[AoR] News ~ May 21, 2024

News & Events

We’ve been sailing through the month of May!  Here are some highlights.

 

Household Challenge (HHC)

Happy to welcome Candace to the Individual HHC!  She’s already forging ahead in points using items carefully stored away in her basket.

Last call for the special challenge for April.  Preparations are underway for a new special challenge in June.

[AoR] Household Management Challenge - Age Of Reason | livinghistoryvw.com

 

Buying in Bulk

Bulk Beeswax Candles (35 units) are now available in the Market.  Many thanks to Candace for taking on this task.

Bulk Brown Ale (40 units) and Small Beer (40 units) are also available in the Market thanks to Mikhail.

These items join the current selection of Bulk Sugar (80 units) and Bulk Bread (40 units) helping to make the HHC more manageable.

 

Packer Update

A new version of the Packer has been released.  Please delete all your previous Packers and see Helene who is handing out new ones free of charge.

Ask her for Packer v1.2

This updated version is "No Copy" and brings more stability to the packing operation.

 

Brand-new Culinary Delights

Pasta has finally made its appearance with the introduction of our Seafood menu.

• Seafood Pasta with Crab & Shrimp
• Seafood Soup with Crab & Shrimp
• Shrimp Risotto

 

Fish & Seafood

Woohoo!!  The first installment of the Fish and Seafood Harvesters is here!!

Multiple fishing traps are in the waters around Belle Ile en Mer (Provence Coeur Sud2) and the Bay of Naples.  Look for the trap buoys marking their locations.

I would encourage you to take a ride in your favourite water vessel and try your hand at some seafood fishing!  Public sailboats are also available in Port Trianon for you to use.

 

It was a dark and stormy night …

Actually, it was the middle of the day but apparently it was very stormy as reports of a maritime accident started rolling in.  I’m please to report that there were no serious injuries as the beleaguered vessel came to rest in Lady Sere’s garden just missing the gazebo.  The sailboat and its captain (tentatively identified as Sir Thomas Cave, 6th baronet Cave of Stanford) have been relocated.  Lady Sere while busy replacing her damaged shrubbery has also been spotted rowing about the Bay of Naples with a strange “bubble hat” on her head.

 

Cheers!

Tat

[AoR] Packer

AoR Resources

Packer v1.2

A new version of the Packer has just been released.  Please delete all of your previous Packers and see Helene who is handing out new ones free of charge.

Ask her for Packer v1.2

This updated version is "No Copy" and brings more stability to the packing operation.

[AoR] Fish and Seafood

AoR Resources

 

I spent a lot of time fishing back in the days of G&S, most of the Queen’s Hamlet did.  Not only was it fun but a tad addictive.  I’ve been considering what made it so enjoyable and how some of those elements can be incorporated into an AoR version to make this a fresh experience.

The first AoR fishing harvester to be released is the Fish Trap while the Fishing Rod and all its components is currently being developed.

 

Performed by a Fisher.

 

Harvester: Fish Trap

Locations:

Multiple fishing traps are in the waters around Belle Ile en Mer (Provence Coeur Sud2) and the Bay of Naples.  Look for the trap buoys marking their locations.

 

Status:

Active traps have the ✪✪✪ symbol above them.  When a catch is retrieved the trap becomes inactive and the symbol disappears.   After replenishing, the trap will reactivate itself.  For added fun, and to keep you on your toes, the time it takes the trap to rest and replenish is variable.

 

Consumes:

• Bait (made from Fish or purchased from Myriam)

Produces

• Fish (Level 1 - generic) are used for:
  • Bait

         Catching fish with the trap is a temporary measure until the Fishing Rod is ready.

• Shrimp (Level 1 – 2 lbs. in a barrel) are used for:
  • Shrimp Risotto
  • Seafood Pasta
  • Seafood Soup
• Crab (Level 2 – 2 lbs. in a barrel) are used for:
  • Fried Crab
  • Seafood Pasta
  • Seafood Soup
• Lobster (Level 3 – 2 lbs. in a barrel) are used for:
  • Lobster Tails

Happy Fishing!

Tat

Updated: June 1, 2024

updated by @tatiana-dokuchic: 01 Jun 2024 03:47:11AM

[AoR] News ~ May 4, 2024

News & Events

We’ve been bulking up over the past week.  Here are some highlights.

 

Master Skill Achievements

Congratulations go out to Banjo, now a Master Cooper.  He joins Ardrhys and Thomas Richard Cave at the top of the trade.

Speaking of Masters, a new Master Skill List has been posted for your perusal.  We certainly are a highly skilled bunch of farmers and artisans!

 

Household Challenge (HHC)

The monthly challenge for April is still ongoing so if you haven’t played now is the time.  I will probably leave it up at least until Aph returns so she can have a go at it.

[AoR] Household Management Challenge - Age Of Reason | livinghistoryvw.com

 

Bulk Sugar & Bread

Bulk Sugar (80 units) is now available for sale in the Market.  Many thanks to Banjo for slaving over a hot cauldron so we don’t have to. 

Bulk Bread (40 units) is also available in the Market.  We have Sere to thank for her baking skills.

Both these bulk items can be found at the Rocca Sorrentina market stall.

I don’t know about you, but this will make my weekly Household Management Challenge so much easier! I might even be able to get it done weekly.

 

Taxes Explained

Ever wonder how the taxes on your labour was being divvied up? Taxes Explained can answer some of those questions.

 

Fair Prices

A notice went out including a notecard for the fair pricing of all harvested and crafter items.  Check out the [AoR] Support Group for your copy.

 

… processing …

Does your crafter or harvester get stuck on processing?  You wait your allotted time and still … processing … ?  You touch it and it tells you that the crafter/harvester is off?  Frustrating, believe me I know!  Rest assured that you haven’t done anything wrong (it’s the result of communication gone haywire between SL and the database). 

Fortunately, this doesn’t happen very often.  When it does, please contact Tat who will prod Rousseau to send you your product.  You should also contact the owner of the crafter/harvester who can reset or rerezz it to get it back into action.

I like to think that into every roleplay life a little rain must fall and apparently this is ours.  Luckily, it’s more of a drizzle than a downpour.

 

Brand-new Culinary Delights

• Rice has been added as an imported ingredient. See Myraim to purchase.  While researching this, I learned that rice has been grown in Italy for centuries starting around 1460 in the south and gradually moving north over the years.
• Rissotto, a traditional Italian rice dish, is available for us to savour.

 

Fish & Seafood

We’re making good progress on the Fish & Seafood front.

A new “Fish trap” (used to catch shrimp, crab & lobster) is undergoing testing and new recipes are being prepared to take advantage of that bounty.

While you’re waiting, you might want to dust off those rusty sailing skills in anticipation.

 

So how went your week?  Did you manage to make any cheese? Go on any adventures? We’d love to hear what you’ve been up to.

 

Cheers!

Tat

updated by @tatiana-dokuchic: 04 May 2024 04:24:07AM

[AoR] Economy

AoR Resources

Taxes Explained

 

In AoR the payment of taxes happens automatically and, except for the somewhat spammy message thanking you for your contribution, is mostly behind the scenes.  Here’s a brief explanation of those payments.

 

Taxes may be paid out from various Harvesters and Crafters in the form of goods that go directly into the collector’s Bag.

 

The worker’s community may receive taxes, usually at 50% of what the worker receives.  For example, if the worker receives 8 apples from a harvest the community manager will also receive 4 apples.

 

The owner of the Harvester/Crafter may receive taxes, usually at 100% of what the worker receives.  For example, if the worker receives 8 lemons from a harvest the owner will also receive 8 lemons. 

 

In some cases, if the worker and the owner are the same person that individual will only receive the harvested amount.  For example, the worker will receive 8 strawberries from a harvest and no additional strawberries from taxes.

 

Amounts received from taxes vary for each Harvester and Crafter.

 

Now you know why Lady Sere is absolutely swimming in Milk! Every time one of her cows is milked (and that can be a maximum of three times a day per cow) she receives 32 units as the owner plus 16 units as the community manager.  If she milked that cow herself, you tack on another 32 units so a maximum of 80 units per milking.  It’s good to know that our AoR cows are so contented, though Lady Sere may not think of it that way.

[AoR] News ~ April 27, 2024

News & Events

A lot has happened over the last week!  Here are some highlights.

Bienvenue

We welcome André Jacquemin (AndreJacquemin)!  André, a most diligent worker, is lending his labour to the Queen’s Hamlet and helping to get it back in order after a long winter.

 

Household Challenge (HHC)

Maria & Adrian have just signed on to the HHC and have already completed the monthly challenge for April!  Congratulations!

[AoR] Household Management Challenge - Age Of Reason | livinghistoryvw.com

 

New Bulk Recipes

Mikhail has bitterly complained about the amount of work necessary to keep up with the weekly demands of the HHC.  He’s a hard worker but feels as though baking thirty loaves of bread a week in single batches is making him “lose the will to live”.  We hear you Mikhail and have added some new bulk recipes in an attempt to make life a bit easier.  We have also updated the Packer to produce more bulk containers for easier sale/purchase.

• Bread 16 units (Oven)
• Sugar 32 units (Cauldron2 under development)
• Sugar 80 units (Packer)
• Small beer 40 units (Packer)
• Brown ale 40 units (Packer)

 

Brand-new Culinary Delights

• Cheddar Potato (Cast iron pot) – the ultimate comfort food, baked potatoes loaded with cheddar cheese. You can make a hearty meal with just one portion.
• Parsley (Herb pot) – start some growing now for upcoming recipes.
• Fruit Juice & Drinks (Butter churn) – refreshing drinks just in time for summer

 

Barrels & Cheeseboxes

Banjo has reminded me that using Security on barrels and cheeseboxes is a good thing especially when working in tight quarters.  The default security is set to the Community but can be changed to Group or Owner by having the owner touch the container and follow the menu instructions.

 

Cheesemaking

The cheesemaking process enjoyed a smooth launch and is now well underway.  Read more at Cheesemaking and learn more at 18 ^th Century Cheesemaking

 

Fish & Seafood *Coming Soon *

Dreaming of idling some time away this summer at your favourite fishing hole?  Wanting a bit of challenge on the high seas?  Angling for fish and seafood is in the early stages of development.  Stay tuned for updates.

 

Cheers!

Tat

[AoR] Fruit Drinks and Juices

AoR Resources

New Fruit Drinks and Juices just in time for summer!

• Fruit Drinks:
  • Grape drink
  • Lemon drink
  • Orange drink
  • Strawberry drink

Fizzy and refreshing these fruit drinks are made in the Butter Churn and are extra healthy as they are made with whey.

• Fruit Juices
  • Lemon juice
  • Orange juice (both an ingredient and a drink)
  • Grape juice

With the exception of grape juice, the fruit juices are made with the [AoR] Juicer.

 

Speaking of juicers or lemon squeezers, I was lucky enough to stumble across: A KUTAHYA POTTERY LEMON-SQUEEZER, OTTOMAN TURKEY, 18TH CENTURY

 

To quote from Wikipedia :

The oldest known lemon squeezers were found in Kütahya, Turkey and date to the first quarter of the 18th century. These ceramic presses are in the traditional style of Turkish pottery of the 18th century and have a superficial resemblance to today's press equipment with cones, though they are designed differently. These examples were individually made, and specially designed for making the then popular citrus drink sorbet. Lemons are not native to northern Turkey, though during the 17th and 18th centuries they were imported in bulk to Constantinople.

 

Our new juicer looks suspicious similar!

 

See  Recipes  for exact ingredients with quantities.

updated by @tatiana-dokuchic: 24 Apr 2024 04:53:38PM

[AoR] Cheesemaking

AoR Resources

Varieties of Cheese:

• Soft cheese (Level 1):
  • Cheese (The generic cheese we currently produce like mozzarella or farm cheese.)
  • Brie

 

• Medium cheese (Level 2):
  • Cheddar

 

• Hard cheese (Level 3):
  • Parmesan

This list will be updated as more varieties become available.

Products made from Whey:

• Fruit Drinks:
  • Grape drink
  • Lemon drink
  • Orange drink
  • Strawberry drink

Fizzy and refreshing these fruit drinks are made in the Butter Churn

updated by @tatiana-dokuchic: 24 Apr 2024 03:32:08AM

[AoR] Cheesemaking

AoR Resources

I’m delighted to introduce the new [AoR] cheesemaking process!  Cheesemaking was an important part of 18 ^th century life so it’s exciting to have a bit more realistic process for our active roleplay. 

These activities are performed by a cheesemaker (or fromager as we say here in Provence) and are listed from start to finish.

Cheese curds

Ingredients:

• Milk
• Rennet (Bought from Myriam. In RL is made from flowers or the stomach lining of a calf)
• Salt

Crafter:

• Cast iron pot

 

Raw Cheese

Ingredients:

• Cheese curds
• May eventually have other ingredients for “fancy” cheese such as Garlic & Herb

Crafter:

• Cheese press

Cheese presses are readily available in the communities but are not sold individually.

Once the process is complete the cheesemaker directs the raw cheese to fill a cheesebox for aging.

 

Whey

A byproduct of the cheese press which sends it directly to the cheesemaker’s basket.

Whey will be used as an ingredient in current/future recipes.

 

Cheese

Ingredients

• Raw cheese directly from the cheese press

Cheese Types (with examples):

• Soft cheese (Level 1):
  • Cheese (The generic cheese we currently produce like mozzarella or farm cheese.)
  • Brie

• Medium cheese (Level 2):
  • Cheddar

• Hard cheese (Level 3):
  • Parmesan

 

Soft cheese is aged for one day (RL 2 to 4 weeks), medium cheese for two days (RL 2 to 3 months), and hard cheese for three days (RL 10 to 24 months).

Aging concentrates flavour and makes a drier cheese.  It is also necessary to allow good bacteria to overwhelm any bad bacteria in the raw milk.

Crafter:

• Cheesebox

A cheesebox is made by a cooper and has a maximum of 10 uses and can only be used by their owner.  Banjo has been hard at work preparing cheeseboxes for sale in the Market.  Thanks Banjo!

All aged cheese is delivered directly to the cheesemakers basket.

 

Branded Cheese

A cheesemaker my brand their cheese by affixing their own label.

Crafter:

• Labelling Tool

 

As always, see Recipes for exact quantities.

 

Many thanks to Sere and Banjo for their collaboration on this project!

updated by @tatiana-dokuchic: 22 Apr 2024 03:41:40AM

18th Century cheesemaking

Historical Research

Another interesting read is: 

A History of British Cheese, part 2: Pre 20th Century Cheese-making Practices