Fantasy role-playing games and fairy tales about fairies – Powell, Prince of Dyfed
One of the most interesting fairy tales about the land of the fairy Powell, Prince of Dyfed is one of many fantasy stories from the land of Arthur (Wales). There are several stories about Powell’s exploits; however, the one that features it is perhaps the one of greatest interest to those who play fantasy role-playing games. In this story, Powell goes hunting when he meets and befriends a fairy king. The fairy king is having trouble with an enemy he cannot defeat, so he and Powell switch places so Powell can continue the war with the other fairy princes and defeat their leader.
It’s interesting how human many of the fairies appear in this fairy tale, very different from what we currently think of as fairies. It would seem that the fairies of this and other stories obtained their abilities primarily through knowledge, their ability to know almost anything. Because, like Powell, the king of the fairies also enjoys the hunt and has the court, similarly that they could impersonate each other.
It is also interesting to note the idea behind what a hero did in the eyes of the Welsh. Because it was said of Powell that;
“He could ride a horse, make a bow and tell the truth. He was always honored by men, and kept his faith and his promises to women. The children loved him, because he loved them. In the castle hall, he could tell the best stories. No man, bard or warrior,
incumbent or commoner, he could excel at winning and holding his listeners’ attention. “
Of course, one must realize that this story was edited by those who wrote it, and therefore part of this description may have been based on 19th century thought. However, this description of a hero is useful for anyone trying to create a fantasy or role-playing character that will have to deal with fairies, as fairies strongly believe in honesty and greatly admire storytelling and music skills. In fact, Powell wouldn’t have done so well in fairyland if he hadn’t had these traits.
Another quality that Powell had was politeness, because in his argument with the king of the fairies it was how courteous it was that allowed him to befriend the king of the fairies. This theme is repeated over and over again throughout the fairy tales that, however rude they are, you have to be very courteous to them. Because in courtesy a person will be rewarded by fairies and in rudeness he will be cursed.
In fantasy stories, it would be easy to use the idea of fairies’ courtesy and curses and blessings as an element to add interest to the story. Because with this element the characters get unique powers or horrible and interesting curses. Through temporary lapses of rudeness, a person could become horribly cursed, and may need to go on a quest to find the fairy who cast the curse on him, or to prove that he is worthy of having it removed.
Powell’s story is also interesting because it shows a mortal entering the fairy world to help a fairy king. One could easily see how a story that followed the exploits of someone who switched places with a fairy could be very interesting. Or someone who entered fairyland and had to come home to get bored. Because in Powell’s latest exploits, he is constantly entering the fairy realms because he misses the thrill of living within this realm.
