Arthur Pendragon
Aliases: None
Gender: Male
Pronouns: he/him
Birthday: Oct 15
First appeared: July 2012
Relationship Status: Single
Canon: Merlin
Species: Human
Leadership positions: None
Guild Membership: Self-defense
Brief Overview
Arthur was an early member of the collective; he doesn't have a set belief as far as how he originated, although he still views his memories as real. He had one recorded absence officially noted in 2019 but that likely began in 2017 or earlier.
Early Life
Arthur was born to Queen Ygraine and King Uther Pendragon in Camelot in what would be considered modern day Wales. His birth was facilitated by the magic of the Druids, and in exchange for Arthur's existence, Ygraine passed away--something that Arthur's father would take to heart. As Arthur grew up alongside his father's ward (and secretly his half sister) as the prince and only known heir, Uther waged a war of extermination against the druids and scorned anyone who was capable of or accused of using magic. Arthur, too, was raised with this attitude, although his stance on magic was softer than his father's; he did not know that he was a product of magic himself. Uther was, unfortunately, not a kind father and often placed expectations on Arthur that, although fitting his station as sole heir to the throne, were egregious. Although Uther did love his son, he was often harsh on him and did not showed affection extremely rarely, mostly as a reward for 'good' behavior or because Arthur had shown his martial prowess or willingness to concede to Uther's demands to treat the druids badly. Regardless, Arthur had few people to look up to and due to his status, didn't have friends his own age that he could relate to. As a result, he idolized Uther's good qualities and often ignored or excused the bad, wanting to be seen as the loyal and pious son that would, through enough effort and success, win his father's affection.
When Arthur was an older teen or young adult, he was saved by a young boy named Merlin who had just recently become the assistant to the court Physician. Arthur didn't know it at the time, but Merlin was secretly a sorcerer who had been sent to Camelot by his mother to find a better life than the one that could be provided in his small hometown. Because Merlin had saved Arthur from an attack from another sorcerer, he was given the 'honor' of becoming Arthur's manservant by King Uther.
Arthur also met and fell in love with his half-sister Morgana's lady maid, Guinevere (also known as Gwen). Although she was initially not interested in him due to his often haughty attitude, she eventually saw his kindness and the softer strength he portrays later. Their relationship is a little bumbling at first, but they eventually end up in a serious, if secret, relationship. Arthur's father disapproves of their coupling when Arthur eventually confesses and she is exiled from Camelot for a while, until Uther falls ill.
Several years into this arrangement, Arthur's father died, seemingly killed via magical means. Arthur had taken up the kingship in practice the previous year as his father's mind began to fail him. This was a doubly harsh blow as Arthur was reluctant to declare himself king while Uther was alive, and although his father was often harsh and deeply disapproved of his relationship with Gwen, he still loved him and missed him. This event also hardened him to the idea of allowing magic in Camelot, which had been banned by his father's decree--although he softened his approach to the druids themselves. After the death of Uther and Arthur is crowned king, he is able to marry Gwen and she is crowned Queen of Camelot.
Ten years after meeting Merlin, Arthur had to fight a battle at Camlann against his half-sister, who had since defected from Camelot and took up the mantle of Druidic high priestess, vowing to destroy Arthur and reign in Camelot as its Queen. At this battle he is fatally wounded by his former friend and knight Mordred, who had joined Morgana's army as he was born a druid and a magic user. Merlin, who had attempted to come to his rescue, takes him away from the battlefield, hoping to heal his wounds by magical means. He tells Arthur his secret, and Arthur rejects it at first. However, Merlin is too late to save Arthur. Arthur accepts Merlin as he is and expresses his gratitude for everything Merlin had done for him and passes away on the shores of lake Avalon, where he is buried by Merlin in the lake.
System Life
Arthur spent most of his time the first time he appeared in the system getting used to modern life from his medieval one, and often appreciating the differences. In his time since returning from his absence, he's been interested in learning sword fighting as well as exploring this world's historical medieval period.
Since coming here, Arthur has grown to be much more accepting of the magic from the world he was from as well as accepting identities that were taboo to talk about in his time.
Absences
Arthur went missing officially in 2019 but likely was gone before then. He ended up on the Maharran continent and ended up wandering from town to town. He spent several years doing odd jobs in various places, but never really felt like he fit anywhere. When he reconnected with the collective in 2022, he was teaching self-defense in Rashaw, and chose to return to live more or less full-time in the Haven.