Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch
Encyclopedia
Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch are fictional character
s in Lloyd Alexander
's Chronicles of Prydain series.
They are three witches who live alone in the Marshes of Morva
. Although their identities are apparently fluid and interchangeable, each persona has a distinctive appearance: Orwen wears a necklace of milky stones, Orddu's hair is adorned with many ornaments, and Orgoch's face is shadowed by a black scowl. They were the original owners of the Black Cauldron and lent it to Arawn
, who used it to create zombie
-like warriors, the Cauldron-Born
. Later, they reclaimed it but were willing to relinquish it again in exchange for a magical price.
The Three Sisters, as they are known, are very mysterious beings, as one of the Fair Folk
says to Taran
, "It's more a question of what they are, not who they are." In one part of The Black Cauldron they turn from ugly, ancient hags and into three beautiful young maidens (from day to night). Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch can also turn into each other, swapping their identities between them. They appear to take delight in tormenting intruders to their lair with talk of turning them into frogs and stepping on them, smiling the whole time as though they talk about jovial things. It appears that Orddu is the leader of the three, Orwen is the most cheerful and Orgoch seems to be the most disagreeable as neither of the other two sisters want to "be" her, and people seem most perplexed whenever she agrees to do something without grumbling. She also has a strong love for food and would devour anything on legs.
Despite their strange demeanor, the witches claim to not be evil (instead, being interested in things as they are) and indeed seem to seldom carry out their transformation threats, at least to Taran and his friends. They show a dislike of the Cauldron-Born, claim that Arawn spoiled their Cauldron for any of its other purposes, and seem pleased when Taran tricked several Huntsmen into sinking into a bog (it was also implied that they transformed several previous Huntsmen into animals). They also seem to consider stealing the Cauldron back from Annuvin no trouble.
, Taran and his friends travel to the Marshes of Morva to find them, after learning that they are in possession of the Black Cauldron (which they were on a quest to destroy). The witches frighten and unnerve them, but then act very polite after learning that Dallben
sent them. It is revealed that they found Dallben in the marshes as a baby and raised him as their own, however they were forced to send him away after he accidentally ingested a potion that made him their equal in intelligence (as they said, it was too much wisdom in their house). They tease the group during the night by leaving the Cauldron in plain view, but enchanted so that when Taran and his friends try to take it, they cannot release it. After watching this, the sisters release them and agree to sell the Cauldron. After asking absurd prices (such as memories or the North Wind) they are satisfied with a magical brooch that Taran has. They also warn Taran that the only way to destroy the Cauldron is to have a living being voluntarily climb into it.
In Taran Wanderer
, Taran goes to the Marshes first when he is on a quest to discover his parentage. As he has no payment, the sisters refuse to directly answer the question, however they direct him to the Mirror of Llunet
and leave him with the advice "The seeking counts more than the finding" and "every robin must scratch for his own worms".
In The High King
, the witches make one final appearance near the end, this time in the shape of beautiful maidens (a form only glimpsed in The Black Cauldron). They give Taran a farewell present of an uncompleted tapestry which depicts his life's story. They tell him that they will leave on a journey of their own and when Taran asks for them to give him the answer of one final question as a last boon, they reply (a little sadly) "When in truth did we ever give you anything?" before vanishing.
The witches are Alexander's version of the Fates
from Greek
and the Norns
from Norse mythology
, and represent the mythological archetype of a Triple Goddess
.
. Eda Reiss Merin voiced Orddu, Adele Malis-Morey voiced Orwen, and Billie Hayes
voiced Orgoch. They serve as the minor antagonists.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
s in Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...
's Chronicles of Prydain series.
They are three witches who live alone in the Marshes of Morva
Marshes of Morva
The Marshes of Morva is a region in the fictional country of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series, The Chronicles of Prydain. It is most notable for being the home of the three Fates-like enchantresses, Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch.-Description:...
. Although their identities are apparently fluid and interchangeable, each persona has a distinctive appearance: Orwen wears a necklace of milky stones, Orddu's hair is adorned with many ornaments, and Orgoch's face is shadowed by a black scowl. They were the original owners of the Black Cauldron and lent it to Arawn
Arawn
In Welsh mythology, Arawn was the king of the otherworld realm of Annwn, appearing prominently in the first branch, and alluded to in the fourth. In later tradition, the role of king of Annwn was largely attributed to the Welsh psychopomp, Gwyn ap Nudd...
, who used it to create zombie
Zombie
Zombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
-like warriors, the Cauldron-Born
Cauldron-Born
In Lloyd Alexander's series of fantasy books The Chronicles of Prydain, the Cauldron-Born are a race of deathless warriors in the service of Arawn, Death-Lord of Annuvin.- Origins :...
. Later, they reclaimed it but were willing to relinquish it again in exchange for a magical price.
The Three Sisters, as they are known, are very mysterious beings, as one of the Fair Folk
Fair Folk
This article is for the fictional race in the fiction of Lloyd Alexander. For the mythological Fair Folk, see Fairy.The Fair Folk are a race of supernatural beings in The Chronicles of Prydain, a series of children's fantasy novels by Lloyd Alexander...
says to Taran
Taran (character)
Taran is a fictional character in The Chronicles of Prydain series, as well as in the film and game named after the second novel, The Black Cauldron.-Profile:...
, "It's more a question of what they are, not who they are." In one part of The Black Cauldron they turn from ugly, ancient hags and into three beautiful young maidens (from day to night). Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch can also turn into each other, swapping their identities between them. They appear to take delight in tormenting intruders to their lair with talk of turning them into frogs and stepping on them, smiling the whole time as though they talk about jovial things. It appears that Orddu is the leader of the three, Orwen is the most cheerful and Orgoch seems to be the most disagreeable as neither of the other two sisters want to "be" her, and people seem most perplexed whenever she agrees to do something without grumbling. She also has a strong love for food and would devour anything on legs.
Despite their strange demeanor, the witches claim to not be evil (instead, being interested in things as they are) and indeed seem to seldom carry out their transformation threats, at least to Taran and his friends. They show a dislike of the Cauldron-Born, claim that Arawn spoiled their Cauldron for any of its other purposes, and seem pleased when Taran tricked several Huntsmen into sinking into a bog (it was also implied that they transformed several previous Huntsmen into animals). They also seem to consider stealing the Cauldron back from Annuvin no trouble.
In the books
In The Black CauldronThe Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron can refer to:* The Black Cauldron , the second novel in The Chronicles of Prydain series* The Black Cauldron , the Disney animated film based on The Chronicles of Prydain book series...
, Taran and his friends travel to the Marshes of Morva to find them, after learning that they are in possession of the Black Cauldron (which they were on a quest to destroy). The witches frighten and unnerve them, but then act very polite after learning that Dallben
Dallben
Dallben is an important character in Lloyd Alexander's children's series The Chronicles of Prydain.-Profile:Dallben is described as an ancient man with a long white beard. He lives on the farm known as Caer Dallben, where he acts as protector of Coll's oracular pig, Hen Wen. He also is the...
sent them. It is revealed that they found Dallben in the marshes as a baby and raised him as their own, however they were forced to send him away after he accidentally ingested a potion that made him their equal in intelligence (as they said, it was too much wisdom in their house). They tease the group during the night by leaving the Cauldron in plain view, but enchanted so that when Taran and his friends try to take it, they cannot release it. After watching this, the sisters release them and agree to sell the Cauldron. After asking absurd prices (such as memories or the North Wind) they are satisfied with a magical brooch that Taran has. They also warn Taran that the only way to destroy the Cauldron is to have a living being voluntarily climb into it.
In Taran Wanderer
Taran Wanderer
Taran Wanderer is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. It tells of Taran's search for his lineage through which he encounters many different people who each help to shape Taran as he learns about who he truly is. It is the only book in the series in which...
, Taran goes to the Marshes first when he is on a quest to discover his parentage. As he has no payment, the sisters refuse to directly answer the question, however they direct him to the Mirror of Llunet
Mirror of Llunet
The Mirror of Llunet is an oracular pool of water and the object of a quest in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. It is featured in the fourth novel of the series, Taran Wanderer. Those seeking truth travel to the Mirror to gaze into its depths.-Description:The Mirror...
and leave him with the advice "The seeking counts more than the finding" and "every robin must scratch for his own worms".
In The High King
The High King
The High King is the last book in the Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series of books by Lloyd Alexander. It was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1969.-Plot overview:...
, the witches make one final appearance near the end, this time in the shape of beautiful maidens (a form only glimpsed in The Black Cauldron). They give Taran a farewell present of an uncompleted tapestry which depicts his life's story. They tell him that they will leave on a journey of their own and when Taran asks for them to give him the answer of one final question as a last boon, they reply (a little sadly) "When in truth did we ever give you anything?" before vanishing.
The witches are Alexander's version of the Fates
Moirae
The Moirae, Moerae or Moirai , in Greek mythology, were the white-robed incarnations of destiny . Their number became fixed at three...
from Greek
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
and the Norns
Norns
The Norns in Norse mythology are female beings who rule the destiny of gods and men, a kind of dísir comparable to the Fates in classical mythology....
from Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
, and represent the mythological archetype of a Triple Goddess
Triple Goddess
The Triple Goddess is the subject of much of the writing of Robert Graves, and has been adopted by some neopagans as one of their primary deities. The term triple goddess is sometimes used outside of Neopaganism to refer to historical goddess triads and single goddesses of three forms or aspects...
.
In film
Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch appear in Disney's 1985 animated film The Black CauldronThe Black Cauldron (film)
The Black Cauldron is a 1985 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and originally released to theatres on July 24, 1985...
. Eda Reiss Merin voiced Orddu, Adele Malis-Morey voiced Orwen, and Billie Hayes
Billie Hayes
Billie Hayes is an American actress best known for her comic portrayal as Witchie-poo on the Sid and Marty Krofft television series H.R. Pufnstuf. Her characteristic cackle and animated physicality were notable during the show's 17-episode run in 1969–70...
voiced Orgoch. They serve as the minor antagonists.