Love and connection is also a major theme. The trail can bring people together. It could be two strangers who meet on the trail and fall in love, or a group of friends strengthening their bonds. For instance, in some stories, the beauty of the trail's surroundings sets the mood for romantic encounters.
It's possible that the old lady once had an adventure related to a treasure. The treasure trail could be the path she took, which might be filled with various challenges and interesting encounters. Maybe she had to solve riddles or overcome obstacles on this trail. And these stories could be passed down to teach others about courage and the pursuit of something valuable.
One great 'treasure trail' gay short story is 'The Path to Acceptance'. It's about a young gay man's journey in a small town as he discovers his identity and also uncovers a local mystery related to an old trail. The story beautifully weaves his personal growth with the exploration of the area's history.
One detail could be that the treasure trail led the old lady through an ancient forest. There, she met an old hermit who gave her a cryptic message that was a step closer to finding the treasure. This shows how the trail was full of unexpected encounters.
I think Uncharted Story is good. The way it unfolds keeps you hooked, and the settings and action scenes are well-done. But, of course, it's subjective - different people have different standards for what makes a story good.
First, think about their backstory. For example, if they're an adventurer, what led them to this life? Maybe they grew up in a family of treasure hunters. Second, give them unique skills or flaws. A skill could be expert marksmanship, and a flaw could be a fear of heights. This makes them more human. Finally, tie them into the existing Uncharted world. Maybe they have a past with one of the existing characters.