Treguard the Dungeon Master was the host of Knightmare. He presided over the gameplay from an antechamber in Knightmare Castle.
- Series | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, VR, GW
- Played by | Hugo Myatt
Treguard summoned teams of youngsters, sent them into the dungeon, and monitored their progress.
He kept the game moving by dropping occasional hints about puzzles or providing warnings about life-force status. In the early series, he interacted directly with in-game characters.
Welcome, watchers of illusion, to the Castle of Confusion.
Treguard provided a small amount of assistance. He taught the first teams how to cast spells and provided information about rooms or characters that the team encountered.
It was generally clear that the teams' fate lay in their own hands. Treguard was often frank when revealing how or where they had gone wrong.
His famous catchphrase, 'Ooh, nasty!' emerged halfway through the first series, though it did not become a mainstay until later years.
With assistance
From the fourth series onwards, Treguard has an assistant in the antechamber (Pickle for Series 4-6, Majida for Series 7-8).
Sometimes, this causes the Dungeon Master some irritation. He ends up supervising them as well as the teams - whether getting Pickle to be quiet or correcting Majida on her mistakes.
The introduction of Majida in Series 7 is a shock for Treguard. Their interaction is quite fractious at first, though it improves as they get used to each other.
At other times, Treguard seems to appreciate the solidarity against an increasingly dangerous Opposition. He needs Pickle's help to bring down the red dragon at the end of Series 6.
Relationship with other characters
In the early series, Treguard had more direct interaction with in-game characters, such as Folly, Lilith and Merlin. This was either part of the storyline or to keep things moving.
The more powerful in-game characters could also have influence over Treguard by rejecting his presence or suppressing him with magic.
Once joined by an assistant, Treguard's direct participation ends. He still communicates with Merlin and Hordriss during set pieces and for winning quests, but not to in-game characters.
The menacing in-game dynamic between Treguard and Mogdred also gives way to a long-term rivalry with Lord Fear that surfaces at the end of each season.