The Thundering Steppes are the remnants of the ancient Plains of Karana. This part of Norrath has been ravaged by cataclysms, leaving the plains pitted and creased. The land weeps and festers with the memories of what has been lost: fallow farmlands, bone-covered riverbeds, dead who cannot rest. Amid this trauma dwell the indigenous races of gnolls, centaurs and hill giants. The forces of Qeynos maintain a presence here, but struggle to re-tame the wild land.

1 Geography
2 Quests
3 Similar Zones
4 Notes

Geography Edit

The Thundering Steppes consist of wide valleys separated by impassable hills. The passes, bridges and dry riverbeds create natural choke points which can be dangerous to the traveler.

Travel Edit

This zone can be reached from Butcherblock Mountains via the docks at Butcherblock Bay.

A network of griffon towers eases travel between many parts of the zone. To use these towers, you must first complete a simple quest. This quest can be completed by cautious adventurers of any level. The following griffon towers are found in this zone:

The Bridge Keep door closes at nighttime, preventing easy north-south travel. It can only be opened by players who have completed the Bridge Keep Threats quest 3 times. Only those who have picked up the Halasian language can obtain this quest; the language can be purchased in Qeynos or Neriak (and other places).

Map Edit

Town Edit

The underground village of Haven is accessed from within this zone. This town is only accessible to those who have betrayed their cities and been forced into exile. The entrance to Haven is a "sewer hatch" behind the Northern Bandit Camp.

Those who have gained the trust of the Splitpaw gnolls will have access to Sundered Splitpaw: Splitpaw Den, an indoor town zone in the southwest corner of the Thundering Steppes. The den contains menders, merchants and other town services. See the Splitpaw Timeline for details on earning access.

Dungeons Edit

Dungeon Name	Level Range	Target Audience	Zone Type	Typical Duration
Ruins of Varsoon	25-35	Group	Shared Dungeon	1 hour
Cove of Decay (various)	25-30	Group	Instance	20 min

Sundered Splitpaw is an adventure pack that was originally sold as a separate add-on, but has been included for free with Rise of Kunark and The Shadow Odyssey expansions. The following dungeon instances are accessed directly from the Thundering Steppes, while additional instances are accessed from Splitpaw Den.

Dungeon Name	Level Range	Target Audience	Zone Type	Typical Duration
Sundered Splitpaw: Upper Tunnels	20-50 (scales)	Solo or Group	Instance	45 min
Sundered Splitpaw: Delving Into the Darkness	20-50 (scales)	Solo	Instance	30 min
Sundered Splitpaw: Captive Audience	20-50 (scales)	Solo	Instance	20 min

Adjacent Zones Edit

Zone Name	Level Range	Direction	Access
Antonica	10-20	North	pass at Antonican Road; or cave at The Sabertooth Den
The Barren Sky	60-68	Above (in the Overrealm)	via Ulteran Spire at Thundermist Valley

Travel Hub Edit

The Thundering Steppes is a major travel hub for the Shattered Lands. The Dead River Docks sees regular ship traffic, and provides easy sea travel throughout the central region of Norrath. The following lands are accessed by ship from the Dead River Docks:

Zone Name	Level Range	Direction	Access
Butcherblock Mountains	20-35	East (across the Ocean of Tears)	via Ship at Dead River Docks
Nektulos Forest	20-30	East (across the Tranquil Sea)	via Mariner Bell at Dead River Docks
Zek, the Orcish Wastes	30-40	North (across the Sea of Mist)	via Mariner Bell at Dead River Docks
The Feerrott	35-45	South (across the Blackwater Sea)	via Mariner Bell at Dead River Docks
Everfrost	40-50	North (across the Fanged Sea)	via Mariner Bell at Dead River Docks
Island of Mara	55-65	South (across the Buried Sea)	via Mariner Bell at Dead River Docks

Revive Locations Edit

Revive Location	Description
Dead River Docks	On the beach
Village of Thundermist	North side
Coldwind Cove	Beside the griffon station

Quests Edit

Unlike most mid-level zones, the Thundering Steppes was never revamped and does not contain any long quest series. Adventurers will find a smattering of quests at the main hubs of the zone: Dead River Docks, Bridge Keep, Village of Thundermist and the valley nearby. See the Thundering Steppes Timeline for a list.

The Splitpaw Saga series of quests take place entirely within the dungeons located in this zone. Through these quests, you will befriend the Splitpaw gnolls and take on the competing tribes that threaten them.

Quest Hub	Level Range	Notes
Antonican Road	20-22	Starting hub from Qeynos
Dead River Docks	20-30	Travel hub
Village of Thundermist	20-26	Also see Bridge Keep nearby

Heritage Quests - Starts
- The Legendary Manastone
- The Polished Tomahawk

Similar Zones Edit

Zone Name	Level Range	Region	Notes
Nektulos Forest	20-30	Shattered Lands	More solo quest lines
Butcherblock Mountains	20-35	Faydwer	Many solo quests; a recommended zone

Notes Edit

The centaurs and the gnolls in the Thundering Steppes are on diametrically opposed factions. If you wish to repair your faction with one of these groups, you can do so by slaughtering many of the other faction.

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The Thundering Steppes

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