Sir Accolon of Gaul — Morgan le Fay’s Knight
Sir Accolon of Gaul is a skilled knight and the lover of Morgan le Fay. Morgan gives him the real Excalibur and asks him to kill her brother, King Arthur. Arthur receives a false copy of his sword. Neither knight knows the other’s identity when their arranged duel begins.
At a Glance
- Alias: Sir Accolon of Gaul
- Gender: Male
- Race: Human
- Occupation: Knight Errant
- Religion: Celtic Pantheon
- Allies: Morgan le Fay and Sir Ontzlake, whose place he takes in the duel
- Opposition: King Arthur (unrecognised opponent in the duel); anyone exposing Morgan’s plan
- Abode/Base of Operations: No specific permanent residence, traveled throughout the kingdom
- Nationality: Gaulish (from Gaul)
- Languages: Old English, (French) Gaulish dialects
- Alignment: Neutral (campaign interpretation); courageous but willing to betray Arthur
- Affiliation: Arthur’s court; secretly acting for Morgan le Fay
- Significant other: Morgan le Fay (lover)
Accolon believes Morgan will make him king if he wins. He has promised to fight for her and is willing to keep that promise even at the cost of another knight’s life. His choice puts loyalty to Morgan against loyalty to Arthur.
He agrees to fight for Sir Ontzlake, who is wounded and cannot meet his brother Sir Damas in a trial by combat. Morgan sends Accolon Excalibur and its sheath. When the two champions meet, Arthur’s borrowed sword proves worthless and Accolon gains the advantage.
The Lady of the Lake intervenes and makes Excalibur fall from Accolon’s hand. Arthur recovers his sword, takes away the sheath and defeats him. Only after the battle do the two knights recognise one another and uncover Morgan’s scheme.
In Le Morte d’Arthur, Accolon dies of his wounds four days later. For an adventure, begin before the duel: the characters can expose the sword exchange, warn either knight or change the outcome. The traditional ending remains part of the legend without being forced on the players.
Game Statistics
Accolon is a formidable mortal knight. The sword that Morgan lends him makes the famous duel especially dangerous; it is not part of his permanent equipment. Each ruleset below has its own complete combat profile.
Sir Accolon — D&D 2024
Medium Humanoid (Human), neutral; original campaign knight
AC 20 (plate and shield); Initiative +2 (12); HP 156 (24d8 + 48); Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Str +8, Con +6; Skills Athletics +8, History +4, Insight +5, Perception +5; Senses passive Perception 15; Languages Common, Gaulish; CR 9 (5,000 XP; PB +4) when he carries Excalibur in the duel. Without it, he is substantially less dangerous.
Traits
Brave. Accolon has Advantage on saving throws against being Frightened.
Sworn Duel. His first Longsword attack on his turn against a creature that has damaged him since the end of his last turn receives a +2 bonus to the attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. Accolon makes three Longsword attacks or two Lance attacks while mounted.
Longsword. Melee Attack Roll: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) Slashing damage.
Lance. Melee Attack Roll: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) Piercing damage.
Reaction
Parry. Accolon adds 3 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him. He must see his attacker and be holding a melee weapon.
Excalibur in the Duel
Only when Morgan has supplied the real sword: replace his Longsword attack with +11 to hit, dealing 11 (1d8 + 7) Slashing plus 7 (2d6) Radiant damage. These are retained campaign item powers, not a claim from medieval romance. Without Excalibur, use his ordinary sword entry above.
Sir Accolon — D&D 2014
Medium Humanoid (Human), neutral; original campaign knight
AC 20 (plate and shield); HP 156 (24d8 + 48); Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Str +8, Con +6; Skills Athletics +8, History +4, Insight +5, Perception +5; Senses passive Perception 15; Languages Common, Gaulish; CR 9 (5,000 XP; PB +4) when he carries Excalibur in the duel. Without it, he is substantially less dangerous.
Traits
Brave. Accolon has Advantage on saving throws against being Frightened.
Sworn Duel. His first Longsword attack on his turn against a creature that has damaged him since the end of his last turn receives a +2 bonus to the attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. Accolon makes three Longsword attacks or two Lance attacks while mounted.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) Slashing damage.
Lance. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) Piercing damage.
Reaction
Parry. Accolon adds 3 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him. He must see his attacker and be holding a melee weapon.
Excalibur in the Duel
Only when Morgan has supplied the real sword: replace his Longsword attack with +11 to hit, dealing 11 (1d8 + 7) Slashing plus 7 (2d6) Radiant damage. These are retained campaign item powers, not a claim from medieval romance. Without Excalibur, use his ordinary sword entry above.
Sir Accolon — Pathfinder 1e
| Identity | CR 9; Human Fighter 10; N Medium Humanoid (Human) |
|---|---|
| Initiative and senses | +6; Perception +1 |
| Defence | AC 24, touch 12, flat-footed 22 (full plate +9, heavy shield +2, Dex +2, Shield Focus +1); HP 90 (10d10 + 20 Con + 10 Toughness; first Hit Die maximised); Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +6 |
| Offence | Speed 30 ft. (Armor Training); masterwork longsword +19/+14 melee (1d8+8, critical 17–20/×2); lance +14/+9 (1d8+4, ×3) |
| Class features | Bravery +3 against fear; Armor Training 2; Weapon Training (heavy blades +2) |
| Ability scores | Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 16 |
| BAB / CMB / CMD | +10 / +14 / 26 |
| Feats | Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Improved Critical (longsword), Shield Focus, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Toughness, Step Up |
| Skills | Handle Animal +16, Intimidate +16, Ride +9 (including heavy armour and shield check penalties) |
| Gear | Full plate, heavy shield, masterwork longsword, lance, horse. Excalibur replaces his usual sword only during the duel. |
Combat notes: The printed longsword numbers already include Strength, Weapon Training, Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization and masterwork quality; Power Attack is not active. Excalibur, when present as a +3 blade, attacks at +21/+16 and deals 1d8+11; apply any further campaign-specific powers separately, not the 5e Radiant damage type.
Sir Accolon — D&D 3.5e
| Identity | CR 10; Human Fighter 10; N Medium Humanoid (Human) |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice / HP | 10d10+20 (80 hp, first Hit Die maximised) |
| Initiative / Speed | +6; 20 ft. in full plate |
| Armour Class | AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (full plate +8, heavy steel shield +2, Dex +1) |
| BAB / grapple | +10 / +14 |
| Attacks | Masterwork longsword +17 melee or +17/+12 full attack (1d8+6, critical 17–20/×2); lance +14/+9 (1d8+4, ×3) |
| Saving throws | Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +6 |
| Ability scores | Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 16 |
| Feats | Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Improved Critical (longsword), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Combat Reflexes |
| Skills | Handle Animal +16, Intimidate +16, Ride +15 |
| Equipment | Full plate, heavy steel shield, masterwork longsword, lance, horse. Excalibur is encounter-specific. |
Combat notes: Longsword numbers include Strength, the two Focus feats, Weapon Specialization and masterwork quality. A +3 Excalibur instead attacks at +19/+14 and deals 1d8+9; Pathfinder armour-training and critical rules do not transfer to D&D 3.5e.
Sword and sheath: In Malory’s tale, Accolon carries the real Excalibur and its sheath while Arthur receives an imitation. The 5e +3 and bonus 2d6 Radiant damage above preserve the earlier SpiralWorlds campaign sword variant. They are not a claim that the original romance defined these powers.
Adventure Hooks
- The False Excalibur. An armed courier brings Arthur a sword with the right markings but poor metal. A smith can identify the forgery. The characters can intercept the messenger, warn the king or bring the blade to the field as proof. The courier knows who paid him.
- Ontzlake Cannot Fight. Sir Ontzlake’s thigh wound stops him meeting his brother Damas in trial by combat. Accolon offers to stand in. The party can treat Ontzlake, challenge Damas’s claim or ask the brothers to settle their quarrel before either champion is killed.
- What Morgan Promised. Accolon knows Morgan intends him to win a crown; he does not know his opponent is Arthur. Showing him the swap of swords may turn him against her. Threatening him instead is likely to harden his resolve.
- When Excalibur Falls. In the famous duel, the Lady of the Lake causes Excalibur to fall from Accolon’s hand. A character standing by the field could reach it first, turn it over to Arthur or try to carry it away. Armed retainers and Morgan’s agents will react at once.
- A Knight at the Tourney. Before Morgan’s plan, Accolon is still a respected swordsman. A tourney gives characters a chance to learn how he fights, earn his trust or notice the unusual attention paid to his sword and scabbard.
Before the Duel: Accolon at the Table
Accolon is staying at a manor near the field where Sir Damas and Sir Ontzlake have arranged their trial by combat. Ontzlake has a spear wound; Accolon has agreed to fight in his place. Morgan’s messenger is expected with Excalibur and its sheath.
He wears engraved plate armour and travels with a shield, longsword, lance and horse. He receives strangers with the courtesy of an experienced knight, but grows guarded when they ask about Morgan. He will not readily break a promise that could make him king.
The characters can visit him before the duel, inspect the sword he has received or find out who is bringing Arthur the counterfeit. Proof that Arthur is his opponent could stop the fight. Without it, Accolon rides to the field expecting a stranger, and the players must decide whether to intervene.
Source, Links and Rules Notes
The duel, Excalibur’s counterfeit, the Lady of the Lake’s intervention and Accolon’s death four days later are drawn from Le Morte d’Arthur, Book IV, chapters VIII–XI. In the campaign, the characters may intervene before the traditional ending. See Morgan le Fay, King Arthur and the Arthurian character collection. The four stat blocks and optional item powers are original RPG adaptations, not official published rules for Accolon.
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