The Hungry Plateau is some 1350 meters high, and the plateau itself rises some 700 meters above the surrounding foothills. It is smaller than the Grand Mesa in Colorado (although not that much smaller).
The plateau top is arid and harsh, with scrub and hardy grasses. It manages to support a large community of some 40,000 Sable People (or Lunar Deer) and their herds. The farmers of Kostaddi provide additional fodder for the sable herds – I doubt that the Hungry Plateau could easily support 80,000+ antelope otherwise!
The Lunar Deer People of the Hungry Plateau came into Peloria from Prax in the First Age, and have been atop the plateau for at least a thousand years. They preserved elements of their Praxian origins, not the least being the cults of Waha and Eiritha. However, their patrons are the Twin Stars, and their material culture has a thousand years of influence by lowland Peloria.
The Lunar Deer People are the rulers of the Kostaddi satrapy, and the satrap can call upon a large number of mounted warriors to enforce her will. During the Tripolis Revolt in 1270-1285, they aided the warlord Jannisor and forced their way into Glamour. There the Red Emperor revealed the Twin Stars connection to the Red Goddess, and the Lunar Deer People (as they became known) betrayed their allies for the Lunar Empire. In return, they were given rule of Kostaddi by the Red Emperor.
The population density is some 44 people per square kilometer, which is more than twice that of Sartar. It is actually more densely populated than the surrounding foothills. If you add all the sable antelope into the mix, it seems clear that what have is a big antelope pen, which gets most of its fodder from the lowlands in the form of taxes and tribute.
Something that often gets ignored – the Jord Mountains have a LOT of dwarves, some 80,000. I personally expect that this is where a lot of the Lunar Empire’s bronze working comes from, probably much more than the better known Brass Mountains. The Red Emperor can go to Jord’s Eye, make a deal with the dwarves, and equip a lot of soldiers.
Assuming he can pay the price. The dwarves don’t give him a discount.