Giants are a race of mostly extinct beings that feature in the Ruby-Spears Dragon's Lair television series episode "The Legend of the Giant's Name". A dangerous and mysterious ancient race, Giants can be put to sleep in a crystalized state and awakened from their slumber when someone speaks their name. The Black Hill of Arddu once served as their home.
Narrative Role[]
The evil dragon Cinge learned the name of the last remaining Giant, trapped in crystalized sleep inside the Black Hill of Arddu. Cinge entered into the Black Hill with his Giddy Goons and awakened the Giant by speaking his name, after which the dragon ordered him to wreak havoc on the kingdom of King Ethelred. Almost as tall as the exterior walls of Ethelred's castle, the Giant grabbed Dirk the Daring from atop of the wall. Dirk battled the Giant to a stalemate but bargained with him that if the knight could survive a night alone in the magical Black Hill of Arddu, the Giant would be banished and the safety of the kingdom guaranteed. As Dirk attempted to brave the dangers of the Black Hill, Princess Daphne and Timothy entered into Cinge's castle and also learned the Giant's name through trickery. The pair of heroes fled from Cinge's wrath, helped Dirk escape from the Black Hill, and traveled back to Ethelred's castle to thwart the dragon's invasion. Daphne yelled out the Giant's name, turning him back into his crystalized state and causing him to roll down the hill away from Ethelred's castle.
Trivia[]
- The Giant's name is likely a reference to Welsh mythology, specifically the legend of Gwydion who lived in his castle Caer Wydion.
- The "Black Hill of Arddu" is an apparent reference to the Clogwyn Du'r Arddu (translated popularly as "Black Stone" or "Black Cliff" of Arddu) in Wales, where according to legend those who spent a night under it would emerge in the morning either an inspired bard or insane.[1]
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