Ulund
Last updated
Last updated
Ulund are massive, humanoid hippopotamuses, standing between 2.3 and 2.9 meters (7’7” to 9’6”) tall and weighing 450 to 800 kg (990 to 1,760 lbs). They have broad, barrel-chested bodies, four fingers, thick pillar-like legs, and wide, padded feet adapted for stability. They have thick, leathery skin, with a pinkish hue around the eyes, ears, and belly. They are mostly hairless, though some have sparse, coarse hairs around their snouts. Their skin secretes a natural red-orange substance that protects against infections and sun damage.
Ulund heads are large and elongated, with powerful jaws capable of opening nearly 180 degrees. Their teeth are flat except for their lower canines, which grow continuously and can reach up to 50 cm (20 inches), used primarily for intimidation and combat rather than feeding. Despite their imposing appearance, their diet is primarily herbivorous, consisting of grains, roots, and aquatic vegetation. They can live up to 120 years.
Ulund society is highly structured and pragmatic, emphasizing discipline, diplomacy, and communal responsibility. Known for patience, resilience, and methodical approach to decision-making and strategy, making them well-suited for leadership, particularly in administration and governance. They also excel as bureaucrats, tacticians, and merchants.
While generally peaceful, ulund are fiercely territorial, especially in , their largest city-state. Its sealed borders foster self-reliance and a deep communal bond. This isolationist policy stems from a strong commitment to stability and order, as well as a deep-seated distrust of outsiders.
Though they favor diplomacy, ulund do not forget slights. They respond to threats with overwhelming force, relying on their immense strength and endurance to dominate the battlefield. Their warriors can break enemy formations using only their sheer mass.
Beyond , smaller ulund enclaves exist throughout Praetoria, often establishing trade hubs, administrative centers, or military strongholds, reinforcing their role as both defenders and stewards of civilization.
The races of ulund are:
Ashenhide ulund have light-gray hide, sometimes with a blue undone. Their eyes are usually shades of dark brown, black, or hazel.
They prefer tundras and boreal forests in cold, subarctic climates. They are primarily found in the and .
Emberhide ulund have a gray hide with a red, brown, or orange undertone. Their eyes are usually shades of brown, hazel, or black.
Grayhide ulund have a purplish-gray or blue-black hide. Their eyes are usually blue, green, or hazel.
They prefer prefer savannahs and highlands in tropical and subtropical climates. They are primarily found in the .
They prefer freshwater wetlands or plains near rivers or lakes in tropical and subtropical climates. They are primarily found in the , particularly in and around .