Lexicon
Terms and places
What you need to know about the world of Buffy and Angel – from the Slayer to Wolfram & Hart.
- Overview
- Creatures and villains
- Terms and places
- Slayer slang
- Characters A–Z
- Angel’s soul and the curse
- Caritas
- Doublemeat Palace
- Magic and witches
- Pylea
- Scooby Gang
- Spike’s chip
- Stake, cross and holy water
- Sunnydale
- The amulet
- The Bronze
- The Circle of the Black Thorn
- The Cruciamentum
- The First Slayer
- The Gem of Amarra
- The Hellmouth
- The Hyperion Hotel
- The Initiative
- The invitation
- The Key
- The Magic Box
- The Orb of Thesulah
- The Order of Aurelius
- The Potentials
- The Powers That Be
- The school library
- The Scythe
- The Shadow Men
- The Shanshu Prophecy
- The Slayer
- The visions
- UC Sunnydale
- Watchers and the Watchers’ Council
- Willy’s
- Wolfram & Hart
Angel’s soul and the curse
As punishment for murdering one of their daughters, the Kalderash Romani restored Angelus’ soul so he would suffer from his guilt. The curse has a clause: one moment of true happiness takes the soul away again. That is exactly what happens on Buffy’s seventeenth birthday.
“My blood is your blood. My soul is your soul.”
Master, B 1x02 · The HarvestMentioned in 90 episodes · 283 mentions
… and 4 more
… and 6 more
Caritas
Lorne’s karaoke bar in Los Angeles, a sanctuary where a spell forbids violence. When you sing, Lorne can read your future.
“Love the coat. It's all about the coat. Welcome to Caritas. You know what that means?”
Host, A 2x01 · JudgmentMentioned in 6 episodes · 13 mentions
Doublemeat Palace
A fast-food chain where Buffy works in season 6 because money is short. The secret of the “Doublemeat Medley” fills a whole episode.
“...because you've just become part of the DoubleMeat experience!”
Narrator, B 6x12 · Doublemeat PalaceMentioned in 4 episodes · 21 mentions
Magic and witches
Magic in Sunnydale comes at a price. Willow starts with small spells and becomes one of the most powerful witches in the world. In season 6 magic becomes an addiction, and after Tara’s death she loses control as Dark Willow.
“First vampires, now witches. No wonder you can still afford a house in Sunnydale.”
Xander, B 1x03 · The WitchMentioned in 91 episodes · 395 mentions
… and 30 more
Pylea
Lorne’s home dimension, where humans are slaves and music is unknown. Angel, Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn rescue Fred from there, and Cordelia briefly becomes a princess.
“Look, it's no secret that I hate Pylea.”
Lorne, A 2x20 · Over the rainbowMentioned in 8 episodes · 22 mentions
Scooby Gang
Buffy’s circle of friends who help her hunt, named after the kids in “Scooby-Doo”: Willow, Xander, Giles and everyone who joins over the years.
“C'mon, Cordelia. You wanna be a member of the Scooby Gang you gotta be willing to be inconvenienced every now and then.”
Xander, B 2x09 · What's My Line, Part 1Mentioned in 25 episodes · 35 mentions
Spike’s chip
An Initiative implant in Spike’s head. If he tries to hurt a human he gets crippling pain. He can still attack demons, which slowly puts him on Buffy’s side.
“Yes, very funny, they're chocolate chip. I can see them. I still need my glasses, though. You could be more specific and give me 20/20.”
Giles, B 4x09 · Something BlueMentioned in 21 episodes · 61 mentions
Stake, cross and holy water
The Slayer’s basic kit. Wood through the heart, sunlight or beheading kill a vampire. Crosses and holy water burn him but only hold him off. Mr. Pointy is Kendra’s stake, which Buffy keeps after her death.
“Oh, hey! Hey, you forgot your... stake!”
Xander, B 1x01 · Welcome to the HellmouthMentioned in 135 episodes · 440 mentions
… and 38 more
… and 17 more
Sunnydale
A small Southern California town of 38,500 people with a striking number of cemeteries and a striking death rate. Founded by the Mayor, gone in the finale into a giant crater.
“Welcome to Sunnydale! A clean slate, Buffy, that's what you get here. What's past is past. We're not interested in what it says on a piece of paper, even if it says... Whoa.”
Mr. Flutie, B 1x01 · Welcome to the HellmouthMentioned in 98 episodes · 232 mentions
… and 43 more
The amulet
A piece of jewellery that only a champion with a soul may wear. Spike wears it in the finale beneath the Hellmouth; it burns the Übervamps and him – and brings him back in Angel season 5.
The Bronze
Sunnydale’s club and the gang’s hangout. Real bands play live here, people dance, fight and kiss, and more often than not a vampire shows up.
“And if you're not too swamped with catching up you should come by the Bronze tonight.”
Cordelia, B 1x01 · Welcome to the HellmouthMentioned in 42 episodes · 77 mentions
… and 1 more
The Circle of the Black Thorn
A secret society through which the Senior Partners act on Earth. In the series finale Angel decides to kill every member in a single night, whatever the consequences.
“5 INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - DAY Resume. Angel has just asked everyone to vote on taking on the members of the Circle of the Black Thorn.”
Prologue, A 5x22 · Not Fade AwayMentioned in 1 episodes
The Cruciamentum
A cruel Watchers’ Council test on a Slayer’s 18th birthday: her powers are secretly taken away and she must face a vampire. Giles has to drug Buffy for it and afterwards breaks with the Council.
“Cruciamentum is not easy... for Slayer or Watcher. But it's been done this way for a dozen centuries. Whenever a Slayer turns eighteen. It's a time-honored rite of passage.”
Quentin, B 3x12 · HelplessMentioned in 1 episodes
The First Slayer
The primal Slayer, created thousands of years ago when the Shadow Men put the power of a demon into a girl. She appears to Buffy in dreams and visions.
“She's your first Slayer, I take it?”
Giles, B 3x07 · RevelationsMentioned in 7 episodes · 29 mentions
The Gem of Amarra
A ring that makes a vampire invulnerable and even lets him walk in sunlight. Spike hunts for it in Sunnydale, Oz brings it to Angel in Los Angeles, and Angel destroys it.
“It's the gem of Amarra.”
Angel makes no move to take it, A 1x03 · In the darkMentioned in 1 episodes · 3 mentions
The Hellmouth
A portal between our world and the demon dimensions, right beneath Sunnydale High School. It draws evil to it and explains why so much happens in the small town. At the end of season 7 it collapses along with the whole town.
“Yes. The Spanish who first settled here called it 'Boca del Infierno'. Roughly translated, 'Hellmouth'. It's a sort of, um, portal between this reality and the next. This vampire hopes to open it.”
Giles, B 1x02 · The HarvestMentioned in 38 episodes · 66 mentions
The Hyperion Hotel
An abandoned hotel from the twenties that Angel Investigations moves into in season 2. Angel already knows it from the fifties.
“Lockley." Angel sitting in a car talking on a cell phone: "8843 Hyperion Way right off Pier 39. San Pedro.”
Kate, A 1x06 · Sense and SensitivityMentioned in 5 episodes · 8 mentions
The Initiative
A secret military unit beneath the UC Sunnydale campus. It captures demons and vampires to experiment on them. Riley Finn is a member, and Spike gets the chip there that stops him from biting.
“As long as he knows about the initiative, he's a threat. We do this the professor's way.”
Riley, B 4x08 · PangsMentioned in 14 episodes · 80 mentions
The invitation
A vampire cannot enter a home unless invited. A spell can revoke the invitation again. Public places like shops or clubs are not protected by the rule.
“Well, we could invite the chess club, but they drink and they start fights...”
Owen, B 1x05 · Never Kill a Boy on the First DateMentioned in 59 episodes · 113 mentions
The Key
An ancient energy that can open the walls between dimensions. Monks gave it human form and sent it to Buffy as her little sister Dawn, complete with invented memories for everyone involved.
“Tell me ... where ... the key is. Monk talking to Buffy.”
Glory, B 5x06 · FamilyMentioned in 14 episodes · 122 mentions
The Magic Box
A magic shop Giles takes over in season 5. With the school library blown up, the shop becomes the new headquarters, with Anya at the till.
“Magic Box, your one-stop spot to shop for-”
Giles, B 5x08 · ShadowMentioned in 15 episodes · 25 mentions
The Orb of Thesulah
A glass orb used in the ritual to restore a soul. Jenny Calendar translates the Kalderash spell, and Willow later casts it for Angel.
“I need an Orb of Thesulah.”
Jenny, B 2x17 · PassionMentioned in 2 episodes · 4 mentions
The Order of Aurelius
An ancient vampire cult led by the Master. Darla, Angelus, Drusilla and Spike come from his line and later form the notorious “Scourge of Europe”.
“Oh, the Order of Aurelius. Yes, you're right.”
Giles, B 1x05 · Never Kill a Boy on the First DateMentioned in 3 episodes · 7 mentions
The Potentials
Girls who could be called as the next Slayer. In season 7 the First has them hunted all over the world, and the survivors take shelter in Buffy’s house.
Mentioned in 1 episodes
The Powers That Be
Higher powers that watch over the balance between good and evil. They send visions, first to Doyle, then to Cordelia, showing Angel whom to help.
“I've been sent. – By the Powers That Be.”
Doyle, A 1x01 · City of ...Mentioned in 23 episodes · 77 mentions
The school library
Giles’ domain at Sunnydale High, full of old books about demons and right above the Hellmouth. This is where the gang researches, trains and plans until the school is blown up at graduation.
“From the library? Where the books live.”
Willow, B 1x01 · Welcome to the HellmouthMentioned in 58 episodes · 124 mentions
… and 9 more
The Scythe
An ancient weapon forged for the Slayer and hidden deep in stone. With its help Willow shares the Slayer’s power with every potential Slayer in the world in the finale.
The Shadow Men
The men who once created the First Slayer. In season 7 they offer Buffy even more demonic power, which she refuses.
The Shanshu Prophecy
A prophecy from the Scrolls of Aberdeen: the vampire with a soul will play a key role in the apocalypse and become human again afterwards. Whether that means Angel or Spike is left open.
“Shanshu. - Shanshu. - Or maybe it's shushan.”
Wesley, A 1x22 · To Shanshu in L.A.Mentioned in 2 episodes · 8 mentions
The Slayer
“Into every generation a Slayer is born.” A girl with superhuman strength, speed and prophetic dreams who fights vampires and demons. When she dies the next one is called. Because Buffy briefly dies, there are two Slayers from season 2 on, and hundreds by the end of the series.
“Because you are the Slayer. Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires...”
Giles, B 1x01 · Welcome to the HellmouthMentioned in 122 episodes · 757 mentions
… and 71 more
The visions
Images of people in trouble, sent by the Powers That Be. Doyle passes them on to Cordelia with a kiss. They are so painful for a human that they nearly kill Cordelia.
“We all got something to atone for. Had a vision this morning. When the blinding pain stopped I wrote this down.”
Doyle, A 1x01 · City of ...Mentioned in 47 episodes · 240 mentions
… and 7 more
UC Sunnydale
The university where Buffy and Willow study from season 4. The Initiative is hidden beneath the campus.
“Heh. Isn't college cool?”
Willow, B 4x01 · FreshmanMentioned in 22 episodes · 68 mentions
Watchers and the Watchers’ Council
Every Slayer has a Watcher who trains her and guards the knowledge of demons. The Watchers’ Council in London oversees them all. Buffy and Giles clash with the Council again and again until Buffy breaks away from it completely.
“I-I'm a Watcher, I-I haven't the skill...”
Giles, B 1x01 · Welcome to the HellmouthMentioned in 55 episodes · 241 mentions
… and 7 more
Willy’s
A shady bar in Sunnydale where mostly demons and vampires drink. Owner Willy sells information to anyone who pays – Buffy included.
“I'm getting itchy feet, Giles. We don't turn up something soon, I'm gonna hit the streets. Maybe check out Willy's.”
Buffy, B 3x13 · The ZeppoMentioned in 6 episodes · 7 mentions
Wolfram & Hart
A law firm backed by the Senior Partners, ancient evil powers. The firm is Angel’s constant enemy until it hands him its Los Angeles branch in season 5.
“Wolfram&Hart is a full service law firm, Mr. Winters. It is our job - to see to it that our clients lives run more smoothly.”
Lawyer, A 1x01 · City of ...Mentioned in 36 episodes · 124 mentions
Episodes and quotes are found automatically in the original English scripts (only episodes with a transcript). For common words only the relevant seasons are counted.