[AlexanderHowl]

Strangely enough, economics is always a good starting point for any setting, as people generally have to work in order to live. An agrarian society is different than a pastoral society, and the meeting place between the two will create conflicts, as agrarian societies wish to expand their arable land while pastoral societies wish to expand their pastures. Agrarian societies are generally better at defense because they can build fortifications while pastoral societies are generally better at offense because they possess mobility.

For example, you could a setting where a mountain range divides arid plains from fertile woodlands. The society of the arid plains is primarily pastoral while the society of the fertile woodlands is primarily agrarian. The mountain clans support themselves with mining and trading with both societies and serve as an important buffer between the two societies. Along the coasts are island chains inhabited by fishermen who practice raiding and piracy.