(I just wanna say before you read this all the way through, only what's seen in the screenshots is confirmed canon. The rest is literally just me letting my headcanons take the wheel!)
Some very interesting things I saw on Twitter that my BF showed me! Shout out to Chrono Pinoy X on Twitter for the OG thread and the images!
Ok, so, Title Update 3 gave us a lot of new content! And one thing it gave us that I feel like might get looked over for folks who may not think about it, is Erik lore! Allow me to show you!
So, Alma and Erik both get special Campsite equipment that you can purchase to decorate your camp with. And if you have them as your handler at the time, they'll interact with the equipment at the camp. They even have voice lines! Erik talks about whatever animal is perched at one of his bird houses (Tho I've only ever managed to get him to speak at the Iceshard Cliffs once. And I hope he has more lines than that!) and Alma will drink tea with you at her tea table and chat.
"What does that have to do with Erik lore?"
Well, see, when Alma chats with you at her table. She's sometimes talk about Erik. Some of it is a little goofy and funny. (And I'll show you that in a second!) Buuuut, the big bit of Erik lore she drops...is this.....
So....this one is a fucking bombshell!
I could've guessed Erik was a child prodigy, he seems to be one of the youngest members of the entire Expedition Team. And given the way Alma talks, we already know he was pretty well known back at the academy for his academic skills.
But...like, how fucking young was he when he wrote that!? He wasn't old enough to get it published, so he had to use a Pen Name basically to get around that! But like...and I'm only going off the US here, but you have to be at least 18 to publish a book or...have a Parent or Guardian involved. On top of that, now, IDK how this works in the MH universe, but publishing something also requires money to get it done!
I have a few theories (though let's be real, they're more like headcanons, but I'm gunna try to make them make sense) about how this could work and what it could be telling us about his backstory. I get the sense that Erik might have been from a pretty well off family. (He way of speaking gives me that vibe. And his overall look.) Perhaps one with a strong connection to the Guild or one of it's branching influences. Honestly, I don't think it would be too far of a stretch to say that his family was close with The Academy in particular.
With that in mind, I could see Erik gaining the interest in Biology and Monsters VERY early on, especially if he was raised in it. And only getting more and more prolific with it the older he got. And when his family caught wind of that, I could see them taking the opportunity to show off his knowledge to the academy.
Only one problem, Erik is really really shy. Again, probably just speculation, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that Erik was probably and only child. He's already stated that he doesn't relate the best with people, and if he grew up with a sibling I don't know how possible it would make having no social skills if you had one. (I know everyone's different, but I'm going off personal experience here.) And being raised in privilege would also lead more into him not getting a whole lot of interactions with others too. At least, no one of his age group.
What I'm thinking happened is that The Academy took high interest in his skills, but because the poor boy was so shy, they couldn't really get much out of him at the time. So, he started to write down his findings and thoughts. Kinda like a diary, accept, this family would then shar e all of his work to The Academy. Finding some value in his work, they wanted to publish it. But there were a few problems.
Erik's age
If they used his real name, it could be traced back to his family, and once again, they'd find out his real age and they could be seen as less creditable despite the work's value
They needed money to publish the works.
So, they came up with the name to be used to publish the work, and his family paid for it. Of course later on down the road, Erik was let into the academy. His skills have since shot WAY past what he was capable of as a child, and he's more then capable of doing his work on his own! Without his families interference or his shyness getting in the way. (Though his ability to relate to others is still very much poor.)
But with an increase in skill, comes awareness of your past inadequacies. And....Ooooh boy that publication of his work as a child. Looking at it still gives him a knot in his stomach, and his cheeks flush red a little when reading it with his now more developed thinking process. And to this day, when he hears someone mention that work or asks him if he's ever heard of it, he still freezes some, and then goes on to dismiss the words of this "Rowen Liviere" childish conclusions. Which, takes most folks aback at first. As it's rare to hear Erik say something so harsh about...well...anyone's work. But they soon timidly come around when Erik explains the flaws with the work, and they move on.
It's not till several years later, when he meets and get's to know the folks within his Unit that he grows more comfortable with his past. And, when Alma mentions it, he just...let's the truth out. Admittedly, he's still a little embarrassed about it and still a little harsh, but it's less visceral now.
The other Theory i have is mostly the same, but instead of being from a well off family, I don't think I'd be stretching too far to say that he could also have just as easily been an orphan taken in by The Academy. I'd imagen as part of some sort of program, where they might test children in some regains, and if they prove themselves worthy, they'd be taken in, given food and board, and hone their skills for the guild.
And little Erik, was known in his village as an...odd-ball child to say the least. Always getting himself in trouble by following small monsters when he shouldn't be, eating many strange things just to see if he could, and just sitting and drawing or writing about a single bug for hours. On top of all this, he was a shy kid, and when he would interact with others, he wasn't taken very seriously, and ignored. Even when he tried to share something he liked or found interesting, he was shrugged off or worse...called crazy.
So, when the guild came by looking for some new blood, the whole village practically hung a sign around Erik's neck that said "Take me please!" When he was tested, he stunned The Academy with his knowledge and skills, even at such a young age, so they took him in without question. Raising him was pretty difficult, as he had a very hard time opening up to...anyone really about himself personally, but when asked about things he liked, the boy would not shut the fuck up.
During his time with them, they ended up publishing a very interesting paper the boy made discussing an interesting theory he had. But, there was only one problem. Erik was far too young to be published. And even if they did publish it, if they knew it came from a child, they'd be made laughing stocks of the academic community. So, instead they decided to just give Erik a Pen Name.
Story pretty much goes the same way afterwards, but you get my point.
Headcanon screeching aside, I think it's a little sad to hear Erik put down is own work like that. As I said before, it's very surprising to hear him of all people call something childish or naive, as if that wasn't to be expected of someone at that age. And Alma feeling bad for him, saying he must've walked a difficult path makes me even more curious about what his life was like prior to the events of the game.
(I have my own OC story that goes into that to some degree, but that's far removed from the subject, so I'll leave it at that!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BONUS:
Some more really funny Alma lines she has pertaining to Erik include:
Her noting that he watches people like Monsters rather then like...well people. (Cause of course he fucking would! XD)
Alma wondering how the fuck Erik knows that the Sap from the trees in the Scarlet Forest isn't poisonous! (We all know how he knows...)
Telling a funny story about Oliva and Erik seeing a Downy Crake for the first time! (It's less that what happened was funny, and more that if I was there to see it, it would be funny! XD)
Lastly, this little bit! More so Olivia focused, but further proof that Erik can read people well, not so much relate to them.
And we come to you with a new rural mod that recycles fishing!
🐠NEW FISHING SYSTEM🐠
Made with 💖 @leebbi04 💖
This mod modifies an existing fishing game and adds a new one to it:
🐠NEW FISH SPECIES - Get 17 new fish for freshwater, ocean, and leech fishing spots!
🐠NON-DISAPPEARING FISHING SPOTS - there are only a few fishing spots in the kingdom, now they don't disappear after being caught.
🐠STUFFED FISHES - are you a born fisherman at heart? Do you want to share this with the whole world? Order a stuffed fish from the blacksmith, which can be hung on the wall (stuffed fish are created on the blacksmith's workbench, available only to those who have a blacksmithing skill)
KNOWN ISSUES:
New fish are not displayed in animations. It's a purely aesthetic problem, it doesn't affect the gameplay.
Recipes for stuffed blacksmiths may not appear in a kingdom with a fully upgraded blacksmith. They are automatically updated in the recipe list when creating or leveling a blacksmith.
Food recipes for the new fish will be added only with the main mod "Rural Life", which is currently in development. Fish can now only be sold and made into stuffed animals.
If you had an old fishing mod , it should be deleted to avoid conflict!!!
This is not just a mod, but the key to a new level of the game. Free construction, full control over objects and unlimited scope for imagination. Start creating your perfect world today!
With it, you can build protected zones from changes (even outside the kingdom). It allows you to change the height of an object, tilt it, and quickly move it around the area.
❗Remember, the more objects there are in the world, the longer the game takes to load. Use the mod wisely.
⭐MAIN FUNCTIONS
Call object
Select an object \ Deselect it
Move the selected object here
Clone
Change the color
Settings
🔔CALL OBJECT
You can place an object anywhere, even if it is protected from changes, using the "Call Object" function.
You can use the ready-made list, which contains some frequently used objects, or call them yourself from the purchase mode by entering the original name of the object in the field.
Another option is to save your favorite places to your list for quick access at any time.
📐MOVE
Select any object and move it to the desired location. The instant transfer feature works anywhere in the world (except water).
🧭ROTATION
The mod assigns new keyboard shortcuts. The selected object can be shifted, rotated, and tilted along all axes.
They work not only in the life mode, but also in the purchase mode (having previously placed the object on the ground).
Turn in place to the left Shift + 8 Turn in place to the right Shift + 9 Height up Shift + 7
Height Down Shift + 6
Left Shift Alt + 6
Right Shift Alt + 7
Shift back Ctrl + 6
Shift Forward Ctrl + 7
Tilt to the right Ctrl + 8
Tilt to the left Ctrl +9
Tilt Forward Alt + 9
Tilt back Alt + 8
DOWNLOAD
Thanks to dear @leebbi04 for this wonderful description and design!
Erik ropes you into assisting him with his research, but there's more to this little project than meets the eye ...
Genres: Romance, fluff, humour.
Dividers by: @strangergraphics
The hefty tome slammed down on the surface of the table in front of you, raising a small cloud of dust. Waving it away with one hand, you glanced up at the eager face of Erik, dedicated handler of the Astrum Unit, and offered a nervous smile.
He was wearing that look. A reason to be wary indeed.
"Erik?"
"Listen."
He stepped over the bench you were seated on, straddling it as he flipped through the book. Pale hair fell forward across his brow and he brushed it back impatiently.
"I've been thinking. We've got this handy guidebook that you hunters compile with the research commission, right?"
"Yes?"
"But we can hardly call this a complete guide when it's so lacking."
You shuffled around to face him.
"Lacking in what way?"
"Arthropods. The insect life, specifically. Think about how many hunters may be carted away in the field because they didn't think to collect bitterbug broth, or snatch up a handy vigormantle bug?"
"And what's your solution?"
He waved a hand, cutting decisively through the air.
"We make our own guide."
"We?"
He leaned forward, peering wide-eyed into your face. Long lashes grazed his cheeks, his expression expectant.
"Of course. Who else would I ask?"
You cleared your throat and nodded.
"Me. Naturally. So ... what kind of information are you after?"
"The kind that lurks close to the earth, or on the trunks of trees. Whenever you see a new form of insect life on your hunts, I'll trouble you to make a small sketch of the creature, along with noting some of its properties. Not that I expect you to gather all of this at once."
He raised his hands in cheerful surrender.
"Only where you're able to. And make sure to note down the location of where you found it."
You raised an eyebrow.
"Is that a good idea?"
"What do you mean?"
"Providing you with the location of ... anything."
Across from you, Alma buried her nose in her own notebook, mouth twitching suspiciously.
Erik seemed confused for a moment before realisation struck home.
"Oh ... oh. You think I'll go running off to find them, with no protection or preparation of any kind?"
He slapped at your shoulder, laughing, and you narrowed your eyes. You tapped a finger on the table.
"At least you're self-aware."
"Oh, come on. Right ... here."
He took your hand between both of his, grasp always surprisingly strong.
"I promise I will not get myself in unnecessary trouble."
"Define 'unnecessary'."
"You don't trust me at all?"
"In the pursuit of arthropods? No. No, Erik, I don't."
And so began the great insect compendium, the fruit borne of both your labour, and Erik's. Through the months that followed, you did your best to follow through on your promise to him, taking time out of each hunt to carefully jot down the insect life you found.
Granted, you had never been the kind to appreciate such things before. Bugs, as useful as they were, were all too often shunted to the side in a hunter's mind to make way for faster and more effective means to use the environment.
They were useful, no doubt about it, but they were certainly one of the myriad things you took for granted on your many forays into the wilderness in search of much larger (and more dangerous) game.
You started to find ways to make your insect studies more interesting.
Along with the notes, diagrams (and suspicious stains that came with the territory of hunting), your weekly reports to Erik contained little doodles of your palico and amusing anecdotes of how you'd found particular species. They also contained some of your terrible puns, the ones that made Alma look at you with long-suffering pity and Gemma offer to place your head on her anvil to 'knock some proper humour into you.'
You never knew whether he actually read them. The moment you showed up with the report, he'd snatch it from your hands with a hurried 'thanks' and scuttle off to his den to pore over them. The little footnotes to your many-legged adventures may have to remain in your own memory for posterity.
At least your palico laughed at your jokes. Most of the time.
A sad state of affairs, but you'd survived worse.
It was some time before you saw any actual progress on the insect compilation. Erik impressed on you the importance of proper research and hypothesis testing, of statistical analysis and prediction of potential pathways, of peer-reviewed critique on his scientific writings by learned scholars of the research commission, before anything could be ratified as fact.
Sounded like a great deal of work, but you understood the necessity of it.
One wrong point of information, and a hunter could very well find themselves the prey, under certain circumstances. If this work was to be a hunter's resource, it had to be a reliable one.
So it was with a certain degree of anticipation that you entered Erik's research base one afternoon, having been called over by a message through your palico.
Was there finally some kind of solid outcome?
Erik was standing at the table, hands placed flat on its surface, back hunched, eyes trained on the bound collection of pages before him. He glanced up briefly before his face broke into a sunny smile of genuine pleasure.
"Ah, there you are. Come and have a look. We're finally making some headway."
Approaching the table, you saw that the bound pages were covered in his sloping hand-writing, with diagrams obviously fashioned directly from those you'd drawn, smudges of colour added here and there.
"Is it finally ready?"
"I do think so, yes! Of course, a scholar's work is never truly done. We keep etching away at the frontier, discovering new ideas that may put our previous ones to shame."
He spread his arms wide, as if to encompass the room, your joint research on the table, you.
"But this is a start. And a great one too! Just look at all the data we've managed to compile."
You glanced at the thick sheaf of paper and gave a rueful smile. Now that the majority of the work was in, you doubted that Erik would have much further use for your time or services. You supposed you should be thankful, but you had to admit, on some level, that you liked being useful to him.
You'd long since given up scant hope that Erik would take notice of your charms. You were just so ... different.
He was compelling to you, yes. With the soft fall of his hair, the gleam in his eye when new knowledge was to be gained, the deft fingers with which he pried open the secrets of the world and the rare occasions when he displayed the part of himself that showed exactly why he had been chosen for Astrum unit, the gall, determination and sterling professionalism, it was no wonder that he'd anchored himself so firmly in your admiration.
And you, well, you were a hunter.
In spite of your many accolades, you'd never considered yourself above average when it came to personal charms. You gave yourself to your work, and it defined who you were.
Signing, you placed an elbow on the table, chin cupped in one palm.
"I suppose you never included all of those funny stories I put so much time into."
Erik's reaction was not one you were expecting. His demeanour was suddenly evasive, eyes darting to the old steel cabinet that stood in a corner.
"Ah, well. Hm. Those were entertaining, of course! But in research terms they - "
You mouth curved down at the edges, rather exaggeratedly.
"Ah. And after all that effort."
There was something definitely off about him.
"Erik, what's in that cabinet?"
"Which cabinet?"
"The one you're eyeing like a Gypceros with a shiny trinket."
"What? Nothing at all. Just an experiment I'm running. Needs to be kept closed."
You raised an eyebrow.
"Is there something you - "
"No."
He waved your concerns aside, already bustling about the table where his research notes lay scattered like chaff. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing that you were still unconvinced.
"Oh? You really want to see my Congalala dung anaerobic fermentation experiment? I could open it up for you, but the smell - "
You raised your hands in swift surrender.
"No need. Only the fresh stuff gets a ride in my slinger."
He nodded, looking rather relieved.
"Oh, good. Because it's anaerobic, you know. If I did have to open it up, the whole thing would be ruined and - "
At that moment, Olivia strode into the tent, brisk and confident as always. She gave you a cordial nod of greeting before making her way to the steel cabinet, past Erik, who was suddenly looking a trifle panicked.
"Oh! Olivia, wait, you can't just - "
She shot him a slightly puzzled look.
"I'm just getting my cup. Athos is brewing us some coffee."
"Not now! Just hold on, you - "
Supremely unconcerned, she stared right at him while casually slinging open the door of the cupboard.
"No, I can't wait. My coffee's getting cold."
The door knocked against a nearby shelf, swinging slightly on its hinges. On the inside you could see, pasted in painstakingly careful chronological order, every single humorous note you'd left for Erik since the start of the compilation, complete with palico doodles and scratched out puns.
Squinting, you could even make out the discarded ration wrapper on which you'd once sketched a stick figure illustration of Werner forgetting your name again.
Following the line of Erik's mortified gaze, Olivia raised an eyebrow and grabbed her cup before turning to you, jerking her thumb at the evidence.
"You should probably get him more insect stories. I swear, the way he hordes these things, you'd think they were actually funny."
Having delivered this crushing judgment, she strode back out of the tent, humming slightly.
Her departure left a highly awkward silence in its wake.
You fiddled with the scabbard of your dagger.
"So ... "
"It's not - "
" ..., you really think I'm ... "
" ...at all what it looks like, I - "
" ... funny?"
You both spoke at the same time, but he heard you clearly, coming to an abrupt stop. A faint flush chased over the bridge of his nose. He brushed his hair back and straightened his posture a little.
"Uh ... yes. Yes, I think you're funny."
"Even though nobody else does?"
"Um, well, humour is sort of ... subjective, isn't it?"
"And mine is ... to your taste?"
He scratched his cheek.
"You could say that, yes."
A grin spread across your face and his mouth twitched in response, curving into an irrepressible response.
"Shall we test that hypothesis further, do you think?"
He tapped at the thick stack of papers before taking a bracing breath and meeting your gaze.
"If you're willing, hunter, then I guess ... that science demands more answers."
Tagging a few who might be interested, based on previous notes: @mrs-potatocat @maxdotmp4
Ever since the beginning of AxA packs, male clothing was only ever in the large collections. Recently Ayoshi and I decided that we should make an male focused AxA mini, which soon turned into a much larger collection. AxA Boytoy is focused entirely on male Sims, with the occasion item female compatible item. Featuring hairs, tops, bottoms, hats, headphones, a pair of sneakers, jewelry, and even a tote bag with a labubu. These items and their variations total up to 50+ new CAS assets for your male sims to expand their closets with. Grungy, fruity👀, or a little bit of both, AxA Boytoy is made for the boy who knows they’re a toy. 🧸
Item Index Preview | Early Access Download | Follow Ayoshi
The item index linked above will show the basic info for the items in this collection. Below is a general overview of the items
Early Access Download (Public Release on July 3rd, 2025)
Basic info
All items are BGC and do not require other meshes/packages/versions.
All hairs come in 24 EA Colors and are hat compatible
FEMALE ASSETS
► As this was made to be a male focused pack, there are not any items exclusive to female Sims. However, I did convert the cross necklace + the sneakers to their frames. Alongside that, all of the hats are unisex and work on them. In the image above you can see the female assets on their frames.
Report any issues to me through Tumblr DM with images.
Follow my TOU for all items
Credits, Thanks, and other CC Used
► Huge thank you to @deykxn for helping in inspiring a male focused pack, giving me feedback through the entire thing, and testing for bugs.
► Some of the patterns used throughout the items by the lovely @trillyke
► Other CC Used
Dickie Hair by @peachibunnii
Tomoyo Hair from AxA 2024
Blackout Glasses from Planet AxA
Sasha, Lexi, and Victoria Hairs by AH00B
Everything else you see in the previews is in the pack !
Time to get my hurt/comfort fix. now i can call the support classes done. and demoman.
You wake up in Ludwig's clinic after a horrible accident. He's as shaken as you are.
Contains: dying and coming back to life, hurt/comfort, dismemberment, medical gore both realistically and unrealistically survivable. picture moonlight jewel's doll bowl but the pieces are flesh and blood.
-
First you felt the stickybomb blast you backwards. Then nothing. Then you woke up. Your eyes slowly opened as harsh overhead lights threatened to blind you and you had to take a moment to adjust and get your bearings. Taking in your surroundings, you were somewhere very familiar. The clinic. It was dark out now, the fluorescents illuminating you and the hospital bed you were in and the other beds in the room like spotlights. Even though the room was empty, it felt like you were being watched.
Perhaps you were. A few doves swooped down from the rafters to land beside you and coo inquisitively.
"Hi there," you said, petting their little heads with your finger. "Where's Ludwig?"
The doves leaned into your touch and began to settle down next to you. In the time you'd gotten to know their owner, Herbert Ludwig, they'd grown as fond of you as you had of Ludwig himself. He took delight in the fact that his birds liked you, which you'd began to suspect meant that he liked you too.
And just last night, he all but confirmed that, professing his love for you. The fondness was mutual, but sadly the job called for you to be colleagues first and foremost. And whatever happened to you to make you wake up in his clinic hours after your death, as opposed to in respawn in only a matter of seconds, surely gave him the scare of his life.
But where was he?
You wouldn't have long to wait for him. After a few minutes of petting the doves, the doors burst open as a frazzled Ludwig made his way into the room. He looked like he hadn't slept in a while, bags under his eyes, messy hair, disheveled clothes covered in blood, five o'clock shadow covering his face, and a steaming pot of coffee in hand. He almost didn't notice you at first, or maybe it took him time to process what he was seeing, but he rushed over to you, nearly spilling his coffee as he scrambled to put it somewhere before he embraced you.
"You're alive!" he exclaimed. "You're actually alive! Oh, thank heavens! I thought I lost you!"
"What happened?" you asked.
"You respawned..." he said, his voice cracking. "But you respawned in pieces. The explosion that killed you... there were pieces of you all over the battlefield, a-and then all over respawn... Something happened. I don't know what it was, but I had to get you out of there. It took me days to put you back together enough to heal you with the medigun. Every time I tried, my sutures weren't tight enough, you bled too much through your bandages, your limbs wouldn't stay together in their casts..."
"Oh, god..." you whispered.
"I'm so sorry, Liebe... I could have prevented this. If I had seen the stickybomb sooner, if I had stayed closer..."
"Ludwig..."
"I know I could have saved you! I know I could have done something!" he cried.
"Herbert."
He paused.
"You did save me," you pointed out. "You put me back together. I can't thank you enough for that."
You held his face in your hands and pressed a gentle kiss to his nose.
"You did good. You can rest now."
That was all the permission he needed to snuggle up in your hospital bed and hold you in his lap, doves settling down nearby for the night, on the dividers, on the equipment, at the foot of the bed, on his shoulder, on your shoulder, anywhere there was space. Now that you knew what had happened to you, you could understand why he was so worried, and now the thought of having been dead and in pieces for several days was haunting you. You sobbed into his shoulder, and he sobbed into yours. The birds seemed to recognize your sadness, but you mostly ignored them as they hopped on and off of you and attempted to preen your hair.
It felt like Herbert was trying to do the impossible, but at the same time, it wasn't anything new. Over and over, he repeated the same three words: "you were dead." Of course you were. You'd died before, and you would again. He'd died before too. He helped you get used to respawning when you first met. But of course he meant to say that you didn't respawn like you were supposed to. You didn't come back to life. You simply returned in pieces. He had to bring you back from the dead himself. He had to try again several times. He confirmed that he didn't sleep at all in the three days it took to reconstitute you. It didn't take hours like you thought--it took days, and right now it was 3 in the morning. Your body was still recovering from being in pieces, and his body had yet to recover from days of nonstop work and care. After your relationship had officially begun. No wonder he was crying himself to sleep, clutching you like you'd fall apart again if he didn't hold you together.
But you were doing the same to him. And for now, you could live with that.
ellievsbear
areudirty
2087
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romaincrisis
yousharknotpass
titsay
dailybridgerton
