This can also be achieved in other styles by increasing the size of the mountains and decreasing the size of the trees. I use this technique a lot when working with Mike Schley, for example.

I was looking for the location of a mountain range to make an monastery, I wanted a place that was neither too lush with nature, nor too arid. Wandering around the map I found this location on Master @Quenten map.

So I'm invading and usurping - once again - one of your maps <3

I honestly found it quite interesting and original. Since most of the road options in Default are made up of perfect lines, which don't really emulate reality.

I took a small aerial photograph of the place to be able to complete a missing part of the scenario, more information about the portal.

SEEDS OF SILENCE

Recommended Level: 2–4

Tone: Natural mystery, investigation, subtle horror

A chapter to be played with both the Vale Bearers and the Jade Shadow – depending on the group’s choice.

Version 1: The Bearers

 Introduction

A dry explosion echoes across the fields, followed by a tremor. The air becomes thick and heavy, and an unnatural silence hangs over the Bearers’ village. Animals flee in despair, and the elders immediately sense a rupture — something has disturbed the sacred balance of the Vale. With no time to waste, a small group is gathered and sent in haste to investigate the source of the disturbance. Everything indicates that the enchanted plantations to the west...

 Adventure Structure:

1. To the plantation – The path already shows signs of imbalance: dead animals, maddened insects, trees weeping black sap.

2. Site Investigation – The Bearers find signs of alchemical magic and markings on the ground that indicate dark rituals involving tainted sap.

3. The Cult in the Shadows – They discover that the soil has been altered with compounds that break the tree’s connection to the power of the Vale. A trail leads to the sap gatherers’ old shelter.

4. Convergence – While following the invaders’ tracks, the Bearers discover a footstep on an ancient trail that leads into the forest.

5. Ambush of the Shadow – They are attacked by Jade Shadow cultists trying to cover their tracks. The battle reveals that something bigger is coming.

 Seeds of Silence — Version 2: The Jade Shadow

 Recommended Level: 2–4

Tone: Occult ritual, bio-alchemy, fanaticism

Objective: Weaken the Vale’s power through a new magical formula of corruption

 Introduction:

A new compound has been developed by one of the Jade Shadow’s master alchemists, using a mixture of corrupted sap and dead mana. The mission: to test its effectiveness in cutting the life energy that binds the magical trees to the Vale.

 Adventure Structure:

1. Formula Delivery – The group receives vials of “Crimson Drain” and instructions to apply it discreetly to a plantation near the Circle.

2. Nighttime Operation – They must act during a new moon night. Natural guards and sentinel animals may complicate the mission.

3. Something goes wrong – During the procedure, one of the trees reacts violently, releasing a burst of vital energy that injures one of the group members and attracts the attention of the nearby village.

4. The Sap Trail – While fleeing, far away when they stop to catch their breath, they discover that one of the containers has been left behind. They know they have been discovered.

5. Final Confrontation – When returning to eliminate the clues, they cross paths with a group of Carriers — leading to a direct and tense conflict.

 Dramatic Convergence – The Judgement of the Root

The two groups confront each other in front of the Heart of Silvanja, an ancient tree buried in the neighboring forest, which awakens in agony. Its essence, corrupted and conscious, traps both in an arena of living roots. A voice appears — which does not speak, but invades the mind:

"Judge each other. Or you will be judged by me."

Possible Outcomes:

1. Deadly conflict: Fighting erupts between the factions. The tree collapses, taking part of the valley with it.

2. Forced alliance: Faced with horror, the two sides band together to purify the root.

3. Mutual betrayal: A member of each side betrays their group—revealing infiltration by both orders.

The idea for Azroun came to me after watching - long ago - a documentary about the dead left in the Everest Death Zone. What caught my attention was how many of the bodies remained in positions that resembled people resting, which gave an eerie feeling, almost as if they were still alive.

Some of these dead ended up gaining well-known names — such as Green Boots, Sleeping Beauty, and the Frenchman — and became landmarks on the mountain. This combination of constant presence and anonymity seemed interesting to me to apply to a fantasy setting.

So when I created the mountain pass that leads to Ukra Dor, I decided to include a skeleton sitting on the side of the road as part of the environment. From this, I created a quick mini-adventure, which may seem small, but has the potential to have a bigger impact on the valley or even the continent, depending on the players' decisions.

Cheers

This scenario inspired me (again) to one day play there — or something similar — with my friends when we meet again.

I created a small introductory adventure, low level and without specific rules, to be easily adapted to any system.

The structure allows you to choose a side and fit it either in any village of the Bearers or in some distant corner of another world.

It comes with a free A1 Battlemap 😎

Cheers!

If I want something more realistic, I would definitely go for Forest or Winter Trail (or both), something more "cartoon" certainly Mike Schley who has even more icons for variations.

As eccentric as this book is, I remember there is an RPG that my friends played in Brazil and talked to me about. Uncaging Nicolas - Players take on different versions of Nicolas Cage, representing characters from his filmography. The goal is to rescue a "main" version of Cage that is trapped somewhere in the cinematic multiverse and return him to his original film.

Finished image withou post processing