The Paradise Islands City Journal

[HADC10 1]

This city journal is an attempt to document the history and colonization of the Paradise Islands.   It's my first CJ, so don't expect great things.   For the record, I am using NAM 2006, and Pegasus's snow mod, set for mountaintops.  We'll start out our story in modern day, and then get to the islands history.

We start out in an archipelago in the islands, the Isles of the Sun.  As we disembark the M/V Sol (ferry station at the lower left), onto Triggerfish Island, one can look back at the ship, and out across this city of low islands and sandbars.  Then, one can walk along the shoreline to a small ferry dock (lower right), to board the M/V Triggerfish, which will take us around town, and eventually to Solstice Island, for our history lesson

After a 15 minute ride on the passenger ferry, we pull into Equinox Island.   Equinox Island is a small residential development, full of small beach cottages.  A fair number of people choose to retire here, and those who don't commute to Triggerfish or Parrotfish Islands via ferry.  Also, students take the morning ferry over to Solstice Island to get their education.  This is a small, island, however, and so we hop aboard the M/V Equinox to Parrotfish Island.

This is Parrotfish Island.  It is relatively unspoiled, save for Eden Farms.  You may recognize the Eden Farms: Apples of Paradise brand in your local Simway or Sim's Club.  This grove is where the apples originate, and the factories where they are processed into applesauce (factory on the left), and apple juice (factory on the right).  Alas, having noshed on these delicious apples, we must move on.  The Parrotfish will carry us to our next destination.

This is Solstice Island.  It is the second largest island in the Isles of the Sun, and the largest lying completely in city limits.  We pull into the ferry terminal, home port of the M/V Solstice.   Having taken the day to tour, the other islands, there is no time to dally here on this suburban islet.  We must immediatley hop on a bus to the local elementary school.

Stay tuned for the history of the Paradise Islands, from their discovery, to today.

Feel free to post questions and comments.

[granto93 4]

looking forward to more

[HADC10 1]

Replies:

@Granto93: Thanks for commenting.  Looks as if you're the only reader so far.

Update:

In the beginning, Remus Island was the only island to be settled, and it was inhabited by the Ancient Geeks.

These Geeks lived peacefully for centuries.  Most historians believe they came from another planet, as they possessed technology and built structures beyond our abilities today.  However, due to their life of research and science, they lost their ability to engage in combat.  Thus, they were able to fantacize amazing battle plans, but unable to implement them.  Therefore, this beautiful city's days were numbered.

At about the year 0, the Roman Empire sent out an expedition to the northwest, in order to find new lands to conquer.

They voyaged up into the Arctic, and managed to avoid getting stuck into the ice. They make it to Bering Sea, sail through the Aleutian Islands, and make a long trek through the North Pacific until they reach the Paradise Islands.  They reach Remus Island.

Upon arrival at Remus, the Romans destroy most of the town, leaving nothing in the wake of their carnage.  Part of the battle is depicted on the Spenardi Tapestry.  The lettering is real.

Stay tuned for the history of Roman colonization of the island, and the exploration of the rest of the archipelago!

[crazyyaya 4]

your high tech zones are really screwed up but its an ok city i guess

[granto93 4]

the storyline is great, very interesting I also like the way you got the map done with google earth. I do not use many STEX items but you should try to use some just to compliment the maxis buildings and add a bit of variety. I'm interested to see where this is going and cant wait to see more!

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Interesting start. I guess the Romans were called that since they aparently roamed a lot!

[tomdapom 79]

I didn't know the word pwned was around 2000 years ago !!!! Nice storyline you have there as well. Keep it up!

[Mikeaut1 261]

Storyline is great, but I suggest reworking your urban areas a little bit. Maybe some trees, more roads. You should also take the grid off when taking pics, it really does a great difference!

[homeandaway 1]

great start - totally agree with mikeaut1^^

take care and look forwards for more my friend

~alex~

[mtbrocket 2]

Good story so far. Use the "G" button to turn the gird off before taking pictures. It will look better.

I like the stream on Parrotfish Island. I would like to see the fish. Remus Island is quite unusual. Keep up the good work.

-Dan

[HADC10 1]

Okay, time for another update

Replies:

@crazyaya, mikeaut1: Don't worry, that was just an experiment with ancient engineering.  The future will be more conventional.

@tomdapom: You're right, it wasn't.  The tapestry was made in the 11th Century AD.

Now, onto business.

After the carnage was finished, the Romans built a monument to the conquest, and began to settle the now-barren island themselves.

This is Piazza Romana, built with a statue to Mars, the god of war.

Over the next few years, they built up several settlements on the island's hilltops, along their new road, the Via Terrestria.

This is the city of Remus itself, in the early years

This is the Ward of Maxentius

The Vestia Ward

Mons Caesar

Concordia Settlement

These settlements grew over tie, and the island progressed, with a voyage from Londonium arriving every few years, and Rome itself sending an envoy a decade.  Eventually, however, the Remusians began to feel cramped as the island became crowded.

So, one morning, all the citizens of the island gathered into the Tiber Amphiteatre to discuss the issue.  Debate raged on for over 96 hours, until, finally, by unanimous consent, the citizens of Remus elected to send out an expedition to find any other nearby islands.

They built this Temple of Neptune, at the time an innovative and controversial structure, to train navigators and build ships.  It would become the center from which all new explorations were launched and commanded.

Stay tuned for updates on the exploration of more of the Paradise Islands, and new settlements.

[homeandaway 1]

fantastic! reminds me off greece!

always looking forwards to seeing more of your great work my good friend

take care and ill cya!

~alex~

[granto93 4]

i like your update. I'm not normally a fan for that roman architecture but you make good use of it in your CJ. I will stay tuned

[HADC10 1]

All right, guess what everybody: its time for another update!

Replies

@homeandaway: Glad that it reminds you of Greece.  As we progress through history, we'll see a number of styles.

@granto93: Thanks for making and exception, and staying tuned.

Now, on to business.

The Romans set out from their Temple of Neptune, and sailed to the south.  It wasn't long before they discovered another, small, island.  They called it Novustutio, and sailed onward through the channel seen below.

After continuing their sail for a day or so, they stumbled upon a new landmass, greater than the size of Remus itself.  They entitled this new land Novus Jugis.  You can see it in the following illustration.

Excited by this news, the explorers rush back to Remus, where they recieve a commission to return to the new lands of Novustutio and Novus Jugis, and to found colonies there.  The first colony, Novustutio, becomes the capital and largest city of this new region, ruling over the smaller settlement of Novus Jugis.  This is Novustutio

Because of their remoteness from the quarries of Remus, the settlements of Novus Jugis were forceed to provide for themselves as far as building materials were concerned.  Thus, instead of the grand stone stone monuments of Remus, the Novustutio Region was filled with buildings from timbers.  This held true in both Novustutio and Novus Jugis, lit by candlelight, pictured here.

Eventually, the Romans came to neglect Novustutio.  This caused great unrest among the people, and prompted them to construct a castle on Farblondzhet Island, Farblondzhet Castle, as it came to be called.  This fortress became the capital of the region, as it was about to declare independance.

Stay tuned for a war of indpendence, and more discoveries!

[homeandaway 1]

wooh! - very nice and informative! - i really like it!

take care and i look forwards to seeing more of your great work my friend

~alex~

[SamTheMan 0]

Not bad. Keep it up

[granto93 4]

very nice

[jacqulina 162]

very nice work you are doing well my friend fantastic pics too

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Nice stuff! Good work. I like the styles you use.

[HADC10 1]

All right, it's update time.

Previously in the Paradise Islands...

...The Romans wipe out the Ancient Geeks

...The Romans build up the city of Remus

...They set out to explore the islands further, and I warn of an oncoming civil war...

Presenting

Enter China

Now, we must first examine another political power in the Paradise Islands...Han China.  Several years ago, the Chinese emperor sent out an expedition through East Asia and into the Pacific.  The expedition landed in the Paradise Islands.  They landed on the edges of the two islands shown below.

The industrious Chinese built their cities very quickley.  This is the main gate and primary government facility to the new settlement of Arata Formosa, on the opposite side of the islands from Remus.

Here is the settlement itself

And here is the Grand Promenade and Palace.  The palace actually only houses the Imperial Regent.  However, it has facilities should the emporer ever visit, and hold most government workers who need not interact with society, as it is across the channel from the main town.

Stay tuned for more exciting adventures in ancient history, and maybe a trip to the present day...

[WackoJak 0]

You do love those pedestrian mall tiles huh? I LOVE your chinese settlements, are they just plain grass lots in between them? or more pedestrian mall tiles?

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull work on the shore line and beaches my friend,great details,fantastic work and pics

[homeandaway 1]

coolio! - somewhat reminds me of my CJ - Rangoon!

take care and be safe

~alex~

[patriots_1228 51]

reminds me of schulmania. of course your going through time faster and the city building isnt as great no offense. i like what youve done though this is an intresting idea.

[granto93 4]

yeah, it does remind me of Schulmania too but that is only a good thing!

[Mike the Mayor 51]

Nice pictures.

[HADC10 1]

Finally, time for another update.  First, replies

@WackoJak Thanks for your comments.  Yes, they are pedestrian mall tiles.

@Patriots, Granto: Truth is, I was inspired by Schulmania.  But yeah, it's going to be a little different, focusing on real world history (and no cats)

@Everyone Else Thanks for your comments.

Now then,

Previously, In the Paradise Islands...

...The Remusians decide to expand overseas

...The cities of Novustutio and Novus Jugis are founded

...Han China appears in the western parts of the archipelgo, with the colony of Arata Formosa.

Now, presenting

Tensions Increase

The Novustutio region has adopted a new flag, with its motto, Exploration and Care represented on it.  Here it is.

The city of Novustutio ended up growing somewhat on its own, and the island began to feel a little cramped.  Also, resources from Remus were getting harder to come by.

Novus Jugis happened to grow a suburb

The citizens of the Novustutio region grew unhappy enough with Remus to the point that they decided to send a delegation to lobby for better care or independence.  Over the years, Remus had changed quite a bit, for one thing, they adopted a flag.

Remus had gone through some other changes over the years, such as Remus and Vestia growing together, and many new buildings in an architechtural style celebrating the dowm and columned facade grew.

On the steps of the Temple of Hera, delegates from Novustutio made an impassioned appeal on behalf of their constituents.  It was to no avail, however.  At a meeting of all the citizens on the island, at the same theatre where colonization was commisioned, they voted unanimously against taking any sort of action on the issue of Novustutio.  Novustutio responded with a Declaration of War.

Stay tuned for more action, involving political upheval, and millitary combat, in

The Paradise Islands

[homeandaway 1]

amazing! - yet so heterogenous! - cant wait to see more my good friend

hope all is well and take care, be safe

~alex

[Voulpiotis 4]

Nice work, take off the grids please! It doesn't look so good!

[jacqulina 162]

i agree my friend about the grids it will look nicer without them, but all the same a very nice update once again and beautifull pics