World Map & Locations
Navigate the dangerous world and discover every region
No In-Game Map
Of Ash and Steel intentionally does not include a traditional in-game map or minimap. Navigation relies on environmental landmarks, celestial positioning, and player memory. This guide helps you understand the world layout and navigate without a GPS-style map.
Major Regions Overview
The Ashen Plains (Starting Area)
Location: Central-South
Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly
Key Features:
- Flat, desolate wasteland
- Scattered abandoned homesteads
- Small bandit camps
- Basic resources (wood, stone, small game)
- First town: "Ember's Rest"
Blackwood Forest
Location: West of Ashen Plains
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Key Features:
- Dense woodland, limited visibility
- Abundant hunting (deer, boar, wolves)
- Quality wood resources
- Hidden caves and groves
- Logging camp settlement
Northern Mountains
Location: North
Difficulty: Hard
Key Features:
- Extreme cold, bring warm gear
- Steep cliffs and dangerous paths
- Rich ore deposits (iron, silver)
- Ancient ruins with rare loot
- Mountain monastery (trading post)
Crimson Wetlands
Location: Southeast
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Key Features:
- Disease-carrying insects
- Poisonous plants and creatures
- Underwater ruins
- Rare alchemical ingredients
- Swamp village on stilts
Scorched Desert
Location: Far East
Difficulty: Very Hard
Key Features:
- Extreme heat, water scarcity
- Long distances between points
- Ancient tombs and buried cities
- Rare materials and artifacts
- Nomad trading caravans
Ruined Capital
Location: Northeast
Difficulty: Endgame
Key Features:
- Dense urban ruins
- Vertical exploration (multi-level buildings)
- High enemy concentration
- Best loot in the game
- Underground catacombs
Major Cities and Settlements
Ember's Rest (Starter Town)
Region: Ashen Plains
Description: Small fortified settlement serving as the primary starting location for new survivors. Contains basic merchants, a blacksmith, and an inn offering safe rest.
Services:
- General merchant (basic supplies)
- Blacksmith (weapon/armor repairs, basic crafting)
- Inn (safe sleeping, food/drink)
- Notice board (local rumors and tips)
Iron's Crossing (Trade Hub)
Region: Between Ashen Plains and Blackwood Forest
Description: Larger settlement at major crossroads. Primary trading hub with diverse merchants and crafting services.
Services:
- Multiple specialized merchants
- Advanced blacksmith
- Alchemy shop
- Leatherworker and tailor
- Quest givers and information brokers
The Bad Neighborhood (Hostile Territory)
Region: Southern Ruined Capital
Description: Dangerous district controlled by hostile factions. High risk, high reward area with black market traders.
Features:
- Constant danger from bandits and worse
- Black market merchants (illegal goods, stolen items)
- Rare weapon and armor upgrades
- Information about hidden locations
- Underground fighting arena
Important Landmarks for Navigation
The Shattered Tower
Massive broken tower visible from most of the western regions. Excellent landmark for navigation. Located at the western edge of Ashen Plains bordering Blackwood Forest.
The Three Peaks
Three distinctive mountain peaks forming a triangle in the Northern Mountains. Used for triangulation when navigating the north. Each peak has its own dungeon complex.
The Crimson River
Major river running from the Northern Mountains through Ashen Plains into Crimson Wetlands. Following the river provides reliable navigation and access to fresh water (needs purification).
The Old Highway
Ancient paved road running east-west across the map. Cracked and overgrown but still identifiable. Connects most major settlements but also heavily patrolled by bandits.
Navigation Tips Without a Map
Using Celestial Navigation
- Sun rises in the east, sets in the west
- North Star visible at night (northern direction)
- Moon position helps estimate time and direction
- Weather patterns generally move west to east
Landmark Triangulation
- Use multiple landmarks to determine position
- Mountains, towers, and ruins serve as reference points
- Rivers and roads provide linear navigation routes
- Note distinctive terrain features for return navigation
Creating Personal Markers
- Stack stones in cairns to mark paths
- Carve trees with distinctive marks
- Place torches at intersections
- Drop inexpensive items as breadcrumbs (retrieve later)
Mental Mapping
- Sketch rough maps on paper (real-world notes)
- Memorize relative positions of important locations
- Use mnemonic devices for complex areas
- Revisit areas to solidify mental map
Dangerous Zones to Avoid Early Game
- The Ruined Capital: Endgame content, you'll die quickly
- Deep Northern Mountains: Extreme cold and powerful enemies
- Scorched Desert Interior: Dehydration and heat kill unprepared players
- The Bad Neighborhood: Hostile factions will attack on sight
- Deep Wetlands: Diseases and poisons without proper preparations
Recommended Exploration Routes
Early Game Route (Levels 1-10)
- Start in Ember's Rest (Ashen Plains)
- Explore immediate surroundings, establish base
- Travel to Iron's Crossing for better gear and quests
- Explore western Blackwood Forest for resources
- Return to Ashen Plains, expand exploration radius
Mid Game Route (Levels 10-25)
- Challenge easier areas of Blackwood Forest
- Attempt foothills of Northern Mountains
- Explore edge of Crimson Wetlands
- Investigate minor ruins and dungeons
- Establish forward bases in each region
Late Game Route (Level 25+)
- Deep Northern Mountains exploration
- Scorched Desert expeditions
- The Bad Neighborhood infiltration
- Outer districts of Ruined Capital
- Major dungeon complexes
- Endgame: Inner Ruined Capital and final challenges