Fournier-Legacy

Gabi | A blog for my Ultimate Decades Challenge playthrough, specifically in the country of France | Starting in the 1300s | She/Her | WCIF Friendly

[fournierlegacy]

Begin Here: Hello, and welcome to my ultimate decades challenge playthrough! My name's Gabi, and I've always loved learning about history, playing The Sims, and practically any historical game I can get my hands on. But especially The Sims, ever since I learned how many historical challenges there are out there! This blog will mostly be devoted to the Fournier Legacy, my longest-lasting UDC Playthrough so far. In my first ever UDC, I played from the beginning, 1300s to 1330s; however, I lost the save file due to corruption and updates. I did not wish to start from the beginning, so I decided to start this UDC where I left off, the 1330s! Which would also end up giving me quite a challenge of keeping my Sims alive... Also, I use a mix-and-match of rules for my playthrough. (Attached here), mostly from the original by Morbid gamer, and Plumbobs and the Past. Since I am playing in France instead of England, I am using Several's unique events. Disclaimer: Because of the nature of the UDC challenge, I will touch on darker topics that happened throughout history, like deaths of all ages, pandemics (like the black death...), war, famine, religious themes, etc. However, I am not a historian, and in my limited research, I may get many things wrong; at the end of the day, I'm here to learn and have fun with it.

beginning | family tree (Careful- some heavy spoilers in that) 1330s | 1340s | 1350s | 1360s | 1370s | 1380s

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1339:

Isabeau's Pov, Early 1339:

The days are growing shorter, and the nights longer. Autumn has always been my favourite season, it's when the harvest is most bountiful, and just around the corner lie the many festivities I so enjoyed as a child.

Our family has been truly blessed, with four growing, healthy children between myself and my husband Henriet. I cannot complain. Of course, we all have our share of troubles, and I can hardly recall the last time Henriet and I shared a proper conversation, apart from brief words in the mornings. By the time we reach our bed and settle in together, we are usually both too exhausted to talk, having spent at least an hour dragging our toddlers, who never want to sleep, off to bed! Henriet assures me this will pass, though my heart still misses his presence. I know he is busy with the farm, and fishing whenever he can spare the time, and I am kept busy spinning wool and patching our children's clothing for winter, so they do not freeze in the coming months. Caring for children is certainly busy work, and my hands have been full trying to raise them all well.

At least my eldest, Jacques, has aged up into a child. He's a great help around the household, though he is still young for the work he takes on, milking the cow, gathering the chickens' eggs in the morning, emptying the latrines before the rest of us are even awake. Still, I try to let him be a child where I can. He seems to prefer playing alone, though sometimes he joins his siblings. I think the house can feel overwhelming to him at times, with so many little ones underfoot and so little quiet to be found. I do wonder what will become of him, whether he'll grow into someone who seeks his own company by trade, or simply needs more time than the others to come out of his shell.

Henriet's mother has been a blessing to us all. Jeanne is a gentle woman, though she feels things quite deeply, and there was a time I feared she might waste away from a broken heart after all she has lost. Thankfully, that has not come to pass, though she is no longer as lively or talkative as she once was. Still, we enjoy each other's company, and she loves her son dearly, helping me greatly with both chores and farming. Without her, I am not sure I would have navigated motherhood half so well.

Later in the year, Anna Fournier and her twin brother Vauquelin aged up into children.

But only days after Anna turned six, she fell ill with a fever and took to her bed, growing weaker by the day and worrying her mother terribly.

Even with all the care in the world— potions from the local herbalist woman, the wisdom of her grandmother Jeanne, her condition only worsened through the night.

And in the morning, she was gone, to the panic and grief of her family.

They buried her in the growing cemetery behind their home, with her favourite toy spoon laid beside her.

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1337 & 1338: I decided to combine these two years into one post, since I didn't write much about either. 1337:

The Hundred Years' War had begun. For the Fournier family, though, there was no sense yet of what was to come— all they knew were whispers, and men being shipped off to fight for France against England. Thankfully, Henriet avoided it so far; with such a large family to provide for, and being the only male of working age, he was spared... for now.

They grew even more crops this season, fall being the best time for harvest and planting. They needed to prepare for the coming winter, lest they starve through it.

This year also saw little Elyot age up into a toddler. He was a silly, playful boy, always ready with a joke or a mischievous grin, and in that way, he took after his mother more than any of his siblings thus far. Like Isabeau, he had a natural charm about him, the kind that made it easy to forgive his antics, and he seemed to inherit her love of making things with her hands, often found trying to copy her at the spinning wheel, however clumsily.

1338:

The English Channel naval campaign began in 1338, when a series of raids by the French navy and private raiders were launched against English towns, causing panic, financial losses, and damage to the affected areas. Thankfully, the small village where Henriet lives seems to have been unaffected, and none of the men were drafted for the campaign. Once again, he avoided going to war, and he thanked the Lord that he could stay with his family and continue to provide for them.

Life was calm on their farm, despite the war. Save for the chaotic, destructive toddlers running around everywhere. Things were going well. The kids were growing fast and ran around constantly, but they often entertained each other, leaving their mothers free to focus on other things around the home.

And Henriet's eldest son, Jacques, aged up into a child.

Jacques is responsible and introverted, so he enjoys being alone— waking before everyone else to water the plants and milk the cow.

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1336: In the beginning of 1336, the whole Fournier family noticed a change in Pierre's behaviour. He had lost his appetite and grown 'lazier' than usual, preferring to spend his days in bed. He also complained of belly aches— and more strangely, his skin took on a more yellowish tinge (pretend it's yellowish, I don't have any skins that make it look that way, lol). The family was confused, wondering if something was wrong with the humors in his body, and sent him to the local alchemist. The alchemist advised a change in diet, though he admitted it did not look promising, and sent Pierre home with some herbal remedies. But nothing seemed to help. Sadly, one fateful morning, he dropped dead. The family was left to mourn his loss. It was especially hard on his wife, who's already suffered so much, trying to keep their marriage alive. And also, on his eldest grandchild, Jacques, who had always been close to his grandfather. They buried him in the growing graveyard of their back forest, a plot of consecrated ground blessed by their local priest.

Even with the recent tragedy, there's always hope. Isabeau went into labour only a month after Pierre's passing, and gave birth to their fourth child— another son, whom they named Elyot. Henriet had grown to love being a father more and more with each of his children, and he was elated at the arrival of this newest one: another healthy baby who'd survived their first month alive.

As the year went on, they scraped together enough money to buy a single sheep. Isabeau, in whatever free time she could find, began spinning wool and making fabrics for her growing children. Jeanne, meanwhile, was deep in grief. She still helped with chores and looked after the kids, but some days it was simply too much, and she'd take long walks in the woods to clear her mind.

Little Elyot aged up into an infant this year as well. He gave his parents quite a scare when he caught a fever and was bedridden for days, but he pulled through in the end. He was also the first of Isabeau and Henriet's children to inherit his mother's green eyes.

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[fournierlegacy]

1335:

Today was the birthday of my most beloved Anna and her little twin brother Vauquelin— they're toddlers now, past that important one-year mark. Anna is angelic as always, curious about everything. Vauquelin can be a bit fussy, but he's still an angel to us.

I also found out, just a few days ago, that I'm pregnant. It's still early, but despite the chaos in our house right now, I'm happy for this future child. Henriet is happy too, though not quite as overjoyed as I am.

We got some chickens recently, but funds are still low— we're hoping for sheep soon.

The full family, 1335

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[fournierlegacy]

1334:

At the beginning of the year, Jeanne gave birth to twins, Anthoine and Bernard. It was another pair of twins in the family, though this time they were Pierre's and Jeanne's children rather than Henriet and Isabeau's. The birth was not entirely easy, as Jeanne's labor stalled for a time and gave everyone reason to worry, but in the end both mother and children came through safely. Anthoine and Bernard were born healthy, which was a relief to the whole household.

Not long after, Anna and Vauquelin grew into infants. After the usual worry and constantly coddling over the young newborns, seeing them grow past their first few months was especially comforting. Anna turned out to be a sensitive little baby, needing more patience and attention than some, while Vauquelin had a sunnier nature and seemed easier to settle. Between them, Jacques, and the newborn twins, the house was now full of small children, and there was very little quiet to be found.

Still, 1334 brought some relief. With the famine finally over, the family could begin putting more hope into their farm again. They started growing what they could, slowly building back from the leaner years before. Summer became a time of planting and long days outside, with the adults working hard to make sure the household would be better prepared for the seasons ahead. One day, Seraphina, Isabeau's sister, even came over to help, which was welcome in a house where an extra pair of hands could make a real difference.

Even with four adults in the home, keeping up with everything was difficult. There were children to feed, babies to clean, laundry to manage, meals to prepare, and chores that could not be put off for long. Henriet and Isabeau were used to hard work, but five young children under one roof made every day feel full from morning until night. Jeanne helped where she could as she recovered, and even Pierre had to keep doing his part. There was simply too much work for anyone to be idle.

Henriet also found more time for Jacques as his eldest son became an active toddler. Jacques was two now, no longer a fragile baby but a lively child who wanted to move, explore, and follow after his father. Spending time with him seemed to ease something in Henriet. He had feared fatherhood so much at first, but with Jacques growing stronger, it became easier for him to enjoy the simple parts of being a father.

The biggest change of the year, though, was that the family finally got a cow. They named her Belle. After years of worry, hunger, and careful saving, having a cow felt like a real step forward.

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1333: In early 1333, Isabeau realized she was pregnant again. At first, the news stirred Henriet's old fears. Jacques had been such a fragile baby that even now, every sneeze or cough from his son made him uneasy. But as Jacques grew stronger, Henriet's fear slowly began to ease. With Isabeau's calm reassurance, he started to believe that another child did not have to mean disaster. She never asked him to be perfect, only to be present, and with her beside him, he felt they could manage whatever came.

At the same time, Henriet's relationship with Pierre had begun to improve. Henriet was still hurt by the years of laziness and drink, but Pierre had lately been making more of an effort and helping more around the household. The change did not erase the past, but it did make room for something better between them. They even went fishing together, a simple outing that would once have seemed impossible.

That year also marked Jacques's second birthday. He grew from an infant into a toddler and showed himself to be a sweet, angelic child, bringing joy to the whole household.

Later in 1333, Isabeau went into labor. With Jeanne there to help her, she gave birth safely to twins: a boy, Vauquelin, and a girl, Anna, whom Henriet named. Anna worried them at first, as she was born somewhat sickly and was fussed over through the night, but after a few days color returned to her cheeks and she began to thrive. By the end of the year, Henriet and Isabeau's home had grown busier, fuller, and happier than ever.

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[fournierlegacy]

1332:

Jeanne knew something was wrong when she turned over her little boy, Florent. It was still warm from the night, curled in its swaddling cloth she'd folded around him after his bath— Pierre had even helped her, careful with the basin and silent for once. His hands were gentler than she'd ever seen; perhaps his growing knowledge of parenthood had finally begun to show itself. Florent had giggled when he was dipped in- feet first. He gummed his thumb as she dried him, eyes flickering up to hers, with an innocence only seen in a young child, before one learns of the cruelty of the world. That morning, however, he didn't move. There were no cries, no stirrings- nothing. What was once a source of tiredness and annoyance was now missed, because at least it meant he was alive. "Pierre," she whispered to her husband. He made his way over to the crib, where she was hanging over. He touched his child with care and seemed to understand. His eyes were downcast, and he let himself feel grief before he hugged his wife. Neither of them spoke, and they let themselves say goodbye to their son in quiet grief. No matter how many times they'd gone through this, it never hurt any less.

Months passed by, and melancholy turned into silent hopefulness, as Isabeau's belly began to grow with her baby. Even though Henriet was still unsure about the child, he could begin to feel a sort of connection with the baby growing inside her belly. He'd not planned to be a father before twenty, especially at a time like this, but god had blessed them with a child, and he wasn't about to curse the skies for the unfairness of it all. But it did sometimes terrify him. It meant another responsibility on his shoulders. Another mouth to feed. And he wasn't sure he had yet become the kind of man who would be a good father. His wife's positivity, however, and sheer love for the child, was almost enough for both of them. Sometimes it was intoxicating.

On a cool, cloudy morning in 1332, Henriet's firstborn son was born. They named him Jacques—Jacques Fournier. He was a very healthy baby, and thankfully, not much of a crier. Isabeau's family came over to help with the newborn, which made the one room house even more cramped and chaotic. However, having the entire family chip in to teach the young couple how to care for an infant made Henriet feel far less anxious. Being guided every step of the way helped calm his nervousness about becoming a parent, and he finally began to feel a bit closer to his son.

A month or so later came Mayday. A celebration of the coming of spring and the new harvest. Although the damp ground still wasn't ideal for planting, a genuine sense of hope returned to the household, making it feel as though their long struggle was near it's end. The family spent the morning decorating outside of their hut with fresh woven wreaths and vibrant wildflowers they'd picked. Later, they joined the Archambault family to dance around the village maypole, enjoying a happy day that was completely sunny, beautifully bright and full of colour.

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1331: On the night at the beginning of 1331, a steady rain drummed against the thatched roof of the Fournier homestead. Out there in Gascony, it'd only begun to feel colder, though still, the temperatures barely went low enough that they'd need to wear gloves. At least, there was no snow, only rain.. but the endless grey downpour did little to wash away the gloom of the ongoing famine. Inside the cottage, a boy was born—little Florent. Given Jeanne's age and the family’s recent grief, they had prepared for the worst, but the birth went surprisingly smoothly. Jeanne was completely drained of strength, but the baby was born perfectly healthy. When the midwife handed the baby over, the heavy atmosphere in the room instantly broke. Pierre couldn't take his eyes off his new son, his usual smug expression melting into actual tears as he cradled the boy. But while Jeanne finally closed her eyes to rest, Henriet watched far away in the darkness of the room, silent.

The next night, Pierre went out to the tavern. Hoping to celebrate the new arrival, he dragged his eldest son alongside him. It almost felt like a last ditch attempt at winning him over, rekindling their deteriorating relationship. The tavern was loud and crowded with other peasants, seeking shelter from the on and off rain outside, Pierre ordered his usual mead, boasting to the other men about the birth of his youngest son. Henriet remained cautious, unsure if his father was genuinely trying to change for the sake of the new baby, or if this was just another excuse for Pierre to drown himself in mead and dice.

As expected, however, Henriet spent the night busy with basically everyone else at the tavern rather than his father. He easily drifted away to talk to anyone but him. Even neighbours he usually found too stuck up to deal with, like Jacques the tax collector. (Eurgh) When the two of them finally did speak, the fragile peace was shattered completely. Quickly escalating into a bitter argument, dredging months of pent-up frustration. Henriet walked away with a heavy grudge, entirely unable to forgive his father, leaving both men wondering if they were even truly family anymore.

While his father was inside nursing a cup of ale, Henriet stepped out into the cool air to meet his sweetheart, Isabeau, who was taking a brief break from her shift at the tavern. Their quiet moment didn't last long, however. Nun Agnes caught them flirting outside and was not at all pleased to witness such outrageous behaviour from the local youngsters.

The nun wasted no time scolding Henriet, wagging her finger and lecturing him on decency while Isabeau watched awkwardly from the stone bench. After the bitter screaming match with his father inside, her intense fury seemed mild by comparison, and instead of feeling ashamed, Henriet couldn't help but hold back a grin.

Weeks after that eventful night at the tavern, the mood in the family was finally beginning to return to normal. The initial sting of their loss had settled after a quiet routine returned to their lives, and the household grew calmer.

With a new baby to care for, little Florent provided the perfect distraction from the difficult famine they were still living through. The constant demands of a newborn kept (especially) Jeanne and Henriet occupied.

A few months later, winter ended earlier than expected, right as St. Valentine's day arrived. Isabeau came to visit the homestead on the holiday, taking advantage of a quiet afternoon while Pierre was away from the house selling some of the family's wares. Henriet proudly introduced her to his healthy little brother, Florent, showing off the newborn with a smile.

Afterward, Henriet asked Isabeau to go on a walk with him. Leaving the cottage behind, they stepped out into the crisp air outside, grateful for a private moment together away from the eyes of their families.

The sudden rain didn't stop them from enjoying themselves. They joked around for a few hours as they made their way through the damp countryside and finally settled down near the edge of the lake. That afternoon, they simply acted like a couple of silly teenagers in love.

It was like they couldn't take their hands off each other even for a second, spending the entire day dallying and in love. Under the gray, rainy sky, Henriet realized this was no passing fancy. They felt a profound sense of mutual devotion, as though they'd been destined to be together.

Before the afternoon slipped away, their romance took an unexpected and scandalous turn. Isabeau invited Henriet for a bit of hidden fun in the nearby bushes. With her father, Adelard, completely oblivious to his daughter's whereabouts... they had to be quick, before he noticed she'd been gone for way too long. Worry that, given the circumstances, was completely justified.

To Henriet's absolute surprise, only a few weeks after their scandalous afternoon, Isabeau proposed marriage. He did not hesitate to say yes, as he was entirely head over heels for her. Ever practical, Henriet tried to warn her that their wedding would be a most modest affair, rather than an intricate celebration, given the ongoing crop failures and his families tight finances. Isabeau, however, was completely fine with it, caring far more about their future together than a grand party.

Pierre finally met his future daughter-in-law's father, Adelard, but the introduction did not go smoothly. The two patriarch's were like oil and water, with Pierre's smug attitude clashing instantly with Adelard's personality. Despite his strong dislike for Pierre, Adelard ultimately gave his approval for marriage. He was willing to overlook Henriet's unfortunate parentage, because he genuinely considered the boy a sweetheart, and one of his best friends. Knowing Henriet's strong work ethic and character, Adelard trusted that he would take proper care of his favorite daughter.

The celebration of their engagement was cut short when Isabeau returned to the homestead alongside her entire family, bringing grave news: she was already pregnant.

The revelation hit young Henriet incredibly hard. His family was still actively struggling through the famine with no crops and no animals to provide an income. To make matters worse, Henriet himself was deeply conflicted; he had recently realized he simply did not want children and felt entirely unready for the massive responsibility of fatherhood.

But it seemed Lady Fortune had other plans. Despite his internal panic and his family's dire financial situation, the reality of the situation was absolute, and Henriet found himself thrust into parenthood all the same.

Even if Henriet was his friend, Adelard spared no mean words as he confronted the young man about getting his daughter pregnant before they even tied the knot! Standing outside the timbered and adobe house, he wagged an angry finger and aggressively scolded Henriet for his lapse in judgment. Adelard demanded they get married as soon as possible, with a small, private wedding to keep the rest of the village from gossiping and ruining Isabeau’s reputation. Henriet, deeply ashamed and facing his furious friend, could only agree to the immediate terms.

The wedding was sweet, but short. They said their vows in the open air in front of the local priest, with only their immediate families gathered on simple wooden stools to witness the union. Still, it felt like the happiest moment of Henriets life, as they felt a brief moment of peace as they officially were bound for life.

The rest of the afternoon were the wedding celebrations— where much drinking, dancing and eating was done.

With Isabeau joining their household, the family realized how cramped their home really was. They decided to set up a new room in their attic, moving some of their stores around, to fit in a new bed for the newlyweds alongside the new wooden crib they'd constructed for the soon-to-be-arriving babe.

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[fournierlegacy]

1330: The year started with another devastating blow for the Fournier family. The summer heatwave killed all their crops due to a complete lack of rain, leaving their fields completely dry. To make matters worse, Ellaine, still only thirteen, already physically frail as is, suffered from a severe heatstroke during a particularly boiling day. While trying to help out around the homestead, she was found collapsed from extreme exertion and dehydration. Pierre attempted to demand his daughter's life be saved, in his prayers to the lord. Still, it fell on deaf ears, and none of his arguments were convincing, for her life was not spared. Lady Fortune was not on their side that day, leaving the Fournier family to grieve the loss.

However, it was clear the situation was dire. Henriet took it upon himself to think of something, anything. Though they were mostly a family of farmers, desperation was a great motivator for change. He travelled down to the nearest river, taking the dusty and old fishing rod from their attic to use for the first time in a decade. Henriet wasn’t alone in his idea. In fact, it turned out that the river spot was quite popular with the local peasants who were also desperate for food.

The next few months passed by slowly as the family tried to survive on whatever scraps they could get. Henriet took charge, spending his days out in the wilderness looking for crystals, foraging for frogs, and fishing at the river. While he gathered what he could, his mother Jeanne managed the meager family finances and sold his wares to keep them afloat.

His father Pierre, though, was a different story. Although he went out to hunt from time to time, he spent most of his days drowning his thoughts with booze, completely checked out from helping his family survive the famine, all he wanted was to forget the pain.

Towards the end of the year 1330, Jeanne made a shocking discovery. Despite being nearly forty years old and almost a decade removed from her last pregnancy, she realized she was expecting another child.

She had already gone through many pregnancies in her younger years, and she thought that part of her life was long over. To make matters worse, she and Pierre had been careful during their quick tumble in the weeds.

The unexpected news only made Jeanne worry even more for the future. With the famine still raging and their daughter just passed away, the last thing the struggling family needed was another mouth to feed.

Pierre’s reaction, however, was not what Jeanne expected. When she'd first told him, he didn't look distressed. Neither did he raise his voice, rush out to the tavern and play dice, or go cry by their late daughter's grave. Instead, he looked down at Jeanne's stomach, and a wide, sudden smile broke across his face. For the first time in months, he set his jug of mead down on the table, leaving it half-full. He pressed his rough hands against her apron, muttering that everything was going to turn out right, as if the dry dirt outside had already turned green. He wouldn't look Jeanne in the eye when she pointed out their empty grain sacks, but he kept right on smiling, insisting they would figure it out.

Meanwhile, Pierre's relationship with his son was rapidly deteriorating. With a new baby on the way and the crops dead, Henriet had to take on even more responsibility just to keep the family alive. He spent every scorching day at the river fishing or searching the woods for anything to forage, while his father's constant slacking finally took its toll.

The two men argued almost daily now. Henriet could no longer stand the sight of Pierre sitting by the hearth, and he routinely confronted his father about his drinking problem and his refusal to help provide for the household.

With the air inside their small home growing more suffocating by the day, Henriet started to look elsewhere for comfort. His outgoing personality made it easy to connect with people, and he gradually began getting to know all of his neighbours.

While out fishing at the crowded riverbank, he met a man named Adelard Archambault. Adelard had a family of his own, including two daughters and a son. Desperate for a place where he could escape his father's drinking and the constant household tension, Henriet readily accepted an invitation to Adelard's house to meet the rest of his new friend's family.

There was one girl in particular, however, that caught his attention. Although Henriet was occasionally dipping his toes into romance, he took a very practical approach to finding a partner. Instead of sweet talk, he would ask girls about their family life, if they wanted kids, and other heavy topics before really putting any effort into courting them. As one could expect, that kind of blunt questioning bothered a lot of the local girls.

Isabeau Archambault was different, though. As the eldest sister, she wasn't put off by his serious attitude, and she actually enjoyed the jokes he made to lighten the mood. For Henriet, she became a welcome distraction from the heavy burden waiting for him back at his own homestead. As the year drew to a close, he felt like he'd finally found someone who understood him.

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[fournierlegacy]

Our story begins in medieval France with a humble peasant family called the Fourniers. Pierre, the patriarch, is lazy, smug, and shiftless. He wasn't always this way, but the famine of 1315 ruined him, driving him to drown his grief in mead and dice.

His wife, Jeanne, is the glue holding them together. Thanks to her sharp mind, Pierre hasn't drunk away their life savings. Having grown up as a poor serf, Jeanne knows what real poverty is like. When Pierre inherited his late uncle's farmland during the famine, they escaped the crushing grasp of their feudal Lord. For the first time, their hard work belonged to them.

Now, the harsh winter of 1329 has left them nearly broke, but they still have hope. Jeanne has two living children to help her run the homestead. Eighteen-year-old Henriet completely despises his father. Determined to be a better man, Henriet is incredibly diligent and responsible, quietly taking on the hardest farm chores without complaint.

Lastly, there is thirteen-year-old Ellaine, their only surviving daughter. She is physically frail, sticking to lighter household tasks like cleaning, patching clothes, and feeding the chickens. She is skilled at weaving wicker baskets, a trait passed down from her mother. Despite her youth and humble life, Ellaine dreams big. She fantasizes about a wealthy knight falling in love with her and taking her away to a castle—a naive dream she desperately wants to realize. Next