Canonfire!

Tue Jul 21, 2026 5:37 pm Uniting the Uleks

I got this crazy idea that an NPC Noble wants to unite the three Uleks into one state. Of course I only read the entries on the three Uleks in the Greyhawk boxed set (hurray for PDFs from Drivethru!).

What do you guys think? I know the elves and dwarves have a history with each other, but that is only a stereotype. However the Duchy, County, and Principality could unite under one banner. Sort of like what King Saul did to Israel in the Bible.

I'm looking for your thoughts.

Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:40 pm

It could make for an interesting campaign. Happy

The Ulek states were, at one point, part of Keoland. Thus, the titles Duchy, County, and Principality.

They remain very close to Keoland politically, though I don't recall if there are any obligations still enforced between them and their parent nation. Certainly, there would be objections from conservative nobles in Keoland if the Ulek states tried to unite as a single state. That would remove even the illusion of subservience to Keoland. It may also cause valid concerns if such a move is being supported/financed by an outside factor like the Scarlet Brotherhood or priests of Iuz or another evil god.

There would need to be a serious issue that causes those states to consider such a move. Is there an external threat that they believe can be better confronted as a single nation? Is there corruptioin within Keoland's rulership that threatens the Ulek states in some way that they believe they can resist it better as a united front?

SirXaris
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Wed Jul 22, 2026 10:09 am

Yeah, it would be an interesting campaign. I figured that there could be an unpopular movement to Unite the Uleks, more underground actually. They could be looking for a suitable King right now.

Of course in meetings, an elf noble, a dwarf noble, and a human noble all say they could be king over an united Ulek. And there is a disagreement between them.

Wed Jul 22, 2026 11:53 am

Why not create a regency of three leaders like the ancient Suel did for awhile. One country ruled by a council instead of a single king.

Thu Jul 23, 2026 12:18 pm

I already have the Uleks united as one state, but with three parallel governments, one each for humans, dwarves (including gnomes), and elves.

The races are spread out between the basic map territories, but rather than deal with having fealty across such lines, the people and rulers ignore the lines on maps and just look to biological relationships. There is some crossover, but over 90% of each simply look to the ruler of their kind.

As for the leaders, the need to cooperate against the orcs and goblins of and under the mountains is more important than worrying that someone who lives a mile down the road considers someone 200 miles away as their liege instead of you. Having only those truly loyal to you rather than anyone who can hear you shout likewise takes precedence.

Thu Jul 23, 2026 2:42 pm

Uniting the Uleks? Kind of like uniting the Germanies? Is there a Bismarck like character floating around?

Tue Jul 28, 2026 7:00 am

Sat Aug 01, 2026 3:43 pm

I have a vision of a gnome (gnome behind the throne) with a pickelhaube on and a phenomenal mustache...