you overthink the new enemy type. they said its only found in ashlands waters. what does this sound the most familiar with ? its not the serpent. its the LEECHES. so this thing might be smaller than you think currently.

plus we hopefully get a bigger boat by then aswell. its about time to get a ship upgrade anyway. deep north is too late for that.

the ashlands wont be redesigned. your current seed will generate ashlands randomly in unexplored areas for you. if you explored everywhere already youre ♥♥♥♥♥♥ and must start a fresh seed to get ashlands.

i am not sure how they will get spread out.

now for the DEEP NORTH it wouldnt make much sense to spread accross the map simply given its NAME suggestes it staying there for this very reason. unless they rename it completly.