Regarding the steppe nomads, the classic layout was handled pretty well by Robert Adams in the Horseclans books (although you probably wouldn't want the telepathic set). However, if you don't have horses then they will have more difficulty.
On that basis, have them be the ones who introduced riding dogs to this part of the landmass. If they're still pretty nomadic then clans of a hundred or more with maybe fifty combatants, their best being 'dogriders' who have considerable social prestige. Probably each clan has it's own pack of dogs and breeding them is one of the major ties between the clans as they compete over who has the best dogs, with the best being put to stud for high fees.
Physically they probably tend to be quite small, since this is an advantage on dogback. Probably a distinct ethnic group (whereas the islander/mountain/river grouping would presumably have been either intermixed for generations or the same basic group anyway).
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
On that basis, have them be the ones who introduced riding dogs to this part of the landmass. If they're still pretty nomadic then clans of a hundred or more with maybe fifty combatants, their best being 'dogriders' who have considerable social prestige. Probably each clan has it's own pack of dogs and breeding them is one of the major ties between the clans as they compete over who has the best dogs, with the best being put to stud for high fees.
Physically they probably tend to be quite small, since this is an advantage on dogback. Probably a distinct ethnic group (whereas the islander/mountain/river grouping would presumably have been either intermixed for generations or the same basic group anyway).
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.