The teasers for chapter 9 look really interesting. Alex with Damion and Ember, what going on👀
Ch.9 - Arihi found Alexanders base but I can’t help but worry for her. Oh no Arihi! Aw Alex, stay strong😔 Good luck Alex, good on for him for not swimming away. Now where does the hole lead too? Oh Ember! Aw their relation can still be salvaged😄 Damion coming to them for help, had a feeling that would happen from the teasers. Haha I enjoy very much Damions character. Him pleading with the two…I mean technically he didn’t do anything wrong. He followed the deals. Hope Ember is able to save him in the end, can’t blame them for not trusting Damion.
Overal great chapter and alliance, looking forward to the next chapter
@BlueSeaWaves Thank you for the response! Damion is definitely a character I want readers to have a love/ hate relationship with. He’s the one villain that won’t be going away any time soon.
All of my merfolk are kept at the Young Adult Life Stage, and I don’t age them up beyond that. All merfolk in my story are the type of immortals that have eternal youth and eternal life. They can die, but that would be extremely difficult to do. For the most part, all of the merfolk with the Atlantica Tail will be here to stay. So, you don’t need to worry about getting attached to them or picking a favorite character to follow. Once they appear in the story, they will be here to stay.
I actually have multiple flags put in place specifically to ensure they don’t die or get culled. If they die, it will be a story event.
I may be taking a short hiatus in the near future. I’m not entirely sure. All I know for sure is that I’m super tired and sleep will do me some wonders.
Depending on how I feel after a good night’s rest, I’ll let everyone know.
When I finish this story arc, I’m going to share a link to the chapter that starts the Arc on the first page. The post that starts the discussion on the first page will be updated with character bios, a table of contents with links, and a few extras. Hopefully, that helps with navigation in this thread as the story grows longer.
My most recent update to the first page was the inclusion of merfolk abilities and weaknesses that I follow very strictly in the story. I figured sharing them was worth it because it is something different from the way things are set up with vanilla gameplay.
Here are some of the most notable differences between how I set up my merfolk in game and how vanilla merfolk are set up:
1. Instead of getting their mermadic form when they become teens, I reversed it. My merfolk don’t have a human form until they become teens.
2. When merfolk shapeshift into a human form, prolonged use of their human form comes with very negative consequences.
3. My merfolk aren’t humans. It shouldn’t be easy for them to pretend to be human.
These simple rules have led to more interesting builds, and it helps me focus on writing a more interesting story that isn’t restricted to the vanilla limitations.
Also, I always skip the Newborn, Infant, and Toddler life stages since mermadic forms aren’t supported. I also don’t have any Adult or Elder merfolk. That’s also a play on how merfolk tend to have a youthful beauty or handsomeness in many stories.
I also made it so townie sims can’t age up with the clumsy or child of the ocean traits. I like how the clumsy trait makes sims stumble on their feet and the child of the ocean trait just makes sense for merfolk.
I’m hoping to get the final scene of my next chapter and write it before the end of this week. Life has been very busy, so I’ve neither had time for writing or the gameplay before writing.
I have had little bits of time that I’ve spent reading updates from others. So, hopefully, I’ll at least be caught up with all the stories I’m following soon.
@Metior_Ice I know how it is trying to keep up. I love the writing on Chapter 9.❤️
You do a wonderful job of having Damion lie, but tell the truth, to be trustworthy and not, all at the same time about the same subject. That is amazing writing. I know Alex's faith in Ember will be repaid. I think Alex getting his voice back would make a really wonderful story arc.
I think I finally got all the screenshots I needed! Now, it’s time to start writing the next update!
I also learned a few more tricks with MCCC, so I’m excited to continue the growth of my twins. Anyways, I’m exhausted and will need sleep before trying to write anything.
The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's enemy and not one blessed thing else!
There is always a price!
When you make a deal with the Devil, listen to every single word he says!
I still haven’t figured how Alexander will get his voice back, but that will definitely be a story arc I plan to pursue.
For now, Alexander can’t speak. And even though it might be a while before that changes, I don’t know how long I can leave him like this. He’s built lots of great relationships and made tons of friends without being able to say a word… but, it’s getting harder for him to stay silent all the time.
He can’t tell his little brothers and cousins the stories he loved to tell.
He can’t tell Ember how much he loves her.
He’s afraid of unfulfilled dreams. No matter how many times he does what he wants; he can’t talk about his fears.
He’s even scared of being judged and every interaction is an awkward encounter. He can’t talk about it.
It’s also becoming more frequent where he tries to autonomously chat, and it’s hard to see him realize that he can’t speak.
So, seeing everything Alex is struggling with, I definitely want to pursue the arc where he gets his voice back sooner rather than later. I think he finally understands exactly what he lost to pursue his relationship with Ember. And, while it was an impulsive decision, he made it without anyone forcing him to sign Damion’s Contract. It was his choice. He could of turned down Damion’s offer.
The most important thing that needs to be sorted out is how Alex can get his voice back in the first place.
As things are, Damion’s Contract with Alex is magically binding and legal. Damion owns Alex Zalrian’s Voice. Alex has no claim to it anymore, and Damion won’t be giving it back out of good will.
A deal is a deal. No laws, magical or otherwise were broken. So, I can’t just give Alex his voice back even after he learned his lesson. It’s not going to be that easy. If Alex tried to steal his voice back, Damion would be within his rights to take back what is his. If Alex recovered his voice in some other way. It still belongs to Damion.
Without giving any spoilers away, Alex’s evil half, Alexander Goth, might be his only chance to regain his Freedom of Speech. And I’ve been very careful when referring to both of them. They are two halves of the same person that signed one contract for one thing. That alone might be saying too much. But, it’s a fair reward for reading such long text.
@Metior_Ice As many others have said a good villain is a big asset in most stories. Damion is that. I'm looking forward to how you develop the story and get Alex his voice back. It can be frustrating and fun when you try to write your way out of a tricky spot. And when you figure it out, I know for myself, it's really hard not to get really excited and blab it to everyone.
@DaniRose2143 The game does have a way to throw plenty of curve balls. I do try and leave a little wiggle room to adapt to the typical Random Sims moments.
That being said, I had some ideas for how Alex will get his voice back from the beginning. I’ve already started to narrow down my options.
My instincts as a writer are telling me that I can’t just give him his voice back though, but it is my intention to return Alex’s Voice to him.
What I Think Helps to make Damion a Stronger Villain
So far, Damion really works as a villain, but I think it would make signing a contract with him less consequential if Alex got his voice back too quickly.
It’s important that any character that signs a contract with Damion lives with the consequences, even if the consequences are permanent. Because it’s the “no going back on the deals” that make Damion the true big bad. There can be other little villains that pop up during story arcs, but Damion is different from the average villain that comes and goes.
I also have certain rules for Damion to keep him from crossing the line of no return. I’m talking about how villains tend to go off into the deep end and crossing a line that pretty much results in most villains getting defeated.
One of the other things I’m going to try and keep in mind is the deal Alexander made with Damion.
Damion’s Deal With Alexander
"So, you're saying that if I sign this, I'll get a chance to get know her, my Uncle won't be able to stop me, and I won't be putting my little brothers in danger by exposing them to humans."
"That's what I can do for you, but hold on, you can't get something for nothing. All magic comes with a price."
"We are talking about an enchantment that will guarantee that you get your chance with this girl and ensure the safety of your little brothers. Any magic that does that can't be free."
Alex had his chance to get to know Ember. Kemps didn’t stop him. Dylan and Zeph remain safe from humans. All terms and conditions have played out as promised.
And if you think about it, there was never a promise for more than a chance to meet Ember under those terms and conditions.
For those who don’t mind spoilers, more info in the spoiler.
The question I’m trying to answer is how will Alex get to speak again while also ensuring that Damion remains the owner of Alexander’s Voice. Because the deal Alexander made with Damion is permanent.
Can’t believe I was such a barnacle brain! I just realized the perfect way to not only continue the first story arc but also return Alex’s Voice to him!
Comments
All of my merfolk are kept at the Young Adult Life Stage, and I don’t age them up beyond that. All merfolk in my story are the type of immortals that have eternal youth and eternal life. They can die, but that would be extremely difficult to do. For the most part, all of the merfolk with the Atlantica Tail will be here to stay. So, you don’t need to worry about getting attached to them or picking a favorite character to follow. Once they appear in the story, they will be here to stay.
I actually have multiple flags put in place specifically to ensure they don’t die or get culled. If they die, it will be a story event.
Depending on how I feel after a good night’s rest, I’ll let everyone know.
I still have a lot of stuff going on in life, but I’m going to keep updating as soon as I’m able.
The only change I’m going to make is taking things a bit slower.
My most recent update to the first page was the inclusion of merfolk abilities and weaknesses that I follow very strictly in the story. I figured sharing them was worth it because it is something different from the way things are set up with vanilla gameplay.
Here are some of the most notable differences between how I set up my merfolk in game and how vanilla merfolk are set up:
1. Instead of getting their mermadic form when they become teens, I reversed it. My merfolk don’t have a human form until they become teens.
2. When merfolk shapeshift into a human form, prolonged use of their human form comes with very negative consequences.
3. My merfolk aren’t humans. It shouldn’t be easy for them to pretend to be human.
These simple rules have led to more interesting builds, and it helps me focus on writing a more interesting story that isn’t restricted to the vanilla limitations.
Also, I always skip the Newborn, Infant, and Toddler life stages since mermadic forms aren’t supported. I also don’t have any Adult or Elder merfolk. That’s also a play on how merfolk tend to have a youthful beauty or handsomeness in many stories.
I also made it so townie sims can’t age up with the clumsy or child of the ocean traits. I like how the clumsy trait makes sims stumble on their feet and the child of the ocean trait just makes sense for merfolk.
I have had little bits of time that I’ve spent reading updates from others. So, hopefully, I’ll at least be caught up with all the stories I’m following soon.
Under The Tartosan Sun
Schemes and Dreams
I also learned a few more tricks with MCCC, so I’m excited to continue the growth of my twins. Anyways, I’m exhausted and will need sleep before trying to write anything.
He’s definitely the most honest character, but…
As @luciusstorm wrote:
For now, Alexander can’t speak. And even though it might be a while before that changes, I don’t know how long I can leave him like this. He’s built lots of great relationships and made tons of friends without being able to say a word… but, it’s getting harder for him to stay silent all the time.
He can’t tell his little brothers and cousins the stories he loved to tell.
He can’t tell Ember how much he loves her.
He’s afraid of unfulfilled dreams. No matter how many times he does what he wants; he can’t talk about his fears.
He’s even scared of being judged and every interaction is an awkward encounter. He can’t talk about it.
It’s also becoming more frequent where he tries to autonomously chat, and it’s hard to see him realize that he can’t speak.
So, seeing everything Alex is struggling with, I definitely want to pursue the arc where he gets his voice back sooner rather than later. I think he finally understands exactly what he lost to pursue his relationship with Ember. And, while it was an impulsive decision, he made it without anyone forcing him to sign Damion’s Contract. It was his choice. He could of turned down Damion’s offer.
The most important thing that needs to be sorted out is how Alex can get his voice back in the first place.
As things are, Damion’s Contract with Alex is magically binding and legal. Damion owns Alex Zalrian’s Voice. Alex has no claim to it anymore, and Damion won’t be giving it back out of good will.
A deal is a deal. No laws, magical or otherwise were broken. So, I can’t just give Alex his voice back even after he learned his lesson. It’s not going to be that easy. If Alex tried to steal his voice back, Damion would be within his rights to take back what is his. If Alex recovered his voice in some other way. It still belongs to Damion.
Without giving any spoilers away, Alex’s evil half, Alexander Goth, might be his only chance to regain his Freedom of Speech. And I’ve been very careful when referring to both of them. They are two halves of the same person that signed one contract for one thing. That alone might be saying too much. But, it’s a fair reward for reading such long text.
Under The Tartosan Sun
Schemes and Dreams
That being said, I had some ideas for how Alex will get his voice back from the beginning. I’ve already started to narrow down my options.
My instincts as a writer are telling me that I can’t just give him his voice back though, but it is my intention to return Alex’s Voice to him.
What I Think Helps to make Damion a Stronger Villain
It’s important that any character that signs a contract with Damion lives with the consequences, even if the consequences are permanent. Because it’s the “no going back on the deals” that make Damion the true big bad. There can be other little villains that pop up during story arcs, but Damion is different from the average villain that comes and goes.
I also have certain rules for Damion to keep him from crossing the line of no return. I’m talking about how villains tend to go off into the deep end and crossing a line that pretty much results in most villains getting defeated.
One of the other things I’m going to try and keep in mind is the deal Alexander made with Damion.
Damion’s Deal With Alexander
"That's what I can do for you, but hold on, you can't get something for nothing. All magic comes with a price."
"We are talking about an enchantment that will guarantee that you get your chance with this girl and ensure the safety of your little brothers. Any magic that does that can't be free."
Alex had his chance to get to know Ember. Kemps didn’t stop him. Dylan and Zeph remain safe from humans. All terms and conditions have played out as promised.
And if you think about it, there was never a promise for more than a chance to meet Ember under those terms and conditions.
For those who don’t mind spoilers, more info in the spoiler.
Teaser for Chapter 10: The Twilight of Damion's Revenge
Edit: 593 narrowed down to 500, and there's still a lot more to go. I'm going to be taking a short break to give my mind a chance to recover. lol