County Palatine of Ulek

The County of Ulek, properly known as the County Palatine of Ulek, is a political state of the Flanaess, and one of the three Ulek States (the other two being the Duchy of Ulek, and the Principality of Ulek).

Overview

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 Forest 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.
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.
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 countess herself is required to belong to the druidic hierarchy. 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.

History

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. 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 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.
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 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.

Settlements

Cities

• Courwood
• Jurnre
• Kewlbanks

Towns and Villages

• Altimira
• Esmerin
• Orchid Brook
• Treehome (Gnomes)

Notable locations

• Alabaster Abbey
• Fort Kenderena

Demography and Population

146,000 - Human 79% (OFS), Gnome 8%, Halfling 6% (Lightfoot 60%, Stout 40%), Elf 3%, Dwarf 2%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1%

Type

Geopolitical, County / March

Government System

Meritocracy

Power Structure

Feudal state

Currency

Goldsun (gp), mirrorpool (ep), silvermoon (sp), coppercask (cp)