# Ulund Ulund are humanoid hippopotamuses with have broad, barrel-chested bodies, four fingers, 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 are 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. The races of ulund are: * [Greater Ulund](#greater-ulund) * [Pygmy Ulund](#pygmy-ulund) ## Greater Ulund Greater ulund stand between 2.3 and 2.9 meters (7’7” to 9’6”) tall and weigh 450 to 800 kg (990 to 1,760 lbs). They can live up to 120 years. Their thick hides are purplish-gray or blue-black, and their eyes are usually blue, green, or hazel. Greater ulund societies are highly structured and pragmatic, emphasizing discipline, diplomacy, and communal responsibility. Known for their patience, resilience, and methodical approach to governance, many serve as administrators, tacticians, or merchants. Their strength lies not just in muscle but in management and long-term planning. Though generally peaceful, greater ulund are fiercely territorial, especially in [Ulundin](/the-people/splinters/ulundin.md), 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. When diplomacy fails, greater ulund respond with overwhelming force, relying on their immense strength and endurance to dominate the battlefield. They are known to break enemy formations using only their sheer mass. Beyond [Ulundin](/the-people/splinters/ulundin.md), smaller greater ulund enclaves exist throughout Praetoria, often establishing trade hubs, administrative centers, or military strongholds, reinforcing their role as both defenders and stewards of civilization. Greater ulund prefer freshwater wetlands or plains near rivers or lakes in tropical and subtropical climates. They are primarily found in the [Pristine Northwest](/the-world/praetoria/pristine-northwest.md), particularly in and around [ulundin](/the-people/splinters/ulundin.md). ## Pygmy Ulund Pygmy ulund stand between 1.3 and 1.7 meters (4’4” to 5’6”) tall and weigh 72 to 128 kg (158 to 282 lbs). They can live up to 100 years. Their hides are smoother and darker than those of their larger kin, ranging from slate gray to deep brown, sometimes with a faint reddish or greenish sheen. Most pygmy ulund prefer solitude and maintain a reserved demeanor in their daily lives. Their communities are loosely organized, with social bonds centered more on mutual respect and personal autonomy than formal hierarchy or tradition. While cooperation is common when needed, long periods of independence are typical and culturally valued. Social interaction tends to be understated and pragmatic, with quiet and purposeful communication that emphasizes observation and listening rather than display or persuasion. While they rarely seek leadership roles, pygmy ulund are known for their patience, discretion, and capacity for long-term thinking. Pygmy ulund are primarily nocturnal, remaining active from dusk to dawn. They favor dense rainforests, swamps, and slow-moving streams. They are found primarily in the wetlands of the [Fenmoor Basin](/the-world/praetoria/shimmering-coasts.md#fenmoor-basin). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://lore.splinterlands.com/the-people/kinds-and-bloodlines/beastborn/ulund.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.