Dry Steppes

The Dry Steppes stretch endlessly west of the Crystalmist Mountains and north of the Sea of Dust, a land of parched earth and wandering nomads. Once a fertile heartland of the Baklunish Empire, the region was scorched and desolated by the Invoked Devastation, leaving behind a land of vast, windswept plains, scattered oases, and hidden ruins.

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Inhabitants of the Steppes

The nomadic Baklunish clans, known as the Ulakandar, roam these lands, many of them fierce dervishes devoted to their faith and way of life. Among them, the Mahdi of the Steppes, a warrior-prophet of great power, commands immense respect and devotion.

Other inhabitants include tribes of centaurs, who gallop across the plains as skilled hunters and warriors. Some tales speak of scattered packs of thri-kreen, insectoid wanderers more commonly found to the south, while Aarakocra are said to nest in the highlands along the region’s westernmost reaches.

Flora and Fauna

Despite its arid nature, the Dry Steppes teem with life. Massive herds of migratory beasts provide food and resources for the nomads, as well as for the predators that stalk them. These herds move north in the summer and return south in winter, following the scarce water sources.

A more sinister presence lurks in the region—the vampire cactus, a monstrous, parasitic plant brought by migratory birds. These malevolent flora drain the life from unwary travelers who wander too close.

Settlements and Landmarks

• Tovag Baragu – An ancient stone circle and the last remnant of the Baklunish capital, imbued with arcane power and ancient evil. It remains a sacred site to the nomads and centaurs, fiercely guarded by dervish zealots.
• Lake Udrukankar – A vast salt lake, nearly lifeless except for a few birds and insects near the Rumikadath River. The lake was once far larger, but much of it has receded into salt flats, which are now a source of trade for the market city of Kanak on its southern shore.
• The Hidden Ruins – Countless tales of lost cities and buried treasures linger in the oral traditions of the Ulakandar. These ruins, said to be haunted by the spirits of the Devastation, hold forgotten relics of the Baklunish Empire.

History of the Dry Steppes

Once the flourishing heartland of the Baklunish Empire, the Dry Steppes were transformed by the Invoked Devastation, a cataclysm unleashed by the Suel Imperium during the Twin Cataclysms. In 5094 SD (-422 CY), the Suloise Mages of Power wrought their terrible magic, turning the fertile fields into barren dust and wiping entire cities from existence.

The capital of the Baklunish Empire, once the jewel of civilization, was obliterated, leaving only the mysterious stone monoliths of Tovag Baragu behind. Some believe these stones still pulse with latent magic, holding gateways to other worlds or secrets too dangerous to uncover.

The Future of the Dry Steppes

Though devastated, the spirit of the Ulakandar endures. The Horse Barbarians of the north, skilled in composite bows and scimitars, raid their enemies with lightning speed. The dervishes, with their unyielding faith, stand as guardians of their traditions. Scholars, treasure seekers, and ambitious warlords eye the region, hoping to uncover lost secrets or reshape the future of the Steppes.

Yet, whispers persist that something stirs beneath Tovag Baragu, an ancient force waiting to rise once more…