Warlock

Merlin was often referred to as a warlock.

The exact definition of a Warlock was never confirmed within the series. The most common theory is that it's a gender-specific term for a male sorcerer, just as witch is a gender-specific term for a female sorcerer.

However, it should be noted that there are a number of facts that would appear to contest this theory, primarily that Merlin is the only character to be referred to as a warlock within the series. Every other male magic-user is referred to as either a sorcerer or a Druid, depending on which they are.

Furthermore, the term is usually left out when other types of magic-users are listed. For example, in The Nightmare Begins, Sir Leon specifies, "I've included the details of everyone we suspect of consorting with sorcerers, witches, and Druids." There is no mention of warlocks.

It's possible that warlock is simply a more archaic term that had fallen out of common use, which would explain why ancient figures such as Kilgharrah or the Vilia would use it (though not why a young boy like Daegal would). It's also possible that it refers to a specific type of sorcerer.

Another common theory is that a warlock is born with magic while a sorcerer studies it, which would explain why Merlin is the only character to be addressed as one. He is the only sorcerer in the series known to have been able to use magic instinctively from birth, and it has been implied more than once that he is an anomaly in this regard (The Dragon's Call, The Gates of Avalon).

Confirmed Warlocks

Warlock	Status	Known For	Photo
Merlin	Alive	King Arthur's manservant, magical protector, and future advisor. The Last Dragonlord The most powerful sorcerer to ever live. Emrys Dragoon the Great The Dolma

Unconfirmed Warlocks

Warlock	Status	Known For	Photo
Gaius	Alive	Camelot's Court Physician Merlin's mentor/guardian Friend of Hunith
Edwin Muirden	†	Dark Sorcerer Son of Gregor and Jaden Former Court Physician of Camelot
Mordred	†	Druid Ally of Morgana Pendragon Former ally of Camelot Enemy of Merlin and Camelot Prophesied to kill King Arthur
Iseldir	Alive	Druid Chieftain Ally of Merlin
Anhora	Alive	Keeper of the Unicorns Powerful Sorcerer
Tauren	†	Renegade Sorcerer Enemy of Camelot Killed by former ally Morgana Pendragon Attempted to kill Uther Pendragon	Tauren
Cornelius Sigan	†	Legendary Sorcerer Cheated death by locking his soul in an enchanted jewel.
Aglain	†	Druid Chieftain Killed by Knights of Camelot
Trickler	Alive	Court Jester Ally of King Alined
Alvarr	Alive	Ally of Morgana Pendragon Ally of Mordred Enemy of Camelot
Balinor	†	Dragonlord Father of Merlin
Ghost Boy	†	Killed during the Great Purge
Taliesin	†	Seer to the Great Kings of Old Ally of Merlin
Grettir	Alive	Keeper of the Bridge to the Perilous Lands. Ally of the Fisher King
Gilli	Alive	Enemy of Uther Pendragon Friend of Merlin
Alator	†	Catha Priest High Priest Ally of Merlin Master of Finna
Druid Boy	†	Killed by Knights of Camelot Possessed Elyan to kill Arthur
Ruadan	†	Druid Warrior Father of Sefa Ally of Morgana Pendragon
Lochru	†	Druid Seer Vates Ally of Merlin
Osgar	†	Ally of the Disir Killed by the Knights of the Round Table
Ari	Alive	Druid Ally of Morgana Pendragon Stripped of his magic by the Eancanah.

Trivia

• In some texts, the word "warlock" translates to "truth-twister". This is widely unknown due to modern usage of the word in works like Harry Potter, and clearly does not apply to Merlin, either.

See also

• Witch
• High Priest
• High Priestess
• Creatures of Magic
• Magic
• Old Religion