Merlin

Merlin is a mage living in Cove during Ultima IV.

Description
The mystical wizard could be found in the remote eastern section of Cove, and would speak to the Stranger about the study of magic, wishing the hero the best of luck in their own pursuits. Should the adventurer have previously learned from Sam of the Jolly Spirits that Merlin knew of the black stone of Humility they could inquire about it, and the mage would reveal that the artifact had somehow become caught within one of the moongates. He would instruct the hero to seek out a gate which appeared during a double new moon, and to thoroughly search the ground around it.

Trivia

 * In the Nintendo remake of Ultima IV (where most character names were omitted and dialogue was significantly modified), Merlin can be identified with the ranger in the secret room in Vesper, who gives the same information. In fact, he is the only character in the remake that speaks about the Black Stone.
 * Merlin's name is probably taken from the famous wizard of Arthurian legend.