The lands of the Vei are the wide open savannas and steppes of central Ahvosia.
The lands controlled by the Vei are shrinking. The empire of Sogel encourages its nobles to try to claim lands in the Vei territories, and the Vei are quick to respond to the threat. But many Vei elders secretly fear that their way of life is slowly being destroyed, and this only heightens their feeling of desperation.
The territory of the Vei was once part of the ancient Yarbalis empire. Farmers worked the land, growing grains and foodstuffs for the various settlements in the empire. When the humanoids arose in YYYY, and sacked the cities of Yarbalis, the farmers were cut off from their protection. As the empire fell, the simple farmers learned to adapt to a harsher life. They fought back, raiding poorly defended humanoid settlements while mounted on the horses which had originally plowed their fields.
Bands of these farmers-turned-raiders then descended on their own sacked cities, taking anything the humanoids hadn't already carried away. They also added survivors to their numbers, and the Vei horsemen learned to be a force to be reckoned with.
The steppes lie to the east and north, near the World's Spine mountains. These regions are rough and hilly, and the Vei who dwell there prize their rugged steppe ponies. The Steppes Vei are more remote than their brethren who dwell in the savannas, and have a few settlements which are somewhat permanent.
The Vei who dwell in the savannas have a larger range, but are actually less populous than their Steppes brethren. This is due to increased pressures from both the Omkedrin and Sogel. They are true nomads, never settling down for more than a few nights. They ride swift horses, believed to be the fastest on Ganae.
To the outside world, the Vei are savage marauding horsemen, descending on civilized settlements like a plague, pillaging towns, and fleeing back to their lands once they have taken all they desire. Indeed, the Vei are quick to strike when they sense weakness. The Vei are constantly fighting with other tribes living in the steppes. This includes orcs and gnolls, but also more powerful races such as wemics and thri-kreen. Vei settlements are always ready to pack up and flee if faced with strong opposition, but they also are quick to strike against weaker foes.
The Vei are desperate in their skirmishes. Most of their opponents are stronger and more savage than the Vei, and the only advantage they have is organization and numbers. Thus, the average Vei horseman is quick to take offense, and will frequently bully weaker folk.
To a Vei, nothing is permanent. They believe that all things are always changing (and usually for the worse). They have trouble conceiving of anything lasting for more than a few years, decades at most. A Vei will rarely make long-range plans for the future. Furthermore, a Vei will rarely waste time on vengeance beyond a few weeks.
Vei will never raid other Vei settlements. If two tribes claim the same territory, they will usually merge and share the land, and the leaders share the leadership. During this time, there are frequently many marriages between the tribes, and the Vei will celebrate. Once the tribes separate again, each of the Vei will choose which leader they wish to follow.
The Vei herd goats and sheep. and are accomplished shepherds. They harvest grains which grow around their settlement to augment their diet.
The Vei horsemen are probably the best horsemen on Ganae. They are bonded to wild horses as a test of manhood (or womanhood), and fight from horseback better than any other. Vei horseman use scimitars, morningstars, spears, and short (horse) bows. They generally wear light (studded leather) armor and small shields when in combat.