Here on Whithethorn, our seasons means something. Each one is different, and important to the role play.
Spring (Current)
Its a time of warm air, fresh greenery, and new life. Wool is harvested with a burning passion-Animals,puppies, foals, chicks, and more, are born to be raised and sold in the auctions, ready for life on a new farm. Crops are planted quickly, as we race to beat the coming summer that will sell them for us.
Two weeks length
Summer
The heat is unavoidable. Animals are shedding their coats like a snake sheds its skin. (Speaking of snakes...we see a lot of those) We harvest what we've grown in the fields at this time, and in our spare time we dive for the shade. Its the season of swimsuits and heatstroke. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Four Weeks Length
Fall
Halloween...pumpkins...hay rides...the season of fun right? It's short, sweet, and colorful. The farm hosts a fund-raising fall festival every year around this time, and a Halloween party to boot. Be ready for a heaping helping of pumpkin pie.
One Week Length
Winter
It's as cold as the summer is hot-If not worse. The rain turns to snow, and the ground turns white. Everyone is wearing a thick coat right now-Human and animal alike. The wild animals are sure to struggle in this icy blast, if they aren't the type to hibernate. The farm is now making a profit from the wool that they harvested in the spring, selling blankets and woolen mittens, and snowy sleigh rides with their horses. Everyone will be excited about the upcoming Christmas party at this time.
Two Weeks Length
If you are a human living on Whitethorn, you are probably not the prissiest of folk.
You don't mind getting dirty, or having a hard day's work sweating on your brow. You've probably come to the farm for just that. Work, as a farm hand. You get along well with the animals and know them as your own.
The dogs of the farm are bred for the life they lead. They are guards, protectors, and workers of the farm, and live on very close terms with the humans and each other, though no one human seemingly owns them. Humans and dogs alike belong to the farm. They are bold and strong, no matter their size, and take no hesitance to looking danger in the eye. It's their purpose.
These animals have many reasons for being here. The farm has its share of regal show horses, which hopefully bring money and bragging rights home with them on a good day.
There are also the workers, the horses, donkeys, and mules that plow the fields or pull equipment for the humans. They are powerhouses, strong and willful.
Occasionally these animals have another purpose. They are sent out, often on carriages, for birthdays or parties, fairs and events.
The wolves of this land are many in number, too many to officially count.
The wolves are bold in their forest home, but the fear of man and his gun generally keep them from the farm. They are skittish in the unknown, and it is a rare occurrence to find one hunting for its pack on Whitethorn's land.
Whitethorn has many, many animals living on its land. There are cows and sheep, chickens and ducks, even a zebra has graced the presence of the farm's rolling hills once upon a time.
Everyone has a reason, even if they do not know it. Our chickens are kept for their eggs, our cows for milk. It is rare to find an animal integrated into the farm who does not serve a purpose. Even if that purpose is to simply offer companionship to another.
Roleplay
"Can I join the roleplay by coming in like this, down the drive, be abandoned, move here, ect?
Of course! Its your character, and your entrance.
"Can I have an owner? What about the farm owner?"
Currently the farm owner is an invisible entity, but technically, exceptions allowed, (A personal/boarded horse or pet brough with a human) most of the animals are owned by the farm. They are farm property. Of course, everyone has their favorites.
"Can I have magic powers?"
No magic powers are allowed in the roleplay. Sorry kids.
About The Map
"I don't know how to download maps!"
There is a video tutorial underneath the map link in the downloads tab. Watch it, and it may just help you.
"Why do you update so much?"
The roleplay is always growing. I want it to be a fun visual experience for everyone involved. Things will always be changing, giving you new places to see and new opportunities in roleplay.
"Will you add this or that to the maps?"
I'm always open to suggestions. I love adding things that people want to the maps. Drop me an idea in the forum and in time, you'll probably see what you're asking for. I do have my exceptions though, keep reading.
"Will you add something custom for my character?"
Yes of course! Within my limits, I would love to. Under certain conditions of course. You must be established in the roleplay for at least two weeks to be taken into consideration. Not just popping on either. I have to see you taking part in anything and everything and meaning it! I don't tweak the maps for just anyone. I want to be sure that you're here to stay.
"Did you make the maps yourself, Zeneth? How did you manage this? Can you teach me?"
I did indeed make the maps myself, and I am very proud of them. I make my own objects/meshes, using GIMP and the FH object maker. It takes a lot of time and practice, and imagination. If you don't have patience, you can't do it. I currently cannot teach anyone how to make their own maps/objects, but one day, I will try to make a video tutorial.
General
"I want to show my preset in game!"
We would love to see it. However, you've got to do it right. Give us your .FHM file, the one with your name on it in the "Presets" folder. I will not take any other preset files. Do not give me a .zip with your GIMP/coloring work in it. When I have the correct file, I'll put it in the download page. I update the presets about once a week.
"What won't be included in the maps, and why?"
Yes, as said before, there are a few things that will not be added to the map at any time. I do have my reasons for excluding these.
Dog beds/bowls in the house. The reason for that is a simple one. The dogs are supposed to sleep in the barn. As working dogs, its just...part of the job description. The dogs are allowed in the house, but for the most part, eating and sleeping in the barn will continue.
A functional city map. Why not this? It'd be so cool to have a big city! No, because it would divert from the farm roleplay far too much. If Zeneth adds a city, then there will be people asking to be stray dogs, people asking to bump up the human limit due to more housing, and so on and so forth.
More particle files of any kind. Never. They lag a map to the point of crashing.