The peasant populations of the mainland long bickered between themselves, generally to their mutual hindrance. Species of humans, dwarves, elves, and even greenskins sauntered aimlessly, seeking the basic resources to simply survive. The humans were the first to begin establishing civilization, banding together in protective townships and developing agricultural skills so as to divert the energies of others solely to military advancement. The greenskins developed far slower on this front. They roamed the lands of Dura in smaller bands hunting their own food in large part, and otherwise robbing or murdering the ill prepared.

It was Duke Ulderek that brought greatness to the greenskins. Ulderek united what formerly had been hundreds of small clans that resembled bandits or nomads, none of which could have alone reckoned with the military power assembling amongst Dura's other civilizations. Through unity, Ulderek also brought some degree of order through military prowess and hierarchy. Ulderek was the greatest warrior of his time, but also had a mind far sharper than others of his kin. He masterminded the construction of a fortress from which the orcs could defend and gather their treasures. From this stronghold, Ulderek hoped to conquer the world of Dura, such that the agricultural advancements of the humans would feed orcish mouths first. For many years, Ulderek dispatched small raiding parties toward the kingdom of Thais, as well as toward the mountains of Kazordoon. While slowly wearing down human and dwarfish defenses, Ulderek plotted to eventually invade with swift, overwhelming power.

Unfortunately for Ulderek, the concepts of secrecy and surprise were not well understood by many of the less sophisticated members of his company. Word of the planned invasion spread beyond the walls of the orcish fortress long before it was launched. Human hands and dwarvish beards banded together to preemptively strike the orcish forces before Ulderek's force could be properly assembled. Every blacksmith across the land toiled tirelessly forging axe and blade alike. A small sect of technomancers in Kazordoon designed numerous machinations of war. Amongst their designs, battering rams and catapults would be used to breach the walls of the orcish fortress. While Ulderek's forces slept, the humans and dwarves marched on Ulderek.

The great battle of Ulderek yielded few survivors. Shields shattered... Spears splintered... Blood of all races splattered and soaked the soil. Ulderek is said to have been vitally wounded - a deep laceration delivered by dwarven axe. While bleeding, many believe Ulderek retreated with the last vestige of his company to what is now known as "Ulderek's Rock" where his forces took a defensive position of high altitude, overlooking the below battlefield littered with bodies. The remaining forces of the humans and dwarves declined to pursue his final execution, and instead took the opportunity to reduce the walls and structures of his fortress to rubble. Ulderek watched from above as the great kingdom he had constructed slowly crumbled. 

While the attack thwarted Ulderek's plan and eviscerated the orcish stronghold, the casualties incurred by the humans and dwarves alike set their respective civilizations back for generations. Few know what became of Ulderek following the battle. Most believe that he slowly bled out from the axe wound, with his body buried deep below the rubble of his former stronghold.

The greenskins have since worshiped Ulderek as a martyr. Many generations later, the orcs managed to rebuild their great fortress in his memory.