Khorlann Steppes
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Located in the North, the Khorlann Steppes are a vast region made up of arctic tundra, tall grasslands, rocky hills, and conifer forests.


The geographic borders of the Steppes are: the Sea of Adar to the north, the Olgara River to the south, the Direwood to the east, and the Shadow Mountains to the west.

The human population of this region have roots in both the cultures of East and West, and are a mixture of ethnic groups of Amador, Adari, Gauth, and Thaldain.

There is no single governing structure, rather a series of city-states and independent baronies rule the lands. The steppes are plagued by orc warbands which raid human settlements for food and slaves, as well as Hüornen raiders who come across the Sea of Adar from the Northern Wastes.

The two largest political entities in this region are the city-states of Khorlanis and Sarkosa.

Life & Society


Most people of the Steppes are simple farmers, traders, and nomadic herders of livestock. Life here has always been treacherous, because of the proximity of evil priests of Sarkosa and marauding orc bands from Drakhara.

Great herds of sheep, goats, and oxen are the primary wealth of the Steppes folk. Grains and other foodstuffs are grown and sold to Drakhara and both city-states, who in return give special crafted goods, silver, and gold to the rural peasants.

Major Geographic Features


Adar Road: this road runs between the city of Khorlanis and the fortress of Erôn-Mored.

Erenath Valley: small region, located northeast of the Shadow Mountains. The city of Khorlanis is situated in this region.

Hlethvar Valley secluded region within the Olgan Hills. The city of Sarkosa is situated in this region.

Olgan Hills: Small isolated mountain range located on narrow peninsula jutting out into the Sea of Adar.

Local History


Back in the distant Third Age, the Khorlann Steppes were first populated by Thaldain settlers who came from the North. These peoples were of two related ethnic groups; the Khor-Lann and the Sirilan.

The Khor-Lann founded the city of Khorlanis, while the Sirilan migrated further south, and founded the settlement of Sirilath.

In the early years of the Fourth Age, the Amari invaded the Steppes, conquered the Khor-Lann people, and their settlement of Khorlanis. Over the next several centuries, the region became a melting pot of Amari, Thalari, and Gauth cultures and traditions.

Over the centuries, these peoples here attempted to remain neutral between the hostile kingdoms of the West and East, but ambitious and unscrupulous leaders of the Steppes baronies and twin city-states have allied themselves with Drakhara on several occasions,

most notably the War of the Elanthir in the Third Age and the War of the Pretender in the Fourth Age. Between 521-524/5, this region was ravaged by the terrible Arctic War, in which the city of Khorlanis was destroyed and many of the folk of the Steppes perished.

The city and the region recovered, and there has not been another catastrophe of that type in this region since.

As of the late Sixth Age, the power of Drakhara is once again on the rise, and many local barons and Margraves have thrown in their lot with Sorimmar.