The Spirit World (also called the World of the Dead) is a supernatural realm where recently departed souls go to find peace after death. It is separated from the living world by a magical barrier known as the veil, and is guarded by the Cailleach, who serves as its Gatekeeper.
History
Morgause opened a door to the Spirit World so that Arthur could speak with his mother (The Sins of the Father).
Alice summoned the Manticore from the Spirit World with a box that contained a portal. She hoped to use its power for good, but the Manticore possessed her and made her poison Uther instead.
Fortunately, Gaius and Merlin were able to destroy the Manticore's box, severing its connection to its life force in the Spirit World and freeing Alice from its control (Love in the Time of Dragons).
Morgana sought revenge on Camelot by using a blood sacrifice to tear the veil between the worlds. Doing so released the Dorocha into the living world, along with other more benevolent spirits such as the Vilia. The veil was later healed and the Dorocha and other spirits banished when Lancelot offered himself as a sacrifice (The Darkest Hour).
Morgana summoned a Fomorroh from the Spirit World as part of her plan to make Merlin kill Arthur (A Servant of Two Masters).
When she sought to prevent Gwen and Arthur's marriage, Morgana traveled to the Pool of Nemhain and used a magical coin to summon Lancelot from the dead as a Shade (Lancelot du Lac).
Due to the unjust nature of his death, the Shrine Boy was denied entry to the Spirit World until he found peace. He tried to avenge his death by killing Arthur, who had led the raid on his camp, but ultimately found peace by forgiving Arthur when he expressed remorse for his actions (A Herald of the New Age).
At the Great Stones of Nemeton, Arthur used the Horn of Cathbhadh to enter the Spirit World and speak with his father. He looked back as he was leaving and accidentally released Uther's spirit into the living world, but was able to used the Horn to return Uther to the Spirit World (The Death Song of Uther Pendragon).
Known Inhabitants
| Inhabitant | Status | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bastet | Alive | Winged, cat-like creatures that inhabit the twilight world. |  |
| Cailleach | Alive | Gatekeeper to the Spirit World. |  |
| Dorocha | Extant | Voices of the dead. |  |
| Fomorroh | Deceased | Multi-headed serpent capable of enslaving minds. |  |
| Manticore | Deceased | Creature of dark magic. |  |
| Spirits | Extant | Apparitions of the deceased. |  |
| Vilia | Extant | Spirits of brooks and streams. |  |
Appearances
- Series 2
- The Sins of the Father (Mentioned indirectly)
- Series 3
- Love in the Time of Dragons (Mentioned only)
- Series 4
- The Darkest Hour
- A Servant of Two Masters (Mentioned only)
- Lancelot du Lac (Mentioned only)
- A Herald of the New Age (Mentioned only)
- Series 5
- The Death Song of Uther Pendragon
Trivia
- According to Gaius, the Spirit World contains an ancient evil that serves as the Manticore's life force (Love in the Time of Dragons).
- According to Morgana, the Fomorroh is unused to light, which may imply that the Spirit World is a place of deep darkness. When Arthur entered the Spirit World, however, it was shown to be a place of bright light (A Servant of Two Masters, The Death Song of Uther Pendragon).
- According to the Dochraid, the Pool of Nemhain is the last of Five Gateways to the Spirit World (Lancelot du Lac).
- In a deleted scene from The Secret Sharer, Morgana briefly entered the Spirit World and was reunited with Morgause, who gave her the magical coin she later used to summon Lancelot from the dead (Lancelot du Lac).
Gallery
