Terrain Types
Forests
Dense woodland areas filled with tall trees. Attracts wildlife, provides lumber, and creates a peaceful atmosphere.
Best for: Sawmills, hunting lodges, nature retreats
Rivers
Flowing water that snakes through the landscape. Essential for mills, fisheries, and irrigation.
Best for: Water mills, fisheries, bridges, bathhouses
Lakes
Still bodies of water that reflect the sky. Perfect for fisheries, bathhouses, and scenic views.
Best for: Fisheries, lighthouses, vacation homes
Mountains
Towering peaks with rocky terrain. Great for quarries, watchtowers, and dramatic scenery.
Best for: Quarries, watchtowers, mountain villages
Plains
Flat, open grasslands perfect for farming and large settlements. The foundation of any kingdom.
Best for: Farms, manors, markets, any building
Hills
Rolling elevated terrain between plains and mountains. Ideal for varied development.
Best for: Orchards, windmills, churches, cottages
Terrain Combinations
The magic of Brushland comes from combining terrain types. Here are some winning combinations:
River Valley
River + Hills = Stunning valleys with mills and villages
Fertile Plains
Plains + River = Rich farmland and abundant harvests
Forest Edge
Forest + Hills = Lumber villages with scenic views
Lakeside Paradise
Lake + Plains = Fishing villages and vacation retreats
Mountain Fortress
Mountain + Hills = Quaint mountain towns and temples
Meadow Village
Plains + Forest = pastoral villages with varied economy
Drawing Techniques
Organic Lines
Unlike geometric shapes, terrain in Brushland benefits from organic, flowing brushstrokes. Let your brush curves follow natural patterns like real rivers and mountain ranges.
Gradual Transitions
Create smooth transitions between terrain types. A forest shouldn't abruptly end — let it fade into hills or plains for a natural feel.
Layering
Build terrain in layers. Start with the base (plains or water), then add elevation (hills, mountains), and finish with details (forests, small streams).
Scale Matters
Consider the scale of your terrain. Wide rivers support more fisheries, large forests attract more wildlife, and vast plains can sustain major cities.
Biome Planning Tips
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Start with water — Drawing rivers or lakes first helps define other terrain boundaries naturally.
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Balance is key — A healthy kingdom has a mix of plains (for farms), water (for production), and forests (for resources).
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Consider flow — Rivers should flow naturally from mountains to lakes or off-map. Avoid crossing rivers back on themselves.
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Leave room to grow — Reserve some plains areas for future expansion as your kingdom develops.
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Create natural borders — Use mountain ranges or forests to separate different regions of your kingdom.