#trystan ac essyllt

[gawrkin]

I had another re-read of Trystan ac Essyllt again and I wanted to spotlight some amusing lines...

Mark and Tristan being Arthur's relatives, with Mark being closer to Arthur as his first cousin. The question is whether he (and Tristan) is from Uther's side or Igraine's side...

Tristan's lesser known but extremely busted-ass superpower. Morholt, Palamedes, Lancelot, Lamorak, and Segurant are like, "???!!".

You gotta admit Mark is dedicated, at least

Kay x Brangaine. One of those super rare niche pairings that has a canon basis but hasn't managed to get a viral trending as of yet.

Arthur's apparent means of negotiation involves treating the relevant parties to free concerts.

[mountainashfae]

This is the funniest way I’ve ever seen a story end.

you played yourself dude!!!

[gawrkin]

I think the funniest thing the Welsh did in regard to Sir Tristan was taking the accusation made by his political enemies that he used magic to perform his deeds, like in Straussberg's story:

(Source: Tristan, by Gottfried von Straussberg)

...and just running with it:

(Source: The Welsh Triads - The Twenty-Four Knights of Arthur's Court)

So now, Tristan is one of Camelot's magical specialists, alongside the traditional Menw. They even gave Tristan additional magical abilities in Trystan ac Essyllt [LINK] where whoever he spills blood from will die whilst any person who spills Tristan's blood will also die. OP power, I say!

Which kinda begs the question though: Is Tristan's abilities something conceived by Welsh Storytellers of later times? Or was it something that was always present to a degree in Welsh Tradition (like with other heroes) and it served as the very inspiration for the continental romances' plot device?

[gawrkin]

The (alternative) Nephews of King Arthur

(Source: Trystan ac Essyllt)

(Source: Lanzelet)

(Source: Perceval of Galles summary)

King Arthur: Can y'all stop making every knight my nephew? I'm not into nepotism.

[gawrkin]

Poor, poor, Palamedes....

Sir Palamedes: Wait, so you can shapeshift this entire time!!? Sir Tristan: Yup. That's how I can look like a convincing madman. Works wonders. Drives uncle Mark nuts. Sir Palamedes: a-and Iseult knows about this? Sir Tristan: [Pointedly looks away] Oh yeah... we kind of... experiment sometimes... Sir Palamedes: ...is there anything else I should know? Sir Tristan: Weeell... there IS one more thing...

[...]

(Source: Trystan ac Essyllt)

Sir Palamedes: .... Sir Palamedes: [In shambles] Sir Tristan: Yeah, It's a pretty busted power

Meanwhile...

Sir Lancelot: ... Sir Lancelot: .... WAIT. Sir Lancelot: AM I FUCKED!?