Castle Dracula

Dracula's Poenari Castle
by Lounieus/djfjfuxue738

(CC HEAVY)


Rear view.


Source: HeritageDaily.com (Image Credit: Bogdantod)

I. DESCRIPTION

Poenari Castle (Cetatea Poenari) was the historic home and fortress of Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century. Built from the backs of enslaved boyars (noblemen), the castle was also the site where his wife, Anastasia Holszanska, who was said to have jumped to her death either out of jealousy of Vlad's mistress or from receiving false news about her husband's death.

Despite its durability, the castle eventually succumbed to the elements and abandonment for centuries and, as a result, only stands as a ruin today. I have attempted to re-create the castle from a YouTube video of a 3D model rendering of it here.

Rolandia.eu explains its legendary origins excellently:

The legend of the Poenari Castle

It is said that one day Vlad Țepeș was hunting along the banks of the river Argiș, and had noticed the ruins of an old castle on top of a cliff on Mount Albina, a cliff surrounded by the Argiș river, and inhabited only by vultures and other birds of prey. He decided that it would be the perfect place for a defensive fortress, so he conceived the design to restore it to its former glory.

The only setback was that he needed money, and the boyars refused to give him the money he needed.

'"You would not give me the money I needed," he said, "well, keep it! I will not have you killed to chastise you for your revolt, but I condemn you all, just as you are, to build with your own hands a Fortress on the top of Mount Albina. I wish it to be the largest, the best, and the most impregnable of all which I possess. You will not leave the mountain until all is finished. My soldiers have the right of life and death over you, to force you to carry out my instructions.'

No sooner said than done, and these unfortunate creatures, young and old, were huddled together without having a chance to say goodbye to their families and were conducted like criminals to the bank of the river. They first created the footpath up the mountain, and then they started working on the platform of the mountain, surrounded by stern guards, exposed to harsh conditions, and deprived of sleep and food.

Sun, rain, and wind, blackened their faces; their clothes hung in shreds; their features haggard and careworn, some eyes burning with rage, others with the submission of despair. By the end, they were no longer human beings, but machines, stupefied by sorrow, and no longer able oven to implore the God above to send down his maledictions on the tyrant.

Still, their work progressed, and soon this Citta Dolente was completed.

Bram Stoker, author of the seminal gothic horror novel Dracula, likely did not know of this castle, though his fictional Castle Dracula in Transylvania highly resembles it.

II. NOTES

To use, simply download the attached .zip file (LounieusPoenariLot.zip), which contains the lot file, all CC required (.packages and .sims3packs), and a "Read-Me" file.

This lot is CC Heavy. I couldn't find a way to create a lot without CC and make it look "period-accurate". This is also my first upload and, as a beginner, it took a ton of effort, especially the whole process of putting together all the CC links and repeated testing of everything.

Important Notes/Issues:

1 - The mailbox and rubbish bin have been placed at the rightmost part of the front of the lot and, as a result, is automatically the default "entrance spot" for visiting Sims and NPC's. One of either of these might however spawn elsewhere, such as in the front pathway to the stairs. You may change their location if you wish.

2 - The front "gate" (a door actually) is modified to be unusuable (via World Adventures' trigger options) by NPC's so that the Delivery Boy/other NPC's don't randomly go into the castle. To make it usable, simply press Ctrl+Shift+Left Click (after using testingcheatsenabled true) and choose "Make Usable by NPC's". This is because this front "gate", as well as the Underworld Gate leading to the courtyard itself, may not be locked (likely due to the lot not being fenced or some other issue) - if you want to keep Sims out, simply use testingcheatsenabled and Shift+Left Click them on Buy/Build Mode and press "Lock".

3 - The Dining Room, which is the first room that one enters, contains a playable Lute and Harp courtesy of Lois99. Despite this, you cannot actually play them within that room due to the game's routing issues (I wish you could play while sitting down!).

4 - The 3rd basement level contains a crypt which uses RegalSims' Gothic Arched Pillars. You must have disabled "hide objects on different levels" in order for them to properly show up.

5 - Some CC objects - namely, the Chamber Pot and BathTub (TSM to TS3 conversions by Omega) and Living Chair in the bedroom (TSM to TS3 conversion by kissing_toast) have weird "animation glitches" but their functionality should be all right. For the Living Chair, an idle sitting animation has the user "slide back" but reading a book on it "normalizes" the sitter's position. You may replace all of these with regular objects if you wish.

6 - This lot was made to be "off-grid" using zoe22's Functional Well mod. All Sims must first click on the lot's well and select "collect water" to get 1 bucket of water. Several buckets are needed to use appliances such as the bath tub and sinks.

7 - The castle contains a Nectar Cellar which holds 4 Functional Nectar Barrels (courtesy of Nandonalt). 2 of these hold 30 bottles of Plasma Fruit Nectar each, and the other 2 hold 30 bottles of Grape Fruit Nectar each. To use these, you must click on the barrels and select "Open Nectar Rack" and put as many bottles as you want into your inventory. Then you can serve nectar from the bottles in your Inventory. You cannot use "Serve Nectar" directly from the bottles due to routing issues.

8. This lot heavily uses the BuyDebug light objects to increase the lighting. You may turn them off by clicking "turn off all lights" or "turn off all lights (in the room", or manually remove/switch off these through Buy Mode using the buydebug cheat.

Functions/Rooms of the Lot:

1 - A dining room that seats 8 and a kitchen with all basic appliances (except a drinking appliance and bar).

2 - A nectar cellar which contains 120 Grape Fruit Nectar and Plasma Fruit Nectar bottles.

3 - Bedroom (only) with 1 bed, dresser & mirror, and bookshelf with living chair.

4 - Basements include:

• An "Arms Room" which displays weapons (by The Merrye Makers) for decorative purposes
• Chapel with various pews and a lectern (which functions as a mirror)
• Crypt which contains Bonehilda's Living Quarters as well as 4 altar beds
  {*]Various prison cells where you may lock other Sims in
• Torture chamber for decorative purposes
• Execution chamber containing Nraas' Dexter the Bear.

5 - Other hallways, battlements (accessible from ladders), and an interrogation room.

Other Notes:

1 - The lot itself, despite its size, is 90% fortress, 10% house. It only contains 3 principal living areas - a dining room, throne room, and bedroom. Most of it consists of thick walls and defense areas to reflect the "castle" vibe.

2 - The fortress' shape ingame is rectangular, and not "curved" like the real Cetatea Poenari due to not being able to slant them over 45 degrees. However, I have tried to make it the same size as the real-life fortress.

3 - It takes around 90 ingame minutes to get to the Dining Room from the lot entrance. This is inspired by the long journey tourists must take to visit the real castle, said to be 30 minutes of climbing 1480 steps.

4 - The Grape Nectar bottles are called "Feteasca", after the famous Romanian wine and made by "Negru Voda", a reference to the castle's legendary founder.

This lot was generously tested by Sideshow Snob Sims, without whose help this upload might have doubtlessly included many more object issues.

III. CC Used:

Required:

1 - Functioning Well by zoe22 ("specified" version) (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/637857/up...d-plumbing.html

2 - Functioning Nectar Barrels [Updated: 1.6x] by Nandonalt (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/405172/fu...dated-1-6x.html

3 - Medieval Kitchen by ShinoKCR (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...hen/id/1040692/

4 - The Medieval Kitchen Part I - Ye Olde Kingdom of Pudding by The Merrye Makers (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/465512/th...of-pudding.html

5 - The Medieval Kitchen Part 2 - Ye Olde Kingdom of Pudding by The Merrye Makers (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/465834

6 - Deco Campfire Cooking Pot, Market Stalls & Chamber Pot - Ye Olde Kingdom of Pudding by The Merrye Makers (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/download.php?t=462944

7 - Medieval "must haves" New meshes/Medieval Challenge (tapestries) by nanisim (.package) (not included but recommended).
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/399508/me...-challenge.html

8 - Medieval Tapestries by Aramourn (.sims3pack)
Site: https://sites.google.com/site/aramo...ievaltapestries

9 - MajikGoldys Medieval Tapestry by MajikGoldy (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...try/id/1028752/

10 - Medieval tapestry set (3x2) by Elle (.package or .sims3pack)
Site: https://sims-artgallery.net/en/gall...paintings/2477/

11 - Medieval Dining Table and Chairs - Sims 2 Conversion by Esmeralda (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/396642/me...conversion.html

12 - Medieval Living Room Set - Sims 2 Conversion by Esmeralda (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/396772/me...conversion.html

13 - Medieval Furniture by Cyclonesque (NOT INCLUDED?) (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...ure/id/1007256/

14 - TSM for TS3 (Dining & Living Chairs) by kissing_toast
Site: http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/s...ic,20137.0.html

15 - Sinks & Chamber Pot by Omega (medieval bathroom) (.package)
Site: http://omegassims3stuff.blogspot.co...er-pot.html?m=1

16 - Sims Medieval Bathtub Conversions by Omega (.package)
Site: http://omegassims3stuff.blogspot.co...r-ts3-tubs.html

17 - Medieval Armoury Part 1 - Ye Olde Kingdom of Pudding by The Merrye Makers (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/463364/me...of-pudding.html

18 Medieval Armoury Part 2 - Ye Olde Kingdom of Pudding by The Merrye Makers (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/463623/me...of-pudding.html

19 - Crucifixes and crosses by Lisen801 (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/420985/cr...nd-crosses.html

20 - Lectern by Around the Sims 3 (.sims3pack)
Site: https://aroundthesims3.com/objects/...wntown_01.shtml (great site, has other church objects you might find interesting.)

21 - Magic Items conversion from Apartment Life *Updated for Pets* by Nukael (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/379832/ma...d-for-pets.html

22 - Gothic Arched Pillar Set for TS3 by Regal Sims (includes both .sims3pack and .package versions)
Site: http://regalsims.blogspot.com/2013/...et-for-ts3.html

23 - London Arches Set 2 - Add-on by Cyclonesque (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...-on/id/1168884/

24 - Medieval Prison Set by lilliebou (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...-set/id/977331/

25 - Banged Up! Prison Build Set by Cyclonesque (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...set/id/1035202/

26 - Prosperous Peasant Medieval Door and Window Set (Updated:3-17-11) by cmomoney (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/399696/pr...ed-3-17-11.html

27 - Castle Portcullis by Cyclonesque (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...llis/id/935895/

28 - Royal Goblet and Peasant Bowls meshes / Medieval Challenge by -Maylin- (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/download.php?t=397404

29 - Dexter the Bear by Nraas Industries (.package)
Site: https://www.nraas.net/community/Dexter-The-Bear

30 - Medieval Dungeon Museum by D&M Creations (.package)
Site: http://dymcreations-demonic.blogspo...eon-museum.html

31 - GoS Advent 2010 - Wood For Sims Torture Chamber TS2 to TS3 Conversion by The Sims 3 Medieval Finds
Site: http://gardenofshadows.org.uk/garde...34510#msg534510 (linked from: https://thesims3medievalfinds.tumbl...e-chamber#notes)

32 Playable Harp and Lute (Medieval Challenge) by Lois99 (.package)
Site: https://modthesims.info/d/399928/mi...-challenge.html

33 Nottingham Fruit Bowl by AnoeskaB (.sims3pack)
Site: https://www.thesimsresource.com/dow...bowl/id/925659/

Required but not included:

N/A

IV. Acknowledgements

1 - The Sims 3 and its creators for making this possible;

2 - All the CC Creators for helping me realise this;

3 - Sideshow Snob Sims, for taking the time to generously test this lot.

4 - You, for viewing and/or downloading this.

Thank you all.

Hoping you enjoy this lot. Have a Happy Halloween.

- Lounieus/djfjfuxue738

Lot Size: 64x64
Lot Price (furnished): 158,262
Lot Price (unfurnished): 39,303

Additional Credits:
Sideshow Snob Sims for testing.