The Mystic County Project

[Passmeabuurr 0]

Hey thanks for the link kant! Your awseome bro! Cant wait for more!

[kant01 5]

Exploration, Part I  - Page 1 Exploration, Part II - Page 2	Settlement, Part I  - Page 2 Settlement, Part II - Page 2 Settlement, Part III - Page 3 Settlement, Part IV - Page 3	Invaision, Part I - Page 3 Invasion, Part II - Page 3 Invasion, Part III - Page 4 Invasion, Part IV - Page 5
Interlude # 1 Page 6
Victoria, Part I - Page 8

Victoria - Part I

From the personal diary of Rufus Delacroix:

May 9, ‘60

It was Dale’s mother!

She stepped off the train with her attaché on one side and what appeared to be a body guard on the other. She just stood there for a moment, her eyes flicking restlessly from person to person across the platform, looking, searching for something. And then they seemed to stop on me. It must have taken only a second for her to recognize me. True, it had been many years since she had seen me and I had since grown into a mature young man, but my boyish features no doubt remained just enough for her to have that spark of recognition. Her gaze continued to fix directly on me, her eyes, narrowing just ever so slightly. I felt them penetrate into me like cold, icy daggers. I realized in that moment just how much she disgusted me and that she knew it as well.

In the next second everything became sort of a blur. Magistrate Baumgartner came bounding up to greet Victoria and she took her eyes off me. I staggered backwards into the crowd of people. I could hear the train whistle blow. I saw people rushing around in different directions. Baggage was being unloaded and stacked up nearby. More official looking people came off the train and gathered near to where Victoria and Baumgartner were speaking quietly.

A few moments later the train she had been on took off towards Brush Neck Delta. People began to filter off the platform. Some of Victoria’s attendants began to take her luggage off to Baumgartner’s car. Apparently Dale’s father had gotten word that Victoria had arrived because a moment later he appeared at the train station. His face became ashen when he saw her. They stood looking at each other for a moment and then her eyes darted back to me and glared intently. I had goose bumps all over my body. And then, she looked away and approached her husband. Dale Shipman, II just stood there as she came nearer. They did not embrace. After a few moments they began to speak but they were too far away for me to hear what was being said.

I continued to just stand watching from the opposite end of the platform. And then, I heard a whistle in the distance approaching from Brush Neck. I turned and looked in that direction, hoping to catch sight of it. The whistle blew again as it approached. Even Victoria and Dale stopped speaking. The trained seemed to pull into the station in slow motion. Baumgartner seemed oblivious to what was happening as he continued to oversee the transportation of Victoria’s luggage.

Once the train stopped, people began getting off and the bustle began all over again. I kept looking about hoping to catch sight of Dale before he saw his mother. I saw Victoria looking at me again as if she knew what I was doing. And then I saw him, stepping down from the train. He saw me immediately and began walking quickly towards me, a huge grin spread across his face. I knew he had forgiven me and in that moment I wanted so much to be alone with him. He must have seen my expression because he sort of paused and turned. He saw his mother standing there with his father. I could tell that he was almost shaking. In the early morning light I could also see the tears coming down his face. Victoria moved quickly to where he was standing and they threw their arms around each other. He continued to shake and to sob now uncontrollably. As she held her son, she looked up over his shoulder right at me and smiled. I shuddered again. I have no idea what is in store for us now.

May 10

Yesterday evening after Victoria went and settled into Baumgartner’s guest quarters she went down to the Assembly Hall to speak alone with her son. After the morning’s reunion Dale and I went back to our cabin and he told me all about his trip to Brush Neck and the wonderful progress they have made with their fishing co-op and their agricultural development. He speech was faster and more animated than normal. I could tell he was feeling many emotions. We spoke about almost everything except his mother.

Down at the Assembly Hall a small crowd had gathered. Dale’s father was also there speaking to some of the concerned families and Dale’s younger brother Jacob was running around looking in windows, trying to see what was going on. He had hardly had time to see his mother since she had arrived.

Later that night back at the cabin Dale said he had asked her all kinds of questions about the military base. She said that she had not known about the base but spoke to the Chancellor’s council about it directly. As it turns out, the base is the new location for the Army Corps of Engineers for this region. Rather than having a military purpose, it was actually built to play a constructive role in Mystic County, particularly in large engineering and municiple projects. She also said she had not known about it because she does not work directly with the military side of the Chancellor’s council. She assured him that its purpose was totally benign and in fact the reason she had come out was because the Chancellor wanted her to personally oversee some new construction projects that the engineering corps was going to begin.

I asked Dale want sort of project but he said she had not told him, only that it was going to be very big. I didn’t press the issue as I didn’t want to upset him again but my mind raced as I thought of all things the Chancellor could be up to. Even if it was true that the base was nothing more than the Army Corps of Engineers, what would they be building that was so big that the Chancellor wanted his Special Council, Victoria Shipman, to come all the way to Mystic County to oversee? After all, he already had his stooge Baumgartner keeping an eye on things. And besides, I knew that I had seen an ammo depot at that base. Why would the engineering corps need so much ammo?

From the Chancellor’s official provincial report log on Mystic County, kept by Special Council Victoria Shipman:

Having arrived in Warwick I was a bit surprised at how rural the settlement actually is. Nonetheless, improvements have been made and I suspect that once we build the new facility and commence with Project Delta things will begin to progress much more rapidly.

As far as bringing in more of the Chancellor’s staff, many improvements will need to be made with the infrastructure and rail system. Also, we will need to construct several other amenities such as schools and a fire station.

At least with the new Regional Medical Center we now have adequate facilities should any of the residents need to become…more pliable.

From the personal diary of Rufus Delacroix:

June 1, ‘60

Victoria seems to have settled into Warwick over the past month and Dale could not be happier. I am not sure his dad is pleased though, particularly as Victoria continues to stay up at Magistrate Baumgartner’s place. I think she has decided to go ahead and build a home here as she refuses to live with her husband in his little shack.

One of the doctors that the Chancellor had shipped in to staff the Medical Center recently completed his new home up near the Magistrate’s. It seems rather excessive as most people around here live in meager shelters.

The Army Corps of Engineers also came and built a new freight depot as our only one was becoming rather strained. Fortunately they built it next to our new processing mill so I have to be thankful for that.

Dale and I continue to manage the fishing co-op here. We really would like to expand our facilities and build some warehouses but at this point we don’t have the time or the resources so we continue to use our two small docks.

June 15

The engineering corps continues to be of help at the direction of Victoria. We are really straining space at the mill and so they have come and built a new lumber warehouse. Wood continues to be our main building resource here so naturally that will be of great use. The Planning Council has organized a new Lumber co-op to oversee the facility and the direct management of all lumber gathering.

I just wish we had built the facility ourselves. I don’t like feeling indebted to that woman! I avoid her as much as I can. Whenever we meet she just stares at me like she knows my inner most thoughts.

June 26

Even with the new warehouse for lumber, the mill is still running out of room. More people are moving into the area and in greater numbers. I think the population of Warwick has passed 3,000 now!

To help make room, the engineering corps has built another warehouse over by the mill and the lumber yard to handle all other non-food related resources.

At least this will make room for us as we are bringing in more fish than ever to meet the demand.

Our little corner where our shack is has now really filled in. I remember when we were the only ones who lived this far south of town and this close to the bay. Now there are new homesteads everywhere.

July 11

Our small coal mine has barely been able to provide enough coal now to keep up with the community and so of course the engineering corps has built a new mine in conjunction with the Planning Council and the mining co-op. These days it seems like the engineering corps works hand in hand with the Planning Council. What has happened to our autonomy? Sure they get things done quickly, but before we seemed so independent. Now…I just don’t know.

September 27

Fall is coming. The last few months have been a blur of activity. I have not had much time to think about Victoria or the Chancellor. I feel all I can do is keep focused on the fishing co-op and hope that I don’t sell my soul. I think Dale and I should get away, take a trip somewhere before winter comes. I would like to take him to Pigeon Cove to see the falls. I know he would like them.

We have run out of room again at the mill. Our fish compete for space with the produce farmers and the livestock. The beef producers have been asking for their own facility for a while now. The Planning Council was reluctant to build one for them just yet and so they finally went around their back and asked Victoria to have the engineering corps build it for them! Victoria agreed and now there is great tension at our Assembly meetings. This building was not approved by the Assembly or the Planning Council. The beef co-op doesn’t care. They say they need the space or their beef will rot before it gets to the trading market. This tension is not good at all.

The new beef processing mill was built very quickly and finished yesterday. People gathered around to look at it. Many people are angry. Others don’t care anymore as long as they get their beef. Now some of the produce farmers are grumbling that they don’t want to share space with us and our fish and that its not fair that that the beef co-op has their own space. None of this is good.

October 4

Victoria’s new home has finally been completed and she has almost fully moved into it. She has also invited Dale to move in with her. His father has refused but Jacob most certainly will. I don’t want Dale to go. I feel like we are happy as things are. I couldn’t bare it living here on my own without him knowing that he is up there in the hills with her.

October 17

After weeks of pleading Dale agreed to live with his mother. Jacob is there and he wants so much for his family to be united. But his father still refuses and there are rumors that Victoria and her husband have been having loud public fights at the Planning Council. Apparently the engineering corps is planning on annexing a huge piece of land for some kind of project which we sill know nothing about.

I have not reproached Dale for moving out. I know things have been tough. I remember a few years ago when all he wanted was to live on his own and be a free man. Now this. Dale has said that the engineering corps will help us if we want to expand our fishing facilities. I told him that I wasn’t interested, that I thought we should just make it on our own. I think he wants her help. He didn’t say, but I know he is looking at the other facilities that have been built recently and feels a little jealous.

April 2

We have survived another winter and we cannot stay in our current facilities. Dale and I both know it. We are building new larger boats and have nearly 100 fishermen working with us now. The Planning Council asked that we move into a new warehouse and dock area to make room in the processing mill for more produce. What can I do? If it gets voted on in the Assembly I will have to go along with it.

April 29

A new dock and small warehouse has been built. It was all done with no input from me. At first Dale said little but then he became really involved, helping to plan the new docks close to what is now called the ‘industrial sector’. We have also finished our new, larger fishing boats. They will certainly make a huge difference in what we can do.

May 10

Construction continues on our docks. Dale has been working closely with Victoria and the Planning Council to plan future growth and expand our current facilities. I am just trying to stay out of it and focus on managing the fleet of boats and the fishermen. I’ll leave the rest to Dale. I want nothing to do with that or his mother.

May 28

We have expanded our docks area even more now. The Army Corps of Engineers has built for us a new, very large mill right on the water and so we are now fully out of the central mill. I guess this is for the best. Dale thinks of nothing else these days other than growth and expansion. What is he becoming?

At times I watch my life as if it were flashing before my eyes. I have weeks where I am totally depressed. At times I want to just leave and start a new settlement somewhere else. At other times I just want to die.

---

That's all for now! Thanks for reading and all comments are definitely welcome!!!!!

[st louis dude 6]

You must have a really good graphics card to have done that well!

[Hanson784 165]

This CJ is exceptional!

It has the best rural scenery I've ever seen. The attention to detail, the realism, the quality of your writing (you should publish this as a book because you‘re a great writer). This goes beyond a CJ; this is a work of art.

Very inspirational and very well done.

[NicolaiS 8]

Great story ... great pictures ... great custom made lots.

[anubis89 108]

great update as always, many details, great custom lots

[Yoman3 5]

I read the whole thing and my my my that has to be the best update ever. So mcuh detail. The lots O the lots. What are those little stone walls next to the road? Amazing work here Kant01 you have rly outdone yourself!!!

[collgab 10]

:'( your CJ is sooo beautiful!! it makes me ssso jealous!!! you make my cry at the beauty of your cities!!! your CJ is soo spectacualr it should be against the rules to have a CJ this wonderful J/K but really tis soo wonderful!!! can't wait for more!!!

[Passmeabuurr 0]

Hey I love Warick and its harbor! Cant wait to see more of it!

[Rayden 7]

I'm still dizzy and trying to recover from this "shocking" update. Just simply amazing!

[sorchin 18]

WOW my friend. This is one of the pretiest country journals I have seen. Simply a beautiful job bbuddy.

[szarkoz 8]

I like how you're incorporating the story of one family with the story and progress of the whole settlement. 'At times I want to just leave and start a new settlement somewhere else', well, I'm really curious if those words will become real It's also very interesting situation when there's a sorf of competition between engineers corps and town council. I really enjoyed the story.

The pictures are also great, they show how much work on details you put into your town. Great job, I repeat, great!

[sloppet 3]

good work there kant01!! Interesting,

[cammo2003 20]

Dale thinks of nothing else these days other than growth and expansion. What is he becoming?quote>

An economist.

I really like your use of custom BATs in this update. It really has that feel of a fledgling settlement. Aside from the few car props around, the industrial area could easily pass for an 1850's-60s area (about the time the railways REALLY began (the first railway in Australia was built in the mid-1850's).

[Sticksboi05 2]

Outstanding work!

[____----____ 37]

well once again it is cool to see a chicago boy with such country style

but i must admit this is really fantastic especially this update, the index

the pictures it is all great this might just be the next great story CJ

Alek

[kant01 5]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Personal Replies

Passmeaburr: No problem! Any time.

st louis dude: it seems to be fine. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for commenting!

Hanson784: Welcome to Mystic County! Thanks for the nice comment. I do enjoy making rural communities and I also like them to look as real as possible. Also thank you for reading!

NicolaiS: Thanks for the comment! Glad you like it.

anubis89: Glad you enjoyed the update and all the custom lots. Stop by again!

Yoman3: Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I am really glad you liked the update and the story. It is definitely one of my favorite. The little stones walls I think you are talking about are ones that I made. Perhaps to be released in a future pack? Most likely in a few weeks. Thanks again!

collgab: Don’t cry! lol Thanks for the very nice comment. I am really glad you enjoyed the update. Really, you are too kind.

Passmeaburr: Thanks again for commenting! So glad you liked the harbor.

Rayden: Don’t fall down! Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the kind words. I am very happy that you enjoyed the update.

sorchin: Really glad you liked the update. Thanks for the kind words. Stop by again soon!

szarkoz: Thanks for reading! Very happy to hear you are enjoying it. Yes, well, Rufus may just decide that he has had enough of Victoria and take off. Just have to wait and see! And lots more competition and drama on its way! Glad you liked the pictures and all the details. Thanks again!

sloppet: thanks for the comment!

cammo23: haha, well, just maybe. I am glad you liked the update and all my custom lots. I am definitely going for an old look, but not because I mean the story to take place long ago. In fact, it takes place way in the future. However, these people are a rural community and don’t have much so that is the best they can do for themselves. But I am glad you like the look of it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Sticksboi: thanks for stopping by! Glad you liked it!

aleking: hey so glad you liked the update! And glad you liked the index. Thanks for the kind words. Stop by again soon and stay out of the nasty weather we are having!

That’s all for now!

[Kevin 101]

That is one of the best, if not the best, rural area I've ever seen. Fantastic work!

[Yoman3 5]

A FEW WEEKS!!!

[justanothersim86 83]

This is one magnificant CJ. Great work!

[jacqulina 162]

yes i will eagerly look out for them,your latest update is awesome i love the detail and the shoreline is so pretty i love the boats,the dirt tracks are wonderfull and awesome pics

[6underground 11]

Those trees in the kit are stunning! Very life-like indeed. I will keep an eye on this CJ as it progresses. Till your next update, take care.

=D

[oroen 0]

This is some spectacular scenery, and on previous pages as well (I haven't really been reading CJ's much lately, so I haven't really had a chance to follow your work here). I've dl'ed your rural development kit but haven't had time to play around with it, but now you're making me want to. I also like the rail lines going right into the farms, integrating quite nicely with the surroundings.

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull farms i love how you have placed everything to look just right,nice trees and fantastic pics

[gurrgkud 2]

holy wow. that last update was just breathtaking!!!!

my jaw dropped the whole time. those are some of the most beautiful pictures i have ever seen!!

[sim1234 62]

Wow! This is an Amazing CJ, I'll visit this regularly in future! The storyline is brilliant and the pics are great! Keep Up The Fantastic Work!

[asturianu 4]

I have looked to this cj manytimes, and i think that's very amazing. This region may be very worked, a lot of hours working on this county. AMAZING.

[Ramona Brie 121]

Wow. Wow. This is so beautiful. This is so interesting. This is a City Journal at its best.

[kant01 5]

Thanks to all the commenters (and to the lurkers as well...you know who you are!).

Now its time for...

Personal Replies

Cheese89: Hey thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it. I am glad you like the rural development. It is something I spent a long time thinking about and planning before I began as I really wanted to create a natural and realistic feel but also where I would have room to be creative and stretch reality just a little bit. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you in Mystic County again soon!

---

Yoman3:

Hey my friend, sorry about the delay. I just don’t have the time. I have such a short time each day to come by ST or to play or to work on my lots. I pretty much have to choose one thing that day and that its. And many days I don’t get to done some of any of that! I have more family coming into town over the next few weeks so there will be virtually no time at all, but I promise to give it my full attention as soon as I can! Thanks for your patience!

---

justanothersim86: Hey thanks for stopping by and thanks for the nice comment! I really appreciate the feedback. Stop by again anytime!

---

jacqulina: hey my friend, thanks for the lovely comment. I am happy to hear that you like the shoreline development. That is partly why this past update was delayed so much because I was having trouble getting the details of those lots to come out right. I am also glad you like everything else! See you again soon.

---

6underground: hey you changed your avatar! Looks great, although I think I might miss looking at the last face! Thanks for the nice comment. Hope you stop by Mystic County again soon!

---

oroen: Hey welcome to Mystic County! Glad to hear you downloaded my RDK. Please let me know how it turns out! I am glad you like all the scenery and very happy to hear that I have inspired you a little bit to do some agricultural development. Thanks for the nice comment and I hope to see you in Mystic County again soon!

---

jacqulina: Thanks for another comment! I do feel honored. Thanks as always for stopping by and thanks for the kind words.

---

gurrkud: haha, well I hope you don’t pass out! But seriously, I am really happy that you liked the last update. I did spend quite a bit of time on it. Thanks for the feed back and thanks as always for stopping by!

---

sim1234: hey my friend, thanks for stopping by! I really appreciate the comment. I am really happy to hear that you like my CJ. I promise another update soon so stay tuned!

---

asturianu: Greetings from the official Mystic County Welcome Committee! I am very happy that you like the region. I have spent a lot of time trying to get everything to have the right look and feel to it. I am so glad you like it. Thanks for commenting and I hope you stop by again soon!

---

Tracker: Thanks for the very kind words. I am glad you like the region. I have spent a lot of time on it so I really really really appreciate the feedback. Thanks again for the comment!

---

That’s all for now folks. Another update is on its way soon!

[raul39 0]

AMAZING, this reminds me of some old ranch town I went to in Mexico! That's just how real this looks. Keep it up!