Bran the Blessed is a figure from the isle of Britannia’s ancient past. Before the rule of King Arthur and even before most recorded history. A statue and folk tales are all that remains of this mysterious figure the natives call ‘Bran the Blessed’. One whose history is complicated and mysterious if stories are to be believed.
His story begins with a tale older than him. That of Rapunzel and the Prince. A terrible and wicked goddess feared the world's retribution for her sins and so hid her daughter within a great tower that went beyond the heavens. Yet the world retaliated by making their hair long and of gold.
Fearing outsiders she made the top inaccessible except by using magic. As the goddess grew old and forgotten she needed to rely on her daughter more and more. Yet she still feared the world and so warned her daughter against trusting others. Her daughter took the advice seriously and refused all who came.
All except one. A demi-god of unknown origins came to the tower and saw its state. He then spied the girl's golden locks and asked to be let in. When refused he did not leave. However, he did not ask again. Instead, he offered conversation. After a while, she let her hair down to let him in.
That night, after the man inspected and disapproved of her living conditions, they spirited her away in the dead of night. The goddess, fearing the worst, pursued them. However, it was for naught as the man was a prince and the men were loyal to him. While he let her in out of kindness he did not permit her to take the daughter unless she wished to go.
From this union, he was born. A demi-god within whom flowed the blood of giants. Immediately after birth, he began to grow bigger and bigger. Yet to everyone's shock his mother would grow to accommodate, eventually leaving the safety of the castle. Once he was old enough he returned as his size was not quite the issue.
At age 5 his mother taught him the means needed to control his size. Able to mingle with normal humans now he had a proper childhood as said power required not concentration, merely thought to switch sizes. As he grew he grew stronger, braver, and kinder. He would often do things for people for nothing in return.
Eventually, he was given the throne by his father, who retired to the countryside with his mother. His rule reflected his actions in his childhood. He was exceedingly kind to all and asked for nothing in return. He only taxed others to feed those in his castle and never more. During his reign, he ruled with caution and kindness.
Often he would not tax people as his hunters gathered enough food for the castle and he would regularly journey through the isle to check on others and ensure invasion wasn’t occurring. He was taught how nations would often invade others for resources. He took great measures to ensure his people didn’t need to invade others while also patrolling to ensure they weren’t invaded without notice.
Eventually, however, an emissary from a foreign nation named ‘Ireland’ arrived by a great many boats to his isle. He greeted them and accepted a request for an audience with their leader, a man calling themselves Mathlwch. He and his small band guided the foreigners to his castle. He was curious and fearful of why they had come to his peaceful isle.
Their leader, to his relief, was straightforward in their desire. They wished for a pact of peace to ensure there would be no war between them. He was amicable to the idea though wondered why such a thing was of concern to the man calling themselves Mathlwch. The man simply shared a desire to protect his people and found having defense pacts to be a viable method.
Suddenly Mathlwch made a strange offer. To marry one of his family to cement the relationship and ensure the continuation of their lineage even in the event of total disaster. He found the idea amicable and eventually agreed to it. He would not force his sisters to marry but if they accepted he would give his blessings.
Eventually, his sister Branwen agreed to the arrangement. As preparations were made to celebrate the union the next day his half-brother heard of the arrangement and went on a rampage. He slaughtered all the horses of their guests and sank 3 boats. Mathlwch showed anger at the event and demanded recompense.
He offered his best horses as replacements and treasures. A silver magic rod to exert her authority and a cauldron to return to life her subjects. Mathlwch accepted these gifts as recompense and swiftly left. That was the last Bran heard of her before his eventual war with Ireland.
Rather he eventually heard from Branwen. She was an accomplished druid and used it to send a plea for rescue. He was enraged. His family, whom he loved dearly, had been not only injured but also killed. His nephew who was only a child had been murdered by a rowdy Irishman. For the first time, he did something incredibly selfish. He decided to march on Ireland, alone if needed, and raze Mathlwch’s realm to the ground.
He was not alone. Many men and women from around the isle gathered together and vowed to aid him in his rescue of Branwen. Yet he had a single obstacle between him and Ireland. The strait that prevented him from crossing. Due to a curse by the wicked goddess, his father could never step foot on anything that would aid in crossing water.
It, evidently, was hereditary.
Only he suffered it, however. He had used a ritual to concentrate the curse within him. However, it rendered him unable to even attempt swimming as he’d simply sink. However, one man, named Taliesin, gave some wise advice. He suggested a visit to the White Witch, Ceridwen. He accepted the idea and ventured out with only a few retainers.
Their realm was harsh. A forest that was forgotten by a man completely. All things that had a name did not exist there save them and her. She however was only named as master of the forest. Yet she welcomed them in. He laid out his request plainly; aid in crossing the Strait to the Irish Nation. Ceridwen, while amused, refused at first.
Then he simply asked what she wished for and he’d grant it. She named her price; the forest's protection for all time. He, with Taliesin and Pwyll as witnesses, named the forest sacred and reserved solely for royalty. He then named Ceridwen the yeoman of the forest, beginning a tradition that would protect the forest even to the modern day.
Ceridwen, satisfied, then granted Bran a blessing of the forest of equal power. She could not stop his feet from cursing objects meant to aid him across waters but she could bless him so the waters themselves were his footholds. It was the best she could do. He was grateful and left after thanking her.
Once they returned they set out for Ireland. He walked and his allies sailed. It took three days and nights to do so but eventually, they made it. Once ashore he found Matholwch waiting personally. They revealed that they were a sorcerer using deceit and trickery to lull foreign leaders into defense pacts.
Matholwch however had yet to invoke one with an ally nation. She confessed to him her crimes and asked for an opportunity to pay recompense. As angry as he was he did not wish for bloodshed. He wanted things settled properly. He agreed if she showed proper hospitality and paid enough tribute to satisfy him and his sister. Matholwch agreed.
She revealed a small village she had erected for him and his army to stay in as she collected payment. He initially accepted but his half-brother, who had instigated the beginning events, suspected foul play. He went into a cabin meant for Bran and his family, checking sacks of various foodstuffs left behind.
He revealed treachery that had been prepared. An ambush meant to kill them. Bran immediately declared that negotiations had broken down and that war was the only response. He then warned Matholwch personally that if Branwen was harmed her nation would suffer a fate worse than death itself.
Yet the war was not so one-sided. For all the fame Bran had brought, Matholwch made up for it in cleverness, wit, and strategy. She utilized the very treasures he gifted her against him and it made for an even fight at first. Then it became clear their forces could not last against the reinvigorating properties of Crochan yr Adgyfodiad.
Yet he did not despair. Rather he consulted Taliesin about an idea and upon confirmation that it was not impossible went with it. He disguised himself as a mere soldier and played at being fatally injured. As Irish soldiers collected him and threw him into the cauldron he called upon his giant's blood and divine strength.
He expanded seemingly without end within the cauldron and eventually broke it. In the process, he took heavy injuries all over his body, to the point of appearing to have been carved up by a mad slasher. Yet he proved his bravery as he, sword in hand, turned and lashed out at Matholwch.
If he hadn’t been injured that might have been her end. Yet it was not. His sword fell short of her retreat and merely injured her. Her soldiers then rained blows seeking to finish him. Initially, Matholwch showed a brave face to him, standing against him. Yet when he ignored his injuries and moved towards her she faltered and eventually fled.
Thus ended Bran’s one and only war.
At his request, Pwyll beheaded him and Taliesin enchanted it so it’d be preserved. They also returned to Ceridwen so that it would at least be partially revived as Bran had a final request. To be made Britain's eternal protector so long as they’d allow it. He would use his gaze to ward off enemies of the isles. This protection lasted for years until a prideful king came upon his head and after a brief argument on ideals tossed it into the sea, ending his protection and life once and for all.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by DelRey
