The Thundering Steppes

               {{ZoneBox |
  zname = The Thundering Steppes |
  introduced = |
  levelrange = 20-30 |
  azones = 
* [[Antonica]] 
* [[Butcherblock Mountains]]
* [[Nektulos Forest]]
* [[The Barren Sky]] ...''[[#Adjacent Zones|more]]'' |
  adungeons = [[Ruins of Varsoon]]|
  ainstances = 
* [[Sundered Splitpaw: Upper Tunnels]]
* [[Cove of Decay]] ...''[[#Dungeons|more]]'' 
|
  instance = |
  zid= 207|
  uid = 207|
  timelines = |
  image = Bridge Keep 2.jpg |
  caption = |
  harvestnodetier = 3 |
}}
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.
<!-- == Lore ==
If any [[:Category:Lore|Lore]] exists for this zone, you can copy a paragraph or two here. -->

== Geography == 
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 ===
This zone can be reached from [[Butcherblock Mountains]] via the docks at [[Butcherblock Bay]].

A network of [[Griffin Tower | griffin towers]] eases travel between many parts of the zone.  In the past, it was necessary to complete a [[Griffin Egg for the Steppes Tower Stations | quest]] to use the stations. Starting in 2010, the quest is optional.  This quest can be completed by cautious adventurers of any level.  The following griffin towers are found in this zone:
* {{POI|Dead River Docks}} at {{Loc|-396|-23|-419|}} (The tamer for this location is on the ground, rather than in a tower)
* {{POI|Antonica Station}}
* {{POI|Thundermist Village Station}}
* {{POI|Southeast Station}} near [[Ruins of Varsoon]]
* {{POI|Coldwind Cove Station}}
* {{POI|Dead River Docks}} (new as of [[LU61]])

The {{POI|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 ===
[[Image:Map_steppes.jpg|260px]] 

=== Town ===
The underground village of [[Haven]] is accessed from within this zone.  This town is only accessible to those who have [[Betrayal|betrayed their cities]] and been forced into exile.  The entrance to Haven is a "sewer hatch" behind the {{POI|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 ===
{{SmallTable}}
 ! 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 [[Sundered Splitpaw: Splitpaw Den|Splitpaw Den]].
{{SmallTable}}
 ! 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 ===
{{SmallTable}}
 ! Zone Name 
 ! Level Range 
 ! Direction
 ! Access
 |-
 | [[Antonica]]
 | 10-20
 | North
 | pass at {{POI|Antonican Road}}; or cave at [[The Sabertooth Den]]
 |-
 | [[The Barren Sky]]
 | 60-68
 | Above (in the Overrealm)
 | via Ulteran Spire at {{POI|Thundermist Valley}}
 |}

=== Travel Hub ===
The Thundering Steppes is a major travel hub for the [[Shattered Lands]].  The {{POI|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 {{POI|Dead River Docks}}:
{{SmallTable}}
 ! Zone Name 
 ! Level Range 
 ! Direction
 ! Access
 |-
 | [[Butcherblock Mountains]]
 | 20-35
 | East (across the Ocean of Tears)
 | via Ship at {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 |-
 | [[Nektulos Forest]]
 | 20-30
 | East (across the Tranquil Sea)
 | via Mariner Bell at {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 |-
 | [[Zek, the Orcish Wastes]]
 | 30-40
 | North (across the Sea of Mist)
 | via Mariner Bell at {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 |-
 | [[The Feerrott]]
 | 35-45
 | South (across the Blackwater Sea)
 | via Mariner Bell at {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 |-
 | [[Everfrost]]
 | 40-50
 | North (across the Fanged Sea)
 | via Mariner Bell at {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 |-
 | [[The Village of Shin|Island of Mara]]
 | 55-65
 | South (across the Buried Sea)
 | via Mariner Bell at {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 |}

=== Revive Locations ===
{{SmallTable}}
 ! Revive Location
 ! Description
 |-
 | {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 | On the beach
 |-
 | {{POI|Village of Thundermist}}
 | North side
 |-
 | {{POI|Coldwind Cove}}
 | Beside the griffin tower
 |}

== Quests ==
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: {{POI|Dead River Docks}}, {{POI|Bridge Keep}}, {{POI|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|dungeons]] located in this zone.  Through these quests, you will befriend the Splitpaw gnolls and take on the competing tribes that threaten them.

{{SmallTable}}
 ! Quest Hub
 ! Level Range
 ! Notes
 |-
 | {{POI|Antonican Road}}
 | 20-22
 | Starting hub from [[Qeynos]]
 |- 
 | {{POI|Dead River Docks}}
 | 20-30
 | Travel hub
 |-
 | {{POI|Village of Thundermist}}
 | 20-26
 | Also see {{POI|Bridge Keep}} nearby
 |}

*Heritage Quests - Starts
**[[Stiletto's Orders Intercepted|The Legendary Manastone]]
**[[An Axe from the Past|The Polished Tomahawk]]

== Similar Zones ==
{{SmallTable}}
 ! 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 ==
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.