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Arawn (Earth-616)

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Arawn was a Tuatha de Danaan worshiped as the god of the forest, the underworld, and death. As the ruler of Annwn, the Celtic underworld, he wielded supernatural powers and commanded spectral hounds. His influence dated back to the Hyborian Age, where he interacted with mortals like Conan the Barbarian.

History

Origins[]

Arawn (Earth-616) from Conan the Barbarian Vol 1 135 0001

Arawn and his mighty axe

Arawn was a Celtic deity and a member of the Tuatha de Danaan,[4] revered as the god of the forest,[1] the underworld,[2] and death.[3][5] He ruled over Annwn, the Celtic underworld, and was often accompanied by his spectral hounds, the Cŵn Annwn, which chased errant souls into his realm.[4] Arawn was known as the lord of the forests and the lord of death, and he was attributed with the abilities to cast illusions and become intangible.[1] Arawn's rule over Annwn was once challenged by Hafgan, but the conflict ended when Hafgan was slain by Pwyll, Arawn's mortal ally.[4]

Hyborian Age[]

Punishment of Merya[]

Arawn (Earth-616) from Conan the Barbarian Vol 1 135 0002

Capturing Merya

During the Hyborian Age, around 10,000 BC, Arawn was a dark god, said to rule over the cursed Twilight Forest in the Border Kingdom. One account from this period involves a woman named Merya from Argos, who survived a shipwreck and was stranded in Pictland. Fleeing from the Picts, she prayed for help, and Arawn, responding to her plea, decided to take her to his realm as his chosen bride. When Merya resisted, Arawn punished her by confining her to his forest for seven years, guarded by spirit-beasts, the Cŵn Annwn, such as stags, wolves, and owls.[1]

Conflict with Conan[]

Arawn (Earth-616) from Conan the Barbarian Vol 1 135 0004

Claiming Merya

Years later, Conan the Cimmerian entered the Twilight Forest and encountered Merya, who appeared to him, seduced him, and vanished by morning along with the forest. Conan was subsequently plagued by dreams of pain and death, prompting him to return to the forest. Upon meeting Merya again, she revealed her plight and begged Conan to rescue her as her seven-year imprisonment neared its end. Initially uninterested, Conan agreed to help after learning that Merya was carrying his child.[1]

Arawn (Earth-616) from Conan the Barbarian Vol 1 135 0005

Wrestling with Conan over Merya

Arawn eventually appeared from a stone portal in the forest to reclaim Merya. He sent his spirit-beasts to escort her to Annwn, but Conan intervened, attacking the animals. When Arawn himself confronted Conan, the Cimmerian noticed that sparks from Arawn’s axe striking rocks caused the god discomfort. Using flint to create fire, Conan inflicted pain on Arawn, forcing him to retreat through his portal. With Arawn’s curse broken, Merya was freed but died shortly afterward, succumbing to the death she had evaded seven years earlier. Conan then left the forest.[1]

Attributes

Powers

Arawn was known for his ability to cast illusions and become intangible.[1]

Weaknesses

Arawn was vulnerable to fire. Conan discovered this when he noticed that sparks from Arawn’s axe striking rocks caused the god discomfort.[1]

Paraphernalia

Weapons

Arawn wielded an ancient axe, a weapon imbued with supernatural power, which he used to enforce his will and defend his realm.[1]

Transportation

Arawn utilized a stone portal to travel between Annwn, the Celtic underworld, and the Twilight Forest in the Border Kingdom.[1]

Notes

See Also

Links and References

References

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