The Chronicles of Prydain: Chapters 1-6

Chapter 1: The Assistant Pig-Keeper

• Taran is the protagonist, a young Assistant Pig-Keeper residing in Caer Dallben.
• Caer Dallben is the farm where Taran lives, cared for by Dallben and Coll.
• Dallben is a wise enchanter and mentor to Taran.
• Coll is Taran's guardian, a former warrior turned farmer.
• Hen Wen is a white oracular pig with the ability to foresee events.

Chapter 2: The Mask of the King

• Gwydion is a prince of the House of Don and a renowned warrior.
• Annuvin, known as the Land of Death, is ruled by the evil Arawn.
• The Horned King is a fearsome warlord serving Arawn, known for his horned mask.

Chapter 3: Gurgi

• Gurgi is a half-human, half-animal creature who becomes Taran's companion.

Chapter 4: The Gwythaints

• Gwythaints are large, malevolent birds used by Arawn for spying and attacking.

Chapter 6: Ellonwy

• Eilonwy is a spirited princess with magical abilities, who aids Taran in his quest.
• Achren is a former queen and powerful sorceress living in Spiral Castle.
• Spiral Castle is Achren's stronghold, known for its labyrinthine passages.

Chapter 9: Fflewddur Fflam

• Fflewddur Fflam is a wandering bard and minor king, known for his exaggerated tales.

Chapter 10: The Sword Dyrnwyn

• Dyrnwyn is a powerful and enchanted sword that ignites when drawn by a person of noble worth.

Chapter 15: King Eiddileg

• King Eiddileg is the ruler of the Fair Folk, a race of magical beings living underground.
• The Fair Folk are magical inhabitants of Prydain, living beneath the earth.

Chapter 16: Doli

• Doli is a grumpy yet loyal dwarf of the Fair Folk, possessing the ability to become invisible.

Challenging Vocabulary Words

• Asunder: Apart; divided.
• Grotto: A small cave or cavern.
• Gruff: Rough or stern in manner or speech.
• Quiver: A container for holding arrows.
• Burly: Large and strong; heavily built.
• Garish: Obtrusively bright and showy; lurid.
• Ordeal: A painful or horrific experience.
• Insipid: Lacking flavor, vigor, or interest.
• Imprudent: Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.
• Coax: To persuade someone gently to do something.
• Lout: An uncouth or aggressive man or boy.
• Contemptuously: In a scornful way that shows disdain.
• Befall: To happen to someone, typically something bad.
• Bluster: To talk in a loud, aggressive, or indignant way with little effect.
• Eloquent: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
• Conceited: Excessively proud of oneself; vain.
• Lummox: A clumsy, stupid person.
• Lichen: A simple slow-growing plant that forms a low crusty, leaflike, or branching growth on rocks, walls, and trees.
• Beckon: To make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow.
• Hunker down: To crouch down low; to settle in for a sustained period.
• Vain: Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.
• Botch: To carry out a task badly or carelessly.
• Endeavor: To try hard to do or achieve something.
• Disposition: A person's inherent qualities of mind and character.
• Placid: Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful.
• Volley: A number of bullets, arrows, or other projectiles discharged at one time.
• Vanguard: A group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas; the foremost part of an advancing army.
• Roil: To make a liquid muddy or cloudy by stirring up sediment; to disturb or irritate.
• Brandish: To wave or flourish (especially a weapon) as a threat or in excitement.
• Rivulet: A small stream of water.
• Brambles: A prickly vine or shrub, often referring to wild blackberry bushes.
• Mettle: A person's ability to cope well with difficulties; courage and spirit.
• Retinue: A group of advisers or attendants accompanying an important person.
• Havoc: Widespread destruction and disorder.
• Valor: Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.
• Wrath: Extreme anger, often used in a literary or mythical sense.
• Wary: Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
• Glower: To have an angry or sullen look; to scowl.
• Spurn: To reject with disdain or contempt.
• Aloof: Not friendly or forthcoming; emotionally distant.
• Bedraggled: Dirty and disheveled, often as a result of being wet or muddy.
• Boon: A thing that is helpful or beneficial; a blessing.
• Elude: To escape from or avoid, often in a skillful way.
• Indignant: Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair.
• Tumult: A loud, confused noise, especially caused by a large mass of people.
• Raucous: Making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise.
• Rebuke: To express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their actions.
• Rouse: Το wake up or bring out of inactivity; to provoke action or emotion.
• Surly: Bad-tempered and unfriendly.
• Wretched: In a very bad or unfortunate state; miserable.
• Yearn: To have an intense longing for something.
• Zeal: Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.
• Sullen: Gloomy or resentfully silent.
• Trudge: To walk slowly and with heavy steps, usually due to exhaustion.
• Quagmire: A soft, boggy area of land; a difficult or precarious situation.
• Meander: To follow a winding course; to wander without a fixed direction.
• Guffaw: A loud, hearty laugh.