Trollish Steppes

These plains are home to vast numbers of trolls, most living individually or in small family units, in the primitive fashion most trolls adopt when left to themselves. In some respects, the Trollish Steppes is typical troll country. However, the troll population is unusually dense here. Approximately two trolls exist per square mile (the entire area is about 2,500 square miles, or about 50 miles by 50 miles). Interestingly, these trolls have developed a means of rapid, long-distance communication. When any troll raps a rock together three times in rapid succession and then loudly announces a short phrase, other trolls within earshot will automatically repeat the action. This makes it possible to communicate very quickly all over the steppes with only a series of bangs and a yell.

There is a down side to all of this, however. All of these communications are monitored by a very old troll matron (known as Ma Shell because of her love for mollusk coverings). Ma has many children, all of whom are exceedingly loyal to her. These loyal trolls travel the steppes and demand payment (in rocks, or shells if the other trolls have any) for each communication. Most trolls are afraid of Ma and her goons, and she is rapidly gaining a huge number of rocks. Some fear that a shortage is rapidly approaching. Others fear that Ma will wield her vast geo-economic power over the trolls, effectively making them into her slaves. As of 999 FA, only time will tell.

Vendors are another interesting feature of the Trollish Steppes. The sheer density of the trolls in the are makes it possible for trolls to make a living by prowling around the steppes offering wares, like food or loincloths. They usually trade these commodities for rocks made of precious metals (which many trolls like to collect), which the vendors exchange for goods in human cities.

Non-trolls usually find the steppes rather dangerous. As a rule, the trolls there aren’t especially malevolent, but they are numerous, and due to their communication system, they can get organized in fairly short order. The Toswald government usually leaves the Trollish Steppes alone, as the land has minimal strategic value and would probably be extremely difficult to capture.