Highsteppe

Highsteppe is a broad region of elevated grasslands, rolling ridges, and wind-swept plateaus forming one of central Illdoridri’s natural transition zones. Where Emberleaf Forest is dense and fertile, Highsteppe opens into vast golden plains marked by rocky outcrops, scattered woodland clusters, and ancient standing stones. 

Travelers leaving Glassmere cross the Fairbat River and ascend gently into Highsteppe, immediately noticing the change in light, air, and terrain. Highsteppe is open, breezy, and expansive — a contrast to Emberleaf’s sheltered valleys.

But beneath its peaceful surface lies a network of secrets, smuggling paths, hidden warrens… and the whispered presence of the Guild of Thieves.

To the far east of Highsteppe lies a dramatic change in terrain - a series of towering, wind-scoured plateaus that rise sharply from the surrounding grasslands. Known collectively as the Eastern High Plateaus, these formations are the result of ancient tectonic uplift and centuries of erosion, leaving behind sheer cliffs, stepped terraces, and flat-topped highlands that dominate the eastern horizon. 

THE EASTERN HIGH PLATEAUS 

Massive, flat-topped mesas that rise dramatically from the plains. They form one of the region’s most striking features. 

The largest of these plateaus, also known as the great plateau, is home to the human settlement of Skyreach. Fertile upper grasslands Windmills along the cliff edges Defensive vantage points Terraced farmland Natural rain catchments The plateau dominates the surrounding lands and acts as a cultural and defensive beacon for Highsteppe.

Faircliff Crossing

Faircliff Crossing is a modest but strategically vital settlement that sits on the eastern bank of the Fairbat River, marking the official entry point into Highsteppe. It functions as a bridge-town, toll station, and trade checkpoint where caravans, travelers, and merchants transition from the forested roads of Emberleaf into the open, wind-swept grasslands of Highsteppe. 

Though small, Faircliff Crossing is the lifeblood of regional commerce — every major caravan route passes through here.

Skyreach

Skyreach is a human settlement perched high on the largest plateau in eastern Highsteppe. Elevated far above the plains, it commands sweeping views of the grasslands, the ridgeback mountains, and storm fronts rolling in from the east. Its terraced homes, wind-braced structures, and iconic plateau windmills give the settlement a distinct identity shaped by altitude and constant wind. 

Life in Skyreach revolves around windcraft, grain milling, and plateau farming, with residents known for their resilience and skyward traditions. Each evening, locals gather for the Skywatch, observing the winds and stars from the plateau’s edge. Protected naturally by its steep ascent routes, Skyreach serves as both a cultural center and a strategic lookout point for Highsteppe.