King Pellinore — Hunter of the Questing Beast
Before Camelot fell in 537 CE, King Pellinore has followed the Questing Beast for so many years that even the hounds know its cry. Once Arthur’s adversary, he is now a valued knight of the Round Table and the man who slew King Lot during the uprising against Camelot. Tonight an Orkney messenger carries a challenge bearing Gawain‘s seal. Pellinore wants to answer it alone. Sir Tor has found a second seal on the letter, and suspects that the supposed duel is an ambush. The characters have until sunrise to stop an old feud from taking another life.
At a Glance
- Identity
- King Pellinore (Pellinor, Pellynore), ruler and knight of Arthur’s court
- Nature
- Human; formidable mortal warrior, hunter and father
- Allegiance
- King Arthur and the Round Table, despite an earlier quarrel over the throne
- Seat
- A western British royal household; often absent while hunting the Questing Beast
- Known for
- Hunting the Questing Beast, defeating Arthur in an early duel, and killing King Lot in battle
- Family
- Sir Tor, Aglovale, Lamorak, Percival, Dornar and Alyne
- Opponents
- Gawain, Gaheris and the armed partisans of Orkney
- Alignment
- Lawful Neutral — upholds oaths and Arthur’s peace, but obsession, pride and earlier cruelty gravely compromise his judgement
- Languages
- Brythonic, the speech of Arthur’s court and the hunting calls of his household
- Immediate danger
- A forged summons attempts to bring him unguarded to an Orkney killing ground
What Is Happening Right Now?
Pellinore’s scouts have tracked the beast to a ravine crossed by the road to Orkney’s envoys. His eldest sons beg him to abandon the chase long enough to hear the evidence of a forged challenge. Pellinore dismisses the warning until a page brings news that Gawain’s riders have purchased spare lances and ridden past the chapel where an alleged duel is to be fought. If the king insists on honouring the message, the characters may escort him, replace the invitation with a counterchallenge before Arthur, or discover who prepared the ambush.
First Meeting
In the stable court Pellinore is cleaning mud from a hunting spear. He has the bearing of a king, but the sleepless face of a man who has chased the same mystery across half a kingdom. His horse is tired, and he has scarcely noticed. When a stranger asks after the beast he speaks quickly and precisely; when asked about his sons, he hesitates. He shows respect to experienced travellers, yet may need a direct accusation before admitting that the hunt has cost others more than himself.
Three Scenes Tonight
- The beast’s cry: an eerie sound rises from the wooded hollow; two hounds break free of their leash and lead the party towards a concealed ravine.
- The second seal: Tor presents evidence that the Orkney challenge was copied by someone inside Arthur’s household.
- The wounded messenger: a rider claims the ambush is cancelled, but an arrow in his saddlebag bears the mark of another faction.
Appearance and Manner
Pellinore is a tall, powerful, ageing man whose long pursuit has worn the polish from his armour. His hair and beard are touched with grey. His voice is sonorous and authoritative, although he is capable of quiet regret when reminded of the suffering he caused. He can recite the beast’s trails and cries better than the names of some of his household staff. He protects Arthur in open battle but fails his own ideal of kingship when he turns away from a plea for aid.
Ambition, Pressure and Private Knowledge
- Ambition: finish the quest for the beast and leave his sons a realm at peace.
- Pressure: Gawain seeks vengeance for King Lot, whom Pellinore killed while serving Arthur.
- Private knowledge: he has heard a story of a maiden who died after he ignored her plea during an earlier hunt; he suspects the identity of the lost woman but cannot bear to confirm it.
- Regret: Tor’s mother did not freely consent to Pellinore’s earlier conduct, and Pellinore’s royal station cannot erase the harm.
- Flaw: he mistakes persistence for virtue, even when the Questing Beast leads him away from people who need help.
- Turning point: Pellinore will surrender the hunt for a night if the characters prove that the forged letter threatens the lives of his sons or household.
Relationships and Allegiances
- Arthur: former foe turned ally; Pellinore once bested Arthur in combat, after which Merlin led Arthur to his new sword.
- Sir Tor: his son raised by Aries the cowherd; Tor honours his adoptive parents and refuses to excuse the coercion of his mother.
- Sir Aglovale: capable son who wants the family to meet Orkney’s challenge with evidence rather than private vengeance.
- Sir Lamorak: celebrated knight whose relationship with Morgause could turn an old blood feud into a new murder.
- Sir Percival: a son whose calling draws him towards the Grail rather than the pursuit of family vengeance.
- Gawain: King Lot’s son and the man most eager to see Pellinore punished.
- Gaheris: another Orkney brother capable of assisting in an ambush.
- Merlin: understood Pellinore’s importance to Arthur when the two kings first fought.
- Sir Palamedes: a second hunter whose rival pursuit of the Questing Beast reveals how easily obsession can outlive the first hunter.
- Questing Beast: the elusive quarry that gives Pellinore purpose while tempting him to neglect his human obligations.
Game Statistics
Pellinore is a powerful mortal knight, not a druid, deity or innate shapeshifter. He fights with longsword and shield; when mounted he delivers one lance strike, then moves into melee. The four independent adaptations below preserve their respective edition mechanics.
King Pellinore — D&D 2024
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral
Armor Class 20 (plate armor, shield); Initiative +2 (12); Hit Points 187 (22d8 + 88); Speed 30 ft.; Challenge 11 (7,200 XP; PB +4)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) |
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8, Wis +6; Skills Animal Handling +6, Athletics +9, Insight +6, Perception +6, Survival +10; Senses Passive Perception 16; Languages Brythonic, Arthurian court speech.
Traits
Relentless Hunter. Pellinore has Advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to follow tracks or interpret the movement of a hunted creature. Knight of the Old War. He has Advantage on saving throws against being Frightened while he can see a conscious ally within 30 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. Pellinore makes three Longsword attacks. A Lance attack is a separate action and is never part of this Multiattack.
Longsword. Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 5 ft. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) Slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 5 ft. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) Bludgeoning damage. A Large or smaller target makes a DC 17 Strength saving throw or has the Prone condition.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 10 ft. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) Piercing damage, plus 9 (2d8) Piercing damage if the mount travelled at least 20 feet in a straight line immediately before the attack. He makes only one Lance attack.
Bonus Action
Hunting Signal (Recharge 5–6). Pellinore chooses one ally within 30 feet that can hear him. The ally may move up to half its Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks, or may gain 10 Temporary Hit Points.
Reaction
Parry. Pellinore adds 4 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him if he can see the attacker and is wielding a sword.
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 2. Immediately after another creature’s turn, Pellinore may 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
Pellinore challenges the strongest opponent, but he will not knowingly let a frightened servant take his place. A credible witness to the forged challenge may convince him to stand down and bring the matter before Arthur.
King Pellinore — D&D 2014
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
Armor Class 20 (plate, shield); Hit Points 187 (22d8 + 88); Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) |
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8, Wis +6; Skills Animal Handling +6, Athletics +9, Insight +6, Perception +6, Survival +10; Senses passive Perception 16; Languages Brythonic, Arthurian court speech; Challenge 11 (7,200 XP).
Traits
Relentless Hunter. Pellinore has advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to follow tracks or identify a quarry’s movements. Knight of the Old War. He has advantage on saving throws against being frightened while an ally he can see remains conscious within 30 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. Pellinore makes three longsword attacks. His mounted lance strike is one separate attack action.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Large or smaller target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage; DC 17 Strength saving throw or knocked prone.
Lance (Mounted Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) after a straight 20-foot mounted approach. One attack only.
Bonus Actions
Hunting Signal (Recharge 5–6). One ally within 30 feet that can hear Pellinore may move half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks, or gain 10 temporary hit points.
Reactions
Parry. Pellinore adds 4 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him, if he sees the attacker and is holding a sword.
Legendary Actions
Pellinore has 2 legendary actions, spent only one at the end of another creature’s turn. He regains all spent actions at the start of his turn. Advance: move half his speed without provoking opportunity attacks (1 action). Answering Strike: one longsword attack (2 actions).
Tactics
Pellinore commits to a single mounted charge if the road is open, then fights on foot. His code of honour obliges him to hear a lawful challenge; his sons can help him distinguish one from an assassin’s fraud.
King Pellinore — Pathfinder 1e
CR 12; XP 19,200; Male human fighter 13; LN Medium humanoid (human); Init +6; Senses Perception +10.
Defense
AC 26, touch 13, flat-footed 24 (+10 armor, +3 shield, +2 Dex, +1 deflection); hp 136 (13d10 + 52 plus 13 Toughness); Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +8; Defensive Abilities bravery +3 against fear.
Offense
Speed 30 ft. (armor training); Melee +1 longsword +25/+20/+15 (1d8 + 14/17–20); Alternative masterwork lance +22 (1d8 + 8/×3; one mounted charge at +24); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.
Statistics
Str 22, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 14; Base Atk +13; CMB +19; CMD 31.
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, Lunge.
Skills Ride +16, Intimidate +16, Perception +10, Diplomacy +9; Languages Brythonic and Arthurian court speech.
Gear +1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, ring of protection +1, hunting horn and trained warhorse.
Special Abilities and Tactics
Weapon Training (Ex). +3 with heavy blades and +2 with spears, already included in melee damage and attack bonuses. Armor Training (Ex). He retains his 30-foot movement in full plate and can apply his +2 Dexterity bonus. He makes one lance attack on a mounted charge; when stopped he uses the longsword’s three iterative attacks. The Questing Beast is a separate encounter, not an animal companion or a class-granted mount.
King Pellinore — D&D 3.5e
Male human fighter 13; Lawful Neutral Medium humanoid (human); CR 13; Init +6; Senses Listen +2, Spot +2.
Defense
AC 24, touch 12, flat-footed 23 (+9 armor, +3 shield, +1 Dex, +1 deflection); hp 126 (13d10 + 52 plus 3 Toughness); Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +8.
Offense
Speed 20 ft.; Melee +1 longsword +22/+17/+12 (1d8 + 11/17–20); Alternative masterwork lance +20 (1d8 + 6/×3, +22 on one mounted charge); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.; Base Atk +13; Grp +19.
Statistics
Str 22, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 14; Skills Ride +10, Intimidate +15, Diplomacy +10, Listen +2, Spot +2.
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; Languages Brythonic, Arthurian court speech.
Special Abilities and Tactics
Pellinore’s +1 longsword attack includes Strength, magic enhancement, Weapon Focus and Greater Weapon Focus; damage includes both weapon-specialisation feats. Pathfinder weapon training and armor training do not apply. He makes only one lance strike during a mounted charge, and full longsword iteratives only when standing to fight.
Possessions +1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, ring of protection +1, tracking horn and trained warhorse.
Run the Encounter
The parties to the blood feud each hold part of the truth. Pellinore did kill Lot while defending Arthur in battle, but the sons of Lot intend a private killing rather than an open trial. The Questing Beast itself is not a villain who ordered the feud. Characters can expose the forged challenge, find a willing witness, escort Pellinore to a hearing or confront the hired riders before anyone dies. What matters is whether a king accepts responsibility before he loses the chance.
Five Encounters
- The cry in the ravine: the Questing Beast passes nearby; hunters must choose whether to follow it or rescue a lost shepherd.
- The sealed challenge: an envoy claims Gawain invites Pellinore to lawful combat, but a second impression on the wax reveals the forgery.
- Tor’s demand: Tor asks Pellinore to hear the testimony of his mother and Aries without offering noble rank as an excuse.
- The armed crossing: Gaheris’s retainers block a bridge on which Pellinore is due to ride alone.
- Arthur’s hearing: evidence of King Lot’s death is brought before the Round Table, where Pellinore must choose between confession and further pride.
Six Adventure Hooks
- Two exhausted hounds return with wounds no hunter can explain; the Questing Beast is leading pursuers towards inhabited farmland.
- An old sword is found at the site where Pellinore defeated Arthur, and someone claims it is the lost sword from the stone.
- Gawain promises safe conduct for a duel, but his messenger’s seal has been tampered with.
- A young woman claims to be Pellinore’s daughter and seeks proof of the hunter’s failure to aid her kin.
- Aglovale offers the party protection if they carry a letter of reconciliation into hostile Orkney.
- Lamorak receives an invitation written in his father’s hand to meet a knight who died years ago.
Equipment and Resources
Full plate, sword, shield, lance, veteran warhorse, two hunting hounds, horn, trail maps, a purse of royal coin and mounted retainers. He can ask Arthur for aid but cannot command Gawain or the other Orkney lords without their oath. The attributed shield shown above is a later heraldic design, not a magical relic with fixed powers in all traditions.
Lore, History and Timeline
Pellinore first appears as a hard-fighting king in pursuit of the Questing Beast. He defeats the young Arthur so thoroughly that Arthur’s earlier sword breaks, after which Merlin brings Arthur to receive Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. Pellinore becomes Arthur’s ally and kills the rebellious King Lot in battle. Those events establish the feud with the sons of Lot, especially Gawain and Gaheris, and leave every member of Pellinore’s family vulnerable.
Malory also records Pellinore’s failures of duty. During a quest he passed a wounded knight and a young woman crying for help because he would not abandon his quarry. The episode ends in tragedy and is later connected to his daughter Alyne. His conduct towards the woman who became Tor’s mother also remains a grave wrong, regardless of Tor’s subsequent knighthood. Pellinore’s children include Tor, Aglovale, Lamorak, Dornar and Percival, whose different loyalties should never be reduced to one household faction. Malory names these sons explicitly.
Pellinore rode with Arthur before Camlann in 537 CE. The war with King Lot, the first hunt for the Questing Beast and the feud with the Orkney brothers belong to that earlier age. In 1454 he is not the ordinary living neighbour of a Cornish lord: a hunter bearing his horn may have crossed from Faerie, wandered out of an ancient road or be trading on the dead king’s name. A new sound like the Questing Beast’s cry can draw adventurers towards that mystery, but it does not prove that every knight of the Round Table still rides the mortal roads.
Related People and Places
Arthurian characters · King Arthur · Gawain · Gaheris · Sir Tor · Aglovale · Lamorak · Percival · Merlin · Questing Beast
Sources and Artwork
- University of Rochester Camelot Project, Pellinore — his early conflict with Arthur, the Questing Beast, the deaths tied to the Lot feud and the tragic hunt.
- Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur, Book X, Chapter XXIII — Tor, Aglovale, Lamorak, Dornar and Percival.
- Karen Cherewatuk, “Emotional Inheritance in Malory’s Morte Darthur” (2024) — the feud as a cycle of inherited grievance.
- Existing King Pellinore portrait retained from the SpiralWorlds media library. The modern attributed arms are by Chatsam, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, as credited in the site’s original image metadata. The encounter situations and four RPG statistics sets are original unofficial adaptations.
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