hammysonata

Hoping the Transportation Hearing doesn't result in reduced service and raised fares!

Can't wrap my brain around how you even do this. AMAZING!!

*cues Bob Dylan's "Restless Farewell"* Beautiful work on the waterfront and flora!

Recently discovered ancient ruins in the tiny farming community of Ratsfjord have caused an archeology craze to sweep across Rodentia. Dr. Autosaurus Wrecks, highly-esteemed author of the seminal book Squeak!: The Historiography of Rodentology in Quattrocento Venice and winner of this year’s Rhodents Fellowship has decided to station in Ratsfjord for a year and focus his scholarship on the town and its historical trove of treasures. Each morning, Dr. Wrecks first checks in at the mill from antiquity, taking careful notes on research assistants’ progress and findings. After months of work, he feels confident enough now to tell his colleagues at Marmot Hollow Community College 1) the mill is old and 2) it’s no longer being used. From the mill, it’s just a short walk to the train station. Given Dr. Wreck’s reputation, Mayor Ishmael Rotte has allowed him an infinite number of free Day-Passes on the Ratsfjord Area Transit System (RATS). The ancient statues along the Vermin River are mysterious, yet strangely familiar to Wrecks. Ah, he thinks he gets it now. A well preserved but long-deserted settlement was found on the west side of Ratsfjord. Dr. Wrecks has controversially hypothesized that these ruins are part of an elaborate Habitrail system that once ran all through Rodentia. Critics point out Habitrails have only recently been developed and these ruins obviously predate their invention. “Have they?” Dr. Wrecks retorts. In the same complex, a building that Dr. Wrecks believes once functioned as a governmental center has also been uncovered. The prize find within has been fragments of a stele that, when pieced together, form a tablet of codified laws. Dated from over 2,000 years ago, translators say that the stele proclaims “I, exalted prince Hammy Rabi, have been called on by the God Nibbler and his consort and Mother of the World Nibblette, to bring about the rule in this land.” Dr. Wreck’s research has become an all-consuming task. He often skips meals and if rumor has it right, bathing as well. Given Ratsfjord’s historical significance it is unlikely that Rodentian law will allow for unchecked development to occur in the town. Mayor Ishamel Rotte is confident Ratsfjord will continue to thrive, however, given its ample dairy farms and scholars’ penchants for fine cheese. --------------------- Credits: Mods are SimPeg (MTP, SPAM, Pond, Stream, Lighthouse, Rail Mod, (lots and mayor-mode ploppables)) Murimk’s rocks, ALN Pasture Flora, Cycledogg trees, SFBT trees, NAM & SAM, Lowkee33’s Appalachian terrain, SHK HD Rock Mod & HD Brigantine 2.0, Riverside Beach Mod, Nexis Ruins and Gothic Bell Tower, UNW ruins, Sim Goober’s Argonath Monument. Not sure why I have so many Lord of the Rings references in my City Journal. Even though it’s not my favorite movie or anything (more of a Taxi Driver/One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest type of movie fan) for some reason I’ve watched the three LOTR movies countless times so I guess it’s permanently embedded. The book was quite good but still… -------------------- Replies: @IL.: Thanks! I like terraforming a lot so hoping that the new Sim City next year will have it. @NMUSpidey: Thanks so much. Alfalfa Ore Ice Cream is rather good too @Schulmanator: Did I mention that the Cedar Bedding flavor is available in gelato and Water Ice as well? @emperordaniel: Mayor Nutter and Mayor Nibbly are in constant conflict and competition with each other, like Nixon and JFK or Petco and Petsmart @Blakeway: For Christ’s sake, thanks! I feel blessed (by the other Jesus, of course) @blunder: !!! hahaha. As you can see, I decided not to work on a larger city this time, although I did move away from the Squirrelton tile. Their only defense against Schulmania currently is a rather weak aerosol product called Cat-Be-Gone. Chemical composition analysis reveals it’s only water. ------------------ Thanks all for looking at Ratsfjord and my City Journal the Region of Rodentia

Looks interesting! Also like the font you used.

Hey so much guys! Will cut 'n' paste replies to these comments (and additional ones if need be) into my next update (still determining which method of responding is better-- I'll make up my mind eventually) @chrisul10: Thanks! It was pretty fun finding all the custom lots and piecing them together. @Schulmanator: Me too re: archeology! Dr. Wrecks is hoping to delve into palaeontology. Need more dinosaurs @thejokerangel: thanks, will do, sir! @Blakeway: Nooo, come back! Thanks for liking the entry though @supercitys354262: Dr. Wrecks is deeply disturbed by your comment @NMUSpidey: Aw thanks! Yeah sometimes at work or when I'm out and about I'll think of a particularly good rodent joke but by the time I get home it's gone @MilitantRadical: Thanks! The Argonath statue has definitely been the most unique file I've found on the LEX so far. It'd be funny if it was the size of an entire city tile, with room only for a windmill and one or two houses. @Mastof: Thanks! When I find new MMP rocks and plants, I get excited as a rat in a dumpster.

Beautiful region view! Also like the Regional District Local. Gah: no Walmart!

A and 3. More food! Nice region view!

Nice work! The second picture is amazing

Nice engraving! Schulmania must have some really talented printmakers

Awesome update: it gets better and better! Really like the nuances you've created with the on-going political problems.

I like the layout of the suburbs in Marshall

I sense something sinister is going on Beautiful work!

haha: "Zoolander F.C" Beautiful work!

Great selection of images. Congrats to all the winners!!

I like the detail on the streets. Maybe a stone arch bridge.

Oh, so incredible! You have such a mastery over the mechanics of the game and graphics. I also love how you're intertwined history with your city journal.

After the passing of the North Rodentia Free Trade Agreement, all (four) cities in the region of Rodentia have gained significant financial boosts, with positive growth reported in every sector of the economy. The historic pact was not made without drama, however, and with the strong (i.e. megalomaniacal) personalities of mayors Nibbly Murphy, Ishmael Rotte, and Michael Nutter all forced to assemble together in days-long meetings, the drama was certainly predictable. In the end the three were able to temporarily set aside their egos and work for the good of the future of Rodentia. Or at least for creating a stable society where there is less of a chance of the electorate voting them out of office next election. NRFTA has certainly benefited Squirrelton and Michael Nutter is popular as ever, the public having forgotten his previous mistakes (like him calling them all lazy idiots). The town now has 9,102 residents. The newly developed Bushy Tail River trail is well-liked by residents. They do find the architectural repetitiveness of their housing somewhat irritating though. On Squirrelton’s Rat Tail Peninsula, companies specializing in IT, logistics, and real estate investment are numerous. Even so, the largest employer of Squirrelton still remains Hammy’s Hamster Wheel Inc., employing about 89.9% of the population. On the weekends, residents enjoy strolling along the Rat Tail Peninsula’s modest boardwalk, eating ice cream and taking in the slight breeze coming from the river. Alfalfa & Sunflower Seed is the most popular ice cream flavor, followed closely by Cedar Bedding. Alderperson Pelosi-Groundsquirrel’s district has become a trendy night spot where young, urban professionals gather to socialize, drink craft beers, and brag about how much Simoleons they make. Soccer moms of Squirrelton’s Walnut Hill neighborhood love that their soccer field is within easy access although over-eager young players often accidentally kick the ball into the pond or down the hillside, causing frequent delays of games. Recently Mayor Nutter invited Mayor Nibbly (of Marmot Hollow and Gopher’s Pocket fame) to take a riverboat tour of Squirrelton. Mayor Nibbly left insanely jealous. After his visit, Mayor Nibbly emailed Mayor Nutter, begging him to disclose the secret of Squirrelton’s success. Nutter simply replied “It’s the economy, stupid.” ------------------------- Credits: Mods are SimPeg (Paeng’s Parks, MTP, OWW, SPAM, Pond, Stream, Lighthouse, Rail Mod, (lots and mayor-mode ploppables)) Murimk’s rocks, ALN Pasture Flora, Cycledogg trees, SFBT trees, NAM & SAM, Lowkee33’s Appalachian terrain, SHK HD Rock Mod & HD Brigantine 2.0, Riverside Beach Mod, Euro sidewalk texture mod, masrast’s embankments. Various buildings by Sim Goober, Shmail, Don Miguel, and nofunk, JB SmalltownUSA. ------------------------ Replies: @Jacob Guajardo: Hey thanks! It's the JENX Burg Eltz by xannepan. @ Schulmanator: Thanks! Mayor Rotte hopes that it has enough room to hold thousands of rodents and then some. @Blakeway: Chase Nutly of the Squirrelton High Fighting Squirrels works hard at being intimidating @emperor daniel: it may lead to a revelation revolving around an ancient prophecy, the future of Rodentia, and cheese. @Hazani Pratama: Thanks-- glad you enjoyed it! @NMU Spidey: thanks! Argh: "historirats and archeolorodents": you beat me to it! @IL: thanks. I don't think I have the same level of pure city-building skills as some of the other city journalers on here so I just try to make mine especially wierd ------------------------- Thanks for looking at Squirrelton and my City Journal the Region of Rodentia!

Nice beach terraforming! Cool roadwork too.

Hey thanks so much , guys! Think I will try one of the large city maps next and gnaw away at that for a while.

Amazing work! It's hard to pick a favorite but the main business district is incredible.

3: need more foodstuffs!

Wow, amazing layout of the building and surrounding parks!

Nice roadwork! I really like the dam picture.

Perhaps in reaction to the rapid succession of technological and artistic advances being made in Squirrelton as of late, certain residents of Rodentia have established a new pastoral village adjacent to Michael Nutter’s up-and-coming city. Ratsfjord, named for both the body of water that runs through its steep cliffs and the proliferation of Brown Rats that nest in its hills, has established itself as the breadbasket of Rodentia. Although half of every harvest is allocated for the collective rodents of Rodentia, (as legally mandated by the Hamster Carta) there is still more than enough crop to sustain the people of Rodentia for many years to come. The mayor of Ratsfjord Ishmael Rotte, has earned the begrudging respect of mayors Nibbly Murphy and Michael Nutter, perhaps because of his perseverance in rising above his humble beginnings as a miner’s son from Gopher’s Pocket. Naturally astute in both navigating politics and understanding human nature, Mayor Ishmael is aware of Rodentia’s dependence on Ratsfjord for foodstuffs and often uses that as leverage in his trade deals with Marmot Hollow and Squirrelton. Representatives and power players from Squirrelton are often sent to Ratsfjord to broker deals with Mayor Rotte or entertain the townsfolk. Chase Nutly, the Squirrelton High School Fighting Squirrel mascot will make weekly visits, as Ratsfjord doesn’t yet have its own secondary school and so residents follow and participate in Squirrelton’s sports leagues. Mayor Rotte has built himself an ostentatious fortress in which to reside. There he holds court, oversees the governing of Ratsfjord, and sponsors Ratsfest- an annual autumn festival where the citizenry imbibes massive amounts of cider and then holds a contest to see who can find and adopt the most pet rats. Rotte hopes his castle conveys the full extent of his political power to visiting dignitaries. The residents of Ratsfjord, however, are free to wander the grounds at will. A Ratsfjord favorite pastime is to visit and marvel at the innumerous muskrats (and regular rats) swimming in the moat and marshes surrounding the castle. Pigsfarmer PJ feels secure living behind the protective walls of the castle complex. The pigs do as well. Pictured below, upper left is Shadowfax Stables: Lord of All Equestrian Riding Schools. To the right is Shadowfax Creamery: Lord of All Dairy Farms. The town center of Ratsfjord. St. Pellet serves as religious center and also as a theatre for locally produced plays. Last week’s stage adaptation of Willard proved controversial but eventually was deemed a critical triumph. To the left are the newly-discovered ancient ruins of what was once believed to be a shrine devoted to incisors. This finding shatters the previous notion that Rodentia had never been inhabited until recently. Where did all the people who once lived here go? The only clue so far has been found on a segment of the apse with the words “Sim Nation” hastily scrawled into it. Rodentia’s academia is left puzzled. Ratsfjord and Rodentia remain tranquil places overall, however. Herds of capybara often can be seen ponderously munching on vegetation along Ratty Brook, enjoying the fresh air and thinking rodential thoughts. ----------------------------- Credits: Mods are SimPeg (Paeng’s Parks, MTP, SPAM, Pond, Stream, Lighthouse, Rail Mod, (lots and mayor-mode ploppables)) Murimk’s rocks, ALN Pasture Flora, Cycledogg trees, SFBT trees, NAM & SAM, Lowkee33’s Appalachian terrain, SHK HD Rock Mod & HD Brigantine 2.0, Riverside Beach Mod, Euro sidewalk texture mod. Various RLS houses by Sim Goober, Shmail’s Commercial Finals, Castle AD 1100, Nexis Ruins, JENX Burg Eltz, Lapinkirkko church, Old Mine Co. ---------------------------- Replies: @Jacob Guajardo: thanks! Hopefully as their populations get bigger I’ll be able to hold on to my authority @nedal2001: Michael Nutter greatly appreciates your comment @Schulmanator: You would think with all of the rodent talk the mayor and the citizenry would all be rodents but they are actually all just people who happen to have an extreme fixation on rodents. Mayor Nutter is worried about Mayor Nibbly and now Ishamel Rotte both spying on him while he paints. @emperordaniel: Haha, thanks! Rodentia is rather new so it seems Squirrelton is trying to recapture the glory of last year. @Mastof: Rodentians do like boating. Their favorite outdoor activity is Hoarding @Blakeway: The school busses get stuck on the hill about once every two weeks. Nutter gets some sick sort of glee from it but no one knows quite why. @Jetty Jockey: Thank you! The default night lighting is a little too bright for me so I adjust the night photos with Photoshop a little and it seems be better. @blunder: That does sound fun. It was rather a challenge to terraform and put the street on it though @NMUSpidey: Haha, me too. They do usually have good cheeses though. Sometimes I luck out and find hummus and pita chips as well --------------------- Thanks everybody for looking at Ratsfjord and my City Journal The Region of Rodentia!