King Bors the Elder — Ruler of Gaunnes

In 1454, a rusted crown and a seal of Gaunnes are discovered in the foundations of a deserted hall. Beyond a hidden Fey threshold stands the kingdom on the eve of its ruin. King Bors the Elder is trying to save his wife Evaine and two young sons while an army loyal to Claudas closes the roads. A frightened groom brings word that the southern ford is undefended, but a royal officer insists he be punished for leaving his post. The adventurers can expose the false report before the king commits his remaining riders to a doomed crossing.

At a Glance

Identity: King Bors of Gaunnes (Ganis, Gannes), called Bors the Elder to distinguish him from his son
Nature: Human ruler, war leader and ally of Arthur’s early cause; he is not his son’s namesake knight of the Round Table
Family: Brother of King Ban of Benoic; husband of Queen Evaine; father of Bors the Younger and Lionel; uncle of Lancelot
Allegiance: His people in Gaunnes, his brother Ban and the Arthurian alliance
Enemies: Claudas and those who sell the kingdom’s river crossings to him
Home: Gaunnes, among the continental lands disputed by Claudas
Alignment: Lawful Good — keeps his word to vassals and allies even when a hard choice endangers his own position
Languages: French, Brythonic and the speech of neighbouring courts
Present-day state: Long dead in the ordinary world of 1454; accessible during the siege through an exceptional crossing into the past

What Is Happening Right Now?

Claudas has sent riders through the orchards to cut the west road. King Bors holds his war council while couriers arrive from Ban of Benoic and Arthur’s allies. The king’s sons are still children, and a captain has concealed news of a collapsed river bridge to avoid losing his commission. Evacuating the young princes requires either exposing the captain or taking a narrow woodland road that only the servants of the Lady of the Lake know.

First Meeting

Bors stands above a map laid across a trestle table; a dented breastplate hangs beside his chair. His hair is going grey, but he is still tall and powerfully built, with a voice that quiets quarrels without shouting. He asks whether the characters have actually seen the enemy’s banners before trusting their news. His wife Evaine is organising what can be carried from the hall. The king does not want his sons to witness the panic, yet cannot bear to send them away without a proper farewell.

Three Scenes Tonight

The broken ford: witnesses give incompatible reports of the bridge’s condition, and the rear guard is waiting for an order to march.
Evaine’s demand: the queen insists that the children take the Fey road; a knight objects that a king’s heirs should remain with the army.
Claudas’s offer: an envoy promises Bors safety for his household in return for a formal surrender that will dispossess his poorer vassals.

Appearance and Manner

King Bors wears expensive armour that has seen service. His shield is scarred, his horse has been ridden hard, and his cloak bears the weather of several campaigns. He refuses empty compliments. He knows that the loyalty of a kingdom is built by keeping soldiers fed, defending roads and honouring surrender terms. His greatest fear is leaving his sons a lost crown and a quarrel that will consume their youth.

Ambitions and Private Knowledge

Ambition: hold Gaunnes until Ban or Arthur can bring assistance, then negotiate a peace with his people’s rights intact.
Pressure: divided captains, a threatened family and the advancing army of Claudas.
Private knowledge: the king’s messengers have not all reached the frontier, and he suspects the invaders know which ford the refugees will use.
Flaw: he expects commanders to respect surrender terms as firmly as he does.
Offer: a place in the escort protecting Evaine and the princes, a sealed safe-conduct and the support of his last loyal riders.

Relationships and Allegiances

King Ban is his brother and closest military ally. Bors’s wife Evaine shares his determination to keep the children alive. Their sons, Bors the Younger and Lionel, are not yet the famous knights they will become. The sons’ eventual rescue through the Lady of the Lake and upbringing alongside Lancelot belong to the later chapter of the family story. Bors may support Arthur’s cause, but he must not be confused with the later knight who survives the Grail Quest.

Places, Services and Defences

Gaunnes is defended by a river road, a fortified hall, small garrisons and the loyalty of mounted retainers. Bors can arrange horses, escorts and a safe-conduct within his own authority. Claudas’s army is too large for Bors to defeat by personal prowess alone. A damaged bridge, missing provisions or a hostage exchange matters more than a random duel.

Game Statistics

Bors is a mortal ruler and skilled knight. His guard, household, fortifications and warhorse are independent allies or locations, not legendary actions or an invented magical lair.

D&D 2024D&D 2014Pathfinder 1eD&D 3.5e

King Bors the Elder — D&D 2024

Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Good

Armor Class 20 (plate armour, shield); Initiative +1 (11); Hit Points 136 (16d8 + 64); Speed 30 ft.; Challenge 8 (3,900 XP; PB +3)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	12 (+1)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)

Saving Throws Str +7, Con +7, Wis +5, Cha +7; Skills Athletics +7, History +5, Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +10; Senses Passive Perception 15; Languages Brythonic, French and the languages of his vassals.

Traits

Command of Gaunnes. Allied guards who recognise Bors’s authority have Advantage on saving throws against being Frightened while within 30 feet of him. This grants no power to command enemy creatures.

Stand by the Oath. Bors has Advantage on Charisma checks when persuading a loyal retainer to defend a civilian during a retreat. It has no effect on strangers who owe him no allegiance.

Actions

Multiattack. Bors makes three Royal Longsword attacks. His mounted lance charge is one attack and cannot be part of Multiattack.

Royal Longsword. Melee Attack Roll: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.

Mounted Lance Charge. If Bors is mounted and his mount has moved 20 feet directly toward a target, he makes one lance attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 23 (3d12 + 4) piercing damage. He has Disadvantage on the attack if the target is within 5 feet.

Bonus Action

Hold the Gate (Recharge 5–6). Up to two allies within 30 feet that can hear Bors each gain 8 Temporary Hit Points and may move 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.

Reaction

Shield a Retainer. When an ally within 5 feet is hit by an attack, Bors can interpose his shield and reduce the damage the ally takes by 9 (2d8), provided Bors is holding a shield and is not incapacitated.

Tactics

Bors fights to maintain an orderly retreat rather than pursue an enemy leader. He refuses to leave noncombatants at Claudas’s mercy, but securing his children’s escape can force a bitter choice. The king’s soldiers and warhorse are separate creatures.

King Bors the Elder — D&D 2014

Medium humanoid (human), lawful good

Armor Class 20 (plate armour, shield); Hit Points 136 (16d8 + 64); Speed 30 ft.; Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	12 (+1)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)

Traits

Command of Gaunnes. Allied guards who recognise Bors’s authority have advantage on saving throws against being Frightened while within 30 feet of him. This grants no power to command enemy creatures.

Stand by the Oath. Bors has advantage on Charisma checks when persuading a loyal retainer to defend a civilian during a retreat. It has no effect on strangers who owe him no allegiance.

Actions

Multiattack. Bors makes three Royal Longsword attacks. His mounted lance charge is one attack and cannot be part of Multiattack.

Royal Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.

Mounted Lance Charge. If Bors is mounted and his mount has moved 20 feet directly toward a target, he makes one lance attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 23 (3d12 + 4) piercing damage. He has disadvantage on the attack if the target is within 5 feet.

Bonus Actions

Hold the Gate (Recharge 5–6). Up to two allies within 30 feet that can hear Bors each gain 8 Temporary Hit Points and may move 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.

Reactions

Tactics

King Bors the Elder — Pathfinder 1e

CR 9; XP 6,400; male human fighter 10; LG Medium humanoid (human); Init +5; Senses Perception +12.

Defense

AC 25, touch 12, flat-footed 24 (+10 armour, +3 shield, +1 Dex, +1 deflection); hp 105 (10d10 + 40 plus 10 Toughness); Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +7; Defensive Abilities bravery +3 against fear.

Offense

Speed 30 ft. (armour training); Melee +1 longsword +19/+14 (1d8+9/19–20); Mounted charge masterwork lance +15 (1d8+4/×3; one attack with Spirited Charge); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft. (lance 10 ft.); Base Atk +10; CMB +14; CMD 26.

Statistics

Str 18, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 18; Feats Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Toughness, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword); Skills Diplomacy +14, Intimidate +17, Knowledge (nobility) +12, Perception +12, Ride +11; Languages French, Brythonic.

Special Abilities

Weapon Training (Ex). Heavy blades +2, already included in longsword attack and damage totals. Armour Training (Ex). Bors moves at full speed in heavy armour. Royal Retreat (Ex; 1/day). As a standard action Bors commands up to three allies within 30 feet that can hear him; those allies may immediately move 10 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity.

Gear and Tactics

+1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, ring of protection +1, crown and royal signet, military standards and a fresh warhorse. The horse and soldiers are independent allies. Mounted charges produce a single lance attack.

King Bors the Elder — D&D 3.5e

Male human fighter 10; Lawful Good Medium humanoid (human); CR 10; Init +5; Senses Listen +2, Spot +2.

Defense

AC 24, touch 12, flat-footed 23 (+9 armour, +3 shield, +1 Dex, +1 deflection); hp 95 (10d10 + 40); Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +7.

Offense

Speed 20 ft.; Melee +1 longsword +17/+12 (1d8+7/19–20); Mounted charge masterwork lance +15 (1d8+4/×3; one attack with Spirited Charge); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft. (lance 10 ft.); Base Atk +10; Grp +14.

Statistics

Str 18, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 18; Feats Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword); Skills Diplomacy +10, Intimidate +17, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +8, Ride +9, Listen +2, Spot +2; Languages French, Brythonic.

Special Abilities

Royal Retreat (Ex; 1/day). As a standard action Bors commands up to three allies within 30 feet that can hear him. These allies may immediately move 10 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity. Oath and Allegiance. The king’s commands are mundane orders, not supernatural charm or compulsion.

Possessions and Tactics

+1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, ring of protection +1, crown, signet and warhorse. His armour limits speed to 20 feet, and his single mounted lance charge cannot be replaced by a full iterative attack sequence.

Running King Bors

The central encounter is a ruler deciding what to save from a collapsing kingdom. The characters can become couriers, escort Evaine, identify a traitor or parley with Claudas’s envoy. Bors can win his own fight and still lose his kingdom. A safe passage for his sons may require the sacrifice of a proud banner, a castle or his own freedom.

Five Encounters

Vanished riders: a mounted patrol fails to return, and a stableboy knows which road it took.
Bridge over the gorge: someone has cut the retaining ropes; horses can still cross individually, but a wagon cannot.
The false surrender: Claudas’s herald presents terms designed to look acceptable until the hostages are named.
Ban’s messenger: a courier bearing King Ban’s seal has a wounded arm and may have delivered the wrong message.
The royal children: a servant must decide whether to obey a captain’s order or carry the young princes toward the Lady’s hidden country.

Six Adventure Hooks

A crown from Gaunnes is found in a burial chamber in 1454 and its seal opens a door into the siege.
Evaine asks the party to deliver a private message to the Lady of the Lake before a captain can seize it.
An offer from Claudas contains a clause that will enslave river villages after Bors gives up the crown.
The family armoury holds an heirloom that Bors’s descendants will desperately seek in another age.
A captured enemy scout claims the king’s adviser is supplying the invaders, but refuses to identify the adviser in public.
The way back to 1454 will close at dawn, while the youngest heir is still behind the enemy lines.

Travel and Consequences

The Gaunnes hall lies on the continental lands claimed in the French Arthurian romances, before the disasters that scatter Ban’s and Bors’s families. In the later world this is no surviving independent Arthurian kingdom. Travellers arriving through a Fey passage must reckon with the dangers of returning across time. If the party saves only a crown and not the people, a later heir may inherit nothing but the symbol of a loss.

Deeper History

Bors the Elder is the brother of Ban of Benoic, husband of Evaine and father of Bors the Younger and Lionel. The struggle with Claudas and the rescue of the boys belong to the French prose romance cycle. His death precedes their adult fame and the Grail adventures. Some summaries compress this history and mistakenly place him at later Round Table events; those deeds belong to his son. The exact timing and details vary with the romances and their retellings.

Related People and Places

Arthurian characters · Bors the Younger · Sir Lionel · King Ban · Lancelot · Camelot

Sources and Artwork

The family of Ban and Bors, their wars with Claudas and their displaced children are drawn from the French Lancelot-Grail romances; for a summary compare USC’s Mysteries of the Grail: Sir Bors and Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. The Gaunnes siege scenes and the 1454 Fey crossing are setting material. The portrait depicts the elder king, whose history is distinct from that of his son.

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