King Esclabor of Babylon — Father of Palamedes
In Arthur’s age, King Esclabor of Babylon crossed the world as an exile, saved a king from death and gained respect at Camelot without ever surrendering his dignity to the gossip of courtiers. Tonight a wounded courier has brought him Palamedes‘s hunting horn, broken in two, and a letter naming King Mark as the man who ordered an ambush. The letter’s seal is false. Pellinore, whose life Esclabor once saved, offers riders to search for the missing knight; an Orkney lord demands that Esclabor first prove his loyalty to Arthur. The characters must discover who forged the message before the fathers and sons ride into a trap.
At a Glance
- Identity
- King Esclabor of Babylon (Astlabor, Esclabore), also called the Unknown King
- Nature
- Human, exiled monarch, seasoned mortal knight and father
- Origin
- Babylon, as named in the romances; his former eastern kingdom is not assumed to be identical to any modern political state
- Seat
- A guest household at Camelot and a travelling retinue of retainers from the east
- Family
- Palamedes, Sir Safir, Sir Segwarides and other children named in differing traditions
- Allegiance
- Arthur, the safety of his family, and the honour of a ruler living far from home
- Former acts
- Saved the Roman emperor from a lion; later rescued King Pellinore in Britain
- Alignment
- Lawful Good, tempered by pride; he protects those in his charge while refusing to let courtly prejudice decide his worth
- Languages
- The tongue of his former eastern court, Brythonic and the language of Roman diplomacy
- Immediate danger
- A forged warning seeks to draw him, his sons and Pellinore into a deadly feud
What Is Happening Right Now?
A courier from Cornwall lies injured in Camelot’s eastern guesthouse. He carries Palamedes’s horn and a letter accusing King Mark of hiring assassins. The horn is genuine, but the wax shows the mark of a smith who works for a rival of Esclabor’s house. His son Safir wants to ride immediately, while the older king insists upon finding a living witness first. Pellinore has sent a hunter with news of the Questing Beast near the same ford. The characters can uncover who arranged the meeting, escort Safir safely and prevent the weaponisation of a father’s fear.
First Meeting
Esclabor receives visitors in a simple hall with a travel-stained royal banner laid beside a pair of old swords. His guards wear armour repaired across many journeys. He speaks warmly to a guest who treats the injured courier before asking about reward. His manner is controlled and courtly, but the broken horn betrays a deep fear: he has already seen too many sons ride away on dangerous errands.
Three Scenes Tonight
- The lion’s claw: Esclabor displays an old scar from saving a ruler in Rome; a young courier mistakes the mark for one made by the Questing Beast.
- The forged seal: a man wearing King Mark’s colours claims the letter is authentic, but will not say how he obtained Palamedes’s horn.
- The divided brothers: Safir demands an immediate pursuit, while Segwarides believes the warning was designed to split the family.
Appearance and Manner
Esclabor is a tall, broad-shouldered ruler with greying dark hair, an old wound across one forearm and the bearing of a man used to giving orders under difficult conditions. His clothes are carefully tended but bear the cut and ornament of an eastern court, not a caricature of any one land. He is generous to servants and exacting with fellow rulers. When insulted for his origin he answers with a story of a man whose life he saved, not an argument about his right to stand at Arthur’s table.
Ambition, Pressure and Private Knowledge
- Ambition: secure honourable standing for his family at Camelot and keep his sons alive.
- Pressure: suspicious lords demand that he prove his allegiance whenever the court quarrels with an outsider.
- Private knowledge: he recognises the heraldic mark beneath the false seal as that of a household once indebted to King Mark.
- Fear: the relentless chase of the Questing Beast may cost his children more than honour can repay.
- Flaw: he may try to control Palamedes and Safir so tightly that they conceal evidence from him.
- Turning point: he will trust a younger witness and relinquish command of the search if doing so will save his sons.
Relationships and Allegiances
- King Arthur: a host whose court Esclabor has defended; Esclabor’s loyalty does not depend on his birthplace or household customs.
- King Pellinore: his life Esclabor once saved; their friendship can protect both families against the feud of Orkney.
- Sir Palamedes: eldest or most prominent son in several accounts, a courageous hunter caught between Iseult, Tristram and the beast.
- Sir Safir: battle-tested son and Palamedes’s brother; sometimes they nearly mistake one another for enemies.
- Sir Segwarides: another son with entanglements in the wars of Cornwall.
- King Mark: dangerous ruler whose intrigue can turn a family search into a trap.
- Sir Gawain: his family’s feud with Pellinore could engulf Esclabor’s sons without either household wanting the war.
- Questing Beast: the quarry whose pursuit has separated his family across the western kingdoms.
Game Statistics
Esclabor is a renowned mortal king and warrior. His leadership and ability to shelter allies matter as much as his sword. He is not a spellcaster, celestial being or mythical lion-man. His mounted lance is always one attack on the charge, and the four rules adaptations are independent.
King Esclabor — D&D 2024
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Good
Armor Class 20 (plate armor, shield); Initiative +1 (11); Hit Points 228 (24d8 + 120); Speed 30 ft.; Challenge 12 (8,400 XP; PB +4)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws Str +10, Con +9, Wis +7, Cha +8; Skills Athletics +10, Insight +7, Intimidation +8, Perception +7, Persuasion +8; Senses Passive Perception 17; Languages Eastern court speech, Brythonic, Roman diplomatic tongue.
Traits
Royal Protector. Esclabor has Advantage on saving throws against the Frightened condition while he can see an allied creature within 30 feet. Honoured Guest. He has Advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks to negotiate a truce when the parties have consented to parley; this does not override consent or lawful authority.
Actions
Multiattack. Esclabor makes three Longsword attacks. The mounted Lance is a separate single-attack action.
Longsword. Melee Attack Roll: +10, reach 5 ft. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) Slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Attack Roll: +10, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) Bludgeoning damage, and a Large or smaller target makes a DC 18 Strength saving throw or has the Prone condition.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Attack Roll: +10, reach 10 ft. Hit: 19 (2d12 + 6) Piercing damage, plus 9 (2d8) Piercing damage if his mount moved at least 20 feet straight toward the target immediately before the attack. This is one attack only.
Bonus Action
Guard the Witness (Recharge 5–6). One allied creature within 30 feet that can hear Esclabor gains 15 Temporary Hit Points and may move 10 feet without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
Reaction
Interpose Shield. Esclabor adds 4 to the AC of one creature within 5 feet against a melee attack that would otherwise hit it, provided he can see the attacker and is wielding his shield.
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 2. At the end of another creature’s turn, Esclabor may spend one use to move half his Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks, or both uses to make one Longsword attack. He regains uses at the start of his turn.
Tactics
Esclabor seeks to protect the witness and control the escape route. He gives one mounted charge if the road is clear, but chooses rescue over vengeance when his family is in danger.
King Esclabor — D&D 2014
Medium humanoid (human), lawful good
Armor Class 20 (plate, shield); Hit Points 228 (24d8 + 120); Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws Str +10, Con +9, Wis +7, Cha +8; Skills Athletics +10, Insight +7, Intimidation +8, Perception +7, Persuasion +8; Senses passive Perception 17; Languages Eastern court speech, Brythonic, Roman diplomatic tongue; Challenge 12 (8,400 XP).
Traits
Royal Protector. Esclabor has advantage on saving throws against being frightened while he can see an ally within 30 feet. Honoured Guest. He has advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks to negotiate a truce when both sides have agreed to parley.
Actions
Multiattack. Esclabor makes three longsword attacks. His lance is a separate single attack made while mounted.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Large or smaller target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage; DC 18 Strength saving throw or knocked prone.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d12 + 6) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) following a straight 20-foot mounted approach. This action makes one attack only.
Bonus Actions
Guard the Witness (Recharge 5–6). One ally within 30 feet who can hear Esclabor gains 15 temporary hit points and may move 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
Reactions
Interpose Shield. Esclabor adds 4 to one ally’s AC against a melee attack that would hit it, provided the ally is within 5 feet, he can see the attacker and he holds a shield.
Legendary Actions
Esclabor has two legendary actions, spent one at the end of another creature’s turn. He regains spent actions at the start of his turn. Advance: move up to half his speed without provoking opportunity attacks (1 action). Sword Cut: one longsword attack (2 actions).
Tactics
He uses his shield to protect his household and helps a wounded messenger leave the battlefield. He may be persuaded to give up a chase to preserve his son’s life.
King Esclabor — Pathfinder 1e
CR 13; XP 25,600; Male human fighter 14; LG Medium humanoid (human); Init +5; Senses Perception +14.
Defense
AC 26, touch 13, flat-footed 25 (+10 armor, +3 shield, +1 Dex, +2 deflection); hp 161 (14d10 + 70 plus 14 Toughness); Fort +14, Ref +5, Will +9; Defensive Abilities bravery +4 against fear.
Offense
Speed 30 ft. (armor training); Melee +1 longsword +27/+22/+17 (1d8 + 15/17–20); Alternative masterwork lance +24 (1d8 + 9/×3; single mounted charge at +26); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.
Statistics
Str 24, Dex 12, Con 20, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 18; Base Atk +14; CMB +21; CMD 32.
Feats Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Greater Weapon Specialization (longsword), Improved Critical (longsword), Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Power Attack, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Iron Will, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Cleave, Quick Draw.
Skills Ride +16, Perception +14, Diplomacy +16, Intimidate +20; Languages eastern court speech, Brythonic, Roman diplomatic tongue.
Gear +1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, ring of protection +2, warhorse and royal signet.
Special Abilities and Tactics
Weapon Training (Ex). +3 with heavy blades and +2 with spears; already included in sword and lance attacks and damage. Armor Training (Ex). Esclabor moves 30 feet in full plate and adds his +1 Dexterity bonus. Mounted charge. One lance attack at +26 when charging; Spirited Charge multiplies damage when appropriate. The king’s authority is political and social rather than a magical template.
King Esclabor — D&D 3.5e
Male human fighter 14; Lawful Good Medium humanoid (human); CR 14; Init +5; Senses Listen +3, Spot +3.
Defense
AC 25, touch 13, flat-footed 24 (+9 armor, +3 shield, +1 Dex, +2 deflection); hp 150 (14d10 + 70 plus 3 Toughness); Fort +14, Ref +5, Will +9.
Offense
Speed 20 ft.; Melee +1 longsword +24/+19/+14 (1d8 + 12/17–20); Alternative masterwork lance +22 (1d8 + 7/×3; single mounted charge at +24); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.; Base Atk +14; Grp +21.
Statistics
Str 24, Dex 12, Con 20, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 18; Skills Ride +10, Diplomacy +11, Intimidate +18, Spot +3, Listen +3.
Feats Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Greater Weapon Specialization (longsword), Improved Critical (longsword), Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Power Attack, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Iron Will, Combat Reflexes, Cleave; Languages eastern court speech, Brythonic, Roman diplomatic tongue.
Special Abilities and Tactics
His +1 longsword attack includes Strength, enhancement and the Weapon Focus feats, while its damage includes both Weapon Specialization feats. He has no Pathfinder weapon training or armour training in this edition, and his lance delivers only a single charged attack.
Possessions +1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, ring of protection +2, trained warhorse, and a royal signet from his former realm.
Run the Encounter
Esclabor is a king without a secure throne. He can command loyal guards but cannot simply order Arthur’s court to obey. The false letter was written to lure Palamedes and Pellinore into conflict with King Mark and the Orkney faction. The characters can investigate the wax, recover the real courier and bring back the wounded smith as a witness. Esclabor offers generous protection to anyone who saves his son, but refuses to treat innocents as expendable.
Five Encounters
- The emperor’s lion: a visitor from Rome claims Esclabor’s famous rescue was a lie; the scars and a surviving witness tell another story.
- The broken horn: a courier arrives carrying Palamedes’s hunting horn, but the last rider who possessed it is missing.
- The meeting of fathers: Pellinore asks Esclabor to ride after the Questing Beast before the kidnappers leave the ford.
- The unrecognised brother: Safir approaches the camp in borrowed armour and nearly comes to blows with his father’s guards.
- The forged witness: King Mark’s agent tries to implicate Palamedes in a killing at Camelot, counting on Esclabor’s anger to suppress the truth.
Six Adventure Hooks
- A Roman messenger demands Esclabor return an old ceremonial sword awarded for saving an emperor from a lion.
- Palamedes’s horn is found beside the tracks of the Questing Beast, but the beast did not kill the messenger.
- Safir believes Segwarides has been taken captive and asks the heroes to escort him through Cornwall.
- Pellinore seeks Esclabor’s help against a false Orkney challenge, forcing the king to choose between his sons and his oldest ally.
- An eastern merchant recognises Esclabor’s signet and claims that a rival is ruling the kingdom he once lost.
- Arthur’s lords demand that Esclabor publicly renounce his ancestral customs before he can give evidence in a royal hearing.
Equipment, Household and Resources
Plate armour, royal shield, longsword, lance, an old signet from his homeland, a travel-worn crown worn only for formal audiences, a trained warhorse and a small retinue of veteran retainers. His sons carry their own arms and make their own decisions. The two portraits below and above are distinct preserved illustrations; no false heraldry is introduced as his immutable personal seal.
Other Portrait
Lore, Sources and Timeline
Esclabor is a wandering eastern king introduced in the French Arthurian prose traditions. The romance named for Palamedes recounts his travels through Rome, where he saves the emperor from an escaped lion, and onward to Britain, where he rescues King Pellinore. His family includes Palamedes, Safir and Segwarides, whose chivalric careers bind him to Arthur’s court. The medieval versions vary over his origin, conversion and the number and fate of his children; the title “of Babylon” is a literary origin, not a licence to invent a modern political state.
Some versions tell of grievous losses among Esclabor’s sons and of the king’s own death from sorrow after Palamedes is slain. His acts of protection, the feuds and the pursuit of the Questing Beast belong to the age of Arthur’s court, before the fall of Camelot in 537. By 1454 the household is a matter of remembered vows and disputed histories, not a newly arrived family of courtiers at a reigning Camelot. A son returned from the Fey World with his father’s signet could force a mortal ruler to decide whether those ancient loyalties still bind.
Related People and Places
Arthurian characters · Palamedes · Pellinore · Arthur · Gawain · King Mark · Questing Beast
Sources and Artwork
- Arthurian literary reference: Esclabor in the Prose Tristan and Meliadus — his family, the rescues at Rome and in Britain, and later narrative traditions.
- King Esclabor: literary variants and family — accounts of his exile and sons, cross-checked against the romance traditions.
- Malory, Book X, Chapter LXXXIII — Palamedes and Safir in their connected adventures.
- Both existing King Esclabor portraits are preserved from the site media library. The recent court intrigues, five encounters, six hooks and four RPG stat blocks are original unofficial campaign adaptations.
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