What does "clear" mean on this map?

[schm0]

Hello, I was perusing my copy of The Vilhon Reach and the map legend has an odd terrain type that's labeled as "clear". This terrain is distinctly different than plains/grasslands, and it doesn't appear to be desert or badlands (there are vast forests in the middle of "clear" terrain).



Do we know what this terrain type actually means in terms of travel, fauna, flora and the types of encounters that might be had there?

[Yora]

My guess would be it means grassland which the cartographer didn't really think about.

Alternatively, it might be farmland.

[Jophiel]

Looking at the overall map, I'd guess that "Grasslands/Plains" refers to tall grass or savanna wild areas and "Clear" refers to low grass, largely "civilized" arable farmland style terrain. That's why the Shining Plains, full of centaur and wemic tribes, is the only region with the grasslands symbol and why much of "Clear" is regions with roads and town locations spread throughout.

[JadedDM]

Looking at the overall map, I'd guess that "Grasslands/Plains" refers to tall grass or savanna wild areas and "Clear" refers to low grass, largely "civilized" arable farmland style terrain. That's why the Shining Plains, full of centaur and wemic tribes, is the only region with the grasslands symbol and why much of "Clear" is regions with roads and town locations spread throughout.

Agree with this. For movement rates, use the 'clear, farmland' cost. For random encounters, I'd use any table labeled 'Inhabited or Patrolled Areas.'

[schm0]

Thanks, everyone. This great advice!

[Chronicled]

Agree with this. For movement rates, use the 'clear, farmland' cost. For random encounters, I'd use any table labeled 'Inhabited or Patrolled Areas.'

This is exactly the right way to go about it.