Sir Balan le Savage — Red Knight of the Fatal Crossing
In Arthur’s vanished age, Sir Balan guards an island causeway where no knight is permitted to pass without taking the defender’s place. Balan defeated the former champion and inherited the duty, a law that has kept him from searching for his lost brother, Sir Balin. Reports say a weary knight with two swords is travelling towards Pellam’s court, and may one day reach the island beneath borrowed arms. The guards already prepare for the next challenger. One question, asked before the charge, could save two lives.
At a Glance
- Identity
- Sir Balan le Savage, younger brother of Balin
- Nature
- Human knight of northern Britain, trained for mounted and foot combat
- Allegiance
- Former companion of Arthur’s forces; compelled to defend an island passage
- Household
- His brother Balin, once his closest ally
- Alignment
- Lawful Neutral — keeps a harsh obligation despite its cruelty
- Base
- Castle and island passage controlled by an oath-bound champion
- Languages
- Brythonic and the speech of his northern home
- Current danger
- He may kill his unknown brother rather than defy the castle’s rule
What Is Happening Right Now?
Balan’s horse is dressed in red, his shield is newly painted and his spear is lowered at the island gate. The lord of the castle insists that the challenger must joust. A messenger expects Balin to come to the island only after his dangerous visit to Pellam’s court. Balan has heard rumours of his brother’s swords but does not know what shield his brother now carries. The characters can investigate the warning and prepare to stop the first charge.
First Meeting
The Red Knight rides forward with his visor raised, courteous but exhausted. He names the law of the passage and offers the strangers water before a challenge. He responds sharply to accusations of cowardice, but he will listen to proof that the law is unjust or that the newcomer belongs to his household.
Three Scenes Tonight
- The changing of shields: the party meets a traveller who persuaded Balin to exchange arms and knows why the new heraldry conceals his name.
- A prisoner of duty: Balan quietly asks whether anyone has found word of his brother and whether he can leave the island alive.
- The red-armoured joust: the castle guards shut the road, and a rival knight wants bloodshed rather than a lawful contest.
Appearance and Manner
Balan is travel-worn beneath scarred red plate and carries a shield with the island’s insignia. He speaks slowly, trusting evidence rather than boasts. His restraint comes from years of watching what a violent knight can destroy, not from fear of battle. He never takes pleasure in a defeated foe.
Ambition, Pressure and Private Knowledge
- Ambition: leave the island, find Balin and serve an honourable cause again.
- Pressure: the castle lord enforces an ancient custom and threatens the household if Balan refuses.
- Private knowledge: the defeated prior guardian was trapped by the same bargain; the oath may be broken if the castle’s witnesses withdraw their consent.
- Flaw: Balan fears that refusing a lawful challenge will ruin his name, even when the rule is cruel.
- Hidden hope: he keeps a token from Balin, folded beneath the padding of his sword belt.
Relationships and Factions
- Sir Balin: beloved elder brother, now approaching beneath a borrowed shield.
- Merlin: once advised the brothers during their capture of King Rience.
- King Arthur: ruler who praised their prowess against Rience but cannot govern the island’s older custom from afar.
- The castle’s lord: claims authority over the passage and benefits from the perpetual transfer of danger to outsiders.
- The lady of the castle: knows how the previous champion was compelled to remain and may testify against the custom.
Game Statistics
Sir Balan — D&D 2024
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral
Armor Class 20 (plate armour, shield); Initiative +1 (11); Hit Points 153 (18d8 + 72); Speed 30 ft.; Challenge 8 (3,900 XP; PB +3)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 18 (+4) | 11 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) |
Saving Throws Str +7, Con +7, Wis +5; Skills Athletics +7, Insight +5, Perception +5, Animal Handling +5; Senses Passive Perception 15; Languages Brythonic, northern court speech.
Traits
Guard the Crossing. Balan has Advantage on saving throws against being moved against his will while on a bridge, causeway or narrow passage. Steady Seat. Balan has Advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to avoid falling from his mount.
Actions
Multiattack. Balan makes three Longsword attacks, or two Longsword attacks and one Shield Bash. A Lance attack is a separate single action.
Longsword. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) Slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) Bludgeoning damage; a Large or smaller target makes a DC 15 Strength saving throw or has the Prone condition.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 10 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) Piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) Piercing damage if his mount travelled at least 20 feet straight towards the target before the attack. He makes one Lance attack.
Bonus Action
Hold Fast (Recharge 5–6). One ally within 30 feet who can hear Balan gains 9 Temporary Hit Points.
Reaction
Parry. Balan adds 3 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him, if he can see the attacker and is holding a melee weapon.
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 2. At the end of another creature’s turn, Balan can spend one use to move up to half his Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks, or both uses to make one Longsword attack. All uses return at the start of his turn.
Tactics
Balan opens with a single lance charge, retreats to the narrow approach and calls for parley before drawing his sword. He will drop his weapon if he recognises Balin.
Sir Balan — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 18 (+4) | 11 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) |
Saving Throws Str +7, Con +7, Wis +5; Skills Athletics +7, Insight +5, Perception +5, Animal Handling +5; Senses passive Perception 15; Languages Brythonic, northern court speech; Challenge 8 (3,900 XP).
Traits
Guard the Crossing. Balan has advantage on saving throws against being shoved or forcibly moved on a bridge or narrow passage. Steady Seat. Balan has advantage on checks to stay mounted.
Actions
Multiattack. Balan makes three longsword attacks, replacing one with shield bash if he chooses. He cannot make a lance attack as part of the multiattack.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage; a Large or smaller target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage, plus 9 (2d8) piercing damage after a 20-foot straight mounted approach. One attack only.
Bonus Actions
Rally (Recharge 5–6). One ally within 30 feet who hears Balan gains 9 temporary hit points.
Reactions
Parry. Balan adds 3 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him, if he can see the attacker and is wielding a melee weapon.
Legendary Actions
Balan takes up to 2 legendary actions, one at a time only at the end of another creature’s turn; he regains spent actions at the start of his turn. He can move half his speed without provoking opportunity attacks (1 action) or make a longsword attack (2 actions).
Tactics
He defends the causeway, challenges unrecognised knights, but accepts trustworthy identification and halts his attack when the truth comes out.
Sir Balan — Pathfinder 1e
CR 10; XP 9,600; Human fighter 11; LN Medium humanoid (human); Init +5; Senses Perception +6.
Defense
AC 23, touch 11, flat-footed 22 (+10 armour, +2 shield, +1 Dex); hp 94 (11d10 + 33); Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5; Defensive Abilities bravery +3 against fear.
Offense
Speed 30 ft. (armour training); Melee +1 longsword +20/+15/+10 (1d8 + 10/19–20); Alternative lance +16 (1d8 + 5/×3, single mounted charge attack); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 14; Base Atk +11; CMB +16; CMD 27.
Feats Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Blind-Fight, Power Attack, Quick Draw, Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Skill Focus (Ride); Skills Ride +15, Intimidate +16, Perception +6; Languages Brythonic, northern court speech.
Gear +1 full plate, heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, lance, warhorse, red barding, a carved northern token.
Special Abilities and Tactics
Weapon Training (Ex). +2 with heavy blades; counted in attack and damage totals for his longsword. Armour Training (Ex). He moves at 30 feet while wearing heavy armour. He normally begins with one mounted charge, then holds the causeway on foot. He breaks off immediately if he recognises a companion.
Sir Balan — D&D 3.5e
Male human fighter 11; Lawful Neutral Medium humanoid (human); CR 11; Init +5; Senses Listen +2, Spot +2.
Defense
AC 22, touch 11, flat-footed 21 (+9 armour, +2 shield, +1 Dex); hp 94 (11d10 + 33); Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5.
Offense
Speed 20 ft.; Melee +1 longsword +18/+13/+8 (1d8 + 8/19–20); Alternative lance +16 (1d8 + 5/×3, single attack on a mounted charge); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.; Base Atk +11; Grp +16.
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 14; Skills Ride +15, Intimidate +16, Spot +2, Listen +2; Feats Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Blind-Fight, Power Attack, Quick Draw, Cleave; Languages Brythonic, northern court speech.
Possessions +1 full plate, heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, lance, trained horse, red barding, a northern token.
Special Abilities and Tactics
Balan’s first challenge is a single lance attack. Spirited Charge modifies damage when its requirements apply; do not multiply the number of attacks. His longsword full attack is used only when stationary and on foot.
Run the Encounter
The real danger is not Balan’s sword but the custom that forces strangers to fight for passage. Characters may identify the traveller, expose the forced oath, convince the castle’s witnesses to withdraw support, or persuade Balan to risk his reputation and refuse a duel. Killing the guardian without changing the law only replaces one trapped knight with another.
Five Encounters
- Old heraldry: a trader has seen the shield Balin surrendered and can describe it from memory.
- Lost companion: a former ally of Balan is held by the castle guards for asking questions about the crossing.
- The jousting field: the players must interrupt a formal challenge without giving the lord grounds to declare a riot.
- A night at the gate: Balan asks the party to help him escape, but will not abandon the servants threatened by the castle’s decree.
- Recognition at swordpoint: Balin and Balan have dismounted; the characters can speak the childhood name known only to the brothers.
Six Adventure Hooks
- A red-armoured knight has held an island bridge for years, but no one remembers why he cannot leave.
- A stranger carrying two swords rides towards the island with a shield that belongs to a dead knight.
- The lord of the castle promises safe passage if the party will replace Balan as guardian.
- Merlin has sent a warning about two brothers who will kill one another before they recognise their names.
- A lady at the castle says a forged heraldic seal is being used to conceal the identity of visiting knights.
- One of Balan’s old comrades offers to swear before Arthur that the island’s rule was imposed by force, not lawful consent.
Equipment and Resources
Red barding, trained warhorse, longsword, lance, plate armour, shield bearing the island’s current arms and a small personal token belonging to Balin. Balan has loyal servants but no large private army. He does not possess his brother’s second sword.
Lore and Timeline
The encounter between Balin and Balan belongs to the earlier age of Arthur’s reign, before Camlann in 537. Their mistaken combat and deaths may be averted by witnesses present in that age, but the fatal crossing is not an ordinary future appointment on a 1454 road. A blood-marked shield or an Otherworld route may lead present-day travellers to the place where their histories still hold power.
Related People and Places
Arthurian characters · Sir Balin · Merlin · King Arthur · Sir Garlon
Sources and Artwork
- Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur, Book II, Chapter XVIII — the red knight, exchanged shield and brothers’ fatal fight.
- Malory, Book II, Chapter IX — Balin and Balan bring King Rience to Arthur.
- Existing painted Balan portrait is preserved. All character statistics, political developments and adventure situations are original campaign adaptations.
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