While trying to beat the heat, I often think of what far-off cold places I'd like to go before the world turns to desert. North Asia is high on my list for sheer obscurity. Even the designation "north Asia" sounds like something that never gets said. I think that my first awareness of North Asia as a place came with playing Risk (aka La Conquête du Monde) when my conquering cavalry rode triumphantly into Yakutsk, Irkutsk and Kamchatka. It's expensive to fly there, they almost all love throat-singing, the curiously named Jew's Harp and occasionally stumble across frozen mega-fauna. Beyond that, I know more about the member Planets of the Federation than the little-known nations of North Asia... (in Ying Yang Twins voice) at least til now.
The Altay (also known as Altai or Altayans ) people are a nomadic Turkic people who've settled in the Altai Republic (and neighboring Altai Krai).
According to the website waytorussia.net:
Alexey respects Altay people, but he thinks that they are quite weak. Actually, it is true — a lot of people at Altay, especially men, are alcoholics. When the Cossacks were exploring this region a few hundred years ago, they brought with them the "fire water" -- vodka -- and local people got addicted to it. They don't have any immunity against alcohol, so they become drunk very fast. Often, there are problems related to it, like bullying and trying to get money from travelers. However, it's not something too common. However, generally, Altay people are very kind and sincere. They have a great respect for older generations and for their culture.
The Altay came into contact with Russia in the 1700s. At that time they were a nomadic people who lived primarily through hunting & trapping and tending to sheep, cattle and goats. While many Altay have adopted Orthodox Christianity, some practice Ak Jang (or Burkhanism). The name means "White Faith," which refers to both its emphasis on the Upper World and its use of horse milk alcohol as an offering instead of animal sacrifice.