Dragonlord Magic

"You don't choose to become a Dragonlord. It's not something you're taught. It's a sacred gift."

- Balinor to Merlin

Dragonlord Magic is a type of magic used by Dragons and Dragonlords.

Spell Transmission
"Close your eyes, and open your mind."

- Kilgharrah to Merlin

As one of the most powerful creatures of magic in existence, Dragons possess extensive magical knowledge and abilities. Among these abilities is the power to telepathically transmit their knowledge to human sorcerers.

Kilgharrah taught Merlin two spells in this way. The first was a spell to defeat Cornelius Sigan, and the second was a spell to heal Morgana's skull fracture. In both cases, he transmitted the spells to Merlin by breathing on him. However, it is unknown whether this method can be used to teach spells to any sorcerer, or just to Dragonlords (The Curse of Cornelius Sigan, The Crystal Cave).

Dragon Language
"When you speak to him as kin, he must obey your will."

- Balinor to Merlin about Kilgharrah

Upon inheriting their powers, Dragonlords gained the ability to speak and cast spells in the language of Dragons. This ability is primarily used to give Dragons commands, such as when Merlin ordered Kilgharrah to leave Camelot (The Last Dragonlord).

After they became allies, Merlin often used this ability to summon Kilgharrah when he was in need (The Tears of Uther Pendragon, The Sorcerer's Shadow, The Darkest Hour, The Sword in the Stone, Arthur's Bane, The Disir, The Kindness of Strangers, The Diamond of the Day).

On one occasion, he commanded the dragon to attack Agravaine and his men, burning them alive (The Sword in the Stone).

After Aithusa became Morgana's ally, Merlin often used his ability to order her away when she attacked (Arthur's Bane, With All My Heart, The Diamond of the Day).

Merlin could also use this ability to command Wyverns, who were distant cousins of Dragons. He tamed a trio of Wyverns in the Perilous Lands, and ordered away another group that was guarding the Isle of the Blessed (The Eye of the Phoenix, The Darkest Hour).

Dragon Hatching
"Young dragons were called into the world by the dragonlords. Only they had the power to summon them from the egg."

- Kilgharrah to Merlin

According to Kilgharrah, dragon eggs are incapable of hatching on their own and remain dormant until a Dragonlord calls the young dragon into the world. They did so by giving the dragon name.

After retrieving it from the Tomb of Ashkanar, Merlin used this ability to hatch the last dragon egg in existence. He named the young dragon Aithusa, which meant "light of the sun" (Aithusa).

Known Spells

 * Merlin commanding Kilgharrah to stop his attack (The Last Dragonlord):
 * "Dragorn. Non didlkai. Kari miss, epsipass imalla krat. Katostar abore ceriss. Katicur. Me ta sentende divoless. Kar… krisass."
 * Merlin summoning Kilgharrah (The Tears of Uther Pendragon, The Sorcerer's Shadow, The Darkest Hour, The Sword in the Stone, Arthur's Bane, The Disir, The Kindness of Strangers, The Diamond of the Day):
 * "O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!"
 * Merlin taming the Wyverns and Aithusa (The Eye of the Phoenix, Arthur's Bane, With All My Heart):
 * "Nun de ge dei s'eikein kai emois epe'essin hepesthai!"
 * Merlin ordering away the Wyverns (The Darkest Hour):
 * "S'enthend' apokhorein nun epello-o-o."
 * Merlin calling Kilgharrah to attack (The Sword in the Stone):
 * "O drakon, fthengomai au se kalon su katerkheo deuro!"
 * Merlin ordering Aithusa to leave him (Arthur's Bane):
 * "Ithi!"
 * Merlin ordering Aithusa away from the battle (The Diamond of the Day):
 * "Nun de ge dei s'eikein kai emois epe'essin hepesthai! Weas!"

Appearances

 * Series 2
 * The Curse of Cornelius Sigan
 * The Last Dragonlord


 * Series 3
 * The Tears of Uther Pendragon: Part One
 * The Crystal Cave
 * The Eye of the Phoenix
 * The Sorcerer's Shadow
 * The Coming of Arthur: Part Two


 * Series 4
 * The Darkest Hour: Part Two
 * Aithusa
 * The Sword in the Stone: Part Two


 * Series 5
 * Arthur's Bane
 * The Disir
 * With All My Heart
 * The Kindness of Strangers
 * The Diamond of the Day: Part Two

Trivia

 * Unlike most branches of sorcery, Dragonlord magic cannot be learned by ordinary sorcerers. It is an innate, hereditary ability unique to Dragonlords (The Last Dragonlord).
 * On two occasions, Merlin has cast a stunning spell in the form of a Dragon-like roar. It is unclear whether this is a Dragonlord ability or merely nonverbal magic (The Last Dragonlord, The Tears of Uther Pendragon).