03-13-2017, 11:22 AM
Ashen Steppes FAQ(Updated 3-13-2017)
Q: “Region around the gates? Anything special?”
A: “Much with the Frozen Fields, this is a big ‘no, not really.’ As mentioned in some of its bordering verses, the Ashen Steppes affects those verses, not vice versa. The gates are all in relatively flat regions, though.
Q: “Animals? Both extraordinary and ordinary.”
A: The Ashen Steppes has the least variety of fauna you’ll find in the Omniverse. This is mainly because the Ashen Steppes has the most inhospitable climate outside of the Underverse. There are some mundane animal species that thrive underground in the Steppes. Aboveground, there are several species of lizards and snakes, and there are a couple flying reptilians as well. In terms of fantastical monsters, you have plenty. Giant, fire-breathing worms. Dragons. Flans. If it’s fire-based, it’s probably lurking somewhere and wanting to kill you.
Q: “Plantlife?”
A: The Ashen Steppes is relatively devoid of flora. There are some exceptions, like bomb plants and fire flowers and some specialized plant species that thrive in caves. You’re not going to find forests, though. Go somewhere else if all the brown, orange, red, and black makes you sad. In terms
Q: “What is the weather like?”
A: It’s awful, what do you expect? You’re in a place where volcanoes erupt around the clock. On most days, there will be enough eruptions that you’re bound to have to deal with a pyroclastic flow at some point. Minor earthquakes are also more common than most people would wish. In terms of precipitation, it’s not common for ash and soot and other particulates to ‘rain’ down from the sky for hours on end, especially in the more volcanically active regions. Acid rain is common in many parts and often a problem for anyone trying to set up even a transient home in the verse.
Q: “What’s the landscape like?”
A: The Ashen Steppes is mainly mountain ranges, with some chunks of ‘flatland’ in-between. Lava flows are common in the downhill regions and makes even this ‘simpler’ terrain much harder to navigate. Anyone who ventures into the Ashen Steppes should be prepared to deal with mountains and lava. Failure to make those preparations is paramount to suicide. Furthermore, the semi-frequent seismic activity tends to tear up the terrain in regions, making it difficult to always rely on the same paths.
Q: “What’s the degree of civilization or infrastructure?”
A: As mentioned in the last question, the terrain in the Ashen Steppes is in something of a state of flux due to seismic activity and the frequent lava flows. Some merchants/travelers plot out their paths and will share them with others, but none of these are guaranteed to last for long. There were some efforts made by the Empire to build some infrastructure to give them better access to the verse, but those plans were stymied by cost and other issues.
Q: “What about the Koopas and the Gorons?”
A: The Koopas, for the most part, live underground. Their aboveground constructions are surprisingly sturdy, and no one is quite sure. The Empire tried mimicking their stone-and-mortar architecture and didn’t have the same results. The Gorons originally resided in the shadow of Death Mountain, which was a relatively inactive region in terms of seismology and rainfall. Now the Gorons are nomads and travel from location to location to ensure their safety. The only other presence in the verse is the various researchers, travelers, merchants, and other individuals looking to learn or make money from this chaotic, violent verse.
Q: “What happened after Volvagia was banished?”
A: As mentioned before, the Goron Village was destroyed. Death Mountain (the central peak) was destroyed. The red dragonflight still lingers, with many older drakes posing a menace to travelers and wayward idiots. For the most part, the dragon’s presence outside the region of Death Mountain has dropped to nothing, and while that was a bonus for visitors, there’s still plenty of other stuff in the Ashen Steppes to kill foolish secondaries and overly confident primes.
Q: “Region around the gates? Anything special?”
A: “Much with the Frozen Fields, this is a big ‘no, not really.’ As mentioned in some of its bordering verses, the Ashen Steppes affects those verses, not vice versa. The gates are all in relatively flat regions, though.
Q: “Animals? Both extraordinary and ordinary.”
A: The Ashen Steppes has the least variety of fauna you’ll find in the Omniverse. This is mainly because the Ashen Steppes has the most inhospitable climate outside of the Underverse. There are some mundane animal species that thrive underground in the Steppes. Aboveground, there are several species of lizards and snakes, and there are a couple flying reptilians as well. In terms of fantastical monsters, you have plenty. Giant, fire-breathing worms. Dragons. Flans. If it’s fire-based, it’s probably lurking somewhere and wanting to kill you.
Q: “Plantlife?”
A: The Ashen Steppes is relatively devoid of flora. There are some exceptions, like bomb plants and fire flowers and some specialized plant species that thrive in caves. You’re not going to find forests, though. Go somewhere else if all the brown, orange, red, and black makes you sad. In terms
Q: “What is the weather like?”
A: It’s awful, what do you expect? You’re in a place where volcanoes erupt around the clock. On most days, there will be enough eruptions that you’re bound to have to deal with a pyroclastic flow at some point. Minor earthquakes are also more common than most people would wish. In terms of precipitation, it’s not common for ash and soot and other particulates to ‘rain’ down from the sky for hours on end, especially in the more volcanically active regions. Acid rain is common in many parts and often a problem for anyone trying to set up even a transient home in the verse.
Q: “What’s the landscape like?”
A: The Ashen Steppes is mainly mountain ranges, with some chunks of ‘flatland’ in-between. Lava flows are common in the downhill regions and makes even this ‘simpler’ terrain much harder to navigate. Anyone who ventures into the Ashen Steppes should be prepared to deal with mountains and lava. Failure to make those preparations is paramount to suicide. Furthermore, the semi-frequent seismic activity tends to tear up the terrain in regions, making it difficult to always rely on the same paths.
Q: “What’s the degree of civilization or infrastructure?”
A: As mentioned in the last question, the terrain in the Ashen Steppes is in something of a state of flux due to seismic activity and the frequent lava flows. Some merchants/travelers plot out their paths and will share them with others, but none of these are guaranteed to last for long. There were some efforts made by the Empire to build some infrastructure to give them better access to the verse, but those plans were stymied by cost and other issues.
Q: “What about the Koopas and the Gorons?”
A: The Koopas, for the most part, live underground. Their aboveground constructions are surprisingly sturdy, and no one is quite sure. The Empire tried mimicking their stone-and-mortar architecture and didn’t have the same results. The Gorons originally resided in the shadow of Death Mountain, which was a relatively inactive region in terms of seismology and rainfall. Now the Gorons are nomads and travel from location to location to ensure their safety. The only other presence in the verse is the various researchers, travelers, merchants, and other individuals looking to learn or make money from this chaotic, violent verse.
Q: “What happened after Volvagia was banished?”
A: As mentioned before, the Goron Village was destroyed. Death Mountain (the central peak) was destroyed. The red dragonflight still lingers, with many older drakes posing a menace to travelers and wayward idiots. For the most part, the dragon’s presence outside the region of Death Mountain has dropped to nothing, and while that was a bonus for visitors, there’s still plenty of other stuff in the Ashen Steppes to kill foolish secondaries and overly confident primes.