Buy me a coffeeYsbaddaden Bencawr “Chief of Giants”
“Meet Ysbaddaden: The Giant King Who Will Stop at Nothing to Avoid His Prophetic Doom—Even If It Means Sending a Hero on Impossible Quests!”
- Alias: The Giant-King, Ysbaddaden Bencawr (“giant king”)
- Gender: Male.
- Race: Frost Giant (also classified as a Cawr, a race of giants in Welsh mythology)
- Occupation: Ruler and tyrant; opposes the marriage of his daughter by assigning impossible tasks to her suitors
- Religion: Welsh mythology doesn’t specifically mention his religion, but he is a figure tied to the pagan, pre-Christian Celtic traditions.
- Allies: He is largely depicted as a solitary figure without specific allies; his role as a father and protector of Olwen puts him at odds with potential suitors like Culhwch.
- Enemies:
- Culhwch, the hero who seeks to marry Olwen
- King Arthur and his knights, who assist Culhwch in completing the tasks
- Fate itself, as he fears the prophecy that foretells his death upon his daughter’s marriage
- Abode/ Base of operations: Ysbaddaden resides in his fortress/castle, a dark and imposing place where he keeps Olwen hidden from potential suitors
- Nationality: His fortress is in Wales
- Languages: Common (Welsh), Giant
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral, bordering on Chaotic Evil—Ysbaddaden is driven by fear and selfish survival instincts rather than malevolence for its own sake. He imposes chaos and terror to avoid his fate, but his actions are motivated by self-preservation.
- Affiliation(s): None directly mentioned, though his relationship with his daughter and the tasks imposed on Culhwch place him in opposition to Arthurian allies.
- Significant others:
- Olwen, his daughter, whose marriage is linked to his death in the prophecy.
Ysbaddaden Bencawr: The Giant King’s Tragic Fate
Ysbaddaden Bencawr is a towering and fearsome figure from Welsh mythology, particularly from the tale Culhwch and Olwen in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh stories. He is the father of the beautiful Olwen, and his life is cursed by a prophecy: he will die when his daughter marries. To avoid this grim fate, Ysbaddaden imposes seemingly impossible tasks on any suitor who seeks Olwen’s hand, thereby prolonging his life and ensuring his continued dominance as the Cawr (giant-king). His ultimate defeat by the hero Culhwch, with the aid of King Arthur, marks the end of his reign and the fulfillment of the prophecy.
Life and Story
Ysbaddaden’s life is intricately woven with the fate of his daughter, Olwen. In the story, when Culhwch, a young nobleman, declares his love for Olwen, Ysbaddaden is not just a protective father—he is a man terrified of his own end. His life has been cursed by a prophecy that ties his death to Olwen’s marriage. Ysbaddaden, therefore, acts as both the main antagonist and a tragic figure, trying to thwart fate with every measure possible.
Culhwch approaches Ysbaddaden to ask for Olwen’s hand in marriage, but the giant knows that granting this wish would seal his doom. Instead of refusing outright, Ysbaddaden sets Culhwch on a quest to complete a series of anoethau—impossibly dangerous tasks. The most notable of these tasks include the legendary hunt of the Twrch Trwyth, a wild boar with magical powers, from which Culhwch must retrieve a comb, scissors, and razor so that Ysbaddaden can shave before the wedding
The challenges Ysbaddaden assigns are absurdly difficult, designed to ensure Culhwch’s failure. He is not content with sending the hero after any ordinary objects. Instead, Culhwch and his companions—most notably King Arthur and his knights—must traverse the land, fight magical creatures, and perform superhuman feats to gather the items necessary for Ysbaddaden’s self-preservation.
As the story progresses, Culhwch overcomes all obstacles through courage, cleverness, and the aid of his powerful allies. Ysbaddaden, bound by his curse, grows weaker with each completed task. His imposing presence begins to wane, and the inevitability of his demise becomes clearer. In the end, when the final task is completed, Ysbaddaden is no longer able to escape his fate. He is ultimately slain, thus fulfilling the prophecy and allowing Culhwch to marry Olwen
Character Traits, Motivations, and Fears
Ysbaddaden is a deeply tragic figure, driven by a desperate fear of death. He is not merely a malicious giant but a creature struggling against the tide of fate. His tyrannical nature comes not from a desire for power for power’s sake, but from a will to survive, to delay his inevitable demise as long as possible. The prophecy that links his death to his daughter’s marriage leaves him in a constant state of anxiety. His imposition of impossible tasks upon Culhwch is a manifestation of this fear, an attempt to make the hero fail so that Ysbaddaden might continue to live.
In this way, Ysbaddaden’s motivations are both understandable and pitiable. He fears the loss of control, a fear embodied in his desperate need to maintain his dominance as a king and father. His cruelty, therefore, can be seen as an extension of his own vulnerability. He is a symbol of fathers who resist change, holding tightly to their authority even when they know they must eventually relinquish it. His desire to live is intertwined with his desire to prevent his daughter’s independence, and by extension, the independence of the younger generation represented by Culhwch
Ysbaddaden’s ultimate goal is simple but tragic: to avoid death. In contrast to heroic figures who face their mortality head-on, Ysbaddaden runs from it, trying to outwit the prophecy that has bound him. He knows, however, that every task Culhwch completes brings him closer to his fate, and his growing despair is evident as the story nears its conclusion.
Achievements and Legacy
Although Ysbaddaden is ultimately defeated, his character leaves a lasting impact on Welsh mythology and storytelling. He represents the archetype of the fearsome guardian or impossible obstacle in hero narratives, a figure whose defeat is necessary for the hero to achieve success. His story is deeply intertwined with themes of prophecy, fate, and the resistance to change, all common motifs in Celtic and Arthurian legends
Despite his defeat, Ysbaddaden’s lasting legacy is tied to his role as a central obstacle in the tale of Culhwch and Olwen, one of the earliest Arthurian tales in recorded literature. His characterization as a giant who stands in the way of a younger generation’s progress resonates across mythological traditions, making him both a symbolic villain and a figure of tragic nobility.
In a broader sense, Ysbaddaden’s tale serves as a cautionary story about the futility of resisting fate and the natural order of things. Though powerful, he cannot escape the doom that hangs over him, and in the end, his attempts to defy destiny only lead to his destruction.
Ysbaddaden Bencawr
Gargantuan Giant, Chaotic Neutral
Challenge Rating (CR): 15 (13,000 XP)
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Hit Points 310 (23d20 + 115)
Speed 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 (+10) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 22 (+6) |
Saving Throws Str +16, Con +11, Wis +10, Cha +12
Skills Intimidation +12, History +9, Perception +10
Damage Immunities Poison, Psychic
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 20
Languages Common, Giant, Sylvan
Challenge Rating (CR) 15 (13,000 XP)
Abilities
- Amphibious. Ysbaddaden can breathe both air and water.
- Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Ysbaddaden fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
- Magic Resistance. Ysbaddaden has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
- Aura of Despair. Any creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of Ysbaddaden must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.
Actions
- Multiattack. He makes three attacks: one with his Greatspear and two with his Fist.
- Greatspear. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 45 (10d8 + 10) piercing damage.
- Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 38 (6d10 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
- Crushing Grasp (Recharge 5-6). Ysbaddaden targets one creature he can see within 30 feet of him. The target must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or take 66 (12d10) bludgeoning damage and be restrained until the end of its next turn. On a successful save, the target takes half damage and is not restrained.
- Call of the Giants (Recharge 6). Ysbaddaden can summon 2d4 Giant allies (Frost Giants) to fight for him. They appear in unoccupied spaces within 60 feet of Ysbaddaden and act on their own initiative count.
Reactions
- Titanic Roar (Recharge 5-6). When a creature within 60 feet of Ysbaddaden makes an attack roll, he can use his reaction to unleash a deafening roar. The attacker must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
Legendary Actions
Ysbaddaden 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. Ysbaddaden regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
- Move. Ysbaddaden moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Greatspear Attack. Ysbaddaden makes one Greatspear attack.
- Command Minions (Costs 2 Actions). Ysbaddaden commands any Giants he has summoned to make one attack each.
- Intimidating Presence (Costs 3 Actions). Ysbaddaden targets one creature he can see within 30 feet of him. The target must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Ysbaddaden can take one of the following lair actions; he can’t take the same lair action two rounds in a row:
- Mountain Tremor. The ground in a 60-foot radius centered on a point Ysbaddaden can see within 120 feet of him trembles violently. Each creature on the ground in that area must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Giant’s Defiance. Ysbaddaden summons a wave of chilling winds that sweep through his lair. Each creature of his choice within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or take 27 (6d8) cold damage and have its speed reduced by half until the end of its next turn.
- Summon Shadows. Ysbaddaden calls forth shadowy forms from the dark corners of his lair. Each creature within 30 feet of him must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or take 14 (4d6) psychic damage and be frightened until the end of its next turn.
Equipment and Magic Items
- Greatspear of the Ancients. This magical spear grants a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls. On a hit, the spear deals an extra 2d6 cold damage.
- Crown of the Cursed King. This cursed crown provides a +2 bonus to Charisma checks and saving throws. However, while wearing it, Ysbaddaden is tormented by visions of his demise, imposing disadvantage on all Wisdom saving throws.
- Belt of Giants. This magical belt increases Ysbaddaden’s carrying capacity and grants him advantage on Strength checks.
Background and Lore
In the annals of Welsh mythology, Ysbaddaden Bencawr is a tragic figure, cursed to oversee his daughter’s fate. In the lore, he was a once-mighty king, feared and revered, now trapped by his own desperation to avoid his prophecy. He is a fierce guardian and a cruel father, imposing impossible tasks on those who seek to win his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Tactics
Ysbaddaden prefers to use his Aura of Despair to instill fear in enemies before engaging directly. He uses his Greatspear and Fist attacks to dominate melee combat and deploys Crushing Grasp to incapacitate key threats. His Call of the Giants ability can summon allies to overwhelm opponents, and he uses legendary actions to maintain control over the battlefield.