The Avalon Project: How Avalon Runs

As I’ve said previously, I spent a great deal of time thinking about the Avalon Project before I even started outlining it a few years back. I fell asleep each night, running it through my head and putting pieces in place, coming up with new ideas. Thinking about what I liked and did not like in other stories of the mysterious, mist covered isle.

One thing that started an avalanche of tangents in my head was Merlin. In some stories, he is called Merlin; in others, he is Taliesin. In Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, the High Priestess’ second in command (or so it seemed), was named Raven.

Merlins and ravens are birds.

What if those were titles, rather than names?

And that’s where I began that part of the story. With the Merlin, the Raven and the Hawk.

These three people, along with the High Priestess herself, formed a council, which in my story is called The Coe. A Coe is defined as “A crowlike Old World bird of the genus Pyrrhocorax, especially P. pyrrhocorax, having black plumage and red legs.”

Crows are a popular bird in fantasy literature. It seemed to fit.

So, what does each title mean?

The Merlin is the partner of the High Priestess in all senses. He is her life-partner, her second in command, her sounding board. He is the eyes and ears of the High Priestess. His assistance and counsel are invaluable. In addition, he sets the crystals that a priest or priestess receives when they make their bond with the Goddess, and often assists in rituals. Often, before the High Priestess ascends to her position, she has already chosen her life-mate, and that person becomes the Merlin. In The Avalon Project, the Merlin is Taliesin.

The Raven is the High Priestess’ Voice. She is chosen at the time of the High Priestess’s ascension. She often passes along information to the priests and priestesses of the isle when the High Priestess is not available. She handles most correspondence on and off the isle, and she is the keeper of all archived documents. She does research. She oversees the kitchen staff and the trainees therein. She handles day to day questions. She is the voice of reason when necessary. In my story, the Raven is Narah, the High Priestess’ closest friend and confidante. Narah is calm but never still. She runs as if she were a much younger woman. She teaches. She is a sounding board for anyone in need of one. Wise and occasionally sarcastic, she is one of my favorite characters to write.

The Hawk is the sword and shield of the High Priestess. He is her warlord, her strategist. He trains her guardians and her couriers, as well as anyone who wishes weapons training. He is often the head blacksmith of the isle as well, and in charge of the making of weapons. He is chosen at the time of the High Priestess’ ascension. In the case of my story, he is Lowen, Taliesin’s brother, and he takes his job very seriously. He is gruff and often looks for the simplest solution to any problem. Lowen never took a life-partner, as he prefers to focus on the task at hand.

And what about the High Priestess herself?

Vivaine, the High Priestess, was chosen for her position because she is the eldest female in her generation of line of High Priestess’ before her. There are others, including her two sisters, Ygraine and Morgause, however, she is the eldest of those who chose to stay on the isle. She is the niece of the former High Priestess, Cerridwen, who did not have any children of her own. The High Priestess’ role is to oversee all training and activity on the isle. She makes decisions with the help of her Coe. She leads rituals and holidays. The final decision is always hers to make. It is a great responsibility, and the High Priestess must always put the safety and well-being of Avalon first, above her own family and self.

Because Vivaine did not have children of her own blood, which is not an uncommon occurrence. Thus, the next High Priestess will be chosen from her sisters’ children. Ygraine has one daughter, Morgaine. Morgause had no female children. That leaves only one option.

You’ll have to read the series to see how that works out.

Note: All images came from Pinterest. I do not own the copyright to any of these images.