So, other than a page or so about Merlin in Heirs of Merlin, has AM ever gone into detail on the archetypal wizard?
SJE
Filthy Diedne traitor!
Actually. last time I checked, according to ArsM canon House Diedne never claimed Merlin as their own.
In the non hermetic magicians thread, MarioJPC mentioned a group of diednes called the Heirs of Merlin. I guess the name is a wink to the 4th edition book, but maybe there is some reference there?
As far as we know, mwerlin negotiated with faeries and had the Visions flaw. A faerie doctor could represent him perfectly.
Xavi
According to the Prose Merlin, which wikipedia says was written in the 12th century but I think that is incorrect (will check later), Merlin is the son of a demon and a virtuous woman. The demon impregnated the woman in hopes of creating the anti-Christ, and brags about his deed to a council of other demons. I can't remember how boy Merlin redeems himself, I think his pious mother plays a key role. I can look at my copy of the text once I get home.
All I remember other than the council of demons is that Merlin can change shapes, often impersonating other people. He's sort of a know-it-all, too, I think.
Matt Ryan
Which Merlin? There's the half-demon, the man who lived backward, the Welsh holy madman, the druid, the scholar, the charlatan, the great wizard and that goofy guy from the Disney movie, to name only a few. There are so many different conceptions of the character, it would really be a matter of decided which one you want to have true for your saga, if it even mattered...
Which is, frankly, why I'm rather glad ArsM canon has as little to say on the subject as it does.
Amen.
This is one where we really are left to our own devices. Now that we have Societates, Hedge Magic, and RoP:Magic, I AM curious how others have built him up if indeed they have.
-K!
Hardly a likely option in 13th century and earlier stories about Merlin.
Possibly , people could find in period historical sources showing how Merlin is portrayed.
Ok with all, but Merlin Heir are Merinita Charm Users and soothsayers.
The Prose Merlin is pretty in period. I've got a copy of the TEAMS Middle English Text Series (1998) edited by John Conlee. According to Mr. Conlee, the poem is really two poems combined, a principle piece and a sequel. The first is closely based on the Old French poem Merlin by Robert de Boron, written in the late twelfth century. The sequel was written by an anonymous author "during the first half of the thirteenth century." If I were to work up a piece on medieval Merlin I'd use the Prose Merlin, both because it is in-period and because I like reading it.
I am not that familiar with either Geoffrey of Monmouth's Merlin or the Welsh version, and I probably should read those at some point. I have copies of both sitting on my shelf. If I didn't have other Ars commitments I might think about tackling Merlin.
Even with my other commitments I'm still thinking about it.
Matt Ryan