Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire

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Because You Asked: Merlins.

To prepare for the release of One Salt Sea, I said that I would answer five questions the world and cosmology of the Toby Daye books, thus preparing us for the fun and the glory of Tuesday's release. This is the last of the five posts.

kippurbird's inquiry was not posed in the form of a question, but is interesting all the same:

"I'd like to know more about merlins."

So would a lot of people, it seems, and it is because of that fact that I will now do as I am bid, and tell you more about merlins.

First off, merlins, small "m," are individuals with a tiny, tiny bit of fae blood—not enough to qualify them as a changeling, or cause them to look other than human-normal—who are nonetheless able to access some measure of fae magic. Merlin, big "M," was one of the first, and most notable, of these crossbreeds. Hence the term "merlin" being applied to the class as a whole.

So how much fae blood does it take to make a merlin? Not much. But if someone has too much, they'll be considered a changeling, which is a whole different ball of worms, and if they have too little, they'll be effectively human. Basically, if a faerie and a human have a kid, that kid will be a changeling (50/50). If that kid and a human have a kid, that kid will still be considered a changeling; just a very weak one (25/75). That kid's kids, however, will stand a very good chance of being merlins, as will their children. After two generations of merlins, sadly, you'll just get humans who maybe live a long time, or have a knack for finding fresh water. It's a short-lived gift.

(Yes, this has led to some families of merlins whose children marry each other, which can keep the magic alive for substantially longer, even if it does eventually lead to inbreeding and unpleasantness.)

Why do merlins matter? They're watered-down changelings, after all. They have little to no innate magic; they can't shapeshift or fly or teleport or do any of the other things that changelings and purebloods can do instinctively. So why don't the merlins just get trampled by their stronger relations?

Because they can use charms, potions, and written incantations, they aren't bothered by iron or bound by rowan, and they have none of the inborn limitations of true fae, that's why. A changeling or pureblood will always have checks and balances written into their very genetics, preventing them from accidentally destroying the world. Merlins don't have anything like that. They work their magic with external tools, and that keeps them from suffering from most of magic's nastier consequences. They are, in short, extremely dangerous. Many of them are also extremely devoted to gaining more power, more magic, more spells and tricks and charms. This can lead to some truly bloody encounters between them and the true fae, since a Puca's wings will fuel a lot of love charms. Not fun.

Most modern merlins keep their heads down and work primarily underground, since the fae are harder to find and faster to attack when actually troubled. But that can't last forever.

Someday, the merlins are going to present a problem.
Tags: common questions, continuity checking, toby daye
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  • 27 comments
Then you have the small raptor, cousin to the kestrel.
Heh.
So are merlins responsible for most mortal tales of witchcraft, sorcery, and the like? Or are there any forms of magic that are purely mortal in nature? Also, are the various charms, potions, and incantations the use the same sort the fae use (and thus, taught directly or indirectly by fae or changelings), or have merlins devised their own magic that's wholly different than what the Fair Folk use?
There are no forms of magic that are purely mortal in nature. Merlins have charms and spells that changelings don't, because they've had time to develop them, but it's all derived from fae magic.

tsgeisel

September 5 2011, 05:57:12 UTC 5 years ago Edited:  September 5 2011, 05:57:42 UTC

"Someday". Such an ominous word.

I wonder if that "someday" might be within the next 6 books or so...

(No, I don't expect (or even want) an answer. That's just a bit of thinking out loud.)
Same here regarding thinking out loud: the plot potential of a group of merlins who want to keep the magic going strong, say. I can think of two creepy ideas right now, but... should probably keep them to myself, in case they did mirror something in that "someday."

biomekanic

5 years ago

seanan_mcguire

5 years ago

The implied "dun dun DUNNNNNN" at the end of your post was sheer genius.
Thanks. :)
Your ominous ending statements are virtually guaranteed to get me jumping and clapping with the "Ooo, will there be *hitting*?!" look on my face. Yaaaay!
Hee.

Deleted comment

Yes.
It seems odd that when the fae are so ruthless toward changelings, and merlins can be a threat, that they don't just off any any potential merlins -- effectively offering the Changeling's Choice but requiring them to choose human.

Is there some reason why the purebloods need merlins, or would fae exterminating merlins more aggressively mean attracting too much attention in the mortal world (there have to be some limits on how many humans they can kill before the humans really start noticing), or does it create too much tension with the quarter-blood changelings (they're the bottom rung of fae society, so taking human mates is a natural outlet for them -- take that away, make a policy of killing their human kids, and they're probably going to become a problem as only a truly desperate population can. Quarter-blood terrorist movements in Faerie...)
It would attract too much attention, and they don't really pay enough attention to humans, most of the time, to know who has fae blood.
Ack! To read this the day before 'One Salt Sea' comes out is like adding fuel to the fire, where fire = burning obsession with October Daye series.
merlins, oh merlins (with small 'm')-- which book will I meet you and enjoy the problems created by you? :)
Thank you for answering my question/statement. ^_^

It was a one sentence mention but it certainly provoked a lot of images and possibilities when I read it.

From your last sentence I have a feeling when you say "present a problem" you actually mean "present a problem for Toby"
Doesn't everything?
You really have created a large and fascinating world for Toby and friends. I'm so glad that I discovered it.
Yay!
(Yes, this has led to some families of merlins whose children marry each other, which can keep the magic alive for substantially longer, even if it does eventually lead to inbreeding and unpleasantness.)

Not to mention ending up in Slytherin.
Well, yes. That, too.
Oh, I have been waiting for this plot point to come up ever since you first mentioned it. *rubs hands together in sadistic glee*
It'll be a while.
I can just see the fight erupting when the ancient “pedigreed merlin” society (which sets up arranged marriages between people of appropriate bloodlines, keeping the power while avoiding inbreeding) comes into conflict with the new dating site merlinromance.net!
*snork*

Oh, dude.