Snake

Snakes are limbless, elongated, carnivorous reptiles that inhabit the land of Albion. Many species are venomous and some are magical.

History
The snakes on Valiant's shield were enchanted to come to life on command and strike an opponent. They were a venomous species whose bite was known to induce a fever, slow pulse, and paralysis in the victim (Valiant).

The Questing Beast was a magical creature with the body of a leopard and the head of a snake. Its venomous bite carried the power over life and death and could only be cured with water from the Cup of Life (Le Morte d'Arthur).

While on a mission to rescue Elyan from the Castle of Fyrien, Merlin used his magic to influence a passing snake to spook Morgana's horse. Morgana was thrown and sprained her ankle, but still insisted on accompanying him, Arthur, and Gwen the rest of the way (The Castle of Fyrien).

When Merlin was captured by her mercenaries, Morgana summoned a magical creature called a Fomorroh to take control of his mind. The Fomorroh was a small, serpent-like creature with multiple heads that dwelled in the Spirit World (A Servant of Two Masters).

The High Priestesses created the Lamia by mingling the blood of a young girl with that of a serpent. The result was a tentacled, humanoid creature that could change form, control minds, and suck the life from a man with a single embrace (Lamia).

Morgana often used a magical creature called the Nathair to torture her prisoners. Nathairs were small black snakes that dwelled in the mountains of Asgaard. They were usually harmless, but when provoked could cause pain beyond all imagining (The Sword in the Stone, The Kindness of Strangers, The Diamond of the Day).

When Morgana ambushed Arthur and his men at the border of Ismere, Merlin ordered a passing snake to spook a bandit's horse (Arthur's Bane).

Morgana conjured several magical snakes to attack Gwen and the Knights of the Round Table. The snakes spooked their horses, causing Percival and Leon to be thrown, then advanced and bit both knights, poisoning them with dark magic.

Merlin and Gaius were able to treat Percival and Leon, but the venom lingered in their veins for several hours. This allowed Morgana to plant visions in their minds of the Dark Tower to lure Arthur into a trap (The Dark Tower).

Appearances

 * Series 1
 * Valiant


 * Series 3
 * The Castle of Fyrien


 * Series 4
 * A Servant of Two Masters
 * Lamia
 * The Sword in the Stone: Part One


 * Series 5
 * Arthur's Bane: Part One
 * The Dark Tower
 * The Kindness of Strangers
 * The Coming of Arthur: Part Two

Trivia

 * A snake was featured on King Cenred's crest (The Last Dragonlord, The Tears of Uther Pendragon, The Castle of Fyrien, The Coming of Arthur).
 * "Snake" is sometimes used as an insult, such as when Agravaine referred to Alinor as one (A Servant of Two Masters).