Not yet," chided a voice in my mind.
  • Nancy01905Nancy01905 Posts: 3,929 Member
    wow, another great chapter :smiley:
  • KaytayRoallKaytayRoall Posts: 923 Member
    @Nancy01905 Wow, that was quick! :D Thank you!
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