Animation Spells are enchantments that bring inanimate objects to life. Weaker spells merely cause objects to move and act as though they were alive, but more powerful enchantments appear to actually give them life.
History[]
Devlin enchanted the Serpent Shield with an animation spell that caused the snakes to come to life on command. Valiant used this to his advantage during the Tournament of Camelot.
After Merlin discovered the Shield's magical properties, he used an animation spell to expose Valiant's secret to the court. Merlin spent the night before the match practicing the animation spell on a statue of a dog (Valiant).
Nimueh used an animation spell in the creation of the Afanc (The Mark of Nimueh).
Edwin Muirden used an animation spell to awaken and control his Elanthia Beetles. This spell was inscribed on the box the Beetles were kept in, and when Merlin read it aloud he accidentally brought them to life (A Remedy to Cure All Ills).
Merlin used an animation spell to conjure a dragon out of sparks (The Moment of Truth).
Cornelius Sigan used a powerful animation spell to bring stone Gargoyles to life during his attack on Camelot. Merlin later broke the spell by returning Sigan's spirit to his enchanted jewel (The Curse of Cornelius Sigan).
Merlin used an animation spell to conjure a horse out of smoke (The Witchfinder).
Morgause used an animation spell and necromancy to awaken the Knights of Medhir (The Fires of Idirsholas).
Morgana used an animation spell while summoning a Fomorroh from the Spirit World. She focused the spell on a medallion representing the beast and cast it into a fire. When the flames died down, the Fomorroh came to life (A Servant of Two Masters).
After the Battle of Camlann, Merlin revealed his magic to Arthur by using an animation spell to conjure a dragon out of sparks (The Diamond of the Day).
Known Spells[]
- Used by Devlin to enchant the Serpent Shield (Valiant):
- "Tharinna imbicentra. Orpha hormanace doll."
- Used by Merlin to animate a statue of a dog and the snakes on Valiant's Shield (Valiant):
- "Bebiede þe arisan cwicum."
- Used by Nimueh to bring the Afanc to life (The Mark of Nimueh):
- "Bebiede þe arisan ealdu."
- Used by Edwin Muirden and Merlin to awaken the Elanthia Beetles (A Remedy to Cure All Ills):
- "Bebiede þe arisan ealdu."
- Used by Merlin to conjure a dragon out of sparks (The Moment of Truth):
- "Draca."
- Used by Cornelius Sigan to animate stone Gargoyles (The Curse of Cornelius Sigan):
- "Ic cume eft to Camelot. Swá þæt ic mæg min fæhþ awrecan! Nu ic lybbe ece and ic mæg rædan min burh."
- Used by Merlin to conjure a horse out of smoke (The Witchfinder):
- "Hors, beride þá heofonum."
- Used by Morgause to animate the Knights of Medhir (The Fires of Idirsholas):
- "Cnihtas Medhires, éower sáwla sind min sáwla. Onwic and cóm hér eft. Rid eft ond forsliehð eft. Gehðu, Uther Pendragon."
- Used by Morgana to summon a Fomorroh from the Spirit World (A Servant of Two Masters):
- "Astige ðu wyrm fah ond geþéowe ðæt mod ðisse þeowes. Hine bind ond ða heold ond awendaþ he ealle."
- Used by Merlin to conjure a dragon out sparks (The Diamond of the Day):
- "Upastige draca!"
Appearances[]
- Series 1
- Valiant
- The Mark of Nimueh
- A Remedy to Cure All Ills
- The Moment of Truth
- Series 2
- The Curse of Cornelius Sigan
- The Witchfinder
- The Fires of Idirsholas
- Series 4
- A Servant of Two Masters
- Series 5
- The Diamond of the Day: Part Two
Trivia[]
- Though some animation spells appear to make things truly alive, there is no indication that they are related to the power over life and death.