The Origin of the Circle of Belthara

A figure dressed in a black cloak, of unknown origin and time, appeared in the Vale shortly after the southern refugees' pact with the entities of the Vale. Known only as Belthara, she carried glowing fragments of an ancient comet, which she buried in five specific locations throughout the forest. Within a few days, the monoliths sprouted, forming the circle.

The Surroundings of the Monoliths

The stone blocks that make up the Circle of Belthara are hewn from rough rock, a deep reddish-black, marked by veins of crystallized amber that seem to pulse with dormant energy. Covered in lichen, these stones react subtly to the magical touch of the Bearers, vibrating in soft tones or exuding arcane heat. The circle stands in a rough clearing where vegetation does not grow. Beyond the clearing, the Forest of Ukra Dor stretches out, silent and watchful.

The Activation Ritual

Only trained ones can activate the circle. In unison, they chant ancient chants inherited from the Core of Sap. Each note attunes to a monolith, which glows a distinct color. When all five glow in unison, a veil of multicolored light condenses in the center. Through it, Stargazers can travel to distant places, connected by ancient pacts with the Vale.

The Return to the Vale

Exhausted and sometimes wounded, Bearers return to the Circle of Belthara through the same arcane paths. The surrounding forest recognizes their crystalline cores and does not attack them—instead, it makes way. Their return is marked by reverent silence.

Or they come out from inside and end up, sometimes badly, outside lol.

As for the cave, I hope this icon can be used as an entrance and is versatile in slopes and mountains with or without snow.

Perhaps working with the drawing vertically will help the sensation of depth more, since you can change the mountains behind them on the X and Y axis.

A little bit of clouds always helps with the sensation of Landscape.

In the right corner of the table, the mesa line is crossing the cliff, you can put the cliff in front of the mesa (if they are on the same sheet) or even use trees to hide this irregularity (normally one of my most used resources for imperfections).

p.s.: Whenever you are going to make a "multi level landscape" keep in mind that darker colors usually give the impression of lower parts, and lighter colors give the impression of higher regions.

Some craters have a change in size on the X and Y axis, as do trees and almost everything in this drawing.

I was going to comment on this, but you were quicker!

Usually, a river flowing between mountains, hills etc is a more interesting sight than one flowing "from the mountain".

Except perhaps for Mike Schley's icon, which has a waterfall flowing from the mountain.

p.s. check the trees (and palms) in the lower left corner, some of them are being swallowed by the green hill.

There is plenty of room to grow, if you want I can move all these maps to another location without any problem.

Cheers Brother

Chester - The Lakeside Hideaway

Located on the shores of the vast Bexley Lake, Chester is the second largest settlement in the region, with a thriving population of 291 who live off abundant fruit harvests, fishing and bartering at the local market. Quiet and welcoming, this village combines simplicity with natural beauty, providing a peaceful haven for locals and a point of curiosity for the few travelers who pass through the region.

Points of Interest:

1 The Green Hearth Tavern - The main tavern in the village, where travelers and villagers gather to eat, drink and exchange stories. Known for its craft bitter ale and an eternal fireplace that never goes out.

2 The Chapel - A small temple where Father Thallos offers healing and advice to the villagers, but holds a dark secret about his own origins.

3 The Village Market - An open square where villagers sell fresh produce, furs, tools and crafts. Occasionally, traveling merchants bring exotic items from faraway lands.

4 The Traveling Stone – A monolith with ancient markings, located at the intersection of the roads leading in and out of the village. It is said to be a forgotten teleportation stone, activated by ancient words, but no villager dares to test it.

5 The Elder's House – The home of the village chief, Julius Branwick, an elderly man who leads with wisdom. His home is a meeting place for important decisions.

6 The Oak – A gigantic, hollow, yet living oak tree that stands near the village. The villagers believe the tree is a symbol of divine protection. Children play around it, its trunk has ancient markings etched into the wood.

7 The Herbalist’s Hut – A hut in the end of the village where the herbalist Mira lives and works. She provides simple potions and medicines. Rumor has it that she has a connection with local druids.

8 The Shadowed Grotto – A hidden cave at the base of a nearby hill. Inside, an underground lake glows with a faint, blue light. It is said that an ancient spirit lives there, offering wisdom or curses to anyone who dares enter.

Kiln is a small settlement of just over a hundred residents, whose daily lives are deeply marked by the hard work of extracting plants. The lumberjacks and charcoal burners, accustomed to the harshness of the forest and the axe, spend their days collecting and processing wood — searching for specific trees and transforming them into common charcoal for everyday use. However, their most valued product is aromatic charcoal, whose intense and delicate fragrance enriches local trade, and is taken to neighboring cities, especially Cypher and Portsmouth.

Near the settlement, among trees and winding trails, lies a small cave known as the Puma House. A discreet and unmysterious rock formation, beyond its natural presence, it is nothing more than a silent passage on the outskirts of the village — a shadow that almost goes unnoticed in the hard and silent routine of the residents.