Post by Merlin Emrys on Oct 25, 2011 10:23:24 GMT
Name: Merlin Emrys
Age: 66 (Old)
Class: Sorcerer
Homeland: Has a small cottage deep in the Forest Sauvage but currently resides in Camelot
Lord: King Arthur Pendragon
Religion: Sees Paganism and Christianity as compatible rather than divisive, and much like Camelot itself, pays tribute to both faiths.
Character's Nickname: Merlin the Magician
Significant Family Members: None, but considers Blaise and Arthur family
Traits:
Chaste 10/10 Lustful
Energetic 14/6 Lazy
Honest 10/10 Deceitful
Merciful 17/3 Cruel
Pious 12/8 Worldly
Temperate 16/4 Indulgent
Trusting 12/8 Suspicious
Brave 14/6 Cowardly
Physical Description: Merlin is a grizzled old man, tall with a gaunt face. He has short grey hair with a matching beard. His eyes twinkle with the youth and energy of a man half his age. His wardrobe is modest, usually consisting of simple brown robes and a weathered walking staff made from the branch of a rowan tree. Ironically, this tends to make him stand out among the lords and ladies of Arthur’s court. Infamous for his ability to shapeshift, many are unsure if this is Merlin’s true form or just the one he has chosen to adopt. Many whisper of Merlin’s mysterious origins, wondering if he is truly human or demon. Merlin usually avoids such discussions when questioned, evading them with his dry humor or playing a song on his lute.
Personal History:
Not much is known about the origins of Merlin the Magician. Many say he was born a cambion; the offspring of a mortal woman and a demonic incubus. His mother was a nun in a small abbey, who told her confessor Blaise of her predicament. Some say the nun actually had an affair with a mortal man, but made up the story of being impregnated by a demon to hide her shame. Whatever the case, Blaine’s solution was to baptize the boy at birth, thus saving Merlin from his sinful nature. His mother dies in the birthing and Blaise escapes with the baby in the middle of the night to save him from the persecution of Church leaders that labeled him as an abomination. Blaise raises Merlin in secret deep in the forests, teaching the boy the principles of using magic.
When Merlin was a teenager and his abilities exceeded the level at which Blaise could teach, the priest brought him to Avalon to receive tutelage under the pagan priestesses and become acquainted with the fay. There, Merlin reached the magical potential inherent in his birth and learned both enchantment and elemental magic, though favoring the former. When he became a young adult and learned all the priestesses could teach, he was sent on a quest that would define his life. He was presented with the ceremonial sword Clarent and tasked to find a good man, worthy of becoming king of all England.
For many years Merlin wandered the lands finding adventure, dangers, and even romance in his quest to find a worthy man to wield the sword. He slept in the finest feather beds in the courts of mighty kings, and in filthy piles of straw in peasant hovels. Eventually, Merlin was brought before King Vortigern. The king had been trying for years to build a castle worthy of his ego, but it kept collapsing before completion. He had been told by his wise men that if the blood of a man with no mortal father was sprinkled on the foundation, it would not collapse and Merlin was rumored to be such a man. When the sorcerer was presented before Vortigern, he revealed the true reason for the castle’s collapse: below the foundation was a lake containing two dragons that destroyed the castle with their fighting. Seeing that Vortigern was a cruel tyrant, Merlin did not tell him that the white dragon and red dragon was a sign of the coming war between Vortigern and his rival Uther. Merlin left Vorigern’s court, convinced that a man that would fight such a tyrant could be worthy of Clarent. He sought out Uther and was pleased by what he had found. He presented the king with Clarent, believing his quest to finally be at an end, and offered to remain as an advisor.
Unfortunately, Uther was overcome by lust and became obsessed with Queen Igraine, wife of King Gorlois of Cornwall. He lays siege to Cornwall against Merlin’s counsel, plunging the lands into a massive civil war. To stop the insanity, Merlin strikes a deal with Uther. He will help Uther bed Igraine, in exchange for guardianship of the child born from the union, an end to the war, and the vow that Gorlois and his men will be spared. Once this is agreed, Merlin uses magic to transform Uther’s appearance into that of Golrois, while Uther's forces lead Cornwall and his men away. Uther enters the castle and sleeps with Igraine, siring Arthur.
But Uther betrays Merlin, going back on his word and having Cornwall and his men slaughtered. Merlin forever regrets allowing this to happen. After Arthur is born, Merlin vanishes with the baby in the dead of night. In time, Arthur, now living with Sir Ector and unaware of his heritage, is tutored throughout his childhood by Merlin. He teaches him ethics and morals, hoping to make Arthur the image of goodness and a perfect king. Uther during this time, wages his destined war with Vortigern and triumphs, but dies from wounds suffered in the final battle. This leaves the kingdom in turmoil, with the nobles squabbling over who will take his place. They summon Merlin to present Clarent to the new king, as he had done with the last. Disgusted with the greed and pride of the assembled nobles, Merlin enchants the blade and plunges it into a nearby stone, proclaiming that whoever can pull it out will be the rightful king. All the nobles attempt it in vain and Merlin vanishes from Camelot. He does not return until fate brings the young Arthur to the stone during the New Year’s Tourney and the sword is released.
Appearing in a burst of smoke and light, he reveals Arthur’s heritage and proclaims him the destined High King of all England. He remains at Arthur’s side, acting as a trusted adviser as he had for his father, finally confident that his lifelong quest to find a good man has been fulfilled.
Skills: Approved by admin to use character bonus
Grandmaster-Enchanting
Master-Persuasion
Expert-Elemental Magic
Expert-Observation
Expert-Healing
Apprentice-Endurance
Beginner-Horsemanship
Beginner-Music (plays the lute)
NPC:
Archimedes-Merlin's pet owl that the sorcerer can magically communicate with.
Age: 66 (Old)
Class: Sorcerer
Homeland: Has a small cottage deep in the Forest Sauvage but currently resides in Camelot
Lord: King Arthur Pendragon
Religion: Sees Paganism and Christianity as compatible rather than divisive, and much like Camelot itself, pays tribute to both faiths.
Character's Nickname: Merlin the Magician
Significant Family Members: None, but considers Blaise and Arthur family
Traits:
Chaste 10/10 Lustful
Energetic 14/6 Lazy
Honest 10/10 Deceitful
Merciful 17/3 Cruel
Pious 12/8 Worldly
Temperate 16/4 Indulgent
Trusting 12/8 Suspicious
Brave 14/6 Cowardly
Physical Description: Merlin is a grizzled old man, tall with a gaunt face. He has short grey hair with a matching beard. His eyes twinkle with the youth and energy of a man half his age. His wardrobe is modest, usually consisting of simple brown robes and a weathered walking staff made from the branch of a rowan tree. Ironically, this tends to make him stand out among the lords and ladies of Arthur’s court. Infamous for his ability to shapeshift, many are unsure if this is Merlin’s true form or just the one he has chosen to adopt. Many whisper of Merlin’s mysterious origins, wondering if he is truly human or demon. Merlin usually avoids such discussions when questioned, evading them with his dry humor or playing a song on his lute.
Personal History:
Not much is known about the origins of Merlin the Magician. Many say he was born a cambion; the offspring of a mortal woman and a demonic incubus. His mother was a nun in a small abbey, who told her confessor Blaise of her predicament. Some say the nun actually had an affair with a mortal man, but made up the story of being impregnated by a demon to hide her shame. Whatever the case, Blaine’s solution was to baptize the boy at birth, thus saving Merlin from his sinful nature. His mother dies in the birthing and Blaise escapes with the baby in the middle of the night to save him from the persecution of Church leaders that labeled him as an abomination. Blaise raises Merlin in secret deep in the forests, teaching the boy the principles of using magic.
When Merlin was a teenager and his abilities exceeded the level at which Blaise could teach, the priest brought him to Avalon to receive tutelage under the pagan priestesses and become acquainted with the fay. There, Merlin reached the magical potential inherent in his birth and learned both enchantment and elemental magic, though favoring the former. When he became a young adult and learned all the priestesses could teach, he was sent on a quest that would define his life. He was presented with the ceremonial sword Clarent and tasked to find a good man, worthy of becoming king of all England.
For many years Merlin wandered the lands finding adventure, dangers, and even romance in his quest to find a worthy man to wield the sword. He slept in the finest feather beds in the courts of mighty kings, and in filthy piles of straw in peasant hovels. Eventually, Merlin was brought before King Vortigern. The king had been trying for years to build a castle worthy of his ego, but it kept collapsing before completion. He had been told by his wise men that if the blood of a man with no mortal father was sprinkled on the foundation, it would not collapse and Merlin was rumored to be such a man. When the sorcerer was presented before Vortigern, he revealed the true reason for the castle’s collapse: below the foundation was a lake containing two dragons that destroyed the castle with their fighting. Seeing that Vortigern was a cruel tyrant, Merlin did not tell him that the white dragon and red dragon was a sign of the coming war between Vortigern and his rival Uther. Merlin left Vorigern’s court, convinced that a man that would fight such a tyrant could be worthy of Clarent. He sought out Uther and was pleased by what he had found. He presented the king with Clarent, believing his quest to finally be at an end, and offered to remain as an advisor.
Unfortunately, Uther was overcome by lust and became obsessed with Queen Igraine, wife of King Gorlois of Cornwall. He lays siege to Cornwall against Merlin’s counsel, plunging the lands into a massive civil war. To stop the insanity, Merlin strikes a deal with Uther. He will help Uther bed Igraine, in exchange for guardianship of the child born from the union, an end to the war, and the vow that Gorlois and his men will be spared. Once this is agreed, Merlin uses magic to transform Uther’s appearance into that of Golrois, while Uther's forces lead Cornwall and his men away. Uther enters the castle and sleeps with Igraine, siring Arthur.
But Uther betrays Merlin, going back on his word and having Cornwall and his men slaughtered. Merlin forever regrets allowing this to happen. After Arthur is born, Merlin vanishes with the baby in the dead of night. In time, Arthur, now living with Sir Ector and unaware of his heritage, is tutored throughout his childhood by Merlin. He teaches him ethics and morals, hoping to make Arthur the image of goodness and a perfect king. Uther during this time, wages his destined war with Vortigern and triumphs, but dies from wounds suffered in the final battle. This leaves the kingdom in turmoil, with the nobles squabbling over who will take his place. They summon Merlin to present Clarent to the new king, as he had done with the last. Disgusted with the greed and pride of the assembled nobles, Merlin enchants the blade and plunges it into a nearby stone, proclaiming that whoever can pull it out will be the rightful king. All the nobles attempt it in vain and Merlin vanishes from Camelot. He does not return until fate brings the young Arthur to the stone during the New Year’s Tourney and the sword is released.
Appearing in a burst of smoke and light, he reveals Arthur’s heritage and proclaims him the destined High King of all England. He remains at Arthur’s side, acting as a trusted adviser as he had for his father, finally confident that his lifelong quest to find a good man has been fulfilled.
Skills: Approved by admin to use character bonus
Grandmaster-Enchanting
Master-Persuasion
Expert-Elemental Magic
Expert-Observation
Expert-Healing
Apprentice-Endurance
Beginner-Horsemanship
Beginner-Music (plays the lute)
NPC:
Archimedes-Merlin's pet owl that the sorcerer can magically communicate with.