Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure drama TV show. The producers are Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy, and Johnny Capps. The show broadcast on BBC One from 20 September 2008 to 24 December 2012 for 65 episodes. The show made after Arthurian legends, but it differs from traditional versions.
Synopsis:
Merlin is a young and powerful warlock who arrives in the kingdom of Camelot. His mother arranges for him to stay with the court physician, Gaius. He discovers Uther Pendragon, outlawed magic twenty years earlier during the Great Purge. Uther imprisoned the last Dragon deep under the kingdom. After hearing a mysterious voice, Merlin goes to the cavern beneath Camelot. There the Great Dragon tells Merlin his important destiny. His destiny is to protect Uther's son, Arthur, who will return magic to Camelot and unite the land of Albion.
When Merlin meets Arthur, Merlin believes he is an arrogant bully. Arthur, likewise, has a less than stellar opinion of Merlin. After saving the prince's life Merlin becomes his servant and the two respect and trust one another. Merlin becomes close friends with Arthur, and another servant named Guinevere. Uther's actions cause Morgana to turn against Camelot. Merlin must work together with the Once and Future King to save Albion.
Heroes from Merlin:
1) Merlin
Merlin is:
- a young warlock,
- the last Dragonlord,
- the only son of Hunith and Balinor,
- Gaius's ward and apprentice, and
- the best friend and manservant of the late King Arthur Pendragon.
Merlin is also a creature of the Old Religion. Having left his childhood in Ealdor, Merlin became the manservant Arthur Pendragon. As a result, they became close friends. From then on, Kilgharrah, and Merlin began his duty to protect and guide Arthur on his way to the throne. Merlin will become the greatest and most powerful sorcerer. He uses his powers to free the magical people and revive the Old Religion to coexist with the New Religion. Merlin is Arthur's advisor as he builds Albion calling forth an era of peace and prosperity.
2) Arthur Pendragon
King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot is:
- the only child of Uther Pendragon and Ygraine de Bois,
- the husband of Queen Guinevere,
- brother-in-law to Sir Elyan,
- son-in-law to Tom the blacksmith,
- the half-brother of Morgana,
- the nephew of Tristan de Bois and Agravaine de Bois, and
- the best friend and master of the greatest warlock and sorcerer ever, Merlin.
According to the prophecies of Kilgharrah, Arthur will unite the land of Albion. As a young prince, Arthur was narrow-minded, spoiled, and arrogant, though good-hearted. As time passed, he matured and became best friends with his manservant, Merlin. This was for his dislike of the way his father ruled, and because of the influence, Merlin had on him. Arthur had negative opinions about Uther's harsher policies, particularly magic hostility. During his reign, he kept his father's decree banning the magical practice for his war with Morgana. Arthur's great conviction is in peace and justice. During his reign, he revived the Round Table establishing peace between kingdoms. This happens for the first time in centuries. Arthur died at the hands of Mordred by the shores of Avalon. As the Once and Future King, his destiny was to one day rise again.
3) Guinevere Pendragon knew as Gwen
Queen Guinevere Pendragon is:
- the widow of Arthur Pendragon,
- one of the best friends of Merlin,
- the sister of the late Sir Elyan,
- the daughter of the late Tom the blacksmith, and
- the sister-in-law and a former best friend of the late Morgana Pendragon.
Gwen worked as Morgana's maid before marrying Arthur and inherited the throne.
4) Gwaine
Gwaine was born to a knight and his wife. His father died fighting for Caerleon. When his mother went to the plead help of the king, he refused, leaving Gwaine's family penniless. All he had left of his family heritage was a gold ring and a dragon scale necklace with his family crest hidden in it. Gwaine's opinion of the nobility altered; he thought power and greed blinded all nobles. He left home and began living a vagabond lifestyle, traveling the world with his sword.
5) Elyan
Sir Elyan is:
- the son of Tom,
- the brother of Queen Guinevere Pendragon and
- the brother-in-law of King Arthur Pendragon whom he served as a Knight of Camelot.
Before knighthood, he was a blacksmith like his father before him. A sword enchanted by Morgana to protect Guinevere and most likely kill Arthur stab him. He died of his wounds in his sister's arms.
6) Leon
Sir Leon is a Knight of Camelot who has proven himself both trustworthy and loyal to Pendragon. Unlike the other Knights of the Round Table, except Gwaine, Leon is of noble blood. Sir Leon's role as a knight developed, and he endured more and more dangerous and exciting adventures. At one point, the dragon's fire (The Last Dragonlord had killed him). Yet, he has survived and continued with his duties as a knight. He took part in the battle against Cenred, where he also faced death and Druids revived him with the Cup of Life. Later on, he refused to serve Morgana when she became queen. He escaped with his childhood friend, Gwen. Leon becomes one of the Knights of the Round Table, and takes back Camelot with Arthur and others. When he became a Knight of the Round Table, Leon:
- joined in many adventures,
- enjoy vanquishing the Dorocha, recovering a dragon egg,
- possessed by a Lamia, and
- taking back Camelot when Morgana became queen for the second time.
7) Lancelot
Sir Lancelot was a close friend of Merlin and a Knight of Camelot who was also in love with Guinevere. He was a good man, devoted to protecting people and helping his friends. He was one of the first to discover Merlin's magic, which he kept secret. Also was one of the few people who would ever discover it. His death shocked Camelot when he gave his life in place of Arthur's upon the Isle of the Blessed. Through sacrifice, he heals the tear in the veil between the Spirit and the Regular world.
8) Percival
Sir Percival is a Knight of the Round Table and a loyal ally of King Arthur Pendragon since his days as a prince. Percival's family died when Cenred's men raided his village. Merlin sent Lancelot to aid Arthur after Morgana's conquest of Camelot. Percival volunteered and accompanied Lancelot back to Camelot.
9) Mordred
Mordred was a Druid who formed a close bond with Morgana when she, Arthur and Merlin saved his life as a young boy. Mordred is the first person to call Merlin by his Druid name "Emrys". Kilgharrah foresaw Mordred would be responsible for the death of Arthur Pendragon. He warned Merlin not to help the young Druid but he could not allow the boy to die and helped Arthur rescue Mordred. Later, as a young man, Mordred had to choose between Arthur and Morgana. He chose Arthur because he believed in the good in him. Arthur knighted Mordred a Knight of Camelot, but Merlin still did not trust him. When Mordred's love interest Kara died, Mordred turned against Camelot. He allies himself with Morgana revealing Merlin's identity to her. Mordred wound Arthur, but Arthur had the strength to kill Mordred.
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10) Cenred
King Cenred was the ruler of the kingdom Essetir. He was also an associate of Morgause, who was a High Priestess of the Old Religion.
11) Freya
Freya was a Druid girl who fell in love with Merlin, who hid her from the bounty hunter Halig. swore to repay his kindness to him whilst on her deathbed. After her death in the Lake of Avalon, she became the Lady of the Lake. A Bastet was a magical monster that resembled a large panther with bat-like wings. Sorcerers could curse unfortunate victims to become one at the stroke of midnight. Bastet has an insatiable desire to kill that they could not control.
12) Kilgharrah
Kilgharrah, or The Great Dragon, is mighty and ancient. Uther imprisoned and chained him in a cave beneath Camelot at the end of the Great Purge. He stayed for around 22 years. Kilgharrah was Merlin's mentor, friend, and spiritual brother. When he meets Merlin, he tells him of the prophecy about his hand in uniting the land of Albion with Arthur. He acted as a magical guide where Gaius' council would fail. Merlin later repaid this great debt by freeing Kilgharrah. He had promised to acquit himself, being aware of Kilgharrah's revenge over Camelot. The dragon then turned on Camelot in a fit of vengeance, seeking Uther's demise. Merlin, who had taken on the powers of a Dragonlord, calmed him. He kept aiding Merlin and played an essential role in the events that led to the battle of Camlann.
(Credit to Ana: don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoy!)
12) Kilgharrah
Kilgharrah, or The Great Dragon, is mighty and ancient. Uther imprisoned and chained him in a cave beneath Camelot at the end of the Great Purge. He stayed for around 22 years. Kilgharrah was Merlin's mentor, friend, and spiritual brother. When he meets Merlin, he tells him of the prophecy about his hand in uniting the land of Albion with Arthur. He acted as a magical guide where Gaius' council would fail. Merlin later repaid this great debt by freeing Kilgharrah. He had promised to acquit himself, being aware of Kilgharrah's revenge over Camelot. The dragon then turned on Camelot in a fit of vengeance, seeking Uther's demise. Merlin, who had taken on the powers of a Dragonlord, calmed him. He kept aiding Merlin and played an essential role in the events that led to the battle of Camlann.
13) Knights of Camelot
Knight of Camelot is an honorary title awarded by the King of Camelot. The Knights have a specific code known as "The Knights' Code". Two known rules of this code are:
1. All knights used to be of noble blood. Yet, Arthur later abandoned this code, by knighting Elyan, Lancelot, and Percival. They were not of noble birth. Arthur's new law states that men who show great bravery and honor are worthy of a title like a knighthood.
2. Once a challenge you took up it must complete. To join the order, they must also undergo training overseen by Arthur Pendragon.
14) Knights of Round Table
They are a sub-order of the Knights of Camelot and Arthur Pendragon created them. The Knights of the Round Table are loyal to their leader and ruler, King Arthur, and the people of Camelot. They are especially loyal to the three non-knight members of the Round Table:
- the incognito sorcerer Merlin, whom they treat as a beloved but foolish younger brother,
- Queen Guinevere, their trusted friend, moral compass and future ruler, and
- the physician Gaius, their respected elder, and advisor. Their enemies are Morgana Pendragon, sister of Arthur, and all those who wish to harm the King and Camelot.
15) Albion
Albion is a landmass that makes up the island known as Great Britain. Albion formed once in an age of peace, when all its inhabitants followed the Old Religion. Now there are many kingdoms within Albion, between which peace is rare. Their rulers are:
- Queen Guinevere Pendragon, Queen of Camelot;
- Lord Bayard, King of Mercia;
- Queen Annis, Queen of Caerleon;
- Lord Godwyn, King of Gawant and Lot, King of Essetir and much more.
Around the reign of Uther Pendragon, followers of the Old Religion were rare in Albion. Also, magic banned from Camelot. During this time of division and hostility, Kilgharrah prophesied the rebuild Albion. They revive the Old Religion to coexist in peace with the New Religion.
Villains from Merlin:
1) Morgana
Morgana Pendragon is:
- the biological daughter of Uther Pendragon and Vivienne,
- the half-sister of Arthur and Morgause and
- the adopted daughter of Gorlois.
A kind-hearted individual, Morgana turned evil after Morgause corruption. As a result, she betrayed her friends. Morgana involved in the death of her father. She wants to take over Camelot and nothing stands in her way. Morgana showed to form a bond with Mordred, whom Kilgharrah has foreseen would kill Arthur. Mordred betrayed her to Arthur, and she formed a close bond with the young dragon, Aithusa who saved her life. On Camlin's Battle, Merlin, with Excalibur, killed Morgana when Arthur was dying.
2) Morgause
Morgause was the eldest daughter of Vivienne. She was a skilled warrior, a powerful sorcerer and a High Priestess of the Old Religion. Merlin and Gaius wounded Morgause. A year later, weakened, she desired Morgana to sacrifice her at the Isle of the Blessed. As a result, the spirits enter the human world and attack Camelot and the surroundings. She claimed it was her "final gift" to her sister and that it would "bring their enemies to their knees".
3) Nymueh
Nymueh was a High Priestess of the Old Religion, an opponent of Uther Pendragon. She devised several schemes to wreck his kingdom. Also, she turned her attention to Merlin and Arthur.
4) Agraveine
Lord Agravaine de Bois is:
- the brother of Ygraine, and Tristan de Bois
- the brother-in-law of Uther Pendragon.
- the uncle of Arthur Pendragon.
When Ygraine and Tristan died, Agravaine blamed Uther for their deaths. He allied with Morgana to bring Camelot's downfall being the trusted advisor to Arthur. He later helped Morgana to overthrow Camelot again, but Merlin killed him. After his death, Arthur, with Merlin's help, recaptured Camelot from Morgana.
5) Helios
Helios is:
- a warlord and a powerful ally to Morgana Pendragon.
- a master swordsman,
- one of the extreme few to defeat Arthur Pendragon in a sword fight.
Isolde killed him, though he took her down with him.
6) The Shouthrons
The Shouthrons was a large army of men, under the command of the warlord Helios. They dress in black garments, including headwear, robes, and boots. They are loyal to Helios and his allies Agravaine and Morgana. The Shouthrons are both ruthless and strategic. They use tactics such as fire signals and weapons like gas bombs to ambush their enemies. They appear dedicated to their goals, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve warlord's desire. The Shouthrons feared Uther's reign, knowing he would most likely be victorious over them in a war. Either this or the Shouthrons only recently became a strong army. They attacked Camelot, though doing so required the siege plans and Agravaine's help. When Camelot rebelled back, they were rather and defeated. Their men outnumbered Camelot's by three times as much. This may happen, if Kilgharrah never wiping out many Shouthrons in The Sword in the Stone: Part 2. The descent of the Shouthrons is unknown. Also, is unknown if they have any royalty associated with them, other than Morgana. Yet, it may be they have no current loyalty to a particular King or Queen of Albion. They appear to follow Helios as their ruler and accepted Morgana as their queen.
7) Knights of Medhir
A powerful sorcerer called Medhir created the Knights over three hundred years ago. A sorcerer's call seduced a group of seven Knights of Camelot. One by one, they succumbed to her power, becoming a terrifying and brutal force. They rode through the lands leaving death and destruction in their wake. Medhir stopped when the sorcerer died, because of nobody animated them, they became lifeless. They can walk again if a strong enough power summons them. While summoning, no weapon can harm or kill the Knights. Only the broke spell animating can stop them.
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8) Dorocha
The Dorocha are the voices of the dead who come out only at night. It is unknown if all the people who die become Dorocha, or a part of them. Yet, said to be numberless. They appear as demonic, screaming/shrieking skeletons made of smoke. They can kill any mortal by their touch, freezing them to death, and repelled by fire or daylight. Gaius said any mortal weapon or magic cannot stop them. In their presence, Merlin could not use his powers to defend himself. Yet, the Dorocha's touch hasn't been fatal to him. They dwell in the Spirit World and separated from the living world by the Veil. The veil can tear on Samhain, when a high priestess performs a blood ritual or sacrifice. The mistress of the Dorocha is The Cailleach, the gatekeeper to the Spirit World.
9) Cailleach
The Cailleach is the gatekeeper to the spirit world. She appeared after Morgana had torn the mystical veil between her world and Albion. In my story, she is the secret weapon of Keeper, because when she dies, someone takes her place.
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10) Tristan de Bois
Tristan de Bois, also known as "The Black Knight" is:
- the brother of Ygraine and Agravaine de Bois,
- the brother-in-law of Uther Pendragon, and
- one of Arthur's uncles.
A former friend of Uther, he turned against him after the death of Ygraine.
11) Mercenaries
A Mercenary is a soldier who took part in conflicts for private gain, unlike a knight. Mercenaries made up most of Essetir's force. The mercenaries ambushed the Knights as they went through the Valley of the Fallen Kings. They captured Merlin, who brought to Morgana and turned into an assassin to kill Arthur. The mercenaries might work for Morgana, although she had nothing to pay them with. Whether they worked for her because of fear is unknown.
12) Cedric (Cornelius Sigan)
Cedric was in the Tavern when a miner working under the castle told him about a 'Jewel' the size of a fist. Cedric came up with a series of lies and plans to get access to Arthur's Chambers to steal the key to the tomb. Arthur then favored Cedric, replacing Merlin as his manservant. He could steal the beautiful 'Jewel ' found in the tomb underneath Camelot. The Jewel contained Cornelius Sigan's soul. He was a powerful and evil sorcerer from Camelot's past, who possessed Cedric. Sigan later released himself from Cedric's body when he attempted to take over Merlin's. Merlin resisted with Kilgharrah's spell and trapped Cornelius inside the jewel.
13) Dochraid
The Dochraid is an enigmatic being with a repulsive physical form. She appears to be a cadaverous old witch or hag with no eyeballs and lives in the perpetual darkness of a cave. Unable to see, the Dochraid uses her sense of smell to detect her surroundings.
14) Ragnor
Ragnor is an opportunist and roams the Northern Plains. He had his band of renegades searching for trouble. When he is not spending his ill-gotten money in the tavern, Ragnor is looking for dubious ways to make even more.
15) Roudan
Roudan was a Druid sorcerer who joined forces with Morgana to revenge over King Arthur.
16) The Disir
The Disir were the highest and most sacred court of the Old Religion. They represented the mouth of the Triple Goddess. Three women chose at birth trained as seers and soothsayers. Their only task was to interpret the word of the Goddess. When they sat in judgment, their word was final. Each of them carried a magical staff, forged using powerful sorcery. They could give a rune mark for those found wanting by the gods, but worthy of their judgment. The Old Religion held the rune contained a man's guilt alongside gods' judgment and fate. The people of the Old Ways believed only the gods can alter a man's fate. The only way to alter is to repent and appeases them. The three soothsayers divided using an ancient pool. The pool fed the sacred spring at Caerlanrigh. The source of the spring was a grove of yew trees in the White Mountains, called the Grove of Brineved. There, the Old Ways are at their strongest, being the Caerlanrigh the very center of their powers.
17) The Saxons
The Saxons were a league of people serving Morgana, who first appeared and mentioned in Series 5. Saxons included both men- the Saxon army, but also women, including Kara, who was a Saxon.
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Hello, this is the lore of characters and action from Merlin. In the next chapter, I will write about the lore of Age of Mythology and Age of Mythology: The Titans. Also, I want to share with you the video Merlin/ Arthur- The Stolen Child is the reason why I am writing. It gives the idea to write a story about Arthur's return and the video serves as the spark that starts the fire. Don't forget to vote and comment!