Buy me a coffeeKing Gwyddno Garanhir: The Tragic Lord of Cantre’r Gwaelod
“Uncover the tragic tale of Gwyddno Garanhir: the noble ruler of a sunken kingdom who lost everything due to a fateful floodgate mishap!”
- Alias – Gwyddno Long-Shanks, Gwyddno Crane-Legs
- Gender – Male
- Race – Human
- Occupation – King of Cantre’r Gwaelod
- Religion – Druidic, Celtic traditions
- Allies – Elffin ap Gwyddno (son), Taliesin (foster-grandson), his court and subjects
- Enemies – Seithenyn (negligent floodgate keeper, indirectly), the forces of nature (specifically the sea)
- Abode/ Base of operations – Cantre’r Gwaelod (before it was submerged)
- Nationality – Welsh (mythical kingdom of Cantre’r Gwaelod)
- Languages – Welsh (Brythonic/Celtic language)
- Alignment – Neutral Good (seeking to protect and provide for his people)
- Affiliation(s) – King of Cantre’r Gwaelod, father to Elffin, connected to Taliesin
- Significant others – Elffin ap Gwyddno (son), Taliesin (foster-grandson)
Gwyddno Garanhir, known as “Long-shanks” or “Crane-legs,” was the legendary ruler of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a fertile but vulnerable coastal kingdom off the coast of Wales. His reign was marked by prosperity and abundance, largely symbolized by the Hamper of Gwyddno, one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain. This magical hamper provided endless food, representing Gwyddno’s ability to provide for his people and ensure their well-being.
However, Gwyddno’s life was forever changed by tragedy when Cantre’r Gwaelod was submerged by the sea. The kingdom’s existence depended on a series of floodgates that held back the ocean, and these were under the care of Seithenyn, a man notorious for his drunkenness. One night, Seithenyn failed in his duties, and the floodgates were left open. The sea swept in, drowning the kingdom and leaving Gwyddno homeless and dispossessed. This disaster marked the end of his reign and transformed him into a tragic figure in Welsh mythology.
Father to Elffin and the Discovery of Taliesin
Despite the loss of his kingdom, Gwyddno found a new purpose through his son, Elffin ap Gwyddno, and later through the discovery of the legendary bard Taliesin. Elffin, who had fallen on hard times, was tasked with fishing at one of Gwyddno’s salmon weirs. There, instead of fish, he discovered the infant Taliesin inside a leather bag. The child, destined for greatness, would become Elffin’s foster son and later one of the most famous poets in Welsh lore.
Taliesin’s discovery brought renewed hope and honor to Gwyddno’s family. Though Gwyddno had lost his material wealth and kingdom, his connection to Taliesin allowed him to regain a sense of purpose and significance. Taliesin’s wisdom and prophetic abilities helped Elffin rise to prominence, and through him, Gwyddno’s legacy endured.
Gwyddno’s Character and Fears
As a ruler, Gwyddno was wise, generous, and deeply connected to the natural world. He feared the uncontrollable forces of nature, particularly the sea, which he knew could destroy everything he had built. This fear became reality when Cantre’r Gwaelod was submerged. Though the loss of his kingdom weighed heavily on him, Gwyddno’s deepest desire was not power, but to preserve and nurture the land and his people.
His tragedy was losing his kingdom due to human error, but his strength lay in his ability to adapt and find meaning in his later life through his family and the legacy of Taliesin.
Legacy and Achievements
Gwyddno’s most significant achievement was the prosperous rule of Cantre’r Gwaelod during its golden age, symbolized by the Hamper of Gwyddno. Despite losing his kingdom to the sea, Gwyddno’s story is remembered for the enduring legacy he left through Taliesin, who carried forward his name and wisdom. His life is a cautionary tale of human vulnerability, but also one of resilience and the power of family and wisdom.
Gwyddno Garanhir remains a key figure in Welsh mythology, embodying the fragility of prosperity and the enduring hope for renewal, even in the face of disaster.
King Gwyddno Garanhir: The Tragic Lord of Cantre’r Gwaelod
Medium humanoid (human), neutral good
- Armor Class 17 (Unkempt Royal Robes with enchanted leather armor beneath)
- Hit Points 168 (24d8 + 72)
- Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 20 (+5) | 18 (+4) |
- Saving Throws Intelligence +9, Wisdom +10, Charisma +9
- Skills Insight +10, History +9, Arcana +9, Perception +10, Persuasion +9
- Damage Resistances Cold, Psychic
- Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened
- Senses Passive Perception 20
- Languages Common (Welsh), Druidic, Sylvan, Aquan
- Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
Legendary Resistance (3/Day).
If Gwyddno Garanhir fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Amphibious. Gwyddno Garanhir can breathe air and water.
Fate of the Flooded Kingdom (Aura).
Gwyddno Garanhir emanates an aura of melancholy and memory within 30 feet. Enemies within this range must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature succeeds on its saving throw, it becomes immune to this aura for 24 hours.
Tidal Mastery.
Gwyddno Garanhir can use his knowledge of the sea and tides to control water and influence weather. He can cast the following spells at will (spellcasting ability: Wisdom, save DC 18):
- Control Water
- Gust of Wind
- Fog Cloud
- Call Lightning (once per long rest)
Innate Spellcasting (Druidic).
Gwyddno Garanhir’s innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 18). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
- At will: Detect Magic, Guidance, Shape Water
- 3/day each: Water Breathing, Speak with Animals, Cure Wounds
- 1/day each: Commune with Nature, Control Weather
Actions
Multiattack.
Gwyddno Garanhir makes two Staff of the Sunken Kingdom attacks or casts one spell and makes one Staff of the Sunken Kingdom attack.
Staff of the Sunken Kingdom (Magic Weapon).
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 10 (3d6) cold damage.
Special: On a critical hit, the target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of its next turn as the chill of the drowned kingdom seizes them.
Call the Waves (Recharge 5-6).
Gwyddno Garanhir summons a wave of seawater in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 18 Strength saving throw or take 28 (8d6) bludgeoning damage and be pushed 20 feet back. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and is not pushed.
Summon Tidespirit (1/Day).
Gwyddno Garanhir calls forth a spirit of the sea, appearing as a water elemental under his control. The elemental appears in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of him and follows his commands. It remains for 1 hour or until dismissed.
Reactions
King’s Command.
When an enemy attacks Gwyddno Garanhir, he can use his reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll by summoning a blast of seawater or gusting wind to divert the blow.
Legendary Actions
Gwyddno Garanhir can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and it can only be used at the end of another creature’s turn. Gwyddno regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
- Tidal Shift. Gwyddno moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Waters of Memory. Gwyddno summons a rush of water around a target within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned for 1 round, overwhelmed by sorrowful memories of the sunken kingdom.
- Command the Seas (Costs 2 Actions). Gwyddno casts Control Water or Call Lightning (if available) without expending a spell slot.
Lair Actions (Cantre’r Gwaelod)
If Gwyddno Garanhir is encountered in a coastal or sunken location tied to Cantre’r Gwaelod, he can take lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties). He can choose one of the following lair actions:
- Water Surge. A surge of seawater floods the battlefield. Each creature of Gwyddno’s choice within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone by the force of the water.
- Echoes of the Kingdom. Gwyddno summons spectral figures of his former subjects. Each enemy within 30 feet must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened by the spectral apparitions for 1 minute. An affected creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
- Rising Tides. Gwyddno causes the water level in the area to rise by 5 feet for 1 minute. Creatures that cannot swim take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage as they are tossed by the sudden current.
Equipment
- Staff of the Sunken Kingdom (Magic Quarterstaff): A powerful quarterstaff imbued with the essence of Cantre’r Gwaelod. It deals additional cold damage on hit and has a chance to paralyze enemies on a critical strike.
- Hamper of Gwyddno: One of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain, this magical hamper provides endless food once per day, sustaining up to ten creatures with a feast.
- Cloak of the Sea’s Blessing: A tattered but enchanted cloak that grants Gwyddno resistance to cold damage and the ability to cast Water Breathing at will.
Description & Personality
Gwyddno Garanhir is a once-great king burdened by the loss of his kingdom, Cantre’r Gwaelod, which was submerged due to the negligence of Seithenyn. Now, he is a somber figure—wise and calm, but haunted by sorrow. Though stripped of much of his former glory, Gwyddno retains a deep connection to the sea and the forces of nature. He strives to protect those under his care and seeks to preserve the memory of his lost kingdom, though his melancholy weighs heavily on his heart. His primary fear is forgetting, and his desire is to maintain his legacy and ensure his people are remembered.