Hilm Protectorate: History and Rumors

Following the defeat of Bloodstone and his generals, the Kingdoms of Horn, Kuhl and Nesar rescinded their claims on lands surrounding Hilm in order to create a state with a single purpose; the compete destruction of all surviving Bloodstone troops. Alexander Fortain, a Toranite paladin of honour and justice, but little sense of humor, was given the task of forging the nation and granted the title Lord Protector of Hilm. A former General of the Kuhl Kingdom, Alexander was elected by all kingdoms on Belinara to manage the Hilm Protectorate possibly owing to his lack of political ambitions and complete dedication to law and order. Regardless, some believe that Kuhl had ulterior motives in allowing the appointment of his greatest general to the Protectorate as Alexander had many followers amongst the local citizens before he was reassigned and could have been a rival should civil war occur. Alexander always stated that his duty was to serve Toran first and Kuhl a distant second, not a position that the rulers of that Kingdom welcomed. In theory, the provision of lands was an easy administrative task, however as the northern parts of the Protectorate is home to Wood Elves, stout Halflings claimed the lands surrounding their small towns in the foothills while the mountains themselves are home to minor Shield Dwarf kings and their kin, the reality was somewhat different. Following much negotiation, all parties agreed that a single territory be formed with military and monetary support supplied by the founding Kingdoms. As the elves lost little, they were more supportive than the dwarves and halflings, although the former still retain control of their underground holdings and the latter were compensated by lucrative trade agreements.