County of Ulek
The mid-most of the three Ulek States, the county is separated from the duchy to the north by the Kewl River, while the Old River to the south forms the border with the principality. The eastern limit of the county is marked by the Handmaiden River, beginning several leagues north of Courwood, continuing through the Suss until it joins the Jewel River, and another 20 leagues beyond. The county has retained its territory in the Lortmils, due primarily to the staunch efforts of the Suss Rangers and mountaineers who protect the forested eastern highlands.
Structure
The first count, Ursunn Kewl (who long ago followed the path of the Hierophant), established the tradition of using noncombative physical tests to determine fitness to rule, separately from combat determining druidic advancement. These were the Rigors of the Elements, performed by the count on a seasonal basis to determine the length of his term in office. Each of the Four Dwellings that Ursunn created could be entered only by surmounting the associated Rigor; from here the count reigned until the beginning of the next season. Even if the count were demoted in the druidic hierarchy by a stronger challenger, he would not be replaced in office so long as he could face the Rigors.
Culture
Ulek folk tend to be serious and watchful, with a strong sense of social responsibility and justice. There is a powerful sense of community within this land, and no few of the people here favor a war against the Pomarj to recapture lost Principality territory.
Assets
The County's wealth is used to fortify its southern cities, notably the citadel and walled city of Jurnre, given the menace of the Pomarj humanoids. Aid is channeled to Furyondy.
History
Humans and demi-humans have long sought safety in the lands in and around the Lortmils. Flan tribes, dwarves, elves, and so forth settled permanently in the area which has been known as the Ulek States for centuries. These territories were under Keoish rule for a short period, but have been independent for a considerable period since.
The County of Ulek has had a long history as one of the more peaceful lands in the Flanaess. The native Flan and halfling peoples were willing to accept Oeridian sovereignty in exchange for protection from the more rapacious Suel, then showed an equal willingness to accept Suloise of more amiable disposition. They came under the rule of Keoland in that state’s early history, though the county was always a distinct land with its own lord.
For many years the County of Ulek followed its own path, under the protection of the Keoish military. However, after a time, Keoland attempted to conquer more neighboring lands. The count, and his nobles of every race, decided to join with Celene and the other Uleks in rebellion against the Keoish imperialists. The Keoish strongholds were quickly demolished, and their surprised troops ejected from the county en mass. Not a blow was struck, though a number of commanders had to have charms dispelled when they arrived home in Keoland. Despite this action, the County of Ulek quickly came to terms with Keoland, this time as a truly independent state.
The Hateful Wars
The Hateful Wars embroiled the county as they did all of the Ulek States. They provided support, primarily to the Principality of Ulek, of food and raw materials, while the druids of the county used their healing skills to assist each of their allies. All of this was done in memory of the fallen prince consort of Celene, whose life was lost in a narrow pass high in the Lortmils, called the Druid’s Defile. A company of rangers was even formed, dedicated to guarding the dangerous route between the Druid’s Defile and the small town of Courwood on the county’s eastern frontier, ever after in the name of Triserron of Celene. The end of the Hateful Wars saw the county again at peace, a peace that lasted until the years of the Greyhawk Wars. The decision of the count to sign the Treaty of Niole Dra, committing county troops to war in the north, was based on the advice and persuasion of his old friend, the Duke of Ulek. The majority of the county’s standing force went with the combined armies to fight in defense of Furyondy, leaving the hills and highlands undefended. The rangers of the Suss and the eastern Lortmils were sufficient only for the defense of Courwood, which was bypassed by the main horde of nonhumans from the Pomarj. That horde was soon turned back in defeat, thanks to the valiance of a dwarf-led contingent of volunteers, but the nonhumans entrenched themselves in the Suss, where they remain to this day.Demography and Population
The County of Ulek has a predominantly Suel racial mix. It is very cosmopolitan, with many demihumans, and no few war refugees from Bissel, the Principality of Ulek, and the western lands within its borders.
Military
The county’s defenders are organized into racially separate companies. Medium and light cavalry units are made up of humans wielding lance and sabre. The heavy infantry units of the western regions are human pikemen and billmen, supported by gnome and halfling slingers and archers. Gnomes and halflings also form their own companies of spearmen. In the eastern county are ranger-led mountaineers wielding axes, swords, and spears. These are on very good terms with the elves and half-elves of southern Celene.
Religion
The Old Faith (druidism), as practiced by the common folk throughout the central Flanaess, was the center of culture here. The sovereign was always a member of the druidic hierarchy, whose position was respected by both the human and nonhuman inhabitants of the county, regardless of the ruler’s race or patron deity. The current count and his family belong to the faith of Berei, but many folk are devotees of Ehlonna and Obad-Hai. The nonhumans especially favor Ehlonna, but the county’s citizens are not given to conflicts based on faith or creed, caring more about their land and fellows than differing religious beliefs.
Foreign Relations
The County is on good terms with its neighbors north and south as well as its former suzerain, the Kingdom of Keoland. Its troops aided Keoland with some ambivalence during the Wars, given Keoland's former ambitions on the Ulek states, but Ulek suffered relatively few casualties. Since the Lortmils were culled of humanoids in the so-called Hateful Wars at the start of the century, the County has been peaceful.
Though the Hateful and Greyhawk Wars have ended, hostilities in the county’s eastern holdings have never ceased. Forces from the Principality of Ulek, and southern Celene, join with the rangers and mountaineers of the county in fighting their nonhuman foes from the Pomarj. The combined frontier forces of the Uleks thwarted an attempted invasion of Celene five years ago, thus regaining control of the western bank of the Jewel River within the Suss Forest. The rest of the county supports these actions, and all efforts made by the Principality of Ulek to regain its lost territories.
In the face of this threat, there are rumors that the Ulek and Urnst states are forming a diplomatic alliance, both being concerned that their relative wealth should be used to support impoverished neighbors effectively.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture is the main occupation in the County of Ulek. Halfling and human farmers from the rolling countryside of the western and southern county provide grain to the mills of Keoland, while Gnome brewers and woodworkers produce goods for export as well as local consumption. The county benefits greatly from druidic oversight in all these areas, and the count himself is required to belong to the druidic hierarchy.
One of the three Ulek states located between Keoland, Celene, and the Pomarj.
Type
Geopolitical, County / March
Capital
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Goldsun (gp), mirrorpool (ep), silvermoon (sp), coppercask (cp)
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities