Geldaran understood two things very well. She knew that the rebels across Shan Deral must stand together or perish quickly. Unity was essential. And she knew also that, in order to achieve this unity, the rebel movement needed some outward symbol, some symbol that stood not for Fen'neko or Humans or Halflings, but one that could stand for all of Shan Deral, to symbolise their hatred of the foreign invader, and their determination to resist tyranny and oppression.

A common tale is still told across many lands. How, one early morning, Geldaran went walking in the fields outside Mountain's Reach, upon the slopes of the Sword of the World, her mind a maelstrom of uncertainty, of hesitancy, and of fear of what was to come. Already she was feeling the loneliness of power and the heavy weight of responsibility, seeking in vain for the inspiration she so needed. The tale tells how, rounding a bend in the path, Geldaran came upon a small red flower growing in the dirt by her feet, an Uli flower. As she knelt to pick the flower, the scent from the flower blew gently against her face, and she was entranced into a waking dream. She saw, stretching across the Land, a mighty grey taloned Hand. She saw whole armies, whole countries, entire peoples bend and break under the weight of this mighty Hand. She saw a multitude of groaning people, locked forever into vile servitude, living out their brief and unpleasant lives under the lash of a harsh and brutal Master. She saw grief and sorrow and the blood of a thousand innocent souls. But from these hordes there came one, dressed in cloth of the purest silver, one who carried in her hand the seed of a small and humble flower. And she planted this seed upon the surface of the Hand, and lo, there came from that seed a riotous garden of colour, a mass of beautiful blooms that spread in profusion across the surface of the Hand, their roots and tendrils digging deep, and their branches and flowers spreading high and wide to the sun. In vain did the Hand writhe and tremble, in vain did it strive to rid itself of the flower that was now a mighty bush, in vain did it cry out for salvation. For into every crack and crevice, into every hole and hollow, did this great bush penetrate until with a tremendous groan did the great Hand crumble and collapse, leaving behind only a cloud of grey dust blowing in the breeze. And in its place there stood a strong and mighty forest of Uli flowers, shining brightly in the sun.

Is this tale true? We shall never know. But what we do know is that in her choice of the Uli Flower as the symbol of rebellion, Geldaran was indeed inspired. Perhaps the best-known and best-loved flower in all of Shan Deral, the Uli flower had been important in the mythology of every single race in the Land. It was rare and not easily found, but when found, had a myriad of uses: it had miraculous healing properties; it was a symbol of passionate and undying love; it was used in religious ceremonies; the list could go on. Most importantly, Uli flowers were unknown to the Ghorak Zo. They were unique to Shan Deral, and thus ideal for a symbol of everything the rebels stood for. A symbol of their love of Shan Deral, a symbol of their hatred of the foreign invaders, a symbol of their ancient traditions that were under threat, the Uli flower was the perfect symbol.

And so the rebellion became known as The Uli Rebellion. And around the Uli banner gathered the greatest warriors of The People; to that banner gathered the great and noble of Keril, of Rosyaye, of Khorobit and of Ren'tlic, to that banner gathered the doughty Halfling hordes. And all swore fealty to Geldaran Reng, dressed herself in the cloth of silver from her dream, and wearing upon her brow a single red flower, for in her could be seen the shining light of inspiration, and in her lived the dream of freedom.