The land holds secrets. There are ancient ruins, buried cities, and strange otherworlds, just waiting to be found. Monsters stalk the night, but flinch away from the daylight, retreating to their many deep and treacherous caverns. Beautiful, impossible mountains jut prominently from the plains, and mysterious glowing temples shine beneath the waves.

Generally, that is.

Here in particular, it's mostly just flowers and grass. Low, sloping hills meander in no direction in particular. On one horizon, the sun rises over a forest of oak trees. Roses, dandelions, oxeye daisies, and cornflowers mix in with tall grasses rustling in the gentle breeze. Flat, patchy clouds scuttle by overhead. To the west, a calm ocean stretches away into the distance, bringing the smell of seaweed and salt. To the south, the land becomes more arid and sandy. To the north, the rolling hills continue, and the faintest sign of smoke is visible through a gap between them.

It is peaceful. Pastoral. Quiet, even. Which is why it is so surprising when the scene is disturbed by a sudden arrival.