Fate's Ribbon

The End of Guardian's Key

2012-01-06T20:08:00.000-05:00

No, no, don't panic, I'm not just walking away, I'm actually posting the end of Guardian's Key. As I mentioned in November, I have a non-Sims story that I'm working on and it has, unfortunately, proven to need more work than I at first thought.

Anyway, while I've been working away on those 80,000 words I've also been feeling badly about ignoring Guardian's Key. So, I decided that until I can get the Sims portion of the story done - the pictures taken - I'd just stick up my text file of what I have written. Granted, it's a bit rough around the edges and has some writing and grammar warts on it, but if you don't want to wait any longer, then your wait is over.

I recently noticed I'd started Guardian's Key in 2009. Never, never did I think it would take me this long to get it all posted. Seriously, it should never have taken more than a year, or a bit longer at the most.

I do have every intention of finishing the Sims portion of it as I have time. When I add a Sims version of the story, I'll be removing that text portion until it's only a Sims story.

Until I find my way back here with a finalized version of Guardian's Key: May you all walk with the Spirits.

See how it all ends, sort of...

Thank you for your patience.

Take care,
Lachesis

Guardian's Key is Back

2011-11-27T17:24:00.000-05:00

Morana III is here. It's a lot of talking, but from this point on, it's off to rescue Kerrin and then to the hot deserts in the southern parts of Neith. No more trees. Yay! If you've never tried to move things around when you're surrounded by trees, then you're really missing something. More often than not, you'll grab a tree and move it.

I'd really hoped to get to this much sooner, but it turns out that I've recently received a request for chapters and a synopsis for my non-Sims story. Unfortunately, that story had become one story problem after another. So now, I'm digging in and fixing the problems - which really aren't very horrible on the whole. So, as you can probably guess, the editor comes first, but I have every hope of taking a break and fitting in more Guardian's Key just as often as I can.

Speaking of books, Drew, from Drew's Sim Stories, has had two novellas published and a short due out in December. Want a good paranormal read that covers time travel and vampires, then check out her author's page: Karyn Gerrard.

I hope everyone in the US had a good Thanksgiving, however you celebrate it.

Take care,
Lachesis

Morana II

2011-10-17T17:12:00.000-04:00

I'm back with more Guardian's Key. Lessa finally tracks down her parents. They've made themselves so inaccessible that by the time she finds them she's more than ready to let loose.

Guardian's Key, Part 8 Morana, Part II

Sometimes picking which picture I want to use can be a chore. I take so few, only three to four max of each from different angles and pick the one that best depicts what I'm trying to say. There are times, however, when making the choice falls into gut feelings and then I feel bad about the ones I don't choose. So, for shits and giggles, below are two pictures that almost, but not quite made the grade.

Enjoy!

As always, thank you all for spending some time in my world.

Take care,
Lachesis

New Sea of Moons Post

2011-09-24T17:37:00.002-04:00

Back again, sooner than expected - yeah, for me, too.

It always bothers me how non-alpha male Kerrin comes across most of the time, and how little he tends to have to do since he's a non-magique. So, I desperately wanted to give you a closer look into what makes Kerrin Draonight tick. I hope this between the parts update succeeds in showing you another side of Kerrin.

You can be sure, what happens in the darkness will forever change him. Kerrin's been living day to day for far too long, it's time for him to see he has to embrace the man he is, the good and the evil halves of his personality.

Somewhere in Neith...

Oh, and if you're interested in seeing some of my non-Sims writing, I've entered the Mills and Boon New Voices contest for the second year. Cat's Destiny. It's paranormal, and no, it's not about a cat-shifter. I didn't realize that using the heroine's name in the title would give people the wrong impression until my husband mentioned it to me.

Thank you for reading.
Take care,
Lachesis

Spirits, I Hate Summer

2011-09-18T17:31:00.001-04:00

First the good news, or I hope the good news, I'm back with the next installment of Guardian's Key.

Second, I want to thank everyone who's still hanging in there with me. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. Also, I seem to have picked up some new readers as well, and welcome all of you, and again, thank you for your patience.

I love this story and I so want to get the rest of it to you. Things are just starting to pick up and the real fun is about to begin. I've mentioned before that this story will complete the Kerrin/Lessa trilogy that started with A Vampire's Tale. Now that we're back in Morana where it all began, the questions are soon to be answered and their story will reach its conclusion. It's not going to be an easy trip for them by any means, but no longer will either of them be unsure of what their futures hold.

I'd love to be able to promise I'll be back before months go by again, and I'm going to really try, but I can't.

Thank you all,

Take care,
Lachesis

New Guardian's Key

2011-07-16T23:51:00.000-04:00

I pushed aside the final plotting of my non-Sims manuscript to get this out. (Although, most likely I just used this as an excuse to not get to my final plotting.)

Guardian's Key The Shadowqueen III

From time to time I start writing projects that I just seem to lose my love for, but Sea of Moons has never been one. I'm really excited to get moving forward with the story. This update ends our time with Telaan and company for a while. Kerrin still needs to be found and Lessa has mysteries that must be solved before too much longer. So next time, we're off to Morana to see how Lessa, Xavier and Kerrin are doing.

If you follow Lachesis' Tales, you already know that I've removed Wake the Dead from the story lineup. As much as I absolutely love Kai and Shani and the world they live in, the story just dried up for me. I should never have put it online before it was completely written. I'm very sorry I couldn't finish it, but I realized I had nowhere for it to go. I had no idea how to finish it. And with my renewed attempts at publication and a full-time job, I just didn't have the energy to fight it into a workable story.

I want to thank everyone who followed along, read and loved the irascible Scot as much as I do. Just for you I would have loved to continue, but there was no way I was going to be able to do justice to any part of it. The story or the characters.

Okay, I seem to be dropping projects left and right here. Lachesis Presents is also going to go on permanent hiatus. After I bought Generations, I had to do something I've never had to do before - not even with Sims 2. I had to uninstall and reinstall the entire game from ground up. I removed my four pieces of cc and the mod that allows them to be use. And I deleted all my hoods and got rid of all my Sims except my self-Sim. Which means that all the families I was following at Presents no longer exist.

Since the great reinstall, I've had to delete families and restart two more times because of bugs that cause the kids to become unplayable, or they just plain disappear. The Sims 3 has become a game of frustration, and therefore I'm pretty sure Presents will just sit frozen in time for now.

I really do want to thank everyone for sticking with my giant economy-sized lags of late. I won't promise, but I'm really hoping I'm starting to get myself a bit more organized and will get back here much more often.

Until then,

Take care,

Lachesis

A New Guardian's Key

2011-05-29T15:50:00.001-04:00

Sea of Moons, Guardian's Key, The Shadowqueen Part 7 (II) has been added. I wanted to say more, but we have thunderstorms moving in, so I'll just have to be short.

For those in the US: Happy Memorial Day - Enjoy!

Take care,
Lachesis

This, That, and The Other

2011-05-01T12:00:00.002-04:00

Not much going on these days, but I do have some news to pass on.

If you like Drew's Sims Stories, you might be interested to know she's on the verge of publishing her first novella to Evernight Publishing. A very spicy time travel romance and, having firsthand knowledge (she thinks I critique her stuff to be helpful, little does she know it's because I want a free read), an excellent read. Coming later this month, give it a looksee if you're interested.

Karyn Gerrard

Now there's me. I've made a number of comments recently that I was working on another "project". Well that project is to follow in Karyn's footsteps and be published. I've finished editing and updating an old romantic suspense manuscript, which I've entered in a contest and will soon start getting ready for publisher submission. Now that that's finished, I'm working on what I hope will be a quick paranormal novella which I can also get out. Then it's back to a manuscript called Just Call it Magic. Another paranormal which I hope will be around 75,000-80,000 words.

So, busy? Yeah, a bit, but I'm also going to start squeezing in the conclusion of Guardian's Key into that mix.

Want to keep up with my pen name? You can visit my writing blog Beyond Normal. Don't expect much, however, I'm worse at updating there than I am here. :)

Take care everyone,

Lachesis

Additions to Posebox Catalog

2011-04-17T13:54:00.001-04:00

Goodbye_sun has finished eighteen poseboxes. Additions have been made to these categories:

Accessories, Action, Couples Carrying, Couples Lying, Couples Sitting-Kneeling, Couples Standing, Fighting, Kneel, Lay Furniture, Sit Floor, Sit Furniture, Stand, Stand Lean, Walk, Weapons.

A nice well-rounded batch of additions with the majority going into the Couples Categories.

Lachesis

New Guardian's Key

2011-04-10T13:33:00.000-04:00

Guardian's Key, Part 7, The Shadowqueen has finally been added. :)

I'd offer up an excuse or explanation as to why I've been gone so long, but frankly, Nanda expressed her feelings about that idea, so I decided to skip it. Let me just say, I'll try to be better in the future.

This last picture was another of those shots where you're trying to get everything together and a Sim walks by. I thought the look Eri's maiden gave Telaan was too perfect not to pass on.

Thank you all for your patience and thank you all for reading.

Take care,
Lachesis

Oh, by the way, I succumbed. I bought Sims Medieval. I'll pass on my impressions before too much longer, but just let me say quickly:

If you're not interested in straight, quest oriented RPG's this game is not for you in any way, shape or form. There is very, very little true Sims-style play in this game. But more on that later.

Wow, Time Flies!

2011-03-07T09:15:00.006-05:00

I can't believe this: two years ago today I posted this about starting the Posebox Catalog and why. I still remember the frustration of looking for that one particular pose.

For the anniversary of what has become one extremely large project, I want to thank everyone who has helped in any way in getting and keeping this catalog put together.

I also want to thank all the creators of the boxes who are still, even though The Sims 3 has been out for two years, doing new poseboxes.

Lachesis

Angels' Cloud Update - Greed

2011-01-30T16:38:00.005-05:00

This should have been a Wake the Dead week to update, but unfortunately WtD's next Chapter needs to be finalized. Fortunately it's written for the most part, just needs to be polished.

Lucky for Angels' Cloud it was ready to go.

That's pretty much how things will probably go for a while, whatever story needs the least amount of work, or whichever one I feel like working on will be the next one published.

Take care,
Lachesis

Posebox Catalog Updated

2011-01-22T20:50:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to pass on that the catalog has finally been updated.

Thank you, Goodbye_sun, for the pictures which are used in this update. I think I got them all now.

I have another project that's going to take my time tomorrow, so I'm afraid it'll be another week before you see another story update. Sorry about that, but I've really got to get this project done since I promised myself I'd finish it before the end of the month. Yeah, I know, cryptic, but it's a RL kinda thing, just wanted you to know I will be back next week.

Take care,
Lachesis

Guardian's Key Update

2011-01-16T19:30:00.003-05:00

Okay, I'm a week later than I wanted to be, but I'm certainly hoping I can get my shit together and get back on some kind of good update schedule.

So, back to Sea of Moons and Guardian's Key Part 6 Return to Cronus (II).

Yes, Kerrin's about to get in a world of hurt. The sweet, loving vampire is about to temporarily disappear, and the fighter he was in his early years will return. Frankly, we won't be following him, exactly, but he won't come out of this the same. None of them will, to tell the truth. By the time this adventure is over, no one's world will survive intact.

And that's all the hints I'll give for where this story's going. :)

Thank you for reading.

Take care,
Lachesis

Boredom = Uploads

2010-12-23T16:35:00.007-05:00

Hum, funny, I could have sworn our Holiday break from work wasn't supposed to start until the 24th and we'd be returning on the 3rd. Nice long break, no?

So, why is it everyone but me got the memo that that included today as well? Well, actually it didn't, but we're a very small company and everyone who hadn't already taken the day off just seemed to find something else to do away from the office. Well, sure, I could have "found" some work to do, but why should I when no one else bothered to? Hum? I knew they weren't working and they were certainly not stuck in the office.

So, instead, I looked in my drafts folder for Presents and found two updates I hadn't done anything with.

So, at Lachesis Presents there's an update featuring Scott Phury, Actor.

And my TS3 vampire, Kendrick Daye.

These are just some game shots and impressions of the EP Late Night. As usual no story, just some bits you can expect from the game. I generally post these here for my blog buddies just to show them what's new and different in TS3.

I also try to just show off the silly things from the game as well.

Anyway...

Take care,
Lachesis

'Tis the Season

2010-12-13T19:25:00.003-05:00

As always, thank you all so very much for reading! You make my hobby all the more fun.

-Lachesis

Simfic50 Prompt Enigma

2010-12-05T19:32:00.006-05:00

And from out of the woodwork comes a new Angels' Cloud.

Prompt 045. Enigma here.

Pavia's a great Sim dog. As a rule I don't have to do anything with him except the usual pet control cheats because he just stands around or he's really, really good at looking at something I want him to all by himself. But today it was getting late, we'd been going at this for hours and for some reason, he just started barking and playing with everyone. While I was putting together the final picture, Damian and Pavia took a play break.

Thank you everyone for reading and I'm sorry there are such insane lags between updates on this story.

Take care,
Lachesis

Guardian's Key Upate (So Much Later Than I Intended)

2010-11-15T17:15:00.001-05:00

OMG, I never meant to be away this long, and frankly, I'm can't even begin to say what the next few months are going to hold. Hopefully, I'm going to get my shit together soon.

When I started this more than two years ago, Sea of Moons was the only story I'd intended to do, then I came up with Out of Touch, Out of Time, but at least I finished that. I should have quit while I was ahead, but noooo, I decided I wanted to do a vampire story and a Steampunk story. I had so much more of whatever I needed to do this a year ago.

I still love all my stories, and want so badly to finish them, and I will, but I just can't stick to a schedule at this time.

So, I'm offering breadcrumbs when I can, and here's today's:

Guardian's Key, Part 6.

I should mention, that with this update, I start completing Kerrin and Lessa's story. From this point forward, I will be tying up any loose ends left behind from A Vampire's Tale. Or, just answering any questions that started there and have wound their way through what I'd like to call the trilogy of Kerrin and Lessa's story.

Not to worry, we'll still be following Telaan and gang around to solve Adrostos' little problem of the casque that the Guardian's Key will open.

Thank you all for hanging around.

Take care,
Lachesis

Lachesis Presents Update

2010-11-02T17:30:00.003-04:00

Okay, I feel bad disappearing. I know, tossing out TS3 pictures is not the same as continuing Wake the Dead and Guardian's Key, but, hey, at least you know I'm not dead.

Yes, the picture above is from Late Night which I got last Tuesday, but the two updates, The Ward Family Parts 1 and 2 don't have anything to do with Late Night, I'll be posting that later on.

One thing I do have to say about Late Night is that the guys at EA had to not only have come up with the breast slider, but they also created all the women. I've had "Silicone sister, with the manager mister," stuck in my head for a week.

Also, Drew, got a picture at the Presents update just for ya. ;)

I do have plans to get a GK out soon, but I have to go into the game and build a set, so you know how that can be.

Sorry, I don't have more in the storytelling line, but I haven't forgotten, I haven't given up, and I will be back with stories.

Take care,
Lachesis

Good News/Bad News

2010-10-09T16:13:00.005-04:00

As some people know, I write romances in hopes of becoming published. Recently, one of my paranormal manuscripts captured the attention of a romance publishing house and they are interested in seeing more of it. What, if anything, comes of that interest, at this point I have no idea. However, the line I'm targeting it for requires 77,000 words and I have less than 16,000 written.

So, that's the good news. The bad news? I'm going to have even less time for the Sims. I'm going to do my very best to get a new schedule figured out so I can still post Sims stories, get some work done on the catalog, and write. Most likely what's going to suffer the most is my play time.

I had had great hopes of getting Guardian's Key out this weekend, but first I have to get a schedule worked out. Hopefully, Sea of Moons will be back before long, and Wake the Dead following not too far behind.

As always, thank you everyone for reading and now bearing with me.

Take care,
Lachesis

TS3 Activity at Lachesis Presents

2010-08-30T10:15:00.017-04:00

Since I've been playing TS3 fairly regularly lately, I found a bunch of pictures in my screenshot folder that I take when something funny happens or just whatever takes my fancy. So I've started adding them in an organized (more or less) fashion to my Lachesis Presents site.

I'm also adding Sims and whatever else I may feel like as downloads. There are three Sims there at present, Leta, Mack and Kiku.

Anyway, if you're interested in The Sims 3, or just want to see some of what's available with the game and its expansions, World Adventures and Ambitions, you might want to check it out. It's pretty simple and quick to look at. I'm not telling stories per se, but the pictures do follow along the lives of the Sims I'm playing. I have four families in Sunset Valley I rotate through. I have it set up so that I play a household for 14 days, it was 7 but that wasn't long enough; for three of those days, story progression and aging are turned on. I'm hoping this will allow the world to move on without too much insanity, but at the same time allow me to have more than one family in the neighborhood.

I play with a custom skin default and custom eye default. That's all the custom content I use, except for a pair of jeans I got from Club Crimsyn. I do not hack this game, which means, I have to have to find ways around the bugs.

The two annoying bugs I've found are:

1. After playing tag or anything that causes autonomous running the Sim won't walk again, they only run. To fix this, I evict the entire family with house to the clipboard. I bulldoze the house left on the lot, then stick family and house back on the empty lot it came from.

2. When you change the active household, don't leave any garden produce, caught fish or leftovers in the refrigerator, it won't be there when you go back to the household. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm hoping that putting it in my gardener's personal inventory will work since I don't lose the personal inventory any more.

Take care,
Lachesis

A Tiny Break

2010-08-17T14:40:00.006-04:00

I give. I've been having trouble getting things done, so I'm taking a break. Not a big one, just a couple of weeks. I'll be back in September. Hopefully with bells on and stories to tell. :)

Or finish, as the case may be.

Thank you everyone for reading and bearing with my recent sporadic posts, it's very much appreciated.

Take care,
Lachesis

(Yes, that's my self-Sim. I tried to do one in TS2 and never could. It's so nice to know I have a TS3 face. ;D)

Guardian's Key Update

2010-07-30T08:05:00.004-04:00

Sea of Moons, Guardian's Key Temple of Aodh Part II is finally up. Sorry for the delay, but I just couldn't seem to get it to sound the way I wanted. Not sure it still does, but you can only rewrite something so long before it becomes overwritten. :)

Take care,
Lachesis

Late. Again. sigh

2010-07-25T17:22:00.003-04:00

O-kay, it's official, I can't make Sundays despite trying. :)

Late again. Guardian's Key up next, hopefully soon.

Take care,
Lachesis

Bringing Back the Schedule

2010-06-25T20:38:00.008-04:00

As you can see, a new Sea of Moons, Guardian's Key Part 5, The Temple of Aodh, Part I. Telaan is finally found, but will they be able to save him now that they found him?

It appears that Wake the Dead has decided to take on a life of its own, and I can't see completing it at any time in the near future, so, rather than put SoM off any longer, I'm reinstating the old rotation schedule. Frankly, I've missed SoM and my characters.

Oh, and this special post is early, the normal schedule will again be Sunday's if at all possible.

Also, I want to thank S@ndy for sending me a tutorial on doing Telaan's chains. Yeah, I know, you sent that to me ages ago, but I'm slow. It made getting this update completed that much easier.

Take care,
Lachesis

The Annoying Side of Life (Something Different)

2010-06-20T13:43:00.005-04:00

Do you ever get a song that takes up residence in your head and refuses to go away? Well this is mine, just thought I'd share.

I really do love Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty, although this is just Rob Thomas from his Cradlesong CD; but really, just when I think it's gone away, it comes back. Yes, RL has been going a smidgen off track recently, but just the same...

Real World '09 - Rob Thomas - Las Vegas 10/24/09

Take care,
Lachesis

PS: There's a post under this that I also put up today regarding WtD. Look down.

Temporarily Missing

2010-06-09T17:31:00.001-04:00

Well, since I really must have new expansions on the day they come out, and since no store in my area felt it necessary to discount Ambitions the first week, I decided I had to get my money's worth out of it. So, I'm buried knee-deep in TS3 at the moment, but I will return with story updates.

It should come as no surprise I decided to play the Investigator career first. Below are a few pictures of Mack Stone, Investigator.

This is the Laundromat in Twinbrook, but your Sims can purchase either a cheap washer and dryer or an expensive washer and dryer for the home. If you keep their clothes clean, it improves their overall mood, and it's actually kind of fun. There's even a clothesline if you want to hang the clothes outside.

Yup, the chopper is a new vehicle. Mack's not exactly dressed to perfection for it, but that's how I dress him for his Investigator duties. I have to constantly change him from EA's stupid looking clothing choice. Since he works on his own time and not in a rabbit hole, he can wear whatever I put him in, not what EA thinks he should wear.

This is an autonomous Investigator action.

And this is Mack doing surveillance. The outfit is EA's and hum, yes, he's spying on those two women using his pom-pom bushes. I guess that 's hiding in plain sight. Seriously, some of the things EA comes up with are almost too strange for my warped brain.

Take care,
Lachesis

Quickly Stopping By

2010-05-16T17:07:00.008-04:00

I've spent some time this weekend working on the Posebox Catalog. I'll admit, I don't have everything tagged exactly the way I want it yet, the site isn't exactly the way I want it yet, but I made definite progress, and I hope to continue along that same line.

I have added a new catalog for instruments. There turned out to be many more of them than I'd originally thought.

Hopefully, next week will be back to storytelling as usual.

Something a little different, below is the Sim I'm presently messing around with in TS3. He's actually not too bad looking. I'm sure there are some people out there who can make a TS3 Sim look as good as a TS2 Sim, but I haven't been able to manage that, not that I've tried real hard either. But I am rather pleased with Gage and to my total amazement he was an EA created Sim to begin with that I just made a few changes to. Now, I'll admit straight up, I play the game pretty much vanilla. I've merely added custom skin defaults and a chest hair overlay, that's it for Non-EA cc and hacks. TS3 is used for playing - period.

Take care,
Lachesis

Somthing Old Revisited

2010-04-28T20:30:00.002-04:00

Yup, really, honestly, an Angels' Cloud update at Falderal. 010. Dark

My love of fantasy took root and sprung wings in this update. Believe me when I say Angels' Cloud took a turn even I wasn't expecting. But really, we're looking for a doorway to an alternate reality, isn't that pretty much fantasy to begin with?

Take care,
Lachesis

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T17:06:00.004-04:00

Hope your day has gone well, and filling. :)

I'm working on the next WtD - finally found what I wanted in cc and have been getting it recolored to suit me.

Lastly, just for shits and giggles, if you thought TS2 had the scariest townies in the world, you haven't seen what TS3 can come up with. I have a feeling she's a coward because she started to freak out while standing there.

Take care,
Lachesis

Posebox Catalog Now Has Official Site

2010-02-08T18:59:00.004-05:00

Lachesis' PB Catalog is now online. Finally after months of trying to figure this out, with Goodbye_sun's ever generous support and help, it's finally far enough along to post.

This site is a baby at this time, and ugly as hell. There are no links to anything except the boxes. Links to tags and relevant sites will be added along the way. We have a handful of boxes yet to get ready to upload and we should then be caught up, but the creators are adding new boxes all the time.

Thank you everyone for the help and support, and I hope you all find this new catalog easier to use and more helpful than the last.

The present catalog will remain up for the next couple of months, once everyone is used to using the new one it will be removed.

Take care,
Lachesis

Posebox Reference List

2010-01-25T20:50:00.003-05:00

Quick post to direct you all to Goodbye_sun's Posebox Reference List. It's a companion list, version one, to go with the catalog. It contains the names of the boxes, a picture of the box, link for the box and comments.

It will change as time goes along, and I'll let you know when it's updated.

Thank you Goodbye_sun. :)

Guardian's Key Update

2010-01-22T23:31:00.006-05:00

Part 4, Cronus (III) posted. :)

It's my intention to step back and work on another project for a bit here. I may or may not make it with the next Wake the Dead this week as there is an involved set I need to put together for it. I don't like leaving everyone hanging, but I need to get myself caught up. I messed around last week trying to clear my creative brain from the mess it'd gotten into recently and realized I need to completely clear one project off my plate, so that's where I'm going.

Also, Drew has posted Pose box whimsy an interesting look at innovative ways to use pose boxes.

Thank you everyone for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Ever Wonder How Kerrin Became a Vampire?

2010-01-16T09:49:00.008-05:00

Simfic50 prompt 016. Death at Lachesis' Falderal.

Have you ever tried to take serious pictures of an EA poker game? If you're lucky 1 out of 10 pictures will be usable, and that's spending a good amount of time just watching the game play hoping for a decent expression. I never realized before how stupid a Sim looks playing poker.

Chryses makes the cutest kid. She is always so serious. :)

She also makes a very good looking man. Meet her father, Cael. And if you think you recognized Kerrin's bar, you do, although at this time he doesn't own it.

Enjoy. A new Guardian's Key update will appear sometime during the week since I've dropped the Sunday update schedule. As you can see, it also gives me time to add extras from time to time.

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Some Days...

2010-01-10T16:33:00.008-05:00

Some days it just seems too much work to get an update completed. :)

With the new year things are likely to change a bit. Yup, I'll update every week, or really try to. Yup, WtD and SoM will continue to alternate. Yup, I'll toss in the shorter bits here and there. But, the weekly updates may or may not be on Sunday. It will now be whatever day I manage to get them completed.

Also, the pose box catalog reorganization is coming along slow but sure.

Take care,
Lachesis

Wow! Close, but I made it.

2010-01-03T20:54:00.006-05:00

Guardian's Key - Cronus, Part 2

And by the way, please note the comment above about the changes in the pose box catalog. Hopefully it won't take that long, but I didn't get as much done on it during the Christmas break as I'd hoped.

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

New Falderal Simfic50 Prompt

2009-12-26T15:20:00.002-05:00

This is the story of Shani and Kai's first meeting in the British Museum in 1815. Originally, it was intended for Sim Haven's December challenge to write only in dialog. Unfortunately, I only scanned the challenge while at work, and I had it written and the pictures taken when I looked at the challenge again, and realized I was one person short. So, I just moved it over to the simfic50 prompt Past and all's well. :)

There really is no place within the story to do this because at the point where Shani's thinking about their first meeting throwing a flashback in would only bog down the action taking place at the time.

I hope you enjoy this look at how Kai and Shani met.

Take care,
Lachesis

Happy Holidays

2009-12-21T22:11:00.003-05:00

Guardian's Key Update

2009-12-20T22:14:00.005-05:00

The never ending war with Acantha hasn't been kind to Cronus, as Kerrin finds out. Cronus, Part 1 here.

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Late Again :/

2009-12-20T20:47:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone, unfortunately Sea of Moons, Guardian's Key, Cronus I is going to be late. Not next week late, just not today late. The update is written and the pictures are taken, finally, I just have to put the two together. So, within the next couple of days late.

But I will leave you with this taste of the next part in Adrostos' quest to find the Casque.

Pose Box Update

2009-12-04T13:34:00.002-05:00

I've just added a number of poses to sit, stand, lay, couple, and kneel catalogs.

Main Catalog Page

Thank you S.B. and Gayl, very much appreciated. :D

I don't usually do reviews, but...

2009-11-30T20:36:00.006-05:00

As a rule, I prefer Lachesis Presents to allow TS3 to speak for itself, but the further into the game I've gotten over the past five days, the more I've realized this is not your typical Sims game. In fact, with very few changes, The Adventure Company could package it up and sell it.

Saying that EA has misrepresented this game might be a bit harsh, but I don't think they've made it clear that it's not a vacation spot for your Sims. At least it hasn't been anything like I expected when I bought it. Granted, my reading at the site had been cursory at best, but I don't like to learn a lot ahead of time. I want to play the game and figure it out. Granted, I hadn't expected Bon Voyage, but I most certainly hadn't been expecting a Broken Sword game either.

Anyway, check out my review here: World Adventures - Bon Voyage it Ain't if you're in the least interested in this expansion pack.

I'm now returning to Egypt, I left Galen in the middle of the Great Pyramid...

Take care,
Lachesis

MIA

2009-11-22T23:10:00.002-05:00

On vacation, so to speak.

If I don't get back, everyone in the US have a good Thanksgiving!

Take care,
Lachesis

Sims 3 Update - Finally

2009-11-18T15:36:00.007-05:00

Well no surprise, I rushed out last night and bought World Adventures. It took me forever to get it installed because I didn't update the base game figuring the updates would be in with the DVD - nope, so if you haven't, update your base game before you install, it'll help save time. Also, I uninstalled Delphy's install hack - the only hack I have - and pulled out the folder with the small handful of non-EA cc. I had no problems, but I played without putting the stuff back, so Yuri, Leta and Aiden have EA skin and not my default replacement skin. *shudder*

Anyway, I've put Yuri's Journal up at Lachesis' Presents. Just a quick walk through of one of the tombs to give you an idea. It is a bit of a spoiler for the tomb located behind the base camp, so if you're not interested in a spoiler post, you might want to avoid it. :)

My game playing life started with Myst and Tomb Raider. From there, I've played a ton of Adventure Company games, all but two of the Tomb Raiders, Prince of Persia and every Myst game released. So, this EP is pretty much up my alley, even if it is very simple compared to the above. I did enjoy walking Yuri through the tomb. Unless there's a lot of randomness to this, however, I can see it getting to be the same old same old quickly. Frankly, I found Bon Voyage to have much more enjoyable vacation spots, but in all fairness, I did only go to Egypt for three days. I'll see as I get farther along.

Take care,
Lachesis

Guardian's Key Update & Misc.

2009-11-15T18:00:00.000-05:00

I've recently realized that I'm not happy with the writing on Guardian's Key. And the more I've been writing on Wake the Dead, and the non-Sim story I'm working on, the more I realize just what it is I'm not happy with.

So I've gone back and pulled Guardian's Key out of the finished pile, put finishing Wake the Dead on hold and jumped back into the story. Starting with this update, you'll see more fleshing out of the characters. You'll finally get to see into the head of whichever character the update follows through point-of-view.

This is essentially Kerrin and Lessa's story. The quest belongs to Adrostos, but the story is theirs. You deserve to know how they feel, and finally I'm going to give that to you.

Hopefully, you'll like the new direction the writing is taking. The story has not changed it's still traveling toward its pre-destined end. Nothing can change what the Spirits and kader have planned.

Guardian's Key Savitri, Part II

Also I want to mention a new addition to my pose box links in the sidebar. xtinabobina has a catalog she's been putting together and will be providing poses that you may not find at our pose box catalog. Looking for something you can't find at the catalog? Check out hers here.

Guardian's Key - Getting Closer to Telaan

2009-11-01T16:56:00.003-05:00

New character and new information about Eris and Telaan here. :D

I admit it, I get bored while I'm getting everyone together and in place at the start of an update, and since Lessa had just done the "So Hot" action to Kerrin, I played along. :)

Thank you everyone for reading.

Take care,
Lachesis

Guardian's Key Update

2009-10-18T18:51:00.003-04:00

Part 2 - Vijaya here. Telaan must be found before it is too late, but where to look for the Temple of Aodh?

Thank you everyone for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Projects Overtaking my Mind

2009-10-05T11:08:00.014-04:00

"Well, in our country," said Alice, still panting a little, "you'd generally get to somewhere else -- if you ran very fast for a long time, as we've been doing."

"A slow sort of country!" said the Queen. "Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!"
(Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 2)

I've had so many things come to mind for me lately. My list of to dos follows. :)

I have an Angels' Cloud I want to Sim and post and an idea for the next prompt I don't have written,

I have six pose boxes I want to put together,

I have Wake the Dead to finish writing and get Simmed for this Sunday,

tons of Sireta's Blog written and pictures taken that have to be put together into an update,

I have the Solitude prompt to Sim for simfic50 and

one other project I want to get written and then Simmed. :)

This list does not include sets that need to be built for all my stories and skins I desperately need to get done. I also need to design tattoos for Chandra Elves and for followers of the Guide.

So, I'm extremely behind on my reading, I'm sorry. I'll have a couple of days vacation time from my full-time job later this month. I'm really hoping to get at least partially caught up then. I'm not ignoring anyone, just running behind.

Thank you all who take time from your own busy schedules to read my stories.

Take care,
Lachesis

Update

2009-10-04T16:15:00.005-04:00

Part 1 - Mist Hollow (III) now up at Sea of Moons.

I get very few outtakes any more between pose boxes and always having freewill off. But sometimes, I forget and leave freewill on and actually get an outtake or two. :) They were waiting for Lessa to do a wardrobe change.

Thank you all for reading.

Take care,
Lachesis

Really, They're Not Abandoned Sites

2009-09-30T19:09:00.007-04:00

Added some in-game pictures to Lachesis' Presents for TS3, but not Sireta's Blog, just some fun happenings.

Added pose boxes to Stand, Sit, Lay, Kneel and Couples

And some TS2 fun - I really didn't know the dog could eat the homework. :) The girl in pink whose homework it is seems a little too happy.

Take care,
Lachesis

One Last Word on Stealing

2009-09-23T18:30:00.002-04:00

On Sunday morning I received an email from a fellow Sims Storyteller telling me that my story, Out of Touch, Out of Time, seemed to have been posted on Perfect Sims' website along with many other writers' work.

I already made one post on this topic at the Sims Writers Alliance on Sunday before I had a chance to calm down a bit. Yes, I was and am angry. We've all been violated, and we're working to get the site removed. There is nothing more we can really do at this time.

However, I'm mentioning this one last time because in my case, I believe they thought they weren't technically stealing as they changed Cheyenne's name - although they used Jonas'. They also did some very poor rewriting; removing my exposition and writing it more like a script than a story.

My pictures don't show up on the site, at least when I visit it, because Google and Picasa don't like to be hotlinked. I do have enough knowledge to know if I go to the webpage and view the page source my pictures are embedded in the code. When I copy and paste them into a browser page, they show up as, indeed, mine. There is no question that the story they have there under the title The Sea of Moons is Out of Touch, Out of Time.

In my case, they only completed two chapters. Others, however, had much more of their work translated and stolen.

The point I'm making here is that regardless of whether the story is stolen in its entirety, or the plot and essence of the story is taken and used, it is still stealing. Hotlinking the pictures only adds to the crime.

This has, unfortunately, affected many good storytellers, many of whom you've been reading far longer than me. These people have always been open and helpful. I'm sorry to see that the Sims Community for all it's wonderful, helpful and creative people, still has the element of abuse infecting it.

'Nuf said from me, I've been very vocal about this entire thing. Now, I'll work behind the scenes trying to get the site removed, and move on with my stories as I always have. Just a little older and wiser these days.

With Days Like This...

2009-09-20T20:59:00.005-04:00

This has by far not been my best of days. Nothing has gone right at any point during the day. I even tried to screw up a boxed brownie mix. Now how is that for sad? :p

But despite fighting me every step of the way by snapping out of position despite the fact I was using SL's shelf to place them, I've updated SoM Guardian's Key. Mist Hollow II has been posted. Yes, it is particularly short, but I'm still on the set up chapter. Unfortunately, everyone needs to know where they're going, how they're going to get there and why. :)

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Angels' Cloud Part 4 at Simfic50

2009-09-12T22:41:00.004-04:00

Well, things went much smoother than I expected and I was able to get the next Angels' Cloud up after all. Which is good because that leaves tomorrow free to play catch up on reading the stories I follow. Guardian's Key will be back next Sunday. I'm leaving it on the every other week schedule so when Wake the Dead is ready for prime-time it'll slide into it's Lachesis' Tales slot without problem.

If you haven't played with Parsimonious' Balloons then you're missing out on a real treat. Even if you don't need them they are great fun to watch your Sim go up and up in them. :)

Thank you all for reading!
Take care,
Lachesis

Showing off ;D

2009-09-12T16:01:00.009-04:00

I've been meaning to do these pictures forever, and I just haven't gotten back into Zachary's world until recently. I was there this week working on an update. So, while there, I decided I'd completely share his library with you. Since it took me weeks to put this thing together, and now that I have the plot worked out to the end, I don't think you'll ever see it again, I want to show off. I think this thing goes somewhere beyond normal detailed oriented. :p

First, ignore the omsp I forgot to remove from the library in the one picture. Believe me, it was one among hundreds. Also, you may or may not notice, I was so hung up in making clutter, I forgot to put a door in.

Second, I want to thank everyone of the great cc creators out there. Without them, this type of story could never be told with the Sims.

A new Angels' Cloud is forthcoming, but I'll be honest, working on this is very time-consuming because I'm very detail oriented with it, so I hope to have it in the near future, but that depends on how I think the pictures look. This is one case of being very picky.

Take Care,
Lachesis

Sea of Moons is Back!

2009-09-06T15:59:00.007-04:00

Guardian's Key has officially started! Part 1 - Mist Hollow I. Enjoy.

And everyone I know seems to have posted at least one update this past week. If I've been unusually absent from everywhere, I do apologize. I should be back on track next week. I just kinda got caught up in a Sims3 neighborhood I haven't even really taken pictures in, except a couple that were really strange. LOL

Thank you all for reading (and being patient with the six week delay between the end of The Search for Nanda and the start of Guardian's Key)!

Take care,
Lachesis

New Simfic50 and Other News

2009-08-30T19:54:00.004-04:00

A few items today. First a new simfic50 finally, and a new Sébastien to boot. Prompt 42 - Deception.

Next week Guardian's Key starts at Sea of Moons. At this point in time, I'm not sure what the schedule's going to be since Wake the Dead at Lachesis' Tales is not ready to start yet. I may post weekly on Sundays, or it may remain as bi-weekly still on Sundays, working on Wake the Dead behind the scenes on the off week until it's ready to be added to the schedule.

Whatever I decide, Guardian's Key is off and running next week and with that in mind, I give you the below teaser picture. This picture will not be seen in the story, but it will be explained very quickly.

cheripye has done an incredible job giving Kai a new home and business. We both want to thank you so very much for all your hard work, and all the cool new cc that's now at my fingertips to use at will. ;D (More pictures in the future, the lot's too beautiful not to be shared in depth.)

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Pose Box Catalog Updated

2009-08-27T18:43:00.003-04:00

New poses to all but weapons and couples.

Off to do something else productive. :D

Take care,
Lachesis

Bonus Update at SoM

2009-08-20T19:16:00.005-04:00

Sometimes I come up with something that just will not fit nicely into a slot and this is one of those times. This update came to me out of the blue and I knew I just had to pass it on.

Ghalt's Kader (Fate) has been posted at SoM. It stands alone and bridges The Search for Nanda and Guardian's Key.

I don't normally throw warnings up for my stories either, but since Ghalt's world is a bit deprived, I'm doing so this time.

This update has very strong language and nudity. Not going to it will not change your understanding of the other stories in any way if you choose not visit this update.

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Some Strangeness from My Game Playing :D

2009-08-13T20:30:00.001-04:00

TS2 :

I really thought I read somewhere that with the ACR hack they wouldn't woohoo where they could be caught. Caught I think this is more than just caught. :D Quinn was certainly enjoying the show - or maybe not since at the time she was his girlfriend although she wound up marrying the guy she's woohooing. Quinn's immortal, maybe he's seen stuff like this in his past. This was strictly autonomous. I spend hours posing Sims for storytelling, I'll be damned if I'll do that when I'm playing. :D

I couldn't resist. I'm a cat owner. I've seen that face every time I hug one of my cats.

Ever wonder what they're really doing in the photobooth when they're supposed to be woohooing?

These are the two from the couch above. A little too close, I think.

I really love the looks on the animals' faces with the toddlers. Yeah, EA got it right.

Oops. One of Sally's kids. :D

Lousy timing. Sally's married to a vampire and she uses the elixir of life to stay young. They have the absolutely best looking kids.

TS3

This is a weird glitch I get. I don't know if it's my system, or graphic card, neither of which are the best, but not really that bad, either. Anyway, "resistance is futile."

I gave up and downloaded aikea_guinea's default replacement skin and chest hair overlay. Both of which have definitely improved Tris.

This is Sireta's son Valon. They're at the beach where she took him. She's teaching him to talk. I just really liked this picture. :D

Now you know where I've been. SoM will absolutely be back up and running September 6. I'm not sure at this time when Wake the Dead will start.

Take care,
Lachesis

August Challenge at Sim Haven

2009-08-11T18:41:00.003-04:00

After fighting with the Live Journal's formatting for two days, my wonderful husband came to the rescue and I can finally say the August Challenge - the word Awestruck - has been posted over at Sim Haven.

Take care,
Lachesis

Hey Guys!

2009-08-06T21:24:00.003-04:00

Just popping in very quickly to say:

New poses boxes every catalog but Weapons. Some nice new couple poses added. You know the drill.

Take care,
Lachesis

Sireta's Blog Update

2009-07-22T20:57:00.009-04:00

I've posted Part 6 to Sireta's Blog. I'm sure it has become very obvious that this is going to be sporadic at best when it comes to how often you see an update.

Frankly, IMHO, Sims 3 is boring. I actually found Sims 2 very boring before they started adding the expansion packs and stuff packs. I'm not very good at playing the game just to watch relationships develop, kids be born and the generations pass, and since I have yet to figure out a good way to play multiple families, I can't even see my Sims make friends among other families I've created and grow together through the generations.

I've said many times that by the time EA added Apartment Life and Mansions and Gardens, TS2 had actually become a near perfect game.

I had no interest, whatsoever, in TS1 until Making Magic came out. From that point, I was intrigued and very quickly hooked. That, of course, explains why I feel that Apartment Life was the icing on a dark chocolate cake. :)

Someday, TS3 may, hopefully, be as good, but for now, I'll continue to play when the mood strikes me, I'll keep you all updated on Sireta and Tris, but really, my TS2 stories and gameplay do come first.

I would suggest you check out these TS3 stories:

Mao

World's Apart Sims 3 Tales

Take care,
Lachesis

Finally New Pose Boxes Added

2009-07-21T21:26:00.007-04:00

Hi Everybody!

Well, part of my break was to get caught up to some extent on the pose boxes. To that end, I've added a few tonight. Go to the usual place.

Also, a couple of other things:

A new catalog was added to take care of all those odds and ends that just do not belong in the other catalogs: Miscellaneous.

Next I want to extend my thanks to:

Synaptic Sims Lair for graciously allowing us to use her screen captures instead of having to take our own. Thank you and great work! For all your super hero and other great cc visit her site.

Also, I want to thank Meralgia for volunteering to help with the pose boxes. Thank you so much (last time, I promise ;D)

Take care,
Lachesis

The Search for Nanda Concludes

2009-07-19T20:09:00.006-04:00

Pollux Part 13, Waiting has been added to Sea of Moons.

I want to thank everyone who has followed along with this storyline. Those who comment and those who don't , I appreciate all your support, and putting up with the many turns this storyline took to finally get to the end. :)

With this update, I'm taking a break. Sea of Moons will return on Sunday, September 6th with a new quest, The Guardian's Key. Our trio no more than touch foot in Mist Hollow than they're almost immediately sent off again to try to destroy Ghalt's power.

Also I hope to start the next Lachesis' Tales in September. Wake the Dead is the now official name of my Vampire story. Since the dawn of time, Vampires have co-exited with normals without normals ever so much as suspecting they were any different. Now, because of one kind-hearted gesture, they are about to be discovered.

I'll be around during the break. I'm seriously hoping to get caught up on many other projects I just haven't had time to get to.

Take care,
Lachesis

Pollux Part 12 Added at SoM

2009-07-13T14:00:00.001-04:00

Wow, this is honestly up faster than I'd anticipated. Pollux Part 12, Ghalt.

There is either one or two more updates before I finish this quest. The reason for one or two is because I'm thinking about consolidating the last two. I'll have to see how it reads and comes out before the decision is made.

Thank you everyone for reading!
Take care,
Lachesis

Pollux Part 11 Added at SoM

2009-07-08T20:43:00.004-04:00

Well, the result of my working the past three days on this update is a very long (for me) update that answers a question or two, poses a question or two, introduces three new characters and is the first step toward setting up the action in Guardian's Key.

There a lot to this update, some things are not going to be clear, but those questions will be answered within the first few updates for Guardian's Key.

Pollux, Part 11 Nanda

I hope you enjoy.

Thank you all for reading.
Take care,
Lachesis

Still Working on SoM Update

2009-07-05T20:55:00.004-04:00

Hi Everybody,

I'm sorry to say SoM update was not completed today. It's such a big update with so terribly much going on, lots of new characters to meet, I've only succeeded in getting about half the shots taken, and then I still need to do a bit of Photoshopping. It's my intent to continue working on it through the week, I won't wait for Sunday as I usually do, I'll put it up as soon as I get it completed.

Also, after posting my test shots of Kai, I decided he was not the vampire I wanted him to be, so I reworked him. Now, I believe I'm happy with him. :D

Thank you everyone for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

New Lachesis' Tale Planned!

2009-07-03T18:50:00.005-04:00

Hi All!

A new Lachesis' Tale, tentatively named Red Bat is now in the planning stages. I'm not sure when it'll start, but I do know Sea of Moons will complete its present story first.

There's a little more information here at the Lachesis' Tales blog.

Happy 4th of July to all in the US!
Lachesis

Creativity Returns as Does SoM :D

2009-06-28T20:51:00.005-04:00

Into the Darkness

If you're going to summon a siren onto a lot, try to remember to make her selectable before she can do something autonomous. However, the funnest part of this is the action square is for Lessa and it said "Disgusted." LOL

Apparently, I took too long setting up this shot.

Thank you for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

The Patient Updated

2009-06-27T21:51:00.004-04:00

I know I don't usually post my simfic50 updates here, but since this is most likely the final chapter in the Guardian Angel story, I wanted to make sure anyone following it is aware it's been posted.

Take care,
Lachesis

Another Addition to Sireta's Blog

2009-06-24T20:22:00.008-04:00

Part 5 has been added. The picture above is not included in the update because I took it in the Riverview neighborhood not Sireta's. But I thought it was cool you could see the plane flying by and wanted to share it. Too bad Sims2 doesn't have similar because it would have been great in a scene for Out of Touch. :D

Thank you for reading.

Take care,
Lachesis

CupofPoses Added

2009-06-22T22:23:00.002-04:00

Cup of Poses added to catalog.

If anyone's interested, we've completed 53 boxes, however, that's only a little more than half of what's left and more are being added all the time.

Take care,
Lachesis

Classified Ad

2009-06-21T19:19:00.008-04:00

Lost: Lachesis' creativity. If seen or found, please return to Sea of Moons, continent of Neith, planet of Dagon.

Thank you.

More Sims 3

2009-06-17T20:21:00.005-04:00

Sireta's Blog, Part 4

Despite the fact I should be working on finishing up a set for Sunday's update which I'm having nothing but one problem after another getting what I want, I decided to procrastinate one more day and get this up instead.

Procrastination is bad, must move forward...

Take Care,
Lachesis

SoM is Back!

2009-06-14T18:29:00.016-04:00

Finally, after more than a month SoM returns with Pollux, Part 9, Plans.

A couple of other things:

1. At Sim Haven I've posted a story called What's Behind Door #2? It's for the June 2009 Challenge "Starting Over."

I want to give credit for this wonderful Sim: He's Marcus "Marco Polo" Giovanni from GoS. I always make my own Sims, but he's just too perfect to pass up, so I want to give Simsun the proper credit for him.

2. Besides Sireta's Blog, I've set up a character in the free Riverview neighborhood in TS3. However, this is strictly a play neighborhood for when I'm too tired to do anything else. :)

Nick above wants to go into music profession, so, of course, he needs to know how to play the guitar. This is for Gayl, I wanted you to see how it's done now. Not bad really. As you can see, it's an acoustic guitar - no amplifier, no stomp box. While learning, he takes it slow, and actually looks at his hands. There are none of the spastic seizure-like movements and I've actually seen what could be him making C, D and E cords. Sorry, still no strap and he still can't sit down, but there is an improvement in the overall movements of the action. :D

Thank you everyone for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Sireta Updated!

2009-06-11T21:30:00.002-04:00

Sireta's Blog has been updated.

Take care,
Lachesis

Finally New Pose Boxes!

2009-06-09T21:24:00.019-04:00

Finally after almost a month, I've added:

RayE_Scape ShuYeHime Posebox
Amber Posebox 3 (the lover man)
CatdogII Sit Posebox
Ballet Box
Amber LifeTime Box4 v2

to the pose box catalog. Thankfully Goodbye_sun has her shit together much better than I do. :D There's at least one entry in every category.

Also, just a reminder, since more and more people are finding their way to this site. Goodbye_sun's been working off and on getting her face overlay pictures posted; she's adding to it all the time. I know I harp on this all the time (and I promise this will be my last time :D), but seriously, for any storyteller wanting to create that "how?" picture, face overlays are great. Yes, they take a little more effort than just posing and taking the picture, but if you all like Goodbye_sun's stories and the look, this is a big part of how she makes those stunning pictures of hers. I remember when I first read 100 Days, I sat with my mouth open a good portion of the time wondering how the hell she did what she did with Sims. Fortunately, I've been able to learn from her, and so can you.

The above picture was achieved with the right combination of pose box and face overlays. (Of course, the fact that with the right cc, this guy turned out really nice doesn't hurt. :D I want to see someone achieve this with TS3. LOL)

Oh, and her stories? They're 100 Days of Sorrow and her simfic50 work. I will state that if you're offended by homosexual themes, then the simfic50 work is not for you, beautifully written as it is. 100 Days is for anyone who loves a well-told vampire tale. :D

Take care,
Lachesis

New Sireta's Blog

2009-06-06T08:25:00.010-04:00

The Start of Better Things was posted at Lachesis Presents. Yesterday. Sorry, I forgot to post it here. :p

After spending all day yesterday playing, I have to say, to some extent I'm hooked. There are a lot of things to do when you don't know anything. I'm sure over time, I'll become familiar with everything, but for now, I'm not bored. Because you have less time in a day to things, it takes longer to accomplish even simple goals to advance at work. The reason for having less time is simple, you can't go downtown, spend eight hours, and then come home and spend those same eight hours over again doing something else. Twenty-four hours is twenty-four hours and everything has to be accomplished during that time frame.

This is not to say I've abandoned my play neighborhood at Sims 2. I haven't, there's still way more to do in Sims 2, but for now, this is just one more Sims neighborhood to play, and I'm actually enjoying it. I wish the characters looked better, but they are what they are. If I want better looking characters, I'll go back to Sims 2. :D I also wish I could play it so all the graphic features were utilized. There's one setting that I can use, the game runs fine, and everything looks so much better, even the landscape, but it causes my fan to run all the time, and the sound of that drives me crazy, so I settle for less. :(

My 2-cents on Sims 3: If EA tries, eventually it'll be a good game, and, of course, the community will eventually be able to make it even better.

There're lots more pictures for Sireta's blog taken, lots more story scribbled down, so I'll be following her for some time to come.

Take care,
Lachesis

Lachesis Presents - New Blog

2009-06-04T13:18:00.013-04:00

Hey everyone, I've started a new blog, Lachesis Presents to tell the story of Sireta Aren who lives on the world of Dagon. But unlike our Sea of Moons characters, she lives on the continent of Tyr, which is to the east of Neith.

A while back, I mentioned a new project, this is it. My desire is to showcase Sims 3 in the way I know best - storytelling. This is not meant to be a review, for that there are many on the web, just look around. For those who are not sure about the game, or who just like to follow characters along on their journey, that's what this is.

This is Sireta Aren's blog, a daily, or not so daily depending on how it works out, account of starting out in a new home far from where she grew up.

It's a case where I play the game and tell the story, so I have no idea whatsoever what's going to happen. So, if you're interested in storytelling, the Sims 3 or both, follow along with Sireta and me as we check out what EA has given us.

I'm using no cc, no pose boxes, no preplanned story. I haven't turned off the plumbbob, headers or balloons. It's just what comes out of the box. I'm even using the in-game camera. :D

Take care,
Lachesis

Sea of Moons One Year Old!

2009-06-01T23:11:00.011-04:00

Sea of Moons started out sometime in mid to late May of last year (I've forgotten the actual date). However, that first attempt was very quickly scrapped, and all that remains of it are a very few posts in the Prologue.

Since A Vampire's Tale, first posted June 1, 2008, is truly the birth of what the story is today and in the future, it's the official opening of Sea of Moons.

So, Happy Birthday Sea of Moons! I can't believe I've been at this only a year, sometimes it seems so much longer. I've learned so much, and met so many wonderful people in the past year. Thank you all so terribly much, and may the next year be even better.

Take care,
Lachesis

Update News

2009-05-31T20:37:00.011-04:00

While everyone's still enjoying their vacations, I've been working behind the scenes today. Set building and rewriting the ending to suit the changes made when I wrote Guardian's Key.

But, I do believe everyone's rested enough, it's time to get back to work. So, making no promises, they should be back next Sunday and for the next six Sundays until we finish.

Take care,
Lachesis

Epilogue at OoT

2009-05-30T00:09:00.007-04:00

Okay, now the Epilogue is up at Out of Touch. This time it's truly finished. :)

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Ok, You Choose Because I Can't

2009-05-29T21:08:00.005-04:00

After the Epilogue is posted and after I finish up The Search for Nanda at Sea of Moons (which I will do on consecutive Sundays) it will be time to start a new Lachesis' Tale. So, I've been going back and forth, do I move Angels' Cloud here and finish it up, or do I do Just Call it Magic as I always had planned?

Before you decide, let me say that Just Call it Magic is now and always has been Sébastien Baudelaire's story - in the present. It, like Out of Touch, was originally intended to be sold as a romantic suspense. In fact, I had twelve chapters completed before I set it aside. To make it fit here, I need to rework it, and have been doing just that, just not fast enough. :)

So, since I can't decide what to do - the reason for moving Angels' Cloud to LT would be because it's difficult to tell it within the confines of the simfic50 prompts - what would you like to see?

A complete Angels' Cloud or
Sébastien's story?

Thanks,
Lachesis

Okay, I'm Feeble :)

2009-05-26T14:22:00.010-04:00

I know I said Chapter Twenty-Six was the end of Out of Touch, Out of Time. However, after sleeping on it and then looking at it today, I realize there are just some loose ends that I need to tie up. So, I've written an Epilogue. It's short, but I now feel like the story's complete. :)

I'll post a quick notice to let you know when it's up. It shouldn't take terribly long, it's less than 500 words, no more than about three pictures.

Also, at the bottom of the Epilogue, I've included a note explaining how the two timelines differ.

Now, the story is complete. This time I feel comfortable with it. Thank you all for reading.

Take care,
Lachesis

OoT Final Chapter

2009-05-25T21:48:00.005-04:00

Chapter Twenty-Six, the final chapter, has been posted! Thank you everyone so incredibly much for going along on this journey with me. I really hope you've enjoyed it and the ending is everything you want it to be. :)

Happy Memorial Day!

Take care,
Lachesis

(Edit 5/26/09 - This is the final chapter, but not exactly the end. I've decided on an Epilogue and I will get that posted as soon as possible.)

Almost Finished ;)

2009-05-24T22:52:00.003-04:00

Out of Touch Chapter Twenty-Five posted tonight.

Thank you for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Spot Coloring Your Pictures

2009-05-19T15:26:00.064-04:00

Recently I did a one-page story where the world was black and white but the people were in color. I thought I'd share how I did it.

I suggest you choose your characters carefully. I made the mistake of using a hairstyle for my female that had tendrils of hair hanging down the sides of her face. Looked nice, but made the Photoshoping a real challenge. For this tutorial, I'm using Terre from the above mentioned story.

Select Brush Tool A and Mask Mode. Make sure your brush has a hard edge, 100% Hardness. To make my life easy, I use an overlay Opacity of 63% and I like red so that's the color I use. Any color’s fine. :)

Try to stay within the area where you want to keep the color; but if you slip, don’t worry, we’ll erase that later. Blowing up the area with the magnifying glass is very helpful.

I find it easiest to carefully outline what I want to mask off with a small brush and then go back and paint in the middle with as large a brush as possible. Oh, and remember to lift your finger off your mouse every now and then so if you make a mistake you don’t have to undo a very large portion of the masking you just put in. Also, being careful as possible makes it easier. You can erase, but that's just a waste of time. For once in your life, staying inside the lines is a good thing.

Once your selection is filled in, choose Select, Inverse.

Now the background is masked and Terre, in my case, is not.

Choose Layer, New, Layer via Copy.

You’ll notice your Layer pallet has two layers, one of just Terre and the background layer with everything. Make sure your background layer is selected and choose Enhance, Adjust Color, Remove Color.

There, the background is black and white and Terre is still in color.

You’ll notice in my example that around his hair brown from the bricks is still showing. Make sure you have the layer with your color selected.

Using the erase tool at 100% opacity, start carefully erasing anywhere you may have slipped or gone over the line with the mask brush, Terre should be the only color showing.

Since Terre has black hair, I don’t have to be careful erasing and because I made a layer using a copy, the black and white version of Terre is still behind him, so I won’t really erase his hair at all, I’ll just reveal what’s underneath. I had to be much more careful with Soleil, but I didn’t want to get that complicated with this tutorial. Not only was Terre’s hair forgiving, but so was his clothing. (I'm just showing the two layers below, you don't want to move the top layer off the background. If you do accidently slide the color layer over, undo and it'll snap back in place.)

Last step go to Layer, Flatten Image.

Now save however you normally do.

(Just a note, as I use Photoshop Elements 2, my layer pallet doesn't give me the option to create a mask layer, and I'm not even sure how that works. But if you can make a mask that way, then it might be easier than coloring the mask in. The rest of the steps would still remain the same.)

Hope this helps take some of the mystery out of selectively using color.

Lachesis

One Down, Two to Go

2009-05-17T15:56:00.003-04:00

OoT updated with Chapter Twenty-Four.

I seriously think I've set a record the the least amount of pictures I've ever used in an update. :D But really, how many ways can two people sit on a couch staring at a computer? I'm not that creative.

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Pose Box Update

2009-05-14T22:46:00.006-04:00

First and foremost, thank you Phoenix for letting me pilfer your screens from Sim Haven. :D

Pose Boxes added are:

Miya's Box
C's Pose Box
RayE-scape BJD Pose Box
Pose Box v1.5 CatdogII
20090216-Posebox

And there was at least one pose for each of the catalogs.

Take care,
Lachesis

General Mutterings from the Corners of My Mind...

2009-05-13T15:04:00.035-04:00

With Out of Touch coming to an end in three chapters, and The Search for Nanda having only a handful of parts left, I've been giving thought to how to handle these updates.

I've decided that the end of stories, if done correctly, should be answering questions and tying up loose ends. Hopefully, if I've done my job, that's precisely what's going to happen with these two stories.

Therefore, I've decided to put SoM on hiatus until Out of Touch ends. This means the next three Sunday updates will be Out of Touch.

Then I will be free to concentrate and end The Search for Nanda on consecutive weeks without breaking the momentum.

As for where other stories are going. I was supposed to start a new Lachesis' Tales with Just Call it Magic. Unfortunately, that story, although started, just doesn't seem to be cooperating, and is lacking the magic at the moment, so it has been shelved. It's a story and character I love, so hopefully, it will talk to me soon.

However, not to worry, I've also been giving thought to the future of Lachesis' Falderal and the simfic50 challenge. When I started it, it was very much my intention to have fun with it. To write little vignettes for each of the prompts. I never intended for there to be storylines. Sebastien follows along with that desire very nicely as each of his stories are actually contained vignettes. Doing the same with the Guardian Angel characters would be quite easy as well, although I do have one more written with Alexander and Melissa that will more or less tie up that storyline.

But, Angels' Cloud is another matter entirely. I've grown quite fond of the story and the characters but it will not fit into the vignette pattern. Beginnings was a desperate attempt to find something, anything that would allow it to fit within the simfic50 guidelines. So, I'm going to move it into the next Lachesis' Tales slot.

For the time being, I'm not sure how it will be updated. Between pose boxes, SoM The Search for Nanda followed immediately by Guardian's Key

(which is completely written - so not to worry) and my newest project which I'm looking forward to, but will keep a secret for just a little while longer, getting AC written completely and then updated will take sometime.

So much to do... but you will not be left without something to read. That I promise.

Take care,
Lachesis

Out of Touch Updates

2009-05-10T22:00:00.003-04:00

Chapter Twenty-Three added. Wow, it seems like it took me quite a long time to get this up today. :0

Actually, that's because when I read the chapter through this morning, I realized I'd made so many minor changes along the way that it no longer made sense, and I had to completely rewrite the entire chapter. That's a new one for me, but hopefully, I made a chapter that now flows with the rest instead of seeming weird and out of place.

Thank you everyone for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Kerrin Discovers a New Ability

2009-05-03T21:05:00.009-04:00

Pollux Part 8, Revelation has been added.

No, his new ability is not levitating glasses, he was just screwing around between takes. LOL

Behind the scenes. :D Fortunately, with the pose box catalog, I choose which poses I'm going to use before I start simming, so I don't have as many on set as I used to. Also, Ixchel isn't actually sitting on anything, I had to move her off the chair so Xavier could do his magique.

Also, the guy who's selected is Billy Extra. I use residential lots that I give to an extra and then I teleport the main characters in. Billy's good for things like keeping the fire lit and because he doesn't do anything, I will select him when the main characters are doing actions that put the action square in the corner. Keeps me from having to clean up the picture in Photoshop. ;)

Thank you everyone for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

4 More Pose Boxes

2009-05-01T22:44:00.002-04:00

Pose boxes added to all catalogs except Kneel.

Take care,
Lachesis

Out of Touch Update

2009-04-26T17:14:00.006-04:00

Chapter Twenty-Two has been added today. You may want to note that we've reached July 9. Getting closer all the time to finding out: Will he stay or will he go?

I loved the way this picture turned out, so I turned it into a wallpaper. It's 1440x900.

Thank you everyone for reading!!

Take care,
Lachesis

5 Poses Boxes Added to Catalog :)

2009-04-25T21:26:00.009-04:00

Pose Boxes added to Stand, Sit, Couples, Kneel, & Weapon:

wuyi posebox 0903
wmgc posebox by catdogII
bingyue's box
RayE_boyslove posebox V2
Loli Box 2

The majority of the boxes were added to the Couples catalog.

Also, starting with this update, I've included a small thumbnail of the top of the box in the upper left-hand corner to make deciding which box it is a bit easier, I hope. :)

Just a bit of FYI, as of this update there are 38 pose boxes contained within the catalogs. If this sounds like a lot, remember, it's really only the tip of the iceberg. :p

Take care,
Lachesis

Today's Update is SoM

2009-04-19T17:41:00.006-04:00

We're getting closer all the time to the end of the Search for Nanda, and heading into the final stretch with this update. Just one more non-evening time of rest, and they'll finally reach their destination.

On a note of trivia, below is a picture from the night when Lessa came to Kerrin's bar the first time. I'm sure you all didn't notice Xavier sitting with Chryses that night. He's also playing pool behind them while they speak.

How he know Chryses will eventually be covered, but not for a rather long while.

Thank you all for reading!

Take care,
Lachesis

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T16:22:00.008-04:00

I don't usually talk about non-Sim related items here, but something happened to me on Friday that I want to pass along.

In this world where we all think no one really cares any more, where you go to a fast food restaurant and get a sloppily made hamburger and stone-cold fries, a pop that's either too carbonated or too syrupie, or many other things we deal with on a daily basis, I found a man who was willing to go an extra step for me. :D

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered an HP computer for work. When it was shipped and the tracking came out, I saw it was set for FedEx Home Ground delivery. Well, I didn't worry, the local terminal would know we're a business, right? After all, we ship with them all the time. Well, as the day wore on and no delivery arrived, I began to worry, so I called the 800 number. Well, there was nothing they could do, it was the shipper's fault, not theirs and so on and so forth. But she could make a notation that we'd close at noon on Friday and not be there Saturday and hopefully the computer would get delivered Tuesday at the latest and not get shipped back to HP.

After a sleepless night, I went to work Friday and looked in my files finding a local FedEx number. Everyone was wonderfully helpful, and the guy at the home delivery terminal told me he'd try to get the driver to bring it to us before noon. Well, the office guy called back, the driver couldn't make it, but he'd bring it to me personally, after all they were just in the next city over. By 10:00 Friday morning the office worker at FedEx had personally brought me the new computer, saying these things happen - he didn't place the blame on anyone. It's so wonderful to know that there are still some generous, caring people that I just had to pass this on.

Anyway, to the real reason for this post, Out of Touch, Out of Time, Chapter 21 is up. :D

Thank you everyone for reading!
Take care,
Lachesis

Pose Box Additions

2009-04-11T22:52:00.012-04:00

Hey everybody, two new poses boxes have been added. The way to the link is here.

A couple reminders:

Goodbye_sun has an ongoing project with a face overlay catalog that clearly shows how face overlays work by themselves and in conjunction with each other. I highly recommend checking it out as it just makes your pictures so much more complete.

The same pose with a face overlay added can make a big difference in how your story will look in the long run. We spend a good deal of time writing and then simming them. A few minutes more to add a face overlay can make such a difference. :D

Lastly, Goodby_sun's Posing Sims at Garden of Shadows has links for everything, including the pose boxes themselves, that you can possibly ever need to tell a quality Sims2 story.

Take care,
Lachesis

New SoM Character

2009-04-10T21:49:00.006-04:00

Hi Everybody,

I'm just popping in because I've finally got a pretty decent picture of a new Sea of Moons character who will make a brief appearance in Search for Nanda, but he really shines in Guardian's Key.

Just a teaser, you know I like to do these from time to time. ;D

The picture will expand out to 1440x900.

Telaan Torus
Half Silvanus Elf and Half Bastard

Take care,
Lachesis

Pose Box Labeling Error

2009-04-08T18:34:00.004-04:00

Sorry everybody, I' made an error in naming one of the pose boxes I put up on April 3. I have every intention of correcting it and putting the proper name on the boxes, but that may take a day or two as I have something else I'm working on at the moment. I thought about taking it down because I didn't want to terribly confuse people, but since there is a picture of the box as well, I don't want to do that either.

So, the proper name of the box is: xixi posebox for quidiexi at the moment it's listed as posebox for quidiexi. This is one of the poses, just so you know which box.

Fate's Ribbon

The End of Guardian's Key

Guardian's Key is Back

Morana II

New Sea of Moons Post

Spirits, I Hate Summer

New Guardian's Key

A New Guardian's Key

This, That, and The Other

Additions to Posebox Catalog

New Guardian's Key

Wow, Time Flies!

Angels' Cloud Update - Greed

Posebox Catalog Updated

Guardian's Key Update

Boredom = Uploads

'Tis the Season

Simfic50 Prompt Enigma

Guardian's Key Upate (So Much Later Than I Intended)

Lachesis Presents Update

Good News/Bad News

TS3 Activity at Lachesis Presents

A Tiny Break

Guardian's Key Update

Late. Again. *sigh*

Bringing Back the Schedule

The Annoying Side of Life (Something Different)

Temporarily Missing

Quickly Stopping By

Somthing Old Revisited

Happy Easter!

Posebox Catalog Now Has Official Site

Posebox Reference List

Guardian's Key Update

Ever Wonder How Kerrin Became a Vampire?

Some Days...

Wow! Close, but I made it.

New Falderal Simfic50 Prompt

Happy Holidays

Guardian's Key Update

Late Again :/

Pose Box Update

I don't usually do reviews, but...

MIA

Sims 3 Update - Finally

Guardian's Key Update & Misc.

Guardian's Key - Getting Closer to Telaan

Guardian's Key Update

Projects Overtaking my Mind

Update

Really, They're Not Abandoned Sites

One Last Word on Stealing

With Days Like This...

Angels' Cloud Part 4 at Simfic50

Showing off ;D

Sea of Moons is Back!

New Simfic50 and Other News

Pose Box Catalog Updated

Bonus Update at SoM

Some Strangeness from My Game Playing :D

August Challenge at Sim Haven

Hey Guys!

Sireta's Blog Update

Finally New Pose Boxes Added

The Search for Nanda Concludes

Pollux Part 12 Added at SoM

Pollux Part 11 Added at SoM

Still Working on SoM Update

New Lachesis' Tale Planned!

Creativity Returns as Does SoM :D

The Patient Updated

Another Addition to Sireta's Blog

CupofPoses Added

Classified Ad

More Sims 3

SoM is Back!

Sireta Updated!

Finally New Pose Boxes!

New Sireta's Blog

Lachesis Presents - New Blog

Late. Again. sigh