![[Arthur Pendragon]](arthur.jpg)
Gender: Male
First Appearance: "Avalon" Part III
Other Appearances: "Pendragon"
Britain's most famous legendary king, said to have ruled somewhere in the late 5th and early 6th centuries A.D. Arthur ascended the throne by drawing a sword (often identified with Excalibur) from a stone (in "Gargoyles", this stone is identified as the Stone of Destiny or Stone of Scone), and reigned over Britain for many years from Camelot, founding the Knights of the Round Table, with Merlin as his advisor. After Arthur was mortally wounded in battle, he was taken to the isle of Avalon, and placed in an enchanted sleep until his country would need him.
King Arthur was first introduced (though as an off-stage character, not mentioned by name) in "A Lighthouse in the Sea of Time", where MacBeth speaks of his reign in moving terms, and where the Scrolls of Merlin record Merlin's first meeting with the "Once and Future King". He first appeared on stage in "Avalon Part Three", when Elisa Maza awakened him from his sleep on Avalon to enlist his aid in the battle with the Archmage and his followers. Although Arthur confessed that he had been awakened prematurely, with neither Excalibur, any of his knights, or Merlin to help him, he agreed to do what he could, and personally defeated MacBeth in the ensuing struggle. Afterwards, he left Avalon to explore the outside world, though alone.
Avalon sent Arthur to London, where he encountered Griff in Westminster Abbey; both were sent by the Stone of Destiny to Manhattan, to embark on a fresh quest for Excalibur. With the aid of the Trio and Hudson, King Arthur and Griff sought out the Lady of the Lake, who told Arthur that Excalibur was now in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, but that he must prove once again that he was truly worthy to bear it. MacBeth learned of Excalibur's presence in New York, and also tried to gain the magic sword, but in the end, after a heated struggle (including a battle with a "living" stone dragon), Arthur reclaimed his old sword. He forgave MacBeth for his rivalry, however, and accepted the former Scottish king's offer of serving sometime as an independent ally.
With Excalibur regained, Arthur set off on another quest, to find Merlin. He accepted Griff as his travelling companion, and knighted him. What adventures they had on their search for Merlin, however, are as yet unknown.
In Greg Weisman's Master Plan, Arthur would have eventually found Merlin. He would have also encountered Sir Percival, and discovered that he now leads the Illuminati. He would have eventually founded New Camelot in Antarctica, and be recognized by a good portion of the world as Arthur Pendragon.
King Arthur Pendragon is one of the greatest warriors of all time, having formidable combat skills. He is also very intelligent and experienced. With Excalibur in his possession, he is an even greater fighter. His only possible weakness could be his sense of honor, which might be exploited by opponents.