Merlin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nevergetscredit) wrote2010-05-18 05:14 pm
nevergetscredit) wrote2010-05-18 05:14 pm
Entry tags:
[Abilities]
Merlin was born with magic that manifested at a very young age, along with the ability to use some forms of it instinctively (which, in-universe, is implied to be highly unusual). His use of magic is always accompanied by his eyes flashing gold, and when he does start to learn magic, he's shown to pick it up very quickly and has an aptitude for learning new spells.
Before he actively started learning spells, the only magical powers that Merlin displayed where telekinesis, and the ability to slow down time. Slowing down time is an ability that Merlin uses only very rarely, so it's assumed that this isn't something that he can do often (and it's also assumed that he can only affect his immediate vicinity, rather than the entire world.) Telekinesis, however, is an ability that Merlin uses often and freely, and it clearly comes very easily to him. Typically, he needs to look at an object to move it (In fact, being able to see something is almost always required in order to cast magic on it, although in some cases specific spells and artefacts can get around this restriction), but anything beyond the range of a football field is probably too far away for Merlin to move. He can move objects with extreme force, and move multiple objects at a time - there doesn't seem to be a specific limit, but it's assumed that objects that are very heavy are harder to move (tossing around dinosaurs would be out), and that it's also harder for him to move anything over, say, five objects at once (give or take depending on weight, how complicated what he's trying to do with them is, and how far away they are).
Merlin's more passive magical abilities include a strong resistance to magic, the ability to sense magic, and the ability to "hear" telepathic communication. His resistance to magic allows him to survive spells that should have killed him, and to be less affected by harmful spells than than other people. Merlin's ability to sense magic doesn't mean he senses all magic - usually he'd need to be observing closely or very close to be able to pick it up. The exception is in the case of extremely powerful magic, usually that of magical artefacts, which Merlin has been shown to be able to sense from a greater distance (and in one cases, even being woken up by it). When it comes to telepathy, Merlin doesn't appear to have any ability to use telepathic communication unless the other person is already able to do so themselves. However, he does often show the ability to hear the telepathic communications of other people nearby, regardless of whether they are directed at him. But, this is assumed to only apply to telepathy that is magical in nature.
Lastly, Merlin has the ability to cast specific spells. These spells are typically cast with the aid of gestures and Old English incantations. However, Merlin doesn't always use incantations (and his use of telekinesis without incantations was noted as being unheard of by Gaius). Some spells appear to require a very specific incantation, while others seem to be made up on the fly, without the words really mattering. As such, it's assumed that these incantations work as a focus - spells that are particularly difficult are usually impossible to cast without them, and Merlin would also need to use the incantations for spells that he's just learned recently. But, for many spells - for Merlin at least - they are essentially optional. Other objects, such as artefacts, potions, and poultices, also appear to act as an additional focus. Times of great emotional stress also appear to have a focusing effect, eliminating the need for incantations, as some of Merlin's most powerful magic happens when he's particularly angry and without any incantations. In the end, what it really at the core of casting spells is the will of the caster.
As for the specific spells Merlin can cast, these can cover an extremely wide range of effects, including:
Some spells are also more specifically to do with the "Elements" - namely, Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. Merlin tends to use Fire and Air more frequently, and very rarely Earth (and almost never Water). Examples of these kinds of spells are:
Most spells only last as long as Merlin is actively casting them, although some specific spells - such as enchantments - will last longer. A more complete list of the magic cast in the series can also be found here.
When it comes to non-magical abilities, the main thing Merlin's got going for him is good reflexes. He's also got some skills with a sword - enough to hold up against anyone your average person who's got a basic grasp of swordcraft, but no where near the skill a knight would have.
He also has general skills from his work as a servant, such as cleaning, polishing armour, cooking, and generally picking up after Arthur. He's not exceptionally good at them - Merlin's been known to use magic to cheat on them - but he's he's come a long way form when he first started working for Arthur and had no clue at all (and he's certainly a lot better at general housekeeping than Arthur is).
Merlin also does have some ability to sneak around and generally eavesdrop and poke around without being noticed. Even if in the actual show Merlin looks incredibly obvious to the audience, he pretty much never gets caught - despite the fact that he's sneaking around heavily guarded castles, escaping the notice of people doing intensive searches, and not being noticed by people that he's following. Since either Merlin can sneak like a ninja or everyone in Camelot is completely blind, for the purposes of rp I will assume that he's reasonably good at sneaking, but not at super-spy level or anything.
Merlin's also intelligent, and he's got some basic knowledge of things like anatomy, herbs, and cures, mostly due to Gaius's influence. He's also a quick learner - Merlin might fumble around a lot in the beginning, but it doesn't take him long to pick up a new skill. He also seems to be pretty good with languages, and the language used for spells in particular - it didn't take him long to pick it up and start using it for spells. He can also be pretty observant - Merlin often notices when things are off before other people do.
Before he actively started learning spells, the only magical powers that Merlin displayed where telekinesis, and the ability to slow down time. Slowing down time is an ability that Merlin uses only very rarely, so it's assumed that this isn't something that he can do often (and it's also assumed that he can only affect his immediate vicinity, rather than the entire world.) Telekinesis, however, is an ability that Merlin uses often and freely, and it clearly comes very easily to him. Typically, he needs to look at an object to move it (In fact, being able to see something is almost always required in order to cast magic on it, although in some cases specific spells and artefacts can get around this restriction), but anything beyond the range of a football field is probably too far away for Merlin to move. He can move objects with extreme force, and move multiple objects at a time - there doesn't seem to be a specific limit, but it's assumed that objects that are very heavy are harder to move (tossing around dinosaurs would be out), and that it's also harder for him to move anything over, say, five objects at once (give or take depending on weight, how complicated what he's trying to do with them is, and how far away they are).
Merlin's more passive magical abilities include a strong resistance to magic, the ability to sense magic, and the ability to "hear" telepathic communication. His resistance to magic allows him to survive spells that should have killed him, and to be less affected by harmful spells than than other people. Merlin's ability to sense magic doesn't mean he senses all magic - usually he'd need to be observing closely or very close to be able to pick it up. The exception is in the case of extremely powerful magic, usually that of magical artefacts, which Merlin has been shown to be able to sense from a greater distance (and in one cases, even being woken up by it). When it comes to telepathy, Merlin doesn't appear to have any ability to use telepathic communication unless the other person is already able to do so themselves. However, he does often show the ability to hear the telepathic communications of other people nearby, regardless of whether they are directed at him. But, this is assumed to only apply to telepathy that is magical in nature.
Lastly, Merlin has the ability to cast specific spells. These spells are typically cast with the aid of gestures and Old English incantations. However, Merlin doesn't always use incantations (and his use of telekinesis without incantations was noted as being unheard of by Gaius). Some spells appear to require a very specific incantation, while others seem to be made up on the fly, without the words really mattering. As such, it's assumed that these incantations work as a focus - spells that are particularly difficult are usually impossible to cast without them, and Merlin would also need to use the incantations for spells that he's just learned recently. But, for many spells - for Merlin at least - they are essentially optional. Other objects, such as artefacts, potions, and poultices, also appear to act as an additional focus. Times of great emotional stress also appear to have a focusing effect, eliminating the need for incantations, as some of Merlin's most powerful magic happens when he's particularly angry and without any incantations. In the end, what it really at the core of casting spells is the will of the caster.
As for the specific spells Merlin can cast, these can cover an extremely wide range of effects, including:
- Animate a statue/painting
- Blowing up stuff
- Breaking chains/rope/tree branches/windows
- Busting doors open
- Conjure creatures/objects
- Conjure a ball of light
- Conjure a shield / force field
- Control animals
- Cure disease
- Enchanting objects
- Heating up water or a room
- Throw lightning (usually requiring an existing storm or the aid of an artefact)
- Lightning (staff)
- Locking and unlocking locks
- Reversing enchantments
- Putting someone to sleep, or wake them up
Some spells are also more specifically to do with the "Elements" - namely, Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. Merlin tends to use Fire and Air more frequently, and very rarely Earth (and almost never Water). Examples of these kinds of spells are:
- Breaking open fallen rocks
- Controlling the shape of smoke
- Creating a fog
- Creating, lighting, and throwing fire
- Making rocks fall
- Manipulating mud
- Summoning a storm
- Summoning a wind
Most spells only last as long as Merlin is actively casting them, although some specific spells - such as enchantments - will last longer. A more complete list of the magic cast in the series can also be found here.
When it comes to non-magical abilities, the main thing Merlin's got going for him is good reflexes. He's also got some skills with a sword - enough to hold up against anyone your average person who's got a basic grasp of swordcraft, but no where near the skill a knight would have.
He also has general skills from his work as a servant, such as cleaning, polishing armour, cooking, and generally picking up after Arthur. He's not exceptionally good at them - Merlin's been known to use magic to cheat on them - but he's he's come a long way form when he first started working for Arthur and had no clue at all (and he's certainly a lot better at general housekeeping than Arthur is).
Merlin also does have some ability to sneak around and generally eavesdrop and poke around without being noticed. Even if in the actual show Merlin looks incredibly obvious to the audience, he pretty much never gets caught - despite the fact that he's sneaking around heavily guarded castles, escaping the notice of people doing intensive searches, and not being noticed by people that he's following. Since either Merlin can sneak like a ninja or everyone in Camelot is completely blind, for the purposes of rp I will assume that he's reasonably good at sneaking, but not at super-spy level or anything.
Merlin's also intelligent, and he's got some basic knowledge of things like anatomy, herbs, and cures, mostly due to Gaius's influence. He's also a quick learner - Merlin might fumble around a lot in the beginning, but it doesn't take him long to pick up a new skill. He also seems to be pretty good with languages, and the language used for spells in particular - it didn't take him long to pick it up and start using it for spells. He can also be pretty observant - Merlin often notices when things are off before other people do.