Steppe (range)
Steppeland, or prairie, is a type of grassland characterized by a temperate plain where trees are absent, except in areas near rivers, lakes, and sloughs where underground water is close to the surface. Steppe can vary in appearance, from short dry grass regions to areas covered with green and low shrubs, or a combination of both, depending on the season and latitude. The climate of a steppeland isn't wet enough to support a woodland, yet sufficiently watered not to qualify as a barrens or a desert. In some parts, there is enough moisture in the ground to allow for scattered copses of trees, an area called "mixed steppe." In subtropical and tropical regions, a mixed steppe is known as a savanna.
A steppe's climate is characterised by hot summers and cold winters, with the majority of rain occurring in the spring. Winter snowfall levels vary, ranging from a light covering in drier climates to a substantial accumulation of several feet. In regions with extensive cultivation, ground evaporation can influence weather patterns. Steppelands are known for their fertile soil and are considered highly suitable for settlement, although the initial ten-year period of preparing and planting the land can be a challenging endeavour.
Settlement
Natural grass in these areas can be exceptionally thick at the root level, and the absence of windbreaks exposes the area to strong winds and storms, making travel and finding shelter quite challenging. To address the issue, settlers often plant fast-growing brushwood as a windbreak, while introducing conifer trees that may take 6 to 10 years to replace the brush.
Farms in these areas are typically isolated and rely upon individual wells for water, with settlements forming where groundwater is abundant. Periodic insect infestations can devastate entire crops, and there are occasional droughts that can turn the land into a desert for several years. However, during favourable seasons, these regions have the potential to yield bumper staple crops, resulting in the production of vast quantities of food. As a result, these areas often serve as "breadbaskets" that provide sustenance for other parts of the world.
Conditions
Living in the steppe presents numerous challenges throughout the year. In winter, the steppe's harsh conditions can be exceptionally unforgiving. The absence of significant physical features is exascerbated by blizzarding winds that whip across the landscape, leading to "white out" conditions that can persist for days. Under clear skies, the ground's capacity to retain heat is minimal, causing temperatures to plummet to arctic and even polar levels. In some parts, these bone-chilling temperatures endure for a month or more.
During the summer months, the steppe transforms into a lush and vibrant landscape. Fields of grass flourish, painting the terrain in rich shades of green. Butterflies flutter about in the thousands, and the meadows come alive with an array of spectacular wildflowers, filling the air with their rich and invigorating scent. Yet the summer heat can be intense and relentless, creating a dramatic contrast from the harshness of winter. The sun beats down on the vast expanse, which can be particularly taxing on those who dwell here. The combination between intense sunlight and arid conditions can lead to dryness and a sense of scorched earth.
Despite the summer's beauty, the cold winter results in an absence of all but the smallest lizards, though garter snakes and the like proliferate. Giant flying insects do exist in these regions, but they can be skillfully avoided. The grass of the steppe is able to support many large mammals, due to its rapid capacity for growth.
Major Steppelands
Below is a list of the most extensive steppelands in the world:
- Cappadocia - central Anatolia
- Castilian Plain - a small area of northwest Spain
- Great Dala - northern Jagatai Empire's open grassland
- Manchuria - central plateau north of the Yellow Sea
- Mediterranean Macchie - from south Spain along the sea's north fringes
- Pampas - south and west of Buenos Aires
- Pannonian Steppe - the Hungarian Plain, or "Puszta"
- Russian Steppe - stretches from Bulgaria to the Ural Mountains
Steppe Features
Below is a list of elements and features that are common to steppeland ranges:
- Alkali Grass
- Badlands
- Berry Patch
- Boundary Stone
- Burial Site
- Butte
- Caravanserie
- Cuesta
- Cultivation
- Dry Riverbed
- Dunes
- Fen
- Ferry
- Fire Altar
- Ford
- Gulley
- Hamlet
- Hoodoos
- Hunting Camp
- Intermittent River
- Knob & Kettle land
- Kurgan
- Lookout Post
- Mesa
- Mudgrass
- Nomadic Shrine
- Outpost (patrol)
- Pasture
- Playa Lakes
- Pond
- Quarry
- River
- Ruin
- Salt Flat
- Salt Pan
- Scrubgrass
- Sinkhole
- Slough
- Spring
- Trading Post
- Village
- Watering Hole
Steppeland Creatures
The following monsters are common to steppeland ranges; many aren't found there today, but were once more common when the steppe was less populated:
- Auroch (wild cattle)
- Badger
- Baluchitherium
- Basilisk
- Buffalo
- Bulette
- Camel (wild)
- Cheetah
- Cougar
- Displacer Beast
- Dog (wild)
- Dragonis Malignans (black dragon)
- Eagle (giant)
- Goblin
- Golden Jackal
- Griffon
- Harpy
- Haruchai
- Hill Giant
- Hippogriff
- Horse (wild)
- Leopard
- Lion
- Ogre
- Sable Antelope
- Spotted Lion
- Troll
- Warthog
See List of Ranges
