There are sandy patches near the starting town. Even if I'm wrong, pathfinding still doesn't hinder anything (I'm 100% sure you'll run as far as possible). If you have any hero build suggestions, I'm ready to discuss them...
I "emerged" on day 27.
Congratulations to the winners!
Ataman, how long have you been playing Heroes? You emerged on day 16. Where did you lose 4500 skeletons?