Characters are grouped by the book in which they first appear. ===
The Book of Three=== •
Taran is an assistant pig-keeper. The main
protagonist of
The Prydain Chronicles, he is a young man who grows from early adolescence to adulthood over the course of the series. Initially defensive, quick-tempered, and impulsive, he matures over the series and makes it a point to improve himself and increase his knowledge. His true parentage a mystery, Taran is mentored by the ancient enchanter Dallben and the two live together in Caer Dallben at a farm owned by the warrior-turned-farmer Coll. Initially unsatisfied with his life as a farmhand, Taran longs to be a hero who finds glory in adventures. By the end of the first book, he reconsiders this opinion and realizes he is happiest living a simple life on the farm Caer Dallben and wants to remain there. Despite this, he is later called back to adventure again. •
Dallben is the 379-year-old protector and mentor of Taran and guardian of Hen Wen. Some recognize him as the most powerful enchanter in Prydain, and while his displays of power are quite potent, they are used sparingly. •
Coll is a retired warrior of great skill who lives at his farm in Caer Dallben, acting as caretaker for the oracular pig Hen Wen. On meeting the enchanter Dallben, he allows the ancient man and Taran to take up residence at the farm. When Taran is in his mid-teens, Coll passes many of Hen Wen's responsibilities to him, naming the boy "Assistant Pig-Keeper." •
Hen Wen is a white pig with the ability to
prophesy future events and reveal hidden information. Hen Wen originally belongs to a simple farmer but the Death-Lord Arawn learns of her oracular power and captures her. She suffers for some time as a prisoner in the dark fortress Annuvin. The warrior Coll eventually journeys into Annuvin alone and rescues the pig, becoming her caretaker. She befriends Taran in the first book and over the years they develop romantic feelings for each other. Eilonwy is the daughter of
Angharad, who in turn is the daughter of Regat. Against her mother's wishes, Angharad married a commoner named Geraint, Eilonwy's father. Smart and witty, she is also considered by some to be scatterbrained. She often employs unusual similes and metaphors. She prefers to go
barefoot and favors sandals if she must wear shoes. She carries with her the Golden Pelydryn, a magical bauble that has been in her family for generations. •
Fflewddur Fflam is a
cantrev lord of Prydain, he is a minor king of a tiny kingdom. With few responsibilities and believing his people get along fine without him, he often leaves his kingdom, preferring to wander as a bard. Although he is prone to boasting, the strings of his enchanted "truthful harp" break whenever he tells a lie, sometimes forcing him to be honest. •
Gurgi is a good-natured and "ever hungry" humanoid covered with fur and leaves. Often referring to himself in the
third person, his manner of speech is filled with rhymed pairs of words ("crunchings and munchings", "smackings and whackings", "sneakings and peekings"), and redundant phrases ("see with lookings"). Gurgi is humble and loyal toward his human companions, at first submitting even to Taran as a "noble lord". In the course of the
Chronicles, he plays a highly important role by accidentally finding hidden items which ultimately occupy a vital role in the stories. •
Doli is one of the Fair Folk, a society of magical beings who live in an extensive underground kingdom spanning the entire country of
Prydain. Doli is described as a short, stocky
dwarf who carries a number of weapons and is adept in hunting, fighting, and stealth. Originally, he is said to be the only one of his kin who does not have the power to turn himself invisible. After aiding Taran's companions and the House of Don in
The Book of Three, he is rewarded by Gwydion with invisibility, although each use causes an uncomfortable sensation inside his ears. •
King Eiddileg is the reclusive leader of the Fair Folk. He aids Taran and his allies in numerous battles against the forces of Annuvin. •
Gwydion is the prince of Don and heir of King Math of Prydain. He is the war leader of the House of Don against the forces of Annuvin, and rides a horse named Melyngar. He befriends Taran in
The Book of Three and accompanies him on several adventures. •
Math is the son of Mathonwy. The High King of Prydain, Math rules above all lesser kings in the country and is the patriarch of the Royal House of Don, the descendants of the
Lady Don and her consort,
Belin, the Sun king. A just ruler, Math's leadership helps keep
Arawn the Death-Lord partly in check. He dwells in the stronghold Caer Dathyl, the castle of the Children of Don that lies north of the Eagle Mountains. •
The Horned King is Arawn's champion and the war leader of the Death-Lord's forces. He is described as a huge man wearing armor, except for his arms, which are naked and stained red. Along with this, he wears a red cape and an antlered skull mask. •
Achren is the former Queen of Prydain. Her tyrannical rule was ended by her former consort and student Arawn, who took the Iron Crown from her. Living as Arawn's subject in the Spiral Castle, she despises the Death-Lord and makes her own plans to take over Prydain, while finding herself drawn to and protective of Gwydion. •
Arawn was originally a mortal man and gained magical powers by being tutored by the evil Queen Achren during her time as ruler of Prydain. After growing powerful as her consort, Arawn overthrows Achren and takes the Iron Crown from her. After gaining possession of the Black Cauldron, he creates a powerful undead army known as the Cauldron-Born. He then attempts to conquer Prydain, often defied by the Sons of Don. ===
The Black Cauldron=== •
King Smoit is the boisterous lord of Cantrev Cadiffor and one of the only Southern Cantrevs to remain loyal to the High King. •
King Morgant is the ruler of the kingdom of Madoc. •
Gwystyl is one of the Fair Folk, described as resembling "a bundle of sticks with cobwebs floating at the top." Gwystyl lives in a hidden underground waypost near the border of Annuvin. •
Kaw is a crow who was originally the pet of Gwystyl before being given to Taran. Kaw can talk, although only in one-word statements. He has a mischievous temperament, often playing tricks on his human friends and talking more freely than he should. •
Ellidyr is a
prince whose father left him only "his name and his sword". He is deeply sensitive about his poverty. •
Adaon is a gifted minstrel, warrior, and healer with a distinctive
brooch that bestows prophetic dreams. •
Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch are three witches who live alone in the Marshes of Morva. Orwen wears a necklace of milky stones, Orddu's hair is adorned with many ornaments, and Orgoch's face is shadowed by a black cowl. They were the original owners of the Black Cauldron and lent it to Arawn, who used it to create the Cauldron-Born. The witches trade information and advice to anyone brave enough to enter their domain, though they nearly always ask for a magical price. Many years ago, they acted as guardians of Dallben when they found him as an abandoned infant near the marsh. •
The Huntsmen of Annuvin are a band of wild, merciless fighters notorious for their endurance, tenacity, and bloodthirst. They serve in Arawn's army, each branded with the mark of Annuvin on their foreheads. When one is killed, their strength is magically transferred to their nearby comrades, making the Huntsmen stronger as their numbers dwindle. ===
The Castle of Llyr=== •
Prince Rhun is the only son of King Rhuddlum and Queen Teleria, who rule over the Isle of Mona. Cheerful and altruistic, he is also clumsy and accident-prone, with others believing he must mature before taking the throne. He is first introduced in
The Castle of Llyr when Eilonwy is sent by Dallben to live at the castle and gain a "proper" upbringing. •
Chief Steward Magg is a respected man on the Isle of Mona who becomes increasingly power-hungry and focused on his own desires. •
Glew is a small man who turned to magical potions to increase his physical size, first testing it on a wild cat. Prone to self-pity and desperation, he later works to improve his personality rather than his body. •
Llyan is a female orange cat who becomes larger than a horse due to an experimental growth potion created by Glew. Won over by Fflewddur's music, she serves as his steed. ===
Taran Wanderer=== •
Aeddan is a farmer who shelters Taran while he searches for his parents. •
Dorath is a treacherous bandit and mercenary. His unofficial second-in-command is the bandit Gloff. •
Craddoc is an old shepherd who claims a connection to Taran. •
Llonio is the son of Llonwen. Unusually lucky, he and his family spend their days waiting for whatever comes their way. •
Hevydd is an expert metalsmith who teaches sword forging to Taran. •
Dwyvach is an expert weaver who teachers her skills to Taran. •
Annlaw is an expert potter from Commot Merin who teaches pottery to Taran. Taran considers Annlaw to be the wisest of his Commot teachers. •
Llassar is the son of Drudwas. Young and enthusiastic to prove himself as a man, he is a mirror image of Taran in his own younger years. His knowledge of mountain craft proves vital. •
Morda is an evil sorcerer who wishes to attain ultimate power.===
The High King=== •
King Pryderi is the son of Pwyll and king of the Western Realms. He becomes increasingly convinced that only extreme measures will bring order to Prydain. ==References==