20 facts about the Half Dead King
1. Uther was the youngest of three sons. When he was two weeks old, his nursemaid fled the kingdom with the child although they refute it was because she feared Uther’s father or eldest brother would kill him lest he attempted to take the throne. Reports that Vesper killed their brother when he usurped the King are just rumors.
2. Uther was raised in the house of Duke Tregor, in the Northern lands of what would one day be Gilboa. Although he cared for the Duke’s home; it was always pointed out that he was not Aesctir-born. He was always the foreign prince reputation of his family and their deeds followed him everywhere.
3. When he was seven, while spending a summer in Avalon, he had a vision (although later in life he would call it a dream and nothing else) where he saw himself with a blood soaked crown. The image haunts him to this day.
4. He once promised a twelve year old Catrina Tregor his hand in marriage, knowing she would not live to see the promise completed. He did not do this for malice; it comforted the girl to know she would have a husband, and gave him sufficient reason never to wed.
5. When he came of age, as was Duke Tregor’s right with his foster son- he sent Uther to serve Avalon until such a time he proved more useful to Tregor. Since he was still considered a prince, he could not swear allegiance to any crown or sovereign so his word became a solemn vow to him. Most teased him for his belief in the almost archaic code of honor and duty he subscribed to.
6. One of the few who seemed to take his word as gold was the Great Lady Nimueh, and he was pleased although a little intimidated when he became her guard.
7. He received the surname Pendragon (chief dragon) from the Great Lady, a boon for his skill as a warrior or a prophecy of things to come. He still hasn’t figured that one out.
8. One night when he was alone with her and they were both warm and happy; he swore life, honor and love to her although the next morning, fearing she’d think him a lesser man, he claimed it was the wine. Nonetheless, he remembers and keeps his vow to this day.
9. He was called back from Avalon when Gilboa’s wars of unification spilled over to Tregor’s borders. Eventually, Aestir aligned itself with the neighboring petty Kingdom of Camelot and to cement the union, Uther was married the daughter of the King, Igraine duBois.
10. When her father was killed in the wars by the advancing armies of Carmel, Igraine seized the throne in hopes Vesper would leave his brother’s kingdom alone. The gamble worked and lucky for them both, Carmel fell before Vesper decided to change his mind.
11. Uther refused the crown of Camelot two times, content to be Igraine’s consort and nothing more. He was- and still is- terrified of becoming his brother. Nonetheless, Igraine took the name Pendragon and established his dynasty. She believed in him and he never forgot that.
12. Because of the chaos surrounding Camelot and the internal struggles at that time religions, and cults ran rife in Camelot; up to and including extremists who despised the fact their Christian Queen had married a pagan and an outsider to boot. It was then Uther hoped a child would bring stability to the land but Igraine could not conceive.
13. There are bargains Uther made with God, the Devil and magic he will not speak of that made Igraine’s pregnancy possible. Because of his desperation, he agreed to many things that haunt him to this day.
14. One day, in Igraine’s eighth month of pregnancy, while they were traveling through the countryside their convoy was ambushed but religious zealots who sought to end their reign. Uther was shot in the head, and Igraine four times in the chest. He and the child survived. That would be the first of three assassination attempts he survived, and the first to earn him his newest name of the Half Dead King.
15. What followed Igraine’s death is barely spoken of, even today. There were thousands of believers in Camelot and then almost overnight, they simply disappeared. To this day, it is a crime to practice any faith within Camelot’s borders.
16. Most believe that had Uther not become close (the term fallen in love is never used about Uther and Gaius, even now twenty years after the fact) with his physician the purges could have been far worst. They’re right.
17. Gaius is, in every right and way that matters, Uther’s partner but they have never married, nor has Gaius ever taken a political or noble title. Gaius knows better than anyone that no one can replace Igraine in Uther’s heart or at his side. Uther has put Igraine on a pedestal that no one compares to and woe to the one who tries.
18. Ever a man to keep his word, when his closest friend and advisor died Uther brought Gorlois’ ten year old daughter Morgana to live with them. Although he had hoped one day Morgana and Arthur to be married, he realized when she was about fifteen he had better chances of making pigs fly. Luckily for Morgana, she became Uther’s daughter in his heart about two months after she moved in. Morgana figured it was less then that.
19. He still attends executions and makes them public to ensure his edicts are obeyed.
20. It’s said- half in jest- that Uther Pendragon carries no heart in his chest. He rather likes that particular story about him.
2. Uther was raised in the house of Duke Tregor, in the Northern lands of what would one day be Gilboa. Although he cared for the Duke’s home; it was always pointed out that he was not Aesctir-born. He was always the foreign prince reputation of his family and their deeds followed him everywhere.
3. When he was seven, while spending a summer in Avalon, he had a vision (although later in life he would call it a dream and nothing else) where he saw himself with a blood soaked crown. The image haunts him to this day.
4. He once promised a twelve year old Catrina Tregor his hand in marriage, knowing she would not live to see the promise completed. He did not do this for malice; it comforted the girl to know she would have a husband, and gave him sufficient reason never to wed.
5. When he came of age, as was Duke Tregor’s right with his foster son- he sent Uther to serve Avalon until such a time he proved more useful to Tregor. Since he was still considered a prince, he could not swear allegiance to any crown or sovereign so his word became a solemn vow to him. Most teased him for his belief in the almost archaic code of honor and duty he subscribed to.
6. One of the few who seemed to take his word as gold was the Great Lady Nimueh, and he was pleased although a little intimidated when he became her guard.
7. He received the surname Pendragon (chief dragon) from the Great Lady, a boon for his skill as a warrior or a prophecy of things to come. He still hasn’t figured that one out.
8. One night when he was alone with her and they were both warm and happy; he swore life, honor and love to her although the next morning, fearing she’d think him a lesser man, he claimed it was the wine. Nonetheless, he remembers and keeps his vow to this day.
9. He was called back from Avalon when Gilboa’s wars of unification spilled over to Tregor’s borders. Eventually, Aestir aligned itself with the neighboring petty Kingdom of Camelot and to cement the union, Uther was married the daughter of the King, Igraine duBois.
10. When her father was killed in the wars by the advancing armies of Carmel, Igraine seized the throne in hopes Vesper would leave his brother’s kingdom alone. The gamble worked and lucky for them both, Carmel fell before Vesper decided to change his mind.
11. Uther refused the crown of Camelot two times, content to be Igraine’s consort and nothing more. He was- and still is- terrified of becoming his brother. Nonetheless, Igraine took the name Pendragon and established his dynasty. She believed in him and he never forgot that.
12. Because of the chaos surrounding Camelot and the internal struggles at that time religions, and cults ran rife in Camelot; up to and including extremists who despised the fact their Christian Queen had married a pagan and an outsider to boot. It was then Uther hoped a child would bring stability to the land but Igraine could not conceive.
13. There are bargains Uther made with God, the Devil and magic he will not speak of that made Igraine’s pregnancy possible. Because of his desperation, he agreed to many things that haunt him to this day.
14. One day, in Igraine’s eighth month of pregnancy, while they were traveling through the countryside their convoy was ambushed but religious zealots who sought to end their reign. Uther was shot in the head, and Igraine four times in the chest. He and the child survived. That would be the first of three assassination attempts he survived, and the first to earn him his newest name of the Half Dead King.
15. What followed Igraine’s death is barely spoken of, even today. There were thousands of believers in Camelot and then almost overnight, they simply disappeared. To this day, it is a crime to practice any faith within Camelot’s borders.
16. Most believe that had Uther not become close (the term fallen in love is never used about Uther and Gaius, even now twenty years after the fact) with his physician the purges could have been far worst. They’re right.
17. Gaius is, in every right and way that matters, Uther’s partner but they have never married, nor has Gaius ever taken a political or noble title. Gaius knows better than anyone that no one can replace Igraine in Uther’s heart or at his side. Uther has put Igraine on a pedestal that no one compares to and woe to the one who tries.
18. Ever a man to keep his word, when his closest friend and advisor died Uther brought Gorlois’ ten year old daughter Morgana to live with them. Although he had hoped one day Morgana and Arthur to be married, he realized when she was about fifteen he had better chances of making pigs fly. Luckily for Morgana, she became Uther’s daughter in his heart about two months after she moved in. Morgana figured it was less then that.
19. He still attends executions and makes them public to ensure his edicts are obeyed.
20. It’s said- half in jest- that Uther Pendragon carries no heart in his chest. He rather likes that particular story about him.