In the vanished Cornwall of King Mark’s age, Sir Bleoberis de Ganis has arrived at the court of King Mark to claim a boon that the king has already promised to grant. The request is not gold or horses. Bleoberis wants to carry away the wife of Sir Segwarides, who is present at the feast and has not agreed to leave. Mark insists a king’s word cannot be recalled. Segwarides demands his weapons. Somewhere on the road, Tristram will be drawn into the dispute. Bleoberis is too proud to withdraw; the characters have until sunset to find a way for everyone to hear the lady’s choice without bloodshed.
At a Glance
- Identity
- Sir Bleoberis de Ganis (Blioberis), knight of Arthur’s Round Table
- Nature
- Human; accomplished mortal knight rather than a magical outsider
- Family
- Brother of Sir Blamore de Ganis, not another name for Blamore; close kinsman of Sir Lancelot du Lac
- Allegiance
- The Round Table and the house of Ganis; his own reputation sometimes overwhelms their law
- Home and travels
- Ganis/Benoic, Camelot and the roads to Cornwall
- Allies
- Lancelot, Ector de Maris, Blamore
- Rivals
- King Mark, Sir Segwarides, and Palamedes after an earlier quarrel
- Alignment
- Lawful Neutral — loyal to sworn bargains, brave in fair combat, but too ready to treat courtly privilege as permission to command another person
- Languages
- Breton and Latin; speaks the formal courtly language used in Britain and Ganis
- Current danger
- Segwarides is about to challenge him, while King Mark refuses to admit that his promise exceeded his authority
What Is Happening Right Now?
Bleoberis has taken Mark at his word, but the queen’s attendants have begun arguing that the requested lady is not a horse, jewel or captive to be awarded. Segwarides has left the hall to arm himself. Bleoberis believes returning empty-handed will disgrace his brother and Lancelot. A courier has been sent for Tristram, whose own loyalties complicate every dispute in Cornwall. The lady knows where she wishes to go, and she will tell the truth to anyone who promises she will not be punished for it.
First Meeting
Bleoberis stands by a castle arch as his grey destrier paws the ground. He is broad in the shoulders, dark-haired, and wears weather-marked engraved armour beneath a crimson cloak. The shield’s castle-and-star device is a personal tournament emblem for this setting, not a verified medieval coat of arms. He is courteous even while his hand closes around his sword hilt. He asks the heroes whether a knight may rely on a king’s promise. An answer that ignores the lady’s consent earns an approving nod; asking her directly gives him a moment of genuine shame.
Three Scenes Tonight
- The unwise promise: Mark’s chamberlain can prove the boon was promised before the king knew what was being asked, but fears admitting the failure in public.
- The borrowed horses: Bleoberis’s squire is told to ready a second mount for the lady, while her own attendants refuse to let her travel unescorted.
- Challenge on the road: Segwarides and his companions ride out; if the characters cannot impose a lawful truce, two skilled knights may spill blood before Tristram arrives.
Appearance and Manner
Bleoberis carries the calm confidence of a warrior whose family is famous across kingdoms. He speaks gravely of promises, lineage and the honour of Lancelot. When challenged openly, he gives an opponent an opportunity to arm, mount and name himself. He is neither a habitual murderer nor a harmless courtly ornament. His greatest weakness is a blind spot about privilege: he knows the etiquette of duels better than the rights of people over whom nobles claim authority.
Motivations, Pressure and Private Knowledge
- Ambition: prove that the sons of Ganis can uphold their family’s reputation without Lancelot present to rescue them.
- Pressure: Blamore’s pride and Mark’s public promise make an honourable withdrawal seem like humiliation.
- Private knowledge: the king’s herald warned Bleoberis that Segwarides’s wife had expressed no wish to leave, but he dismissed the warning as political interference.
- Flaw: he treats a gift granted by a king as if it can supersede a free person’s refusal.
- Turning point: Bleoberis will stop fighting if she is allowed to speak before neutral witnesses and he can accept her words without being mocked as a coward.
Relationships and Allegiances
- Sir Blamore de Ganis: his real brother and fellow Round Table knight; their shared family honour binds them even when their choices differ.
- Sir Lancelot: illustrious close kinsman whose courtesy Bleoberis cites but does not always imitate.
- Sir Ector de Maris: a Ganis-family ally who will stand beside Bleoberis in a dispute with Palamedes.
- King Mark: the Cornish ruler whose reckless promise sparks the crisis.
- Sir Segwarides: husband of the lady taken from court; a wronged knight who may overestimate what martial revenge will achieve.
- Segwarides’s wife: the person whose consent and wishes the men must finally honour; her identity and choices are more important than any duel.
- Sir Tristram: a formidable Cornish knight; when he learns Bleoberis’s identity, admiration for Lancelot gives them reason to stop fighting.
- Sir Palamedes: a previous opponent whose distrust of Bleoberis can reignite violence.
Game Statistics
Bleoberis is a heavily armoured, tactically competent mortal knight who protects his kinsmen. He has no spellcasting, lair effects or divine powers. The mounted lance is a single attack rather than an additional full multiattack.
Sir Bleoberis — D&D 2024
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral
Armor Class 20 (plate armor, shield); Initiative +2 (12); Hit Points 153 (18d8 + 72); Speed 30 ft.; Challenge 9 (5,000 XP; PB +4)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8, Wis +6; Skills Athletics +9, Insight +6, Perception +6, Persuasion +7; Senses Passive Perception 16; Languages Breton and Latin.
Traits
Ganis Oathkeeper. Bleoberis has Advantage on saving throws against the Frightened condition while he can see a conscious ally within 30 feet.
Stand by Blood. Once per turn when an ally Bleoberis can see within 5 feet takes damage, Bleoberis can move into an unoccupied space adjacent to that ally without provoking Opportunity Attacks, provided he has not used his Reaction; this movement uses his Reaction.
Actions
Multiattack. Bleoberis makes three Longsword attacks or two Longsword attacks and one Shield Bash. He cannot make a Lance attack as part of Multiattack.
Longsword. Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 5 ft. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) Slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) Bludgeoning damage, and a Large or smaller target makes a DC 17 Strength saving throw or has the Prone condition.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 10 ft. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) Piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) Piercing damage if the mount moved at least 20 feet straight toward the target before the attack. This is one attack.
Bonus Action
Rally of Ganis (Recharge 5–6). Bleoberis grants one ally he can see within 30 feet 12 Temporary Hit Points.
Reaction
Parry. Bleoberis adds 3 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him, provided he can see the attacker and is wielding his sword.
Tactics
Bleoberis seeks a formal challenge, fights hard on foot and refuses to strike a downed knight. Showing him the lady’s own testimony can end the encounter before a duel claims lives.
Sir Bleoberis — D&D 2014
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
Armor Class 20 (plate, shield); Hit Points 153 (18d8 + 72); Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8, Wis +6; Skills Athletics +9, Insight +6, Perception +6, Persuasion +7; Senses passive Perception 16; Languages Breton and Latin; Challenge 9 (5,000 XP).
Traits
Ganis Oathkeeper. Bleoberis has advantage on saving throws against being frightened while a conscious ally is within 30 feet and visible to him.
Actions
Multiattack. Bleoberis makes three longsword attacks, replacing one with a shield bash if desired. The lance is a separate single-attack action.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Large or smaller creature. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage; DC 17 Strength saving throw or knocked prone.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) piercing damage, plus 9 (2d8) piercing damage after a 20-foot straight mounted approach. One attack only.
Bonus Actions
Rally of Ganis (Recharge 5–6). One ally Bleoberis can see within 30 feet gains 12 temporary hit points.
Reactions
Parry. Bleoberis adds 3 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him, if he can see the attacker and holds a sword.
Tactics
He challenges Segwarides to a lawful duel, but a credible offer to let the lady choose freely can end the fight; his cousin Lancelot’s name matters most when attached to deeds of courtesy.
Sir Bleoberis — Pathfinder 1e
CR 10; XP 9,600; Male human fighter 11; LN Medium humanoid (human); Init +6; Senses Perception +6.
Defense
AC 25, touch 13, flat-footed 22 (+10 armor, +2 shield, +2 Dex, +1 Dodge); hp 105 (11d10 + 44); Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7; Defensive Abilities bravery +3 vs. fear.
Offense
Speed 30 ft. (armor training); Melee +1 longsword +21/+16/+11 (1d8 + 10/17–20); Alternative masterwork lance +18 (1d8 + 6/×3; single mounted charge at +20); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16; Base Atk +11; CMB +16; CMD 29.
Feats Weapon Focus (longsword), Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Improved Critical (longsword), Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Power Attack, Dodge, Combat Reflexes, Iron Will, Improved Initiative, Quick Draw.
Skills Ride +16, Intimidate +17, Perception +6, Diplomacy +8; Languages Breton and Latin.
Special Abilities and Tactics
Weapon Training (Ex). +2 with heavy blades and +1 with spears; included in attack and damage numbers. Armor Training (Ex). Full plate permits the +2 Dexterity modifier and a 30-foot speed. His lance is a single attack on a mounted charge; he uses the longsword full attack only after taking position. Power Attack is not included in the listed default attack bonus.
Gear +1 full plate, heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, grey destrier, embroidered crimson cloak, sealed summons.
Sir Bleoberis — D&D 3.5e
Male human fighter 11; Lawful Neutral Medium humanoid (human); CR 11; Init +6; Senses Listen +2, Spot +2.
Defense
AC 23, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (+9 armor, +2 shield, +1 Dex maximum, +1 Dodge); hp 105 (11d10 + 44); Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7.
Offense
Speed 20 ft.; Melee +1 longsword +19/+14/+9 (1d8 + 8/17–20); Alternative masterwork lance +17 (1d8 + 5/×3; one mounted charge attack at +19); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.; Base Atk +11; Grp +16.
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16; Skills Ride +16, Intimidate +17, Diplomacy +5, Listen +2, Spot +2.
Feats Weapon Focus (longsword), Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Improved Critical (longsword), Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Power Attack, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Iron Will; Languages Breton and Latin.
Special Abilities and Tactics
The +1 sword’s enhancement, Strength, Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization are included. He has no Pathfinder weapon training or armor training. Full plate restricts his +2 Dexterity modifier to +1 for Armor Class. The mounted lance is one attack, with charge and Spirited Charge multipliers where applicable.
Possessions +1 full plate, heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, grey destrier, travelling cloak and wax-sealed correspondence.
Run the Encounter
Make the lady’s choice matter more than the winner of the joust. Bleoberis is dangerous but persuadable. The party can demand that King Mark admit his boon was unjust, keep Segwarides from riding out without witnesses, secure the lady’s safe passage or arrange a court hearing. If Bleoberis fights Tristram, both are skilled enough to hurt one another. The truce becomes possible when they exchange names and remember Lancelot’s reputation for courtesy.
Five Encounters
- The rash boon: Bleoberis asks Mark for Segwarides’s wife, and a chamberlain urges the players to enforce the promise before anyone questions it.
- The lady speaks: the lady demands witnesses and an escort of her choosing; armed men try to treat her reply as an insult.
- Segwarides rides: a furious husband pursues Bleoberis with companions who would rather kill than negotiate.
- Two famous knights: Tristram and Bleoberis meet with swords drawn and pause only when their family names are known.
- Before Arthur’s envoys: a dispute about Bleoberis and Blamore’s summons against King Anguish threatens to become a trial by combat.
Six Adventure Hooks
- King Mark makes a public promise that a visiting knight attempts to turn into ownership over another guest.
- Segwarides’s wife asks the characters to arrange safe travel to a home she chooses, without the men using her wishes as a pretext for a duel.
- Bleoberis’s squire is caught hiding evidence that the king knew the boon was improper before granting it.
- Blamore asks the party to bring a summons to King Anguish while keeping a blood feud from determining the judgment.
- Palamedes challenges Bleoberis after recognising a shield abandoned near a fountain; Ector de Maris prepares to defend his kinsman.
- Tristram offers peace if Bleoberis will acknowledge the woman’s own testimony, but a Cornish retainer has been paid to drown out the hearing.
Equipment and Resources
Plate armour, shield bearing a personal castle-and-star device, longsword, lance, grey destrier, crimson riding cloak, wax seals from the house of Ganis, a small mounted retinue and letters of introduction from Lancelot’s circle. None of his equipment grants an assumed divine power or automatic right to command civilians.
Travel, Law and Reputation
Bleoberis knows the roads between Ganis, Camelot and Cornwall. Courts generally admit his right to request hospitality and to issue a formal challenge; neither privilege makes Segwarides’s wife an object that can be handed over. Knights who accompany him are expected to give evidence about the wording of Mark’s promise and the lady’s reply. Aiding her safe departure is an honourable service regardless of which destination she chooses.
Deeper History
Malory names Bleoberis de Ganis as the brother of Blamore and a close relative of Lancelot. In Book VIII, Bleoberis demands the fairest woman at Mark’s court under a promised boon, chooses Segwarides’s wife and departs with her. Segwarides pursues him. Tristram later meets Bleoberis; their prolonged fight gives way to mutual respect when they discover one another’s identities. Bleoberis then offers the lady a choice, and the later narrative records her wish to return to Segwarides. Bleoberis and Blamore also participate in a separate complaint against King Anguish. He subsequently crosses swords with Palamedes and appears among Lancelot’s kinsmen.
Bleoberis claimed a dangerous boon at the earlier court of King Mark and fought along the roads of Tristan’s age, before the fall of Camelot. A dispute over honour may have been resolved in more than one way, as the romances disagree over its lessons. In 1454 neither the royal household nor the road fight should be treated as an ordinary current event: an old Cornish guesthall discovered through Faerie can return the characters to the moment of the challenge. Bleoberis de Ganis and his brother Blamore are two distinct knights.
Related People and Places
Arthurian character directory · King Mark · Lancelot · Ector de Maris · Palamedes
Sources and Artwork
- Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur, Book VIII, Chapter XV — Bleoberis and the rash boon at King Mark’s court.
- Malory, Book VIII, Chapter XVII — Tristram’s duel and recognition of Bleoberis.
- Malory, Book VIII, Chapter XVIII — the lady’s choice and desired return home.
- Malory, Book VIII, Chapter XX — Bleoberis and Blamore’s summons to King Anguish.
- Malory, Book X, Chapter LIV — Bleoberis’s quarrel with Palamedes and Ector de Maris.
- Unique original painted portrait, WordPress media ID 277548. The shield emblem, current investigation and rules builds are original campaign adaptations; no specific medieval arms are asserted.
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