Merlyn

**Merlyn** or **Merlin** is a major figure from Arthurian myth who was central to the defunct Merlinwood area of Islands of Adventure.

## History

### Background

#### Origins

Merlyn was a powerful and ancient sorcerer. At some point, he became protector of his own realm in an area known as the "Merlinwood".

Merlyn was enchanted and deceived by the Lady of the Lake into entering her lake where her magic transformed him into a giant, bound, Enchanted Oak.

#### Dueling Dragons

Merlyn's imprisonment was noticed by the rival warlocks Pyrock and Blizzrock, who then travelled to his domain from the neighbouring kingdoms to try and steal the spell book from his cast. Once they found the book, the curse which Merlin placed on it transformed both of the warlocks into dragons with Pyrock breathing fire while Blizzrock breathed an icy breath.

As dragons, the two would fight and terrorize the kingdom with Merlyn too weak to stop them. Merlyn warned many knights about them, only for the knights to try and slay the beasts then be killed in the process. The two dragons frequently fought in Merlyn's castle, reducing it to rubble.

Merlyn recruited several individuals to assist him in a plan to train the dragons via magic. He had his recruits choose their fate on which dragon to mount then subdue via riding through the air amidst a battle.

### Development history

Part of the Lost Continent used to be themed to the "Merlinwood", inspired by Arthurian mythology and fantasy stories set in medieval times. This was closed down and replaced with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2014.

## Appearances

### Halloween Horror Nights

#### Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate

Merlyn was a central character in this haunted house.

### Merlinwood

Merlin was central to this area of the Lost Continent. Merlin sometimes made meet 'n' greet appearances.

#### Dueling Dragons

This attraction had Merlyn speak in the queue/safety-spiel while the story involved him having guests train the dragons for him.

#### Enchanted Oak Tavern

Merlin's petrified oak form was the exterior of the Enchanted Oak Tavern

### Port of Entry

The Dance Studio mentions a dance called "Merlin's Mambo" on its wall promoting their business.

## Trivia

* Merlyn's castle and spell book in *Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate* contained several easter-eggs:
	+ In Merlyn's book is the magic symbol used by occultist HHN icon, Doctor Rich Oddfellow. The opposite page bore the symbol of the demonic "Collector" from *The Darkest Deal* horror house.
	+ A shield bore the symbol of *Terra Cruentus*, the setting of *Halloween Horror Nights: Tales of Terror*. Another had the symbol for the Terra Cruentus location of *Dragon Forge*.
	+ One of the Necronomicons from the Evil Dead franchise appears in Merlyn's library.
* Merlyn spoke in rhymes in the audio for Dueling Dragons.
* The Harry Potter universe's version of Merlin is sometimes referenced in parks merchandise.
* In the story tie-in for *Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate*, Merlyn attempted to fight the Lady of the Lake by chanting, "The Fury of Poseidon". This tributes defunct attraction, *Poseidon's Fury*.
* It is unknown if Merlyn had any relation to (or was pseudonymous with) the wizard from the backstory of the Flying Unicorn.
* Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate had a "Bad Ending" in which Blizzrock wields the severed head of Merlyn at the end.

## References

1. ↑ https://orlandoparkstop.com/feature/easter-eggs/10-fun-easter-eggs-at-universals-islands-of-adventure/