Chill Steppe

The **Chill Steppe** is devoid of food, other than the great bighorn herds of the local Soomi tribes. There's ample water in the form of snow and ice, though liquid water is rare.

The soomi peoples are hardy survivor foreigners from the South, they claim to be survivors of the ancient Khenomeric, before it was destroyed by the gnolls. They are absolutely terrified of the gnolls and want to get as far away from them as possible.

The dumb men of Grobianismus, however, consider them all to be witches disguised as humans, on account of the fact that Soomi shamans prescribe ample rest and drinking warm milk for sick people instead of intense bloodletting and covering the wound with mud like any respectable Grobianist doctor.

This has led to the Winter Crusades, in which endless armies of Grobianist peasants attack the chill desert. Casualties are pretty high for the Grobianists. I can't imagine how terrible it would be if the Soomi actually stood to fight instead of just moving further to the South!

## History

What is now the Chill Steppe was once a part of **Solara**, a kingdom within the Merfolk Empire. Like the rest of the Merfolk Empire, the region was cursed as Uun departed this universe. Solara (which also once included Khelek and the Frozen Lake) was cursed with unnatural cold, and its former inhabitants cursed to wander the region as ghosts.

However, for unknown reasons, the ghosts mostly keep to Khelek, and parts of the Frozen Lake. This allowed small groups of hearty individuals to explore the Chill Steppes in search of ancient treasure.

Certain animals also learned to survive here, with bighorn sheep, giant foxes, and other animals from the upper levels of the Dren’Ul Peaks migrating into the region.

The main inhabitants of the Steppes didn’t arrive until much later. The Soomi, a plains nomad tribe affiliated with the remains of the Khenomeric Empire decided to settle here as the gnoll problem started spiralling out of control. Hardened survivors from western foothills of the Great End Peak Mountains, even they struggled at first to adapt to the barren Steppes, but eventually they learned how to best gather food along the edges of the Steppes while using the desolate central regions to avoid enemies.

Since they settled into the Steppes centuries ago, the Soomi have changed little. The arrival of the Seven Castles and the Chill Temple ruffled some feathers, but Grobianismus and Khelek, while dangerous, are threats that the Soomi have long ago learned how to evade before they become too serious.

## Government

The Soomi have a simple tribal system of chiefs and shamans that the wandering family units turn to in times of trouble. However, they spend most of their time travelling the Steppes in small groups without central leadership.

## Economy

Even the Soomi can’t truly live in the central Steppes, they spend most of their time along the outskirts, either grazing their bighorn sheep along the northern border, or ice fishing in the Frozen Lake. While along the northern edge, the Soomi also gather roots and berries, and sometimes loot food from abandoned farms in Grobianismus.

The bighorn sheep are central to the Soomi way of life, serving as a source of meat, milk, cheese, and doubling as pack animals. Giant foxes are also useful due to their ability to sense threats.

## Foreign Relations

### **Grobianismus**

The inhabitants think the Soomi are witches due to their superior intelligence and adapting abilities. They have launched countless “winter crusades”, which they always lose when the Soomi fall back to the central regions.

### **Frostlands of Khelek**

The Soomi are well aware evil lurks these lands, and their shamans are surprisingly knowledgeable of of the motives and behavioral patterns of the creatures that live there. Occasionally they send small groups of their best warriors and shamans out to scout it.

### **Seven Castles**

The Soomi have mixed feelings about the Seven Castles, some hold grudges against them for defeating and absorbing their distant cousins of the Hian tribes, but others have established trading relations with certain inhabitants of the Seven Castles.

### **Harmony Goddess’ Realm**

The Soomi remain annoyed that a temple was established in their territory, but have done little about it as the few visitors to the Chill Temple are not to be trifled with.

### **The Frozen Lake**

The Soomi use the northern shores of this lake for ice fishing, but do not go too far south. To the southeast is Khelek, the southwest shore is home to the troublesome muskoxmen, while the centre is home to dark forces even the shamans do not understand.

## Geography

The central Steppes are desolate and covered in snow all year round. Nothing can live there for long, but some migratory animals, as well as the Soomi and their animals, migrate through it.

The tundra and hardy grasslands along the edges are more suited for grazing and foraging, and it is here that most life can be found.

The southern edge of the Steppes borders on the Frozen Lake, which is frozen all year around, but still somehow supports aquatic life for those willing to carve their way through a meter or more of ice to get to it.

## Demographics

The Soomi are essentially the only inhabitants of the Steppes and even they are relatively few in number.

A handful of elite monks live at the Chill Temple, and occasionally adventurers will come poking around looking for treasure in the few Solaran ruins not buried in the snow.

Ghosts from Solara and ghosts and demons from Khelek are rare but not unheard of.

## Religion

The Soomi still follow the same religion as their ancestors did when they lived along the western edge of the Great End Peaks. Said religion mixes certain elements of the Khenomeric Pantheon with Animal Spirit Worship.

As animal spirits are very rare in the Steppes, the shamans rely on what is essentially traditional Khenomeric magic dressed up in the trappings and rituals of Animal Spirit worship.

## Military

The Soomi are skilled fighters and have developed a number of innovative fighting techniques that allow them to use their tools like fishing spears, skinning knifes, ice picks, and hunting bows as weapons.

Some craft everything from animal parts, wood, and stone, but others trade with the Seven Castles for metal blades and other items.

Their shamans are relatively skilled, and despite their tribal trappings, their magic is rooted in tried and true Khenomeric magical techniques.

The main enemies of the Soomi are the inhabitants of Grobianismus, who they will fight until their numbers become a threat before retreating into the Steppes where their pursuers often die in droves from cold exposure.

They also sometimes fight the demons and undead of Solara and Khelek, though often only magic has any impact on such creatures.