Buy me a coffee“King Urien of Gore, The Radiant Lion of the North”
“Meet King Urien of Gore: Arthur’s treacherous in-law, warrior king, and unsuspecting husband to a sorceress plotting his doom!”
- Alias: King Urien Rheged, The Battle Leader of Britain, Lord of Gore
- Gender: Male
- Race: Human
- Occupation: King, Warlord, Knight
- Religion: Likely Celtic polytheism/ancestral worship with possible early Christian influences
- Allies: Arthur Pendragon (post-rebellion), Northern British princes, his sons (especially Owain), bard Taliesin
- Enemies: The Angles of Bernicia, Morcant (assassin), Morgan le Fay (wife and conspirator), Accolon (Morgan’s lover)
- Abode/Base of Operations: Kingdom of Gore (mythical Rheged), northern Britain (modern northern England/southern Scotland)
- Nationality: Brittonic (Ancient British kingdom of Rheged)
- Languages: Common Brittonic, some early English/Anglo-Saxon, possible magical tongues
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Affiliation(s): Kingdom of Gore/Rheged, northern British kings coalition, Arthurian court (vassal)
- Significant Others: Morgan le Fay (wife and adversary)
King Urien of Gore—also known as Urien Rheged—is a formidable northern monarch: war-hardened, sharp-witted, and tragically complex. A warrior king who battled invading Angles and once defied King Arthur himself, Urien’s life is woven from conquest, betrayal, uneasy alliances, and the shadow of sorcery. His legacy stands at the crossroads of history and myth, where blood meets bard-song.
Life Story
The Northern Warlord:
Born to King Cynfarch Oer, Urien inherited the rugged kingdom of Rheged, later mythologized as Gore. From an early age, he proved his strength, leading campaigns against the encroaching Angles of Bernicia. Uniting fellow British kings, he struck major victories—so decisive that they were immortalized in the Book of Taliesin, where the famed bard sings of his valor.
The Rebellion Against Arthur:
When Arthur Pendragon rose to claim Britain’s crown, Urien stood among the kings who resisted. Alongside his kin—Lot of Lothian and Auguselus of Scotland—he challenged the young monarch in battle. But Arthur’s strength and Merlin’s magic were overwhelming. Defeated, Urien bent the knee, becoming a key vassal while never fully surrendering his independence.
A Dangerous Alliance:
To secure peace, Urien wed Morgan le Fay, Arthur’s sorceress sister. The marriage was one of strategy, not affection. Morgan, driven by ambition, soon plotted to steal Excalibur, murder both Urien and Arthur, and place herself and her lover Accolon on the throne. The plan was foiled by Urien’s loyal son, Sir Owain, who saved his father’s life.
Betrayed in the End:
Though he survived betrayal at home, King Urien of Gore’s true end came not from enemies, but a jealous ally. Morcant, once a fellow prince in the war against the Angles, orchestrated his assassination—unable to stomach Urien’s growing power. Thus ended the life of a man too proud to kneel, too strong to ignore.
Exploits and Achievements
- United northern British kingdoms to drive back the Angles of Bernicia.
- Earned the title “Battle Leader of Britain” in the Welsh Triads.
- Led the initial rebellion against Arthur; later became a respected vassal and general.
- Married Morgan le Fay, forging a link between magic and monarchy.
- Survived a deadly betrayal by his wife with the help of Sir Owain.
- Assassinated by his own ally Morcant, ending his reign at the height of his power.
- Fathered four sons—Owain, Rhiwallawn, Run, and Pascen—with Owain rising as a renowned Knight of the Round Table.
Personality, Fears, and Desires
Urien is a king of the old world: proud, grim, and unflinching. He values strength over charm, loyalty over courtly games. He trusts warriors more than wizards—and for good reason. His greatest fear is obsolescence: that the world is changing, and he will be remembered as a relic, not a ruler.
He seeks more than victory. King Urien of Gore wants legacy. He wants his name sung alongside Arthur’s—not beneath it. He wants to be remembered not as a husband betrayed, or a vassal bowed, but as the king who held the North, broke the Saxons, and fathered a knight who honored his blood.
Appearance and Bearing
King Urien of Gore is tall, broad-shouldered, and grizzled by years of war. Scars mark his face; a permanent line splits his jaw from an old blade. His armor is practical and battle-worn. He carries himself like a man who has survived both steel and silence—and trusts neither.
King Urien of Gore 5e
King Urien of Gore, Pathfinder
King Urien of Gore
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
The Battle Leader of Britain, Lord of Gore
Armor Class: 20 (plate armor, shield)
Hit Points: 230 (20d8 + 140)
Speed: 30 ft., 60 ft. (mounted)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 16 (+3) | 24 (+7) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 20 (+5) |
Saving Throws: Str +11, Dex +9, Wis +10, Cha +11
Skills: Athletics +11, Intimidation +11, Perception +10, History +8
Damage Resistances: Psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Senses: Passive Perception 20
Languages: Common, Celestial, Sylvan
Challenge: 15 (13,000 XP)
King Urien of Gore’s Appearance and Bearing
A tall, commanding figure clad in gleaming but battle-worn plate, King Urien moves with the grace of a seasoned knight and the authority of a born leader. His radiant longsword glimmers faintly, and his stern gaze inspires both fear and loyalty in equal measure.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day).
If King Urien of Gore fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Mounted Combatant.
King Urien of Gore fights with equal skill mounted or on foot.
- While mounted, he has advantage on melee attack rolls against unmounted creatures smaller than his mount.
- His mount shares his initiative and acts immediately after him.
Knight’s Presence.
Allies within 30 feet who can see and hear Urien gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls and saving throws.
Magic Resistance.
Urien has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Actions
Multiattack.
King Urien of Gore makes three melee attacks: two with his longsword and one with his shield bash.
Longsword of Gore (Legendary Weapon).
Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) radiant damage.
Critical Hit: Target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.
Shield Bash.
Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (1d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Mounted Lance (Only while mounted).
Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Special: If the target is smaller than Urien’s mount, it must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet back and knocked prone.
Commanding Shout (Recharge 5–6).
King Urien of Gore shouts a powerful battle cry. Each friendly creature within 30 feet that can hear him can use its reaction to move up to half its speed and make one weapon attack.
Legendary Actions
King Urien of Gore can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Urien regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
- Parry. King Urien adds +5 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him.
- Longsword Attack. King Urien makes one longsword attack.
- King’s Inspiration (Costs 2 Actions). One ally within 30 feet regains 2d8 + 5 hit points.
Reactions
Deflect Missile.
When hit by a ranged weapon attack, Urien can use his reaction to reduce the damage by 1d10 + 11.
Tactical Overview
- Mounted Combat: Uses lance charges to break enemy lines and knock foes prone, then follows with swift longsword strikes.
- On Foot: Combines shield bashes and longsword attacks to control the battlefield and protect allies.
- Leader of Men: Employs Commanding Shout and Knight’s Presence to bolster allies and sway the tide of battle.
- Durability: His resistances, legendary resistances, and magic resistance make him nearly unstoppable in combat.
- Priority Targets: Focuses on enemy commanders or spellcasters, using blinding criticals to disrupt them.
King Urien of Gore
CR 15
Human Fighter 12 / Cavalier 6
Lawful Neutral Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init: +7 (Improved Initiative, Dex)
Senses: Perception +17
Aura: Knight’s Presence (30 ft., allies gain +2 to attack rolls and saving throws)
DEFENSE
- AC: 32 ( +6 armor, +7 shield, +4 Dex, +5 natural)
- HP: 210 (18d10 + 108)
- Fort: +17, Ref: +11, Will: +12
- Defensive Abilities: Evasion, Unyielding Courage (automatic success on 1 fear save per day)
- Damage Reduction: 5/evil
- Resistances: Psychic 10
OFFENSE
- Speed: 30 ft. (20 ft. in heavy armor), 60 ft. (mounted)
- Melee:
- +2 Longsword +21/+16/+11 (1d8+11/19–20)
- Shield Bash +19 (1d6+9)
- Ranged: Heavy Crossbow +14 (1d10/19–20)
- Special Attacks:
- Mounted Lance Charge (Ex): +24 melee attack; deals 4d6+11 damage, triple damage on charge
- Commanding Shout (Su): 3/day, swift action; allies within 30 ft. gain +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and saving throws for 1 round
- Disarming Strike (Ex): Once per round, can attempt to disarm opponent on a successful melee hit
STATISTICS
Str 22 (+6), Dex 18 (+4), Con 22 (+6), Int 14 (+2), Wis 16 (+3), Cha 20 (+5)
Base Attack Bonus +18/+13/+8, CMB +23 (+27 mounted charge), CMD 37 (39 vs. mounted)
Feats: Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Longsword), Improved Shield Bash, Improved Initiative, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Combat Reflexes, Weapon Specialization (Longsword), Improved Critical (Longsword), Greater Weapon Focus (Longsword), Greater Weapon Specialization (Longsword)
Traits: Noble Scion (Social), Indomitable Faith (Combat)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
- King Urien of Gore’s Presence (Ex): Allies within 30 feet gain +2 to attack rolls and saving throws.
- Commanding Shout (Su): 3/day, swift action; King Urien grants all allies within 30 ft. a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and saving throws for 1 round.
- Mounted Lance Charge (Ex): When charging mounted with a lance, King Urien deals triple damage on a hit.
- Disarming Strike (Ex): Once per round, when King Urien hits with a melee attack, he may attempt to disarm the opponent.
- Unyielding Courage (Ex): Once per day, King Urien automatically succeeds on a Will save against fear effects.
TACTICS
- King Urien of Gore charges with lance to break enemy ranks, knocking foes prone with triple damage on charge.
- Uses shield bash and longsword strikes to control the battlefield on foot.
- Employs Commanding Shout to inspire allies during critical moments.
- Prioritizes enemy leaders and spellcasters, focusing on disruption and disarmament.
- Relies on high AC, DR, and resistances to stay in the frontline and absorb punishment.
EQUIPMENT
- +2 Longsword of Radiance: Glows with radiant energy, deals +1d6 radiant damage against evil foes.
- +2 Heavy Steel Shield
- Masterwork Full Plate Armor
- Heavy Warhorse (use Bestiary stats for Heavy Warhorse)
DESCRIPTION
King Urien of Gore stands tall and commanding, clad in gleaming yet battle-scarred plate armor. His radiant longsword hums with ancient power, a symbol of his royal heritage and the divine favor bestowed upon him. Despite his regal bearing, a shadow of personal conflict lingers—a marriage fraught with betrayal and a kingdom forged through relentless warfare. Urien fights not just for victory, but to protect his legacy and the fragile peace of Gore.