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Merlinus
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“ | Quite sure, my lord. To be honest, I've dreamt of working for a noble house. To have my fondest wish granted in such a way... I cannot stem these tears of joy! | ” | — Merlinus to Eliwood and Hector when they hire him as their merchant. |
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Merlinus (Japanese: マリナス Merlinus) is a character in Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade and Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. In the first game, he is a vassal of Lord Eliwood who joins Roy's army in Chapter 2, while in the latter, he is a merchant who is rescued and then contracted by Eliwood and Hector in Chapter 13x or Chapter 16 (17 Hector).
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
Role
Merlinus is one of Eliwood's most trusted vassals, and he is sent to accompany Roy as an adviser during the war. Merlinus appears in most of the conversations between chapters, doing his best to direct his young liege towards the right path.
Merlinus has not a specific ending; from his words, though, it can be deduced that he returns to Pherae and spends the rest of his life working for Roy.
Starting stats and growth rates
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Analysis
This character analysis section may not be accurate to every player's experience. |
Merlinus's unique class, Transporter, functions like a convoy; he or a unit standing next to him can move items between their inventory and the convoy by spending a turn. However, he is the only convoy available, and if Merlinus is not deployed, units cannot access the convoy though items can still be sent to it regardless. Unlike other units, Merlinus is not subject to permanent death; if Merlinus dies, he can be deployed in successive chapters. Because of this, Merlinus can be useful for baiting enemies; his terrible defensive stats and inability to counter-attack make it so that enemies will almost always prioritize him when he is in range, which can be used to prevent the deaths of other units.
However, Merlinus does not contribute much overall. His convoy utility, while situationally useful, can be diminished with well-managed inventories. All acquired items will be automatically deposited in the convoy whether or not he is deployed, so he is only useful for taking items out of the convoy. He also suffers from a lack of mobility; while 5 movement is the same as many other unmounted units, it is more detrimental for Merlinus, as his high constitution of 25 means he cannot be rescued. He also cannot attack at all or use any weapon type, further decreasing his usefulness. Additionally, while his ability to bait enemies without risk of permanent death is useful, it can usually only be used once per map, as his HP and defense are so low almost any enemy will one-shot him. While in theory level-ups can help mitigate this problem, this is practically impossible; the only way for Merlinus to gain experience is to get attacked and not die, which provides 1 point of experience for each round of combat. Combined with the fact he is one-shot by most enemies, Merlinus's stats will likely stay at their abysmal bases.
While Merlinus is overall a fairly underwhelming unit, he still has some niche utility. He is force-deployed on Chapters 2 through 5, so his strengths can be utilized without using a deployment slot. Additionally, in Chapter 21, he is the best way to buy the infinite supply of Boots available in the secret shop by moving items from the convoy, selling them, buying the boots, and repeating that process.
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Role
Merlinus is a quite nervous merchant who is traveling through Lycia. When he is passing by a small village in the march of Caelin, bandits attack him. Fortunately, Eliwood and Hector are nearby, and they rescue him. Merlinus offers them a small reward, but Eliwood refuses it, saying it was nothing. Hector nods, and carelessly adds that they do not need a peddler's junk. Offended, Merlinus presents himself, and after the lords give him their names, the merchant looks excited to have met such important people.
Hector then changes his opinion and asks him to become their merchant and supply manager; Merlinus happily assents. He then accompanies the army until the last travel to Dread Isle. There, he vows to work for both lords forever, and sadly returns to Fargus's ship to wait for their return.
After the crisis is averted, he opens a shop in Ostia, but it does not do well and ends up closed. However, Merlinus does not give up; he plans on reopening it with Eliwood's aid. Should he have an A support with the knight Marcus, Merlinus directly goes to Pherae to work for Eliwood, focusing in the financial matters.
Starting stats and growth rates
NPC, Chapter 13x Playable
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Fire Emblem Heroes
Role
Merlinus is one of the characters added to the game in the Reality update, and became available for summoning by players on November 17, 2020. Only one variation of Merlinus is currently available in Heroes, based on his The Binding Blade incarnation.
Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk
Starting stats
★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★
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Initial Stats Level 40 Stats
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Skill set
Skill set | ||||
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Skill | Unlock | Auto-unlock | SP cost | |
Iron Dagger | ★★★ | ★★★ | 50 | |
Steel Dagger | ★★★ | ★★★ | 100 | |
Smoke Dagger | ★★★ | ★★★★ | 200 | |
Smoke Dagger+ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 300 | |
Reposition | ★★★ | ★★★★ | 150 | |
B | Wings of Mercy 1 | ★★★ | — | 60 |
B | Wings of Mercy 2 | ★★★ | — | 120 |
B | Wings of Mercy 3 | ★★★★ | — | 240 |
C | Distant Guard 1 | ★★★ | — | 60 |
C | Distant Guard 2 | ★★★★ | — | 120 |
C | Distant Guard 3 | ★★★★★ | — | 240 |
Personality
In Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, Merlinus is quite shy and easily scared, almost acting as a comic relief. He shows time and time again[1] that he is not really suited to be in a battlefield; Marcus calls him out on the several occasions in which Merlinus lets down his guard.[2] However, Merlinus is quite good at managing the army's supplies[3] and at cooking – his dishes are praised by Marcus and Vaida.[4]
In The Binding Blade, Merlinus seems to have a somewhat important position in House Pherae. He has lost most of his shyness by then, and tends to be a little more direct if not downright verbally aggressive when dealing with most people.[5] Usually, he gives sound advice to Roy, but this is not always taken into account, which makes him disgruntled. It could be said that the only time Roy does really heed his advice is at the end – after the young lord says the war is over, Merlinus reminds him that is not true.[6]
Supports
- Main article:
Merlinus/Supports
The Binding Blade
Merlinus cannot support with any character in this game.
The Blazing Blade
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Endings
The Blazing Blade
Merlinus, Cheery Merchant
Merlinus opened a shop in Ostia, but it was forced to close. He plans on reopening with some aid from Lord Eliwood himself.
Merlinus and Marcus
The merchant Merlinus began working for Eliwood. He and Marcus were fast friends, and when Marcus became the head of military training, Merlinus used his business acumen to deal with all matters financial.
Quotes
Death quotes
“ | Oh no! I'm getting out of here before I lose my important goods! | ” | — Merlinus, in The Binding Blade. |
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“ | This can't be happening! I only... wanted to sell... | ” | — Merlinus, as an NPC in Chapter 13x of The Blazing Blade. |
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“ | That does it! I'm leaving before all of my finest goods get stolen! | ” | — Merlinus, in The Blazing Blade. |
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Heroes quotes
- Main article:
Merlinus/Quotes (Heroes)
Other appearances
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Merlinus's official artwork from both The Binding Blade and The Blazing Blade can be viewed in Path of Radiance's extras menu if a copy of The Binding Blade or The Blazing Blade is connected to a copy of Path of Radiance respectively. Merlinus's The Binding Blade illustration, along with all other The Binding Blade-related artwork, is inaccessible in the international versions of the game, owing to the fact that The Binding Blade was not released in those regions.
Fire Emblem Cipher
Merlinus is featured on one card in Fire Emblem Cipher. This card depicts his older self from The Binding Blade; he has no cards depicting his younger The Blazing Blade version.
Fire Emblem Cipher data for Merlinus | |||||
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Pherae Official, Merlinus | |||||
"Oh no! I'm getting out of here before I lose all my goods!" | |||||
Attack: 10 | Support: 10 | Range: - | Deploy Cost: 2 | ||
Class: Transporter | Tier: Base | Class Change Cost: -- | |||
Noncombatant: [Always] This unit cannot evade. "Tch, time to withdraw!": [Always] When this unit is destroyed by an attack, you may return this card back to your hand. | |||||
Card #P05-003PR • Artist: Akihiro Mibuta | |||||
Some card information translation provided by Serenes Forest. For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Merlinus . |
Flavor text
Game | Text (English) |
Text (Japanese) |
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The Binding Blade | A servant of Pherae in charge
of the army's inventory.* |
フェレ家の官吏
輸送隊をひきいる |
The Blazing Blade | A traveling merchant. Timid
and easily frightened. |
大陸を旅していた行商人
気の弱い小心者 |
Heroes | Tactician of Pherae for generations. Formerly
a traveling merchant. Travels with Roy and serves as an advisor. Appears in Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade. |
先代からフェレ家に官吏として仕える、元・旅の商人。
ロイの補佐役として同行する。 (登場:『ファイアーエムブレム 封印の剣』) |
Meet some of the Heroes entries
Choose Your Legends placement history
Round | Placement | Character | Votes |
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CYL 1 (2017) |
362 | Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
474 |
425 | Merlinus The Binding Blade |
318 |
CYL 2 (2018) |
374 (+12) |
Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
490 (+16) |
564 (+139) |
Merlinus The Binding Blade |
164 (−154) |
CYL 3 (2019) |
369 (+8) |
Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
494 (+4) |
467 (+106) |
Merlinus The Binding Blade |
272 (−218) |
CYL 4 (2020) |
112 (−239) |
Merlinus The Binding Blade |
1,456 (+962) |
362 (−27) |
Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
379 (−115) |
CYL 5 (2021) |
643 (+281) |
Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
65 (−314) |
740 (+628) |
Merlinus The Binding Blade |
30 (−1,426) |
CYL 6 (2022) |
701 (+56) |
Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
44 (−21) |
784 (+42) |
Merlinus The Binding Blade |
19 (−11) |
CYL 7 (2023) |
680 (−21) |
Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
41 (−3) |
800 (+16) |
Merlinus The Binding Blade |
12 (−7) |
CYL 8 (2024) |
782 (+102) |
Merlinus The Blazing Blade |
23 (−18) |
861 (+61) |
Merlinus The Binding Blade |
10 (−2) |
Total results | This character has 16 entries across all Choose Your Legends polls. | 4,291 |
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Trivia
- It is possible for Merlinus to visit villages. However, in The Blazing Blade, Merlinus cannot use the trade or supply functions, which means that once he has an item from a village, it is stuck in his inventory until the next chapter's preparations.
Etymology and other languages
Names, etymology, and in other regions | ||
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Language | Name | Definition, etymology, and notes |
English |
Merlinus |
Merlinus is the Latin version of Myrddin, a Welsh name that means "sea fortress." The name was transliterated to the English language as Merlin.[7] It is also the common name of a small falcon that is native to the Northern hemisphere.[8] Merlin is one of the most famous characters in Welsh mythology and the Arthurian legends. He was a mage and adviser to several kings of the British Isles, under countless disguises and wielding arcane powers.[9] |
Japanese |
マリナス |
Romanized as Merlinus in the Fire Emblem Museum website.[10] |
Spanish |
Merlinus |
As above |
French |
Merlinus |
As above |
German |
Merlinus |
As above |
Italian |
Merlinus |
As above |
Portuguese (Brazil) |
Merlinus |
As above |
Traditional Chinese |
馬利納斯 |
Merlinus |
Gallery
Sprite Gallery | |||
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The Binding Blade
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The Blazing Blade
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Artwork of Merlinus from The Binding Blade.
Artwork of Merlinus from The Blazing Blade.
Heroes artwork
Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk from Heroes.
Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk from Heroes.
Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk from Heroes.
Artwork of Merlinus: Pherae's Clerk from Heroes.
References
- ↑ "Merlinus: ...Snoooore.
Marcus: Merlinus, stay on your guard. A moment of laxity can bring death from behind..." — Marcus and Merlinus's C support, Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade - ↑ "Merlinus: So... You really do have such faith in your liege lord! Well, this old merchant has seen the light! I say, I have been far too cynical and mistrusting for far too long! I will try to redouble my trust in our lords! Sir Marcus! Help this humble merchant protect his wares with all of your might!
Marcus: ...Merlinus. It is never a good idea to yell like that on a battlefield unless you are inviting attack..." — Marcus and Merlinus's A support, Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade - ↑ "Merlinus: Swords, here. Spears, here. Axes, here.
Nino: Right, right, right.
Merlinus: Bows here, staves here, and anima, light, and dark tomes here. Finally, items go here.
Nino: Right. I think I’ve got it. You’re a really good teacher.
Merlinus: But of course! One must train the help!" — Merlinus and Nino's A support, Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade - ↑ "Merlinus: D-Dame Vaida! W-Why don’t you try one of these?
Vaida: What is this?
Merlinus: It is a roasted dumpling... I do hope you find it palatable...
Vaida: Roasted dumpling? That is food for children! Ahh, very well, give it here.
Merlinus: A-And... How is the flavor, m’lady?
Vaida: Merlinus!
Merlinus: Y-Yes?
Vaida: I...have never tasted anything like this!
Merlinus: Hyaa! Please forgive me! Just spare my life!
Vaida: It’s delicious! It is truly a wonderful flavor! Silly man, you are a genius!" — Merlinus and Vaida's A support, Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade - ↑ "Clarine: Are you deaf? I said that you are going to protect me from harm.
Merlinus: Mind your mouth, young lady!
Clarine: Please step back. I was not addressing you.
Merlinus: What?! Who do you think...
Roy: Now, now, Merlinus... It looks like she's being pursued by the castle's soldiers. That is why she wants us to guard her. Right?" — Chapter 4, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade - ↑ "Roy: Oh... But the battle is now over.
Merlinus: What are you saying, Lord Roy! The hard part has yet to come. We must help the land recover from the war. There are people out there who need our assistance.
Roy: Right! We have work to do. The real battle may be just beginning.
Merlinus: Yes. We are alive, so we must think about the future." — The first version of the epilogue, Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade - ↑ http://www.behindthename.com/name/merlin
- ↑ http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/raptors/Merlin.html
- ↑ http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/merlin.html
- ↑ キャラクター紹介, ファイアーエムブレムミュージアム (archived by the Wayback Machine), Retrieved: May 11, 2012
This article is part of Project Characters, a project focused on writing articles for every character present in the Fire Emblem series. |
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