So I use the little spare time I have at the moment to do some research regarding various aspects of my work of fiction.
And I have always been interested in the title of arch-mage.
Now, what I've found out is that Merlin, as well, is a title -- and not a name -- originating from the Middle English and means eagle. Supposedly it's a title like Lion.
My question is, would it be odd if it was used as a title alongside arch-mage?
IIRC, Merlin's original name was "Myrdin" or something along those lines but the author of the popular King Arthur story changed it to Merlin because the original name sounded too close to the French word for shit.
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“Where the longleaf pines are whispering
to him who loved them so.
Where the faint murmurs now dwindling
echo o’er tide and shore."
-A Grave Epitaph in Santa Rosa County, Florida; I wish I could remember the man's name.
Myrddin Wyllt is not the magician figure of Arthurian legend.
Some would argue that Merlin was a name inspired by Myraddin while others -- like Marion Zimmer Bradley -- would argue that it's a title, based off of the Middle English word for eagle.
Gender: Female Location: When in Doubt, Go to the Library.
Like all decisions in personal writing, you'll have to choose which you like the best, or maybe mix a bunch of origin stories up that make sense to you.
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It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.
That much is obvious. Though in general you want to integrate familiar elements and concepts to avoid alienating your readers. But at the same time you don't want to "borrow" too much, because you want it to have its own identity.
Regardless I've come up with another name for the title that sounds better in my mind.