The Disir (Court)



The Disir was the highest and most sacred court of the Old Religion, the very mouthpiece of the Triple Goddess. Three women were chosen at birth to be trained as seers and soothsayers and their only task was to interpret the word of the Goddess. When they made their judgement, their word was final. Each of them carried a magical staff, forged using powerful sorcery.

They could give a runemark to those found wanting by the gods, but worthy of their judgement. The Old Religion held that the runemark not only contained a man's guilt but the path that the gods had chosen for him: that is why it was viewed as both judgement and fate. The people of the Old Ways believed that only the gods can alter a man's fate, and even then, only when he repents and appeases them.

The three soothsayers divined using an ancient pool, which was fed by the sacred spring at Caerlanrigh. The source of the spring was a grove of yew trees in the White Mountains, called the Grove of Brineved. There, the Old Ways are at their strongest, being the Caerlanrigh the very centre of their powers (The Disir).

One of the Disir saw Merlin use magic.

Known members of the Disir

 * Niede
 * Atorloppe
 * Befelen

Abilities
Each member of the Disir was an immensely powerful being, with outstanding magical abilities. They did not show the terrifying extent of their abilities in the episode in which they appeared, but they are still extremely capable sorceresses. Their main powers lay in psychological battles and in mental situations, such as confrontations and debates with Arthur Pendragon. Their greatest affinity was their powers of interpretation, as they were the voice of the Triple Goddess and claimed not to judge but only enforce the desire of the Goddess

Trivia

 * The Disir in Norse religion are demigoddesses which view the future. They do not necessarily come in a group of three, however, the three Disir in Merlin may be a parallel to the three aspects of the Triple Goddess.