Maxis - The quest for independence and truth

[Abc987 3]

The phenomenon of sleep, and the beginning of a new era

A complete overview of the Island of Maxis.

Daphne was tired. She had spent her day painting the ground an odd, horribly fluorescent shade of green. Daphne really didn't understand why she did this. Something inside her simply told her that she must. It seemed everyone living on the island of Maxis felt this way, as well. Each day, everyone awoke at exactly the same moment and simply knew what the task was for the day. Sometimes, a person might not feel as if there was work to be done that day, and would spend their time worshiping in the House of Maxis, or drinking heavily at the island's bar to escape the usual heavy workload. But that was not the feeling for Daphne today.

The village, including the newly painted ground.

And so, after all her hard work, and expecting more to come tomorrow, Daphne lay her head down onto her hard pillow and waited for the all-powerful phenomenon of sleep to overcome her.

The House of Maxis.

---

Sleep was an odd occurrence on the island of Maxis. None of the inhabitants suffered from insomnia. There was no getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or grab a snack. On the island of Maxis, it was as if a switch was pulled. When sleep arrived, it was all encompassing, and overcame all of the inhabitants at the exact same time. However, this time always changed. Sometimes, the inhabitants - or Sims, as they had, for some odd reason, come to call themselves - would find themselves asleep in the oddest of places: The outhouse, worshiping in the House of Maxis, keeled over on a barstool with a bottle of Scotch half in their mouth. On some days, the Sims would awake, and just ten minutes later be sent to back to sleep. On other days, they would stay awake for days on end, watching the sun rise and fall over Pratchett Hill multiple times. But usually, there was a fairly predictable pattern to sleep, and Sims could feel that sleep would be on its way soon.

However, the most peculiar part of sleep was, in fact, waking up. An odd sequence of events unfolded before beginning the day:

It was this strange, dream-like event which brought the Sims to worship 'Maxis,' the omniscient god from above. The terms 'EA' and 'SimCity 4' were yet to be determined, but were continually pondered upon by the island's wise. The strange contraptions, horrific disasters, and other such seemingly terrifying goings-on at the end of the dream sequence were not yet understood.

What does all this mean? Is the dream a glimpse of the future? Or is it meant as a guide for the civilization of Maxis Island? And yet, how are they to reach such incredible feats if they cannot decide for themselves what to do with their day? Do they really want to see such seemingly horrific events as depicted in the dream? The quest for independence and truth begins...

---

Several hours later, Daphne wakes up. She feels she must build small, wooden houses on the newly painted fluorescent green ground. Yet, she does not want to. And so she simply walks in the opposite direction, the feeling of freedom surging through her veins. She does not know what lies ahead of her, but she does not care. She is free.

Edit: Site is having trouble posting my pictures at the moment. Should be up by tomorrow morning EST. Thanks for your patience.

Edit 2: Pictures finally added.

[gio10469 24]

Hmm interesting intro...can't wait to see more!

[Dumanios 35]

interesting!

[Follarch 326]

Well this takes a new turn in City Journaling. An interesting turn.

[timcravey 168]

Very cool!

[Abc987 3]

Replies 

Gio10469: Thanks! Hope to see you back.

Dumanios: Thank you! I hope I can hold your interest.

Archean: Indeed! You'll never play the game the same way again. 

timcravey: Thanks! Glad you enjoy it.

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments. They're very much appreciated!

Unrest and the creation of EA

The village of Maxis has expanded rapidly since we last visited, and now includes and Village Hall, along with several new homes.

We now find ourselves 10  years into the future on the Island of Maxis. Daphne's ideology has begun to catch on, and the Independence Union (IU) has now formed, its goal to promote the new idea of freedom that Daphne discovered 10 years prior, and to encourage Sims not to follow the feelings that seem to beg them to perform a certain task each morning. The IU envisioned a world where Sims decided their own destiny.

After much debate, the Village Council of Maxis officially decided to grant the IU a seat in the Council. The Union spent years trying to gain support, and at a total of 10 members, it seemed they'd gotten there (Keep in mind that the village itself only had somewhere around 30 residents). The Union had done everything from spreading pamphlets around the village to tarring and feathering one of the most outspoken Sims against the independence movement. Some inhabitants of the island saw them as visionaries, but most considered them trouble makers.

Six months after the appointment of an Independence Union seat in the Village Council, the IU had yet to approve a single proposal, either voting nay or abstaining in every single session. This, of course, inspired some anger and unrest amongst those against the Union. Before long, a loyal Union member was found hung in the local storehouse near the corn field. For the IU, it was the last straw. Clearly it was no longer safe living in the village of Maxis, and so they fled, building a small settlement on the other side of the island.

The inhabitants of this new village worshiped a different being - EA (pronounced ee-ah). They believed that this new all-knowing god taught them to resist the feelings that almost overcame them each morning, and to choose their own path.

The village began as a few small homes and a cornfield for food. The inhabitants lived almost identical lives has they had in the village of Maxis. After all, with barely any true governmental structure and few Sims to gather resources, it seemed impossible that they would be able to create their own destiny. It was clear to all that they would be left in the dust of the rapidly expanding village of Maxis. However, two factors completely altered the fate of EA:

First, the Sims at EA discovered something that Maxis didn't have...

Fishing. The fish they collected not only provided them with food, but inhabitants of Maxis, who had lived on nothing but corn and the occasional rabbit or deer their entire life, flocked to EA to enjoy the succulent new dish. Fish quickly became the most valuable item on the island, and was quickly used as a basic form of currency. A small fish would buy some firewood, and many large fish could get you enough resources to build a home. This new influx of Sims allowed the creation of a government (Headed by none other than Daphne...that's Daphne the Great to you!), which therefore made expansion quicker and more efficient buy introducing a simple tax: 10% of all purchases (Which were essentially made through the trading of fish) would be used to benefit the village in such ways as constructing new homes or expanding the fishing industry. Looking back, all this fish business does seem quite silly, but it made perfect sense at the time, and contributed to the growth of the island immensely.

The other factor which contributed to the growth happened to be the strange dream sequence, explained in the prior update. The inhabitants of EA were not at all frightened by the dream as those in the village of Maxis were, but considered it inspiration. Each night, all of the Sims in the village - especially Daphne the Great and other governmental figures - would analyze the images flashing inside their head before awakening. This new inspiration led to the creation of places for education, healing of the sick, safety of the people, and many new advances that the people of Maxis were simply to busy painting the ground green and blue and yellow to consider. It was this new inspiration that launched EA into a period of immense expansion, not only of size and population, but ideas and practices. EA laid the groundwork for the future of the island, and for that, I sincerely thank them.

The "new" EA.

[Abc987 3]

No replies today, but I'm sure everyone had a very busy weekend with not much time to visit Simtroplis. 

The Division

Inhabitants of EA awoke to the roaring sound and pungent smell of the burning storehouse near the cornfield several months after the discovery of fish had been made.

What could have possibly started the fire? With so much unrest and uncertainty on the island, it occurred to one that it was likely a fallen candle or some other such innocent happening. Almost everyone in the village of EA, especially those who were heavily affiliated with the IU, suspected it was someone  who was anti-Independence Union.

The following day, an official inquiry to the Village Council was made as to how the fire began. A two week investigation was launched, starting with the interview of the watchmen who was on duty at the guard tower when the fire was suspected to have begun.

After an intense interrogation, it was concluded that the guard did see two men walk from the forest towards the village, and then back again about two hours later, but they were both gripping axes, and so he therefore assumed they were simply cutting wood in preparation for a new home. The general public did not agree.

Footprints leading from the forest to the barn and back confirmed the guard's sighting, but did not lead to any conclusions as to the men's intentions. 

Later that same day, several members of the Village Council went to the the home of Mr. Finklestein, or, as the local children call him, Old Man Finkle-doodle. At an astounding 87 years old, Mr. Finklestein held the position of Storehouse Keeper. He managed the intake and output of storehouse goods, a demanding job for a man of his age. 

However, when the councilors knocked on the wooden door of his home, there was no answer. Curious, the men entered, only to see Mr. Finklestein's body laying limp upon a chair on the opposite side of the room, cuts and gashes covering his naked body. The councilors quickly confirmed him dead. 

Resting upon Mr. Finklestein's naked thigh lay a note. After scanning the small fragment of paper, Councilor Steinhammer proceeded to rip the note to shreds and threw the remaining pieces into the fire, still burning from the previous night when Mr. Finklestein's soul still remained on the island. The Councilor refused to repeat what was written on the note, but simply stated, "We were indeed correct. It was them."

It was clear to the the councilors that drastic measures must be taken. They immediately reported to Daphne the Great the horrors which they had discovered, and the apparently concrete evidence which Councilor Steinhammer had inconveniently destroyed. Daphne seemed to agree with Steinhammer and the other councilors that it was time for defense of the village.

Several months prior, the inhabitants of EA had discovered a collection of clay which lay within Pratchett Hill. The clay had since been being used for new, more elaborate structures within the village. But now, Daphne the Great thought of another purpose for the new building material...

Within the course of a year, a wall had been built to stretch partway across the island to defend EA against other possible "attacks" from the inhabitants of the village of Maxis. The speedy construction was largely due to the willingness of the SIms of EA to assist. After all, not a single citizen wanted any type of relation with Maxis, and no one wanted to risk another event like the burning of the storehouse.

The island was now divided.

[Dumanios 35]

Looks like Daphne should've turned off random disasters...

YEAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Benedict 3,119]

Novel idea for a CJ - looking forward to seeing where this goes.

[lucky7 73]

Sounds very promising,

looking forward to more,

lucky7

[gio10469 24]

Things are starting to heat up a bit...I suspect a future war brewing? Great job, looking forward to more.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Intriguing... and I can see how the followers of EA are likely to come into conflict. I believe one of their leaders always calls out to "challenge everything".

[Abc987 3]

Replies

Dumanios: I think you'll soon discover that this simply isn't possible...thanks for reading!

Benedict: Thanks! Be sure to return, because things are about to shake up!

lucky7: Thank you! Hope to see you back soon.

gio10469: I suppose we'll have to wait and see...

Schulmanator: So great to see you here! You are indeed correct, Daphne and all of the inhabitants of EA are definitely going against everything that once formed their very livelihoods.

Extreme development, and a new question

Several years after the burning of the storehouse at EA, the initial shock and outrage towards the perpetrators has worn off, although hostilities between the two villages clearly remain, evidenced by the constant patrol of guards near the newly-laid border. 

Meanwhile, it is the discovery of the clay deposit that has launched EA into a new era of architectural possibilities and seemingly endless expansion.

New cobblestone streets have been installed for the convenience of Sims living in EA. The days of wagons getting stuck in the mud are a thing of the past!

Beautiful new stone buildings have been erected, which house numerous stores, as well as the home of Daphne the Great (Pink building towards top).

A new house of worship was erected in honor of the god EA. The new building was meant to be bigger and grander than the House of Maxis, which remains no more than a wooden shack, and has reportedly begun slowly sliding down Pratchett Hill.

With a great increase in population comes a greater demand in food, and so, as a result, both a second field and a new fishing dock were constructed.

Meanwhile, in Maxis... 

The new dock, however, led to a question never asked by any inhabitant of EA:

What lies beyond our shores...?

[Altus 111]

Great work!

[Dumanios 35]

Nice!

[Droidika 10]

This is pretty cool!

[gio10469 24]

Great storyline so far. Can't wait to see what really does lie beyond the shores.

[wwetom1 831]

Those wodden docks are pretty cool, and the story's pretty interesting too.