Storval Plains

Home to the Horse Tribes, the vast steppe is the northernmost region of the Western Kingdoms. This expansive and untamed land is characterized by its extreme climate, challenging the endurance and resilience of its inhabitants. The summers are long, dry, and scorching hot, with the relentless sun baking the earth and leaving the landscape parched. In contrast, the winters are equally harsh, with temperatures plummeting to deadly lows, and snow and ice covering the land in a frozen blanket.

During the summer months, the steppe is prone to raging fires that sweep across vast areas, fueled by the dry grasses and intense heat. These fires can be devastating, but they also play a role in the natural cycle of the steppe, clearing old growth and making way for new vegetation. The nomadic tribes that inhabit this region have adapted to these conditions, learning to live in harmony with the land and its unpredictable nature.

Winter on the steppe is a time of bitter cold and struggle for survival. The snow lies deep, and the icy winds howl across the plains, creating a harsh environment where only the strongest and most resilient can endure. The tribes prepare meticulously for this season, gathering supplies and fortifying their shelters to withstand the onslaught of winter. Despite the challenges, the winter months also offer a stark beauty, with the steppe transformed into a pristine, white wilderness.

The steppe is home to numerous nomadic human tribes, each with its own unique culture and traditions. These tribes are known collectively as the Horse Tribes, a name that reflects their deep bond with the magnificent herds of horses that roam the plains. The Horse Tribes are expert horsemen, revered for their skill in riding, herding, and breeding horses. They lead a nomadic lifestyle, moving with the seasons to find the best grazing lands for their herds.

The horses are not just animals to the Horse Tribes; they are central to their way of life and their identity. The tribes rely on their horses for transportation, hunting, and warfare, and they are treated with great reverence and care. The bond between a tribesman and his horse is strong and sacred, built on mutual trust and respect.

In addition to the human inhabitants, the steppe is also home to tribes of centaurs, who roam the plains in search of prey. These formidable beings are a blend of man and horse, possessing the strength and speed of a horse with the intelligence and dexterity of a human. Centaur tribes are both feared and respected by the Horse Tribes, and while they often compete for resources, they also share a mutual understanding of the challenges of life on the steppe.

The vast plains of the steppe are a wild and untamed frontier, where the strength and resilience of the tribes are the only things that keep it habitable. The harsh climate, combined with the ever-present dangers of wildfires and severe winters, makes survival a constant challenge. However, it is also a land of incredible beauty and freedom, where the open sky stretches endlessly overhead and the horizon seems limitless.

The tribes of the steppe have developed a deep connection to this land, learning to live in harmony with its cycles and rhythms. Their nomadic lifestyle allows them to move with the changing seasons, always seeking out the best grazing lands and water sources for their herds. They have honed their skills as hunters and warriors, able to defend themselves and their territory from any threats.