Location: Continent of Brun, northwest of the Great Waste.

Area: 256,000 sq. mi.

Population: 1,000,000. Hule's population is a mosaic of cultures that have been assimilated into the Hulean way of life. Roughly 65% are human; 30% are humanoid (primarily bugbears, gnolls, kobolds, ogres, and orcs); and 5% are demihumans (dwarves, elves, gnomes, and halflings).

Languages: Hulean (official), plus dialects of many cultures.

Coinage: Lira (gp), kuru (sp), piastre (cp),

Government Type: Hagiarchy (rule by holy men).

Industries: Agriculture, textiles (fine cloth, wools, etc.), glassworks, trade, conquest.

Description: Hule is a large, well-populated nation northwest of the Black Mountains. Its southern border includes a tiny slice of coastline, just north of Slagovich, giving the nation access to sea trade. Much of Hule consists of low, rolling hills blanketed by farm and pastures. Most inhabitants are chaotic-followers of the philosophies taught by the ruling holy men. Although the humanoid tribes living within Hule's borders are nominally independent, they find it profitable and convenient to ally themselves with the Master of Hule, the highest of the holy men.

Hule's holy men preach an unusual philosophy of lies and deceit. They honor many Immortals, though the Immortal Bozdogan (Loki, Prince of Deceit) is foremost among them. In Hule, lies are holy things, especiallyv if they convert new followers tc, the ways of Bozdogan, further the expansion of the Great Hule, or bring the downfall of foreigners, infidels, or 'Iwrong thinkers."

Notable Sites: Western Hule encompasses roughly half of the Dark Wood-a great oak forest still mostly primeval. The wood contains Lake Tros, a large (4,500 sq. mi.) and seemingly bottomless freshwater lake. Greatrealm, the Master of Hule's capital city (a huge temple complex), lies on the shore of Lake Tros..

History, Much of Hule's history is shrouded in mystery. According to the teachings of the holy men, Hule was founded by human followers of the Immortal Bozdogan. Bozdogan taught them all they needed to know to fulfill their destiny-to spread Hule's philosophy and prosperity throughout the world. Hule's borders have slowly expanded, as the holy men (assisted by Hule's warriors) have helped neighboring cultures join Hule and become assimilated to the Hulean way of life. Only the barbarians to the north resisted.

For centuries, the people of Hule prospered expanding their borders in every direction but north. In 1270 BC, a great goblin horde lead by Wogar drove through Hule. They ravaged the land, slaughtering many people and enslaving others. Their reign of terror ended when Hosadus, a young holy man, convinced the horde's leaders that the sacred blue knife they sought lay to the east, beyond the Black Mountains-beyond even the Great Waste. Wogar and most of his horde moved on, spurred by the unexpected revelation. The remainder stayed in Hule as followers of Hosadus.

Other humanoids settled in Hule over the centuries. At times, friction between Hule's human and nonhuman populations led to aggression, but for the most part there was peace--except to the north, where the barbarian hordes remained a continual threat.

Around AC 600, the northern barbarians united into a tremendous army that nearly overran Hule. With city after city falling, Bozdogan revealed that he had reincamated Hosadus. The legendary hero combined warfare with trickery and deceit, and drove the barbarian hordes from Hule' He founded a fortified temple as huge as a city to serve as his capital. Since Hosadus's return, Hule bas managed to regain all the territory it lost in the barbarian assault, and has slowly continued to expand its borders in all directions but north.

Most recently, the Master of Hule (believed by some to be Hosadus himself) sent his minions across the Great Waste to conquer the eastern lands. He gained control of Sind in AC 1005. From there, his humanoids, janissaries (Hulean cavalry), and Desert Nomads drove into Darokin. Armies from Darokin, Karameikos, and the Five Sbires managed to drive the Desert Nomads out in AC 1006, but the Master's forces continue to occupy Sind.

Flora and Fauna: Hule's civilized lands are home to an odd mix of humans, demihumans, and humanoids, with humans prevailing by only a small rnargin. The nation's borders encompass many wilderness areas as well, including some foothills of the Black Mountains. Nearly every creature native to the continent of Brun can be found in Hule.

See Also: X5, The Temple of Deatb; Tbe Voyage of the Princess Ark, Part 20, DRAGON, Magazine #173.