Hi, the name is a bit misleading. The whole area was drained of life by a ash dragon centuries ago. The dragon then went dormant. Only decades ago nature started to regrow (wich woke the ash dragon again since he could drain the land once more but thats another story) so the whole area is rather greenish. The name still is derived from the decades of starving settlers in the region.

But you are right I had a much gloomier approach in mind. I think I might retain some cheerful aspects of the map (thats one of the feelings in the region cause the ecology is doing so well at the moment) and might try to play with colors in other places. The Sulfurous sea might be better of with some yellowish color.

Might take some time. I am not so much the designer and artist and color composition is always hard for me.