Although he is armed with magical weapons and adventures with impunity in the Otherworld, he arouses the wrath of the goddess of death and battles, the Mórrígán, by rejecting her love. His doom at the Pillar Stone is ordained, and when he dies the goddess, in the form of a raven, perches on his shoulder while an otter drinks his blood. His faithful companion through most of the sagas is his charioteer, Laeg, and among his mystical weapons are his sword, Caladín, and his spear, the Gael-Bolg. Although he knows many women, including the goddess Fand, the Pearl of Beauty, wife to the sea god Manannán Mac Lir, he constantly returns to Emer, the daughter of Fogall the Wily, who entreats him piteously not to go forth on his last battle foray.

Culann

[I] The smith who forged Conchobhar’s weapons and who is regarded as Manannán Mac Lir in human form. When young Sétanta killed his hound, Culann was angry until Sétanta offered to be his hound until he found a new one. Thenceforth Sétanta was known as Cúchulainn, the Hound of Culann.

Culhwch

[W] Son of Cilydd and Goleuddydd. When his mother died and his father remarried, his stepmother so hated him for refusing to marry her daughter that she pronounced a curse for his destiny. He could only marry Olwen, daughter of the giant Yspaddaden Pencawr. He set off to Arthur’s court to learn how to fight and how and where he might find her.

Cei, surly as usual, did not wish to allow him entrance (in some versions it is Glewlwyd of the Mighty Grasp who refuses to open the gate). Eventually he sees Arthur, who grants him help. He is joined by several heroes and they set off in search of Olwen. After many adventures they come to Yspaddaden’s land. The sister of Goleuddydd, Culhwch’s mother, is married to Custennin (we are told he is Yspaddaden’s brother), and they arrange a meeting with Olwen and Culhwch. The two fall in love, but first Culhwch must overcome her fearsome father.

He is then given a long series of tasks that he eventually fulfils with the help of his companions. The giant acknowledges defeat and Goreu, son of Custennin, cuts off his head. Olwen and Culhwch marry and the warriors of Arthur disperse.

Cumal

[I] Son of Trenmor, chief of Clan Bascna, and leader of the Fianna. He fell in love with Murna of the White Neck but her