Buy me a coffeeKing Leodegrance: The Loyal Ally and Father of a Legend
“Meet King Leodegrance: he Gave Arthur the Iconic Round Table—And His Daughter’s Hand in Marriage!”
- Alias – King Leodegrance of Cameliard
- Gender – Male
- Race – Human
- Occupation – King of Cameliard
- Religion – Celtic Paganism
- Allies – King Arthur, Uther Pendragon (former ally), the Knights of the Round Table
- Enemies – Rival lords, invading Saxons, and forces opposed to Arthur’s unification
- Abode/ Base of operations – Castle of Cameliard
- Nationality – Briton
- Languages – Old Welsh, Brythonic Celtic, Old English
- Alignment – Lawful Good
- Affiliation(s) – Camelot, House of Pendragon, the Round Table
- Significant others – Guinevere (daughter), unnamed Queen (wife, in some versions of the tale)
King Leodegrance of Cameliard, a lesser-known but pivotal figure in Arthurian legend, stands as a symbol of loyalty, wisdom, and political savvy. He is best remembered as the father of Queen Guinevere and the one who bestowed upon King Arthur the legendary Round Table—a gift that would come to represent the ideal of chivalry and equality among knights. Despite often being overshadowed by more prominent figures like Arthur, Lancelot, and Merlin, Leodegrance’s influence runs deep in the intricate tapestry of Arthurian lore, playing a foundational role in shaping the kingdom’s future.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Leodegrance’s early history is shrouded in mystery, with few accounts detailing his origins or ascension to the throne. He is traditionally depicted as a seasoned king of Cameliard, a small but strategically important kingdom nestled within the borders of Logres. His rule is marked by stability and a deep commitment to maintaining peace and order within his lands. From the outset, Leodegrance is portrayed as a king who values justice and honor above all else, traits that guide his decisions and define his legacy.
Leodegrance’s court is a reflection of his character: a place where wisdom and diplomacy reign. Unlike other kings of his time, who often relied on brute force or ambition, Leodegrance understood the value of alliances and friendships. He preferred negotiation to warfare, a trait that earned him both respect and allies. However, this cautious and diplomatic nature was not without its challenges. Early in his reign, Leodegrance faced numerous threats from rival lords and neighboring kingdoms seeking to exploit Cameliard’s relative smallness. Yet, through shrewd political maneuvering and well-placed alliances, he managed to secure his realm’s safety, laying the foundation for his future influence.
Relationship with King Arthur
Leodegrance’s story truly intertwines with the larger legend when the young King Arthur ascends to the throne. As a vassal and close ally of Arthur’s father, Uther Pendragon, Leodegrance had been a steadfast supporter of the Pendragon line, even during times of turmoil. When Arthur pulled the sword from the stone and was proclaimed king, Leodegrance, unlike many other lords who doubted the legitimacy of this unknown youth, readily accepted Arthur’s claim. His faith in Arthur’s potential was unshakeable, stemming from his respect for Uther and his belief in the prophesied greatness of Arthur’s reign.
Leodegrance’s unwavering support was crucial during the early years of Arthur’s kingship. When Arthur sought to consolidate power, Leodegrance provided him with soldiers and resources, helping the young king establish his rule over a fractious and war-torn Britain. Their bond solidified into one of mutual respect and trust, a relationship that would culminate in one of Leodegrance’s most defining acts: his blessing of Arthur’s marriage to his beloved daughter, Guinevere.
The Gift of the Round Table
When Arthur asked for Guinevere’s hand in marriage, Leodegrance not only agreed but chose to seal their union with an extraordinary gift: the Round Table. This wasn’t just a physical object but a symbol of the ideals that Arthur would build his kingdom upon—equality, unity, and chivalry. The table, given to Leodegrance years before by Uther Pendragon, was a relic of profound significance, meant to seat knights in a manner that no man, not even the king, sat at a higher position than another.
In giving Arthur the Round Table, Leodegrance was passing on the dream of a unified and just realm, something he himself had strived for in Cameliard. The Round Table would become a beacon of Arthur’s reign, a place where his greatest knights would gather and where the seeds of many legendary exploits were sown. This gift also cemented Leodegrance’s place in Arthurian history as a king whose vision and support helped shape Camelot’s greatness.
Character and Personal Motivations
Leodegrance is often portrayed as a king of quiet strength and wisdom, driven by a deep-seated desire to create a better world. He is not a warrior-king like Arthur or a manipulator like some of the darker lords; instead, he is a man of principle. What he fears most is the chaos and strife that can tear kingdoms apart. Having witnessed the devastation caused by infighting and ambition during Uther’s reign, Leodegrance’s greatest wish is to see a united Britain under a just and capable ruler.
He sees Arthur as the embodiment of that hope and thus supports him wholeheartedly, even when other lords turn against the young king. This is also why he is willing to give up his beloved daughter, Guinevere, for the sake of the kingdom’s future. For Leodegrance, personal desires are secondary to the greater good—a perspective that sometimes isolates him from those around him but also makes him a figure of moral integrity.
Despite his outward confidence and composure, Leodegrance has his own inner conflicts. He is haunted by the knowledge that Cameliard is vulnerable, a small kingdom overshadowed by larger powers. He constantly fears that his choices may lead to the downfall of his people or place his daughter in a precarious position. This anxiety drives him to make strategic decisions that will secure not only his own realm but also the broader realm of Arthur’s Britain. The Round Table, in his eyes, is not just a gift but a safeguard—a mechanism to prevent the power struggles that could destroy everything he holds dear.
Leodegrance’s Later Years and Legacy
After Arthur and Guinevere’s marriage, Leodegrance’s presence in the legend diminishes, as he steps back to allow the next generation to lead. He continues to support Arthur from a distance, offering advice and counsel when needed. His kingdom of Cameliard remains a steadfast ally of Camelot, a testament to his loyalty and vision for a unified Britain.
Yet, his greatest legacy is the Round Table and the ideals it represents. Through this single act, Leodegrance’s influence extends far beyond his own life and reign. The knights who gather at the Round Table—Gawain, Lancelot, Percival, and others—embark on quests and battles that will echo through the ages. Every time a knight upholds the chivalric code or undertakes a noble quest, Leodegrance’s dream of a just and honorable realm is kept alive.
Conclusion
King Leodegrance is more than just the father of Guinevere or the giver of the Round Table. He is a visionary king, one who saw in Arthur the potential to create a world greater than his own, and who contributed the very foundation upon which Camelot’s glory would stand. His fears of chaos and ambition are tempered by his hope and faith in Arthur’s reign, making him a character of depth and complexity. Though he remains a supporting figure in the grand tale of King Arthur, his legacy endures as one of the architects of Britain’s golden age of chivalry.
King Leodegrance of Cameliard
Medium humanoid (human), Lawful Good
Armor Class 18 (Plate Mail, Shield)
Hit Points 210 (20d8 + 120)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 12 (+1) | 22 (+6) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws Str +10, Con +11, Wis +9
Skills Athletics +10, History +8, Insight +9, Persuasion +9, Religion +8
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Old Celtic, Sylvan
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +5
Legendary Resistance (3/Day)
If King Leodegrance fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Aura of Royal Resolve
All allies within 30 feet of King Leodegrance gain advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed.
Noble Command
As a bonus action, King Leodegrance can command one creature within 60 feet that can hear him. The target can use its reaction to make one weapon attack or move up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Paragon of Chivalry
King Leodegrance deals an additional 1d8 radiant damage with melee attacks against evil-aligned creatures. This bonus increases to 2d8 against undead or fiends.
Warrior-King
King Leodegrance has advantage on attacks against creatures with lower Strength scores than his own. Additionally, he has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks made to discern the intentions of others.
Actions
Multiattack. King Leodegrance makes three attacks with his sword Stag’s Honor or two attacks with Stag’s Honor and one with his Shield Bash.
Stag’s Honor (Longsword). Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) radiant damage.
- Stag’s Honor is a magical +2 longsword that gleams with a faint inner light. Forged by the finest smiths of Cameliard, it is a symbol of Leodegrance’s loyalty to his house. This blade can cast Daylight (radius 30 feet) as a bonus action for up to 1 hour, once per day.
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- If the target is knocked prone, King Leodegrance can immediately make one additional melee weapon attack against it as a bonus action.
Commanding Presence (Recharge 5-6).
All creatures of King Leodegrance’s choice within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened until the end of his next turn. While frightened in this way, creatures cannot move closer to him and have disadvantage on attacks against any of his allies.
Royal Decree.
King Leodegrance calls upon his authority to inspire or rebuke. Each creature of his choice within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 17 Charisma saving throw or be charmed or frightened (his choice) for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Reactions
Defensive Maneuver.
When an ally within 10 feet of King Leodegrance is hit by an attack, he can use his reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll by raising his shield to defend them.
Legendary Actions
King Leodegrance 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. He regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
- Sword Strike. King Leodegrance makes one attack with Stag’s Honor.
- Royal Guard. King Leodegrance moves up to half his speed. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.
- Inspire Resolve (Costs 2 Actions). One creature of Leodegrance’s choice within 30 feet can make one weapon attack and gains 15 temporary hit points.
Lair Actions
When fighting in his Castle of Cameliard, King Leodegrance can invoke the latent magic of his stronghold to aid him. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), King Leodegrance takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects:
- Call to Arms. The sound of a warhorn reverberates through the castle. Up to 3 loyal knights appear in unoccupied spaces within 30 feet of King Leodegrance. They act immediately after his initiative and obey his commands.
- King’s Command. All creatures of Leodegrance’s choice within 60 feet that can hear him regain 10 hit points.
- Knight’s Honor. Leodegrance and his allies within 30 feet have advantage on attack rolls until the start of his next turn.
Equipment
- Stag’s Honor: A legendary longsword of Cameliard, a +2 weapon that deals an additional 3d6 radiant damage to evil-aligned creatures. It has the power to emit Daylight once per day.
- Shield of Cameliard: A magical +1 shield, embossed with the crest of Cameliard. This shield grants a +2 bonus to Wisdom saving throws while wielded.
- Armor of the Stag: Leodegrance’s plate armor, enchanted to grant resistance to non-magical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
- Ring of the Silver Hart: An ancient signet ring that grants advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks made to influence fey creatures. It also allows the wearer to cast Speak with Animals once per day.
Description and Personality
“A kingdom’s true strength lies not in its walls or armies, but in the courage of those who stand beside you.”
King Leodegrance stands as a paragon of regal authority and martial prowess. His broad frame is wrapped in plate armor inscribed with protective runes and motifs of the stag, symbolizing his house. Though his face bears the scars of battle and his hair is streaked with gray, his eyes shine with the keen intellect of a ruler constantly weighing his options.
A man of unwavering principle, he fears the ruin that war could bring to his people but will not hesitate to take up arms to defend the realm and its ideals. In battle, he is a steadfast commander, inspiring his knights to greatness and serving as a bulwark against the tide of chaos. He desires above all to see his people live in peace, under a banner of unity, honor, and chivalry.