Rotation 1.1, Fall. Coldwater

 

The first household on the rotation are the Coldwaters; a poor working-class family who live in a little shack in the slums by the docks.

Ethel and Archie are off to a good start. They have two bolts for each other which is more than some couples can boast. They're both fortune sims with a strong drive to improve their lot in life. In fact, that's what attracted Ethel to Archie. He has his flaws, but he's ambitious.

These two are the family that I want to try rushing through the social classes, so they're going to be a bit more aggressive in that pursuit than some of the others.
 

Archie is a fortune sim with no secondary aspiration for now. He is single-mindedly focused on making as much money as possible to lift himself out of poverty--by any means necessary. He also gets the investment perk, which I imagine means he likes to play cards and bet on dog fights now and then. 

He's an incredibly mean 7-7-7-4-0 Aires and his LTW is to reach the top of the Athletic career. That career is actually available to the poor, but I have something else in mind. 

His traits are hot-headed, rebellious, mean-spirited, kleptomaniac, and mooch.

He also has a pretty impressive schnozz that I'm hoping he'll pass on to his children.

Ethel is also a fortune sim, and like her husband she doesn't have a secondary aspiration. Her LTW is to own 5 top-level businesses. That won't happen, but I think it means she's determined to raise her family to the trade class. 

She's a 7-7-7-0-4 Aires and her traits are Diva, heavy sleeper, unflirty, frugal, and no sense of humour.

They start the day off by skilling and waiting for the newspaper. Archie is looking for a job in crime since I think that'll give him the best leg up. Athletic has the highest base pay, but Criminal has a bunch of high payouts from the chance cards. A single chance card is worth 50k which is exactly the amount the family needs to rise directly out of poverty into Trade.

He takes a job in Athletic while waiting for an opening in crime. With any luck he'll top both. 

Fun fact: they can't afford a dresser so they can't dress themselves after WooHoo. But at least that's out of the way and they've done their matrimonial duty.

The welcome wagon consists of the Darktides--another working poor couple who live down the street.

Since Archie has the day off work, he goes over to the docks. There are a few factories there and a fish market where sims can buy groceries, but he's going to see if he can catch some fish. It's a good source of money as well as food. Digging for shells would be even more efficient, but the rules don't say whether that's allowed or not. 

Good news on the second day! Ethel is expecting her first baby. I'm using a mod that allows both miscarriage and a 10% chance of death by childbirth, so every pregnancy will be an adventure. 

While her energy allows, Ethel has also been digging for treasure in the back yard. I'm only allowing them to do it once a day. 

So far the Coldwaters are doing rather well for themselves and are able to afford the privilege of a bathtub early on through fishing and digging, making sure not to exceed the rule of §500 in gain from either. 

They also got a small dresser. Next up is baby stuff, and I'm hoping Ethel can afford a pottery wheel soon. 

Archie has another free day so he spends it over at the local tavern. This is the one I built for the lower classes, but two trader gentlemen have shown up. I might ban them once I have more sims in the hood, but for now they get to bounce between lower and higher class establishments. 

Archie does well and more than doubles his §100 stakes, which is enough to pay for their bills and then some. 

Ethel gives birth to their first daughter, Edith. Archie is thrilled even though she isn't a boy--they have plenty of time to try for more. Edith has her mother's skintone and her dad's dark hair and eyes. 

While Archie shouldn't help with childcare, I've decided it's alright for him to play with and snuggle the kids. He's in a great mood and making headway as a star player for the local laceball team. 

Ethel meanwhile is pregnant again and constantly miserable. She can't keep up with the baby, the housework, and her hunger bar, and I wouldn't be surprised if she loses he next baby. The next priority should definitively be a better bed. 

While Ethel is stuck at home with the baby, Archie is spending time at the tavern and the bath house making connections. It looks like he even has a few fans now. 

I feel so bad for Ethel. Her fun is constantly in the red since there isn't much she can do at home, or has time to do, while Archie is out having fun all the time.

But on the other hand Archie is doing a good job providing for the family. He makes it to level 4 before the end of the rotation. I'm still hoping to get him into crime eventually, but he makes more money from promotions anyway. 

Edith grows up into a toddler just before winter. And yes, she gets to eat kibble off a bowl on the floor. 

Archie is doing great but it's a miserable state for poor Ethel at home. I'll be surprised if any of the kids learn any toddler skills before one of them is old enough to help mom out. But we'll find out eventually!